Motivation (Kelly Rowland song)
Encyclopedia
"Motivation" is a song performed by American recording artist Kelly Rowland
, taken from her third studio album Here I Am (2011). The song was written by Jim Jonsin
, Rico Love
, Daniel Morris and Lil Wayne
, with Jonsin producing the song and Lil Wayne having featured vocals. The R&B
slow-jam serves as the lead single
from Here I Am and was released from April 8, 2011. Upon release, "Motivation" received favorable reviews from critics generally praising the sexiness of the song. Official remixes were produced for the song, including an dubstep
-inspired electronic
mix by Diplo and a rap remix by Busta Rhymes
, Trey Songz
and Fabolous
.
In the United States, the song has peaked at number one on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs
chart where it stayed seven weeks in a row, and number seventeen on the Billboard Hot 100
, becoming Rowland's first US top 20 hit and her highest performing single to date as a solo artist. It was certified platinum
by the RIAA in August 2011. An accompanying music video was directed by Sarah Chatfield, the director behind Rowland's previous video "Forever and a Day
" (2010). It follows a number of sultry scenes where Rowland dances seductively amongst partially dressed dancers in a dimly-lit warehouse, with the entire video tinged in blue light. Rowland performed the song for the first time with Trey Songz at the 2011 BET Awards
.
-influenced "Commander
" served as the album's lead single
for international territories while two separate singles were serviced in the United States. "Rose Colored Glasses" for the pop
format and "Grown Woman
" for the urban
format. Rowland decided in September 2010 to re-enter the recording studios to work on new material for the album. This, coupled with creative issues such as naming the album, led to multiple pushbacks. "Motivation" was announced as the title for the album's new lead single during New York Fashion Week
. It debuted online via Rap-Up
magazine's website on March 2, 2011.
Speaking of how the record came about, Rowland said "Motivation came about when I was in the studio with [producers] Jim Jonsin and Rico Love, and we kind of were just vibing. I told Rico I wanted something really sexy ... and he came up with 'Motivation' along with Jim. It turned into this amazing record... I played [ 'Motivation' for Lil Wayne
] and he got on it, and it was just as simple as that." Along with the single announcement, Rap-Up said fans could expect the video and a remix produced by Diplo to premiere in April 2011. However, the electronic
remix, produced by Diplo, premiered via Rap-Up on March 8, 2011.
slow jam song written by Richard Butler (Rico Love)
, Jim Jonsin
, Dwayne Carter
and Danny Morris. The racy lyrics center around Rowland asking her man to use his hands all over her body, and are accompanied by a "synth
-saturated beat" produced by Jonsin. In terms of instruments, "Motivation" uses sparse keyboard notes, programmed beats and pulsing synths in the chorus
. Wayne adds a rap verse complementing Rowland's seductive suggestions, using the kitchen and a car as metaphors for sex. According to Scott Shetler from AOL Music, Rowland uses the lyrics to promise "to be her lover's motivation." Rowland called the record a mixture between dance
and mash-up
. When asked by MTV
what Rowland thought of the song, she said It has that personality and characteristic to it that I don't think anybody can deny. That's why when Wayne dropped that insane verse on there ... I was like, 'You really brought that up even more.' He went into the studio and just did it. I don't think it takes much for Wayne to think. He just does it. He's so admirable."
, was amongst the first to review "Motivation." In his review, he said "The single is a big leap from the dance club synth pop that Kelly has been releasing the past year and it seems like she might be trying to shimmy her way back into the hip-hop
world by teaming up with the Midas touch vocals of Lil Wayne
." Both Rap-Up
and AOL
Music's Scott Shetler called the song "sexy." Becky Bain from Idolator disliked the song for not being memorable. The short review was summed up with the closing phrase, "she’s going to need another hit to help promote her album when it finally is ready to drop." Wesley Case from The Baltimore Sun
complemented the song's sexy quality. "If this isn't the year's hands-down sexiest song thus far, it has to be in the discussion. Rowland, whose sultry voice could get a priest hot, weaving in and out of the minimal beat, and setting the table for Lil Wayne's stuttering, after-hours guest-verse. Stack the pieces together and it's an understated knockout that gets sexier with each spin."
until April 13, 2011, "Motivation" made its US chart debuted on April 2, debuting at number fifty-five on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs
chart. In the weeks following it continued to rise thanks to urban airplay, eventually reaching number one in its tenth week on the chart, chart dated May 23, 2011. "Motivation" is Rowland's first solo number one as lead artist on a US Billboard
composite chart (one combining airplay and sales), although she previously peaked at number one with Nelly
on his 2002 single "Dilemma
." It stayed at the top spot of the chart for six more weeks. In the same week that "Motivation" hit number one on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs
chart, Lil Wayne
, who is featured on the single, had a total of twelve songs on the chart.
