How We Roll (Ciara and Chris Brown song) explained

How We Roll
Type:single
Cover:Ciara and Chris Brown - How We Roll.png
Artist:Ciara and Chris Brown
Ep:CiCi
Genre:R&B[1]
Length:3:19
Label:Beauty Marks
Producer:
  • Ciara
  • Precision Productions
  • Deli Banger
  • Mr Kamera
  • Theron Thomas
Chronology:Ciara
Prev Title:Get Loose
Prev Year:2023
Next Title:Forever
Next Year:2023

"How We Roll" is an R&B duet by American singers Ciara and Chris Brown. It was released on August 4, 2023, through Beauty Marks, and is the lead single from Ciara's EP CiCi.[2] A remix featuring Lil Wayne was released November 3, 2023.[3]

Background and release

Ciara released the singles "Jump", "Better Thangs" featuring Summer Walker, and "Da Girls", which were all expected to be singles from her then-untitled eighth studio album. On August 2, 2023, Ciara announced the single "How We Roll", in collaboration with Chris Brown. "How We Roll" marks the second collaboration for the two artists after their first collaboration on Ciara's album, Fantasy Ride (2009) on the track, "Turntables".[4] Prior to "Turntables", the two performed a dance sequence at the BET Awards in 2008 during Brown's performance of "Take You Down".[5] [6]

In 2022, it was suggested that Ciara was slated to join Brown on stage for a Michael Jackson tribute at the American Music Awards that was unexplainably canceled by the show organizers.[7] Afterwards, Ciara posted a dance rehearsal video of her and Brown to her Instagram.[8] [9]

On August 4, 2023, Ciara released the song, and announced her EP, CiCi.[10] The official remix of "How We Roll", featuring Lil Wayne, was released on November 3, 2023.[11]

Chart performance

"How We Roll" debuted at 18 on the US Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles chart on November 18, 2023 and peaked at 8 on January 13, 2024, spending 8 weeks on the chart.[12] [13] It reached 9 on the US R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay chart, becoming Ciara's fifteenth top ten hit and biggest hit on the chart since "I Bet" reached 8 in May 2015;[14] it also reached 9 on the US Rhythmic Songs chart, becoming her tenth top ten hit and first since "Like a Boy" in May 2007.[15]

Music video

The official music video was directed by Christian Breslauer,and visual effects were created by The Kroot. and released on August 4, 2023. It features Ciara and Chris Brown performing the song on moving trucks.[16] Marc Griffin, reviewing for Vibe, praised the video, stating it was "laidback" and "groovy", whilst noting the artists' obvious dance influences from Michael and Janet Jackson.[17]

Accolades

The music video received a nomination for Best Dance Performance at the 2023 Soul Train Music Awards. The song helped songwriter Theron Thomas win Songwriter of the Year, Non-Classical at the 66th Annual Grammy Awards. At the 55th NAACP Image Awards, "How We Roll" won the award for Outstanding Duo, Group or Collaboration (Traditional) and the video was nominated for Outstanding Music Video/Visual Album in 2024.[18]

Track listings

Single

  1. "How We Roll" – 3:19
  2. "How We Roll" (clean version) – 3:19
  3. "How We Roll" (instrumental) – 3:19

Versions extended play

  1. "How We Roll" – 3:19
  2. "How We Roll" (sped up) – 2:47
  3. "How We Roll" (slowed) – 3:43
  4. "How We Roll" (instrumental) – 3:19

Remix single

  1. "How We Roll" (remix with Lil Wayne) – 3:41

Major League Djz Remix

  1. "How We Roll" (Major League Djz & Yumbs Remix) – 3:41

Charts

Chart (2023–2024)! scope="col"
Peak
position
New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ)[19] 2
South Africa (Billboard)[20] 22
Chart (2023)! scope="col"
Peak
position
New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ)[21] 17

Release history

Release dates and formats for "How We Roll"
RegionDateVersionFormat(s)Label(s)
VariousAugust 4, 2023OriginalBeauty Marks Entertainment[22]
September 22, 2023Versions[23]
November 3, 2023Lil Wayne Remix[24]
December 15, 2023Major League Djz & Yumbs Remix[25]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Ciara, Chris Brown Throw a Mobile Party in "How We Roll" Video . August 4, 2023 .
  2. Web site: Ciara - Ci Ci. Apple Music. August 4, 2023. August 4, 2023.
  3. Web site: Lil Wayne Joins Ciara and Chris Brown on 'How We Roll (Remix)'. Rated R&B. Samuels. Keithan. November 3, 2023. November 3, 2023.
  4. Web site: CiCi X Breezy. How We Roll 8/4.. Twitter. August 2, 2023. August 4, 2023.
  5. News: BET Awards Past Performances: 2001–2008. BET. August 5, 2023.
  6. News: Breezy and Ciara Dance Off 2008 BET Awards!. theboxhouston. August 5, 2023.
  7. News: Chris Brown Will No Longer Be Performing At The 2022 American Music Awards: Here's Why. musicmayhemmagazine. August 5, 2023.
  8. News: Watch: Ciara Dances with Chris Brown in Michael Jackson Tribute Video. americansongwriter. August 5, 2023.
  9. News: Ciara Was Set To Join Chris Brown For Axed Michael Jackson Tribute, Shares Rehearsal Clip. Vibe. August 5, 2023.
  10. Web site: Ciara Announces New EP 'CiCi'. Rated R&B. Samuels. Keithan. August 4, 2023. August 4, 2023.
  11. Web site: Ciara - How We Roll Remix with Chris Brown and Lil Wayne. Apple Music. November 3, 2023. November 3, 2023.
  12. Bubbling Under Hot 100 . .
  13. Ciara | Biography, Music & News . .
  14. Ciara | Biography, Music & News . .
  15. Ciara | Biography, Music & News . .
  16. Web site: Ciara, Chris Brown - How We Roll. Youtube. August 4, 2023. August 4, 2023.
  17. Web site: Ciara, Chris Brown Throw A Mobile Party In "How We Roll" Video. Vibe. Griffin. Marc. August 4, 2023. August 4, 2023.
  18. Usher, Victoria Monét Score in 2024 NAACP Image Awards Nods: Here Are All Music Nominees. Billboard. January 25, 2024 . January 25, 2024.
  19. Web site: NZ Hot Singles Chart. Recorded Music NZ. August 14, 2023. August 11, 2023.
  20. Ciara Chart History Chart History (South Africa Songs). Billboard. September 2, 2023.
  21. Web site: NZ Hot Singles Chart. Recorded Music NZ. November 13, 2023. November 11, 2023.
  22. Web site: Ciara & Chris Brown - How We Roll. Spotify. August 4, 2023. November 3, 2023.
  23. Web site: Ciara - How We Roll (with Chris Brown) - Versions. Spotify. September 22, 2023. November 3, 2023.
  24. Web site: How We Roll (Remix). Spotify. November 3, 2023. November 3, 2023.
  25. Web site: How We Roll - Major League Djz & Yumbs Remix. Spotify. December 15, 2023. December 15, 2023.