After the Afterparty
by Charli XCX (featuring Lil Yachty)

Album: Single release only (2016)
Charted: 29
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Charlix XCX sings on this buoyant cut about a never-ending party. She is joined by Atlanta rapper Lil Yachty, who first gained recognition for his hit single "1 Night." He spits the third verse in which he outlines his intention to spend the afterparty with Charli.
  • The collaboration came about after Charli XCX contacted Lil Yachty via Twitter DM, and learned that he was a fan of her previous album, 2014's Sucker. "It annoys me when people are like, 'Oh he can't rap,'" she said of the Atlanta rhymer to Beats 1's Zane Lowe. "We're not in a time where rappers are all about having the best all time flow, or that old school flow. I love the way that he raps but I also love the way that he presents himself in his videos and that he's this creative force."
  • This was produced by Sophie from the London PC Music label, who has also worked with Madonna
    ("Bitch I'm Madonna"). The British electronic musician previously helmed Charli XCX's Vroom Vroom EP.
  • Charli XCX said the song is about "partying through eternity, into the afterlife and forever after!"

    "Everyone's invited – Lil Yachty, all the angels; everybody in the entire world," she added, "just bring some champagne, though."
  • The Diane Martel-directed video features Charli and Lil Yachty partying with zombies. The singer said:

    "The song is about partying into the afterlife and nobody does that better than zombies – they're the ultimate party monsters. We shot through the night for two days straight and I'm so pleased that some of my musical collaborators on the album turned into the undead and stepped into XCX world, especially for this video."
  • This was the last song that Charli wrote for her album - it followed a couple months of heavy partying. She told Radio.com: "It was just the conclusion to my [air quotes] 'research,' let's call it, into making a party record. I just wanted to make the most party, pop, powerful party jam ever, so I went for that."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Incongruent Opening Acts

Incongruent Opening ActsSong Writing

Here's what happens when an opening act is really out of place with the headliner, like when Beastie Boys opened for Madonna.

Music Video Director David Hogan

Music Video Director David HoganSong Writing

David talks about videos he made for Prince, Alabama, Big & Rich, Sheryl Crow, DMB, Melissa Etheridge and Sisters of Mercy.

Kevin Godley

Kevin GodleySongwriter Interviews

Kevin Godley talks about directing classic videos for The Police, U2 and Duran Duran, and discusses song and videos he made with 10cc and Godley & Creme.

Superman in Song

Superman in SongSong Writing

Not everyone can be a superhero, but that hasn't stopped generations of musicians from trying to be Superman.

Grammar In Lyrics

Grammar In LyricsMusic Quiz

Lyrics don't always follow the rules of grammar. Can you spot the ones that don't?

Carl Sturken

Carl SturkenSongwriter Interviews

Hitmaker Carl Sturken on writing and producing for Rihanna, 'N Sync, Christina Aguilera, Kelly Clarkson, Donny Osmond, Shakira and Karyn White.