Dance (Ass)

"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.^[1] It samples MC Hammer's "U Can't Touch This", which in turn samples Rick James's single "Super Freak".

"Dance (Ass)"
Single by Big Sean featuring Nicki Minaj
from the album Finally Famous
Released	September 20, 2011 (2011-09-20)
Recorded	2011
Genre	Hip hop
Length	3:17 (album version) 3:40 (remix)
Label	GOOD Music Def Jam
Songwriter(s)	Sean Anderson Onika Maraj Marcos Palacios Ernest Clark Marlyn Banks Alonzo Miller Rick James
Producer(s)	Da Internz
Big Sean singles chronology
"Lay It on Me" (2011) "Dance (Ass)" (2011) "Mercy" (2012)
Nicki Minaj singles chronology
"Make Me Proud" (2011) "Dance (Ass)" (2011) "Turn Me On" (2011)
Music video
"Dance (A$$) Remix ft. Nicki Minaj" on YouTube

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."^[2] 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."^[3] The A.V. Club gave a positive review of the track and called it freewheeling, fast-footed, and full of swagger.^[4] 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."^[5]

Ology called it a positive minority in the album and complimented the "flow-flip" and "low bass tones" in the song.^[6] 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."^[7] Complex did not favor the track and called it repetitive and minimalist compared to most of the other tracks on the album.^[8]

Music video

The music video of the song's remix version premiered on Vevo on November 1, 2011.^[9] Since, it was deactivated on his channel. The video isn't available.

Charts

Weekly charts Weekly chart performance for "Dance (Ass)" Chart (2011–2012) Peak position Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[10] 69 US Billboard Hot 100[11] 10 US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[12] 3 US Hot Rap Songs (Billboard)[13] 2 US Dance/Mix Show Airplay (Billboard)[14] 24 US Pop Airplay (Billboard)[15] 27 US Rhythmic (Billboard)[16] 4

Year-end charts Year-end chart performance for "Dance (Ass)" Chart (2012) Position US Billboard Hot 100[17] 57 US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[18] 20 US Hot Rap Songs (Billboard)[19] 11 US Rhythmic (Billboard)[20] 19

Certifications

Certifications for "Dance (Ass)"

Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
New Zealand (RMNZ)[21]	Gold	15,000‡
United States (RIAA)[22]	5× Platinum	5,000,000‡
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Radio and release history

Release dates and formats for "Dance (Ass)"

Country	Date	Format	Label	Version
United States	September 20, 2011[23]	Urban contemporary	G.O.O.D. Music, Def Jam	Album version
	October 18, 2011[24]			Remix version featuring Nicki Minaj
	October 24, 2011[25]	Digital download
	October 25, 2011[26]	Rhythmic radio		Album version
	January 10, 2012[27]	Top 40/Mainstream radio