Wikipedia

Shabang

"Shabang" is a song by Canadian rapper Drake, released on May 15, 2026, as the sixth track on his studio album Iceman through OVO Sound and Republic Records. Produced by Maneesh, the track features ad-libs from rapper Quavo and Young Jonii, and contains lyrical references to rapper 21 Savage and singer Bryson Tiller. The song received generally positive critical reception, with several publications naming it among the standout tracks on Iceman and multiple artists and critics citing it as a song of the summer. Commercially, "Shabang" peaked at number four on the Billboard Hot 100 and number two on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart in the United States, while also reaching the top five in Canada and on the Billboard Global 200. The song inspired a viral social media challenge and was accompanied by an official music video filmed at Downsview Park in Toronto, which drew considerable media coverage after a large controlled explosion staged for the shoot alarmed local residents.

"Shabang"
Song by Drake
from the album Iceman
ReleasedMay 15, 2026
Length3:08
Label
ProducerManeesh
Music video
"Shabang" on YouTube

Background

edit

"Shabang" appears on Iceman, the first instalment of a studio album trilogy Drake released simultaneously on May 15, 2026, alongside Habibti and Maid of Honour.[1] All three projects were released through OVO Sound and Republic Records. On the day of the album's release, Drake unveiled a wave of official music videos in what Complex described as a "visual onslaught", including clips for "Janice STFU" and "Ran to Atlanta" alongside the video for "Shabang".[2] The music video had been filmed approximately one month earlier, on the evening of April 16, 2026, at Downsview Park in North York, Toronto.[3]

Composition

edit

Produced by Maneesh, "Shabang" features Drake delivering a boastful, taunting performance directed at his rivals.[4] The lyrics contain references to rapper 21 Savage and singer Bryson Tiller.[2][1] The track features ad-libs from rapper Quavo and Young Jonii. Critics described the song as operating in Drake's more accessible, dance-floor-oriented mode: GQ called it "a swaggering anthem you can already hear a dancefloor full of bros in suit vests shouting along to" and suggested it would have been the most "conventional" pick for a lead single from Iceman,[1] while Rolling Stone wrote that it "lands squarely in the joyous realm of the kind of hits he used to deliver with ease."[5]

Critical reception

edit

"Shabang" received generally positive reviews from music critics. Jeff Ihaza of Rolling Stone wrote that it "lands squarely in the joyous realm of the kind of hits he used to deliver with ease."[5] Abe Beame of GQ characterized it as "a swaggering anthem" and the most naturally commercial track on the album, suggesting it was the obvious choice for a lead single.[1] Armon Sadler of Billboard ranked it 13th of the 18 tracks on Iceman, describing Quavo's ad-libs as "refreshing" and his contribution as "the icing on the cake for a solid record."[6]

The song attracted widespread recognition as a song of the summer. Rapper Offset and singer Leon Thomas both named it their song of the summer,[7][8] and Abie Niedzwiecki included it in The Fader's list of 16 picks for song of the summer 2026.[9]

Commercial performance

edit

"Shabang" entered the Billboard Hot 100 following the release of Iceman on May 15, 2026, eventually peaking at number four.[10] It reached number two on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.[11] In Canada, it peaked at number five on the Billboard Canadian Hot 100,[12] and reached the same position globally on the Billboard Global 200.[13]

Internationally, the song charted in numerous territories, peaking at number nine in New Zealand,[14] number 13 on the ARIA Singles Chart in Australia,[15] number seven on the Australian Hip Hop/R&B chart,[16] and number two on the South Africa Streaming chart.[17] The song also appeared on charts in France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, India, Ireland, Luxembourg, the Middle East and North Africa, Nigeria, Norway, Slovakia, Sweden, and the United Arab Emirates.

Music video

edit

The official music video for "Shabang" was released on May 15, 2026, on the day of the album's release. It centers on a large-scale controlled explosion, with Drake's silhouette appearing against the blast; footage of the explosion constitutes the majority of the video's runtime.