Following its release, "Motivation" debuted on the Billboard Hot 100
at number fifty-five, Rowland's highest Hot 100 debut as a solo artist. It has currently reached number seventeen, Rowland's highest Hot 100 peak as a solo artist, and best chart position since "Dilemma" (by Nelly
featuring Kelly Rowland -2001), which reached number one. Additionally, it is the first single from Rowland to chart on the Hot 100 since her 2009 feature on David Guetta
's "When Love Takes Over
", which reached number seventy-six. The previous two lead singles, "Grown Woman
" (2010) and "Rose Colored Glasses" (2010), from Here I Am, failed to enter the Hot 100, though the latter peaked at number fifty-one on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. The producer of "Motivation", Jim Jonsin
, said he was proud and confident of the song's success. "I’m really happy that things are going well for her on this record. A real concern for us was to get that smash for her... She’s a friend of ours as well, so to see her win is huge." Motivation was certified platinum by the RIAA on August 29, 2011..
for "Motivation" was directed by Sarah Chatfield, at the end of March 2011. Frank Gatson served as the video's chroegrapher. Speaking during Roberto Cavalli's fashion show, Rowland said she was on the look out for "womanly, sexy designs" for a "feminine sexy video." She elaborated on the development of the video during an interview when MTV News
' Jocelyn Vena. She told Vena, "We came up with the energy, and with Frank [Gatson] — and I don't know how he sees something, but he got it... I'm so thankful I have a great team that's thinking 10 steps ahead of me. With Sarah she understood; she got the concept. It was great the way everything came together." The video made its world premiere on BET
's 106 & Park
on April 4, 2011.
The video opens in a blue hue lit warehouse, with Rowland standing in the passage way before it cuts to her walking through the building checking out the ladies and men mingling. Rowland can then be seen in a purple swim suit & coat,doing various sexual choreographed routines with her many half dressed male backup dancers. The clip then shows Lil wayne in his own scene rapping his verse to the song. He can then be seen leaning against a wall and standing on a bed with the lights flashing while Rowland is simultaneously being entertained by a male dancer as she sits upon a chair. The video then continues with the crowd entwining with each other; full make out sections between females and their male counterparts, as well as partially dressed males feeling on each others bodies, while the females also interact with each other. After more dancing from Rowland and her dancers, the video then ends with Rowland singing her final lines, surrounded by the sexually charged crowd. Jocelyn Vena of MTV commented that the video "plays to the song's sexy themes."
producer, Diplo. It replaces some of the song's original instruments with electronic ones, as well as adding "rapid hi-hats" Diplo also modifies Rowland's vocals, by "chopping and reconfiguring" them "over the dubstep
-inspired instrumental." A So So Def remix of the song features female American rapper Da Brat
. The unofficial remix, features a new introduction from Da Brat, and was released online to Rap-Up
. R&B singers The-Dream
and Jeremih
also made remixes of the song, adding their own verses and "male perspective" to compliment Rowland and Lil Wayne
's verses. In May 2011, R. Kelly
joined the list of singers to create their own remix for "Motivation". In his version, R. Kelly adds additional verses and references his own songs such as "Pregnant". R. Kelly's remix of the song was praised by Rowland. Using her official Twitter
account, Rowland said, "R. Kelly Motivation Remix is CRAAAZZZZZY!!!" R&B singer Mario also added his vocals to a remix of the song. On June 6, 2011, a second official remix for the song was uploaded. It replaces Lil Wayne
with new verses from rappers Busta Rhymes
, Trey Songz
and Fabolous
. Rhymes has a rapid-fire "bedroom"-themed verse, while Songz sings in his falsetto
and Fabolous' verse is cut short by the re-introduction of Rowland's vocals. A third officially produced remix, the "Rebel Rock Remix," features on the deluxe edition of Here I Am.
to perform "Motivation" for the first time. Hollywood News reported that according to social networking site Twitter
, Rowland's performance of the song was the most anticipated of the evening. Appearing in the middle of Trey Songz
performance of "Love Faces
," Rowland ascended on stage where she was joined on stage by several shirtless male dancers. The performance was met with a positive reception from industry critics and fellow music entertainers, most of whom noted it as a highlight of the ceremony. Ed Masley from The Arizona Republic
said that Rowland's performance was "the night's most soulful vocal [performance]." Roger Catlin from TV critic website Courant.com also lauded Rowland with praising, stating that Rowland offered "a live performance with Trey Songz trumping that of her more famous "sister" from Destiny's Child
, Beyoncé
." The Los Angeles Times
Gerrick D. Kennedy praised Rowland's sex appeal, noting that her "steamy performance sent tongues wagging" and was widely anticipated thanks to the serial delays with her album Here I Am (2011). Finally, MTV
Rob Markman pointed out that following her performance "#kelly" began trending
on Twitter. Additionally Markman said "[Rowland] received one of the loudest ovations of the night."
Source:
Kelly Rowland
Kelendria Trene "Kelly" Rowland is an American singer, songwriter, actress, dancer, and television personality. She rose to fame as one of the founding members of the American girl group Destiny's Child...
, taken from her third studio album Here I Am (2011). The song was written by Jim Jonsin
Jim Jonsin
James Scheffer, better known by his professional name, Jim Jonsin, is an American Grammy award winning record producer, songwriter, record executive, and entrepreneur...
, Rico Love
Rico Love
Richard Preston Butler, Jr. , better known by his stage name Rico Love, is an American singer-songwriter and record producer. Love wrote and produced hit records such as Usher’s "There Goes My Baby" and "Hey Daddy ”, Nelly's "Just a Dream" and "Gone", Beyoncé Knowles' "Sweet Dreams"...
, Daniel Morris and Lil Wayne
Lil Wayne
Dwayne Michael Carter, Jr. , better known by his stage name Lil Wayne, is an American rapper. At the age of nine, Lil Wayne joined Cash Money Records as the youngest member of the label, and half of the duo, The B.G.'z, with B.G.. In 1997, Lil Wayne joined the group Hot Boys, which also included...
