"Dance (Ass)", often stylized "Dance (A$$)", is a song by American rapper Big Sean, released as the third single from his debut studio album, Finally Famous (2011). It was added to urban radio formats on September 20, 2011 as the album's third official single. The official remix of the song features Nicki Minaj.Listen: Nicki Minaj remixes Big Sean's 'Dance (A$$)' : Nicki Minaj . Mypinkfriday.com (January 20, 2012). Retrieved on February 6, 2012. It samples MC Hammer's "U Can't Touch This", which in turn samples Rick James's single "Super Freak".
Critical reception The Boston Globe said it is a "stale stripper anthem out of synch with what surrounds it. The production is heavy on vocal hooks, synths, and chattering beats, but the focus is Sean’s wit and insistent flow." The New York Times complimented the song's use of MC Hammer's "U Can't Touch This" and further went on to say that the song "basically cribs its chorus (uncredited) from the oeuvre of DJ Assault, the Detroit ghettotech innovator. Nowhere does Big Sean sound more confident or hilarious." The A.V. Club gave a positive review of the track and called it freewheeling, fast-footed, and full of swagger. The Village Voice complimented Sean's performance on the track and said "he took his microphone and turned it into an extension of his phallus, waving it down there like a gleeful toddler as the track imbued new meaning to MC Hammer's signature phrase 'Hammer Time', released in 1990 to the artist Hammer Time."
Ology called it a positive minority in the album and complimented the "flow-flip" and "low bass tones" in the song. HipHopDX commented on the song and said that it "narrowly escapes formulaic territory by injecting enough personality, comedy and verbal gymnastics to ably complement Da Internz' pounding, dance-ready bassline." Complex did not favor the track and called it repetitive and minimalist compared to most of the other tracks on the album.
Music video The music video of the song's remix version premiered on Vevo on November 1, 2011.Big Sean – Dance (A$$) Remix ft. Nicki Minaj since then it has received over 42 million views. YouTube (November 1, 2011). Retrieved on February 6, 2012.
Charts
Weekly charts +Weekly chart performance for "Dance (Ass)" Chart (2011–2012) Peakposition
Year-end charts +Year-end chart performance for "Dance (Ass)"Chart (2012)PositionUS Billboard Hot 10057US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)20US Hot Rap Songs (Billboard)11US Rhythmic (Billboard)19
Certifications
Radio and release history +Release dates and formats for "Dance (Ass)" Country Date Format Label VersionUnited StatesSeptember 20, 2011Urban contemporaryG.O.O.D. Music, Def Jam Album versionOctober 18, 2011October 18, 2011. webcitation.orgRemix version featuring Nicki Minaj October 24, 2011Dance (A*$) [Remix] (feat. Nicki Minaj) – Single by Big Sean. iTunes (October 24, 2011). Retrieved on February 6, 2012. Digital download October 25, 2011October 25, 2011. webcitation.org Rhythmic radioAlbum versionJanuary 10, 2012Radio Industry News, Music Industry Updates, Arbitron Ratings, Music News and more! . FMQB. Retrieved on February 6, 2012. Top 40/Mainstream radio
References