Low Lights
"Low Lights" | |
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DJDS |
"Low Lights" (also stylized as "Lowlights") is a song by American recording artist
The vocals used in "Low Lights" are sampled from the a cappella version of "So Alive" by Kings of Tomorrow, with the sample being performed by Kelly Price[citation needed]; they run over piano chords and bass production. A gospel track that looks at spirituality and references God throughout, it is the sixth track on The Life of Pablo and leads into "Highlights". The song received positive reviews from music critics, with them mostly commending its religious nature, though some critics commented on the song's position on the album. Alicia Keys sampled the song in her 2017 track "That's What's Up". "Low Lights" charted at number 22 on the US Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100 in 2016.
Background
"Low Lights" was co-produced by
Composition and production
"Low Lights" is a gospel track that includes similar elements to the album's opener "Ultralight Beam".[5][6] It contains a sample of the a cappella version of "So Alive" by American dance duo Kings of Tomorrow for the entirety of it, which is layered over piano chords and synth bass production.[7][8][9] West does not contribute with vocals on the song, with them being solely delivered by an unknown woman sampling Rivera of the duo.[8] Throughout "Low Lights", the woman preaches about God and his connection to spirituality.[5] Lyrically, a descriptive picture is painted of faith in God by her and the miracles that will one day be created for her in life by the lord.[5] This message is related to the spirituality that West's mother Donda taught him, as well as to the religious themes found throughout his career. Such themes are also included on The Life of Pablo, and the message speaks to the spirituality which helps people stay strong during their lives.[5] The song concludes with a final dedication to Jesus by Rivera.[5]
"Low Lights" precedes "Highlights" on The Life of Pablo, serving as an intro to the track.[9] The transition from the track's Bible references to those in "Highlights" suggests that West attributes his success to his spirituality.[5]
Release and promotion
"Low Lights" was released on February 14, 2016, as the sixth track on West's seventh studio album, The Life of Pablo through
Reception
"Low Lights" was met with positive reviews from music critics, who generally praised the religious nature.
In the same week that the album was released, "Low Lights" debuted at number 22 on the US Billboard
Other usage
American singer-songwriter Alicia Keys sampled the track's monologue in her 2017 song "That's What's Up", from her album Here (2018).[23] An accompanying music video for the song was shared by Keys on January 25, 2017, which includes her lounging and dipping in a bathtub.[24][25]
Credits and personnel
Credits adapted from West's official website.[1]
- Production – Kanye West & DJDS
- Additional production – Mike Dean #MWA for Dean's List Productions
- Engineering – Noah Goldstein, Andrew Dawson, Anthony Kilhoffer & Mike Dean
- Mix – Manny Marroquin at Larrabee Studios, North Hollywood, CA
- Mix assisted – Chris Galland, Ike Schultz & Jeff Jackson
Charts
Chart (2016) | Peak position |
---|---|
134 | |
40 | |
US | 22 |
US | 1 |
US On-Demand Songs (Billboard)[29] | 49 |
Certifications
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
United States (RIAA)[30] | Gold | 500,000‡ |
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. |
References
- ^ a b c davidbaker.tv, builtbylane.com ×. "The Life of Pablo". The Life of Pablo – Kanye West. Archived from the original on February 17, 2016. Retrieved January 31, 2019.
- ^ a b c Platon, Adelle (February 19, 2016). "DJDS Talks Working on Kanye West's 'The Life of Pablo'". Billboard. Archived from the original on April 10, 2019. Retrieved May 29, 2019.
- ^ Haithcoat, Rebecca (November 10, 2017). "DJDS Explain Their Path To A-List Collaborations: Kanye, Khalid & More". Billboard. Archived from the original on June 9, 2019. Retrieved June 10, 2019.
- Mic. Archivedfrom the original on May 12, 2016. Retrieved October 28, 2018.
- ^ a b c d e f Riotta, Chris (February 16, 2016). "Kanye West's "Low Lights" Lyrics Feature the Most Biblical Meanings in 'The Life of Pablo'". Mic. Archived from the original on May 12, 2016. Retrieved June 22, 2018.
