Congratulate (song)
| "Congratulate" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single by AKA | ||||
| from the album Levels | ||||
| Released | February 28, 2014[1] | |||
| Format | ||||
| Recorded | 2013 | |||
| Genre | Hip hop | |||
| Length | 03:45 | |||
| Label | Vth Season | |||
| Writer(s) |
| |||
| Producer(s) | Tazzy | |||
| Certification | Gold (RISA) | |||
| AKA singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
"Congratulate" is a song by South African rapper and record producer AKA, released as the third single from his second studio album Levels. It was sent to radio stations across South Africa in March 2014. Upon its release, the song debuted at number 1 on Metro FM, 5FM and YFM.[2] It peaked at number 1 on the South African iTunes Hip Hop Chart. Moreover, the song peaked at number 2 on South Africa's official music chart.[3] "Congratulate" was produced by Tazzy, a member of the funk band Muzart.[4]
Composition and meaning
"Congratulate" samples Harrison Crump's "Ride". An electric piano chord was played simultaneously with the sample. The song is made up of three verses and a hook. The bassline of the song fluctuates throughout. On "Congratulate", AKA raps about his journey to success.[5] In early 2014, AKA sat down with SABC and spoke about the single. He said that the song is about one celebrating the positive milestones in their lives. AKA also said he recorded the song to relate with ordinary people.[6] In May 2015, Congratulate was certified Gold by the Recording Industry of South Africa.[7]
Cover art and music video
AKA shared the artwork for the single prior to releasing it. He posted the cover art on Twitter and tagged it with the hash-tag "#AKACongratulate".[8] On May 1, 2014, the music video for the single was released. It was uploaded onto YouTube at a total length of 4 minutes and 2 seconds.[9]
Accolades
The music video for "Congratulate" won Most Gifted Hip-hop and was nominated for Most Gifted Southern as well as Most Gifted Video of the Year at the 2014 Channel O Music Video Awards.[10]
| Year | Awards ceremony | Award description(s) | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Channel O Music Video Awards | Most Gifted Hip-hop | Won |
| Most Gifted Southern | Nominated | ||
| Most Gifted Video of the Year | Nominated |
Charts
Weekly charts
| Chart (2013) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| South Africa (EMA)[3] | 1 |
References
- ↑ "iTunes - Music - Congratulate - Single by AKA". Itunes.apple.com. 2014-02-28. Retrieved 2014-05-17.
- ↑ 10 March 2014 Time: 11:04 am (2014-03-10). "AKA's latest single 'Congratulate' hits no.1 on iTunes SA". Kick Off. Retrieved 2014-05-17.
- 1 2 "Entertainment Monitoring Africa :: Charts". Sa-ema.com. 2014-05-06. Retrieved 2014-05-17.
- ↑ "AKA Releases Artwork For New Single 'Congratulate'". Miznformed. Retrieved 2014-05-17.
- ↑ Dorobucci (2014-05-13). "AKA | Congratulate". Vibrationfactorke.wordpress.com. Retrieved 2014-05-17.
- ↑ "AKA on his latest single "Congratulate"". YouTube. 2014-04-10. Retrieved 2014-05-17.
- ↑ "AKA's #LEVELS album reaches gold | YoMzansi™ BLOG |". YoMzansi™ BLOG | HIGHEST GRADE SOURCE of SA Entertainment News. Retrieved 2015-10-24.
- ↑ Source: Siyathemba Ben (@Siyathembab) (2014-03-05). "AKA drops "Congratulate"". MTV Base. Retrieved 2014-05-17.
- ↑ "New Music Video. AKA - Congratulate - we-are-awesome". we-are-awesome. 2014-05-02. Retrieved 2014-05-17.
- ↑ Marshall, Rhodé (5 September 2014). "Channel O Africa announces Music Video Awards nominees". Mail & Guardian. Retrieved 12 September 2014.