223's

This article is about the 2019 song by YNW Melly. For other topics, see 223 (disambiguation).

"223's" is a song by American rapper YNW Melly featuring fellow American rapper 9lokkNine, released as the lead single from the former's debut studio album Melly vs. Melvin on August 9, 2019. Written by the artists alongside Rocco Did It Again!, who produced it with the latter, it reached the top 40 of the US Billboard Hot 100, as well as in New Zealand, Canada, and Latvia.

"223's"
Single by YNW Melly featuring 9lokkNine
from the album Melly vs. Melvin
Released	August 9, 2019 (2019-08-09)
Recorded	2018
Genre	Gangsta rap
Length	2:56
Label	300
Songwriter(s)	Jamell Demons Jacquavius Smith Rocco Valdes
Producer(s)	Rocco Did It Again! 9lokkNine
YNW Melly singles chronology
"100 Shells" (2019) "223's" (2019) "Suicidal" (2020)
9lokkNine singles chronology
"Beef" (2019) "223's" (2019) "Moods" (2020)
Music video
"223's" on YouTube

Background

The track, originally by 9lokknine and released on his December 2018 mixtape Lil Glokk That Stole Khristmas, was "rebranded" as a collaboration with YNW Melly, who has been in jail since February 2019 after turning himself in on double murder charges and possession of marijuana. After being pulled over for a broken tail light, YNW Melly led a one-hour police chase through the city of Albuquerque, New Mexico ending with Melly fleeing; the track references this incident.^[1] It was released as a single in August 2019 after going viral on the video app TikTok.^[2]

Lyrics

The lyric refers to gang violence, with the title referring to semi-automatic rifles that fire .223 cartridges.^[3]

Music video

An official music video was released on YNW Melly's official YouTube channel on November 2, 2019.

The video featured the now-rapper Lil Mabu as a cameo.

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (2019)	Peak position
Australia (ARIA)[4]	56
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[5]	27
Ireland (IRMA)[6]	53
Latvia (LAIPA)[7]	15
Lithuania (AGATA)[8]	41
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[9]	38
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[10]	94
UK Singles (OCC)[11]	69
US Billboard Hot 100[12]	34
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[13]	17
US Rolling Stone Top 100[14]	16

Year-end charts

Chart (2019)	Position
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[15]	81
Chart (2020)	Position
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[16]	97

Certifications

Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
New Zealand (RMNZ)[17]	Platinum	30,000‡
United Kingdom (BPI)[18]	Silver	200,000‡
United States (RIAA)[19]	2× Platinum	2,000,000‡
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.