# Killah (song)

"Killah" is a song by American singer and songwriter Lady Gaga featuring French musician Gesaffelstein, included in her studio album Mayhem (2025). It was written and produced jointly by Gaga, Andrew Watt, Cirkut, and Gesaffelstein. The song is characterized by its electro-funk industrial sound, blending elements of alternative rock, dark techno, and synth-pop.

## Production and composition

Gaga wrote and produced "Killah" with Andrew Watt, Cirkut, and Gesaffelstein. Paul Lamalfa recorded the track at Shangri-La Studios in Malibu, California; Marco Sonzini provided additional engineering, while Tyler Harris worked as the assistant engineer. "Killah" was mixed by Serban Ghenea at Mixstar Studios in Virginia Beach, Virginia, and mastered by Randy Merrill at Sterling Sound Studios in Edgewater, New Jersey. Gaga, Watt, and Cirkut played keyboards; Chad Smith played drums; and Cirkut and Gesaffelstein played synthesizer and provided drum and bass programming. Watt additionally played electric guitar. Bryce Bordone worked as the assistant mixing engineer, and Marc VanGool served as the studio technician.
"Killah" was combines the industrial and dark aesthetic characteristic of Gesaffelstein with the maximalist approach of Mayhem. The song encompasses electro-funk, industrial, and dance genres and has been compared to the sound of David Bowie, Nine Inch Nails and Prince due to its use of dense synthesizers, heavy bass, and aggressive electronic rhythms. Structurally, the track builds on what some media outlets have described as "a hypnotic groove," with whispered verses that gradually intensify until culminating in a high-energy chorus. Various reviews noted that Gesaffelstein's production influence becomes particularly evident in the second half of the song, where the instrumentation breaks into a distorted techno interlude before returning to the chorus with greater impact.
The lyrics of "Killah" explore a dangerous game of seduction, with Gaga embodying the role of a femme fatale, alternating between seductive and threatening tones. The song uses metaphors of power, desire, and destruction, suggesting that the protagonist is both irresistible and lethal. Some critics interpreted the lyrics as a representation of female strength and autonomy, highlighting how Gaga takes control of the narrative rather than being merely the object of desire. In an interview with Rolling Stone, Gaga stated that "Killah" was one of the songs that most pushed her out of her comfort zone during the album's recording, affirming:
   "I love the production of Killah. The only live instrumentation on the entire album is a guitar, and it's so much fun. It has so much confidence. I've never worked with a rhythm and groove like this before. The truth is, I'm not always that confident. I'm someone who can feel deeply insecure, but in this track, it's like my ultimate confidence. And that's part of the journey of Mayhem as a big night out. If you think of the album as a full night, this is that moment where you feel on top of the world."

## Critical reception

"Killah" was singled out as a standout track of Mayhem by several journalists. Variety's Steven J. Horowitz described it as "a bold and confident track," highlighting its fusion of electro-funk and industrial techno. Billboard's Stephen Daw noted that Gesaffelstein's collaboration "elevates the song to another dimension, with an interlude that transports us to a Berlin nightclub." The Quietus's CJ Thorpe-Tracey considered it an homage to Prince's sound, emphasizing "the mix of sensuality and danger in Gaga's performance." Evening Standard's India Block praised its sonic combination, calling it "fun and cruel."
The Guardian's Alexis Petridis stated that "Killah" stands out within the album for its "unexpected production shifts." AllMusic's Neil Z. Yeung highlighted the track as one of the album's best moments, describing it as "a collaboration with Gesaffelstein that blends Bowie and Prince's influence with the intensity of St. Vincent or Trent Reznor." The Line of Best Fit's David Cobbald mentioned that while the production was ambitious, it did not reach the depth of Gesaffelstein’s previous work with The Weeknd.

## Commercial performance

After the release of Mayhem, "Killah" debuted at number 96 on the Billboard Global 200 for the chart dated March 22, 2025. In the United States, the song entered the Billboard Hot 100 at number 93, while reaching number 8 on the Hot Dance/Pop Songs chart. In Canada, it debuted at number 87 on the Canadian Hot 100, while in the United Kingdom, it entered the UK Streaming Chart at number 82.

## Live performance

On March 8, 2025, Gaga performed "Killah" live for the first time on Saturday Night Live as part of its fiftieth season, along with "Abracadabra". The performance began in the hallways of Studio 8H, where Gaga and her dancers interacted with security cameras before returning to the main stage. For the performance, she wore a purple outfit, seemingly as a tribute to Prince, one of the song's primary influences. Variety described the performance as "one of her most frenetic and immersive," while Rolling Stone praised her "overflowing intensity" and the funk style that made the song "feel like an instant classic." AOL stated that the performance captured "the chaotic and theatrical spirit" of the album, solidifying the song as "a fan favorite just days after its release."

## Credits and personnel

Credits are adapted from the liner notes of Mayhem.
* Lady Gaga – songwriter, producer, lead vocals, background vocals, keyboards
* Andrew Watt – songwriter, producer, electric guitar, keyboards
* Cirkut – songwriter, producer, synthesizer, keyboards, drum programming, bass programming
* Gesaffelstein – songwriter, producer, synthesizer, drum programming, bass programming
* Chad Smith – drums
* Paul Lamalfa – recording engineer
* Serban Ghenea – mixing engineer
* Randy Merrill – mastering engineer
* Marco Sonzini – additional engineer
* Tyler Harris – assistant engineer
* Bryce Bordone – assistant mixing engineer
* Marc VanGool – studio technician

## Charts

Chart performance for "Killah" :
| Chart (2025) | Peak position |
| Canada (Canadian Hot 100) | 87 |
| France (SNEP) | 194 |
| Global 200 (Billboard) | 95 |
| Greece International (IFPI) | 73 |
| UK Streaming (OCC) | 82 |
| US Billboard Hot 100 | 93 |
| US Hot Dance/Pop Songs (Billboard) | 8 |