"Sensational" is a song by American singer Chris Brown from his eleventh studio album 11:11. The song was released as the album's second single on October 20, 2023, under CBE. It features guest vocals from Nigerian singers Davido and Lojay.[1]
| "Sensational" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single by Chris Brown featuring Davido and Lojay | ||||
| from the album 11:11 | ||||
| Released | October 20, 2023 | |||
| Recorded | 2023 | |||
| Genre | Afrobeats | |||
| Length | 3:51 | |||
| Label |
| |||
| Songwriter(s) | ||||
| Producer(s) | Phillip "DJ Hardwerk" Constable | |||
| Chris Brown singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Music video | ||||
| "Sensational" on YouTube | ||||
The song was written by Chris Brown, Sean Kingston, Davido and Lojay, while its production was handled by DJ Hardwerk. "Sensational" is an Afrobeats song, featuring romantic lyrical content. Critical reception towards the song was positive, with critics complimenting the artists' performances and its production. "Sensational" marked Davido and Lojay's first entry on the US Billboard Hot 100, and Brown's 117th. Its accompanying music video was released alongside the song, and was directed by videographer Child. The song has been nominated at the Grammy Awards, at the MTV Video Music Awards, and at the BET Awards.
Background and release
editOn October 13, 2023, Brown posted pictures of a then-upcoming music video on his Instagram account, teasing on the caption the release of "sensational new music". Four days prior to the song's release, on October 16, Brown unveiled it as the second single from 11:11, along with its title, featured artists and release date, posting a video on his Instagram account where he performs a choreography for it with his dancing crew.[1]
Brown and Davido already worked on several songs together prior to "Sensational", including "Blow My Mind", "Lower Body", "Under the Influence", "Shopping Spree" and "Nobody Has to Know". The song also marks the second collaboration between Brown and Lojay, following the 2022 remix of the latter's single "Monalisa".
Composition
edit
"Sensational" is an Afrobeats song,[2][3] produced by DJ Hardwerk, featuring guest appearances from Nigerian singers Davido and Lojay. The song was written by its performers alongside Jamaican singer Sean Kingston. "Sensational" features a "percussion-driven" production,[2] and its "romantic" lyrical content contains "words of reassurance and affection to their beloved".[3][4] Kayla Sandiford of Renowned for Sound described the song's composition as "jumpy lightheartedness".[2] According to Revolt, the track is characterized by "Brown’s infectious harmonies and straight-to-the-point subject matter".[5] HotNewHipHop noted that the song "features tropical vibes".[6]
Critical reception
editThe single received positive reviews. Essence highlighted the song, calling it an "impressive single".[7] Billboard defined the track as a "sugary anthem", saying that "Sensational" is the type of song that "made [Chris Brown] R&B’s ultimate casanova".[8] Mya Singleton of Yardbarker stated that the song features the singer "in pure Breezy form".[9] Edward Bowser of Medium called "Sensational" the best Afrobeats track on 11:11.[10] NotJustOk praised the artists' performances and DJ Hardwerk's production, calling the song "an auditory delight that fully lives up to its name, as it showcases the musical prowess and synergy of these three remarkable acts".[4] P.M. News defined it a “truly remarkable” collaboration, stating that the featured artists on "Sensational" “deliver scorching verses that elevate the song to new heights.”[11]
Music video
editOn October 20, 2023, Brown released "Sensational" along with its music video, directed by videographer Child.[12] Rap Radar described it as “elegant”, praising Brown's “striking dance moves”.[13]
Accolades
edit| Year | Ceremony | Award | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | NAACP Image Awards | Outstanding Duo, Group or Collaboration (Contemporary) | Won | [14] |
| Outstanding Music Video | Won | [15] | ||
| BET Awards | Viewer's Choice Award | Nominated | [16] | |
| MTV Video Music Awards | Best Afrobeats | Nominated | [17] | |
| 2025 | Grammy Awards | Best African Music Performance | Pending | [18] |
Commercial performance
editOn January 30, 2024, "Sensational" debuted at number 96 on the US Billboard Hot 100, serving as Davido and Lojay's first entry on the chart, and Brown's 117th.[19][20] On February 20, 2024, the single re-entered the Billboard Hot 100 at 94. On the chart dated March 16, 2024, "Sensational" topped Billboard’s Mainstream R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay chart, marking Brown's 19th number-one on that chart.[21]
Charts
edit| Chart (2023–24) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Netherlands (Single Tip)[22] | 7 |
| New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ)[23] | 2 |
| Nigeria (TurnTable Top 100)[24] | 12 |
| South Africa (TOSAC)[25] | 17 |
| Suriname (Nationale Top 40)[26] | 4 |
| UK Singles (OCC)[27] | 45 |
| UK Hip Hop/R&B (OCC)[28] | 22 |
| US Billboard Hot 100[29] | 71 |
| US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[30] | 24 |
| US R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay (Billboard)[31] | 4 |
| US Rhythmic (Billboard)[32] | 3 |
| US World Digital Song Sales (Billboard)[33] | 2 |
References
edit- ^ a b "Chris Brown confirms release date and title of new song with Davido and Lojay". NotjustOk. October 17, 2023. Retrieved October 21, 2023.
