Ex Calling
| "Ex Calling" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| File:6lack - Ex Calling.jpg | ||||
| Single by 6lack | ||||
| from the album Free 6lack | ||||
| Released | July 25, 2016 | |||
| Recorded | 2016 | |||
| Genre | Alternative R&B | |||
| Length | 3:31 | |||
| Label | ||||
| Songwriters | ||||
| Producers |
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| 6lack singles chronology | ||||
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| Music video | ||||
| "Ex Calling" on YouTube | ||||
"Ex Calling" is the debut single by American singer 6lack. It was first released on May 17, 2016[1] before being released to streaming services on July 25, 2016[2] as the lead single from his debut studio album Free 6lack (2016). Produced by Southside and DZL, the song is a remix of "Perkys Calling" by American rapper Future from the mixtape Purple Reign (2016).
Background
[edit | edit source]In an interview with Genius, 6lack revealed the song was referring to all of his previous romantic partners. He stated, "'Ex Calling' was literally a collage of all my exes. I just combined them into one mega ex and just made a song about all of them. She was in there somewhere. I just fused them all into the greatest ex of all time."[3]
Composition
[edit | edit source]The production contains sparse piano and "alternating bass kicks that speed up the pace".[4] Lyrically, 6lack reflects on his past relationships,[5] especially dealing with his self-growth following a toxic relationship[6] and refusal to answer the phone when his ex calls him.[3]
Music video
[edit | edit source]The music video was released on December 5, 2016. Shot in black-and-white, it sees 6lack wandering through town[7] and visiting a strip club,[5][7][8] where he throws money on some dancers.[8]
Charts
[edit | edit source]| Chart (2017) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| US Bubbling Under Hot 100 (Billboard)[9] | 24 |
| US Bubbling Under R&B/Hip-Hop Singles (Billboard)[10] | 3 |
Certifications
[edit | edit source]| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| Canada (Music Canada)[11] | 2× Platinum | 160,000‡ |
| New Zealand (RMNZ)[12] | Gold | 15,000‡ |
| United States (RIAA)[13] | 2× Platinum | 2,000,000‡ |
|
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. | ||
References
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- ^ "6lack Chart History (Bubbling Under Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved April 2, 2025.
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