| "Sweet Serenade" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Single byPusha T featuringChris Brown | ||||
| from the albumMy Name Is My Name | ||||
| Released | September 4, 2013 (2013-9-4) | |||
| Recorded | 2013 | |||
| Genre | Hip hop | |||
| Length | 3:40 | |||
| Label | ||||
| Songwriter(s) | ||||
| Producer(s) | (add.) | |||
| Pusha T singles chronology | ||||
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| Chris Brown singles chronology | ||||
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"Sweet Serenade" is a song by American hip hoprecording artistPusha T from his debut studio albumMy Name Is My Name (2013). "Sweet Serenade" features vocals from American singerChris Brown, withproduction bySwizz Beatz andKanye West. On September 4, 2013, the song was released toiTunes as the album's third official single byGOOD Music andDef Jam Recordings. The song has peaked at number 19 on the USBillboardBubbling Under Hot 100 Singles chart.
On August 28, 2013, Pusha T premiered the audio to "Sweet Serenade" featuring singerChris Brown.[1][2] It would be the fourth song from the album revealed, after the first two singles "Pain", "Numbers on the Board" and "Who I Am" featuringBig Sean and2 Chainz.[3] Shortly after during aTwitter Q&A he revealed the song was produced bySwizz Beatz.[4] It would then be released for retaildigital download on September 4, 2013.[5]
The song's production features a lowdown minimal thump and restrained orchestral beat.[2][6] Throughout the song Pusha T shares his thoughts on his career arc, as well as on the state of the rap game.[2] The song also features achorus sung by AmericanR&B singerChris Brown.[4] Overall the song conjures up incongruous imagery over the mildly eerie production, driven by choral vocals and slow-rolling percussion.[7] Pusha T explained the track saying, ""Sweet Serenade" is the long exhale after making it past a street life with serious consequences. It's basically celebrating the fact that we've made it this far. We've been through so much, me and my friends. We've been around some of the worst things, the worst environments, we've lived through some really harsh times and we're still here and we're celebrating that."[8]
"Sweet Serenade" was met with generally positive reviews frommusic critics. Jake Jenkins ofAbsolutePunk said, "Sweet Serenade" has the unfortunate inclusion of a Chris Brown hook, but its by the books, inoffensive, and a lot more desirable than Swizz Beats deciding to take his production credit a step further and gracing the track with one of his infamous shouting hooks. The spotlight here is all on Pusha T though, and his verses are strong enough to make you forget that this song even has a hook.[9] David Jeffries ofAllMusic called the song, "aptly titled" but still edgy.[10] Craig Jenkins ofPitchfork Media stated, "disembodied, wraithlike Chris Brown’s good life platitudes on “Sweet Serenade” are waylaid by at every turn by gun-toting mogul talk."[11]
The music video for "Sweet Serenade" was shot on September 23, 2013, inPlaya del Rey, California and directed byColin Tilley.[8] The video was shot on a beach during the night.[12] On September 25, a behind-the-scenes video was released.[8] The music video was released on October 7, 2013.[13][14][15]
On October 17, 2013, a video was released featuring Pusha T performing the song in the studio withDJ Kay Slay.[16]
On December 18, 2013,The LOX (Styles P,Jadakiss &Sheek Louch) released a remix to "Sweet Serenade" along with theKendrick Lamar assisted "Nostalgia".[17]
| Chart (2013) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| USBubbling Under Hot 100 Singles (Billboard)[18] | 19 |
| USHot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[19] | 44 |
| Region | Date | Format | Label |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | September 4, 2013 (2013-9-4)[5] | Digital download | GOOD Music,Def Jam |