"Let It Go" (stylized in

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) is a song by American record producer

DJ Khaled Khaled Mohammed Khaled (born November 26, 1975), known professionally as DJ Khaled, is an American DJ, record executive, record producer and rapper. Khaled first gained recognition as a radio host in the 1990s on the radio station WEDR, 99 Ja ...

, featuring Canadian singer

Justin Bieber Justin Drew Bieber ( ; born March 1, 1994) is a Canadian singer. Bieber is recognized for his genre-melding musicianship and has played an influential role in modern-day popular music. He was discovered by American record executive Scooter ...

and Atlanta-based rapper

21 Savage Shéyaa Bin Abraham-Joseph (born October 22, 1992), known professionally as 21 Savage, is a rapper based in Atlanta, Georgia, United States. Born in London, he moved to Atlanta with his mother at age seven. He became known after releasing two m ...

. It was released on May 10, 2021, as the second single from Khaled's twelfth studio album, ''

Khaled Khaled ''Khaled Khaled'' is the twelfth studio album by American record producer DJ Khaled. It was released through We the Best Music and Epic Records on April 30, 2021. The album features guest appearances from Lil Wayne, Jeremih, Lil Baby, Lil Durk, ...

''. Khaled, Bieber, and Savage wrote the song with producer SkipOnDaBeat, while the song was also produced by Al Cres. Deemed a "fun" song, it is supported by bouncy production and playful lyrics about not worrying over what cannot be controlled and, instead, "let it go".

Background

According to Justin Bieber's DJ and A&R coordinator, DJ Tay James, the instrumental of "Let It Go" originally came from the team of Nigerian singer-songwriter and record producer

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, who previously worked with Bieber a couple times earlier in 2021. Beam's team sent Bieber's camp the beat, which previously had a different song with different lyrics. Bieber decided to rewrite and record the song by himself, and later reached out to DJ Khaled. Finally, Khaled got a verse from 21 Savage. On May 2, 2021, both Khaled and Bieber put a behind-the-scenes video of the creation of the song, which does not include Savage.

Critical reception

Exclaim ''Exclaim!'' is a Canadian music and entertainment publisher based in Toronto, which features in-depth coverage of new music across all genres with a special focus on Canadian and emerging artists. The monthly Exclaim! print magazine publishes 7 ...

''s Josiah Hughes said DJ Khaled's albums are "always good for a great Justin Bieber song", further calling it "another plucky-if-generic pop rap hit". In their album review, Anurag Tagat of ''

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'' said "Let It Go" is "pretty much the best example of adio-friendly, chart-topping music a sweet production that fits just right for the artists". ''

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''s Luke Morgan Britton called it an "odd brilliantly ludicrous combo". Similarly, ''

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''s Jeff Ihaza said it "defies all logic but is somehow the perfect song", citing Bieber's signature "bouncy and ebullient" production, 21's staccato cadence and ad-libs, and the duo's "magical" vocal registers. A.D Amorosi of ''

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'' said the song allows Bieber "to croon elegantly and ruminate spiritually about the 'things I can't control', while the bassy voice of 21 Savage highlights the track's low end, beautifully". Ben Brutocao from ''

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'' called the track a highlight on ''Khaled Khaled'', saying it pairs Bieber and Savage "on a sunny pop banger that flows as though from a glacial spring". Conversely, ''

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''s Evan Rytlewski deemed the song one of the album's lowlights, stating it recycles the summery vibes of their first collaboration on Khaled's chart-topping 2017 single, " I'm the One", which also features American rappers

Quavo Quavious Keyate Marshall (born April 2, 1991), known professionally as Quavo (), is an American rapper, singer, and actor. He is best known as the co-founder and former frontman of hip hop group Migos. Quavo is the uncle of late fellow Migos m ...

Chance the Rapper Chancelor Johnathan Bennett (born April 16, 1993), known professionally as Chance the Rapper, is an American rapper, singer-songwriter, and record producer. Born and raised in Chicago, Bennett released his debut mixtape '' 10 Day'' in 2012. He ...

, and

Lil Wayne Dwayne Michael Carter Jr. (born September 27, 1982), known professionally as Lil Wayne, is an American rapper, singer, songwriter, and record executive. His career began in 1995, at the age of 12, when he was signed by rapper Birdman (rapper), ...

Music video

The official music video for "Let It Go" premiered on May 10, 2021. It was directed by

Colin Tilley Colin Tilley (born June 27, 1988) is an American filmmaker, music video director, and television commercial director. Tilley is the CEO and owner of Boy in the Castle Productions. He has directed more than 300 music videos. Tilley directed, pro ...

. It is set in the theme of a "carefree skit" and pays homage to

Adam Sandler Adam Richard Sandler (born September 9, 1966) is an American comedian, actor, screenwriter, producer and singer. He was a cast member on ''Saturday Night Live'' from 1990 to 1995, before going on to star in numerous Hollywood films, those of wh ...

's 1996 comedy film ''

Happy Gilmore ''Happy Gilmore'' is a 1996 American sports comedy film directed by Dennis Dugan and produced by Robert Simonds. It stars Adam Sandler as the title character, an unsuccessful ice hockey player who discovers a newfound talent for golf. The screenp ...

''. The video follows DJ Khaled, Justin Bieber, and 21 Savage taking a different approach to golfing. Bieber portrays Sandler's character from the film, while Khaled, true to his "over-the-top" personality, plays Chubbs Peterson. As Khaled notices Bieber's talent for golf, he ropes him in to defeat their rival 21 Savage, who portrays the character

Shooter McGavin ''Happy Gilmore'' is a 1996 American sports comedy film directed by Dennis Dugan and produced by Robert Simonds. It stars Adam Sandler as the title character, an unsuccessful ice hockey player who discovers a newfound talent for golf. The screenp ...

. Khaled toasts with his billionaire friends at the We the Best Golf and Club, as his caddy, Bieber, confidently hits a hole-in-one from almost 100 yards away. They continue their antics amid the competition as they drive in their Lamborghini golf carts, until an alligator puts Bieber in danger; Khaled proceeds to wrestle the alligator to protect his newly discovered moneymaker. Khaled then rips off his shirt, and calls Bieber family, before checking the millions in his Chime account. The visual concludes with the trio cruising in their carts to the scoreboard, and enjoying a dance party. The visual was noted for having a large amount of

product placement Product placement, also known as embedded marketing, is a marketing technique where references to specific brands or products are incorporated into another work, such as a film or television program, with specific promotional intent. Much of th ...

s. Bieber also sports a

Doug Gilmour Douglas Robert Gilmour (born June 25, 1963) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player. He played 20 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL) for seven different teams. Gilmour was a seventh round selection, 134th overall, of the St. ...

jersey in the video.

Charts

References

{{21 Savage 2021 singles 2021 songs DJ Khaled songs Songs written by DJ Khaled Justin Bieber songs Songs written by Justin Bieber 21 Savage songs Songs written by 21 Savage Pop-rap songs Music videos directed by Colin Tilley