Sexify (song)
"Sexify" | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Single by Leah LaBelle | ||||
from the album Pharrell Williams and Jermaine Dupri Present Leah LaBelle | ||||
Released | May 1, 2012 | |||
Recorded | 2012; Miami | |||
Genre | R&B | |||
Length | 3:28 | |||
Label | ||||
Songwriter(s) | Pharrell Williams | |||
Producer(s) | Pharrell Williams | |||
Leah LaBelle singles chronology | ||||
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"Sexify" is a song recorded by American singer Leah LaBelle, which was released on May 1, 2012, as part of the sampler album Pharrell Williams and Jermaine Dupri Present Leah LaBelle (2012). Written and produced by Pharrell Williams, it was the first song that LaBelle recorded with Williams as part of a joint record deal with Epic Records, So So Def Recordings, and I Am Other. It is an R&B song that features throwback elements to 1990s music. In its lyrics inspired by headlines from the women's fashion magazine Cosmopolitan, LaBelle instructs a woman on how to draw and keep the attention of a man.
"Sexify" received mostly positive reviews from music critics who praised LaBelle's sound and Williams' production. It did receive some criticism, with one critic questioning whether the throwback nature of the single would negatively affect its commercial potential. The song peaked at number 23 and number 89 on the Adult R&B Songs and the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs Billboard charts respectively. It had a large increase in digital downloads after its inclusion in an episode of R&B Divas: Atlanta.
The song's accompanying music video was directed by Sarah Chatfield and shows LaBelle holding a pizza party with her friends, after giving them advice on how to "sexify" themselves. It features cameos from Williams, So So Def Recording's founder Jermaine Dupri, and American singer JoJo. LaBelle performed the song live during promotional appearances at New York City media outlets.
Background and release
Initially rising to fame in 2004 as a finalist on the
Recorded in Miami, "Sexify" was the first song that LaBelle and Williams completed together;[2][3] it was written and produced solely by Williams.[4] Additional and assistant engineering was carried out by Beau Villas and Matthew Desremeaux. The track was mixed by Jimmy Douglass, and mastered by Dave Kutch. Andrew Coleman recorded and edited the final product.[5]
On May 1, 2012, "Sexify" was released as part of the sampler album Pharrell Williams and Jermaine Dupri Present Leah LaBelle; it also included four other tracks: "So Hot", "Make Me Get Up", "What Do We Got To Lose?", and "Mr. Scissors".[5][6] LaBelle described the sampler as representative of her overall sound, calling it "that feel-good-texture music" with a "throwback-but-new feel".[3] "Sexify" was released separately as a digital download on the following dates in July depending upon the country: (July 19, July 22, and July 29).[7]
Composition and lyrical interpretation
"Sexify" is a three-minute, 28-second R&B song that was inspired by headlines from the women's fashion magazine Cosmopolitan.[3][4][9][10] According to LaBelle, the song originated from a discussion with Williams about "the Cosmopolitan women of today", and the duo compiled a list of frequently used phrases from the magazine that could be used as lyrics.[2][11] Cosmopolitan's Korin Miller connected the single's title with a headline from the magazine's November 2011 cover: "Sexify Your Eyes".[4]
The lyrics feature LaBelle offering advice on how to keep a man's attention and sexual interest.[10] LaBelle described the single as an "anthem for women", in which she defined the term "sexify" as a way for women to "make [themselves] feel comfortable and confident and happy and proud" or help their men feel the same way.[2] The chorus is accompanied by a "summery two-step tune", including lyrics such as "I gotta whole bunch of ways" and "He'll come home girl / If you know what I mean." LaBelle continues to instruct women by singing: "I'll sexify you / Have you thinking about my name in the middle of the day."[12]
Bradley Stern of MuuMuse described "Sexify" as a "throwback to classic, feel-good R&B";[13] LaBelle's vocal performance was viewed as "raspy" by Soulbounce.com.[10] During an interview with Essence, LaBelle said that she was first introduced to R&B music after her parents emigrated from Bulgaria to the United States.[14] She recounted that she was initially discouraged from pursuing a career in the genre,[15] but later said that she was not concerned with "the clichés surrounding white artists singing R&B".[14] She followed this up saying: "I just want to make good music. I'm here and I'm doing what I love and the music that I love. It's going to reach who it's supposed to reach." LaBelle was identified as a blue-eyed soul singer by Essence.[14]
