Georgia native Kali has made quite the splash with her viral hit “Area Codes,” which has landed her a spot on the Billboard Hot 100 and Hot R&B Hip-Hop Songs charts.
It seems like everyone is grooving to this infectious track, which incorporates the iconic lyrics, “I got h*es in different area codes.”
These are lyrics from Ludacris and Nate Dogg’s original 2001 song.
However, Kali claims she had no idea about the connection!
Kali Claims Innocence Even Though The Inspiration From Ludacris’ Song Is Clear
In an interview with Complex, the 22-year-old rapper revealed she didn’t know there was a connection between the two songs.
“Like, I never heard the Ludacris song before. So when people asked me that, I truly didn’t know what they were talking about. It was just super organic. When I hear people saying, ‘Oh this is a Ludacris homage’ I’m like, ‘Okay, but I really didn’t know anything about it.’ It was just like I literally felt like I got h*es in different area codes.”
Released in March, “Area Codes” has received some regional remixes.
One version features Chicago’s Mello Buckzz, while another showcases the talents of Luh Tyler.
There’s also a version with Bronx representative Kenzo B, one with San Francisco native Lil Kayla, and another with St. Louis rapper Sexy Redd.
According to Kali, the producers Tate Kobang and YG! Beats made her reminisce about her school days.
“It took me back to the school days when you would be banging on the table, rapping random stuff with your friends. Then I was like, ‘Well, how should the beat go ’cause I’ve just been rapping the lyrics while I’m beating on the table?’ [The producers] were like, it just literally needs to be what you’re doing like that sound of boom clap, that’s it. That’s what inspired the video.”
“Area Codes” follows up her 2022 project, Toxic Chocolate, which had appearances from an impressive lineup including:
- Muni Long
- BIA
- Latto
- Moneybagg Yo
Kali’s version:
Luda’s version:
