Wikipedia

Pray for Me (song)

For other songs with the same name, see Pray for Me.

"Pray for Me" is a song by the Canadian singer-songwriter the Weeknd and the American rapper Kendrick Lamar from the soundtrack album of the Marvel Studios superhero film Black Panther. The song was released by Top Dawg Entertainment, Aftermath Entertainment, and Interscope Records on February 2, 2018, as the album's third and final single. It serves as the second overall collaboration between the two artists.[3] The song appears in the movie during the scene where the titular hero along with his allies, Nakia and Okoye, enter a secret casino in Busan.[4]

"Pray for Me"
Single by the Weeknd and Kendrick Lamar
from the album Black Panther: The Album
ReleasedFebruary 2, 2018 (2018-02-02)
GenrePop rap[1]
Length3:31
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
The Weeknd singles chronology
"Secrets"
(2017) 		"Pray for Me"
(2018) 		"Call Out My Name"
(2018)
Kendrick Lamar singles chronology
"King's Dead"
(2018) 		"Pray for Me"
(2018) 		"Dedication"
(2018)
Music video
"Pray for Me (Lyric Video)" on YouTube

Background and release

edit

The Weeknd first hinted at his involvement with the Black Panther soundtrack album with an Instagram post that he made on January 19, 2018, which contained an illustration of the Marvel superhero Black Panther perched on a tree in front of the moon.[5] On January 26, 2018, the Weeknd then further hinted at his involvement with the soundtrack when he uploaded an official trailer for the Black Panther film to his Instagram account.[6] Then on January 31, 2018, Lamar confirmed the Weeknd's involvement with the soundtrack when he uploaded to his Twitter account the complete tracklist of the soundtrack, which contained the song "Pray for Me".[7] On February 1, 2018, the Weeknd uploaded to his Twitter account a video teasing the release date for "Pray for Me" as the soundtrack's third single.[8]

Composition

edit

"Pray for Me" is composed in the key of E minor.[9]

Reception

edit

Alex Robert Ross of Noisey praised the song, calling it "short, punchy, and self-lacerating."[10]

edit

In February 2020, Tesfaye and Lamar were sued by now-split American experimental rock band Yeasayer for alleged plagiarism due to vocal similarities with their 2007 song "Sunrise".[11] According to the lawsuit, the part allegedly stolen from the song includes "the recording of a distinctive choral performance, which Plaintiffs [Yeasayer] created and recorded using their own voices".[12][13] Furthermore, Yeasayer claims that "Defendants extracted Plaintiffs' choral performance from a recording of 'Sunrise,' slightly modified it, including, on information and belief, via postprocessing to alter its pitch, among other qualities" and then subsequently used the modified audio in their own song.[12] Both Tesfaye and Lamar have denied the accusation. The lawsuit later reached its conclusion in July 2020, after Yeasayer dropped it.[14]

Credits and personnel

edit

Credits and personnel adapted from digital booklet.[15]

  • Kendrick Lamar – songwriting, lead vocals
  • The Weeknd – songwriting, lead vocals
  • Frank Dukes – songwriting, production
  • Doc McKinney – songwriting, production, recording
  • Beatriz Artola – recording
  • Shin Kamiyama – recording
  • Mike Sonier – recording
  • Barry McCready – recording assistance
  • Jaycen Joshua – mixing
  • David Nakaji – mixing assistance
  • Mike Bozzi – mastering
  • Chris Athens – mastering

Charts

edit

Certifications

edit
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[69] 4× Platinum 280,000‡
Austria (IFPI Austria)[70] Gold 15,000‡
Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil)[71] Diamond 160,000‡
Canada (Music Canada)[72] 3× Platinum 240,000‡
Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[73] Platinum 90,000‡
France (SNEP)[74] Platinum 200,000‡
Germany (BVMI)[75] Gold 200,000‡
Italy (FIMI)[76] Gold 50,000‡
New Zealand (RMNZ)[77] Gold 15,000‡
Poland (ZPAV)[78] Platinum 50,000‡
Spain (PROMUSICAE)[79] Gold 30,000‡
United Kingdom (BPI)[80] Platinum 600,000‡
United States (RIAA)[81] 2× Platinum 2,000,000‡
Streaming
Greece (IFPI Greece)[82] Platinum 2,000,000†
Sweden (GLF)[83] Platinum 8,000,000†

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.
† Streaming-only figures based on certification alone.

