911 / Mr. Lonely

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"911 / Mr. Lonely"
Single by Tyler, the Creator featuring Frank Ocean, Steve Lacy and Anna of the North
from the album Flower Boy
A-side"Who Dat Boy"
ReleasedJune 30, 2017
Recorded2016–2017
StudioA&M Studios / Henson Recording Studios, Los Angeles
Genre
[1]
Length4:15
LabelColumbia
Songwriters
ProducersTyler, the Creator
Tyler, the Creator singles chronology
"Who Dat Boy"
(2017)		 "911 / Mr. Lonely"
(2017)		 "Boredom"
(2017)
Frank Ocean singles chronology
"Raf"
(2017)		 "911 / Mr. Lonely"
(2017)		 "Provider"
(2017)
Steve Lacy singles chronology
"Moron"
(2017)		 "911 / Mr. Lonely"
(2017)		 "4Real"
(2017)
Anna of the North singles chronology
"Lovers"
(2017)		 "911 / Mr. Lonely"
(2017)		 "Someone"
(2017)

"911 / Mr. Lonely" is a song by American rapper and producer Tyler, the Creator featuring American singers Frank Ocean & Steve Lacy as well as Norwegian singer Anna of the North. It was released through Columbia Records on June 30, 2017, alongside "Who Dat Boy", as the lead singles from the former's fifth studio album, Flower Boy. Produced by Tyler, he wrote the song alongside Ocean, with Raymond Calhoun receiving writing credits for the interpolation of The Gap Band's song "Outstanding."

Background and release

Following a week of teasing, Tyler, the Creator released a music video for a track titled "Who Dat Boy" on June 30, 2017. At the end of the video, another track was played, which was "911", the first part of the track.[2] Following the release of the video, the songs were officially released together on streaming services the same day, as the lead singles from Flower Boy.[3][4]

Composition and lyrics

"911 / Mr. Lonely" is a two-part track, with the first part, "911", being described as "sunny and joyful" with synths and a bass described by Pitchfork as "soulful" playing, as the first part of the track contains an interpolation of "Outstanding" by the Gap Band. The lyrics of this part of described as a "heartstick Tyler", as he fails to take pleasure in anything without his lover. Steve Lacy and Anna of the North sing the chorus and the bridge, while Frank Ocean's verse has him singing about remembering a lover that would pick him up from the suburbs.

The track's second part, "Mr. Lonely", contrasts from "911", with a "thunderous" drum pattern and stuttering hi-hats, and involves Tyler rapping about his condition; "I say the loudest in the room/Is prolly the loneliest in the room/It's me".[5]

Track listing

Digital download[6]
No.TitleLength
1."Who Dat Boy" (featuring ASAP Rocky)3:25
2."911 / Mr. Lonely" (featuring Frank Ocean and Steve Lacy)4:15

Charts

Chart (2017) Peak
position
New Zealand Heatseekers (RMNZ)[7] 3
US Bubbling Under Hot 100 (Billboard)[8]1
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[9]47

Certifications

Region CertificationCertified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[10] Gold 35,000‡
Canada (Music Canada)[11] Gold 40,000‡
Norway (IFPI Norway)[12] Gold 30,000‡
United Kingdom (BPI)[13] Silver 200,000‡
United States (RIAA)[14] 2× Platinum 2,000,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

Region Date Format Label Ref.
United States June 30, 2017 Digital download Columbia

[6]

United Kingdom Contemporary hit radio [15]

References

  1. Glaysher, Scott (August 9, 2017). "Tyler, The Creator's Creativity Blossoms on 'Flower Boy' Album". Retrieved February 10, 2025.
  2. "Tyler, the Creator Drops New Song "911/Mr. Lonely" f/ Frank Ocean". Complex. Retrieved July 20, 2017.
  3. "Tyler The Creator Drops 2 New Singles – "Who Dat Boy" AND "911/Mr. Lonely"". The Source. June 30, 2017. Retrieved July 20, 2017.
  4. "Tyler, the Creator Taps Frank Ocean, A$AP Rocky for New Songs". Rolling Stone. June 29, 2017. Retrieved July 20, 2017.
  5. ""911/Mr. Lonely" [ft. Frank Ocean]". Pitchfork. Retrieved June 30, 2017.
  6. "Who Dat Boy / 911 - Single by Tyler, the Creator on Apple Music". iTunes. Archived from the original on August 6, 2017. Retrieved July 20, 2017.
  7. "NZ Heatseekers Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. July 10, 2017. Retrieved July 20, 2017.
  8. "Tyler, The Creator Chart History (Bubbling Under Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved July 20, 2017.
  9. "Tyler, The Creator Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved July 20, 2017.
  10. "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2019 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved October 27, 2022.
  11. "Canadian single certifications – Tyler, the Creator – 911 / Mr. Lonely". Music Canada. Retrieved October 27, 2022.
  12. "Norwegian single certifications – Tyler, the Creator – 911 / Mr. Lonely (feat. Frank Ocean & Steve Lacy)" (in Norwegian). IFPI Norway. Retrieved December 15, 2023.
  13. "British single certifications – Tyler the Creator – 911/Mr Lonely". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved October 27, 2022. Select singles in the Formats field. Type 911/Mr Lonely Tyler the Creator in the "Search:" field.
  14. "American single certifications – Tyler, the Creator – 911 / Mr. Lonely (feat. Frank Ocean and Steve Lacy)". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved July 25, 2023.
  15. "New UK Single". Radio 1. Archived from the original on July 5, 2017. Retrieved July 5, 2017.