Level Up (Ciara song)

Last updated
"Level Up"
Ciara - Level Up single cover.png
Single by Ciara
from the album Beauty Marks
ReleasedJuly 17, 2018 (2018-07-17)
Studio Neptune Valley (Los Angeles)
Genre
Length3:24
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
  • J.R. Rotem
Ciara singles chronology
"Get Up"
(2016)		"Level Up"
(2018)		"Freak Me"
(2018)
Music video
"Level Up" on YouTube

"Level Up" is a song by American singer-songwriter Ciara released on July 17, 2018 by Beauty Marks Entertainment and Warner Bros. Records. The single artwork was shot by Haley Blavka.

Contents

Influenced by the Jersey club variety of electronic dance music, [1] the song was written by Ciara, J.R. Rotem, Theron Thomas, Telly Brown, Jr. and Theron Feemster, with production by J.R. Rotem and Nas Luke. It samples the Jersey Remix of "We Are Young" by Fun. that was also used in DJ Telly Tellz's 2017 viral hit "Fuck It Up Challenge". [2] [3] Its music video was directed and choreographed by New Zealand dancer Parris Goebel, who also appears in the video alongside fellow New Zealanders ReQuest Dance Crew.

Reception to the music video was positive, with "Level Up" becoming the number one trending video on YouTube and spawning the #LevelUpChallenge on social media, featuring fans and celebrities recording their own version of the video's choreography. The official remix for "Level Up" was released a week later featuring additional vocals from Missy Elliott and Fatman Scoop. Chartwise, "Level Up" peaked within the upper half of the US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart in the United States, top forty in Hungary and top sixty on the US Billboard Hot 100.

Composition

"Level Up" is a song about empowerment and growth. [3] The song's title directly references Ciara's controversial #LevelUp marriage tweet, which some felt blamed women for being single. [4] She later cleared up the message, explaining that she wanted to empower women as she felt her "lowest moment" as a solo parent before learning to love herself. [5] [6] Some critics also believed parts of the song were aimed at ex-fiance, American rapper Future. [7]

Promotion

In promotion of the single, fans initiated the "Level Up Challenge", which generated hundreds of thousands of responses on social media. The challenge consisted of fans mimicking the choreography performed in the accompanying music video. Ciara added onto the challenge by encouraging fans to share three ways in which they want to "level up" or better themselves. Fans and celebrities alike participated in the challenge, including Chris Pratt, Kelly Clarkson, Serena Williams, Macklemore, Janelle Monae, Missy Elliott, Jennifer Hudson, and Ciara's husband, Russell Wilson. [8] Ciara also performed the song as a part of her set list as an opening act for singer, Bruno Mars' 24K Magic World Tour (2018).

Remix

On July 26, 2018, Ciara premiered the song's official remix, featuring Missy Elliott and Fatman Scoop. The three of them previously worked together on Elliott's single "Lose Control". [9]

Chart performance

In the United States, "Level Up" debuted at 77 on the US Billboard Hot 100 on July 31, 2018, for the chart week dated August 4, 2018; it ascended to number 59 the following week. [10] It debuted at number 10 on the US Digital Songs chart that same week, becoming Ciara's sixth top-ten hit on the chart and first since "Love Sex Magic" in March 2009. [11]

Music video

The music video for "Level Up" was filmed in 2017 but initially went unreleased as Ciara's contract with Warner Bros Records was terminated. [12] It eventually premiered, alongside the single, on July 18, 2018. [13] The video, which features the New Zealand dancers of ReQuest Dance Crew, was directed and choreographed by New Zealander Parris Goebel, who also appears as a dancer. The music video was filmed in the Auckland War Memorial Museum in Auckland. Ciara premiered a "Behind the Scenes" video through Trace Me on August 6, 2018. [14]

The dance-centric clip opens with the words: "Be your own boss, love yourself, get up and dance. Level up!". Then Ciara dances while wearing headphones and a black leotard with the words "Level Up", accompanied by the all-female Request Dance Crew, dressed in matching red activewear and Bose headphones. [15]

Reception

The music video received a positive critical response. Spin magazine's Israel Daramola opined "Choreographed by dancer Parris Goebel, Ciara and ReQuest put on an electric, mesmerizing performance and make it look easy." [3] Within 24 hours of release, it became the #1 trending video on YouTube. [16]

Live performances

Ciara has performed the song on the American Music Awards of 2018 and on The Ellen DeGeneres Show . The song is also performed on Bruno Mars' 24K Magic World Tour, where Ciara serves as an opening act.

