Pretender (Steve Aoki song)

"Pretender" is a song by American musician and DJ Steve Aoki featuring fellow American musicians Lil Yachty and AJR. It was released on May 18, 2018 via Ultra Records as the fifth single from Aoki's fifth studio album Neon Future III.

"Pretender"
Single by Steve Aoki featuring Lil Yachty and AJR
from the album Neon Future III
Released	May 18, 2018 (2018-05-18)
Recorded	2017–2018
Genre	EDM pop rap
Length	3:08
Label	Ultra
Songwriter(s)	Steve Aoki Lil Yachty Adam Met Jack Met Ryan Met
Producer(s)	Steve Aoki Ryan Met
Steve Aoki singles chronology
"Moshi Moshi" (2018) "Pretender" (2018) "Bella Ciao" (2018)
Lil Yachty singles chronology
"Ice Tray" (2017) "Pretender" (2018) "Who Want the Smoke?" (2018)
AJR singles chronology
"Burn the House Down" (2018) "Pretender" (2018) "100 Bad Days" (2019)
Music video
"Pretender" on YouTube

Background

While AJR wrote their second studio album The Click, they wrote five additional songs that weren't released on the standard edition. After the album's release on June 9, 2017, Steve Aoki reached out to the band asking if they had any unfinished material, to which AJR sent "Pretender".^[1] Aoki then added additional production to the song, and contacted Lil Yachty, who wrote a new second verse for the track.^[2] The song was teased on social media on April 23 and officially released on May 18, 2018.^[3]

On July 13, 2018, several remixes of "Pretender" were released. Remixes were provided by Matoma, Blanke, Max Styler, and Aoki.^[4] An acoustic version of the song performed by AJR was eventually included on the deluxe edition of The Click.^[5]

Music video

The official video directed by Tyler Yee was released on August 27, 2018.^[6] The video starts with Aoki sending a picture taken from a bedroom window disguised as the outdoors, and receiving thousands of likes.^[7] A majority of the video features more scenes of "pretenders" taking misleading photos, including Lil Yachty and AJR each singing in front of green screens.^[8]

Personnel

Credits adapted from Tidal.^[9]

• Miles Parks McCollum – lead vocals, instruments, composer
• Adam Met – instruments, composer
• Jack Met – lead vocals, instruments, composer
• Ryan Met – backing vocals, instruments, composer, producer
• Steve Aoki – composer, producer

Charts

Weekly chart performance for "Pretender"

Chart (2018)	Peak position
US Dance/Electronic Digital Song Sales (Billboard)[10]	8
US Hot Dance/Electronic Songs (Billboard)[11]	24

References

1. AJR (August 2, 2017). AJR Talks The Click, Jon Bellion and Shawn Mendes (YouTube video). Zach Sang Show. Event occurs at 38:00. Retrieved October 23, 2023.
2. Huynh, Davis (May 18, 2018). "Lil Yachty, Steve Aoki, and AJR Team Up on New Single, "Pretender"". Hypebeast. Retrieved October 23, 2023.
3. Espinoza, Joshua (May 17, 2018). "Lil Yachty, Steve Aoki, and AJR Roll Out New Single "Pretender"". Complex. Retrieved October 23, 2023.
4. Stone, Katie (July 17, 2018). "Matoma and Blanke Remix Steve Aoki's "Pretender" ft. Lil Yachty and AJR [Listen]". EDM.com. Retrieved October 23, 2023.
5. Hamlin, Elena (October 5, 2018). ""The Click (Deluxe Edition)"". Panther Prints. Retrieved October 23, 2023.
6. Marshall Jr., Robert (June 7, 2018). "Steve Aoki, Lil Yachty, AJR "Pretender" Video". Hypebeast. Retrieved October 23, 2023.
7. Mahadevan, Tara (June 6, 2018). "Steve Aoki, Lil Yachty, and AJR Show Fake Side of Social Media With "Pretender" Video". Complex. Retrieved October 23, 2023.
8. Bein, Kat (June 6, 2018). "Watch Steve Aoki, Lil Yachty & AJR Do It for the 'Gram in 'Pretender' Video: Exclusive". Billboard. Retrieved October 23, 2023.
9. "Credits / Pretender (feat. Lil Yachty & AJR) / Steve Aoki". Tidal. May 18, 2018. Retrieved October 23, 2023.
10. "Dance/Electronic Digital Song Sales". Billboard. June 2, 2018. Retrieved October 23, 2023.
11. "Steve Aoki Chart History (Hot Dance/Electronic Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved October 23, 2023.