"9 Piece" | ||||
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Single by Rick Ross featuring T.I. or Lil Wayne | ||||
from the album Ashes to Ashes / The Bling Ring: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack | ||||
Released | May 10, 2011 | |||
Format | Digital download | |||
Recorded | 2010–2011 | |||
Genre | Hip hop | |||
Length | 5:17 (T.I. version) 3:59 (Lil Wayne version) |
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Label | Maybach Music Group, Def Jam, Slip-n-Slide | |||
Writer(s) | William Leonard Roberts II, Clifford Joseph Harris, Jr., Dwayne Carter, Lexus Lewis | |||
Producer(s) | Lex Luger | |||
Rick Ross singles chronology | ||||
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"9 Piece" is a song by American rapper Rick Ross. There are two versions, one featuring T.I. and the other – Lil Wayne. The song was originally placed on Ross' mixtape Ashes to Ashes and later released as a single from his fifth studio album, God Forgives, I Don't (2011). However, despite peaking at number 61 on the Billboard Hot 100, the song did not make the final cut for the album. In 2013, "9 Piece" was featured on the soundtrack of Sofia Coppola's film The Bling Ring.
"9 Piece" was produced by Lex Luger, with whom Ross had previously worked on the single "B.M.F. (Blowin' Money Fast)", as well as "MC Hammer" off of his 2010 studio album Teflon Don. The original version of "9 Piece" with a guest verse by T.I. was featured on Ross' mixtape Ashes to Ashes, which was released on December 24, 2010. A new version was recorded later, with Lil Wayne replacing T.I. The second version was released as a single from God Forgives, I Don't on May 10, 2011. Despite being a commercial success, the song was left out of the final track list for the album.
Each version of the song has its own music video. The first video was directed by MMG's in-house director Spiff TV, and was released on December 24, 2010, coinciding with the release of Ashes to Ashes. The official music video for the second version, directed by Gil Green, was released on June 24, 2011. It shows Rick Ross and Lil Wayne at various locations, including a restaurant, its parking lot, a strip club and a pool club. The rappers are organizing drug deals via their iPhones while under police surveillance. The video features cameo appearances from Gunplay, Torch, Young Breed, 8Ball & MJG, DJ Khaled, French Montana and Birdman. Alex Young of Consequence of Sound commented on the video: "Strippers, guns, drugs, and…iPhones? Check, check, check, and check." As of May 2014, it has gained over 4 million views on YouTube.