Inferno (song)

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"Inferno"
Single by Bella Poarch and Sub Urban
from the EP Dolls and the album Hive
ReleasedAugust 13, 2021 (2021-08-13)
Recorded2021
Genre
Length2:13
LabelWarner
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
Bella Poarch singles chronology
"Build a Bitch"
(2021)
"Inferno"
(2021)
"Dolls"
(2022)
Sub Urban singles chronology
"Patchwerk"
(2021)
"Inferno"
(2021)
"Paramour"
(2021)
Music video
"Inferno" on YouTube

"Inferno" is a song by Filipino-American social media personality Bella Poarch and American musician and producer Sub Urban. It was released through Warner Records on August 13, 2021 as the second single from Poarch's debut extended play Dolls (2022) and the lead single from Sub Urban's debut studio album Hive (2022).[2] The song follows the May 2021 release of Poarch's debut single "Build a Bitch".

Background and composition[edit]

In early August 2021, Poarch announced she would release a new single on August 13. The announcement was accompanied by a 30-second video teaser featuring cameo appearances by producer Sub Urban along with Twitch streamers Adin Ross, Disguised Toast, Ludwig, and TommyInnit.[citation needed]

Production[edit]

"Inferno" was described as "another dark pop offering" from Poarch, featuring "heavy beats and the chilling sound of creepy children singing". The track also includes "theatrical and classical elements and a hint of tango" with lyrics about Poarch's "troubled past".[1]

Music video[edit]

In a statement, Poarch included a trigger warning for the music video. She wrote, "As a victim of sexual assault, this song and video mean a lot to me. This is something I haven't been ready to share with you just yet. It's very hard for me to talk about. But I'm ready now. I decided to express myself by creating a song and video with Sub Urban based on how I wished my experience went. It's a fantasy I wish was true. I'm looking forward to sharing this with you all."[3][4] The video (directed by Andrew Donoho) takes place in a Hollywood glamor-themed hotel in which Poarch is drugged by two men and pulled into an elevator. Upon entering the elevator, she develops superpowers and tortures the men, whilst Sub Urban, a bartender, makes sure nobody sees.[5] She is later revealed to be the devil herself, with Sub Urban as Virgil, who takes the offending men through the 9 Circles of Hell by Dante’s Inferno. The music video includes cameos from LilyPichu, Valkyrae, Adin Ross, Disguised Toast, Ludwig Ahgren, Pokimane, TommyInnit, CouRageJD, Ivana Alawi, and Bretman Rock.[4]

Charts[edit]

Certifications[edit]

Certifications for "Inferno"
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil)[12] Gold 20,000
United States (RIAA)[13] Gold 500,000

Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b Bodegon, Kara (August 13, 2021). "Bella Poarch faces her dark part with sizzling Sun Urban collab "INFERNO" – Watch". Bandwagon Asia. Retrieved August 13, 2021.
  2. ^ Bodegon, Kara (August 6, 2021). "Bella Poarch tease new fiery single 'Inferno' with Sub Urban – watch". Bandwagon Asia. Retrieved August 9, 2021.
  3. ^ "Twitter". Retrieved August 9, 2021.
  4. ^ a b Haylock, Zoe (August 13, 2021). "Bella Poarch Welcomes You to Her Tower of Terror in the 'Inferno' Video". Vulture. Retrieved August 14, 2021.
  5. ^ "Fil-Am TikTok star Bella Poarch confronts dark past in new song 'Inferno'". ph.news.yahoo.com. Retrieved August 14, 2021.
  6. ^ "Canadian Hot 100: August 28, 2021". Billboard. Retrieved August 24, 2021.
  7. ^ "Sub Urban Chart History (Global 200)". Billboard. Retrieved 28 August 2021.
  8. ^ "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. August 23, 2021. Retrieved August 21, 2021.
  9. ^ "Bubbling Under Hot 100 Chart: The week of August 28, 2021". Billboard. Retrieved August 24, 2021.
  10. ^ "Hot Rock & Alternative Songs – The week of August 28, 2021". Billboard. Retrieved August 24, 2021.
  11. ^ "Hot Rock & Alternative Songs – Year-End 2021". Billboard. Retrieved December 3, 2021.
  12. ^ "Brazilian single certifications – SubUrban & Bella Poarch – Inferno" (in Portuguese). Pro-Música Brasil. Retrieved November 17, 2021.
  13. ^ "American single certifications – Bella Poarch – Inferno". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved September 20, 2023.