The explosion was filmed on the evening of April 16, 2026, at Downsview Park in North York, Toronto.[3] The production was permitted by the City of Toronto under the codename "Project Bot"; a Special Effects (SPFX) permit was issued, and both Toronto Fire Services and Toronto Police Service were engaged in advance of the shoot.[18][19]

Downsview Park had issued advance notice on its website and social media channels, warning of planned pyrotechnic effects during the week of April 13 and advising that nearby residents might experience loud noises, flashes of light, and smoke.[20] Nonetheless, many residents who had not seen the notice were alarmed. Ward 6 councillor James Pasternak told CP24 that residents were "shocked out of their beds" as a mushroom cloud rose over the neighbourhood, and subsequently brought a motion before Toronto City Council regarding the incident.[21][3] CBC News reported that the episode raised broader concerns about the adequacy of public communication surrounding permitted pyrotechnic events in residential areas.[20]

Viral trend

edit

"Shabang" inspired a viral social media challenge in which participants use video editing techniques to make beverages and other objects appear to materialize spontaneously in sync with Drake's verses. Several celebrities participated in the challenge, including Summer Walker, Idris Elba, and Stunna Sandy.[22]

Remixes and covers

edit

In late May 2026, a mashup combining "Shabang" with the nursery rhyme "Hickory Dickory Dock" was released and quickly gained widespread attention online.[23]

Personnel

edit
  • Drake – lead vocals
  • Quavo – ad-libs
  • Young Jonii – ad-libs
  • Maneesh – producer

Charts

edit
Chart performance for "Shabang"
Chart (2026) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[15]13
Australia Hip Hop/R&B (ARIA)[24] 7
Canada Hot 100 (Billboard)[12]5
France (SNEP)[25] 152
Germany (GfK)[26]96
Global 200 (Billboard)[13]5
Greece International (IFPI)[27] 19
Iceland (Billboard)[28] 18
India International (IMI)[29] 19
Ireland (IRMA)[30] 80
Luxembourg (Billboard)[31] 17
Middle East and North Africa (IFPI)[32] 11
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[14]9
Nigeria (TurnTable Top 100)[33] 84
Norway (VG-lista)[34]79
Slovakia Singles Digital (ČNS IFPI)[35]100
South Africa Streaming (TOSAC)[17] 2
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[36]43
United Arab Emirates (IFPI)[37] 9
US Billboard Hot 100[10]4
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[11]2

