Dance (Ass)

"Dance (Ass)"
Single by Big Sean featuring Nicki Minaj
from the album Finally Famous
Released	September 20, 2011 (2011-09-20) (radio) October 18, 2011 (2011-10-18) (Remix)
Genre	Hip hop
Length	3:17 (Album version) 3:40 (Remix)
Label	GOOD Music, Def Jam
Writer(s)	Sean Anderson, Onika Maraj, Marcos Palacios, Ernest Clark, Marlyn Banks
Producer(s)	Da Internz
Certification	3x Platinum (RIAA)
Big Sean singles chronology
"Lay It on Me" (2011) "Dance (A$$)" (2011) "Mercy" (2012) Nicki Minaj singles chronology "Make Me Proud" (2011) "Dance (Ass)" (2011) "Turn Me On" (2011)

"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 and was made available for free download on her website.

Critical reception

The song received generally positive reviews from music critics. The Boston Globe commented on the track by saying it is " 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'."

The Source gave the song a positive review and said that the track "samples MC Hammer's 1990 mega hit "U Can't Touch This" which provides a perfect backdrop for the opposite sex to, as Sean puts it, "wobble de wobble". With a slightly arrogant demeanor, this jam is undoubtedly a club hit with all the components to have a sonic stronghold on the summer of 2011." Ology commented on the song by calling 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.

Charts and certifications

Weekly charts

Chart (2011–12)	Peak position
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)	69
US Billboard Hot 100	10
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)	3
US Hot Rap Songs (Billboard)	2
US Dance/Mix Show Airplay (Billboard)	24
US Mainstream Top 40 (Billboard)	27
US Rhythmic (Billboard)	4

Certifications

Region	Certification	Sales/shipments
United States (RIAA)	3× Platinum	3,000,000
*sales figures based on certification alone ^shipments figures based on certification alone xunspecified figures based on certification alone

Year-end charts

Chart (2012)	Position
US Billboard Hot 100	57
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)	20
US Rap Songs (Billboard)	11

Radio and release history

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