My Love (Leigh-Anne song) explained

My Love
Cover:Leigh-Anne - My Love.png
Type:single
Artist:Leigh-Anne featuring Ayra Starr
Released:7 September 2023
Genre:
Length:2:56
Label:Warner
Lyricist:
Composer:
  • Alex Goldblatt
  • Dayo Olatunji
  • Kameron Glasper
  • Khristopher Riddick-Tynes
  • Ras Kassa Alexander
Producer:
  • Alex Goldblatt
  • Khris Riddick-Tynes
  • PRGRSHN
Chronology:Leigh-Anne
Prev Title:Don't Say Love
Prev Year:2023
Next Title:Stealin' Love
Next Year:2024

"My Love" is a song by British singer and songwriter Leigh-Anne, featuring Nigerian singer Ayra Starr. It was released on 7 September 2023, through Warner Records. The song and music video received acclaim from critics who praised Leigh-Anne's versatility as a solo artist, and the music video for paying homage to Nigeria's culture. It has been described as a afrobeats and afropop track, with elements of R&B and pop sounds. On 24 November 2023, a remixed version of the song featuring Swedish rapper Jireel was released.[3]

"My Love" is Leigh-Anne's first collaboration as a solo artist. Commercially, it reached number three on the UK Singles Sales Chart, number fourteen on the UK Singles Downloads Chart, and number thirteen on the UK R&B Singles Chart. It became her first chart entry on the U.S. Billboard Afrobeats Songs chart, where it reached number thirty-two. "My Love" reached number five in Suriname and charted in Nigeria and Latvia and debuted at number twenty-eight on the UK Singles Chart, becoming both Leigh-Anne's and Ayra Starr's second top forty entry.[4]

Background and release

Leigh-Anne first teased "My Love" as a single during an interview with British Vogue, describing the track as a "a celebration of every type of love". A snippet of it was played during the end of the music video of her debut single "Don't Say Love" as a continuation.[5] In a letter to her fans, Leigh-Anne explained how the collaboration came about:

“When we wrote this song, I just knew it was something special, it perfectly captures the essence of who I want to be as a solo artist,” Leigh-Anne says. “That feel-good, powerful, and anthemic song - it's all about celebrating self-love and embracing its incredible power, and when there was a discussion on a feature I know Ayra was the only one who could embody and amplify this message.”[6]
Leigh-Anne teased the release date of "My Love" on her social media pages, posting snippets on TikTok, featuring first seen looks from the music video and her performing choreography.[7] [8] In a photoshoot for Rolling Stone UK, she said that the new single pays homage for her love of afrobeats.[9] A remix of the song featuring Swedish rapper Jireel was released on 24 November 2023.

Critical reception

Following its release, Jason Lipshutz from Billboard included "My Love" in his list of the 10 cool new pop songs to get you through the week and wrote: "My Love" is designed to be bellowed among groups of friends on the dance floor, and succeeds in pushing Leigh-Anne's sound into the future".[10] In a review for Women in Pop, Ruby Okoro described it as an "Afropop sound mixed with R&B and classic pop", and gave praise towards Leigh-Anne's vocals. In The Honey Pop, Jazmin Williams described it "as full of Afrobeats and Afropop goodness that feels full of life as the rhythm flows through your body."[11]

Martie Bowser from Blavity described it as an anthem that explores the complex truths about self-love and relationships.[12] DIYs Daisy Carter wrote that the "afrobeat-influenced track serves as a celebration of Nigerian culture and creatives".[13] Fault Magazines Miles Holder described it as a song "that shows off Leigh-Anne's versatility as an artist, as she ventures into new sonic territory, embracing the vibrant rhythms of afrobeat".[14]

Euphorias Nmesoma Okechukwu wrote that "My Love" is "exciting, and makes you want to jump up and start dancing, while its accompanying music video has all the ingredients of great visuals and beautiful choreography".[15] LBB wrote how the music video celebrates Nigeria's rich culture and masterfully weaves elements of local fashion, dance, and the country's landscapes". They further added how "My Love" stands as a testament to the magic that happens when exceptional talent, culture, and creativity unite".[16]

Music video

The music video was filmed in Lagos, Nigeria and was directed by Nigerian music video director Meji Alabi. Leigh-Anne worked with executive producer Martin Roker, director of photography Stefan Yap, producer Ghandi El-Chamma, while production was handled by Black Dog Films.

The opening shot showcases Leigh-Anne emerging from the ocean, cementing her rebirth as a solo artist. The music video features choreography from local dancers and cameos from local actors which pays homages and celebrates Nigerian culture.[17]

Promotion

Prior to its release, Leigh-Anne performed the song for the first time at Capital Up Close in partnership with Lucozade, which marked her first gig as a solo artist.[18] It was later performed at Vevo's London Studios.[19] It has since been performed at BBC's Live Lounge, KISS-FM Haunted House Party and at S&C presents Hugo Nights. Leigh-Anne later performed the single at Children in Need and performed it alongside Iza at the Afropunk Festival in Brazil.[20]

Charts

Chart performance for "My Love"! Chart (2023)! Peak
position
Latvia (EHR)[21] 32
Nigeria (TurnTable Top 100)[22] 51
Suriname (Nationale Top 40)[23] 5
US Afrobeats Songs (Billboard)[24] 32