, with Jonsin producing the song and Lil Wayne having featured vocals. The R&B
Contemporary R&B
Contemporary R&B is a music genre that combines elements of hip hop, soul, R&B and funk.Although the abbreviation “R&B” originates from traditional rhythm and blues music, today the term R&B is most often used to describe a style of African American music originating after the demise of disco in...
slow-jam serves as the lead single
Lead single
A lead single is usually the first single released by a musician or a band before the release of its home album.During the era of the grammophone record, all music arrived in the marketplace as what is now termed a single, one potential hit song backed by an additional song of generally less...
from Here I Am and was released from April 8, 2011. Upon release, "Motivation" received favorable reviews from critics generally praising the sexiness of the song. Official remixes were produced for the song, including an dubstep
Dubstep
Dubstep is a genre of electronic dance music that originated in south London, England. Its overall sound has been described as "tightly coiled productions with overwhelming bass lines and reverberant drum patterns, clipped samples, and occasional vocals"....
-inspired electronic
Electronic music
Electronic music is music that employs electronic musical instruments and electronic music technology in its production. In general a distinction can be made between sound produced using electromechanical means and that produced using electronic technology. Examples of electromechanical sound...
mix by Diplo and a rap remix by Busta Rhymes
Busta Rhymes
Trevor Tahiem Smith, Jr., better known by his stage name Busta Rhymes ,Smith is an American rapper, producer and actor. Chuck D of Public Enemy gave him the alias Busta Rhymes after NFL wide receiver George "Buster" Rhymes...
, Trey Songz
Trey Songz
Tremaine "Trey" Aldon Neverson , better known by his stage name Trey Songz, is an American singer-songwriter, rapper, record producer and actor. His debut album, I Gotta Make It, was released in 2005, while his second album, Trey Day, was released in 2007...
and Fabolous
Fabolous
John David Jackson , better known by his stage name Fabolous, is an American rapper of African American and Dominican descent. He grew up in the Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York. Part of his early popularity arose from his hit single "Can't Deny It" in 2001, from his debut...
.
In the United States, the song has peaked at number one on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs
Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs
Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, is a chart released weekly by Billboard in the United States.The chart, initiated in 1942, is used to track the success of popular music songs in urban, or primarily African American, venues. Dominated over the years at various times by jazz, rhythm and blues, doo-wop, soul,...
chart where it stayed seven weeks in a row, and number seventeen on the Billboard Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
, becoming Rowland's first US top 20 hit and her highest performing single to date as a solo artist. It was certified platinum
Platinum
Platinum is a chemical element with the chemical symbol Pt and an atomic number of 78. Its name is derived from the Spanish term platina del Pinto, which is literally translated into "little silver of the Pinto River." It is a dense, malleable, ductile, precious, gray-white transition metal...
by the RIAA in August 2011. An accompanying music video was directed by Sarah Chatfield, the director behind Rowland's previous video "Forever and a Day
Forever and a Day (Kelly Rowland song)
"Forever and a Day" is a song by American recording artist Kelly Rowland. Written by Rowland, Andre Merritt, Samual Watters, and Jonas Jeberg, the uptempo Europop song is the second international single taken from her third studio album, Here I Am...
" (2010). It follows a number of sultry scenes where Rowland dances seductively amongst partially dressed dancers in a dimly-lit warehouse, with the entire video tinged in blue light. Rowland performed the song for the first time with Trey Songz at the 2011 BET Awards
BET Awards of 2011
The 2011 BET Awards took place at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, California on June 26, 2011. The awards recognized African-Americans and other minorities in music, acting, sports, and other fields of entertainment over the past year. Actor Kevin Hart hosted the event for the first time. ...
.
Background and release
Here I Am was originally scheduled for release in 2010, but was pushed back numerous times. Initially the danceDance music
Dance music is music composed specifically to facilitate or accompany dancing. It can be either a whole musical piece or part of a larger musical arrangement...
-influenced "Commander
Commander (song)
"Commander" is a song performed by American recording artist Kelly Rowland from her third studio album, Here I Am . It serves as the project's international lead single and her debut release with Universal Motown...
" served as the album's lead single
Lead single
A lead single is usually the first single released by a musician or a band before the release of its home album.During the era of the grammophone record, all music arrived in the marketplace as what is now termed a single, one potential hit song backed by an additional song of generally less...
for international territories while two separate singles were serviced in the United States. "Rose Colored Glasses" for the pop
Contemporary hit radio
Contemporary hit radio is a radio format that is common in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada and Australia that focuses on playing current and recurrent popular music as determined by the Top 40 music charts...
format and "Grown Woman
Grown Woman
"Grown Woman" is a song by American singer Kelly Rowland, recorded during the recording sessions for her third studio album Here I Am . It was written by singer-songwriter Ne-Yo as well as Magnus Beite and Bernt Stray, and co-written and produced by Norwegian duo StarGate...
" for the urban
Urban contemporary
Urban contemporary is a music radio format. The term was coined by the late New York DJ Frankie Crocker in the mid 1970s. Urban contemporary radio stations feature a playlist made up entirely of hip hop/rap, contemporary R&B, pop, electronica such as dubstep and drum and bass and Caribbean music...
format. Rowland decided in September 2010 to re-enter the recording studios to work on new material for the album. This, coupled with creative issues such as naming the album, led to multiple pushbacks. "Motivation" was announced as the title for the album's new lead single during New York Fashion Week
New York Fashion Week
The semi-annual New York Fashion Week, branded Mercedes-Benz FashionWeek in 2009, is held in February and September of each year in New York City. It is one of four major fashion weeks held around the world .-History:The first New York Fashion Week, then called Press Week, was the world's first...
. It debuted online via Rap-Up
Rap-Up
Rap-Up is a magazine launched in 2001 by founder Devin Lazerine. The publication was originally a website devoted to hip hop, until Lazerine decided to pitch the possibility of a magazine to several publishers. The magazine is focused on the hip hop and R&B aspect of the music industry, and...
magazine's website on March 2, 2011.
