Champion (Chipmunk song)
Encyclopedia
"Champion" is a song by British rapper Chipmunk
featuring American singer Chris Brown from Chipmunk's second studio album Transition
. It was released as the second single from the album on February 6, 2011 in the United Kingdom. The song was written by Harmony "H-Money" Samuels, Chipmunk, Eric Bellinger, and Erika Nuri, and it was produced by Samuels. According to Chipmunk, he wants the listeners of the song to "feel like they were born a champion". The song was later added to the international Deluxe edition of Brown's fourth album, F.A.M.E.
(2011). This song was sung for Scott Purdue.
- Chipmunk shed light on the background to the song and Chris Brown's invovlement: "That was definitely a big learning experience for me - not just in terms of being an artist, but in terms of LIFE! Because, with Chris being on it, people were saying that they didn't wanna support the track before they'd even HEARD it! Which meant I really had to engage myself and find the inner strength to say 'Yo, I'm gonna go with this track REGARDLESS! Because I know what this song means to ME, I know that it means to CHRIS - and if it's from the heart then it can't go WRONG!'!"
Blog gave the song a positive review stating:
The song is featured as the theme of the WWE series Tough Enough on USA Network
. It is also featured in the tribute montage BBC made of Formula One
World Champion Sebastian Vettel
, when he won his second World Championship at Japan in 2011.
The song is on the soundtrack of the videogame Madden NFL 12
.
on December 23, 2010.
Fellow British rapper Skepta
, makes a cameo.
The music video of the song's edited version premiered on YouTube
on March 18, 2011.
's "Price Tag
", each having sold over 90,000 copies.
Chipmunk (rapper)
Jahmaal Noel Fyffe known by his stage name Chipmunk, is a British hip hop rapper and songwriter from Tottenham, London....
featuring American singer Chris Brown from Chipmunk's second studio album Transition
Transition (Chipmunk album)
Transition received mixed to positive reviews from most music critics.Robert Copsey of Digital Spy was positive, he commented that After dazzling us with his 'Diamond Rings' two years ago and platinum selling debut I Am Chipmunk, the one-time underground MC withdrew from the music scene after...
. It was released as the second single from the album on February 6, 2011 in the United Kingdom. The song was written by Harmony "H-Money" Samuels, Chipmunk, Eric Bellinger, and Erika Nuri, and it was produced by Samuels. According to Chipmunk, he wants the listeners of the song to "feel like they were born a champion". The song was later added to the international Deluxe edition of Brown's fourth album, F.A.M.E.
F.A.M.E. (album)
F.A.M.E. is the fourth studio album by American recording artist Chris Brown, first released on March 18, 2011 by Jive Records. Brown worked with several record producers and songwriters for the album, including Kevin McCall, Jean Baptiste, Brian Kennedy, DJ Frank E, The Underdogs and The...
(2011). This song was sung for Scott Purdue.
Background
Speaking in April 2011 to noted UK urban writer Pete Lewis - Assistant Editor of Blues & SoulBlues & Soul
Blues & Soul is a British music magazine covering black music. Genres covered include soul, R&B, jazz, hip hop, reggae and world music. It was first published in 1966 and is known for first using the term Northern Soul....
- Chipmunk shed light on the background to the song and Chris Brown's invovlement: "That was definitely a big learning experience for me - not just in terms of being an artist, but in terms of LIFE! Because, with Chris being on it, people were saying that they didn't wanna support the track before they'd even HEARD it! Which meant I really had to engage myself and find the inner strength to say 'Yo, I'm gonna go with this track REGARDLESS! Because I know what this song means to ME, I know that it means to CHRIS - and if it's from the heart then it can't go WRONG!'!"
Critical reception
Robert Copsey of Digital SpyDigital Spy
Digital Spy is a British entertainment and media news website. According to Alexa Internet traffic statistics, as of February 2011, Digital Spy is the 93rd most popular website in the United Kingdom, with an overall Alexa ranking of 2,088....
Blog gave the song a positive review stating:
Like a friend who cancels dinner plans five minutes after you've arrived at the restaurant, a British artist fleeing to the US is usually frustrating and, at times, unforgivable. Are we really that awful to be around? Anyway, on first glance we thought Chipmunk was destined to become our latest Hot 100-fixated expat, but, after a closer inspection, it's clear he's actually doing something rather more savvy.
