Heat (Chris Brown song) explained

Heat
Type:single
Artist:Chris Brown featuring Gunna
Album:Indigo
Genre:
Length:4:22
Label:RCA
Producer:Buddah Bless
Chronology:Chris Brown
Prev Title:Blow My Mind
Prev Year:2019
Next Title:Did You?
Next Year:2019

"Heat" is a song by American singer Chris Brown featuring American rapper Gunna. It was released digitally on June 20, 2019, as a promotional single from Brown's ninth studio album, Indigo (2019).[2] "Heat" was then released as the album's fifth official single on August 27, 2019.[3]

"Heat" is an R&B and trap song with lyrics mixing themes of luxury and lust. The song peaked at number 36 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, and topped the Rhythmic Airplay chart, unseating Brown's previous single, "No Guidance", at the top spot.[4] The song was certified quadruple platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).

The music video for "Heat" was released on August 30, 2019, and was directed by Brown and Edgar Esteves. The video features Brown and Gunna as retail associates at a high-end clothing designer's shop, and was praised for its visuals and choreographies.

Background and release

"Heat" was unexpectedly teased one day before its release on Chris Brown's Instagram account. The song was released on June 20, 2019, as a promotional single from Brown's ninth studio album, Indigo,[2] and then sent to mainstream urban radio as the album's fifth single on August 27, 2019.[3]

Composition

"Heat" is a mid-tempo R&B song,[5] [3] [6] produced by American record producer Buddah Bless.[7] The song's lyrical content mixes themes of luxury and lust, combining high-fashion and sex appeal. Brown makes use of the lingo "drip", which is a term to describe good-looking outfits.[8] Its instrumental was described as "a sleek, minimalist beat characterized by its steady bassline, shimmering synths, and crisp percussion", while the artists’ provide "smooth vocal delivery" suggesting "a laid-back yet seductive vibe".[6] "Heat"'s musicality blends the stylistic of R&B music with strong trap influences.[9] The chorus speaks to a female character and reveals her and Brown’s sexual intentions.

Critical reception

Urban Islandz commended both artists' performances on the track, stating "Chris Brown as usual graces the beat with smooth vocals and impeccable melodic runs. Gunna‘s performance did not disappoint either as he gave us the perfect second verse to complement Breezy’s flow and storyline."[10] P.M. News called it a "captivating" track.[11] Billboard described "Heat" as a "four-minute braggadocious ballad".[12] Vibe praised Gunna's "hard-hitting yet fluent lyrics".[13]

Music video

The music video for "Heat" was released on August 30, 2019, and was directed by Brown and Edgar Esteves. The music video features Brown and Gunna as retail associates at a high-end clothing designer's shop called ‘Indigo’, where an eager line of women are clamoring to shop for clothes.[14] Brown and Gunna assist them with apparel, ending up in a sexual situation, alternating scenes where Brown and his dancing crew are executing complex choreographies.[15] [10] [14] [16] According to The List, the "sentiments of lust and luxury are amplified in the video, with its stark color palette of mostly black, white, and silver, with blazes of hot pink and red".[14] The video's choreography features some Kappa Alpha Psi and Phi Beta Sigma dance moves.[17] [18]

Critical reception

Billboard commented that "Brown’s typically fluid choreography juxtaposes the perfectly lined up silhouette of the ladies, a visual reminiscent of a Kanye West fashion show".[12] The List commented that "The clean lines, and bright lights evoke fashion week as much as a car show, especially when the women are all dressed up and standing in a grid that Brown and Gunna move through, admiring the display.[14] Urban Islandz praised Brown's acting in the video, and its "incredible choreography".[10] Rated R&B described the video as "cinematic", and complimented the "slick dance moves"[19] The Source said that Brown in the video "is seen perfectly coiffed dressed to the nines as he stepped right out of GQ".[18] Rap-Up called it a "stylish" video, praising Brown's footwork.[20]

Accolades

Year! scope="col"
CeremonyAwardResult
2021ASCAP Pop Music AwardsMost Performed Songs[21]
ASCAP Rhythm & Soul AwardsAward-Winning R&B/Hip-Hop & Rap Songs[22]
BMI R&B/Hip-Hop AwardsMost Performed R&B/Hip-Hop Songs[23]
iHeartRadio Music AwardsR&B Song of the Year[24]

Chart performance

"Heat" debuted at number 77 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, on the week of September 14, 2019.[25] After climbing the chart for ten weeks, the song eventually peaked at number 36 on the chart.[26] "Heat" also topped the US Rhythmic Airplay chart. This became Brown's 11th number one on the chart, and his second during 2019, having previously logged four non-consecutive weeks in the top spot in 2019 with "No Guidance".[27] "Heat" moved Brown up to fourth-equal on the list of artists with most number-one songs on the chart.[27] This also became Gunna's first number one on the chart.[27]

Personnel

Credits adapted from the album's liner notes.