Speaking of how the record came about, Rowland said "Motivation came about when I was in the studio with [producers] Jim Jonsin and Rico Love, and we kind of were just vibing. I told Rico I wanted something really sexy ... and he came up with 'Motivation' along with Jim. It turned into this amazing record... I played [ 'Motivation' for Lil Wayne
Lil Wayne
Dwayne Michael Carter, Jr. , better known by his stage name Lil Wayne, is an American rapper. At the age of nine, Lil Wayne joined Cash Money Records as the youngest member of the label, and half of the duo, The B.G.'z, with B.G.. In 1997, Lil Wayne joined the group Hot Boys, which also included...
] and he got on it, and it was just as simple as that." Along with the single announcement, Rap-Up said fans could expect the video and a remix produced by Diplo to premiere in April 2011. However, the electronic
Electronic music
Electronic music is music that employs electronic musical instruments and electronic music technology in its production. In general a distinction can be made between sound produced using electromechanical means and that produced using electronic technology. Examples of electromechanical sound...
remix, produced by Diplo, premiered via Rap-Up on March 8, 2011.
Composition
"Motivation" is a R&BContemporary R&B
Contemporary R&B is a music genre that combines elements of hip hop, soul, R&B and funk.Although the abbreviation “R&B” originates from traditional rhythm and blues music, today the term R&B is most often used to describe a style of African American music originating after the demise of disco in...
slow jam song written by Richard Butler (Rico Love)
Rico Love
Richard Preston Butler, Jr. , better known by his stage name Rico Love, is an American singer-songwriter and record producer. Love wrote and produced hit records such as Usher’s "There Goes My Baby" and "Hey Daddy ”, Nelly's "Just a Dream" and "Gone", Beyoncé Knowles' "Sweet Dreams"...
, Jim Jonsin
Jim Jonsin
James Scheffer, better known by his professional name, Jim Jonsin, is an American Grammy award winning record producer, songwriter, record executive, and entrepreneur...
, Dwayne Carter
Lil Wayne
Dwayne Michael Carter, Jr. , better known by his stage name Lil Wayne, is an American rapper. At the age of nine, Lil Wayne joined Cash Money Records as the youngest member of the label, and half of the duo, The B.G.'z, with B.G.. In 1997, Lil Wayne joined the group Hot Boys, which also included...
and Danny Morris. The racy lyrics center around Rowland asking her man to use his hands all over her body, and are accompanied by a "synth
Synthesizer
A synthesizer is an electronic instrument capable of producing sounds by generating electrical signals of different frequencies. These electrical signals are played through a loudspeaker or set of headphones...
-saturated beat" produced by Jonsin. In terms of instruments, "Motivation" uses sparse keyboard notes, programmed beats and pulsing synths in the chorus
Refrain
A refrain is the line or lines that are repeated in music or in verse; the "chorus" of a song...
. Wayne adds a rap verse complementing Rowland's seductive suggestions, using the kitchen and a car as metaphors for sex. According to Scott Shetler from AOL Music, Rowland uses the lyrics to promise "to be her lover's motivation." Rowland called the record a mixture between dance
Dance music
Dance music is music composed specifically to facilitate or accompany dancing. It can be either a whole musical piece or part of a larger musical arrangement...
and mash-up
Mashup (music)
A mashup or bootleg is a song or composition created by blending two or more pre-recorded songs, usually by overlaying the vocal track of one song seamlessly over the instrumental track of another...
. When asked by MTV
MTV
MTV, formerly an initialism of Music Television, is an American network based in New York City that launched on August 1, 1981. The original purpose of the channel was to play music videos guided by on-air hosts known as VJs....
what Rowland thought of the song, she said It has that personality and characteristic to it that I don't think anybody can deny. That's why when Wayne dropped that insane verse on there ... I was like, 'You really brought that up even more.' He went into the studio and just did it. I don't think it takes much for Wayne to think. He just does it. He's so admirable."
Critical response
Ryan Brockington, from the New York PostNew York Post
The New York Post is the 13th-oldest newspaper published in the United States and is generally acknowledged as the oldest to have been published continuously as a daily, although – as is the case with most other papers – its publication has been periodically interrupted by labor actions...
, was amongst the first to review "Motivation." In his review, he said "The single is a big leap from the dance club synth pop that Kelly has been releasing the past year and it seems like she might be trying to shimmy her way back into the hip-hop
Hip hop music
Hip hop music, also called hip-hop, rap music or hip-hop music, is a musical genre consisting of a stylized rhythmic music that commonly accompanies rapping, a rhythmic and rhyming speech that is chanted...
world by teaming up with the Midas touch vocals of Lil Wayne
Lil Wayne
Dwayne Michael Carter, Jr. , better known by his stage name Lil Wayne, is an American rapper. At the age of nine, Lil Wayne joined Cash Money Records as the youngest member of the label, and half of the duo, The B.G.'z, with B.G.. In 1997, Lil Wayne joined the group Hot Boys, which also included...
." Both Rap-Up
Rap-Up
Rap-Up is a magazine launched in 2001 by founder Devin Lazerine. The publication was originally a website devoted to hip hop, until Lazerine decided to pitch the possibility of a magazine to several publishers. The magazine is focused on the hip hop and R&B aspect of the music industry, and...
and AOL
AOL
AOL Inc. is an American global Internet services and media company. AOL is headquartered at 770 Broadway in New York. Founded in 1983 as Control Video Corporation, it has franchised its services to companies in several nations around the world or set up international versions of its services...
