Red Nation
Encyclopedia
"Red Nation" is a song by American rapper and West Coast hip hop
artist Game featuring vocals from rapper Lil Wayne
, from his anticipated fourth studio album The R.E.D. Album
. Released as the album's lead single on April 12, 2011, the song was written by Game and Lil Wayne, and it was produced by Miami-based production duo Cool & Dre
, noted for producing three of Game's singles including the 2005 smash hit single "Hate It or Love It
" which featured vocals from former fellow G-Unit
member rapper 50 Cent
. The single also marks the second collaboration between Game and Lil Wayne, their first collaboration being on Game's 2008 single "My Life
" from his third studio album LAX (2008), which featured vocals from Lil Wayne during the song's chorus. The song features a music sample
of the nightclub
hit "Kernkraft 400
" (2000) (German
for "Nuclear Energy 400") performed by German
techno
and electro
band Zombie Nation
from their debut album Leichenschmaus
(1999).
The songs sample of "Kernkraft 400" is considered one of the most famous songs of electronic dance music
and a tune often played at sporting events
. The single was also thought to be and mark Game's first song to be released back under the Aftermath Entertainment
and Interscope Records
labels, the two record labels that released his debut studio album The Documentary
(2005), after resigning back with Interscope Records back in 2009 later resigning back with Aftermath Entertainment in early 2010, and before a beef with former fellow G-Unit
labelmate and group member
50 Cent caused him to release his two following albums and singles on Geffen Records
, but this was proved untrue. On March 10, 2011 Game sent the single to Hip hop DJ Funkmaster Flex
where he officially released it for a radio premiere on his popular radio show on WQHT Hot 97 in New York City, New York. The song was well received by listeners unlike his previous four released singles.
In the United States, "Red Nation" debuted at the number 62 position on the Billboard Hot 100
. The music video for the song was directed by Parris, and it premiered on Thursday, May 12, 2011. The video had been banned from airing on cable networks MTV
and BET
due to being deemed inappropriate and being a portrayal of gang culture
, causing a controversy due to Game's alleged affiliation with the notorious Los Angeles, California
gang the Bloods
. However, Game refused to let the snub derail his plans for promotion, so he still vowed to release the video online so fans can form their own opinions about the controversy for themselves. After the music videos release and quickly receiving over 3 million views on YouTube
, there were rumors that BET and MTV were reconsidering airing the banned Red Nation video.
& Timbaland
) and "Big Money" followed by 2010's "It Must Be Me" (in which it featured Pharrell
) and "Ain't No Doubt About It" (which it featured Justin Timberlake
& Pharrell) all failing to chart, Game decided to have them all removed from the album and instead release them on mixtapes, those including on The Red Room and the Brake Lights mixtapes. With the album also reportedly suffering numerous delays since 2009, Game also decided to have canceled a series of listening sessions so that he could focus on recording new material for the album.
Later in 2011 following the release of his critical acclaim mixtape Purp & Patron
, which immediately became widely praised as one of the best hip hop mixtapes of 2011. After generating buzz from the mixtape, Game regained the center of attention on when was he officially going to release the albums official single. Later on March 2, 2011 it was confirmed by producers Cool & Dre
via their twitter
that the first official single from the album would be titled "Red Nation".
In the beginning there was rumors that surfaced around that the single would feature all three rappers Wiz Khalifa
, B.o.B
and Lil Wayne
, but on March 7, 2011 it was confirmed by Cool & Dre via their twitter that the single would not feature Wiz Khalifa nor B.o.B, only leaving Lil Wayne in question if he then only be the one to be featured on the song. Later on March 8, 2011 it was officially said by Sean "Diddy" Combs
via his twitter that the single would indeed feature rapper Lil Wayne.
song with influences of techno
and electro
. The track also has pop-rap musical styles. The song contains a music sample
of the 2000 single "Kernkraft 400
" by the band Zombie Nation
, the sample being a jolt of electro with synths
and piano complementing a sampled techno riff. The song "Kernkraft 400" (German
for "Nuclear Energy 40") is considered one of the most famous songs of electronic dance music
and a tune often played at sporting events
, the song, specifically titled as the "Sport Chant Remix" or the "Sport Chant Stadium Remix", is popular at North American
sporting events for goals, home runs, and other celebrations. This version of the song is known by its signature "Whoa-oh-oh" chanting at the beginning of the song.