Charts

Year-end charts

Chart (2019)Position
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[30] 83
Chart (2020)Position
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[31] 71
US Rhythmic (Billboard)[32] 49

Release history

Country Date FormatLabel
VariousJune 20, 2019Digital downloadRCA
United StatesAugust 27, 2019Mainstream urban radio

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Jenkins. Craig. Meet the New Gunna and Chris Brown Collab. Vulture. June 30, 2019. June 23, 2019.
  2. Web site: Gunna Joins Chris Brown on New Song "Heat". Cowen. Trave. June 20, 2019. Complex. June 21, 2019.
  3. Web site: Folk . Antwane . 2019-08-28 . Chris Brown Selects 'Heat' As Next Urban Radio Single . 2024-08-13 . Rated R&B . en-US.
  4. Web site: Chart Check [Hot 100]

    Chris Brown's 'Heat' Becomes the 48th Top 40 Hit of His Career - That Grape Juice ]

    . 2024-07-19 . thatgrapejuice.net.
  5. Web site: 2019-06-20 . New Music: Chris Brown – ‘Heat’ (Feat. Gunna) . 2024-07-19 . HipHop-N-More . en-US.
  6. Web site: 2019-06-20 . Music: Chris Brown – ‘Heat’ feat. Gunna - Singersroom.com . 2024-07-19 . en-US.
  7. Web site: New Music: Chris Brown feat. Gunna – 'Heat'. Rap-Up. June 21, 2019.
  8. Web site: Roe . Bernadette . 2021-05-21 . Here's What Chris Brown's 'Heat' Featuring Gunna Really Means . 2024-07-19 . Nicki Swift . en-US.
  9. Web site: Review: Chris Brown's "Indigo" is a Publicity Stunt That Needs to Cease & Desist. 5 July 2019.
  10. Web site: Anglin . Kady . 2019-09-03 . Chris Brown & Gunna Drops The "Heat" Summer Is Not Over . 2024-07-19 . Urban Islandz . en-US.
  11. Web site: Video: Chris Brown premieres Heat featuring Gunna . 2024-08-13.
  12. Web site: Mamo . Heran . 2019-09-23 . Here Are the Lyrics to Chris Brown’s ‘Heat,’ Feat. Gunna . 2024-07-19 . Billboard . en-US.
  13. Web site: Reese . Alexis . 2019-08-30 . Chris Brown Suits Up With Smooth Moves In “Heat” Visual Feat. Gunna . 2024-08-13 . VIBE.com . en-US.
  14. Web site: Conway . Molly . 2021-05-13 . The Meaning Behind Heat By Chris Brown Featuring Gunna . 2024-07-19 . The List . en-US.
  15. Web site: Zidel . Alex . 2019-08-30 . Chris Brown & Gunna Style Baddies In Bunches For "Heat" Video . 2024-08-13 . HotNewHipHop . en.
  16. Web site: 2019-08-30 . New Video: Chris Brown Ft. Gunna “Heat” - Rap Radar . 2024-08-13 . rapradar.com . en-US.
  17. Web site: 2019-08-30 . Chris Brown Takes Style To A New Level In The Gunna-Assisted Video For "Heat" . 2024-08-13 . ThisisRnB.com - New R&B Music, Artists, Playlists, Lyrics . en-US.
  18. Web site: 2019-10-25 . Nupe Breezy! How Do The Kappas Feel About Chris Brown Jacking Their Shimmy? - The Source . 2024-08-13 . en-US.
  19. Web site: Samuels . Keithan . 2019-08-30 . Chris Brown Releases Video For 'Heat' Featuring Gunna . 2024-08-13 . Rated R&B . en-US.
  20. Web site: Chris Brown and Gunna Turn Up the 'Heat' in New Video . 2024-08-13 . Rap-Up . en-US.
  21. Web site: 2021 ASCAP Pop Music Awards . 2024-08-13 . www.ascap.com . en.
  22. Web site: 2021 ASCAP Rhythm & Soul Music Awards . 2024-08-13 . www.ascap.com . en.
  23. Web site: Nazareno . Mia . 2021-09-20 . Doja Cat, Roddy Ricch & More Honored at 2021 BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Awards . 2024-08-13 . Billboard . en-US.
  24. Web site: 2021 iHeartRadio Music Awards: See The Full List Of Winners . 2024-08-13 . iHeart . en.
  25. Hot 100 - 2019-09-14. Billboard. March 1, 2020.
  26. Hot 100 - 2019-11-23. Billboard. March 1, 2020.
  27. Chris Brown & Gunna 'Heat' Up Rhythmic Songs Chart With New No. 1. Billboard. Trevor Anderson. November 22, 2019. March 1, 2020.
  28. Web site: Inside Track: Chris Brown 'Heat' . 2024-08-13 . www.soundonsound.com.
  29. Top 100 Songs. Rolling Stone. November 15, 2019. January 1, 2020. January 1, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200101202347/https://www.rollingstone.com/charts/songs/2019-11-15/. dead.
  30. Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs – Year-End 2019. Billboard. December 6, 2019.
  31. Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs – Year-End 2020. Billboard. December 4, 2020.
  32. Rhythmic Songs – Year-End 2020. Billboard. December 4, 2020.