Higher (DJ Khaled song)

"Higher" is a song by American producer DJ Khaled featuring American rapper Nipsey Hussle and American singer John Legend, released as the third single from DJ Khaled's album Father of Asahd on May 17, 2019. The music video was filmed before Hussle's death on March 31, 2019. Legend plays piano on the track and sings its chorus. DJ Khaled announced that all proceeds from sales of the song will go to the rapper's children.[1] Complex magazine ranked Hussle's verse on the song as the best on the album.[2] The song received a Grammy award for Best Rap/Sung Performance at the 62nd Grammy Awards, marking DJ Khaled's first Grammy win[3] and Hussle's second of the night.[4]

"Higher"
Single by DJ Khaled featuring Nipsey Hussle and John Legend
from the album Father of Asahd
ReleasedMay 17, 2019 (2019-05-17)
Recorded2018–2019
Length2:56
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
  • DJ Khaled
  • Streetrunner
  • Tarik Azzouz
DJ Khaled singles chronology
"No Brainer"
(2018)		 "Higher"
(2019)		 "Just Us"
(2019)
Nipsey Hussle singles chronology
"Racks in the Middle"
(2019)		 "Higher"
(2019)		 "Unified"
(2019)
John Legend singles chronology
"Preach"
(2019)		 "Higher"
(2019)		 "We Need Love"
(2019)
Music video
"Higher ft. Nipsey Hussle, John Legend" on YouTube

Background

DJ Khaled called the song's creation part of an "emotional journey", saying Nipsey Hussle "shared his energy and positivity" with him before his death.[1] The pair went out to lunch together and Khaled played Hussle the beat of the song. He left to give Hussle some "space", then came back in to find him writing lyrics.[5]

In a post shared to social media, DJ Khaled revealed that profits from sales of the song will be given to Nipsey Hussle's son and daughter.[1] He also said that the title "reminds us that vibrating on a 'Higher' level was the essence of Nipsey's soul".[6]

Music video

The music video was released at midnight EST on May 17, 2019. TMZ previously shared a clip of the track, which showed "Legend on the keys and Nipsey rhyming next to a pair of low-rider convertibles bouncing in the air".[5]

Charts
Chart (2019) Peak
position
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[7] 40
Ireland (IRMA)[8] 72
UK Singles (OCC)[9] 48
US Billboard Hot 100[10] 21
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[11] 9

Certifications
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
United States (RIAA)[12] Gold 500,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References
  1. McLaughlin, Eliott C. (May 16, 2019). "Khaled's new song, "Higher," will go to slain rapper's kids". CNN. Retrieved May 17, 2019.
  2. Thorpe, Jordan (May 17, 2019). "Ranking the Features on DJ Khaled's Album 'Father of Asahd'". Complex. Retrieved 25 November 2019.
  3. "DJ Khaled Grammy History". The Recording Academy. Retrieved January 27, 2020.
  4. Cowen, Trace William (January 27, 2020). "Nipsey Hussle's Family Accepts Posthumous Grammy Award for "Racks in the Middle"". Complex. Retrieved January 27, 2020.
  5. Saponara, Michael (May 16, 2019). "DJ Khaled Talks Working With Nipsey Hussle on 'Higher': 'We're Going to Win a Grammy'". Billboard. Retrieved May 17, 2019.
  6. Bloom, Madison (May 16, 2019). "DJ Khaled Announces New Song 'Higher' Featuring Nipsey Hussle". Pitchfork. Retrieved May 17, 2019.
  7. "DJ Khaled Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved May 29, 2019.
  8. "IRMA – Irish Charts". Irish Recorded Music Association. Retrieved 25 May 2019.
  9. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved May 25, 2019.
  10. "DJ Khaled Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved May 29, 2019.
  11. "DJ Khaled Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved May 29, 2019.
  12. "American single certifications – DJ Khaled – Higher". Recording Industry Association of America.
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