- ^ a b c Sandiford, Kayla. "Album Review: Chris Brown – 11:11 – Renowned For Sound".
- ^ a b "Chris Brown - 11:11 Album Reviews, Songs & More | AllMusic" – via www.allmusic.com.
- ^ a b "Davido and Lojay join Chris Brown for new single 'Sensational'". October 20, 2023.
- ^ "Chris Brown's new collaboration with Davido and Lojay is "Sensational"".
- ^ "Chris Brown Goes into His Afrobeat Bag with Davido and Lojay on "Sensational"". HNHH. October 20, 2023.
- ^ "Best New Music This Week: City Girls, Flo Milli, Wale and More". October 20, 2023.
- ^ "The 10 Best R&B Albums of 2023: Staff Picks". Billboard.
- ^ "MSN". MSN.
- ^ Bowser, Edward (November 11, 2023). "Album Review: Chris Brown, 11:11".
- ^ "Davido, Lojay enter Billboard Hot 100 with 'Sensational' - P.M. News".
- ^ Samuels, Keithan (October 20, 2023). "Chris Brown Shares 'Sensational' Video Featuring Davido and Lojay". Rated R&B. Retrieved October 21, 2023.
- ^ "Video: Chris Brown Ft. Davido, Lojay "Sensational" - Rap Radar". rapradar.com. October 20, 2023.
- ^ https://naacpimageawards.net/live-show-winners/
- ^ https://naacpimageawards.net/live-show-winners/
- ^ https://www.billboard.com/music/awards/2024-bet-awards-winners-1235721115/
- ^ https://www.mtv.com/vma/vote/best-afrobeats
- ^ https://www.billboard.com/music/awards/grammy-nominations-2025-full-list-1235823165/
- ^ "Hot 100 First-Timers: Afrobeats Artists Davido & Lojay Debut With Features on Chris Brown's 'Sensational'". Billboard. January 29, 2024.
- ^ Eze, Chinelo (January 30, 2024). "Davido & Lojay Through 'Sensation' Breaks Into Billboard Hot 100". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News.
- ^ Anderson, Trevor (March 12, 2024). "Chris Brown's 'Sensational' Rises to No. 1 on Mainstream R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay Chart". Billboard.
- ^ "Dutch Single Tip – 18/11/2023". dutchcharts.nl. Retrieved April 10, 2024.
- ^ "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. October 30, 2023. Retrieved October 28, 2023.
- ^ "TurnTable Nigeria Top 100: November 17th, 2023 - November 23rd, 2023". TurnTable. Archived from the original on December 2, 2023. Retrieved December 2, 2023.
- ^ "Kabza De Small climbs the charts following #SAMA29 success (Ed 110)". The Official South African Charts. Retrieved May 28, 2024.
- ^ "Top 40 – 7 dec T/M 14 dec 2023" [Top 40 – December 7 to December 14, 2023]. Nationale Top 40 Suriname. December 14, 2023. Retrieved June 18, 2024.
- ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 17, 2023.
- ^ "Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 17, 2023.
- ^ "Chris Brown Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved March 12, 2024.
- ^ "Chris Brown Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved March 20, 2024.
- ^ "Chris Brown Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved March 20, 2024.
- ^ "Chris Brown Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard. Retrieved March 20, 2024.
- ^ "Chris Brown Chart History: World Digital Song Sales". Billboard. Retrieved September 30, 2023.