Track listing

  1. "Level Up" – 3:24
  1. "Level Up" (remix featuring Missy Elliott and Fatman Scoop) – 3:49

Personnel

Charts

Chart (2018-2019)Peak
position
Belgium (Ultratip Bubbling Under Flanders) [19] 34
Belgium Urban (Ultratop Flanders) [20] 27
Hungary (Single Top 40) [21] 36
France (SNEP) [22] 88
New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ) [23] 7
Slovakia (Singles Digitál Top 100) [24] 42
UK Singles Downloads (OCC) [25] 79
US Billboard Hot 100 [10] 59
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs ( Billboard ) [26] 23

Certifications

RegionCertification Certified units/sales
France (SNEP) [27] Gold100,000‡
Poland (ZPAV) [28] Gold25,000‡
United Kingdom (BPI) [29] Silver200,000‡
United States (RIAA) [30] Platinum1,000,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Missy Elliott</span> American rapper and record producer (born 1971)

Melissa Arnette "Missy" Elliott, also known as Misdemeanor, is an American rapper, singer, songwriter, and record producer. She embarked on her music career with R&B girl group Sista in the 1990s, and later became a member of the Swing Mob collective alongside her childhood friend and longtime collaborator Timbaland, with whom she wrote and produced music for acts such as 702, Aaliyah, SWV, and Total. Following several collaborations and guest appearances, she began her solo career in 1997 with her debut album Supa Dupa Fly, which spawned the top 20 single "Sock It 2 Me". The album debuted at No. 3 on the Billboard 200, the highest charting debut for a woman rapper at the time.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fatman Scoop</span> American rapper (born 1971)

Isaac Freeman III, better known by his stage name Fatman Scoop, is an American rapper, hype man, promoter and radio personality famed for his on-stage rough, raw loud voice.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ciara</span> American singer (born 1985)

Ciara Princess Wilson is an American singer, songwriter, businesswoman, dancer, model, and actress. She rose to prominence with her debut studio album, Goodies (2004) and its lead single of the same name, which peaked atop the Billboard Hot 100 and UK Singles Chart. Follow-up singles from the album included "1, 2 Step" and "Oh", both of which peaked at number two on the former chart. The album was certified triple platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and received two nominations at the 48th Annual Grammy Awards. Ciara also guest featured on the 2005 singles "Lose Control" by Missy Elliott and "Like You" by Bow Wow, both of which peaked at number three on the Billboard Hot 100.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1, 2 Step</span> 2004 single by Ciara

"1, 2 Step" is a song by American singer Ciara featuring American rapper Missy Elliott. Written alongside producer Jazze Pha, it was released on November 1, 2004 as the second single of the former's debut studio album, Goodies. In the United States. It peaked within the top 10 of the charts in several countries worldwide, including Germany, New Zealand and the United Kingdom. The song is heavily inspired by 1980s electro music production. Throughout the song, Ciara gives a description of how the song's beat feels as she exhorts party-goers to dance to the music. "1, 2 Step" was ranked 59th on Billboard's Top 100 Songs of the 2000s. In the United States, the song peaked at number two on the Billboard Hot 100 and stayed there for seven weeks.

<i>The Cookbook</i> 2005 studio album by Missy Elliott

The Cookbook is the sixth studio album by American rapper Missy Elliott, released on July 4, 2005, by The Goldmind Inc. and Atlantic Records in Germany and the United Kingdom, and on July 5 in the United States and Japan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lose Control (Missy Elliott song)</span> 2005 single by Missy Elliott

"Lose Control" is a song by American rapper Missy Elliott featuring singer Ciara and rapper Fatman Scoop. It was released as the lead single from Elliott's sixth studio album, The Cookbook, on May 23, 2005. It contains samples from Hot Streak's "Body Work" and Cybotron's "Clear". The song peaked at number three on the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States, number two in New Zealand, and in the top thirty in various countries.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Work It (Missy Elliott song)</span> 2002 single by Missy Elliott

"Work It" is a hip hop song written by American rapper Missy Elliott and her producer Tim "Timbaland" Mosley for Elliott's fourth studio album Under Construction (2002). The song's musical style, and production by Timbaland, were heavily inspired by old school hip hop from the early 1980s. It samples Run-D.M.C.'s "Peter Piper" and Rock Master Scott & the Dynamic Three's "Request Line".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Missy Elliott discography</span>

The discography of American rapper, singer, and record producer Missy Elliott consists of six studio albums, three compilation albums, one extended play, seventy-four singles and twenty solo music videos.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Touch (Omarion song)</span> 2005 single by Omarion

"Touch" is a song by American R&B singer Omarion. It was released on February 11, 2005, as the second single off his 2005 debut album O. The song was written by Pharrell Williams and includes his background vocals on the song's bridge. The song was produced by The Neptunes. "Touch" was originally planned to be the first single from O in the UK. However, it was eventually decided that as in the US, "O" would be the first single from the album there as well. It was a minor hit in the US, peaking at only number 94 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 35 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I'm Really Hot</span> 2004 single by Missy Elliott

