"Take a Step Back" is a song by American rapper Ski Mask the Slump God featuring fellow American rapper XXXTentacion. The song was released as a single for Ski Mask's mixtape You Will Regret. It was produced by Ronny J.
| "Take a Step Back" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single by Ski Mask the Slump God featuring XXXTentacion | ||||
| from the album Drown in Designer and You Will Regret | ||||
| Released | May 12, 2017 | |||
| Recorded | 2016 | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 3:30 | |||
| Label | ||||
| Songwriters | ||||
| Producer | Ronny J | |||
| Ski Mask the Slump God singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
| XXXTentacion singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
Background
edit"Take a Step Back" was originally released for Ski Mask the Slump God's mixtape Drown in Designer on May 16, 2016 and as a single for Ski Mask's mixtape You Will Regret on May 12, 2017. The song has been described as a "mosh pit anthem" and as the unofficial theme of rap festivals.[1][2] The song utilizes elements of punk rock and heavy metal. The song was recorded on a pair of iPhone earbuds, giving it a distorted sound, but Ski Mask said that he and XXXTentacion used it to their advantage.[1][3]
A feud ensued between Ski Mask and X between late 2017 and early 2018, with Ski Mask saying he wanted to be seen as an individual rapper rather than just X's partner.[4] X briefly said he would quit music until Ski Mask would be his friend again.[5] At the 2018 Rolling Loud festival while Ski Mask was set to perform, the two surprised the audience with X joining Ski Mask to perform "Take A Step Back", ending the feud.[1]
Personnel
edit- Ski Mask the Slump God – primary artist, songwriter
- XXXTentacion – featured artist, songwriter
- Ronny J – producer, songwriter
Certifications
edit| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil)[6] | Gold | 30,000‡ |
| New Zealand (RMNZ)[7] | Platinum | 30,000‡ |
| United Kingdom (BPI)[8] | Silver | 200,000‡ |
| United States (RIAA)[9] | Platinum | 1,000,000‡ |
|
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. | ||
External links
editReferences
edit- 1 2 3 4 5 "How "Take a Step Back" Became a Mosh Pit Anthem". Complex. Retrieved 2022-06-09.
- ↑ Elibert, Mark (2021-11-10). "Lil Uzi Vert, Young Thug, XXXTENTACION + More Officially Named SoundCloud Greats". HipHopDX. Retrieved 2022-06-09.
- ↑ Woods, Aleia (3 May 2021). "Ski Mask The Slump God Calls Out 6ix9ine After Tekashi Plays XXXTentacion's 'Look at Me' During Concert". XXL Mag. Retrieved 2022-06-09.
- ↑ "Ski Mask The Slump God Distances Himself From XXXTentacion – XXL". XXL Mag. 31 October 2017. Archived from the original on November 3, 2017. Retrieved November 1, 2017.
- ↑ "XXXTentacion Will Make Music If Ski Mask the Slump God Is His Friend Again". HotNewHipHop. Archived from the original on October 30, 2017. Retrieved November 1, 2017.
- ↑ "Brazilian single certifications – Ski Mask the Slump God – Take a Step Back" (in Portuguese). Pro-Música Brasil. Retrieved September 13, 2024.
- ↑ "New Zealand single certifications – Xxxtentacion feat. $ki Mask The Slump God – Take a Step Back". Radioscope. Retrieved February 13, 2025. Type Take a Step Back in the "Search:" field and press Enter.
- ↑ "British single certifications – Ski Mask the Slump God – Take a Step Back". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved May 8, 2026. Select singles in the Formats field. Type Take a Step Back Ski Mask the Slump God in the "Search:" field.
- ↑ "American single certifications – Ski Mask the Slump God – Take a Step Back". Recording Industry Association of America.