Sensational (song) explained

Sensational
Cover:Chris Brown - Sensational.png
Type:single
Artist:Chris Brown featuring Davido and Lojay
Album:11:11
Released:October 20, 2023
Recorded:2023
Genre:Afrobeats
Length:3:51
Label:
  • RCA
  • CBE
Producer:Phillip "DJ Hardwerk" Constable
Chronology:Chris Brown
Prev Title:IDGAF
Prev Year:2023
Next Title:Nightmares
Next Year:2023

"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]

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 for Viewers Choice Awards at the BET 2024 Awards.

Background and release

On 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

"Sensational" is an Afrobeats song, 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, and its "romantic" lyrical content contains "words of reassurance and affection to their beloved".[2] [3] Kayla Sandiford of Renowned for Sound described the song's composition as "jumpy lightheartedness".[4] 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

The 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".[3] 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

On 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

Year! scope="col"
CeremonyAwardResult
2024NAACP Image AwardsOutstanding Duo, Group or Collaboration (Contemporary) [14]
Outstanding Music Video[15]
BET AwardsViewer's Choice Award[16]
MTV Video Music AwardsBest Afrobeats[17]

Commercial performance

On 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.[18] [19] 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 the chart.[20]

Charts

Chart (2023–24)! scope="col"
Peak
position
Netherlands (Single Tip)[21] 7
New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ)[22] 2
Nigeria (TurnTable Top 100)[23] 12
South Africa (TOSAC)[24] 17
Suriname (Nationale Top 40)[25] 4
US World Digital Song Sales (Billboard)[26] 2

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 2023-10-17 . Chris Brown confirms release date and title of new song with Davido and Lojay . 2023-10-21 . NotjustOk . en-US.
  2. Web site: Chris Brown - 11:11 Album Reviews, Songs & More | AllMusic. www.allmusic.com.
  3. Web site: Davido and Lojay join Chris Brown for new single 'Sensational' . October 20, 2023 .
  4. Web site: Album Review: Chris Brown – 11:11 – Renowned For Sound. Kayla. Sandiford.
  5. Web site: Chris Brown's new collaboration with Davido and Lojay is "Sensational" .
  6. Web site: Chris Brown Goes into His Afrobeat Bag with Davido and Lojay on "Sensational" . HNHH . October 20, 2023 .
  7. Web site: Best New Music This Week: City Girls, Flo Milli, Wale and More . October 20, 2023 .
  8. The 10 Best R&B Albums of 2023: Staff Picks . .
  9. Web site: MSN . .
  10. Web site: Album Review: Chris Brown, 11:11. Edward. Bowser. November 11, 2023.
  11. Web site: Davido, Lojay enter Billboard Hot 100 with 'Sensational' - P.M. News.
  12. Web site: Samuels . Keithan . 2023-10-20 . Chris Brown Shares 'Sensational' Video Featuring Davido and Lojay . 2023-10-21 . Rated R&B . en-US.
  13. Web site: Video: Chris Brown Ft. Davido, Lojay "Sensational" - Rap Radar. October 20, 2023. rapradar.com.
  14. https://naacpimageawards.net/live-show-winners/
  15. https://naacpimageawards.net/live-show-winners/
  16. https://www.billboard.com/music/awards/2024-bet-awards-winners-1235721115/
  17. https://www.mtv.com/vma/vote/best-afrobeats
  18. Hot 100 First-Timers: Afrobeats Artists Davido & Lojay Debut With Features on Chris Brown's 'Sensational'. . January 29, 2024.
  19. Web site: Davido & Lojay Through 'Sensation' Breaks Into Billboard Hot 100. Chinelo. Eze. January 30, 2024. The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News.
  20. Web site: Chris Brown’s ‘Sensational’ Rises to No. 1 on Mainstream R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay Chart. Trevor. Anderson. March 12, 2024. Billboard.
  21. Web site: Dutch Single Tip – 18/11/2023 . 2024-04-10 . dutchcharts.nl.
  22. Web site: NZ Hot Singles Chart. Recorded Music NZ. October 30, 2023. October 28, 2023.
  23. TurnTable Nigeria Top 100: November 17th, 2023 - November 23rd, 2023. TurnTable. 2 December 2023. 2 December 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231202211913/https://www.turntablecharts.com/Charts/Top50.
  24. Web site: Kabza De Small climbs the charts following #SAMA29 success (Ed 110). The Official South African Charts. May 28, 2024.
  25. Web site: 14 December 2023 . Top 40 – 7 dec T/M 14 dec 2023 . Top 40 – December 7 to December 14, 2023 . June 18, 2024 . Nationale Top 40 Suriname.
  26. Chris Brown Chart History: World Digital Song Sales. Billboard. 30 September 2023.