"Space Cadet" is a song by American record producer

Metro Boomin Leland Tyler Wayne (born September 16, 1993), professionally known as Metro Boomin, is an American record producer, record executive, beatmaker, and DJ. He is known for his dark production style and its influence on modern hip hop and trap. R ...

, featuring vocals from American rapper Gunna. It was sent to

rhythmic contemporary radio Rhythmic contemporary, also known as Rhythmic Top 40, Rhythmic CHR or rhythmic crossover, is a primarily American music-radio format that includes a mix of EDM, upbeat rhythmic pop, hip hop and upbeat R&B hits. Rhythmic contemporary never uses ...

through Boominati and

Republic A republic () is a "state in which power rests with the people or their representatives; specifically a state without a monarchy" and also a "government, or system of government, of such a state." Previously, especially in the 17th and 18th c ...

on January 29, 2019, as the second single of Metro's debut studio album, ''

Not All Heroes Wear Capes ''Not All Heroes Wear Capes'' (stylized in all caps) is the debut studio album by American record producer Metro Boomin. It was released on by Boominati Worldwide and Republic Records on November 2, 2018. The album features guest appearances from ...

'' (2018).

Background

"Space Cadet" is primarily produced by Metro Boomin and

Wheezy Wesley Tyler Glass (born October 26, 1992), known professionally as Wheezy, is an American record producer and songwriter. He has worked with artists such as Lil Uzi Vert, Young Thug, Lil Baby, Future, King Von, 21 Savage, Gunna (rapper), Gunna ...

, with

Allen Ritter Allen Raphael Ritter (born June 19, 1988) is an American record producer and songwriter. He has produced for a variety of artists, most notably Drake ("Controlla"), Travis Scott (" Pick Up the Phone"), Kanye West (" All Day", " Father Stretch M ...

as an additional producer. Meanwhile, the vocals are handled by Gunna, with background vocals at the end from American rapper and singer Travis Scott, a close friend and frequent collaborator of both Metro and Gunna. On the song, Gunna raps about his lavish lifestyle. It is mostly a reference to the

Rolls-Royce Rolls-Royce (always hyphenated) may refer to: * Rolls-Royce Limited, a British manufacturer of cars and later aero engines, founded in 1906, now defunct Automobiles * Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, the current car manufacturing company incorporated in ...

Wraith, an expensive car that is known for its starry ceiling. A space cadet is a trainee astronaut. It marks the second official collaboration between Metro and Gunna, following Gunna's 2018 song "Car Sick", which also features Canadian rapper Nav, who is a close friend and frequent collaborator of both artists. The song is from Gunna's commercial mixtape, ''

Drip Season 3 ''Drip Season 3'' is the third mixtape from American rapper Gunna. It was released on February 2, 2018, by his record label, YSL Records. The album features guest appearances from Hoodrich Pablo Juan, Lil Durk, Nav, Metro Boomin, and Lil Yachty. ...

'', to which Metro served as an executive producer on and also produced four other songs from the project, "Helluva Price", "Pedestrian", "My Soul", and "No Joke". Gunna also makes another appearance on the album alongside American rapper and label boss

Young Thug Jeffery Lamar Williams (born August 16, 1991), known professionally as Young Thug, is an American rapper, singer, and songwriter. He is considered to be an influential figure of his generation, with his music impacting the modern sound of hip ...

on the song "Lesbian".

Critical reception

While talking about "Space Cadet", Alphonse Pierre from

Pitchfork A pitchfork (also a hay fork) is an agricultural tool with a long handle and two to five tines used to lift and pitch or throw loose material, such as hay, straw, manure, or leaves. The term is also applied colloquially, but inaccurately, to th ...

opined:

On "Space Cadet", Metro ushers Gunna into "The Twilight Zone" with a twinkling instrumental, and Gunna responds with one of the album's bounciest hooks. The "Space Cadet" instrumental, like so much of the album's production, feels cinematic but thankfully not far removed from his
Atlanta Atlanta ( ) is the capital and most populous city of the U.S. state of Georgia. It is the seat of Fulton County, the most populous county in Georgia, but its territory falls in both Fulton and DeKalb counties. With a population of 498,715 ...
-built sound.

Chart performance

"Space Cadet" debuted and peaked at number 51 on the US ''Billboard'' Hot 100 chart, on the week of November 17, 2018. The single also debuted at number 22 on the US

Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs The Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart ranks the most popular R&B and hip hop songs in the United States and is published weekly by '' Billboard''. Rankings are based on a measure of radio airplay, sales data, and streaming activity. The chart had 100 ...

chart. On December 9, 2020, the song was certified

double platinum Music recording certification is a system of certifying that a music recording has shipped, sold, or streamed a certain number of units. The threshold quantity varies by type (such as album, single, music video) and by nation or territory (see ...

by the

Recording Industry Association of America The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) is a trade organization that represents the music recording industry in the United States. Its members consist of record labels and distributors that the RIAA says "create, manufacture, and/o ...

(RIAA) for combined sales and streaming equivalent units of over two million units in the United States.

Music video

The official music video for "Space Cadet" premiered on April 22, 2019. It was directed by Zac Facts. Metro Boomin and Gunna are dancing and floating around in lasers and bright lights, like a simulation of outer space.

, a close friend and frequent collaborator of both artists, makes a cameo appearance.

Live performances

On February 11, 2019, Metro Boomin and Gunna performed the song live on

The Tonight Show ''The Tonight Show'' is an American late-night talk show that has aired on NBC since 1954. The show has been hosted by six comedians: Steve Allen (1954–1957), Jack Paar (1957–1962), Johnny Carson (1962–1992), Jay Leno (1992–2009 and 201 ...

Starring

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 ...

. In tribute of American 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 ...

, a longtime close friend and frequent collaborator of Metro, the latter wore a jacket with the words "Free 21 Savage". The rapper was in jail at the time of the performance for illegally being in the

United States of America The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territo ...

, but was released the following day.

Charts

Certifications

Release history

References

{{Gunna 2019 songs 2019 singles Song recordings produced by Metro Boomin Song recordings produced by Allen Ritter Song recordings produced by Wheezy (record producer) Songs written by Metro Boomin Songs written by Gunna (rapper) Songs written by Wheezy (record producer) Songs written by Allen Ritter Metro Boomin songs Gunna (rapper) songs