"I'm Really Hot" is a song by American rapper Missy Elliott. It was written and produced by and Elliott Timbaland for her fifth studio album This Is Not a Test! (2003). Released as the second and final single from the album, it reached the top 20 of the Danish Singles Chart. The accompanying music video makes reference to the Quentin Tarantino movie Kill Bill: Volume 1 (2003), and includes a dance break over "Hot Music" by Soho.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">It Takes Two (Rob Base & DJ E-Z Rock song)</span> 1988 single by Rob Base and DJ E-Z Rock

"It Takes Two" is a song by New York City hip hop duo Rob Base and DJ E-Z Rock that became a top-40 single and was later certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). Since it was released in 1988 by Profile Records, the song has been covered and sampled by several recording artists.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cop That Shit</span> 2003 single by Timbaland & Magoo featuring Missy Elliott

"Cop That Shit", also known in its censored form as "Cop That Disc", is the lead single taken from hip-hop duo Timbaland & Magoo's third studio album, Under Construction, Part II. The track features vocals from Missy Elliott. The single was released on September 29, 2003 in Europe, but was not released in the United Kingdom until March 8, 2004. The hip hop track itself refers to people downloading and burning music instead of buying it. All of the tracks' verses are resung verses from classic rap songs, however some of the lyrics are changed. Timbaland's verse is a rewrite of "I Know You Got Soul" by Eric B. & Rakim, Missy's verse is a rewrite of Paper Thin by MC Lyte, and Magoo's verse is a rewrite of "I Got It Made" by Special Ed.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ching-a-Ling</span> 2008 single by Missy Elliott

"Ching-a-Ling" is a song by American rapper Missy Elliott. It was written by Elliott along with frequent collaborator Cainon Lamb as well as Shawn Campbell and Marshall Leathers from production duo The Arkitects for what was supposed to be Elliott's seventh studio album Block Party, while production was helmed by Lamb, Campbell, and Leathers. In the song, sound elements of the 1981 arcade game Donkey Kong are heard throughout the song.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Work (Ciara song)</span> 2009 single by Ciara featuring Missy Elliott

"Work" is a song recorded by American recording artist Ciara for her third studio album Fantasy Ride (2009). It was released by LaFace Records on July 24, 2009, as the album's third and final single. Rapper Missy Elliott provides featured vocals on the song. Ciara and Elliott wrote it in collaboration with its producers Nate "Danja" Hills and Marcella Araica. "Work" is a fast-paced electropop and dance song with elements of bounce music and hip hop. Ciara described it as an energetic club track, and considered it initially as the lead single of Fantasy Ride.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Regret (LeToya Luckett song)</span> 2009 single by LeToya featuring Ludacris

"Regret" is a song recorded by American singer LeToya Luckett, released as the third single taken from her second studio album Lady Love (2009) featuring American rapper Ludacris. It was written by Luckett, Ludacris, Tank, Jerry "Texx" Franklin, Kristina Stephens, and J. Valentine and produced by Tank and Franklin. The song was released on November 11, 2009, through Capital Records. The Sky High Remix of "Regret" was released digitally on December 18, 2009.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gimmie Dat</span> 2010 single by Ciara

"Gimmie Dat" is a song by American singer-songwriter Ciara. The song was written by Ciara, along with its two producers Christopher "Tricky" Stewart and Kenneth "Soundz" Coby for her fourth studio album, Basic Instinct (2010). "Gimmie Dat" is an uptempo dance song, featuring speedy, kinetic beats and a sensual-breathy tone. The song has been compared to her previous hip hop-flavored dance songs, "Goodies", and "Work", and has also been compared to Missy Elliott's "Work It". "Gimmie Dat" was released as the third single from Basic Instinct on October 15, 2010. In some countries, the song was released alongside "Speechless", as a dual single.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sorry (Ciara song)</span> 2012 song by Ciara

"Sorry" is a song recorded by American singer Ciara. It was written by Ciara, Elvis "Blac" Williams, and Jasper Cameron, and produced by Harris and Cameron. The song premiered alongside its music video on September 13, 2012, and was released as a digital download two weeks later on September 25, 2012. Epic Records serviced the single to urban contemporary and rhythmic radio in the United States on October 9, 2012. "Sorry" is a midtemp R&B ballad with production akin to Ciara's previous single, "Promise" (2006). Lyrically, the song speaks on a relationship gone bad, and has been described as an autobiography.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Parris Goebel</span> New Zealand dancer and choreographer (born 1991)

Parris Renee Goebel, also known mononymously as Parris, is a New Zealand dancer and choreographer. She is the founder and main choreographer of the Palace Dance Studio, which has produced dance crews such as ReQuest, Sorority, Bubblegum, and the Royal Family. The last has won the World Hip Hop Dance Championship three times in a row, becoming the first dance crew in history to achieve it.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tempo (Lizzo song)</span> 2019 promotional single by Lizzo featuring Missy Elliott

"Tempo" is a song by American singer and rapper Lizzo featuring American rapper Missy Elliott for her third studio album and major-label debut Cuz I Love You (2019). The song was originally released as a promotional single on March 20, 2019, and its music video was released on July 26, 2019.

