| "Sweat" | |
|---|---|
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| Promotional single byCiara featuring2 Chainz | |
| Released | June 18, 2012 (2012-06-18) |
| Genre | R&B |
| Length | 3:50 |
| Label | Epic |
| Songwriter(s) |
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| Producer(s) |
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"Sweat" is a song recorded by American recording artistCiara for her self-titled fifth albumCiara (2013), originally titledOne Woman Army. Featuring guest vocals from rapper2 Chainz, "Sweat" is Ciara's debut release underEpic Records after publicly asking to leave previous labelJive Records. The label failed to support Ciara creatively and financially on previous albums,Fantasy Ride (2009) andBasic Instinct (2010), contributing to poor performance of both albums. Ciara's contract with Epic Records reunited the singer with her mentorL.A. Reid, who is credited as originally signing the singer to hisLaFace Records label during the beginning of her career in 2004, as well as having a hand in producing her debut album,Goodies (2004).
Initially touted as thelead single fromCiara, "Sweat" received mixed reviews frommusic critics, with some describing the song as a heavyclub song, while others referred to the song as boring. "Sweat" was likened to previous urban singles "Goodies" (2004) and "Like a Boy" (2006). It was serviced torhythmic radio stations on June 18, 2012; however, its planneddigital release for June 19, 2012 was cancelled. Epic Records subsequently noted the song as apromotional single when it charted at number eighty-six on the USBillboardHot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. The song was replaced by aballad called "Sorry" as the lead single fromCiara but what when that underperformed too, both songs were scrapped from the album and replaced with an R&B midtempo song called "Body Party", subsequently touted as the album's new lead single.
Ciara's previous two albums,Fantasy Ride (2009) andBasic Instinct (2010), both underperformed commercially compared to the singer's first two albums;Ciara: The Evolution (2006) debuted at number one, while her debut album,Goodies (2004), debuted at number three.[1] Following a heavy period of legal issues and unauthorized leaking of songs from theFantasy Ride recording sessions, Ciara recordedBasic Instinct in strict confidentiality.[2] Ciara reflected on the album's progress at the time, stating that she wasn't interested in first week sales or performance.[3] However, Gerrick Kennedy from theLos Angeles Times attributedBasic Instinct's lack of success to multiple pushbacks and the leaking of material from the album's recording sessions.[3] Eventually, Ciara broke her silence revealing thatJive Records had not financially supported her withFantasy Ride andBasic Instinct.[4] Ciara was left to pay for promotion herself, which included funding the music video and radio release of her last single "Gimmie Dat". She publicly asked to be released from Jive on February 14, 2011.[4]
On July 12, 2011, it was reported that she had reunited withL.A. Reid by signing with his record labelEpic Records.[5] Reid had previously signed Ciara toLaFace Records at the start of her career and was a factor in the commercial success of her debut album,Goodies (2004).Billboard magazine went on to confirm her move to Epic in September 2011.[6] On May 30, 2012 during promotional appearances forThat's My Boy, a film Ciara stars in, the singer announced she had a new single on the way called "Sweat".[7] Just five days later on June 4, 2012, "Sweat" premiered online, the bass-heavy record features upcoming rapper2 Chainz and was unveiled as the lead single from Ciara's fifth albumCiara (2013).[8] The record was serviced torhythmic radio stations on June 18, 2012[9] and was scheduled for release as adigital download on June 19, 2012.[8] However, the digital release did not happen as planned, and when chartingBillboard listed the song as apromotional single.[10] On August 13, 2012, Ciara revealed through a handwritten letter that a song called "Sorry" would be released as the album's lead single.[11]
"Sweat" is an uptempo "bass-heavy" club song which featuresrapper2 Chainz.[8] Serving as Ciara's debut release withEpic Records, "Sweat" was described byMTV News as a throwback to "Ciara's old roots," particularly drawing comparisons to "Like a Boy."[12] It was written by Ciara, 2 Chainz, William Wesson, Patrizio Pigliapoco, Christopher Trujillo, K. Townsend, and S. Randolph.[10] The song was described as "bass-heavy banger" byRap-Up.[8] Becky Bain fromIdolator, however, was disappointed with "Sweat," describing the song as "not very exciting."[13] In her review, Bain said, "Ciara's vocals go nowhere, the beat doesn't pick up or drop off or twist or turn unexpectedly, and the repetitive lyrics are your generic sexy-dancefloor bon mots."[13]
"Sweat" peaked at number 86 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart inBillboard magazine.[10]
| Chart (2012) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| USHot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[10] | 86 |
| Region | Date | Format | Label |
|---|---|---|---|
| Worldwide[8] | June 4, 2012 | Premiere | Epic Records |
| United States[9] | June 18, 2012 | Rhythmic airplay |
| Goodies | |
|---|---|
| Ciara: The Evolution | |
| Fantasy Ride | |
| Basic Instinct |
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| Ciara | |
| Jackie | |
| Beauty Marks | |
| CiCi | |
| Other singles |
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| Featured singles | |
| Other songs |
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| Video albums | |
| Concert tours | |