Music's Scott Shetler called the song "sexy." Becky Bain from Idolator disliked the song for not being memorable. The short review was summed up with the closing phrase, "she’s going to need another hit to help promote her album when it finally is ready to drop." Wesley Case from The Baltimore Sun
The Baltimore Sun
The Baltimore Sun is the U.S. state of Maryland’s largest general circulation daily newspaper and provides coverage of local and regional news, events, issues, people, and industries....
complemented the song's sexy quality. "If this isn't the year's hands-down sexiest song thus far, it has to be in the discussion. Rowland, whose sultry voice could get a priest hot, weaving in and out of the minimal beat, and setting the table for Lil Wayne's stuttering, after-hours guest-verse. Stack the pieces together and it's an understated knockout that gets sexier with each spin."
Chart performance
Despite not being released for digital downloadMusic download
A music download is the transferral of music from an Internet-facing computer or website to a user's local computer. This term encompasses both legal downloads and downloads of copyright material without permission or payment...
until April 13, 2011, "Motivation" made its US chart debuted on April 2, debuting at number fifty-five on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs
Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs
Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, is a chart released weekly by Billboard in the United States.The chart, initiated in 1942, is used to track the success of popular music songs in urban, or primarily African American, venues. Dominated over the years at various times by jazz, rhythm and blues, doo-wop, soul,...
chart. In the weeks following it continued to rise thanks to urban airplay, eventually reaching number one in its tenth week on the chart, chart dated May 23, 2011. "Motivation" is Rowland's first solo number one as lead artist on a US Billboard
Billboard (magazine)
Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis...
composite chart (one combining airplay and sales), although she previously peaked at number one with Nelly
Nelly
Cornell Iral Haynes, Jr. , better known by his stage name Nelly, is an Grammy Award winning American rapper and actor. He has performed with the rap group St. Lunatics since 1993 and signed to Universal Records in 1999. Under Universal, Nelly began his solo career in 2000 with his debut album...
on his 2002 single "Dilemma
Dilemma (song)
"Dilemma" is a song by the American rapper Nelly, featuring R&B singer Kelly Rowland. The single was released in 2002 from the Nelly's album Nellyville, and Rowland's album Simply Deep...
." It stayed at the top spot of the chart for six more weeks. In the same week that "Motivation" hit number one on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs
Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs
Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, is a chart released weekly by Billboard in the United States.The chart, initiated in 1942, is used to track the success of popular music songs in urban, or primarily African American, venues. Dominated over the years at various times by jazz, rhythm and blues, doo-wop, soul,...
chart, Lil Wayne
Lil Wayne
Dwayne Michael Carter, Jr. , better known by his stage name Lil Wayne, is an American rapper. At the age of nine, Lil Wayne joined Cash Money Records as the youngest member of the label, and half of the duo, The B.G.'z, with B.G.. In 1997, Lil Wayne joined the group Hot Boys, which also included...
, who is featured on the single, had a total of twelve songs on the chart.
Following its release, "Motivation" debuted on the Billboard Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
at number fifty-five, Rowland's highest Hot 100 debut as a solo artist. It has currently reached number seventeen, Rowland's highest Hot 100 peak as a solo artist, and best chart position since "Dilemma" (by Nelly
Nelly
Cornell Iral Haynes, Jr. , better known by his stage name Nelly, is an Grammy Award winning American rapper and actor. He has performed with the rap group St. Lunatics since 1993 and signed to Universal Records in 1999. Under Universal, Nelly began his solo career in 2000 with his debut album...
featuring Kelly Rowland -2001), which reached number one. Additionally, it is the first single from Rowland to chart on the Hot 100 since her 2009 feature on David Guetta
David Guetta
Pierre David Guetta , known professionally as David Guetta , is a French house music producer and DJ. Originally a DJ at nightclubs during the 1980s and 1990s, he co-founded Gum Productions and released his first album, Just a Little More Love, in 2002. Later, he released Guetta Blaster and Pop Life...
's "When Love Takes Over
When Love Takes Over
"When Love Takes Over" is a song by French disc jockey -music producer David Guetta from his fourth studio album, One Love. It was released as the lead single from the album on 21 April 2009 by Virgin Records...
", which reached number seventy-six. The previous two lead singles, "Grown Woman
Grown Woman
"Grown Woman" is a song by American singer Kelly Rowland, recorded during the recording sessions for her third studio album Here I Am . It was written by singer-songwriter Ne-Yo as well as Magnus Beite and Bernt Stray, and co-written and produced by Norwegian duo StarGate...
" (2010) and "Rose Colored Glasses" (2010), from Here I Am, failed to enter the Hot 100, though the latter peaked at number fifty-one on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. The producer of "Motivation", Jim Jonsin
Jim Jonsin
James Scheffer, better known by his professional name, Jim Jonsin, is an American Grammy award winning record producer, songwriter, record executive, and entrepreneur...
, said he was proud and confident of the song's success. "I’m really happy that things are going well for her on this record. A real concern for us was to get that smash for her... She’s a friend of ours as well, so to see her win is huge." Motivation was certified platinum by the RIAA on August 29, 2011..
Music video
The music videoMusic video
A music video or song video is a short film integrating a song and imagery, produced for promotional or artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a marketing device intended to promote the sale of music recordings...
for "Motivation" was directed by Sarah Chatfield, at the end of March 2011. Frank Gatson served as the video's chroegrapher. Speaking during Roberto Cavalli's fashion show, Rowland said she was on the look out for "womanly, sexy designs" for a "feminine sexy video." She elaborated on the development of the video during an interview when MTV News
MTV News
MTV News is the news division of MTV, one of the first and most popular music television network in the U.S., as well as some of MTV's related channels around the world. MTV News began in the late 1980s with the program The Week In Rock, hosted by Kurt Loder, the first official MTV News correspondent...
