Artist: Billy
Title: XXXHIBITION
Genre(s): R&B
Length: 3:59
Writer(s): B.Khan
Producer(s): Billy, Havoc the Saint
Label: Five Pesky Kids
From The Album: BILAL
XXXHIBITION is a song by British singer-songwriter Bilal Khan-Holmes, known mononymously as Billy, released as the joint fourth single from his upcoming debut studio album, "BILAL". The song was released on April 11, 2022, alongside accompanying single
"Safe Passage". Both tracks were released without any prior promotion or reveal, appearing on all digital music and streaming platforms as surprise releases on the night of the 11th. The track was written and recorded in January 2022 following a prolonged break from the studio and after scrapping several from the first incarnation of his album. "XXXHIBITION" follows on from his chart-topping single, "Fuck With You", which tapped into disco and house music. This single shows yet another side to Billy as an artist, delivering his most sexually explicit material to date. The up-tempo R&B/Hip-Hop track garnered attention immediately upon release with many divided over its highly descriptive, erotic content. Some view the track as "liberating" and a "gay anthem" while others have questioned Khan's decision to promote unsafe sex and exhibitionism. The nude cover art has also been both championed and criticised. The track was written entirely by Billy and production was handled by Havoc the Saint, who is also signed to Five Pesky Kids and also worked on the other single from the dual release.
Writing & ProductionLyrically, "XXXHIBITION" explores the setting of Billy engaging in sexual intercourse with another male partner. While it could be alluding to his husband, Jerry Holmes, no name is stated and the person remains anonymous. During one point in the song, Billy refers to being a "loner" and how he doesn't wish for his sexual conquest to "have his mind", suggesting this could be a stranger as opposed to a romantic interest. The track is unapologetic for its explicit, descriptive and homoerotic lyrics which detail the night of passion. "XXXHIBITION" puts the listener in Billy's POV while receiving anal sex. Khan takes on a submissive role, contrasting from his powerful, dominant public persona. He sings about handing over his power to the partner and how he wishes for others to both watch and join in on the sexual activities. "XXXHIBITION" is notable for having a catchy, repetitive
"Yaaaa-ayy! Ya-ya-ya-ayy!" chanting hook. On a more controversial side, there is an insinuation of unprotected sex and, despite not being Jewish, Khan exclaims the phrase
"Mazel Tov!" as a way of nodding to the fact his penis is circumcised. Many of these lyrics have come under scrutiny among critics and listeners alike while others have praised the "wacky" lyrical choices.
Sonically, "XXXHIBITION" is a up-tempo R&B affair with elements of hip-hop and crunk underlying and interspersing throughout the track. The "lively" and "bouncy" sound contrasts greatly from that of joint single release, "Safe Passage", and has been positively received as a perfect sonic representation of Billy's large personality and sexual appetite. "XXXHIBITION" also differs from its sister-release in terms of Khan's vocal performance as this track sees him showcase a larger range, from "gritty" and "eager snarling" in the verses, to a "detached" and "obedient" vocoder covered "stuttering" in the pre-chorus before unleashing into a "quivering", "warbling" falsetto in the chorus which no doubt is meant to mirror the gasping and panting of the aforementioned sexual activities taking place.
Background & ReleaseThe track was written in December 2021, with production being handled and completed in the January of 2022. Khan's debut solo album was due for release in summer 2020 but was ultimately postponed due to the singer being unhappy with a lot of the material. After adapting to a smaller working environment due to COVID-19 restrictions, Khan continued to keep only a select few creatives around for the conception of the album. "XXXHIBITION" was written solely by Billy as a bare-bones, vocal melody only demo during the holiday season of 2021. He would then go on to complete the writing and co-produce alongside Havoc the Saint during one of many sessions together than followed in January. Joint single "Safe Passage" would also arise from these collaborations. With such an intense and explicit subject matter alongside an already haywire vocal melody in place, Khan knew that the "XXXHIBITION" was destined to wind up as a heavily produced, uptempo, fast-paced track.
Billy wrote:"My whole album represents me. That's why it has taken so long to get out. It's my story, my opinions, my personality, even some of my secrets all in one little music project. I want it to be perfect and for each song to hit the nail on the head. I've lived quite a life and so many millions of people have these preconceived ideas and their own opinions of me so all of that will be on the album. "XXXHIBITION" is one of the far extremes and I wanted to make sure I had the right song to represent the real freaky side of me. I know it's gonna cause a reaction and I fucking love that. I'm many, many things and I divide opinion. That's why I think these two songs I'm releasing are the perfect choices. Enlighten with one and offend with the other? Possibly even make you incredibly sad with "Safe Passage" then so fucking horny with "XXXHIBITION"? Who knows?! I just like to have fun and fuck around with expectations."
"When I first went into the studio with the track, Havoc's jaw hit the fucking floor. He wasn't just shocked by the lyrics but by how open I was with them. I didn't care. I'm bisexual and I'm married to a man. Yes, I do love taking it up the arse from time to time and the freakier you can make it, the better. Most of us have sex and most of us have at least some little kink or fetish that gets us off. I want people to embrace that and I also want to take away the stigma of two guys fucking. I'm tired of girl-on-girl stuff being fetishized by creepy straight men. Same-sex love and intercourse isn't just acceptable when guys named Chad and Kevin want to get their jollies in their dingy attic rooms, watching the worst acted porn in history. No. We ALL get freaky for real and it's hot and you're gonna listen to it. I purposely went all in with the crude stuff. I want my freaks to get off on it and I want to make the small-minded very uncomfortable."