Release history

edit
Region Date Format Label(s) Ref.
United States February 2, 2018
[84]
United Kingdom Rhythmic contemporary
[85]
United States February 6, 2018 [86]
Contemporary hit radio [87]
United Kingdom February 9, 2018 [88]
Italy March 2, 2018 Universal [89]

References

edit
  1. ^ Pearce, Sheldon (February 2, 2018). ""Pray for Me" [ft. The Weeknd] by Kendrick Lamar / The Weeknd Review". Pitchork. Retrieved March 31, 2018.
  2. ^ "Black Panther OST #prayforme #seasons". February 1, 2018. Archived from the original on December 26, 2021. Retrieved February 2, 2018 – via Instagram.
  3. ^ Madden, Sidney (February 2, 2018). "Kendrick Lamar produced the soundtrack for Black Panther". npr.org. Retrieved February 2, 2018.
  4. ^ Alexander, Julia (March 14, 2018). "Modern culture paradoxes can be explained by a popular Friends question". Polygon. Retrieved March 25, 2018.
  5. ^ Bonomolo, Cameron (January 22, 2018). "Kendrick Lamar produced the soundtrack for Black Panther". ComicBook.com. Retrieved February 1, 2018.
  6. ^ "Marvel Studios' Black Panther - War TV Spot". January 26, 2018. Retrieved February 1, 2018 – via Instagram.[permanent dead link‍]
  7. ^ Dumaraog, Ana (February 1, 2018). "Kendrick Lamar Unveils Black Panther Album Tracklist & Cover Art". Screen Rant. Retrieved February 1, 2018.
  8. ^ "Pray For Me". February 1, 2018. Retrieved February 1, 2018 – via Twitter.
  9. ^ "The Weeknd "Pray for Me" Sheet Music". Musicnotes. February 7, 2018.
  10. ^ Ross, Alex Robert (February 2, 2018). "Kendrick Lamar Teams with The Weeknd on "Pray for Me"". Noisey. Vice. Retrieved February 11, 2018.
  11. ^ Berthelot, Théau (February 26, 2020). ""Pray for Me" : Kendrick Lamar et The Weeknd accusés de plagiat". Purebreak Charts. Retrieved February 27, 2020.
  12. ^ a b "Yeasayer, LLC et al v. Tesfaye et al". Scribd. Retrieved February 27, 2020.
  13. ^ Minsker, Evan (February 24, 2020). "Yeasayer Suing Kendrick Lamar and the Weeknd Over Black Panther Song". Pitchfork. Retrieved February 27, 2020.
  14. ^ "Yeasayer's Lawsuit Against The Weeknd Over 'Black Panther' Song "Pray for Me" Has Been Dropped". Complex. Retrieved July 22, 2020.
  15. ^ "Various Artists – Black Panther: The Album [Booklet]". Genius. Archived from the original on February 9, 2018. Retrieved February 9, 2018.
  16. ^ "The Weeknd & Kendrick Lamar – Pray for Me". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved March 4, 2018.
  17. ^ "The Weeknd & Kendrick Lamar – Pray for Me" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved February 14, 2018.
  18. ^ "The Weeknd & Kendrick Lamar – Pray for Me" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved February 24, 2018.
  19. ^ "The Weeknd & Kendrick Lamar – Pray for Me" (in French). Ultratop 50. Retrieved March 3, 2018.
  20. ^ "The Weeknd Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved March 21, 2018.
  21. ^ "The Weeknd Chart History (Canada CHR/Top 40)". Billboard. Retrieved April 2, 2018.
  22. ^ "The Weeknd Chart History (Canada Hot AC)". Billboard. Retrieved June 14, 2018.
  23. ^ "Top 100 Colombia" (in Spanish). National-Report. Archived from the original on April 2, 2018. Retrieved July 22, 2019.
  24. ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select 10. týden 2018 in the date selector. Retrieved March 12, 2018.
  25. ^ "The Weeknd & Kendrick Lamar – Pray for Me". Tracklisten. Retrieved February 21, 2018.
  26. ^ "The Weeknd Chart History (Euro Digital Song Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved April 8, 2022.
  27. ^ "Top 100 Ecuador" (in Spanish). National-Report. Archived from the original on May 8, 2018. Retrieved May 8, 2018.
  28. ^ "The Weeknd, Kendrick Lamar: Pray For Me" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat. Retrieved February 18, 2018.