where he officially released it for a radio premiere on his popular radio show on WQHT Hot 97 in New York City, New York. The song was well received by listeners unlike his previous four released singles. Anticipated by fans to be officially released, "Red Nation" was officially released to the iTunes Store
on April 12, 2011 in the United States
and has so far peaked at number 16 on the iTunes top 200 songs chart and number 4 on iTunes Hip-Hop and Rap songs chart. Later on April 15, 2011 the single was officially released in both Australia
and Switzerland
, then later it was officially released worldwide on May 3, 2011.
, on the issue dated April 30, 2011. "Red Nation" debuted at number 39 on the Hot Digital Songs
chart, and debuted at number 17 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles Sales
chart. In Germany "Red Nation" debuted at the number 8 position on the Deutsche Black Charts
and peaked at the number 6 position.
, Game stood surrounded by smoldering dirt and flashing red lights. Smoke billowed in the background and road flares flickered brightly. The video was described to be a "post-apocalyptic
", music video. The video was directed by Parris, whose recent work includes Enrique Iglesias
' "Tonight (I'm Lovin' You)
" and Diddy-Dirty Money's "Angels".
It also had been confirmed that Lil Wayne filmed his scenes at a later date. On May 9, 2011, Game posted via his twitter that BET
banned the Red Nation video because himself and Lil Wayne
were "too gang affiliated" in it, also later on that same day Game stated that MTV
also had banned the Red Nation video due to the same reason, but stated that he would still premier the video himself online and on VEVO
, AOL
& WorldStarHipHop on May 12, 2011. After the music videos release and quickly receiving over 2 million views on YouTube
, there were rumors that BET and MTV were reconsidering airing the banned Red Nation video.
in Los Angeles, California
. On May 23, 2011, Game performed the song live on the Lopez Tonight
show with DJ Skee
and Skeetox.
Source:
West Coast hip hop
West Coast hip hop is a hip hop music subgenre that encompasses any artists or music that originates in the westernmost region of the United States, as opposed to East Coast hip hop, based originally in New York alone...
artist Game featuring vocals from rapper 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...
, from his anticipated fourth studio album The R.E.D. Album
The R.E.D. Album
The R.E.D. Album is the fourth studio album by American rapper and West Coast hip hop artist Game, which was released on August 23, 2011 through DGC Records and Interscope Records after almost two years of delays since late 2009 and being rescheduled a total of 10 times...
. Released as the album's lead single on April 12, 2011, the song was written by Game and Lil Wayne, and it was produced by Miami-based production duo Cool & Dre
Cool & Dre
Cool & Dre are a team of hip hop producers from Miami, Florida, consisting of Marcello "Cool" Valenzano and Andre "Dre" Christopher Lyon.-Epidemic Records:...
, noted for producing three of Game's singles including the 2005 smash hit single "Hate It or Love It
Hate It or Love It
"Hate It or Love It" is a song by American rapper and West Coast hip hop artist The Game, featuring vocals from fellow G-Unit member at the time rapper 50 Cent. It was released as the third official single from The Game's debut studio album The Documentary , from record labels Aftermath...
" which featured vocals from former fellow G-Unit
G-Unit
G-Unit is an American hip hop group originating from New York City formed by 50 Cents. G-Unit emerged on the New York scene by independently releasing several mix tapes...
member rapper 50 Cent
50 Cent
Curtis James Jackson III , better known by his stage name 50 Cent, is an American rapper, entrepreneur, investor, record producer, and actor. He rose to fame with the release of his albums Get Rich or Die Tryin and The Massacre . Get Rich or Die Tryin has been certified eight times platinum by...
. The single also marks the second collaboration between Game and Lil Wayne, their first collaboration being on Game's 2008 single "My Life
My Life (The Game song)
"My Life" is the third single from The Game's third studio album, LAX which was released on August 22, 2008. The song, produced by Cool & Dre, features Lil Wayne.-Recording:Producers Cool & Dre have released a video documenting how they created the beat....