"I think that when your old boss and, by the way, TOTALLY inappropriate fling, leaks your nudes onto the internet when you're only 18 you really just have to own it and not let shame engulf you. I'm not ashamed of my body or what I've got. I'm very liberal as you know but those infamous naked pictures from back in the day being posted was not my call. Someone took that privacy from me. I learned to embrace it and now I really fucking enjoy the idea of exhibitionism and handing over power. Claim it. Own it. Tell me I've got a nice cock. Bet you've got a nice one too. Hype everyone up! I want to represent all my twisted, kinky fuckers on this track but I also want this to be an anthem of body confidence and ownership of sexuality. Fucking go for it and explore every crevice and sensation, you sexy fuckers!"
Critical Reception"XXXHIBITION" received generally positive reviews upon release as well as generating some controversy among sectors. Many critics praised the "outlandish" and "highly sexual" nature of the track while some reacted negatively towards the over explicit content and the practise of exhibitionism. Lisa Kruger of DIY positively compared both songs from the dual release, saying
"If "Safe Passage" is the most honest Billy has ever been, "XXXHIBITION" is by far the horniest he's been." She went on to brand the song as a
"chaotic, hook-laden, NSFW extravaganza" before rounding by saying
"the song's title is pretty explanatory". Michael Evering of Entertainment.IE praised Billy's sex-positive attitude and jokingly dubbed the song as an
"anal anthem". Tara Montgomery of Vulture published a glowing review of the song and expressed support and solidarity with Khan, writing,
"you don't see many queer, mixed-race talents make it to the top let alone hear them unashamedly express their sexuality in such a forthright way on what's considered as a mainstream record."She went on to state the the track is
"not one for the prudes" before adding
"we've heard multiple songs about men fucking women, women riding men, even the queer-baiting of heterosexual women cosying up to another female collaborator has been done to death. Let Billy sing about anal sex in peace." Ashley Barrie for Stereogum praised the song's
"boisterous yet airtight" production but expressed dislike for the subject matters of unprotected sex and exhibitionism writing,
"It won't be the first or last time Khan finds himself in hot water but when consent is a hot button topic, it's probably not wise to croon about exposing yourself to your neighbors across the street while engaging in raw anal sex." Edmond Smyth of The Guardian was highly critical of the release, calling the song
"vulgar" and
"highly unnecessary" while branding the artwork of a naked Khan cupping his genitals as
"inappropriate" and
"desperate".
"XXXHIBITION"Favourite British boy, piping hot like tea
Forget about the sugar, have a spoonful of me
Your ride so long and smooth like a limousine
Come up to my bumper then park it in between
Sharing is caring so call up the squad
I keep it tight though my taste is broad
My body's a temple, come get closer to God
Hand's behind my back, still hear the applause
Start off real tender and caress the velvet
Then prepare for war and grab your helmet
Bask in the blaze, ignite the Molotov
Know you love my sweet design, mazel tov!
Exploring and tussling all night with me
Bare skin on skin, hot body to body
Forget the drapes, we should just let them see
Show 'em some nudity
Let's play out your most twisted fantasy
No magic safe word to ever set me free
Up against the window, over the street
Show 'em some depravityYaaaa-ayy! Ya-ya-ya-ayy!
Yaaaa-ayy! Ya-ya-ya-ayy!Pretty boy getting down and dirty like a swine
Militant loner who enjoys being intertwined
Be damned if I let anyone have my mind
But you can sure get to know me deep inside
Always down for seconds as you leave me peckish
Serve whatever you like, into every fetish
Even with the comedown, still a little coquettish
Bruises on my body so I won't forget this
Handing over control, falling into submission
If I want my kicks, gotta ask for permission
Spread out to explore at your own leisure
Nothing but a toy for my lover's pleasure
Exploring and tussling all night with me
Bare skin on skin, hot body to body
Forget the drapes, we should just let them see
Show 'em some nudity
Let's play out your most twisted fantasy
No magic safe word to ever set me free
Up against the window, over the street
Show 'em some depravityYaaaa-ayy! Ya-ya-ya-ayy!
Yaaaa-ayy! Ya-ya-ya-ayy!
Yaaaa-ayy! Ya-ya-ya-ayy!
Yaaaa-ayy! Ya-ya-ya-ayy!So much satisfaction in the sadistic pain
There's great excitement in being on display
Warmth down my thigh, I'm so glad you came
Fucked this ass like you own it
Beat it up then sent your condolence
Small price to pay when riding the pony
Exploring and tussling all night with me
Bare skin on skin, hot body to body
Forget the drapes, we should just let them see
Show 'em some nudity
Let's play out your most twisted fantasy
No magic safe word to ever set me free
Up against the window, over the street
Show 'em some depravityYaaaa-ayy! Ya-ya-ya-ayy!
Yaaaa-ayy! Ya-ya-ya-ayy!
Yaaaa-ayy! Ya-ya-ya-ayy!
Yaaaa-ayy! Ya-ya-ya-ayy!Now bring the fucking beat back!
Yaaaa-ayy! Ya-ya-ya-ayy!
Yaaaa-ayy! Ya-ya-ya-ayy!
Yaaaa-ayy! Ya-ya-ya-ayy!
Yaaaa-ayy! Ya-ya-ya-ayy!Yaaaa-ayy! Ya-ya-ya-ayy!
Yaaaa-ayy! Ya-ya-ya-ayy!
Yaaaa-ayy! Ya-ya-ya-ayy!
Yaaaa-ayy! Ya-ya-ya-ayy!Can Be Compared To:
