"Lay wit Ya" is a song by American rapper Isaiah Rashad, released on May 7, 2021 as the lead single from his second studio album The House Is Burning (2021). It features American rapper Duke Deuce and was produced by Hollywood Cole. The song contains a sample of "Ridin' n' da Chevy" by Three 6 Mafia.
| "Lay wit Ya" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Single by Isaiah Rashad featuring Duke Deuce | ||||
| from the album The House Is Burning | ||||
| Released | May 7, 2021 | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 3:22 | |||
| Label | ||||
| Songwriters |
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| Producer | Hollywood Cole | |||
| Isaiah Rashad singles chronology | ||||
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| Duke Deuce singles chronology | ||||
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| Music video | ||||
| "Lay wit Ya" on YouTube | ||||
Background
editAccording to Isaiah Rashad, the song's idea originated from a lockout that he had experienced in January 2020. When Hollywood Cole shared the beat with him, they made the song in about ten minutes.[1]
Composition
editThe song consists of hi-hats,[2] bass, 808s and "tinny" drums in the production, along with elements of crunk.[3] Rashad adopts a more aggressive flow in his verse and a "ghostly" drawl on the chorus.[2] He performs the first verse, in which he references rapper Gucci Mane and the Star Trek character Captain Kirk in one of his lines,[2][4] while Duke Deuce performs the second.[4]
Critical reception
editThe song received generally positive reviews. Chase McMullen of Beats per Minute described Isaiah Rashad as "more than at home" over the song's "Three 6 Mafia sampling romp, hell, he practically moves in." In regard to Duke Deuce, he stated "Coming in strong off his recent Duke Nukem project, Deuce knows just how much his presence is worth in 2021."[5] Mankaprr Conteh of Rolling Stone wrote "The real beat is clear and crisp. Rashad leans into its ride, sedately growling, 'Last year you was my bitch, now you my baby guuuuuurl,' while Duke Deuce taps into the production's energy." She also commented that Deuce's verse "might have stolen the show if it wasn't so refreshing to hear Isaiah Rashad rap without his self-reflection weighing him down."[3] Alphonse Pierre of Pitchfork remarked "despite how underwhelming the single is, my excitement for the TDE affiliate's upcoming album hasn't been tempered. His versatile flows and ability to shift between euphoric chants and street tales clouded by a looming sense of darkness sound as strong as ever. 'Lay Wit Ya' also has a really fun guest verse from Duke Deuce, the Memphis-bred headbanging ball of supernova energy. Even so, it's hard not to be distracted by the overpowering sample."[6] In a review The House Is Burning, Rowan5215 of Sputnikmusic criticized the song as "egregiously simplistic", commenting that it "threaten[s] to derail The House is Burning before it's had a chance to get going".[7]
Music video
editThe music video was directed by Omar Jones and released alongside the single. It sees the rappers at an underground party, with shots of Isaiah Rashad driving a black SUV with an entourage of women. The clip also includes an additional closing verse that is absent from the single.[2]
Charts
edit| Chart (2021) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| US Bubbling Under Hot 100 (Billboard)[8] | 21 |
| New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ)[9] | 21 |
References
edit- ↑ "The House Is Burning - Album by Isaiah Rashad". Apple Music. Retrieved 17 May 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 Peters, Daniel (May 7, 2021). "Top Dawg Entertainment rapper Isaiah Rashad drops new single, 'Lay Wit Ya'". NME. Retrieved 16 May 2026.
- 1 2 Conteh, Mankaprr (May 7, 2021). "Song You Need to Know: Isaiah Rashad Featuring Duke Deuce, 'Lay Wit Ya'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 16 May 2026.
- 1 2 "Isaiah Rashad Drops New Single 'Lay Wit Ya'". Rap-Up. May 6, 2021. Archived from the original on February 15, 2025. Retrieved 16 May 2026.
- ↑ McMullen, Chase (May 7, 2021). "Duke Deuce handily steals the show on Isaiah Rashad's "Lay wit Ya"". Beats per Minute. Retrieved 16 May 2026.
- ↑ Pierre, Alphonse (May 14, 2021). ""Lay Wit Ya" [ft. Duke Deuce]". Pitchfork. Retrieved 16 May 2026.
- ↑ "Isaiah Rashad: The House Is Burning". Sputnikmusic. 2021-08-03. Retrieved 2026-05-16.
- ↑ "Isaiah Rashad Chart History (Bubbling Under Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved May 16, 2026.
- ↑ "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. May 17, 2021. Retrieved May 16, 2026.