Swalla Explained

Swalla
Cover:JasonDeruloSwalla.jpg
Type:single
Artist:Jason Derulo featuring Nicki Minaj and Ty Dolla Sign
Recorded:2016
Length:3:36
Label:Warner Bros.
Producer:Ricky Reed
Chronology:Jason Derulo
Prev Title:If It Ain't Love
Prev Year:2016
Next Title:If I'm Lucky
Next Year:2017

"Swalla" is a song by American singer Jason Derulo featuring Trinidadian-born rapper Nicki Minaj and fellow American singer Ty Dolla Sign, released on February 24, 2017 by Warner Bros. Records. The song was written by the artists alongside LunchMoney Lewis, Robert Diggs, Jacob Kasher Hindlin, Russell Jones. and producer Ricky Reed.[1] The song was originally intended to be the first single from Derulo's album, titled 777, however the album was never released.[2] It was later included on his fifth studio album Nu King (2024).

Background and release

Derulo previewed "Swalla" in a video posted in August 2016.[3] He officially announced it as a single on January 2, 2017. "Swalla" premiered on February 23, 2017,[4] and was released for download on iTunes Store the next day.[5] While talking about the song on the red carpet of the 59th Grammy Awards, Derulo said:

"I never believe in forcing a collaboration. You know, I’m a fan of both of theirs and I thought that they fit the track perfectly. It’s one of those ones that’ll get you up and doing your thing. I feel like it’s gonna stick out on the radio. There’s nothing that sounds like it."

Parts of the chorus are created as an interpolation of Ol' Dirty Bastard's song "Shimmy Shimmy Ya".[6]

On May 12, 2017, the trio released "Swalla (After Dark Remix)", a slow-paced acoustic remix of the original song.[7] In an interview with The Fader, Derulo said about the remix: "It was so nice we had to do it twice! The original version is the ultimate club track, so the idea was to give people the flip side of the song. The subject matter and melody is so sexy, but you might miss the 'sexy' in all the fun of 'Swalla'. So, 'After Dark' is on the opposite side of the spectrum and is SURE to set the mood."

Critical reception

Justin Ivey from XXL wrote that Minaj "comes through to close out the track with bars that steal the show".[8] Joshua Espinoza of Complex wrote that "Jason and Ty handle their verses nicely, but Nicki is definitely the star", also saying that the song "definitely has potential".[9] Rap-Up also praised Minaj's verse saying that she "anchors the track with a third and final verse that many will likely assume is another thinly-veiled jab at Remy Ma".[10] Hilary Hughes from MTV News wrote that this is a "steamy number that has all three chiming in over a wobbly beat that would feel right at home on the floor of a beach club in the Caribbean".[11]

Music video

On February 24, 2017, the official lyric video for "Swalla", directed by Alex Lockett, was uploaded to Derulo's YouTube channel.[12] The music video premiered on March 17, 2017.[13] As of 2023, the music video has received over 1.7 billion views on YouTube.

Live performances

Derulo and Ty$ performed the song live on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on April 6, 2017.[14] Derulo and Minaj performed the song at the Billboard Music Awards on May 21, 2017. Derulo performed the song at the Opening Ceremony of Pakistan Super League 2018 on February 22, 2018. On April 12, 2018, Derulo performed the song live during a medley with "Tip Toe" and "Colors" at the German Echo Music Prize.[15]

Other appearance

This song is featured in Blackpink's In Your Area World Tour as the group member Lisa's solo dance number in Asia, North America and Europe setlist.

"Swalla" appeared as a dance evaluation song in Episode 6 of the South Korean idol survival show Produce X 101 as one of the dance evaluation songs alongside "Believer" by Imagine Dragons and "Finesse" by Bruno Mars and Cardi B.

Track listing

  1. "Swalla" (featuring Nicki Minaj and Ty Dolla Sign) – 3:36
  1. "Swalla" (Wideboys Remix) (featuring Nicki Minaj and Ty Dolla Sign) – 3:16
  1. "Swalla" (After Dark Remix) (featuring Nicki Minaj and Ty Dolla Sign) – 4:32

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (2017)! scope="col"
Peak
position
Argentina Anglo (Monitor Latino)[16] 9
Brazil (Brasil Hot 100 Airplay)[17] 29
Bulgaria (PROPHON)[18] 3
Colombia (National-Report)[19] 17
Euro Digital Songs (Billboard)[20] 6
France Airplay (SNEP)[21] 3
Greece Airplay (IFPI)[22] 18
Greece Digital Songs (Billboard)[23] 4
Guatemala (Monitor Latino)[24] 14
Latvia (EHR)[25] 7
Lebanon (Lebanese Top 20)[26] 3
Luxembourg Digital Songs (Billboard)[27] 9
Malaysia (RIM)[28] 20
Mexico Airplay (Billboard)[29] 10
Panama (Monitor Latino)[30] 17
Paraguay (Monitor Latino)[31] 3
Philippines (Philippine Hot 100)[32] 9
Romania Airplay (Media Forest)[33] 1

