"Kyoto" is a song by American electronic music producer Skrillex featuring Sirah, taken from his fourth EP as Skrillex, Bangarang. Musically, the song has multiple influences of drum and bass,[1] dubstep and electro house, while also having notable elements of hip hop music and metal music,[2] using "heavy, distorted guitar rhythms" within its composition.[3] The song received generally mixed reviews from music critics, with some criticizing its use of formula in comparison to his previous material. Due to strong digital downloads after the EP's release, the song charted in several countries worldwide, including Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom and United States.

"Kyoto"
Song by Skrillex featuring Sirah
from the album Bangarang
ReleasedDecember 23, 2011
RecordedJune – August 2011
GenreDrumstep, rap metal
Length3:21
LabelBig Beat, Atlantic
Songwriter(s)Skrillex, Sirah
Producer(s)Skrillex

Critical reception

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The song received generally lukewarm reviews from music critics, with some criticizing its similarities to his previous material. Jon O'Brien from AllMusic said "Skrillex's lack of progression means there's a distinct sense of déjà vu among its seven tracks, particularly on the relentless, scattershot bleeps, chopped-up vocal hooks, and repetitive loops of opener 'Right In' and the rap-metal fusion of 'Kyoto'".[4] Evan Rytlewski from The A.V. Club gave the song a mixed review, saying that it conveys "high drama without superfluous aggression", however, called it a "sub-Travis Barker stab at rap-rock".[5] Kevin Vincenti from The Cavalier Daily gave the song a negative review, saying "The bland 'Kyoto' is reminiscent of every other average electro-dance song, and it fails to show the genius of its creator".[6]

Chart performance

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Due to strong digital downloads after the EP's release, the song charted in several countries worldwide, including Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom and United States. In the United States, it debuted and peaked at number 74 on the Billboard Hot 100.[7] It declined to number 76 the following week, before exiting the chart two weeks later.[7] It made its highest peak on the Canadian Hot 100, where it reached number 59.[8]

Charts

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Chart performance for "Kyoto"
Chart (2012) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[9] 50
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[10] 59
US Billboard Hot 100[11] 74

Certifications

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Certifications for "Kyoto"
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[12] Platinum 70,000
United States (RIAA)[13] Platinum 1,000,000

Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References

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  1. ^ "Bangarang EP from Big Beat Records on Beatport". Beatport.
  2. ^ O'Brien, Jon (January 24, 2012). "Bangarang - Skrillex". AllMusic. Retrieved February 28, 2012.
  3. ^ "Skrillex 'drops it hard' with the Doors in 4th EP 'Bangarang'". February 3, 2012.
  4. ^ "Bangarang - Skrillex | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic". AllMusic.
  5. ^ "Skrillex: Bangarang". The A.V. Club. January 24, 2012.
  6. ^ "Skrillex drops 'Bangarang' beats | the Cavalier Daily". www.cavalierdaily.com. Archived from the original on July 22, 2012. Retrieved May 22, 2022.
  7. ^ a b "Hot 100". Billboard.
  8. ^ https://www.billboard.com/artist/skrillex/chart-history/billboard-canadian-hot-100
  9. ^ "Skrillex feat. Sirah – Kyoto". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved October 15, 2022.
  10. ^ "Skrillex Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved October 15, 2022.
  11. ^ "Skrillex Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved October 15, 2022.
  12. ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2023 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved November 30, 2023.
  13. ^ "American single certifications – Skrillex – Kyoto". Recording Industry Association of America.