" from his third studio album LAX (2008), which featured vocals from Lil Wayne during the song's chorus. The song features a music sample
Sampling (music)
In music, sampling is the act of taking a portion, or sample, of one sound recording and reusing it as an instrument or a different sound recording of a song or piece. Sampling was originally developed by experimental musicians working with musique concrète and electroacoustic music, who physically...
of the nightclub
Nightclub
A nightclub is an entertainment venue which usually operates late into the night...
hit "Kernkraft 400
Kernkraft 400
"Kernkraft 400" is a song performed by German techno and electro artist Zombie Nation and the first single from their album Leichenschmaus. The first Zombie Nation record contained the song "Kernkraft 400", German for "Nuclear Energy 400", which is a remix of a tune from the 1984 Commodore 64 game...
" (2000) (German
German language
German is a West Germanic language, related to and classified alongside English and Dutch. With an estimated 90 – 98 million native speakers, German is one of the world's major languages and is the most widely-spoken first language in the European Union....
for "Nuclear Energy 400") performed by German
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
techno
Techno
Techno is a form of electronic dance music that emerged in Detroit, Michigan in the United States during the mid to late 1980s. The first recorded use of the word techno, in reference to a genre of music, was in 1988...
and electro
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...
band Zombie Nation
Zombie Nation (band)
Zombie Nation is a German techno and electro project of the Munich based DJ and producer Florian Senfter.-History:The first Zombie Nation five track EP was released in the spring of 1999 on DJ Hell's label, International DeeJay Gigolo Records...
from their debut album Leichenschmaus
Leichenschmaus
Leichenschmaus is the first Studio-Album by the German techno and electro project of the Munich based DJ and producer Florian Senfter ] who worked together on his Debut-Album with Emanuel Günther...
(1999).
The songs sample of "Kernkraft 400" is considered one of the most famous songs of electronic dance music
Electronic dance music
Electronic dance music is electronic music produced primarily for the purposes of use within a nightclub setting, or in an environment that is centered upon dance-based entertainment...
and a tune often played at sporting events
Sport
A Sport is all forms of physical activity which, through casual or organised participation, aim to use, maintain or improve physical fitness and provide entertainment to participants. Sport may be competitive, where a winner or winners can be identified by objective means, and may require a degree...
. The single was also thought to be and mark Game's first song to be released back under the Aftermath Entertainment
Aftermath Entertainment
Aftermath Entertainment is an American record label founded by Dr. Dre. It operates as a subsidiary of, and is distributed through, Universal Music Group's Interscope Records. Current acts include Dr. Dre, Eminem, 50 Cent and Slim da Mobster, with former acts including Busta Rhymes, Game, Raekwon,...
and Interscope Records
Interscope Records
Interscope Records is an American record label owned by Universal Music Group that currently operates as one third of UMG's Interscope-Geffen-A&M label group.-History:...
labels, the two record labels that released his debut studio album The Documentary
The Documentary
The Documentary is the debut studio album by West Coast rapper Game, released on January 18, 2005, through Aftermath Entertainment, G-Unit Records and Interscope Records. After recovering from a shooting in late 2001, The Game pursued a rap career and was discovered by Dr. Dre who signed him to his...
(2005), after resigning back with Interscope Records back in 2009 later resigning back with Aftermath Entertainment in early 2010, and before a beef with former fellow G-Unit
G-Unit Records
G-Unit Records is an American record label, specializing in hip hop music, founded in 2003 by rapper 50 Cent and his manager Sha Money XL. Upon its inception, it operated as a subsidiary of, and was distributed through, Universal Music Group's Interscope Records...
labelmate and group member
G-Unit
G-Unit is an American hip hop group originating from New York City formed by 50 Cents. G-Unit emerged on the New York scene by independently releasing several mix tapes...
50 Cent caused him to release his two following albums and singles on Geffen Records
Geffen Records
Geffen Records is an American record label, owned by Universal Music Group, and operated as one third of UMG's Interscope-Geffen-A&M label group.-Beginnings:...