<i>Beauty Marks</i> (album) 2019 studio album by Ciara

Beauty Marks is the seventh studio album by American singer-songwriter Ciara. It was released on May 10, 2019, through her own independent label, Beauty Marks Entertainment with distribution from Alternative Distribution Alliance. It is her first album since Jackie (2015). The album was preceded by five singles "Level Up", "Freak Me", "Dose", "Greatest Love" and "Thinkin Bout You".

References

  1. ↑ "Ciara Snags a Hit with the Jersey Club Influence in "Level Up"". 23 July 2018.
  2. ↑ Johnson, Zach (July 18, 2018). "Ciara Charts Her Comeback With "Level Up" Music Video". E! Online.
  3. 1 2 3 "Ciara - "Level Up" Video". 18 July 2018.
  4. ↑ "Ciara Ticks Off Single Twitter With Instagram Post Urging Women To "Level Up"". Yahoo.com. Retrieved July 19, 2018.
  5. ↑ "Ciara Clarifies Her "Level Up" Comment Towards Single Women". Vibe.com. January 22, 2018. Retrieved July 19, 2018.
  6. ↑ "Ciara Makes a Comeback With New Single, 'Level Up' – The Source". Thesource.com. July 18, 2018. Retrieved July 19, 2018.
  7. ↑ Robidoux, Brandy (July 18, 2018). "Is Ciara Dissing Ex Future In Steamy New Single? See The Scathing Lyrics". Hollywoodlife.com. Retrieved July 19, 2018.
  8. ↑ Rincón, Alessandra (July 24, 2018). "Chris Pratt, Kelly Clarkson & More Participate in Ciara's New 'Level Up' Challenge: Watch". Billboard.
  9. ↑ Post, Chantilly (July 26, 2018). "Ciara Grabs Missy Elliott & Fatman Scoop For A "Level Up" Remix". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved July 27, 2018.
  10. 1 2 "Ciara Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved August 7, 2018.
  11. ↑ "Ciara". Billboard.
  12. ↑ "Ciara Asked Label for Her Masters After They Didn't Believe "Level Up" Would be Successful". HNHH. 20 June 2022.
  13. ↑ "Video: Ciara – 'Level Up'".
  14. ↑ "Making The Video: Ciara – 'Level Up'". 6 August 2018.
  15. ↑ "Video: Ciara – 'Level Up'". Rap-Up.
  16. ↑ "Winning! Ciara's 'Level Up' Music Video #1 Trending On YouTube". 19 July 2018.
  17. ↑ "Level Up - Single by Ciara on Apple Music". iTunes Store. 18 July 2018. Retrieved Jul 18, 2018.
  18. ↑ "Level Up (feat. Missy Elliott & Fatman Scoop) [Remix] - Single". iTunes. 27 July 2018. Retrieved Jul 27, 2018.
  19. ↑ "Ciara – Level Up" (in Dutch). Ultratip. Retrieved September 15, 2018.
  20. ↑ "Ciara – Level Up" (in Dutch). Ultratop Urban. Retrieved August 25, 2018.
  21. ↑ "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Single (track) Top 40 lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved August 9, 2018.
  22. ↑ "LEVEL UP". ACHARTS.CO. Retrieved March 30, 2022.
  23. ↑ "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. July 30, 2018. Retrieved July 28, 2018.
  24. ↑ "ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Singles Digital Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select SINGLES DIGITAL - TOP 100 and insert 201840 into search. Retrieved October 9, 2018.
  25. ↑ "Official Singles Downloads Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved August 7, 2018.
  26. ↑ "Ciara Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved August 7, 2018.
  27. ↑ "French single certifications – Ciara – Level Up" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique . Retrieved March 6, 2023.
  28. ↑ "Wyróżnienia – Złote płyty CD - Archiwum - Przyznane w 2022 roku" (in Polish). Polish Society of the Phonographic Industry . Retrieved April 20, 2022.
  29. ↑ "British single certifications – Ciara – Level Up". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved December 10, 2021.
  30. ↑ "American single certifications – Ciara – Level Up". Recording Industry Association of America.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.