Lil Boo Thang

"Lil Boo Thang" is a song by American rapper Paul Russell, released as a single on August 18, 2023, through Arista Records and featured on his 2024 EP Again Sometime?. Russell originally previewed the track on TikTok, where it went viral, receiving more than 10 million views. The song samples the 1977 track "Best of My Love" by the Emotions, which was written by Maurice White and Al McKay of Earth, Wind & Fire.^[2]

"Lil Boo Thang"
Single by Paul Russell
from the EP Again Sometime?
Released	August 18, 2023 (2023-08-18)
Genre	Nu-disco pop rap[1]
Length	1:54
Label	Arista
Songwriter(s)	Paul Russell Maurice White Al McKay
Producer(s)	Sean Cook
Paul Russell singles chronology
"Touristy Places" (2023) "Lil Boo Thang" (2023) "Say Cheese" (2024)
Music video
"Lil Boo Thang" on YouTube

Music video

The music video for the song, directed by Jamar Harding released on September 19, 2023, on YouTube.

Background

Russell first previewed the track on TikTok on June 28, 2023, after which he signed with Arista Records to release it as a single.^[3] Russell told Billboard that he wrote the song after being "stressed out on a Thursday afternoon, so [he] just turned on some of the music that makes [him] happy and imagined that [he] was celebrating something".^[3]

In an episode of Genius' Verified series, Paul Russell explains the lyrics, and says the term lil boo thang refers to a partner in a caring, spicy, romantic relationship.^[4]

Commercial performance

"Lil Boo Thang" debuted on the US Billboard Hot 100 at number 99 in September 2023, marking Russell's first chart appearance.^[2] It peaked at number 14 on the chart in January 2024.^[5]

Remix

A remix of "Lil Boo Thang" by producer Galantis was released on December 15, 2023.^[6]

Usage in media

The song plays during a scene in Companion and Warner Bros. Pictures's A Minecraft Movie (both 2025).^[7][8]

Charts

Weekly charts Weekly chart performance for "Lil Boo Thang" Chart (2023–2024) Peak position Australia (ARIA)[9] 17 Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[10] 32 Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia)[11] 20 Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[12] 5 Global 200 (Billboard)[13] 79 Hungary (Editors' Choice Top 40)[14] 1 Ireland (IRMA)[15] 28 Japan Hot Overseas (Billboard Japan)[16] 11 Latvia Airplay (LAIPA)[17] 7 Netherlands (Tipparade)[18] 13 New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[19] 11 Nigeria (TurnTable Top 100)[20] 53 Poland (Polish Airplay Top 100)[21] 20 San Marino (SMRRTV Top 50)[22] 1 Slovakia (Rádio Top 100)[23] 31 UK Singles (OCC)[24] 20 US Billboard Hot 100[5] 14 US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)[25] 15 US Adult Pop Airplay (Billboard)[26] 2 US Hot Rap Songs (Billboard)[27] 5 US Pop Airplay (Billboard)[28] 5 US Rhythmic (Billboard)[29] 8

Year-end charts Year-end chart performance for "Lil Boo Thang" Chart (2024) Position Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia)[30] 78 Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[31] 38 US Billboard Hot 100[32] 78 US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)[33] 37 US Adult Top 40 (Billboard)[34] 16 US Mainstream Top 40 (Billboard)[35] 25 US Rhythmic (Billboard)[36] 46

Certifications

Certifications for "Lil Boo Thang"

Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[37]	Platinum	70,000‡
Canada (Music Canada)[38]	2× Platinum	160,000‡
New Zealand (RMNZ)[39]	Platinum	30,000‡
United Kingdom (BPI)[40]	Gold	400,000‡
United States (RIAA)[41]	2× Platinum	2,000,000‡
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.