Produced by Diego Ave, Go Grizzly, Mally Mall, and OG Tint, it was released for digital download and streaming by RBC Records and BMG on 27 March 2020 as the third single from KSI's debut studio album, Dissimulation (2020).

KSI hosted a competition called the "Poppin Challenge" that gave fans the chance to appear on a remix of the song on the deluxe edition of the album.

KSI was played the instrumental with Smokepurpp's vocals during a recording studio session with the song's producers in Los Angeles, United States.

Explaining the decision to feature Lil Pump on "Poppin", KSI said that they "wanted something playful" and "it made sense to have him on the track".

[9][10] Speaking about "Poppin", KSI said, "We really just wanted to drop a bunch of cool flows on this [song]... have [us] turn up on here and just have some fun with it.

[14][15][16] The song's cover art depicts the three rappers as cartoon characters, dressed in green clothing and equipped with swords, in front of a blue background.

[15] "Poppin" was released for digital download and streaming by RBC Records and BMG on 27 March 2020 as the third single from KSI's upcoming debut studio album.

Commenting on the choice of featured artists, Finday wrote, "Though one might be tempted to cry out, 'liability', don't underestimate their crafty, albeit base, nature.

"[9] Anthony Fantano of The Needle Drop similarly admitted that "a feature from [Lil Pump and Smokepurpp] is a bit dated".

Fantano further praised KSI for having "a decent sense of what makes for a good song" and concluded that "Poppin" is a "pretty grimy banger with irie production".

[25] Writing for Insider, Kat Tenbarge said that the song has "a relentless beat that could easily accompany a sweaty night at a college pre-game, a nightclub track list, or a viral TikTok dance".

[27] Writing for i, Nick Duerden remarked that "Poppin" is "a curiously convincing slice of Californian hip hop [for] someone who was born and raised in Watford".

[31] The music video depicts KSI, Lil Pump and Smokepurpp having a good time in a crowded underground club setting, filled with dancing.

[7][28] Canadian-American actor and internet personality King Bach and Korean-American hip hop dancer Bailey Sok make appearances in the video.