BSBB Round 4: DJ Snake & Lil Jon, “Turn Down for What” vs. Iggy Azalea feat. Charli XCX, “Fancy”
Best Song Bracket Battle: View the Matchups | Critics and Rules
Turn Down For What
DJ Snake & Lil Jon
Fancy
Iggy Azalea feat. Charli XCX
JAMIESON COX: I think both of these songs captured 2014 in a way few of the other entries did. “Fancy” managed it through sheer commercial potency, scrapping to Song of the Summer status and turning Iggy and Charli into chart forces in their own right; “Turn Down for What” fell short of those lofty heights but had a better defined attitude, and through its nihilism ended up as trenchant social commentary. We’re going to burn through every last fossil, everyone’s getting crushed by student debt and rampant inequality, cops can kill with impunity: why would anyone ever want to turn down and reckon with the challenges the world is posing in harsh, sober light? That’s a preposterous way to look at this song, but the more time I spent thinking about it, the more I believed it. It’s the reason “Turn Down for What” was a little bit better at distilling this year’s spirit.
My Vote: “Turn Down For What”
ERIKA RAMIREZ: While both are shamelessly addicting, “Turn Down For What” can’t be sung out loud as many times as “Fancy” before annoying someone else.
My Vote: “Fancy”
NICK WILLIAMS: With its monstrous Charli XCX hook, ‘I’m a ‘90s bitch’ attitude, and subsequent throwback visual homage to “Clueless,” “Fancy” proved to be a huge one-two punch for both Iggy and XCX. Despite criticism to both artists — Iggy calling herself “the realest” and fans criticizing XCX for “selling out” — this track landed both of them on the world’s radar, and ensured that they’ll be around for years to come.
My Vote: “Fancy”
DENISE WARNER: Sure, “Fancy” was the song of the summer on radio, but “Turn Down for What” was my personal song of the summer. And perhaps I’m biased, but I do think in years to come, “Turn Down For What” will still be part of our cheesy-dance lexicon, while “Fancy” will only be remembered as the first of Iggy’s many hits.
My Vote: “Turn Down For What”
JOE LYNCH: “Turn Down for What” is more of a cultural touchstone than a great song. “Fancy,” on the other hand, is a pop-rap track full of insanely memorable hooks at every turn. From Charli’s taunting chorus to the impish beat to Iggy spelling out her name, it’s a perfectly constructed classic.
My Vote: “Fancy”
KRISTEN YOONSOO KIM: I think I like the idea of “Turn Down For What” more than the actual song itself because if you strip the hilarity of the phrase, this is actually kind of terrible to listen to. On the other hand: Oh god, why do I like “Fancy” so damn much? Iggy is terrible at pronouncing words, but that’s okay because we’re all drunk and trashing the hotel anyway. Can’t turn down, too busy swinging from chandeliers and not giving a fuck!!!
My Vote: “Fancy”
JASON LIPSHUTZ: No matter what song wins this match-up, I feel proud that “Turn Down For What” made it this far in the competition. What a weird thing to happen in 2014! Lil Jon was basically held in captivity for eight years, not allowed to contribute an unhinged hook to a pop-rap track… and then, he clobbered through some sort of wall with a megaphone and let us know that crunk never really died — not in our hearts, at least. Iggy Azalea is fine, but Lil Jon is inspiring.
My Vote: “Turn Down For What”
WILLIAM GRUGER: For these two, I think it’s more important to see which song made the most unique impact. “Fancy” is a great song, while “Turn Down For What” is hardly a song (in the traditional sense), it’s just a hook and a drop. And while “Turn Down” gave us a great Michelle Obama meme, “Fancy” meant that Charli XCX is responsible for yet another top-charting song, further cementing her as one of our greatest songwriters.
My Vote: “Fancy”
ERNEST BAKER: Iggy Azalea’s toughest critics can’t even deny “Fancy.” The Grammys are less relevant with each passing year, but the fact that this song will likely lead her to a sweep of the major categories at next year’s ceremony is a massive statement, nonetheless. “Turn Down For What” was a fun song for the moment. “Fancy” is forever.
My Vote: “Fancy”
OVERALL WINNER: “Fancy”
Best Song Bracket Battle: View the Matchups | Critics and Rules
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