- ^ a b Moore, Sam (February 14, 2016). "Kanye West Added Five Tracks To The Life Of Pablo – Our First Listen Verdict". NME. NME Blogs. Archived from the original on August 27, 2018. Retrieved August 27, 2018.
- Complex. Archivedfrom the original on June 18, 2018. Retrieved June 22, 2018.
- ^ a b Lockett, Dee (May 31, 2016). "A Guide to Understanding Kanye West's The Life of Pablo". Vulture. Archived from the original on April 1, 2019. Retrieved May 28, 2019.
- ^ a b Wickman, Forrest (February 14, 2016). "Kanye West's new album The Life of Pablo: A track-by-track breakdown". Slate. Brow Beat. Archived from the original on July 21, 2017. Retrieved July 23, 2018.
- ^ Jeffries, David. "The Life of Pablo – Kanye West". AllMusic. Archived from the original on November 7, 2017. Retrieved May 29, 2019.
- ^ a b Kreps, Daniel (February 14, 2016). "Watch Kanye West Debut 'Pablo' Tracks, Rap Battle on 'SNL'". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on July 23, 2018. Retrieved May 28, 2019.
- ^ a b "The Week Kanye West Went Bats**t On Twitter – It's Not Easy Living Like Pablo!". Capital. Capital FM. February 16, 2016. Archived from the original on August 9, 2016. Retrieved May 29, 2019.
- ^ Barlow, Eve (November 2, 2016). "Kanye West Lights it Up, Lets Crowd Do the Talking at Fourth Forum Concert". Billboard. Archived from the original on July 14, 2019. Retrieved September 24, 2019.
- ^ Petridis, Alexis (February 14, 2016). "Kanye West: The Life of Pablo review – 'You can see why his immodesty rubs people up the wrong way'". The Guardian. Archived from the original on June 19, 2018. Retrieved June 21, 2018.
- ^ Moreno, Ej (February 14, 2016). "Kanye West: "The Life of Pablo" Track-By-Track Review". Monkeys Fighting Robots. Archived from the original on July 12, 2018. Retrieved July 12, 2018.
- ^ Robertson, Iyana (February 19, 2016). "Review: The Misogyny Of Kanye West's 'The Life Of Pablo'". Vibe. Archived from the original on February 23, 2018. Retrieved May 29, 2019.
- ^ Schonfeld, Zach (February 19, 2016). "'The Life of Pablo' Is Kanye West's Scattered, Unfinished Masterpiece (Review)". Newsweek. Newsweek Life/Style. Archived from the original on April 10, 2019. Retrieved May 29, 2019.
- ^ a b "The Life of Pablo: Gospel Album of the Year?". Premier Gospel. 2016. Archived from the original on November 16, 2018. Retrieved November 16, 2018.
- Complex. Archivedfrom the original on November 16, 2018. Retrieved November 16, 2018.
- ^ "Kanye West - Low Lights - Chart History". Billboard. Archived from the original on August 27, 2018. Retrieved August 27, 2018.
- ^ "Kanye West - Low Lights - Chart History". Billboard. Archived from the original on November 16, 2018. Retrieved November 16, 2018.
- ^ a b "Chart: Cluk Update 9.04.2016 (wk14)". Zobbel.de. Archived from the original on April 23, 2016. Retrieved September 22, 2018.
- ^ "Listen to Alicia Keys' New Kanye West-Sampling Song". Noisey. January 26, 2017. Archived from the original on June 16, 2018. Retrieved June 23, 2018.
- ^ Josephs, Brian (January 25, 2017). "Here's Alicia Keys Singing in a Bathtub to Kanye West's "Low Lights"". SPIN. Archived from the original on August 28, 2018. Retrieved August 27, 2018.
- Consequence of Sound. Retrieved January 4, 2020.
- ^ "Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved June 21, 2018.
- ^ "Kanye West Chart History (Bubbling Under Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved June 21, 2018.
- ^ "Kanye West Chart History (Bubbling Under Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Archived from the original on August 27, 2018. Retrieved August 27, 2018.
- ^ "Kanye West Chart History (On-Demand Songs)". Billboard. Archived from the original on February 14, 2019. Retrieved February 13, 2019.
- ^ "American single certifications – Kanye West – Low Lights". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved October 25, 2021.