Loyalty (Kendrick Lamar song)

"Loyalty" (stylized as "LOYALTY.") is a song by American rapper Kendrick Lamar featuring Barbadian singer Rihanna from the former's fourth studio album Damn, released on April 14, 2017. The song was later sent to urban and rhythmic radio June 20, 2017, as the second single from the album.[3][4] The sixth track on the album (ninth on the Collector's Edition of Damn[5]), the song was written by the artists alongside producers DJ Dahi, Sounwave, Terrace Martin, and Anthony "Top Dawg" Tiffith.[2] The song won the Grammy Award for Best Rap/Sung Performance.[6]

"Loyalty." redirects here. For the devotion to a cause, see Loyalty. For other uses, see Loyalty (disambiguation).
"Loyalty"
Single by Kendrick Lamar featuring Rihanna
from the album Damn
ReleasedJune 20, 2017
Recorded2016[1]
Genre
Length3:47
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
  • DJ Dahi
  • Sounwave
  • Martin
  • Top Dawg
Kendrick Lamar singles chronology
"Perfect Pint"
(2017)		 "Loyalty"
(2017)		 "New Freezer"
(2017)
Rihanna singles chronology
"Wild Thoughts"
(2017)		 "Loyalty"
(2017)		 "Lemon"
(2017)
Audio sample
  • file
  • help
Music video
"Loyalty" on YouTube

Composition

The song contains a reverse sample of "24K Magic" produced by Shampoo Press & Curl and The Stereotypes, and performed by American singer Bruno Mars.[7] The song also contains a "replay" of Jay-Z's "Get Your Mind Right Mami" from his fifth album The Dynasty: Roc La Familia (2000), which can be heard at its 40 second mark.[8]

Critical reception

Complex calls it a "standout track" and one of Damn's most "radio-friendly cuts".[9] The Fader writer Jason Parham calls "Loyalty", "anxious, berserk, and beautifully intransigent in [its] own right" and "equal parts pop, funk, and brooding rap hymnal".[10] Frank Guan of Vulture enjoyed the song, especially Rihanna's part, saying "though only eight bars, Rihanna's sung rap is as fluent as it is brief, a swift and casual tour of her accomplishments."[11] Rap-Up called the song a "standout track that allows Kung Fu Kenny and Bad Gal RiRi to address allegiance from a variety of angles."[12]

Awards and nominations
Year Organization Award Result Ref.
2018 BET Awards Best Collaboration Nominated [13]
BET Hip Hop Awards Best Hip Hop Video Nominated [14]
Grammy Awards Best Rap/Sung Performance Won [15]
NAACP Image Awards Outstanding Duo, Group or Collaboration Won [16]

Music video

The music video for the song was released to Lamar's Vevo channel on YouTube on July 28, 2017. It was directed by Dave Meyers and The Little Homies and includes an appearance from featured artist Rihanna.[17][18] Jordan Darville of The Fader gave the music video a positive review, praising the visuals and called Lamar and Rihanna's adventure together "carefully crafted [and] suitably amorous."[19]

Live performances

Lamar has performed "Loyalty" on the Damn tour.[20]

Credits and personnel
Rihanna performing in 2014
Rihanna is a featured vocalist on "Loyalty".

Charts

Certifications
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[48] 2× Platinum 140,000‡
Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil)[49] Gold 30,000‡
Canada (Music Canada)[50] 3× Platinum 240,000‡
Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[51] Gold 45,000‡
France (SNEP)[52] Gold 100,000‡
United Kingdom (BPI)[53] Gold 400,000‡
United States (RIAA)[54] 2× Platinum 2,000,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history
Country Date Format Label Ref.
United States June 20, 2017 Rhythmic contemporary radio
[3]
Urban contemporary radio [4]
Italy October 20, 2017 Contemporary hit radio Universal [55]

