Jump to content

Level Up (Ciara song): Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous editNext edit →
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
linking to discography so the chain of singles isn't lost
Line 23: Line 23:


==Promotion==
==Promotion==
In promotion of the single, Ciara introduced the "Level Up Challenge", encouraging fans to show off their best dance moves to the song and challenging them to share three ways in which they want to "level up" or better themselves. Fans and celebrities alike participated in the challenge, including [[Chris Pratt]], [[Kelly Clarkson]], [[Serena Williams]], [[Macklemore]], [[Janelle Monae]], [[Missy Elliott]], [[Jennifer Hudson]], and Ciara's husband, [[Russell Wilson]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/hip-hop/8466823/ciara-level-up-challenge-videos|title=Chris Pratt, Kelly Clarkson & More Participate in Ciara's New 'Level Up' Challenge: Watch|publisher=}}</ref>
In promotion of the single, Ciara introduced the "Level Up Challenge", encouraging fans to show off their best dance moves to the song and challenging them to share three ways in which they want to "level up" or better themselves. Fans and celebrities alike participated in the challenge, including [[Chris Pratt]], [[Kelly Clarkson]], [[Serena Williams]], [[Macklemore]], [[Janelle Monae]], [[Missy Elliott]], [[Jennifer Hudson]], and Ciara's husband, [[Russell Wilson]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/hip-hop/8466823/ciara-level-up-challenge-videos|title=Chris Pratt, Kelly Clarkson & More Participate in Ciara's New 'Level Up' Challenge: Watch|publisher=}}</ref> Ciara also performed the song as a part of her set list as an opening act for singer, [[Bruno Mars]]' ''[[24K Magic World Tour]]'' (2018).


===Remix===
===Remix===

Revision as of 01:13, 26 September 2018

"Level Up"
Single by Ciara
ReleasedJuly 18, 2018 (2018-07-18)
Length3:24
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)J.R. Rotem
Ciara singles chronology
"Get Up"
(2016) 		"Level Up"
(2018) 		"Freak Me"
(2018)

"Level Up" is a song by American singer Ciara released on July 18, 2018 by Beauty Entertainment, as part of a new recording deal with Warner Bros. Records. The song was written by Ciara, Jonathon "JR" Rotem, Theron Thomas, Telly Brown, Jr. and Theron Feemster, with production by J.R. Rotem. It also sample's DJ Telly Tellz's 2017 viral hit "Fuck It Up Challenge".[2] It arrived alongside a high octane music video directed, choreographed and featuring New Zealand dancer Parris Goebel, who appears alongside fellow New Zealanders ReQuest Dance Crew.

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

Composition

"Level Up" is a song about empowerment and growth.[2] The song's title directly references Ciara's controversial #LevelUp marriage tweet, which some felt blamed women for being single.[3] She later cleared up the message, explaining that she wanted to empower women as she felt her "lowest moment" as a solo parent before learning to love herself.[4][5] Some critics also believed parts of the song were aimed at ex-fiance, American rapper Future.[6]

Promotion

In promotion of the single, Ciara introduced the "Level Up Challenge", encouraging fans to show off their best dance moves to the song and challenging them to share three ways in which they want to "level up" or better themselves. Fans and celebrities alike participated in the challenge, including Chris Pratt, Kelly Clarkson, Serena Williams, Macklemore, Janelle Monae, Missy Elliott, Jennifer Hudson, and Ciara's husband, Russell Wilson.[7] Ciara also performed the song as a part of her set list as an opening act for singer, Bruno Mars' 24K Magic World Tour (2018).