Critical reception
"Sexify" received primarily positive reception from
Critics also positively commented on LaBelle's vocal performance. Korin Miller praised LaBelle's vocals during a live performance, calling the lyrics "so fun and Cosmo-y".[4] Rap-Up also complimented LaBelle's voice as powerful, and wrote that the instrumental was an example of a "signature Pharrell production".[20] Nicole James of Fuse wrote that the song had a similar throwback style to that of Brandy, Alicia Keys, and Whitney Houston.[1] The single was determined to be a good match for LaBelle's voice by SoulBounce.com, who called it a "solid enough cut".[10] Complex's Jacob Moore wrote that the single and its accompanying video positively showcased LaBelle's look and sound.[18]
Commercial performance
In May 2012, "Sexify" reached a position of number three on the
Music video and promotion
A
LaBelle first performed "Sexify" during a promotional appearance at the Cosmopolitan headquarters,
Formats and track listing
No. | Title | Length |
---|---|---|
1. | "So Hot" | 4:07 |
2. | "Sexify" | 3:29 |
3. | "Make Me Get Up" | 3:46 |
4. | "What Do We Got To Lose?" | 3:50 |
5. | "Mr. Scissors" | 4:13 |
No. | Title | Length |
---|---|---|
1. | "Sexify" | 3:28 |
Personnel
Credits adapted from the liner notes of "Sexify".[5]
- Management
- Epic Records
- Personnel
|
|
Charts
Chart (2012) | Peak position |
---|---|
US Adult R&B Songs (Billboard)[24] | 23 |
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[23] | 89 |
Release history
Country | Date | Format | Label |
---|---|---|---|
United States | May 1, 2012 | CD single[5][6] | Epic Records |
Canada | June 19, 2012 | Digital download[7] | |
Finland | |||
France | |||
Spain | |||
United Kingdom | |||
United States | |||
Ireland | June 22, 2012 | ||
Italy | |||
Netherlands | |||
Norway | |||
Sweden | |||
Austria | June 29, 2012 | ||
Germany |
References
- ^ a b c d James, Nicole (October 16, 2012). "You Need to Know: Jermaine Dupri's R&B Ingenue Leah Labelle". Fuse. Archived from the original on October 28, 2016.
- ^ a b c d e Ykigs (June 29, 2012). "Interview: As the Protege of Pharrell and Jermaine Dupri, Leah Labelle Poised to Become the Next R&B Superstar". YouKnowIGotSoul.com. Archived from the original on May 21, 2013.
- ^ The Boombox. AOL. Archived from the originalon September 14, 2015.
- ^ Hearst. Archived from the originalon October 29, 2016.
- ^ Leah Labelle. Epic Records. 2012. 88725 40238 2.)
{{cite AV media notes}}
: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link - ^ a b c "Leah Labelle Previews 5 Tracks Off Debut Album". Rap-Up. Devin Lazerine. May 1, 2012. Archived from the original on March 5, 2016.
- ^ a b "Sexify" was released as a digital download worldwide on varying dates of June 2012:
- "Sexify (Album Version)". Ca.7digital.com. June 29, 2012. Archived from the original on October 30, 2016.
- "Sexify (Album Version)". Ca.7digital.com. June 16, 2012. Archived from the original on October 30, 2016.
- "Sexify (Album Version)". Ca.7digital.com. June 19, 2012. Archived from the original on October 30, 2016.
- "Sexify (Album Version)". Ca.7digital.com. June 19, 2016. Archived from the original on October 30, 2016.
- "Sexify (Album Version)". Ca.7digital.com. June 29, 2016. Archived from the original on October 30, 2016.
- "Sexify (Album Version)". Ca.7digital.com. June 22, 2012. Archived from the original on October 30, 2016.
- "Sexify (Album Version)". Ca.7digital.com. June 22, 2012. Archived from the original on October 30, 2016.
- "Sexify (Album Version)". Ca.7digital.com. June 22, 2012. Archived from the original on October 30, 2016.
- "Sexify (Album Version)". Ca.7digital.com. January 7, 2016. Archived from the original on October 30, 2016.
- "Sexify (Album Version)". June 19, 2012. Retrieved October 29, 2016.
- "Sexify (Album Version)". Ca.7digital.com. June 22, 2012. Archived from the original on October 30, 2016.
- "Sexify (Album Version)". Amazon UK. June 19, 2012. Retrieved October 29, 2016.
- "Sexify (Album Version)". Amazon. June 19, 2012. Retrieved October 29, 2016.
- ^ a b Miller, Korin (May 4, 2012). "We're Giving You Free Music!". Cosmopolitan. Hearst Communications. Archived from the original on February 3, 2016.
