# Kamikaze (MØ song)

"Kamikaze" is a song by Danish singer-songwriter MØ produced for her second studio album, Forever Neverland, but was only included on the Japanese release of the album. The song is another collaboration between MØ and Diplo of Major Lazer and was also co-produced by Jr Blender and Boaz van de Beatz. "Kamikaze" was released through Sony Music Entertainment and premiered on BBC Radio 1 on 14 October 2015 at 7:30 PM BST at Annie Mac. It was released worldwide on 15 October. It has also reached the top 40 in Belgium and Denmark.

## Background

The antecedent draft of "Kamikaze" was authored by MØ's confidante Mads Kristiansen in April 2015. MØ says she "fell in love" with the song instantly, and immediately set about making it her own. MØ then hooked up with American producer Diplo in New York City, working on versions of the song. In a press release MØ praised the creative energy and affection she contributed with Diplo and also analyzed working with him.
   It's about making memorable songs but, more than that, it's about making pop music that wants to push boundaries.... I've been loving all kinds of pop since I first fell in love with the Spice Girls, but pop needs to bring something new to the table, it needs balls. And that's what you get working with Diplo.
The official audio later premiered on 14 October, on MØ's Vevo channel.

## In popular culture

The song was sampled in the feature film Nerve and is included in the film's soundtrack. It also is featured in episode 1x17 of the American television series Quantico and in the movie Snatched.

## Music video

The accompanying music video for "Kamikaze" was filmed in Kyiv, Ukraine. It was also shot and directed by Truman & Cooper and produced by Amalia Rawlings and Corin Taylor. It premiered on MØ's Vevo channel on 27 October. Billboard magazine likened the video of "drag-racing motor bikes and riding around on what appears to be a chariot made of an old sofa and a tractor" to scenes from Mad Max: Fury Road. The music video was included in Pigeons & Planes' "Best Music Videos of the Month". The music video also gained 1 million views in its initial three days.

## Reception

"Kamikaze" was premiered by Annie Mac as "The Hottest Record of the Year". The song also came in at #60 on the annual Triple J Hottest 100 for 2015.

## Charts

Chart performance for "Kamikaze" :
| Chart (2015–2016) | Peak position |
| Australia (ARIA) | 91 |
| Belgium (Ultratop Flanders) | 30 |
| Belgium (Ultratip Wallonia) | 19 |
| CIS Airplay (TopHit) | 161 |
| Denmark (Tracklisten) | 16 |
| Sweden Heatseeker (Sverigetopplistan) | 12 |
| UK Singles (Official Charts Company) | 183 |

## Certifications

Certifications for "Kamikaze" :
| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
| Denmark (IFPI Danmark) | Platinum | 60,000$^^$ |
| Mexico (AMPROFON) | Gold | 30,000$^‡$ |
| New Zealand (RMNZ) | Gold | 15,000$^‡$ |
| Poland (ZPAV) | Gold | 10,000$^‡$ |
| $^^$ Shipments figures based on certification alone. $^‡$ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. |||

## Release history

Release dates and formats for "Kamikaze" :
| Region | Date | Format | Label |
| Worldwide | 15 October 2015 | Digital download | Chess ClubRCA Victor |
| Russia | 26 October 2015 | Contemporary hit radio | Sony Music |
| United States | 1 December 2015 | Contemporary hit radio | RCA |