Remix

On July 26, 2018, Ciara premiered the song's official remix, featuring Missy Elliott and Fatman Scoop. The three of them previously worked together on Elliott's single "Lose Control".[8]

Chart performance

In the United States, "Level Up" debuted at 77 on the US Billboard Hot 100 on July 31, 2018, for the chart week dated August 4, 2018; it ascended to number 59 the following week.[9] Its debut was primarily driven by strong digital sales, as it debuted at number ten on the US Digital Songs chart that same week, becoming Ciara's sixth top-ten hit on the chart.[10]

Music video

The music video for "Level Up" premiered through Ciara's husband, Russell Wilson's, Trace Me app on July 18, 2018. The video, which features the New Zealand dancers of ReQuest Dance Crew, was directed and choreographed by New Zealander Parris Goebel, who also appears as a dancer. The music video was filmed in the Auckland War Memorial Museum in Auckland. Ciara premiered a "Behind the Scenes" video through Trace Me on August 6, 2018.[11]

The dance-centric clip opens with the words: "Be your own boss, love yourself, get up and dance. Level up!". Then Ciara dances while wearing headphones and a black leotard with the words "Level Up", accompanied by the all-female Request Dance Crew, dressed in matching red activewear and Bose headphones.[12]

Reception

The music video received a positive critical response. Spin magazine's Israel Daramola opined "Choreographed by dancer Parris Goebel, Ciara and ReQuest put on an electric, mesmerizing performance and make it look easy."[2] Within 24 hours of release, it became the #1 trending video on Youtube.[13]

Track listing

  • Digital download[14]
  1. "Level Up" – 3:24
  • Digital download – remix[15]
  1. "Level Up" (remix featuring Missy Elliott and Fatman Scoop) – 3:49

Personnel

Credits adapted from Tidal.[16]

Charts

Chart (2018) Peak
position
Belgium (Ultratip Bubbling Under Flanders)[17] 34
France (SNEP)[18] 88
Hungary (Single Top 40)[19] 36
New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ)[20] 7
UK Singles Sales (Official Charts Company)[21] 79
US Billboard Hot 100[9] 59
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[22] 23

References

  1. ^ "BMI - Repertoire Search". repertoire.bmi.com.
  2. ^ a b c "Ciara - "Level Up" Video". 18 July 2018.
  3. ^ "Ciara Ticks Off Single Twitter With Instagram Post Urging Women To "Level Up"". Yahoo.com. Retrieved July 19, 2018.
  4. ^ "Ciara Clarifies Her "Level Up" Comment Towards Single Women". Vibe.com. January 22, 2018. Retrieved July 19, 2018.
  5. ^ "Ciara Makes a Comeback With New Single, 'Level Up' – The Source". Thesource.com. July 18, 2018. Retrieved July 19, 2018.
  6. ^ Robidoux, Brandy (July 18, 2018). "Is Ciara Dissing Ex Future In Steamy New Single? See The Scathing Lyrics". Hollywoodlife.com. Retrieved July 19, 2018.
  7. ^ "Chris Pratt, Kelly Clarkson & More Participate in Ciara's New 'Level Up' Challenge: Watch".
  8. ^ Post, Chantilly (July 26, 2018). "Ciara Grabs Missy Elliott & Fatman Scoop For A "Level Up" Remix". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved July 27, 2018.
  9. ^ a b "Ciara Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved August 7, 2018.
  10. ^ "Ciara Chart History".
  11. ^ "Making The Video: Ciara – 'Level Up'". 6 August 2018.
  12. ^ "Video: Ciara – 'Level Up'".
  13. ^ "Winning! Ciara's 'Level Up' Music Video #1 Trending On YouTube". 19 July 2018.
  14. ^ "Level Up - Single by Ciara on Apple Music". iTunes Store. Retrieved Jul 18, 2018.
  15. ^ "Level Up (feat. Missy Elliott & Fatman Scoop) [Remix] - Single". iTunes. Retrieved Jul 27, 2018.
  16. ^ "Level Up / Ciara TIDAL". listen.tidal.com. Retrieved July 19, 2018.
  17. ^ "Ciara – Level Up" (in Dutch). Ultratip. Retrieved September 15, 2018.
  18. ^ "Ciara – Level Up" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved July 28, 2018.
  19. ^ "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Single (track) Top 40 lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved August 9, 2018.
  20. ^ "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. July 30, 2018. Retrieved July 28, 2018.
  21. ^ "Official Singles Sales Chart Top 100 - Official Charts Company". www.officialcharts.com.
  22. ^ "Ciara Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved August 7, 2018.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Level_Up_(Ciara_song)&oldid=861232528"