, but this was proved untrue. On March 10, 2011 Game sent the single to Hip hop DJ Funkmaster Flex
Funkmaster Flex
Aston George Taylor, Jr. better known as Funkmaster Flex is an American hip hop DJ, rapper, musician and producer on New York City's Hot 97 radio station and host of the hit MTV show Funk Flex Full Throttle....
where he officially released it for a radio premiere on his popular radio show on WQHT Hot 97 in New York City, New York. The song was well received by listeners unlike his previous four released singles.
In the United States, "Red Nation" debuted at the number 62 position 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...
. The music video for the song was directed by Parris, and it premiered on Thursday, May 12, 2011. The video had been banned from airing on cable networks 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....
and 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...
due to being deemed inappropriate and being a portrayal of gang culture
Gang
A gang is a group of people who, through the organization, formation, and establishment of an assemblage, share a common identity. In current usage it typically denotes a criminal organization or else a criminal affiliation. In early usage, the word gang referred to a group of workmen...
, causing a controversy due to Game's alleged affiliation with the notorious Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles , with a population at the 2010 United States Census of 3,792,621, is the most populous city in California, USA and the second most populous in the United States, after New York City. It has an area of , and is located in Southern California...
gang the Bloods
Bloods
The Bloods are a street gang founded in Los Angeles, California. The gang is widely known for its rivalry with the Crips. They are identified by the red color worn by their members and by particular gang symbols, including distinctive hand signs...
. However, Game refused to let the snub derail his plans for promotion, so he still vowed to release the video online so fans can form their own opinions about the controversy for themselves. After the music videos release and quickly receiving over 3 million views on YouTube
YouTube
YouTube is a video-sharing website, created by three former PayPal employees in February 2005, on which users can upload, view and share videos....
, there were rumors that BET and MTV were reconsidering airing the banned Red Nation video.
Background
After having a few false starts with chart failing singles, starting back with 2009's "Krazy" (which featured both Gucci ManeGucci Mane
Radric Davis , better known by his stage name Gucci Mane, is an American rapper. He debuted in 2005 with Trap House and followed with albums such as Hard to Kill in 2006, Trap-A-Thon and Back to the Trap House in 2007. In 2009, his second studio album The State vs. Radric Davis was released...
& Timbaland
Timbaland
Timothy Zachery Mosley , better known by his stage name Timbaland, is an American record producer, songwriter and rapper....
) and "Big Money" followed by 2010's "It Must Be Me" (in which it featured Pharrell
Pharrell Williams
Pharrell Williams , commonly known simply as Pharrell, is an American rapper, singer, record producer, composer, and fashion designer. Williams and Chad Hugo make up the record production duo The Neptunes, producing hip hop and R&B music...
) and "Ain't No Doubt About It" (which it featured Justin Timberlake
Justin Timberlake
Justin Randall Timberlake is an American pop musician and actor. He achieved early fame when he appeared as a contestant on Star Search, and went on to star in the Disney Channel television series The New Mickey Mouse Club, where he met future bandmate JC Chasez...
& Pharrell) all failing to chart, Game decided to have them all removed from the album and instead release them on mixtapes, those including on The Red Room and the Brake Lights mixtapes. With the album also reportedly suffering numerous delays since 2009, Game also decided to have canceled a series of listening sessions so that he could focus on recording new material for the album.
Later in 2011 following the release of his critical acclaim mixtape Purp & Patron
Purp & Patron
Purp & Patron is a double disc mixtape by West Coast rapper Game released as a free online download on January 24, 2011. The mixtape is hosted by DJ Skee and Funkmaster Flex. The mixtape's production was handled by several record producers, including Dr. Dre, Ervin 'EP' Pope, Pharrell Williams as...
, which immediately became widely praised as one of the best hip hop mixtapes of 2011. After generating buzz from the mixtape, Game regained the center of attention on when was he officially going to release the albums official single. Later on March 2, 2011 it was confirmed by producers Cool & Dre
Cool & Dre
Cool & Dre are a team of hip hop producers from Miami, Florida, consisting of Marcello "Cool" Valenzano and Andre "Dre" Christopher Lyon.-Epidemic Records:...
via their 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...
that the first official single from the album would be titled "Red Nation".