- ^ a b "Sexify– Single – Leah Labelle". iTunes Store (US). June 19, 2012. Archived from the original on May 8, 2015.
- ^ a b c d e D-Money (March 19, 2012). "Leah LaBelle Wants To 'Sexify' You". SoulBounce.com. Archived from the original on February 3, 2016.
- ^ Laurence, Emily (May 31, 2012). "17 Minutes With Leah Labelle". Seventeen. Hearst. Archived from the original on October 29, 2016.
- ^ "Leah Labelle – Sexify". Singersroom. May 14, 2012. Archived from the original on March 22, 2016.
- ^ Sten, Bradley (January 20, 2013). "Leah LaBelle's "Lolita" is My Obsession Du Jour". MuuMuse. Archived from the original on May 17, 2015.
- ^ a b c Gaspard, Whitney (May 8, 2012). "New and Next: Meet New R&B Sensation Leah Labelle". Essence. Time Inc. Archived from the original on January 4, 2013.
- ^ "Leah Labelle On First Meeting Pharell & Says Collab with Future Would Be Cool". BooBooTV.com. July 13, 2012. Archived from the original on July 23, 2013.
- ^ "Sexy Thang". BET. June 21, 2012. Archived from the original on January 26, 2014.
- ^ DJ JusMusic (May 8, 2013). "Leah LaBelle – Lolita". Singersroom. Archived from the original on March 22, 2016.
- ^ Verizon Hearst Media Partners. Archivedfrom the original on October 30, 2016.
- ^ St. Asaph, Katherine (December 17, 2012). "Frank Ocean Broke Through, But 2012's R&B Revival Belong to Women". MTV. Archived from the original on October 30, 2016.
- ^ a b "New Music: Leah Labelle - 'Sexify'". Rap-Up. Devin Lazerine. April 13, 2012. Archived from the original on March 27, 2016.
- ^ a b Bronson, Fred (May 23, 2013). "'American Idol' on the Charts: Candice Glover, Kree Harrison Make Their Billboard Debuts". The Hollywood Reporter. Prometheus Global Media. Archived from the original on January 25, 2015.
- ^ Bronson, Fred (June 11, 2012). "'American Idol' Tenth Anniversary: 345 Billboard No. 1s, From Kelly Clarkson to Phillip Phillips". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Archived from the original on November 24, 2016.
- ^ a b "Chart Search". Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs for Leah Labelle. Archived from the original on October 22, 2013.
- ^ a b "Chart Search". Billboard Adult R&B Songs for Leah Labelle. Archived from the original on October 22, 2013.
- ^ a b c "Newcomer Leah Labelle Wins 2012 Soul Train Music Award". Clizbeats.com. November 26, 2012. Archived from the original on October 29, 2016.
- ^ "Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta Season 1 Episode 4 Songs". VH1. July 23, 2012. Archived from the original on March 31, 2015.
- Gannett Company. Archived from the originalon June 24, 2012.
- ^ "Sexify". MTV. May 5, 2012. Archived from the original on March 12, 2014.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link) - ^ Gannett Company. Archived from the originalon May 14, 2012.
- ^ a b c James, Nicole (May 9, 2012). "Video Premiere: Leah Labelle, "Sexify"". MTV. Archived from the original on November 7, 2016.
- ^ "Video: Leah Labelle - "Sexify"". Rap-Up. Devin Lazerine. May 9, 2012. Archived from the original on January 27, 2013.
- ^ a b "Leah Labelle Shoots 'Sexify' Video With Pharrell, Jermaine Dupri". Rap-Up. Devin Lazerine. March 26, 2012. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016.
- ^ "106 & Park Guest Rewind: Leah Labelle — Sexify". Rap-Up. Devin Lazerine. June 20, 2012. Archived from the original on October 30, 2016.
- ^ Ramirez, Erika (May 11, 2012). "Backbeat: Pharrell, Jermaine Dupri Help Promote New Epic Artist, Former American Idol Contestant Leah Labelle". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Archived from the original on October 16, 2016.
- ^ ""Sexify" Available On iTunes Now!". LeahLabelle.com. June 19, 2012. Archived from the original on February 3, 2016.
- Verizon Hearst Media Partners. Archived from the originalon July 24, 2016.
- ^ TeamBASSicBlack (February 9, 2013). "Leah Labelle Performs at BET's Music Matters in Los Angeles, CA". Adamblackstone.com. Archived from the original on October 30, 2016.
- ^ "Sexify (Album Version)". Amazon. June 19, 2012. Retrieved October 29, 2016.
External links
- "Sexify" on YouTube