' Jocelyn Vena. She told Vena, "We came up with the energy, and with Frank [Gatson] — and I don't know how he sees something, but he got it... I'm so thankful I have a great team that's thinking 10 steps ahead of me. With Sarah she understood; she got the concept. It was great the way everything came together." The video made its world premiere on BET
Black Entertainment Television
Black Entertainment Television is an American, Viacom-owned cable network based in Washington, D.C.. Currently viewed in more than 90 million homes worldwide, it is the most prominent television network targeting young Black-American audiences. The network was launched on January 25, 1980, by its...
's 106 & Park
106 & Park
106 & Park is a Top Ten Hip-Hop and R&B music video show, set up in a countdown format, that airs weekdays at 6:00 PM on BET . Since its inception, it was the network's #1 rated show...
on April 4, 2011.
The video opens in a blue hue lit warehouse, with Rowland standing in the passage way before it cuts to her walking through the building checking out the ladies and men mingling. Rowland can then be seen in a purple swim suit & coat,doing various sexual choreographed routines with her many half dressed male backup dancers. The clip then shows Lil wayne in his own scene rapping his verse to the song. He can then be seen leaning against a wall and standing on a bed with the lights flashing while Rowland is simultaneously being entertained by a male dancer as she sits upon a chair. The video then continues with the crowd entwining with each other; full make out sections between females and their male counterparts, as well as partially dressed males feeling on each others bodies, while the females also interact with each other. After more dancing from Rowland and her dancers, the video then ends with Rowland singing her final lines, surrounded by the sexually charged crowd. Jocelyn Vena of MTV commented that the video "plays to the song's sexy themes."
Remixes
"Motivation" has been remixed several times, mainly by Rowland's fellow R&B contemporaries who have each put their own angle on the song. The first remix, the song's official remix, was helmed by Alternative electronic musicElectronic music
Electronic music is music that employs electronic musical instruments and electronic music technology in its production. In general a distinction can be made between sound produced using electromechanical means and that produced using electronic technology. Examples of electromechanical sound...
producer, Diplo. It replaces some of the song's original instruments with electronic ones, as well as adding "rapid hi-hats" Diplo also modifies Rowland's vocals, by "chopping and reconfiguring" them "over the dubstep
Dubstep
Dubstep is a genre of electronic dance music that originated in south London, England. Its overall sound has been described as "tightly coiled productions with overwhelming bass lines and reverberant drum patterns, clipped samples, and occasional vocals"....
-inspired instrumental." A So So Def remix of the song features female American rapper Da Brat
Da Brat
Shawntae Harris , better known as Da Brat, is an American rapper and actress. Her debut album, Funkdafied, sold one million copies, making her the first female rapper to have a platinum-selling album.-Early life:...
. The unofficial remix, features a new introduction from Da Brat, and was released online to Rap-Up
Rap-Up
Rap-Up is a magazine launched in 2001 by founder Devin Lazerine. The publication was originally a website devoted to hip hop, until Lazerine decided to pitch the possibility of a magazine to several publishers. The magazine is focused on the hip hop and R&B aspect of the music industry, and...
. R&B singers The-Dream
The-Dream
Terius Youngdell Nash , better known by his stage name The-Dream, is an American singer-songwriter and record producer. He is known for co-writing "Umbrella" for Rihanna and "Single Ladies " for Beyoncé, as well as for his three solo albums, Love Hate, Love vs...
and Jeremih
Jeremih
Jeremiah Felton who performs under the mononym Jeremih , is an American recording artist and producer signed to Def Jam Recordings. Jeremih's debut single, "Birthday Sex" , peaked at number four on the Billboard Hot 100...
also made remixes of the song, adding their own verses and "male perspective" to compliment Rowland and Lil Wayne
Lil Wayne
Dwayne Michael Carter, Jr. , better known by his stage name Lil Wayne, is an American rapper. At the age of nine, Lil Wayne joined Cash Money Records as the youngest member of the label, and half of the duo, The B.G.'z, with B.G.. In 1997, Lil Wayne joined the group Hot Boys, which also included...
's verses. In May 2011, R. Kelly
R. Kelly
Robert Sylvester Kelly , better known by his stage name R. Kelly, is an American singer-songwriter and record producer. A native of Chicago, Kelly began performing during the late 1980s and debuted in 1992 with the group Public Announcement. In 1993, Kelly went solo with the album 12 Play...
joined the list of singers to create their own remix for "Motivation". In his version, R. Kelly adds additional verses and references his own songs such as "Pregnant". R. Kelly's remix of the song was praised by Rowland. Using her official Twitter
Twitter
Twitter is an online social networking and microblogging service that enables its users to send and read text-based posts of up to 140 characters, informally known as "tweets".Twitter was created in March 2006 by Jack Dorsey and launched that July...
account, Rowland said, "R. Kelly Motivation Remix is CRAAAZZZZZY!!!" R&B singer Mario also added his vocals to a remix of the song. On June 6, 2011, a second official remix for the song was uploaded. It replaces Lil Wayne
Lil Wayne
Dwayne Michael Carter, Jr. , better known by his stage name Lil Wayne, is an American rapper. At the age of nine, Lil Wayne joined Cash Money Records as the youngest member of the label, and half of the duo, The B.G.'z, with B.G.. In 1997, Lil Wayne joined the group Hot Boys, which also included...
with new verses from rappers Busta Rhymes
Busta Rhymes
Trevor Tahiem Smith, Jr., better known by his stage name Busta Rhymes ,Smith is an American rapper, producer and actor. Chuck D of Public Enemy gave him the alias Busta Rhymes after NFL wide receiver George "Buster" Rhymes...
