Sweat (Ciara song)

Last updated

"Sweat"
CiaraSweat.jpg
Promotional single by Ciara featuring 2 Chainz
ReleasedJune 18, 2012 (2012-06-18)
Genre R&B
Length3:50
Label Epic
Songwriter(s)
  • Ciara Harris
  • Tauheed Epps
  • William Wesson
  • Patrizio Pigliapoco
  • Christopher Trujillo
  • Kenneth Townsend
  • Stanley Randolph
Producer(s)
  • Stanley Randolph
  • Kenneth Townsend

"Sweat" is a song recorded by American recording artist Ciara for her self-titled fifth album Ciara (2013), originally titled One Woman Army. Featuring guest vocals from rapper 2 Chainz, "Sweat" is Ciara's debut release under Epic Records after publicly asking to leave previous label Jive Records. The label failed to support Ciara creatively and financially on previous albums, Fantasy Ride (2009) and Basic Instinct (2010), contributing to poor performance of both albums. Ciara's contract with Epic Records reunited the singer with her mentor L.A. Reid, who is credited as originally signing the singer to his LaFace Records label during the beginning of her career in 2004, as well as having a hand in producing her debut album, Goodies (2004).

Contents

Initially touted as the lead single from Ciara, "Sweat" received mixed reviews from music critics, with some describing the song as a heavy club song, while others referred to the song as boring. "Sweat" was likened to previous urban singles "Goodies" (2004) and "Like a Boy" (2006). It was serviced to rhythmic radio stations on June 18, 2012; however, its planned digital release for June 19, 2012 was cancelled. Epic Records subsequently noted the song as a promotional single when it charted at number eighty-six on the US Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. The song was replaced by a ballad called "Sorry" as the lead single from Ciara but what when that underperformed too, both songs were scrapped from the album and replaced with an R&B midtempo song called "Body Party", subsequently touted as the album's new lead single.

Background and release

Ciara's previous two albums, Fantasy Ride (2009) and Basic Instinct (2010), both underperformed commercially compared to the singer's first two albums; Ciara: The Evolution (2006) debuted at number one, while her debut album, Goodies (2004), debuted at number three. [1] Following a heavy period of legal issues and unauthorized leaking of songs from the Fantasy Ride recording sessions, Ciara recorded Basic Instinct in strict confidentiality. [2] Ciara reflected on the album's progress at the time, stating that she wasn't interested in first week sales or performance. [3] However, Gerrick Kennedy from the Los Angeles Times attributed Basic Instinct's lack of success to multiple pushbacks and the leaking of material from the album's recording sessions. [3] Eventually, Ciara broke her silence revealing that Jive Records had not financially supported her with Fantasy Ride and Basic Instinct. [4] Ciara was left to pay for promotion herself, which included funding the music video and radio release of her last single "Gimmie Dat". She publicly asked to be released from Jive on February 14, 2011. [4]

On July 12, 2011, it was reported that she had reunited with L.A. Reid by signing with his record label Epic Records. [5] Reid had previously signed Ciara to LaFace Records at the start of her career and was a factor in the commercial success of her debut album, Goodies (2004). Billboard magazine went on to confirm her move to Epic in September 2011. [6] On May 30, 2012 during promotional appearances for That's My Boy , a film Ciara stars in, the singer announced she had a new single on the way called "Sweat". [7] Just five days later on June 4, 2012, "Sweat" premiered online, the bass-heavy record features upcoming rapper 2 Chainz and was unveiled as the lead single from Ciara's fifth album Ciara (2013). [8] The record was serviced to rhythmic radio stations on June 18, 2012 [9] and was scheduled for release as a digital download on June 19, 2012. [8] However, the digital release did not happen as planned, and when charting Billboard listed the song as a promotional single. [10] On August 13, 2012, Ciara revealed through a handwritten letter that a song called "Sorry" would be released as the album's lead single. [11]

Composition and reception

"Sweat" is an uptempo "bass-heavy" club song which features rapper 2 Chainz. [8] Serving as Ciara's debut release with Epic Records, "Sweat" was described by MTV News as a throwback to "Ciara's old roots," particularly drawing comparisons to "Like a Boy." [12] It was written by Ciara, 2 Chainz, William Wesson, Patrizio Pigliapoco, Christopher Trujillo, K. Townsend, and S. Randolph. [10] The song was described as "bass-heavy banger" by Rap-Up . [8] Becky Bain from Idolator , however, was disappointed with "Sweat," describing the song as "not very exciting." [13] In her review, Bain said, "Ciara's vocals go nowhere, the beat doesn't pick up or drop off or twist or turn unexpectedly, and the repetitive lyrics are your generic sexy-dancefloor bon mots." [13]

Chart performance

"Sweat" peaked at number 86 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart in Billboard magazine. [10]

Chart (2012)Peak
position
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs ( Billboard ) [10] 86

Release history

RegionDateFormat Label
Worldwide [8] June 4, 2012Premiere Epic Records
United States [9] June 18, 2012 Rhythmic airplay

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"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.

<i>Ciara</i> (album) 2013 studio album by Ciara

Ciara is the fifth studio album by American singer Ciara, which was released on July 9, 2013. This album is the artist's first release under Epic Records, since publicly asking the now-defunct Jive Records to release her from her contractual obligations. The singer cited a lack of label support and financial funding for her previous albums Fantasy Ride (2009) and Basic Instinct (2010). On this fifth studio album, Ciara is reunited with her long-term mentor and friend L.A. Reid, chairman of Epic Records. Reid is credited with discovering Ciara in 2003 along with signing her to his LaFace Records label and executive-producing her debut studio album, Goodies (2004).

<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">Body Party</span> 2013 single by Ciara

"Body Party" is a song recorded by American singer-songwriter Ciara for her self-titled fifth studio album, Ciara (2013). It was written by Ciara, Jasper Cameron, Nayvadius "Future" Wilburn, Michael Williams, Pierre Ramon Slaughter, Carlton Mahone, Rodney Terry, and was produced by Mike Will Made It. The song premiered on March 4, 2013, via Billboard.com and was released as a digital download on March 8, 2013, as the lead single of her fifth album. Epic Records serviced the single to Rhythmic contemporary radio in the United States on April 9, 2013. Musically, "Body Party" is a down-tempo R&B song that samples "My Boo" by Ghost Town DJ's.

<i>Jackie</i> (Ciara album) 2015 studio album by Ciara

Jackie is the sixth studio album by American singer Ciara, and was released on May 1, 2015, through Epic Records. Following her departure from her previous record label, and the release of her self-titled fifth studio album, Ciara embarked on a hiatus in order to focus on her relationship with American rapper Future, which provoked Ciara to start work on her sixth album which was predominantly inspired by her then-fiancé. In May 2014, Ciara gave birth to her first child and shortly thereafter called off the engagement. Following the public break-up, Ciara postponed the album and began to record new music, while concentrating on motherhood.

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