Year-end charts

Chart (2017)! scope="col"
Position
Argentina (Monitor Latino)[34] 72
Australia (ARIA)[35] 68
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[36] 19
Belgium (Ultratop Flanders)[37] 44
Belgium (Ultratop Wallonia)[38] 53
Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil)[39] 82
Bulgaria (PROPHON)[40] 9
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[41] 36
Denmark (Tracklisten)[42] 52
France (SNEP)[43] 26
Germany (Official German Charts)[44] 11
Hungary (Dance Top 40)[45] 17
Hungary (Rádiós Top 40)[46] 43
Hungary (Single Top 40)[47] 30
Hungary (Stream Top 40)[48] 18
Israel (Media Forest)[49] 5
Italy (FIMI)[50] 29
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[51] 38
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[52] 12
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[53] 27
Portugal (AFP)[54] 10
Romania (Airplay 100)[55] 5
Spain (PROMUSICAE)[56] 29
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[57] 32
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[58] 37
UK Singles (OCC)[59] 19
US Billboard Hot 100[60] 85
Chart (2018)! scope="col"
Position
Hungary (Dance Top 40)[61] 40

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Jason Derulo to release new music in doses . The List . September 2, 2019 . September 4, 2019.
  2. Web site: Jason Derulo announces 2018 UK tour. August 18, 2017.
  3. Web site: Jason Derulo Taps Nicki Minaj & Ty Dolla $ign for New Single 'Swalla'. Rap-Up. January 2, 2017. February 24, 2017.
  4. Jason Derulo Taps Nicki Minaj & Ty Dolla $ign for 'Swalla': Listen. Billboard. February 23, 2017. February 24, 2017.
  5. Web site: Swalla (feat. Nicki Minaj & Ty Dolla $ign) - Single by Jason Derulo. iTunes. February 24, 2017 . February 24, 2017.
  6. Web site: Jason Derulo interpolates an Ol' Dirty Bastard classic on his new single Swalla. Genius. February 24, 2017. July 22, 2017.
  7. Web site: Jason Derulo Reunites With Nicki Minaj And Ty Dolla $ign For After Dark Remix Of "Swalla". The FADER. May 12, 2017.
  8. News: Nicki Minaj and Ty Dolla Sign Join Jason Derulo for "Swalla". XXL. February 23, 2017. February 24, 2017.
  9. Web site: Jason Derulo Enlists Nicki Minaj and Ty Dolla Sign for His New Track "Swalla". Complex. February 24, 2017. February 24, 2017.
  10. Web site: New Music: Jason Derulo, feat. Nicki Minaj & Ty Dolla $ign – 'Swalla'. Rap-Up. February 23, 2017. February 24, 2017.
  11. Web site: Jason Derulo, Nicki Minaj, And Ty Dolla $ign Made The Baskin-Robbins Of Dance Tracks. https://web.archive.org/web/20170223232713/http://www.mtv.com/news/2986266/jason-derulo-nicki-minaj-ty-dolla-sign-swalla/. dead. February 23, 2017. MTV. February 23, 2017. February 24, 2017.
  12. Web site: Jason Derulo – Swalla ft. Nicki Minaj & Ty Dolla $ign (Lyric Video). Singersroom. February 24, 2017. February 25, 2017.
  13. Jason Derulo's 'Swalla' Video With Nicki Minaj & Ty Dolla $ign Is a Candy-Coated Party: Watch. Billboard. March 17, 2017. March 18, 2017.
  14. Web site: Jason Derulo & Ty Dolla $ign Perform On Jimmy Fallon's "Tonight Show" (Watch Now). Headline Planet. April 6, 2017. April 7, 2017.
  15. News: Schmidt. Axel. Skandal bei Echo 2018: Außenminister Maas meldet sich zu Wort – Farid Bang in Schlägerei verwickelt?. Tz. April 12, 2018. April 14, 2018.
  16. Web site: Top 20 Anglo Argentina – Del 19 al 26 de Junio 2017. July 7, 2017. May 13, 2017. es.
  17. Web site: RANKINGS - Billboard Hot 100. Internet Group. Billboard Brasil. July 4, 2017.
  18. Web site: Архив класации. bg. PROPHON.
  19. Web site: Top 100 Colombia. es. National-Report. July 23, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20170730041322/http://www.national-report.com/top-colombia/. July 30, 2017.
  20. http://www.billboard.com/biz/search/charts?f[0=ts_chart_artistname%3AJason%20Derulo&f[1]=itm_field_chart_id%3A846&f[2]=ss_bb_type%3Achart_item&type=2&artist=Jason%20Derulo Charlie Puth – Chart history]. Billboard Euro Digital Songs for Jason Derulo. July 9, 2017.
  21. Web site: Top de la semaine. June 20, 2017.
  22. Web site: Airplay Chart. el. International Federation of the Phonographic Industry. July 14, 2017.
  23. Web site: http://www.billboard.com/biz/search/charts?f[0=ts_chart_artistname%3AJason%20Derulo&f[1]=itm_field_chart_id%3A801&f[2]=ss_bb_type%3Achart_item&type=2&artist=Jason%20Derulo Greece Digital Songs - Artist History]. billboard.com. July 9, 2017.
  24. Web site: Monitor Latino – Top 20 General – Paraguay – Del 3 al 10 de Julio, 2017. monitorlatino.com . es . July 10, 2017.
