"Motiv8" (pronounced "motivate") is a song by American rapper J. Cole, released on April 20, 2018 from his fifth studio album, KOD.[2]
| "Motiv8" | |
|---|---|
| Song by J. Cole | |
| from the album KOD | |
| Released | April 20, 2018 |
| Recorded | 2017 |
| Genre | |
| Length | 2:13 |
| Label | |
| Songwriter(s) |
|
| Producer(s) | J. Cole T-Minus |
Composition and samples
editThe song contains an uncredited sample from "Knuck If You Buck", performed by Crime Mob;[3] and excerpts from "Get Money", as written by Roy Ayers, James Bedford, Lamont Porter, Sylvia Striplin and Chris Wallace, and performed by Junior M.A.F.I.A.
Lyrical interpretation
editHotNewHipHop said "another track that’s been getting a lot of attention lately is this song called “Motiv8.” [...] Cole hops on this self-produced beat and raps about being motivated to get the money, something he repeats throughout the song & chorus."[4]
Critical reception
editAlexis Petridis of The Guardian said "Motiv8 revolves around little more than an eerie keyboard figure and a disembodied cry of “get money” from Lil Kim's guest appearance on the 1995 Junior MAFIA hit of the same title – ripped out of context, it sounds bleak and despairing."[5] KentWired said “Another song I feel like will be played on the radio a lot. Also, another favorite song of mine. This kind of reminds me of Kendrick Lamar’s “Levitate.” However, I love the beginning of this song where it has pretty much a video game sound effect to it.”[6]
Usage in media
editThe song was featured in the official 2018 NBA Playoffs (Eastern Conference Finals) and the NBA Finals promotion for ESPN.
Commercial performance
editUpon its first week of release, "Motiv8" debuted at number 15 on the US Billboard Hot 100.[7]
Charts
edit| Chart (2018) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australia (ARIA)[8] | 47 |
| Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[9] | 23 |
| Ireland (IRMA)[10] | 37 |
| New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[11] | 26 |
| Portugal (AFP)[12] | 47 |
| Sweden Heatseeker (Sverigetopplistan)[13] | 5 |
| US Billboard Hot 100[14] | 15 |
| US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[15] | 10 |
Certifications
edit| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| Australia (ARIA)[16] | Gold | 35,000‡ |
| United States (RIAA)[17] | Platinum | 1,000,000‡ |
|
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. | ||
References
edit- ^ "J. Cole Is After The Money On New "KOD" Song "Motiv8"". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved July 9, 2018.
- ^ "KOD by J. Cole on iTunes". iTunes Store (US). Retrieved July 9, 2018.
- ^ Glenn Schick (April 22, 2018). "Fun fact: The new @JColeNC #KOD album I mastered has a song called "Motiv8" it's got a sample from Crime Mob's "knuck if you buck" which I also mastered in 2003!". Twitter. Retrieved July 9, 2018.
- ^ "J. Cole Is After The Money On New "KOD" Song "Motiv8"". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved July 9, 2018.
- ^ Petridis, Alexis (April 20, 2018). "J Cole: KOD review – a brilliantly brooding antidote to hip-hop excess". The Guardian. Retrieved July 9, 2018.
- ^ "REVIEW: J. Cole's 'KOD' is a must-listen album with a powerful message". KentWired. Retrieved July 9, 2018.
- ^ Trust, Gary. "Drake Leads Billboard Hot 100, Ariana Grande Arrives at No. 3 & J. Cole Collects Record Three Debuts in Top 10". Billboard. Retrieved July 9, 2018.
- ^ "J. Cole – Photograph". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved July 9, 2018.
- ^ "J Cole Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved July 9, 2018.
- ^ "IRMA – Irish Charts". Irish Recorded Music Association. Retrieved July 9, 2018.
- ^ "NZ Top 40 Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. April 30, 2018. Retrieved July 9, 2018.
- ^ "J. Cole – Photograph". AFP Top 100 Singles. Retrieved July 9, 2018.
- ^ "Veckolista Heatseeker – Vecka 17, 27 april 2018". Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved July 9, 2018.
- ^ "J Cole Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved July 9, 2018.
- ^ "J Cole Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved July 9, 2018.
- ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2023 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved August 18, 2024.
- ^ "American single certifications – J Cole – Motiv8". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved November 24, 2021.