  29. ^ "The Weeknd & Kendrick Lamar – Pray For Me" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved May 29, 2018.
  30. ^ "The Weeknd & Kendrick Lamar – Pray For Me" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved February 16, 2018.
  31. ^ "Official IFPI Charts - Digital Singles Chart (International) - Week: 06/2018". ifpi.gr. Retrieved February 26, 2023.
  32. ^ "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Single (track) Top 40 lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved February 22, 2018.
  33. ^ "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Stream Top 40 slágerlista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved February 17, 2018.
  34. ^ "Irish-charts.com – Discography The Weeknd". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved February 17, 2018.
  35. ^ "The Weeknd & Kendrick Lamar – Pray for Me". Top Digital Download. Retrieved February 10, 2018.
  36. ^ "The Official Lebanese Top 20". The Official Lebanese Top 20. Retrieved April 28, 2018.
  37. ^ "The Weeknd Chart History (Mexico Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved July 6, 2021.
  38. ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 9, 2018" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved March 3, 2018.
  39. ^ "The Weeknd & Kendrick Lamar – Pray for Me" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved February 17, 2018.
  40. ^ "The Weeknd & Kendrick Lamar – Pray for Me". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved February 23, 2018.
  41. ^ "The Weeknd & Kendrick Lamar – Pray for Me". VG-lista. Retrieved February 17, 2018.
  42. ^ "The Weeknd & Kendrick Lamar – Pray for Me". AFP Top 100 Singles. Retrieved March 21, 2018.
  43. ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved February 17, 2018.
  44. ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select 23. týden 2018 in the date selector. Retrieved June 15, 2018.
  45. ^ "The Weeknd & Kendrick Lamar – Pray For Me" Canciones Top 50. Retrieved April 9, 2018.
  46. ^ "The Weeknd & Kendrick Lamar – Pray for Me". Singles Top 100. Retrieved February 17, 2018.
  47. ^ "The Weeknd & Kendrick Lamar – Pray for Me". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved February 12, 2018.
  48. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved February 24, 2018.
  49. ^ "Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved February 24, 2018.
  50. ^ "The Weeknd Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved February 13, 2018.
  51. ^ "The Weeknd Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved May 1, 2018.
  52. ^ "The Weeknd Chart History (Dance Club Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved April 17, 2018.
  53. ^ "The Weeknd Chart History (Dance Mix/Show Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved August 15, 2021.
  54. ^ "The Weeknd Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved February 12, 2018.
  55. ^ "The Weeknd Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved May 8, 2018.
  56. ^ "The Weeknd Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved April 9, 2022.
  57. ^ "The Weeknd Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard. Retrieved April 10, 2018.
  58. ^ "ARIA End of Year Singles 2018". Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved January 10, 2019.
  59. ^ "Canadian Hot 100 – Year-End 2018". Billboard. January 2, 2013. Retrieved December 4, 2018.
  60. ^ "Track Top-100 2018" (in Danish). Hitlisten. Retrieved January 16, 2019.
  61. ^ "Tónlistinn – Lög – 2018" [The Music – Songs – 2018] (in Icelandic). Plötutíóindi. Archived from the original on March 29, 2022. Retrieved April 1, 2022.
