Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jun 16, 2026

Ex Calling

"Ex Calling" is the debut single by American singer 6lack. It was first released on May 17, 2016 before being released to streaming services on July 25, 2016 as the lead single from his debut studio album Free 6lack (2016). Produced by Southside and DZL, the song is a remix of "Perkys Calling" by American rapper Future from the mixtape Purple Reign (2016).

Last revised
Jun 16, 2026
Read time
≈ 2 min
Length
496 w
Citations
17
Source
Wikipedia ↗
"Ex Calling"
Single by 6lack
from the album Free 6lack
ReleasedJuly 25, 2016
Recorded2016
GenreAlternative R&B
Length3:31
Label
Songwriters
Producers
6lack singles chronology
"Ex Calling"
(2016) 		"Prblms"
(2016)
Music video
"Ex Calling" on YouTube

"Ex Calling" is the debut single by American singer 6lack. It was first released on May 17, 20161 before being released to streaming services on July 25, 20162 as the lead single from his debut studio album Free 6lack (2016). Produced by Southside and DZL, the song is a remix of "Perkys Calling" by American rapper Future from the mixtape Purple Reign (2016).

Background

In an interview with Genius, 6lack revealed the song was referring to all of his previous romantic partners. He stated, "'Ex Calling' was literally a collage of all my exes. I just combined them into one mega ex and just made a song about all of them. She was in there somewhere. I just fused them all into the greatest ex of all time."3

Composition

The production contains sparse piano and "alternating bass kicks that speed up the pace".4 Lyrically, 6lack reflects on his past relationships,5 especially dealing with his self-growth following a toxic relationship6 and refusal to answer the phone when his ex calls him.3

Music video

The music video was released on December 5, 2016. Shot in black-and-white, it sees 6lack wandering through town7 and visiting a strip club,578 where he throws money on some dancers.8

Charts

Chart (2017) Peak
position
US Bubbling Under Hot 100 (Billboard)9 24
US Bubbling Under R&B/Hip-Hop Singles (Billboard)10 3

Certifications

Region Certification Certified units/sales
Canada (Music Canada)11 2× Platinum 160,000‡
New Zealand (RMNZ)12 Gold 15,000‡
United States (RIAA)13 2× Platinum 2,000,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References

References

  1. "6LACK - Ex Calling (Audio)". YouTube. May 17, 2016. Retrieved 2 April 2025.
  2. "Ex Calling - Single". Free6lack.com. July 25, 2016. Archived from the original on February 2, 2017. Retrieved 2 April 2025.
  3. "6LACK "Ex Calling" Official Lyrics & Meaning | Verified". YouTube. March 1, 2017. Retrieved 2 April 2025.
  4. Duricy, Brian (30 November 2016). "6lack: Free 6lack". PopMatters. Retrieved 2 April 2025.
  5. Dandridge-Lemco, Ben (December 5, 2016). "6LACK Shares "Ex Calling" Video". The Fader. Retrieved 2 April 2025.
  6. "Free 6lack". Exclaim!. November 17, 2016. Retrieved 2 April 2025.
  7. Berry, Peter A. (December 5, 2016). "6LACK Can Hear His 'Ex Calling' in His New Video". XXL. Retrieved 2 April 2025.
  8. Goddard, Kevin (December 6, 2016). "6LACK "Ex Calling" Video". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved 2 April 2025.
  9. "6lack Chart History (Bubbling Under Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved April 2, 2025.
  10. "6LACK Chart History: Bubbling Under R&B/Hip-Hop Singles". Billboard. Archived from the original on September 22, 2018. Retrieved April 2, 2025.
  11. "Canadian single certifications – 6lack – Ex Calling". Music Canada. Retrieved 2 April 2025.
  12. "New Zealand single certifications – 6lack – Ex Calling". Radioscope. Retrieved 2 April 2025. Type Ex Calling in the "Search:" field and press Enter.
  13. "American single certifications – 6lack – Ex Calling". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved April 2, 2025.