Pot of Gold (Game song)
Encyclopedia
"Pot of Gold" is a song by American rapper and West Coast hip hop
artist Game featuring vocals from R&B singer Chris Brown, from his fourth studio album The R.E.D. Album
. Released as the album's second official single on June 28, 2011, the song was written by Game, Chris Brown and Sam Hook a songwriter signed to R&B singer Ne-Yo
's Compound Entertainment record label, and it was produced by Los Angeles
-based production/writing duo The Futuristics.
The song features a music sample
of the song "Rocketship" performed by rock band Guster
from their second album Goldfly
(1997). "Pot of Gold" was originally leaked back in early April, 2011 but was then fully remastered to a new version. Unlike the albums first single, the controversial and least success "Red Nation
" which featured rapper Lil Wayne
, "Pot of Gold" managed to attained some Billboard
and worldwide chart success.
, and features DJ Khaled
, Busta Rhymes
, Rick Ross
, Fabolous
& Lil Wayne
, it was later changed. Later on June 22, 2011 it was confirmed and released that the album's new second official single would be "Pot of Gold", in which it features guest vocal performance from R&B singer Chris Brown.
"Pot of Gold" was written by Game, Chris Brown and Sam Hook a songwriter signed to R&B singer Ne-Yo
's Compound Entertainment record label, and it was produced by Los Angeles
-based production/writing duo The Futuristics, noted for working with many recording artists including Chris Brown, Ne-Yo, Lady Gaga
and Justin Timberlake
, among others.
The song features a music sample
of the song "Rocketship" performed by rock band Guster
from their second album Goldfly
(1997). "Pot of Gold" was originally leaked back in early April, 2011 but was then fully remastered to a new version.
also gave the song a positive review, saying "The chemistry between Brown and Game make this track a true hit. Brown plays the sentimental one, making the listener sympathize with the song's message, while Game gives the song its street sensibility".
residence, it is said that the Bryan Barber
-directed clip is a retrospective
of Game’s own life growing up in Compton, California
. In one nostalgic
scene, he raps in an attic
with posters of Tupac Shakur
& Snoop Dogg
and N.W.A, reminiscing on simpler days. Chris Brown arrived later in the evening to shoot his scenes. The music video for the single was officially released on July 25, 2011.
Recording
Personnel
West Coast hip hop
West Coast hip hop is a hip hop music subgenre that encompasses any artists or music that originates in the westernmost region of the United States, as opposed to East Coast hip hop, based originally in New York alone...
artist Game featuring vocals from R&B singer Chris Brown, from his fourth studio album The R.E.D. Album
The R.E.D. Album
The R.E.D. Album is the fourth studio album by American rapper and West Coast hip hop artist Game, which was released on August 23, 2011 through DGC Records and Interscope Records after almost two years of delays since late 2009 and being rescheduled a total of 10 times...
. Released as the album's second official single on June 28, 2011, the song was written by Game, Chris Brown and Sam Hook a songwriter signed to R&B singer Ne-Yo
Ne-Yo
Shaffer Chimere Smith, Jr. , better known by his stage name Ne-Yo, is an American pop and R&B singer-songwriter, record producer, dancer and actor. Beginning his career as a songwriter, Ne-Yo penned the hit "Let Me Love You" for singer Mario...
's Compound Entertainment record label, and it was produced by Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
-based production/writing duo The Futuristics.
The song features a music sample
Sampling (music)
In music, sampling is the act of taking a portion, or sample, of one sound recording and reusing it as an instrument or a different sound recording of a song or piece. Sampling was originally developed by experimental musicians working with musique concrète and electroacoustic music, who physically...
of the song "Rocketship" performed by rock band Guster
Guster
Guster is an American alternative rock band from Boston, Massachusetts. Formed in 1991, the group is known for its live performances and humor, founding members Adam Gardner, Ryan Miller, and Brian Rosenworcel came about to begin practice sessions while attending Tufts University in Medford,...
from their second album Goldfly
Goldfly (album)
Goldfly is an album by rock band Guster, released in 1997. The album was recorded in December, 1996 at the House of Blues Studios in Encino, California. As of 2011, this album is out of print...
(1997). "Pot of Gold" was originally leaked back in early April, 2011 but was then fully remastered to a new version. Unlike the albums first single, the controversial and least success "Red Nation
Red Nation
"Red Nation" is a song by American rapper and West Coast hip hop artist Game featuring vocals from rapper Lil Wayne, from his anticipated fourth studio album The R.E.D. Album...
" which featured rapper Lil Wayne
Lil Wayne
Dwayne Michael Carter, Jr. , better known by his stage name Lil Wayne, is an American rapper. At the age of nine, Lil Wayne joined Cash Money Records as the youngest member of the label, and half of the duo, The B.G.'z, with B.G.. In 1997, Lil Wayne joined the group Hot Boys, which also included...
, "Pot of Gold" managed to attained some Billboard
Billboard charts
The Billboard charts tabulate the relative weekly popularity of songs or albums in the United States. The results are published in Billboard magazine...
and worldwide chart success.
