Carousel (Travis Scott song)
"Carousel" is a song by American rapper Travis Scott featuring Frank Ocean, released on August 3, 2018 as the second track off of the former's third studio album Astroworld, released through Cactus Jack Records, Epic Records, and Grand Hustle Records. The song was written by Scott and Ocean, alongside the song's producers, Hit-Boy, Rogét Chahayed, and Mike Dean. The song includes a sample of the Beastie Boys' 1986 single "The New Style", and thus, they and Rick Rubin are also credited as songwriters.
Upon its release, the song was received positively by music critics, who mainly praised Ocean's contributions and the Beastie Boys sample. Commercially, it charted at number 24 on the Billboard Hot 100 and peaked at number 15 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs charts. both in the United States. It also made charts in countries such as Australia, Canada, France, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Sweden, and the United Kingdom. It was additionally certified Platinum in the United States, Canada, and Brazil, and was also certified Gold in Australia.
Critical reception
"Carousel" received positive reviews from outlets, with many praising Frank Ocean's contributions to the track. Among them was Spin's Ezra Marcus had heavy praise for Ocean's feature, saying that his "words stand out as an oasis of effortless chill." Roisin O'Connor labelled the Beastie Boys sample as "Superb" and called Ocean's appearance "exquisite, blissful even, as his signature, rich-yet-husky voice floats over delicate chords" Somewhat contrary, while praising Ocean's hook, The Fader's Ben Dandridge-Lemco found the verses to be "Unremarkable".Commercial performance
In the United States, the song charted at number 24 on the Billboard Hot 100 and peaked at number 15 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, the highest peak on any chart it made. It was additionally certified Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America for equivalent sales of 1,000,000 units in the States. In Australia, the song charted at number 99 on the ARIA Charts and was certified Gold by the Australian Recording Industry Association for equivalent sales of 35,000 units in the country. In Brazil, although the song did not chart, it was certified Platinum by Pro-Música Brasil for equivalent sales of 40,000 units in the country.In Canada, the song charted at number 20 on the Canadian Hot 100 and was certified Platinum by Music Canada for equivalent sales of 80,000 units in the country. In France, the song charted at number 70 on the SNEP charts. In the Netherlands, the song charted at number 79 on the Dutch Single Top 100. In New Zealand, the song charted at number 30 on the New Zealand Singles Chart. In Sweden, the song charted at number 73 on the Sverigetopplistan chart. In the United Kingdom, the song charted at number 29 on the UK Singles Chart.