References
  1. Carmichael, Rodney (April 25, 2017). "How Mike WiLL Made-It And Kendrick Lamar Created The Year's Most Urgent Music". NPR. Retrieved December 17, 2017.
  2. "Digital Booklet - DAMN. copy.pdf". DocDroid. Retrieved April 18, 2017.
  3. "Top 40 Rhythmic Future Releases". All Access. Archived from the original on June 13, 2017. Retrieved June 13, 2017.
  4. "Urban/UAC Future Releases". All Access. Archived from the original on June 13, 2017. Retrieved June 13, 2017.
  5. India, Lindsey (December 8, 2017). "Kendrick Lamar Surprises Fans With 'Damn.' Collector's Edition". XXL. Retrieved December 9, 2017.
  6. "2018 Grammy Nomination List". Variety. November 28, 2017. Retrieved November 28, 2017.
  7. "Kendrick Lamar's Collab With Rihanna Began With Bruno Mars Sample". HipHopDX. Retrieved April 20, 2017.
  8. https://www.whosampled.com/sample/493884/Kendrick-Lamar-Rihanna-LOYALTY.-Jay-Z-Memphis-Bleek-Snoop-Dogg-Rell-Get-Your-Mind-Right-Mami/
  9. Espinoza, Joshua. "Here's How Kendrick Lamar and Rihanna's "Loyalty" Came Together". Complex. Complex. Retrieved April 19, 2017.
  10. Parham, Jason. "The Story Behind The Kendrick Lamar And Rihanna Collaboration "LOYALTY."". The Fader. Retrieved April 19, 2017.
  11. Guan, Frank. "On 'Loyalty' Rihanna Plays It Casual With Kendrick Lamar". Vulture. Retrieved April 20, 2017.
  12. "New Music: Kendrick Lamar feat. Rihanna – 'LOYALTY.'". Rap-Up. April 14, 2017. Retrieved April 20, 2017.
  13. Dupre, Elyse (May 16, 2018). "2018 BET Awards Nominations: DJ Khaled and Kendrick Lamar Among Top Nominees". E!. Retrieved June 4, 2022.
  14. "Hip Hop Awards 2018 Nominees". BET.com. Retrieved September 13, 2018.
  15. Lynch, Joe (November 28, 2017). "Grammys 2018 Nominees: The Complete List". Billboard. Retrieved November 28, 2017.
  16. "2018 NAACP Image Awards: The Complete Winners List". Variety. January 16, 2018. Retrieved February 19, 2022.
  17. "Kendrick Lamar - LOYALTY. ft. Rihanna". YouTube. July 28, 2017. Retrieved July 28, 2017.
  18. Finkelstein, Sabrina (July 28, 2017). "Kendrick Lamar Drops 'Loyalty' Video With Rihanna: Watch". Billboard. Retrieved October 19, 2017.
  19. Darville, Jordan (July 28, 2017). "Kendrick Lamar And Rihanna Are A Dynamic Duo In The "LOYALTY." Music Video". The Fader. Retrieved October 19, 2017.
  20. Masley, Ed (July 13, 2017). "Kendrick Lamar launches DAMN. Tour in Glendale with triumphant one-man show of force". AZ Central. Retrieved October 30, 2017.
  21. "Kendrick Lamar feat. Rihanna – Loyalty.". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved April 22, 2017.
  22. "ARIA Urban Singles Chart". ARIA. Retrieved April 30, 2017.
  23. "Kendrick Lamar feat. Rihanna – Loyalty." (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved April 27, 2017.
  24. "Kendrick Lamar feat. Rihanna – Loyalty." (in Dutch). Ultratip. Retrieved September 30, 2017.
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  26. "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Digital Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Change the chart to CZ – SINGLES DIGITAL – TOP 100 and insert 201716 into search. Retrieved April 25, 2017.
  27. "Kendrick Lamar feat. Rihanna – Loyalty.". Tracklisten. Retrieved April 26, 2017.
  28. "Kendrick Lamar feat. Rihanna – Loyalty." (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved April 22, 2017.
  29. "Kendrick Lamar feat. Rihanna – Loyalty." (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved April 21, 2017.
  30. "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Stream Top 40 slágerlista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved April 28, 2017.
  31. "IRMA – Irish Charts". Irish Recorded Music Association. Retrieved April 21, 2017.
  32. "Classifica settimanale WK 16" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved April 22, 2017.
  33. "Kendrick Lamar feat. Rihanna – Loyalty." (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved April 21, 2017.
  34. "Kendrick Lamar feat. Rihanna – Loyalty.". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved April 21, 2017.
  35. "BillboardPH Hot 100". Billboard Philippines. August 21, 2017. Retrieved August 21, 2017.
  36. "Kendrick Lamar feat. Rihanna – Loyalty.". AFP Top 100 Singles. Retrieved April 28, 2017.
  37. "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 22, 2017.
  38. "ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Singles Digital Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select SINGLES DIGITAL - TOP 100 and insert 201716 into search. Retrieved April 25, 2017.
  39. "Kendrick Lamar feat. Rihanna – Loyalty.". Singles Top 100. Retrieved April 21, 2017.
  40. "Kendrick Lamar feat. Rihanna – Loyalty.". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved April 24, 2017.
  41. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 22, 2017.
  42. "Kendrick Lamar Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved April 25, 2017.
  43. "Kendrick Lamar Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved April 25, 2017.
  44. "Kendrick Lamar Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard. Retrieved September 19, 2017.
  45. "Hot 100 Songs – Year-End 2017". Billboard. Retrieved December 12, 2017.
  46. "Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs - Year-End". Billboard.
  47. "Rhythmic Songs - Year-End". Billboard.
  48. "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2023 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved September 12, 2023.
  49. "Brazilian single certifications – Kendrick Lamar feat. Rihanna – Loyalty" (in Portuguese). Pro-Música Brasil. Retrieved November 30, 2018.
  50. "Canadian single certifications – Kendrick Lamar feat. Rihanna – Loyalty". Music Canada. Retrieved March 18, 2021.
  51. "Danish single certifications – Kendrick Lamar feat. Rihanna – Loyalty". IFPI Danmark. Retrieved January 12, 2022.
  52. "French single certifications – Kendrick Lamar – Loyalty" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Retrieved December 13, 2022.
  53. "British single certifications – Kendrick Lamar feat. Rihanna – Loyalty". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved March 8, 2022.
  54. "American single certifications – Kendrick Lamar – Loyalty". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved June 7, 2018.
  55. "Kendrick Lamar - LOYALTY. (FEAT. RIHANNA.) (Radio Date: 20-10-2017)".
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