Background
Although confirmed that the album's second official single would be "Bottles & Rockin' J's" which is produced by Lex LugerLex Luger (producer)
Lexus Arnel Lewis better known by his stage name Lex Luger, is an American record producer from Suffolk, Virginia who is signed to 1017 Brick Squad.-Career:...
, and features DJ Khaled
DJ Khaled
Khaled bin Abdul Khaled , better known by his stage name DJ Khaled, is an American record producer, radio personality, DJ, and record label executive. He is a radio host for the Miami-based urban music radio station WEDR and the DJ for the hip hop group Terror Squad. In 2006, Khaled released his...
, Busta Rhymes
Busta Rhymes
Trevor Tahiem Smith, Jr., better known by his stage name Busta Rhymes ,Smith is an American rapper, producer and actor. Chuck D of Public Enemy gave him the alias Busta Rhymes after NFL wide receiver George "Buster" Rhymes...
, Rick Ross
Rick Ross (rapper)
William Leonard Roberts II , better known by his stage name Rick Ross, is an American rapper. He derived his stage name from the drug trafficker "Freeway" Ricky Ross, to whom he has no connection...
, Fabolous
Fabolous
John David Jackson , better known by his stage name Fabolous, is an American rapper of African American and Dominican descent. He grew up in the Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York. Part of his early popularity arose from his hit single "Can't Deny It" in 2001, from his debut...
& Lil Wayne
Lil Wayne
Dwayne Michael Carter, Jr. , better known by his stage name Lil Wayne, is an American rapper. At the age of nine, Lil Wayne joined Cash Money Records as the youngest member of the label, and half of the duo, The B.G.'z, with B.G.. In 1997, Lil Wayne joined the group Hot Boys, which also included...
, it was later changed. Later on June 22, 2011 it was confirmed and released that the album's new second official single would be "Pot of Gold", in which it features guest vocal performance from R&B singer Chris Brown.
"Pot of Gold" was written by Game, Chris Brown and Sam Hook a songwriter signed to R&B singer Ne-Yo
Ne-Yo
Shaffer Chimere Smith, Jr. , better known by his stage name Ne-Yo, is an American pop and R&B singer-songwriter, record producer, dancer and actor. Beginning his career as a songwriter, Ne-Yo penned the hit "Let Me Love You" for singer Mario...
's Compound Entertainment record label, and it was produced by Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
-based production/writing duo The Futuristics, noted for working with many recording artists including Chris Brown, Ne-Yo, Lady Gaga
Lady GaGa
Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta , better known by her stage name Lady Gaga, is an American singer and songwriter. Born and raised in New York City, she primarily studied at the Convent of the Sacred Heart and briefly attended New York University's Tisch School of the Arts before withdrawing to...
and Justin Timberlake
Justin Timberlake
Justin Randall Timberlake is an American pop musician and actor. He achieved early fame when he appeared as a contestant on Star Search, and went on to star in the Disney Channel television series The New Mickey Mouse Club, where he met future bandmate JC Chasez...
, among others.
The song features a music sample
Sampling (music)
In music, sampling is the act of taking a portion, or sample, of one sound recording and reusing it as an instrument or a different sound recording of a song or piece. Sampling was originally developed by experimental musicians working with musique concrète and electroacoustic music, who physically...
of the song "Rocketship" performed by rock band Guster
Guster
Guster is an American alternative rock band from Boston, Massachusetts. Formed in 1991, the group is known for its live performances and humor, founding members Adam Gardner, Ryan Miller, and Brian Rosenworcel came about to begin practice sessions while attending Tufts University in Medford,...
from their second album Goldfly
Goldfly (album)
Goldfly is an album by rock band Guster, released in 1997. The album was recorded in December, 1996 at the House of Blues Studios in Encino, California. As of 2011, this album is out of print...
(1997). "Pot of Gold" was originally leaked back in early April, 2011 but was then fully remastered to a new version.
Critical reception
Scott Shetler of PopCrush gave the song a positive review, saying it's "A sensitive, introspective message from Game" and "Instead, simple guitar strumming and a gentle beat carry the song, making it a likely candidate to cross over and connect with pop audiences". Dean Silfen of AOL RadioAOL Radio
AOL Radio powered by Slacker, , is an online radio service available only in the United States.- Roots :...
also gave the song a positive review, saying "The chemistry between Brown and Game make this track a true hit. Brown plays the sentimental one, making the listener sympathize with the song's message, while Game gives the song its street sensibility".
Music video
The video for the single was shot on June 28, 2011, filmed at an abandoned East Los AngelesEast Los Angeles (region)
East Los Angeles is the portion of the City of Los Angeles that lies east of Downtown Los Angeles, the Los Angeles River and the unincorporated areas of Lincoln Heights, west of the San Gabriel Valley, East Los Angeles and City Terrace, south of Cypress Park, and north of Vernon, California and...
residence, it is said that the Bryan Barber
Bryan Barber
Bryan Barber is a music video and motion picture director. He has directed many music videos for popular artists.-Personal:Barber graduated from Sacramento, CA Hiram Johnson High School in 1988...
