The Race

"The Race" is the debut single by American rapper Tay-K. It was originally released on SoundCloud independently on June 16, 2017, but was later re-released for digital download and streaming by 88 Classic and RCA Records on July 29, 2017. The song charted at number 44 on the US Billboard Hot 100, and is from his debut mixtape, Santana World. Background Tay-K (whose real name is Taymor Travon McIntyre) recorded and released "The Race" while a fugitive from the police after escaping house arrest before his trial on capital murder charges. Tay-K makes references to this during the song, with the chorus being: "Fuck a beat, I was tryna beat a case. But I ain't beat that case, bitch I did the race." The charges (on which McIntyre was later convicted) stemmed from a home invasion where 21 year old Ethan Walker was killed. The song was later presented during the sentencing phase of Tay-K's trial on the aforementioned murder charges as it appeared that he was boasting about being on the run from authorities. During the chorus of the song, Tay-K says: McIntyre released several songs while on the run from the police, including "The Race", which was recorded during McIntyre's stay in New Jersey and the music video was released on YouTube two hours after his capture. "The Race" debuted at number 70 on the US Billboard Hot 100 after a large hashtag campaign pursuing the release of McIntyre using the hashtag "#FREETAYK". "The Race" peaked at 44 on the Billboard Hot 100.