Release history

Region! scope="col"
DateFormatLabel
Various7 September 2023Warner[25]
United KingdomCD single[26]
ItalyRadio airplay[27]

Notes and References

  1. 10 Cool New Pop Songs to Get You Through The Week: Leigh-Anne and Ayra Starr, Romy, Blondshell & More. Billboard. 9 September 2023. 18 September 2023.
  2. Web site: Leigh-Anne releases new single with Ayra Starr 'My Love'. WomenInPop. 25 September 2023. 25 September 2023.
  3. Web site: Här är klädlistan från semifinalen i Idol 2023 . 2023-11-27 . www.tv4.se . 24 November 2023 . sv.
  4. Web site: Griffith . George . 16 September 2023 . Doja Cat dominates for second week at Number 1 with Paint The Town Red . Official Charts.
  5. Web site: 2023-06-12 . Leigh-Anne On Motherhood, Finding Her Confidence And Her First Solo Album . 2023-09-10 . British Vogue . en-GB.
  6. Web site: 2023-09-08 . Leigh-Anne releases new single with Ayra Starr 'My Love' . 2023-09-25 . Women In Pop . en-AU.
  7. Web site: Leigh-Anne Pinnock Performs New Song 'My Love' In Epic Capital Up Close Setlist . 22 August 2023 . 26 August 2023 . Capital.
  8. Web site: Magliola . Anna Sky . 8 September 2023 . Leigh-Anne Pinnock releases new single 'My Love' with super cute video of her twins ❤️ . 8 September 2023 . Hits Radio.
  9. Joshi . Tara . 31 August 2023 . Leigh-Anne Pinnock: 'I haven't lived my destiny out yet' . 4 September 2023 . Rolling Stone UK.
  10. Lyndsey Havens . Jason Lipshutz . Joe Lynch . Starr Bowenbank . 10 Cool New Pop Songs to Get You Through The Week: Leigh-Anne and Ayra Starr, Romy, Blondshell & More . Billboard . 16 September 2023 . 9 September 2023.
  11. Web site: Williams . Jazmin . 2023-09-09 . 'My Love,' Your Love, Our Love: Here's Why We Love Leigh-Anne . 2023-09-25 . The Honey POP . en-us.
  12. News: Bowser . Martie . 25 September 2023 . LEIGH-ANNE DROPS 'MY LOVE' SINGLE, DANCES THROUGH LAGOS IN MUSIC VIDEO WITH AYRA STARR . Blavity . 25 September 2023.
  13. Web site: 2023-09-11 . Leigh-Anne shares second solo single, 'My Love' . 2023-09-26 . DIY . en.
  14. Web site: 2023-09-15 . Leigh-Anne FAULTLess "Don't Say Love" & "My Love" Live Performances on Vevo . 2023-09-25 . FAULT Magazine . en-US.
  15. Web site: Nmesoma Okechukwu . 2023-09-25 . EUPHORIA. . en-US.
  16. Web site: Meji Alabi and Leigh-Anne Pinnock Deliver Electrifying Promo for 'My Love' Featuring Ayra Starr LBBOnline . 2023-09-25 . www.lbbonline.com . en.
  17. Web site: Joshi . Tara . 2023-08-31 . Leigh-Anne Pinnock: 'I haven't lived my destiny out yet' . 2023-09-10 . Rolling Stone UK . en-GB.
  18. Web site: 22 August 2023 . Leigh-Anne Pinnock Performs New Song 'My Love' In Epic Capital Up Close Setlist . 26 August 2023 . Capital.
  19. Web site: 2023-09-15 . Leigh-Anne FAULTLess "Don't Say Love" & "My Love" Live Performances on Vevo . 2023-09-23 . FAULT Magazine . en-US.
  20. Web site: Calazans . Bruna . 2023-11-20 . Leigh-Anne canta ao lado de Iza no festival Afropunk . 2023-11-23 . Billboard Brasil . pt-BR.
  21. Web site: EHR TOP 40 - 2023.09.22. European Hit Radio. 23 September 2023. 22 September 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230922201708/https://www.ehrhiti.lv/arhivs/ehr-top-40?airDate=2023.09.22. live.
  22. TurnTable Nigeria Top 100: 15th September 2023 – 21st September 2023. TurnTable. 26 September 2023. 26 September 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230926163911/https://www.turntablecharts.com/charts/1. live.
  23. Web site: 2 November 2023 . Top 40 – 26 okt T/M 02 nov 2023 . Top 40 – 26 October to 2 November 2023 . 20 June 2024 . Nationale Top 40 Suriname. nl.
  24. Billboard U.S. Afrobeats Songs: Week of September 23, 2023. Billboard. 26 September 2023. subscription.
  25. Web site: Leigh-Anne . My Love (feat. Ayra Starr) - Single . Apple Music (GB) . 8 September 2023 . 8 September 2023.
  26. Web site: My Love CD Single (Plus Bonus Track) . Leigh-Anne Official Shop . 8 September 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230908123845/https://shop.leigh-anneofficial.com/eu/leigh-anne/my-love-cd-single-plus-bonus-track/5054197793950.html . 8 September 2023.
  27. Web site: Mompellio . Gabriel . Leigh-Anne - My Love (feat. Ayra Starr) (Radio Date: 08-09-2023) . EarOne . 8 September 2023 . it . 8 September 2023.