-directed clip is a retrospective
Retrospective
Retrospective generally means to take a look back at events that already have taken place. For example, the term is used in medicine, describing a look back at a patient's medical history or lifestyle.-Music:...
of Game’s own life growing up in Compton, California
Compton, California
Compton is a city in southern Los Angeles County, California, United States, southeast of downtown Los Angeles. The city of Compton is one of the oldest cities in the county and on May 11, 1888, was the eighth city to incorporate. The city is considered part of the South side by residents of Los...
. In one nostalgic
Nostalgia
The term nostalgia describes a yearning for the past, often in idealized form.The word is a learned formation of a Greek compound, consisting of , meaning "returning home", a Homeric word, and , meaning "pain, ache"...
scene, he raps in an attic
Attic
An attic is a space found directly below the pitched roof of a house or other building . Attic is generally the American/Canadian reference to it...
with posters of Tupac Shakur
Tupac Shakur
Tupac Amaru Shakur , known by his stage names 2Pac and Makaveli, was an American rapper and actor. Shakur has sold over 75 million albums worldwide as of 2007, making him one of the best-selling music artists in the world...
& Snoop Dogg
Snoop Dogg
Calvin Cordozar Broadus, Jr. , better known by his stage name Snoop Dogg, is an American rapper, record producer, and actor. Snoop is best known as a rapper in the West Coast hip hop scene, and for being one of Dr. Dre's most notable protégés. Snoop Dogg was a Crip gang member while in high school...
and N.W.A, reminiscing on simpler days. Chris Brown arrived later in the evening to shoot his scenes. The music video for the single was officially released on July 25, 2011.
Formats and track listings
- Digital download
- "Pot of Gold" featuring Chris Brown – 3:25
Credits and personnel
The credits for "Pot of Gold" are adapted from the liner notes of The R.E.D. Album.Recording
- Recorded at: Pacifque Studios in North Hollywood, Los Angeles.
Personnel
- Game – songwriting, vocalsSingingSinging is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, and augments regular speech by the use of both tonality and rhythm. One who sings is called a singer or vocalist. Singers perform music known as songs that can be sung either with or without accompaniment by musical instruments...
- Chris Brown – vocals
- The Futuristics - producersRecord producerA record producer is an individual working within the music industry, whose job is to oversee and manage the recording of an artist's music...
- Samuel Kalandjian – recording
- Fabian Marasciullo - mixingAudio mixing (recorded music)In audio recording, audio mixing is the process by which multiple recorded sounds are combined into one or more channels, most commonly two-channel stereo. In the process, the source signals' level, frequency content, dynamics, and panoramic position are manipulated and effects such as reverb may...
- Brian "Big Bass" Gardner - masteringAudio masteringMastering, a form of audio post-production, is the process of preparing and transferring recorded audio from a source containing the final mix to a data storage device ; the source from which all copies will be produced...
- Ryan Miller - songwriting
- Adam Gardner - songwriting
- Brian Rosenworcel - songwriting
Chart performance
| Chart (2011–) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Poland (ZPAV Polish Music Charts The Polish Music Charts are two official album charts and seven singles charts in Poland, provided by ZPAV, the Polish Society of the Phonographic Industry . The first, the Top 100, is a monthly chart based on data received from the album companies... ) |
4 |
| UK R&B (The Official Charts Company) | 16 |
| UK Singles (The Official Charts Company) | 58 |
| US Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles The Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles is a chart published weekly by Billboard magazine in the United States. It lists the top 25 singles below number 100 that have not yet charted on the Billboard Hot 100. Sometimes, however, singles halt their progress on this chart, and never appear on the Hot 100... (Billboard Billboard (magazine) Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis... ) |
1 |
| US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, is a chart released weekly by Billboard in the United States.The chart, initiated in 1942, is used to track the success of popular music songs in urban, or primarily African American, venues. Dominated over the years at various times by jazz, rhythm and blues, doo-wop, soul,... (Billboard Billboard (magazine) Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis... ) |
53 |
Radio release
| Country | Date | Format |
|---|---|---|
| Worldwide | June 22, 2011 | Radio premiere Radio Radio is the transmission of signals through free space by modulation of electromagnetic waves with frequencies below those of visible light. Electromagnetic radiation travels by means of oscillating electromagnetic fields that pass through the air and the vacuum of space... |
| United States | July 12, 2011 | Rhythmic radio |
Purchasable release
| Country | Date | Format | Label |
|---|---|---|---|
| Worldwide | June 28, 2011 | 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... |
DGC DGC Records DGC Records is an American record label, owned by Universal Music Group, and currently operates as an auxiliary label of Interscope Records.-Company history:... , Interscope Interscope Records Interscope Records is an American record label owned by Universal Music Group that currently operates as one third of UMG's Interscope-Geffen-A&M label group.-History:... |