"Batter Up" is a song recorded by South Korean girl group Babymonster. It was released on November 27, 2023, by YG Entertainment. The Japanese version of the single was released through YGEX on August 16, 2024.
Background and release On December 30, 2022, YG Entertainment introduced their upcoming new girl group Babymonster though the release of a teaser poster. In 2023, the seven members were introduced in the reality show Last Evaluation, where it was also announced that the group would be debuting in September later that year. On November 10, after the supposed debut month, YG Entertainment confirmed a debut date of November 27. Ten days later, the digital single "Batter Up" was announced as Babymonster's debut release. On November 24, the teaser for the music video was released.
Babymonster member Ahyeon wasn't included in Batter Up due to being on a mental health hiatus. However, their first mini album, Babymons7er, included Batter Up (7 Ver.), which was a rerecording of the original song that included the absent member.
Composition "Batter Up" was written by Jared Lee, Yang Hyun-suk, Babymonster member Asa, Treasure member Choi Hyun-suk, AKMU member Lee Chan-hyuk, and songwriting teams Where the Noise and BigTone, and composed by Chaz Mishan, Yang Hyun-suk, Dee.P, Jared Lee, and Asa. It is described as a song with "hip-hop and trap" sounds characteristic of YG Entertainment.
Critical reception
Yoo Ji-hee from Daily Sports expressed that the group succeeded in establishing a clear identity apart from their labelmate seniors 2NE1 and Blackpink, and wrote how the song evokes "a familiar taste." Rhian Daily from NME rated the song two out of five stars, calling it "a tired formula" with "lazy songwriting" and commented "Even in the moments that are clearly designed to be the track’s earworm moments, it feels weak and leaves no lasting impression."
Accolades + Awards and nominations for "Batter Up" Award ceremony Year Category Result Circle Chart Music Awards 2024 Rookie of the Year – Global Streaming Rookie of the Year – Streaming Unique Listeners
Charts
Weekly charts + Weekly chart performance for "Batter Up" Chart (2023) Peakposition Global 200 (Billboard) 101 Hong Kong (Billboard) 22 Indonesia (Billboard) 14 Japan (Japan Hot 100) 100 Japan Heatseekers (Billboard Japan) 7 Malaysia (Billboard) 9 Netherlands (Global Top 40) 14 New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ) 14 Singapore (RIAS) 10 South Korea (Circle) 123 Taiwan (Billboard) 7 US World Digital Song Sales (Billboard) 5 Vietnam (Vietnam Hot 100) 14
Monthly charts + Monthly chart performance for "Batter Up" Chart (2023) Position South Korea (Circle) 172
Release history + Release history for "Batter Up" Region Date Format Version Label Ref. Various November 27, 2023 Original YG April 1, 2024 7 version August 16, 2024 Japanese Sony Japan November 1, 2024 Remix YG
References