  25. Web site: EHR TOP 40 – 2017.05.12. European Hit Radio. April 21, 2022. April 21, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220421210013/https://www.ehrhiti.lv/arhivs/ehr-top-40?airDate=2017.05.12. live.
  26. Web site: Jason Derulo Lebanese Chart Top 20 History. The Official Lebanese Top 20. May 8, 2017. May 8, 2017.
  27. http://www.billboard.com/biz/search/charts?f[0=ts_chart_artistname%3AJason%20Derulo&f[1]=itm_field_chart_id%3A913&f[2]=ss_bb_type%3Achart_item&type=2&artist=Jason%20Derulo Luxembourg Digital Songs Chart History - Jason Derulo ]. Billboard. July 9, 2017.
  28. Web site: Top 20 Most Streamed International & Domestic Singles in Malaysia. Recording Industry Association of Malaysia. July 6, 2017.
  29. Mexico Airplay: Aug 19, 2017. Billboard. May 16, 2018. subscription .
  30. Web site: Monitor Latino – Top 20 General – Panama – Del 12 al 18 de Junio, 2017 . monitorlatino.com . es . June 28, 2017.
  31. Web site: Paraguay General. es. Monitor Latino. May 9, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180509154342/http://charts.monitorlatino.com/top20/Paraguay/General/20170626. May 9, 2018. dead.
  32. Web site: BillboardPH Hot 100. Billboard Philippines. July 10, 2017. July 10, 2017.
  33. Web site: Romanian International Top 10 Singles Chart. Media Forest. June 26, 2017. July 6, 2017.
  34. Web site: Top 100 Anual Argentina. December 10, 2017. Monitor Latino.
  35. Web site: ARIA End of Year Singles 2017. Australian Recording Industry Association. January 5, 2018.
  36. Web site: Ö3 Austria Top 40 – Single-Charts 2017. oe3.orf.at. December 29, 2017. December 30, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171230060411/http://oe3.orf.at/charts/stories/2886107/. dead.
  37. Web site: Jaaroverzichten 2017. Ultratop. December 21, 2017.
  38. Web site: Rapports Annuels 2017. Ultratop. December 21, 2017.
  39. Web site: Top 200 faixas em streaming - 2017. pt. Pro-Música Brasil. 16 July 2021. 6 March 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200306125559/https://pro-musicabr.org.br/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/TOP200_STREAMING2017.pdf. live.
  40. Web site: PROPHON Annual Report: 2017. bg. PROPHON.
  41. Canadian Hot 100 – Year-End 2017. Billboard. December 17, 2017.
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  43. Web site: Top de l'année Top Singles 2017. SNEP. fr. October 15, 2020.
  44. Web site: Top 100 Single-Jahrescharts. de. GfK Entertainment. offiziellecharts.de. December 29, 2017.
  45. Web site: Dance Top 100 - 2017. November 9, 2019. Mahasz.
  46. Web site: Rádiós Top 100 - hallgatottsági adatok alapján - 2017. February 17, 2018. Mahasz.
  47. Web site: Single Top 100 - eladási darabszám alapján - 2017. February 17, 2018. Mahasz.
  48. Web site: Stream Top 100 - 2017. February 17, 2018. Mahasz.
  49. Web site: Top 50 Israel airplay 2017. mediaforest.bizz. January 2, 2018. September 27, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170927111816/http://www.mediaforest.biz/charts/yearlycharts. dead.
  50. Web site: Classifiche annuali dei dischi più venduti e dei singoli più scaricati nel 2017. FIMI. it. January 9, 2018. Click on "Scarica allegato" and open the "Classifica annuale 2017 Singoli digital" file. January 8, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180108233439/http://www.fimi.it/news/top-of-the-music-2017-lalbum-piu-venduto-in-italia-e-divide-%c3%b7-di-ed-sheeran. dead.
  51. Web site: Top 100-Jaaroverzicht van 2017. Dutch Top 40. November 9, 2019.
  52. Web site: Jaaroverzichten – Single 2017. Hung Medien. December 23, 2017.
  53. Web site: Top Selling Singles of 2017. Recorded Music NZ. December 22, 2017.
  54. Web site: Top AFP - Audiogest - Top 100 Singles 2017. Associação Fonográfica Portuguesa. pt. September 12, 2020.
  55. Web site: Airplay 100 – Top of the Year 2017. Kiss FM. ro. November 3, 2018.
  56. Web site: Top 100 Songs Annual 2017. Productores de Música de España. es. May 9, 2022.
  57. Web site: Årslista Singlar – År 2017. Sverigetopplistan. sv. January 16, 2018.
  58. Web site: Schweizer Jahreshitparade 2017 – hitparade.ch. Hung Medien. December 31, 2017.
  59. Web site: The Official Top 40 Biggest Songs of 2017. Official Charts Company. Copsey. Rob. January 3, 2018. January 3, 2018.
  60. Hot 100 Songs – Year-End 2017. Billboard. December 12, 2017.
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