In the beginning there was rumors that surfaced around that the single would feature all three rappers Wiz Khalifa
Wiz Khalifa
Cameron Jibril Thomaz , better known by the stage name Wiz Khalifa , is an American rapper. He released his debut album, Show and Prove, in 2006, and signed to Warner Bros. Records in 2007...
, B.o.B
B.o.B
Bobby Ray Simmons, Jr. , better known by his stage name B.o.B, is an American rapper, singer-songwriter and record producer. He is currently signed under the labels of Grand Hustle Records, Rebel Rock Entertainment, and Atlantic Records. His debut single "Nothin' on You" reached number one in both...
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...
, but on March 7, 2011 it was confirmed by Cool & Dre via their twitter that the single would not feature Wiz Khalifa nor B.o.B, only leaving Lil Wayne in question if he then only be the one to be featured on the song. Later on March 8, 2011 it was officially said by Sean "Diddy" Combs
Sean Combs
Sean John Combs , also known by his stage names Diddy and P. Diddy, is an American rapper, singer, record producer, actor, and entrepreneur. He has won three Grammy Awards and two MTV Video Music Awards, and his clothing line earned a Council of Fashion Designers of America award. He was originally...
via his twitter that the single would indeed feature rapper Lil Wayne.
Composition
"Red Nation" features rap verses from Game and vocals from Lil Wayne during the song's chorus, who is credited as a featured artist. It is an anthemic rap hip hopHip 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...
song with influences of techno
Techno
Techno is a form of electronic dance music that emerged in Detroit, Michigan in the United States during the mid to late 1980s. The first recorded use of the word techno, in reference to a genre of music, was in 1988...
and electro
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...
. The track also has pop-rap musical styles. The song contains a music sample
Sampling (music)
In music, sampling is the act of taking a portion, or sample, of one sound recording and reusing it as an instrument or a different sound recording of a song or piece. Sampling was originally developed by experimental musicians working with musique concrète and electroacoustic music, who physically...
of the 2000 single "Kernkraft 400
Kernkraft 400
"Kernkraft 400" is a song performed by German techno and electro artist Zombie Nation and the first single from their album Leichenschmaus. The first Zombie Nation record contained the song "Kernkraft 400", German for "Nuclear Energy 400", which is a remix of a tune from the 1984 Commodore 64 game...
" by the band Zombie Nation
Zombie Nation (band)
Zombie Nation is a German techno and electro project of the Munich based DJ and producer Florian Senfter.-History:The first Zombie Nation five track EP was released in the spring of 1999 on DJ Hell's label, International DeeJay Gigolo Records...
, the sample being a jolt of electro with synths
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...
and piano complementing a sampled techno riff. The song "Kernkraft 400" (German
German language
German is a West Germanic language, related to and classified alongside English and Dutch. With an estimated 90 – 98 million native speakers, German is one of the world's major languages and is the most widely-spoken first language in the European Union....
for "Nuclear Energy 40") is considered one of the most famous songs of electronic dance music
Electronic dance music
Electronic dance music is electronic music produced primarily for the purposes of use within a nightclub setting, or in an environment that is centered upon dance-based entertainment...
and a tune often played at sporting events
Sport
A Sport is all forms of physical activity which, through casual or organised participation, aim to use, maintain or improve physical fitness and provide entertainment to participants. Sport may be competitive, where a winner or winners can be identified by objective means, and may require a degree...
, the song, specifically titled as the "Sport Chant Remix" or the "Sport Chant Stadium Remix", is popular at North American
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
sporting events for goals, home runs, and other celebrations. This version of the song is known by its signature "Whoa-oh-oh" chanting at the beginning of the song.
