"Sprinter" is a song by British rappers Dave and Central Cee. The single was released 1 June 2023 through record labels Neighbourhood and Live Yours,and was included on the artist's collaborative EP Split Decision,released four days later. The song's instrumental has been characterized as a "guitar-led,subtle drill" beat with Latin influence.[2][3]
Sprinter debuted at number one in the UK Singles Chart,becoming Dave's third number-one single and Central Cee's first. The single became the longest-running number-one rap song in the UK,holding the position for 10 weeks.[4] It also topped the charts in Australia,Ireland,Luxembourg,New Zealand and Switzerland. Sprinter was ultimately the most streamed song on Spotify in the United Kingdom in 2023.[5] By April 2024 it was the most streamed UK rap song of all time.[6]
The work won the PRS for Music Most Performed Work Ivor Novello Award on Thursday 23 May 2024.[7]
Background
The song was first teased by Cee on his Instagram stories on 18 March 2023,revealing that Dave had just sent him an audio file.[8] They were also spotted in the studio together on 10 May.[9]
Sprinter marks only the second time the two have teamed up on a song,the last one being a remix of "Spirit Bomb" (2016) by AJ Tracey.[10] Additionally,Dave helped produce the song "End of the Beginning" on the 23 mixtape in 2022.[11]
Composition
"Sprinter" sees the rappers trading "laid-back" verses over a "Latin-tinged,summer-ready"[3] beat characterised by "chopped-up acoustic guitars and wordless operatic vocals".[12]
David Renshaw of The Fader thought the track was distinguished by "bright wordplay and good vibes",while the lyrics talk about the "age-old problem" of partying with too many girls that a whole van is needed to transport them.[13] Robin Murray of Clash opined that the song "sits somewhere between drill and broader UK rap flavours" and allows the rappers "to do their thing".[14]
Music video
The music video,released on 2 June,switches between London and South France. Scenes in Monaco were filmed in late May 2023.[15] The video features a cameo by Nigerian artist Slawn.[8] The rappers are seen showcasing the perks of their lifestyle,showing off diamonds and other valuables. There are also women being shown in the music video.[16]
Commercial performance
"Sprinter" debuted at number one on the UK Singles Chart,marking the biggest opening week of the year.[17] The track opened with 108,200 chart units in its first tracking week alongside 13.4 million streams,the biggest week of streams for a rap single ever in UK history.[17][18][19] By December 2023,Sprinter had received over 500 million streams on Spotify.[20]
The track peaked at number one in Australia after selling 13,000 units in its first tracking week.[21][22] The track also peaked at number one in Ireland,Luxembourg,New Zealand and Switzerland. In the United Arab Emirates,the song peaked at number 11.[23]
On the 6th of November 2025,"Sprinter" reached 1 billion streams,becoming the first UK Rap song to reach that milestone.[25]
Reception and legacy
The song was declared "song of the summer" for 2023 by UK Charts.[26] In August 2023,a video of American rapper J. Cole rapping along to Sprinter at record producer T-Minus' wedding went viral on social media.[27] Former U.S. President Barack Obama included the song on his annual playlist,which was released in December 2023.[28] At the MOBO Awards 2024,"Sprinter" won the award for best song.[29] At the 2024 Global Awards "Sprinter" was nominated for Best Song.[30]
↑ "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Digital Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select 30. týden 2023 in the date selector. Retrieved July 31, 2023.
↑ "ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Singles Digital Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select 30. týden 2023 in the date selector. Retrieved 31 July 2023.
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