, Trey Songz
Trey Songz
Tremaine "Trey" Aldon Neverson , better known by his stage name Trey Songz, is an American singer-songwriter, rapper, record producer and actor. His debut album, I Gotta Make It, was released in 2005, while his second album, Trey Day, was released in 2007...
and Fabolous
Fabolous
John David Jackson , better known by his stage name Fabolous, is an American rapper of African American and Dominican descent. He grew up in the Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York. Part of his early popularity arose from his hit single "Can't Deny It" in 2001, from his debut...
. Rhymes has a rapid-fire "bedroom"-themed verse, while Songz sings in his falsetto
Falsetto
Falsetto is the vocal register occupying the frequency range just above the modal voice register and overlapping with it by approximately one octave. It is produced by the vibration of the ligamentous edges of the vocal folds, in whole or in part...
and Fabolous' verse is cut short by the re-introduction of Rowland's vocals. A third officially produced remix, the "Rebel Rock Remix," features on the deluxe edition of Here I Am.
BET Awards performance
On June 26, 2011, Rowland took to the stage of the 2011 BET AwardsBET Awards of 2011
The 2011 BET Awards took place at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, California on June 26, 2011. The awards recognized African-Americans and other minorities in music, acting, sports, and other fields of entertainment over the past year. Actor Kevin Hart hosted the event for the first time. ...
to perform "Motivation" for the first time. Hollywood News reported that according to social networking site Twitter
Twitter
Twitter is an online social networking and microblogging service that enables its users to send and read text-based posts of up to 140 characters, informally known as "tweets".Twitter was created in March 2006 by Jack Dorsey and launched that July...
, Rowland's performance of the song was the most anticipated of the evening. Appearing in the middle of Trey Songz
Trey Songz
Tremaine "Trey" Aldon Neverson , better known by his stage name Trey Songz, is an American singer-songwriter, rapper, record producer and actor. His debut album, I Gotta Make It, was released in 2005, while his second album, Trey Day, was released in 2007...
performance of "Love Faces
Love Faces
"Love Faces" is a song by American recording artist Trey Songz. It was released on January 11, 2011 as the third single from his fourth studio album, Passion, Pain & Pleasure . Written by Songz with Tony Scales, Troy Taylor and Edrick Miles, and produced by the latter two, "Love Faces" is a...
," Rowland ascended on stage where she was joined on stage by several shirtless male dancers. The performance was met with a positive reception from industry critics and fellow music entertainers, most of whom noted it as a highlight of the ceremony. Ed Masley from The Arizona Republic
The Arizona Republic
The Arizona Republic is a daily newspaper published in Phoenix. Circulated throughout Arizona, it is the state's largest newspaper. Since 2000, it has been owned by the Gannett newspaper chain. It was ranked tenth in US daily newspapers by circulation in 2007.-Early years:The newspaper was founded...
said that Rowland's performance was "the night's most soulful vocal [performance]." Roger Catlin from TV critic website Courant.com also lauded Rowland with praising, stating that Rowland offered "a live performance with Trey Songz trumping that of her more famous "sister" from Destiny's Child
Destiny's Child
Destiny's Child was an American R&B girl group whose final line-up comprised lead singer Beyoncé Knowles alongside Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams. Formed in 1997 in Houston, Texas, Destiny's Child members began their musical endeavors in their pre-teens under the name Girl's Tyme...
, Beyoncé
Beyoncé Knowles
Beyoncé Giselle Knowles , often known simply as Beyoncé, is an American singer, songwriter, record producer, and actress. Born and raised in Houston, Texas, she enrolled in various performing arts schools and was first exposed to singing and dancing competitions as a child...
." The Los Angeles Times
Los Angeles Times
The Los Angeles Times is a daily newspaper published in Los Angeles, California, since 1881. It was the second-largest metropolitan newspaper in circulation in the United States in 2008 and the fourth most widely distributed newspaper in the country....
Gerrick D. Kennedy praised Rowland's sex appeal, noting that her "steamy performance sent tongues wagging" and was widely anticipated thanks to the serial delays with her album Here I Am (2011). Finally, MTV
MTV
MTV, formerly an initialism of Music Television, is an American network based in New York City that launched on August 1, 1981. The original purpose of the channel was to play music videos guided by on-air hosts known as VJs....
Rob Markman pointed out that following her performance "#kelly" began trending
Trending topic
A trending topic is a word, phrase or topic that is posted multiple times on the social networking and microblogging service Twitter. Trending topics become popular either through a concerted effort by users or because of an event that prompts people to talk about one specific topic...
on Twitter. Additionally Markman said "[Rowland] received one of the loudest ovations of the night."
Track listing
-
- Digital download
- "Motivation" featuring Lil WayneLil WayneDwayne Michael Carter, Jr. , better known by his stage name Lil Wayne, is an American rapper. At the age of nine, Lil Wayne joined Cash Money Records as the youngest member of the label, and half of the duo, The B.G.'z, with B.G.. In 1997, Lil Wayne joined the group Hot Boys, which also included...
– 3:51
-
- Digital download Remix
- "Motivation" (Diplo Remix) – 3:56
-
- Rap remix (non-downloadable / airplay only)
- "Motivation" featuring Busta RhymesBusta RhymesTrevor Tahiem Smith, Jr., better known by his stage name Busta Rhymes ,Smith is an American rapper, producer and actor. Chuck D of Public Enemy gave him the alias Busta Rhymes after NFL wide receiver George "Buster" Rhymes...
