"Winner" is the first single from American singer and actor Jamie Foxx's fourth studio album Best Night of My Life, released for digital download on April 6, 2010 through J Records.[1] It features American singer Justin Timberlake and rapper T.I. Foxx told George Lopez about Timberlake's contribution: "I got him on the track—'cause he wasn't gonna get on the track—I just literally said, 'Man, my people suffered for 500 years. You owe me this.'"[4] It was also the official theme song of the 2010 NBA Playoffs for NBA on TNT and NBA TV.
| "Winner" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single by Jamie Foxx featuring Justin Timberlake and T.I. | ||||
| from the album Best Night of My Life | ||||
| Released | April 6, 2010 (digital download)[1] April 20, 2010 (U.S. – urban radio)[2] May 4, 2010 (U.S. – rhythm/crossover radio)[3] | |||
| Recorded | 2009 | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 4:04 | |||
| Label | J Records | |||
| Songwriter(s) | ||||
| Producer(s) | The Y's | |||
| Jamie Foxx singles chronology | ||||
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| Justin Timberlake singles chronology | ||||
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| T.I. singles chronology | ||||
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Critical reception
editAllmusic considered this song a standout cut.[5] LA Times was also positive: "Current radio staple "Winner" sets the template — big processed drums, creepy synths and lots of open space for Foxx’s capable runs."[6] The New York Times was positive too: "On "Winner" there’s even some of the pseudo rapping that Justin Timberlake has been squeezing out of his system of late."[7] PopMatters was negative in its review, however: ""Winner" is another song that exists in spite of Jamie, and speaks only to the depth of his pockets. (...) The chorus of "Winner" splayed across ESPN and TNT promos for basketball games."[8] Slant Magazine panned the track: "It's this kind of careless maximalism that produces junk like "Winner", a whirring waste of a Justin Timberlake appearance, a song whose basketball theme and cheesy dribble beat sound like something ripped from High School Musical."[9] USA Today, however, highlighted the song positively.[10]
Chart performance
editThe song was released on urban radio stations on April 6, 2010, and was released on May 4, 2010 to mainstream radio stations. The song debuted at number 28 on the US Billboard Hot 100 due to strong airplay and downloads, becoming T.I.'s third and Timberlake's and Foxx's first "hot shot debut" on the chart.
Charts
edit| Chart (2010) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[11] | 23 |
| New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[12] | 37 |
| US Billboard Hot 100[13] | 28 |
| US Pop Airplay (Billboard)[14] | 30 |
| US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[15] | 65 |
References
edit- ^ a b "Winner (feat. Justin Timberlake & T.I.) - Single by Jamie Foxx". music.apple.com.
- ^ "Urban/UAC Future Releases | R&B, Hip Hop, Release Schedule and Street Dates |". Allaccess.com. Retrieved 2012-03-15.
- ^ "Radio Industry News, Music Industry Updates, Arbitron Ratings, Music News and more!". FMQB. Retrieved 2012-03-15.
- ^ "Winner". Songfacts.com. Retrieved 2010-04-19.
- ^ David Jeffries (2010-12-21). "Best Night of My Life - Jamie Foxx | Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved 2014-04-14.
- ^ "Album review: Jamie Foxx's 'The Best Night of My Life' - latimes.com". Latimesblogs.latimes.com. 2010-12-21. Retrieved 2014-04-14.
- ^ Caramanica, Jon; Pareles, Jon; Chinen, Nate (January 3, 2011). "Just Glad to Grab the Mike". The New York Times.
- ^ Amidon, David. "Jamie Foxx: Best Night of My Life". PopMatters. Retrieved 2014-04-14.
- ^ "Jamie Foxx: Best Night of My Life | Music Review". Slant Magazine. Retrieved 2014-04-14.
- ^ Jones, Steve (2010-12-21). "Listen Up: Keyshia Cole, Jamie Foxx, Keri Hilson, Ghostface Killah - USATODAY.com". Usatoday30.usatoday.com. Retrieved 2014-04-14.
- ^ "Jamie Foxx Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 2013-04-13.
- ^ "Jamie Foxx feat. Justin Timberlake & T.I. – Winner". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved 2013-04-13.
- ^ "Jamie Foxx Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 2013-04-13.
- ^ "Jamie Foxx Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 2013-04-13.
- ^ "Jamie Foxx Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 2013-04-13.