| "2012 (It Ain't the End)" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Single byJay Sean featuringNicki Minaj | ||||
| from the album Hit the Lights | ||||
| B-side | "Your Love – Remix (featuringJay Sean)" | |||
| Released | 3 August 2010 | |||
| Recorded | 2010[1] | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 3:41 3:19 (without Minaj) | |||
| Label |
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| Songwriters |
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| Jay Sean singles chronology | ||||
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| Nicki Minaj singles chronology | ||||
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"2012 (It Ain't the End)" is a song by British singerJay Sean taken from the compilation album,Hit the Lights. It features rapper and labelmateNicki Minaj and is the album's lead single. The song was produced byOFM production team J-Remy andBobby Bass. It was released to US radio stations and made available for digital download on 3 August 2010.[3] The title is a reference to the2012 phenomenon.
The song originates its meaning from the popular post the world was going to end in 2012 due to the Mayan calendar ending in 2012.
According to his interview on MTV News, the song was inspired by the science fiction movie2012 and theories about the world ending. In addition, he wanted to inspire fans to jam like the world is ending but also to remember that it's not. "Sometimes you need to remind people to let go of all the heaviness they're carrying through the day. Yes, you had a stressful day but it ain't the end there. That's why it's called '2012 (It Ain't the End)'", Sean explained.[4]
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Bill Lamb fromAbout.com rated the single 4 out of 5 stars, commenting on "The powerful vocal kickoff", "expansive world party atmosphere" and "Nicki Minaj on guest raps". Lamb also noted that the song was similar to that of "Down" and concluded that "2012 (It Ain't the End) feels like a wise move forJay Sean capitalizing on the party success of his two prior hits "Down" and "Do You Remember" while moving into an even more expansive sound".[5] Robert Copsey fromDigital Spy rated the song 3 out of 5 stars, also noting its similarity to "the USA-slayingsynthpop/R&B sound of his breakthrough".[6]
"2012 (It Ain't the End)" debuted at number 50 on theBillboard Hot 100 for the chart week of 13 August 2010, later peaking at number 31. It peaked at number 34 on the USPop Songs chart and climbed for a few weeks from its debut at number 92 to its ultimate height at number 23 on theCanadian Hot 100 .[7] The single also debuted at number 40 on theARIA Charts for the chart week of 26 August 2010 and at number 9 on theUK Singles Chart, on the issue of 24 October 2010.[8]
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "2012 (It Ain't the End)" (featuring Nicki Minaj) | 3:42 |
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "2012 (It Ain't the End) [WestFunk & Steve Smart Radio Edit]" (featuring Nicki Minaj) | 3:45 |
| 2. | "2012 (It Ain't the End) [WestFunk & Steve Smart Club Remix]" (featuring Nicki Minaj) | 7:26 |
| 3. | "Your Love" (featuring Nicki Minaj) | 3:33 |
The music video for "2012 (It Ain't the End)" was shot in Los Angeles on 19 July 2010, with Nicki Minaj. The video is set to many flashing lights and a typical hip-hop club scene environment. But in post-production, Sean said the music video's director Erik White would be zooming out to show parties in three cities around the world. "There's all these wonderful ideas the director Erik White has been telling me [about]." 'They are gonna zoom out, and it's gonna zoom into Tokyo! And the world is gonna spin around!' And I'm like, 'Really? That's amazing!' So for me, I'm looking forward to seeing those effects." "The concept of the video is basically all about throwing the biggest party, celebrating life. It's basically going around the world, from London to Tokyo to New York, seeing people celebrating good times."[9] The video should have premiered on 8 August 2010 on MTV,[10] however, the same day Sean confirmed on Twitter that the premiere had been rescheduled.[11] The video was leaked on 14 August 2010, but Jay Sean confirmed that the leaked version of the video wasn't the final version.[12]
The video features cameo appearances from former Spice GirlMelanie Brown, Cash Money Records CEOBirdman, writer Jared Cotter, producers J-Remy and Bobby Bass, andThara. On 24 August 2010, the final version of the video was released toVEVO. The prelude and the music video of his song "Break Your Back" can be heard and seen in the end of the music video, but the full version is yet to be released.[13]
The video won Best Video in the 2011UK Asian Music Awards.[14]
Weekly charts[edit]
| Year-end charts[edit]
|
| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| New Zealand (RMNZ)[28] | Gold | 7,500* |
| United Kingdom (BPI)[29] | Silver | 200,000‡ |
| United States (RIAA)[30] | Gold | 500,000^ |
* Sales figures based on certification alone. | ||
| Country | Date | Format | Label |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 3 August 2010 | Mainstream radio[31] | Cash Money Records,Universal Republic |
| Digital download[32] | |||
| Canada[33] | |||
| United Kingdom[34] | 24 October 2010 | Jayded,2Point9 Records |
