"Build a Bitch" is the debut single by American internet celebrityBella Poarch from her debut extended play, Dolls (2022). She wrote the song with Salem Ilese and its producers David Arkwright, Justin Gammella, Elie Rizk, and Sub Urban, with Stefan Max also receiving a producer credit. Warner Records released it on May 14, 2021 for digital download and streaming. After achieving success on TikTok, Poarch signed a record deal with Warner in May 2021 to launch her music career. A dark pop and pop track, Poarch has stated that the song is about one embracing oneself. A few music critics have suggested that it also contains feminist themes.
Upon release, "Build a Bitch" received positive reviews from music critics, who praised its sound. The song reached the top 10 in India, Malaysia, and Singapore. It also peaked within the top 30 in multiple countries, including Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom. The song was awarded platinum certifications by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and Music Canada (MC) in the United States and Canada, respectively.
Prior to joining the online video platformTikTok, Poarch enrolled in the United States Navy when she was 20 and left it when she was 23.[1] The celebrity joined the platform in January 2020 and in August, she published the most-liked TikTok video, which depicts her lip synching to Millie B's "M to the B (Soph Aspin Send)".[1][2] In May 2021, Poarch signed a record deal with Warner Records, stating in an interview with Billboard that she "feel[s] like [she] found [her] family and part of that family is the label" and how Warner "has helped" several artists which "meant the most to [her]", including Prince, Dua Lipa, and Madonna.[3] "Build a Bitch" was released on May 14, 2021 by Warner for digital download and streaming in various countries.[3][4] The aforementioned label also sent it for radio airplay in Italy on May 24 and to contemporary hit radio stations in the US on June 1.[5][6]
Composition and lyrics
Musically, "Build a Bitch" has been described as a dark pop and pop song.[7][8] Poarch co-wrote it with Salem Ilese, Sub Urban, David Arkwright, Justin Gammella, and Elie Rizk, while the latter five produced it alongside Stefan Max. Jaycen Joshua mixed the track and Colin Leonard mastered it.[9] Writing for The New York Times, Jon Pareles noticed that the track contains "tinkly toy-piano sounds" and "perky la-las" that "accompany [Poarch] as she points out that women aren't consumer products".[10] Zoe Haylock from Vulture observed that Poarch sings the chorus "to the lilting lullaby beat".[8] A hoax later went viral on TikTok, accusing Poarch of stealing a composition by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart for the song.[11] It was also revealed in September 2022 that singer Rosè of k-pop girl group Blackpink had recorded a verse for the song which was never released. Poarch later confirmed this via X(formerly known as Twitter). In the leaked demo Rosè sings "Boys want 50 shades of pink, someone sweet as roses but my thorns can really sting, I’m not sugarcoating. He says he wants to be in love, but doesn’t like emotions."[12][13][14]
Talking to Billboard, she revealed that the song is mainly "about accepting yourself and embracing imperfections and your flaws", while also saying she wants "people to realize that [they] don’t have to be perfect".[3] In the song, Poarch references fictional character Bob the Builder, and dolls Barbie and Ken.[8]I-D's George Griffiths declared that Poarch "coos over the unrealistic standards men hold women to", while Robin Murray of Clash opined that the song "focusses [sic] on female empowerment".[2][7] During the nursery rhyme chorus, the singer affirms, "This ain't build a bitch / You don't get to pick and choose."[2]
Reception
The song was met with positive reviews from music critics who complimented its sound. Griffiths deemed it "bratty" and "a candy-coated pop track".[2] Pareles declared that "Poarch is making a move into her own music [and] 'Build a Bitch' comes across cute and furious".[10] Haylock called the track "[a] cutesy pop song".[8]Billboard's Jason Lipshutz considered it "an audacious, darkly comic slice of new-school pop".[3] Hattie Collins of Vogue said that the song "demonstrates both her innate musical talent and ambitions as an artist" and noted Poarch is "deftly dismantling the impossible standards of beauty that we are put under". Collins also noted that "Build a Bitch" is "incredibly catchy".[15] The track was used in around a million videos on TikTok within a week following its release.[16]
Directed by Andrew Donoho, the music video for "Build a Bitch" premiered alongside the single on May 14, 2021.[3][8] The video depicts a factory where men can create their ideal woman, akin to a Build-A-Bear Workshop.[8][38] Poarch subsequently begins a revolution and burns the factory down, escaping to freedom.[2][8] The music video features cameos from several internet celebrities such as Valkyrae, Bretman Rock, Larray, and ZHC.[8] Speaking to Vogue, Poarch admitted that she "really believe[s] the people in the video embody the message of the song and being imperfect, being different, being themselves".[15]
^ abMompellio, Gabriel. "Bella Poarch – Build A Bitch" (Press release) (in Italian). EarOne. Archived from the original on July 3, 2022. Retrieved July 2, 2022.
^ ab"ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Digital Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select 22. týden 2021 in the date selector. Retrieved June 7, 2021.
^ ab"ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Singles Digital Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select 23. týden 2021 in the date selector. Retrieved July 3, 2022.
^"ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select 40. týden 2021 in the date selector. Retrieved October 11, 2021.