References

edit
  1. 1 2 3 4 Beame, Abe (May 19, 2026). "Would Drake's Flood of New Music Be Stronger as One Great 13-Song Album?". GQ. Retrieved May 30, 2026.
  2. 1 2 Cowen, Trace William (May 22, 2026). "Drake's 'Iceman' Visual Onslaught: Watch Official Videos for "Janice STFU," "Ran to Atlanta," More". Complex. Retrieved May 30, 2026.
  3. 1 2 3 Spurr, Ben (April 23, 2026). "Drake music video's shock-and-awe explosion rattles residents, leads to Toronto councillor's motion". Toronto Star. Retrieved May 30, 2026.
  4. ↑ Coleman, David (May 19, 2026). "Drake – Iceman review". NoRipcord. Retrieved May 30, 2026.
  5. 1 2 Ihaza, Jeff (May 18, 2026). "Drake's 'Iceman' Trilogy Turns 'Not Like Us' Inside Out". Rolling Stone. Retrieved May 30, 2026.
  6. ↑ Sadler, Armon (May 15, 2026). "Drake's 'ICEMAN' Album: All 18 Tracks Ranked". Billboard. Retrieved May 30, 2026.
  7. ↑ Cole, Alexander (May 25, 2026). "Offset Reveals Which New Drake Track Is His Song Of The Summer". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved May 30, 2026.
  8. ↑ Grant, Shawn (May 26, 2026). "Leon Thomas Names Drake's "Shabang" His Song of the Summer". The Source. Retrieved May 30, 2026.
  9. ↑ "16 picks for Song of the Summer 2026". The FADER. 2026-06-10. Retrieved 2026-06-10.
  10. 1 2 "Drake Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved May 30, 2026.
  11. 1 2 "Drake Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved June 2, 2026.
  12. 1 2 "Drake Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved May 30, 2026.
  13. 1 2 "Drake Chart History (Global 200)". Billboard. Retrieved May 30, 2026.
  14. 1 2 "Drake – Shabang". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved May 31, 2026.
  15. 1 2 "Drake – Shabang". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved May 31, 2026.
  16. ↑ "ARIA Top 40 Hip Hop/R&B Singles Chart". Australian Recording Industry Association. May 25, 2026. Retrieved May 30, 2026.
  17. 1 2 "Local & International Streaming Chart Top 20 Week 21, 2026". The Official South African Charts. Archived from the original on May 29, 2026. Retrieved May 31, 2026.
  18. ↑ "City confirms explosion at Downsview Park was part of Drake video shoot". CTV News. April 17, 2026. Retrieved May 30, 2026.
  19. ↑ Dev, Prisha (April 17, 2026). "Explosion during film shoot at Downsview Park rattles Toronto residents". Global News. Retrieved May 30, 2026.
  20. 1 2 Piercey, Olivia (April 19, 2026). "Planned explosion at Downsview Park raises concerns about communication after the blast spooked residents". CBC News. Retrieved May 30, 2026.
  21. ↑ Aguilar, Bryann; Wilson, Codi (April 17, 2026). "What caused the explosion at Downsview Park?". CP24. Retrieved May 30, 2026.
  22. ↑ Coleman, C. Vernon, II (June 8, 2026). "Drake's 'Shabang' Sparks New Social Media Challenge, Celebrities Idris Elba, Summer Walker and More Join In". XXL. Retrieved June 8, 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  23. ↑ Mahadevan, Tara (May 25, 2026). "Drake's "Shabang" Gets Mashed Up With "Hickory Dickory Dock" and It's Kind of Fire". Complex. Retrieved May 30, 2026.
  24. ↑ "ARIA Top 40 Hip Hop/R&B Singles Chart". Australian Recording Industry Association. May 25, 2026. Retrieved May 30, 2026.
  25. ↑ "Top de la semaine (semaine du 25 mai 2026)". Syndicat National de l'Edition Phonographique. May 25, 2026. Retrieved May 31, 2026.
  26. ↑ "Offizielle Deutsche Charts" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. To see the peak chart position, click 'TITEL VON', followed by the artist's name. Retrieved May 30, 2026.
  27. ↑ "Official IFPI Charts − Digital Singles Chart (International) − Εβδομάδα: 20/2026" (in Greek). IFPI Greece. Archived from the original on May 27, 2026. Retrieved May 31, 2026.
  28. ↑ "Drake Chart History (Iceland Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved May 31, 2026.
  29. ↑ "IMI International Top 20 Singles for week ending 25th May 2026 | Week 21 of 52". Indian Music Industry. Archived from the original on May 25, 2026. Retrieved May 31, 2026.
  30. ↑ "IRMA – Irish Charts (Week 24, 2026)". Irish Recorded Music Association. Retrieved June 13, 2026.
  31. ↑ "Drake Chart History (Luxembourg Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved May 31, 2026.
  32. ↑ "The Official MENA Chart | Weekly Chart – Week 21, 2026 – 15/05 to 21/05/2026". The Official MENA Chart (Select year 2026 and week 21 to view peak.). International Federation of the Phonographic Industry. May 26, 2026. Retrieved May 31, 2026.
  33. ↑ "TurnTable Nigeria Top 100: May 15th – May 21st, 2026". TurnTable. Archived from the original on May 29, 2026. Retrieved May 31, 2026.
  34. ↑ "Drake – Shabang". VG-lista. Retrieved May 31, 2026.
  35. ↑ "ČNS IFPI – SK Singles Digital – Top 100 – 21. týden 2026" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Singles Digital Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Retrieved May 31, 2026.
  36. ↑ "Drake – Shabang". Singles Top 100. Retrieved May 30, 2026.
  37. ↑ "The Official MENA Chart | Weekly Chart – Week 21, 2026 – 15/05 to 21/05/2026". The Official MENA Chart (Select year 2026, week 21 and UAE chart to view peak.). May 22, 2026. Retrieved May 31, 2026.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Shabang&oldid=1359742989"