Release
On March 10, 2011, Game sent "Red Nation" to Hip hop DJ Funkmaster FlexFunkmaster Flex
Aston George Taylor, Jr. better known as Funkmaster Flex is an American hip hop DJ, rapper, musician and producer on New York City's Hot 97 radio station and host of the hit MTV show Funk Flex Full Throttle....
where he officially released it for a radio premiere on his popular radio show on WQHT Hot 97 in New York City, New York. The song was well received by listeners unlike his previous four released singles. Anticipated by fans to be officially released, "Red Nation" was officially released to the iTunes Store
ITunes Store
The iTunes Store is a software-based online digital media store operated by Apple. Opening as the iTunes Music Store on April 28, 2003, with over 200,000 items to purchase, it is, as of April 2008, the number-one music vendor in the United States...
on April 12, 2011 in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and has so far peaked at number 16 on the iTunes top 200 songs chart and number 4 on iTunes Hip-Hop and Rap songs chart. Later on April 15, 2011 the single was officially released in both Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
and Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
, then later it was officially released worldwide on May 3, 2011.
Critical reception
Amanda Hensel from PopCrush gave the song a positive review, saying the song "will get you out of your seat cheering for the rapper’s much anticipated return, but we could see the second single coming in strong."Chart performance
In the United States, "Red Nation" debuted at the number 62 position on the Billboard Hot 100Billboard 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...
, on the issue dated April 30, 2011. "Red Nation" debuted at number 39 on the Hot Digital Songs
Hot Digital Songs
The Hot Digital Songs chart ranks the best-selling digital singles in the United States, according to Billboard.Beginning in February 2005, digital sales have been incorporated into many of Billboards music single charts. It was decided to do so mainly because of the dramatic rise in popularity of...
chart, and debuted at number 17 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles Sales
Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles Sales
The Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles Sales chart is the sales component chart of Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs. It is not the R&B subset of The Hot 100 Singles Sales, but rather a separate panel of sales of commercial singles in the urban market...
chart. In Germany "Red Nation" debuted at the number 8 position on the Deutsche Black Charts
Deutsche Black Charts
Deutsche Black Charts DBC, also known by various names including Deutsche Urban Charts and Deutsche Hip Hop/R&B/Dancehall Singles is a chart released weekly by Deutsche Trend Charts in Germany....
and peaked at the number 6 position.
Development and release
The video was shot on April 5, 2011, underneath the 4th Street Bridge in downtown Los Angeles, CaliforniaLos Angeles, California
Los Angeles , with a population at the 2010 United States Census of 3,792,621, is the most populous city in California, USA and the second most populous in the United States, after New York City. It has an area of , and is located in Southern California...
, Game stood surrounded by smoldering dirt and flashing red lights. Smoke billowed in the background and road flares flickered brightly. The video was described to be a "post-apocalyptic
Apocalyptic and post-apocalyptic fiction
Apocalyptic fiction is a sub-genre of science fiction that is concerned with the end of civilization due to a potentially existential catastrophe such as nuclear warfare, pandemic, extraterrestrial attack, impact event, cybernetic revolt, technological singularity, dysgenics, supernatural...
", music video. The video was directed by Parris, whose recent work includes Enrique Iglesias
Enrique Iglesias
Enrique Iglesias is a Spanish pop music singer, a son of singer Julio Iglesias.Enrique started his musical career on Mexican label Fonovisa...
' "Tonight (I'm Lovin' You)
Tonight (I'm Lovin' You)
"Tonight ," also known as "Tonight " when played on radio during daytime, is a song by Spanish singer Enrique Iglesias. It features American rapper Ludacris and producer DJ Frank E. The song was released to the US radio on November 1, 2010, and it was released digitally on November 22, 2010...
" and Diddy-Dirty Money's "Angels".
It also had been confirmed that Lil Wayne filmed his scenes at a later date. On May 9, 2011, Game posted via his twitter that 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...
banned the Red Nation video because himself 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...
were "too gang affiliated" in it, also later on that same day Game stated that 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....
also had banned the Red Nation video due to the same reason, but stated that he would still premier the video himself online and on VEVO
Vevo
Vevo is a music video website. It is a joint venture among Sony Music Entertainment, Universal Music Group, and Abu Dhabi Media with EMI licensing its content to the group without taking an ownership stake. The service was launched officially on December 8, 2009...
, 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...
& WorldStarHipHop on May 12, 2011. After the music videos release and quickly receiving over 2 million views on YouTube
YouTube
YouTube is a video-sharing website, created by three former PayPal employees in February 2005, on which users can upload, view and share videos....
