Yale (song)
| "Yale" | |
|---|---|
| Song by Ken Carson | |
| from the EP Teen X | |
| Released | August 14, 2020 |
| Genre | Rage |
| Length | 1:46 |
| Label | |
| Songwriters |
|
| Producers |
|
| Music video | |
| "Yale" on YouTube | |
"Yale" is a track by American rapper Ken Carson from his second EP Teen X. Released on August 14, 2020, it serves as Carson's breakout single when it began going viral across social media platforms. As of August 2026, "Yale" is one of Carson's most streamed songs of all time.[1]
Composition
"Yale" is a one-minute-and-46-second song.[2] Carson co-wrote the song with Outtatown and Starboy, who handled the music production for the track,[2] with Ben Lidsky handling the mixing.[2] Sonically, the track is spearheaded by "urgent synths" and "offhanded flows".[3]
Reception
A writer from Revolt wrote that "Yale" introduced listeners to Carson's unfiltered lyrics, high-energy beats, and experimental sound.[4] In a ranking of Carson's 20 best songs, "Yale" was ranked at number two, with Mariah Rivera of Complex calling it a "banger" of a track, she also wrote how the Carson's unfiltered lyricism combined with Starboy and Outtatown's production on the track makes "Yale" an essential song for the rage rap era of music.[1] In October of 2023, three years following the release of "Yale", it was certified gold by the RIAA, and in May of 2026, it was certified silver by the British Phonographic Industry.[5][6][7]
Personnel
Credits and personnel adapted from Apple Music.[2]
Musicians
- Kenyatta Frazier Jr. – vocals
- Outtatown - production
- Starboy - production
Technical
- Ben Lidsky – mixing
Certifications
| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom (BPI)[8] | Silver | 200,000‡ |
| United States (RIAA)[9] | Gold | 500,000‡ |
|
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. | ||
References
- 1 2 Johri, Antonio; Sanfiorenzo, Dimas; Barlas, Jon; Rivera, Mariah; A. Barry, Peter. "The 20 Best Ken Carson Songs of All Time". Complex. Retrieved 2026-07-31.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - 1 2 3 4 "Yale - Song by Ken Carson". Apple Music. Retrieved July 18, 2026.
- ↑ Crone, David (n.d.). "Ken Carson Songs, Albums, Reviews, Bio & More ..." AllMusic. Archived from the original on March 29, 2025. Retrieved March 28, 2025.
- ↑ "11 facts you should know about Ken Carson". REVOLT. January 25, 2025. Retrieved July 18, 2026.
- ↑ "BRIT Certified Awards". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 2026-05-10. Select albums in the Formats field. Type "Ken Carson Yale" in the "Search:" field.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: postscript (link) - ↑ "American certifications – Ken Carson". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved October 5, 2023.
- ↑ Saponara, Michael (April 21, 2025). "8 Things to Know About Ken Carson as 'More Chaos' Tops Billboard 200". Billboard. Retrieved July 18, 2026.
- ↑ "British single certifications – Ken Carson – Yale". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved July 22, 2026. Select singles in the Formats field. Type Yale Ken Carson in the "Search:" field.
- ↑ "American single certifications – Ken Carson – Yale". Recording Industry Association of America.