"Special Education" is a song performed by hip-hop group

Goodie Mob Goodie Mob is an American hip hop group based in Atlanta, Georgia, consisting of CeeLo Green, Khujo, T-Mo, and Big Gipp. History The group was formed in 1991 by Cameron " Big Gipp" Gipp, Willie "Khujo" Knighton Jr., CeeLo Green (born Thoma ...

featuring

Janelle Monáe Janelle Monáe Robinson (; born December 1, 1985) is an American singer, rapper and actress. She is signed to Atlantic Records, as well as to her own imprint, the Wondaland Arts Society. Monáe has received eight Grammy Award nominations. Mon� ...

, from their 2013 studio album ''

Age Against the Machine ''Age Against the Machine'' is the fifth studio album by Atlanta-based Hip hop group Goodie Mob. The album was released on August 27, 2013, by The Right Records, Primary Wave and Atlantic Records. It is their first studio album in nine years. Th ...

''. It was released as the first single from the album on June 18, 2013. As part of promotion for the song, a

music video A music video is a video of variable duration, that integrates a music song or a music album with imagery that is produced for promotion (marketing), promotional or musical artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a m ...

directed by John Colombo was released, as well as a 7" vinyl single.

Background

"Special Education" was recorded by the Goodie Mob featuring

as the first single of their studio album ''Age Against the Machine'' (2013) in around Winter 2012, in the

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n Geejam Studios.

Young Fyre Tramaine Winfrey (born March 9, 1986), professionally known as Young Fyre, or Fyre, is a multi-platinum American record producer, composer, lyricist, and creative director. He was previously signed to T-Pain's record label, Nappy Boy Entertainmen ...

and Q Rock produced the track. It was officially released on June 18, 2013.

Composition

"Special Education" is written to be a song advocating uniqueness, as well as highlighting segregation and discrimination against those with lesser intellectual capabilities.

Critical reception

Eric Black of ''Rolling Out'' found the track to be "dope", adding that it "

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take you back to when being different was cool". Chris Martins of ''

Spin Spin or spinning most often refers to: * Spinning (textiles), the creation of yarn or thread by twisting fibers together, traditionally by hand spinning * Spin, the rotation of an object around a central axis * Spin (propaganda), an intentionally b ...

'' wrote that the song was "a step in the right direction", in comparison with Goodie Mob's "Fight to Win" (2012).

Music video

The music video for "Special Education" was directed by John Colombo. More than four minutes long, it features members of the Goodie Mob singing the song with child actors portraying younger versions of them. There are also anti-bullying elements in the video. Additionally, a

lyric video A music video is a video of variable duration, that integrates a music song or a music album with imagery that is produced for promotional or musical artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a music marketing device ...

was released.

Live performances

"Special Education" was performed live by Goodie Mob on August 1, 2013, on the Late Night Show with

Jimmy Fallon James Thomas Fallon (born September 19, 1974) is an American comedian, television host, actor, and writer. He is known for his work in television as a cast member on ''Saturday Night Live'' and as the host of the late-night talk show ''The Ton ...

. They sang it live again with group trainee V. Bozeman substituting Janelle Monaé on "The View" and was broadcast by

ABC Television ABC Television most commonly refers to: *ABC Television Network of the American Broadcasting Company, United States, or *ABC Television (Australian TV network), a division of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, Australia ABC Television or ABC ...

. Other live performance locations included the 9:30 Club in Washington D.C. and the Brooklyn Bowl in Long Island.

Official versions

* Album version – 4:07 * Instrumental version - 4:07

References

External links

Music video
on

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{{Janelle Monáe 2013 singles 2013 songs Goodie Mob songs Janelle Monáe songs Songs written by CeeLo Green Songs written by Young Fyre