By drafting in Chris Brown while keeping his sound akin to previous hits, Chip's taken a best-of-both-worlds approach to this latest chart-botherer - a fist-clenching, anthemic midtempo electro-R&B stomper that ponders the glorious highs and depressive lows of fame over a 'Changes'-style piano line. "Some people wait their turn / Some people, but not me / I was born a champion," he insists with utter conviction. Maybe I've just got GaGa on the brain, but could this be the harder, bloke-friendly version of 'Born This WayBorn This Way (song)"Born This Way" is a song by American recording artist Lady Gaga, from her second studio album, Born This Way. Written and produced by Gaga, Fernando Garibay, Jeppe Laursen and DJ White Shadow, "Born This Way" was developed while Gaga was on the road with The Monster Ball Tour...
'? .
The song is featured as the theme of the WWE series Tough Enough on USA Network
USA Network
USA Network is an American cable television channel launched in 1971. Once a minor player in basic cable, the network has steadily gained popularity because of breakout hits like Monk, Psych, Burn Notice, Royal Pains, Covert Affairs, White Collar, Monday Night RAW, Suits, and reruns of the various...
. It is also featured in the tribute montage BBC made of Formula One
Formula One
Formula One, also known as Formula 1 or F1 and referred to officially as the FIA Formula One World Championship, is the highest class of single seater auto racing sanctioned by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile . The "formula" designation in the name refers to a set of rules with which...
World Champion Sebastian Vettel
Sebastian Vettel
Sebastian Vettel is a German Formula One racing driver, currently driving for Red Bull Racing. He is the current World Champion, having won the championship in and ....
, when he won his second World Championship at Japan in 2011.
The song is on the soundtrack of the videogame Madden NFL 12
Madden NFL 12
Madden NFL 12 is an American football video game based on the National Football League published by EA Sports and developed by EA Tiburon. It was released on August 30, 2011 in North America and September 2, 2011 in Europe...
.
Remix
The official remix of the song features a new verse by Chipmunk, Chris Brown's verse & chorus, & a verse by American rapper J. Cole. The remix was released on February 5, 2011.Music video
The music video premiered on YouTubeYouTube
YouTube is a video-sharing website, created by three former PayPal employees in February 2005, on which users can upload, view and share videos....
on December 23, 2010.
Fellow British rapper Skepta
Skepta
Joseph Junior Adenuga , better known as Skepta, is an English rapper from London. Originally from and born to Nigerian parents he moved to London aged three....
, makes a cameo.
The music video of the song's edited version premiered on YouTube
YouTube
YouTube is a video-sharing website, created by three former PayPal employees in February 2005, on which users can upload, view and share videos....
on March 18, 2011.
Chart performance
On February 10, 2011 the song debuted at number fourteen in Ireland. In the United Kingdom, "Champion" debuted at number two on February 12, 2011. It was beaten to the top spot by a margin of less than 5% by Jessie JJessie J
Jessica Ellen Cornish , better known by her stage name Jessie J, is an English recording artist currently signed to Island Records. She began her career as a songwriter for artists including Chris Brown and Miley Cyrus. Her debut single, "Do It Like a Dude", was released in November 2010 and peaked...
's "Price Tag
Price Tag
"Price Tag" is a song by English singer-songwriter Jessie J, featuring American rapper B.o.B. It was released on 28 January 2011 in the United Kingdom as the second single from Jessie J's debut studio album, Who You Are. "Price Tag" was written by Jessie J, Dr. Luke, Claude Kelly and B.o.B, and it...
", each having sold over 90,000 copies.
Track listing
- Digital download
- "Champion" (featuring Chris Brown) (Explicit Version) – 3:58
- "Champion" (featuring Chris Brown) (Clean Version) – 3:59
- "Champion" (Remix) (featuring Chris Brown & J.ColeJ.ColeJermaine Lamarr Cole , better known by his stage name J. Cole, is an American rapper, singer and record producer. In 2009, he was the first artist signed to Jay-Z's label Roc Nation...
) - 4:59
- CD single
- "Champion" (featuring Chris Brown)
- "Power Trip"
Charts
| Chart (2011) | Peak position |
|---|
Release history
| Region | Date | Format |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | Digital download Music download A music download is the transferral of music from an Internet-facing computer or website to a user's local computer. This term encompasses both legal downloads and downloads of copyright material without permission or payment... |
|
| CD single | ||
| Germany | ||
| United States | Music download Music download A music download is the transferral of music from an Internet-facing computer or website to a user's local computer. This term encompasses both legal downloads and downloads of copyright material without permission or payment... |