, there were rumors that BET and MTV were reconsidering airing the banned Red Nation video.
Live performances
On March 15, 2011, Game performed the song for the first time live at the House of BluesHouse of Blues
House of Blues is a chain of 13 live music concert halls and restaurants in major markets throughout the United States. House of Blues first location was in Cambridge's Harvard Square. It was opened in 1992 by Isaac Tigrett, co-founder of Hard Rock Cafe, and Dan Aykroyd, star of The Blues Brothers...
in Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles , with a population at the 2010 United States Census of 3,792,621, is the most populous city in California, USA and the second most populous in the United States, after New York City. It has an area of , and is located in Southern California...
. On May 23, 2011, Game performed the song live on the Lopez Tonight
Lopez Tonight
Lopez Tonight was an American late-night television talk show hosted by comedian George Lopez. The hour-long program premiered on November 9, 2009, on cable network TBS. Lopez was the first Mexican American to host a late-night talk show on an English-language network in the United States. The...
show with DJ Skee
DJ Skee
Scott Keeney , better known by his stage name DJ Skee, is a DJ and entrepreneur operating out of Los Angeles. Skee manages his own new media music, marketing, and production company, Skee.TV...
and Skeetox.
Formats and track listings
- Digital download
- "Red Nation" 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...
– 3:50
Credits and personnel
- SongwritingSongwriterA songwriter is an individual who writes both the lyrics and music to a song. Someone who solely writes lyrics may be called a lyricist, and someone who only writes music may be called a composer...
– 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...
, Andre LyonCool & DreCool & Dre are a team of hip hop producers from Miami, Florida, consisting of Marcello "Cool" Valenzano and Andre "Dre" Christopher Lyon.-Epidemic Records:...
, Jayceon Taylor, Marcello ValenzanoCool & DreCool & Dre are a team of hip hop producers from Miami, Florida, consisting of Marcello "Cool" Valenzano and Andre "Dre" Christopher Lyon.-Epidemic Records:... - ProductionRecord producerA record producer is an individual working within the music industry, whose job is to oversee and manage the recording of an artist's music...
– Cool & DreCool & DreCool & Dre are a team of hip hop producers from Miami, Florida, consisting of Marcello "Cool" Valenzano and Andre "Dre" Christopher Lyon.-Epidemic Records:... - RecordingSound recording and reproductionSound recording and reproduction is an electrical or mechanical inscription and re-creation of sound waves, such as spoken voice, singing, instrumental music, or sound effects. The two main classes of sound recording technology are analog recording and digital recording...
– Andre Lyon, Marcello Valenzano - InstrumentsMusical instrumentA musical instrument is a device created or adapted for the purpose of making musical sounds. In principle, any object that produces sound can serve as a musical instrument—it is through purpose that the object becomes a musical instrument. The history of musical instruments dates back to the...
– Andre Lyon, Marcello Valenzano
Source:
Charts
| Chart (2011–11) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Germany (Deutsche Black Charts Deutsche Black Charts Deutsche Black Charts DBC, also known by various names including Deutsche Urban Charts and Deutsche Hip Hop/R&B/Dancehall Singles is a chart released weekly by Deutsche Trend Charts in Germany.... ) |
6 |
| US 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... |
62 |
| US Bubbling Under R&B/Hip-Hop Singles (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... ) |
22 |
Radio release
| Country | Date | Format |
|---|---|---|
| Worldwide | March 10, 2011 | Radio premiere Radio Radio is the transmission of signals through free space by modulation of electromagnetic waves with frequencies below those of visible light. Electromagnetic radiation travels by means of oscillating electromagnetic fields that pass through the air and the vacuum of space... only |
Purchasable release
| Country | Date | Format | Label |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canada | April 12, 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... |
DGC DGC Records DGC Records is an American record label, owned by Universal Music Group, and currently operates as an auxiliary label of Interscope Records.-Company history:... , Interscope Interscope Records Interscope Records is an American record label owned by Universal Music Group that currently operates as one third of UMG's Interscope-Geffen-A&M label group.-History:... |
| United States | |||
| Australia | April 15, 2011 | ||
| Switzerland | |||
| Worldwide | May 3, 2011 |