, FabolousFabolousJohn David Jackson , better known by his stage name Fabolous, is an American rapper of African American and Dominican descent. He grew up in the Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York. Part of his early popularity arose from his hit single "Can't Deny It" in 2001, from his debut...
and Trey SongzTrey SongzTremaine "Trey" Aldon Neverson , better known by his stage name Trey Songz, is an American singer-songwriter, rapper, record producer and actor. His debut album, I Gotta Make It, was released in 2005, while his second album, Trey Day, was released in 2007...
– 4:34
-
- Rebel Rock Remix (album-only)
- 13. "Motivation" featuring Lil Wayne (Rebel Rock Remix) – 3:41
-
- Digital single/bundle
- "Motivation" featuring Lil Wayne – 3:51
- "Motivation" (Diplo remix) – 3:57
- "Motivation" (Explicit Version; Close Captioned) [ Music videoMusic videoA music video or song video is a short film integrating a song and imagery, produced for promotional or artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a marketing device intended to promote the sale of music recordings...
] – 4:22
Credits and personnel
- Jim JonsinJim JonsinJames Scheffer, better known by his professional name, Jim Jonsin, is an American Grammy award winning record producer, songwriter, record executive, and entrepreneur...
– songwriter, producer, programming, keyboards - Rico LoveRico LoveRichard Preston Butler, Jr. , better known by his stage name Rico Love, is an American singer-songwriter and record producer. Love wrote and produced hit records such as Usher’s "There Goes My Baby" and "Hey Daddy ”, Nelly's "Just a Dream" and "Gone", Beyoncé Knowles' "Sweet Dreams"...
– songwriter - Daniel Morris – songwriter, keyboards
- Dwayne CarterLil WayneDwayne Michael Carter, Jr. , better known by his stage name Lil Wayne, is an American rapper. At the age of nine, Lil Wayne joined Cash Money Records as the youngest member of the label, and half of the duo, The B.G.'z, with B.G.. In 1997, Lil Wayne joined the group Hot Boys, which also included...
– songwriter - Thurston McCrea – recording
- Sean McCoy – recording assistant, mixing assistant
- Robert Marks – additional recording, mixing
- Matt Huber – mixing assistant
- Chris Gehringer – mastering
Source:
Charts
| Chart (2011) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australia Urban (ARIA ARIA Charts The ARIA charts are the main Australian music sales charts, issued weekly by the Australian Recording Industry Association. The charts are a record of the highest selling singles and albums in various genres in Australia. ARIA commenced compiling its own charts in-house from the week ending 26 June... ) |
36 |
| Canada (Canadian Hot 100 Canadian Hot 100 The Canadian Hot 100 is a music singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine which ranks songs in Canada. The chart debuted in the Billboard issue dated June 16, 2007 and was made available for the first time via their online services on June 7, 2007... ) |
99 |
| UK Singles (The Official Charts Company) | 169 |
| US Pop Songs Mainstream Top 40 (Pop Songs) The Mainstream Top 40 is an airplay chart from Billboard magazine, and is also known as Pop Songs on billboard.com. It was often mistaken for and confused with the now discontinued Pop 100 Airplay chart... (Billboard Billboard (magazine) Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis... ) |
24 |
Release history
| Country | Date | Format | Label |
|---|---|---|---|
| Switzerland | April 8, 2011 | Digital download Music download A music download is the transferral of music from an Internet-facing computer or website to a user's local computer. This term encompasses both legal downloads and downloads of copyright material without permission or payment... / remix |
Universal Music Universal Music Group Universal Music Group is an American music group, the largest of the "big four" record companies by its commanding market share and its multitude of global operations... |
| United States | April 9, 2011 | Urban airplay Urban contemporary Urban contemporary is a music radio format. The term was coined by the late New York DJ Frankie Crocker in the mid 1970s. Urban contemporary radio stations feature a playlist made up entirely of hip hop/rap, contemporary R&B, pop, electronica such as dubstep and drum and bass and Caribbean music... |
Universal Motown |
| Belgium | April 11, 2011 | Digital download / remix | Universal Music |
| Finland | |||
| France | Barclay Records Barclay Records Barclay Records is a French record label founded in the mid-1950s by Eddie Barclay under the alias, Edouard Ruault. Eddie Barclay also founded the Riviera label in the early-1950s.... |
||
| Canada | April 12, 2011 | Universal Music | |
| United States | Universal Motown | ||
| Netherlands | April 15, 2011 | Universal Music | |
| Norway | Digital download / bundle / single | ||
| Italy | April 18, 2011 | Digital download / remix | |
| Austria | April 19, 2011 | ||
| Germany | April 19, 2011 | ||
| Netherlands | April 22, 2011 | Digital single / bundle | |
| Switzerland | |||
| Italy | April 26, 2011 | ||
| France | May 13, 2011 (re-release) |
Digital download / remix | Barclay Records |
| Germany | Universal Music | ||
| Ireland | May 13, 2011 | ||
| United Kingdom | May 15, 2011 | Island Records Island Records Island Records is a record label that was founded by Chris Blackwell in Jamaica. It was based in the United Kingdom for many years and is now owned by Universal Music Group... |
|
| Sweden | Universal Music | ||
| United States | July 19, 2011 | CHR airplay Contemporary hit radio Contemporary hit radio is a radio format that is common in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada and Australia that focuses on playing current and recurrent popular music as determined by the Top 40 music charts... |
Universal Motown |