  62. ^ "Top 100-Jaaroverzicht van 2018" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved January 5, 2019.
  63. ^ "Top AFP - Audiogest - Top 200 Singles 2018" (in Portuguese). Associação Fonográfica Portuguesa. Retrieved August 14, 2020.
  64. ^ "Hot 100 Songs – Year-End 2018". Billboard. January 2, 2013. Retrieved December 4, 2018.
  65. ^ "Dance/Mix Show Songs – Year-End 2018". Billboard. December 16, 2014. Retrieved August 26, 2021.
  66. ^ "Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs – Year-End 2018". Billboard. January 2, 2013. Retrieved December 4, 2018.
  67. ^ "Pop Songs – Year-End 2018". Billboard. January 2, 2013. Retrieved December 5, 2018.
  68. ^ "Rhythmic Songs – Year-End 2018". Billboard. December 9, 2014. Retrieved August 26, 2019.
  69. ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2024 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved February 7, 2024.
  70. ^ "Austrian single certifications" (in German). IFPI Austria. Retrieved September 7, 2024.
  71. ^ "Brazilian single certifications – The Weeknd – Pray For Me" (in Portuguese). Pro-Música Brasil. Retrieved July 18, 2024.
  72. ^ "Canadian single certifications – The Weeknd & Kendrick Lamar – Pray for Me". Music Canada. Retrieved November 15, 2019.
  73. ^ "Danish single certifications – The Weeknd, Kendrick Lamar – Pray for Me". IFPI Danmark. Retrieved September 25, 2021.
  74. ^ "French single certifications – The Weeknd – Pray for Me" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Retrieved December 7, 2022.
  75. ^ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (The Weeknd; 'Pray for Me')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved June 4, 2023.
  76. ^ "Italian single certifications – The Weeknd & Kendrick Lamar – Pray for Me" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved February 8, 2023.
  77. ^ "New Zealand single certifications – The Weeknd and Kendrick Lamar – Pray for Me". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved November 20, 2024.
  78. ^ "OLiS - oficjalna lista wyróżnień" (in Polish). Polish Society of the Phonographic Industry. Retrieved November 20, 2024. Click "TYTUŁ" and enter Pray for Me in the search box.
  79. ^ "Spanish single certifications – The Weeknd & Kendrick Lamar – Pray for Me". El portal de Música. Productores de Música de España. Retrieved May 6, 2024.
  80. ^ "British single certifications – Weeknd/Kendrick Lamar – Pray for Me". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved August 21, 2022.
  81. ^ "American single certifications – The Weeknd, Kendrick Lamar – Pray for Me". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved February 6, 2019.
  82. ^ "IFPI Charts – Digital Singles Chart (International) – Εβδομάδα: 44/2022" (in Greek). IFPI Greece. Retrieved November 10, 2022.
  83. ^ "Sverigetopplistan – The Weeknd" (in Swedish). Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved July 12, 2021.
  84. ^ "Pray for Me". iTunes Store. Retrieved February 2, 2018.
  85. ^ "BBC – Radio 1Xtra – Playlist". BBC Radio 1. British Broadcasting Corporation. Archived from the original on February 3, 2018. Retrieved February 9, 2018.
  86. ^ "Top 40 Rhythmic Future Releases". All Access. Archived from the original on February 2, 2018. Retrieved February 3, 2018.
  87. ^ "Top 40/M Future Releases". All Access. Archived from the original on February 6, 2018. Retrieved February 6, 2018.
  88. ^ "BBC – Radio 1 – Playlist". BBC Radio 1. British Broadcasting Corporation. Archived from the original on February 9, 2018. Retrieved February 9, 2018.
  89. ^ "THE WEEKND & KENDRICK LAMAR "Pray for me" - (Radio Date: 02/03/2018)". radiodate.it.
edit
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Pray_for_Me_(song)&oldid=1258847764"