I'm Out

After collaborating with Nicki Minaj on the song "I'm Legit" for Minaj's album Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded - The Re-Up, Minaj agreed to appear on Ciara's album in return. Originally, the duo had worked on just one collaboration for Ciara called "I'm Out." Speaking about Minaj's verse on the song, Ciara said, "The energy of the record is so dope, and it's really for the ladies, and Nicki she just killed the verse. She literally murdered it, like she got that throw-back, that thing that she does that's so special. She went in."{{cite web |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1706366/nicki-minaj-ciara-im-out-single.jhtml |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130430041850/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1706366/nicki-minaj-ciara-im-out-single.jhtml |url-status=dead |archive-date=April 30, 2013 |title=Nicki Minaj Killed Ciara's 'I'm Out' |publisher=MTV News |last=Markman |first=Rob |date=2013-04-26 |access-date=2013-04-28}} Having enjoyed the process, Minaj said, "I was supposed to only do one song for her album and I think I'm going to end up doing two. I just love what she's doing and I'm so proud and I'm really excited for people to hear it."{{cite web |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1705174/nicki-minaj-future-collaboration/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141230162844/http://www.mtv.com/news/1705174/nicki-minaj-future-collaboration/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=December 30, 2014 |title=Nicki Minaj Channels Her Mixtape Self On Collabo With Future |publisher=MTV News |last=Markman |first=Rob |date=2013-04-26 |access-date=2013-04-28}} In April, Ciara confirmed that Minaj was finished with a second record for the album; in an interview with MTV News, Ciara said, "She's actually finishing up one now that's really it's a monster too. The moments that we have had so far have just been crazy. It's just been magical, it's been something special and I feel like the fans have always wanted to see she and I rock together."

"I'm Out" premiered on May 22, 2013, via Ciara's official SoundCloud account.{{cite web|url=http://www.rap-up.com/2013/05/22/new-music-ciara-f-nicki-minaj-im-out/ |title=New Music: Ciara f/ Nicki Minaj – 'I'm Out' |publisher=Rap-Up.com |date=2013-05-22 |access-date=2013-07-08}} It was officially sent to urban radio in the US on June 3, 2013.{{cite web |url=http://frequencynews.com/musiclibrary_detail.cfm?LabelID=141&ArtistID=167&AlbumID=956&SingleID=3304&Gospel=0 |title=Frequency News |publisher=Frequency News |date=2013-06-03 |access-date=2013-07-08 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131101054428/http://frequencynews.com/musiclibrary_detail.cfm?LabelID=141&ArtistID=167&AlbumID=956&SingleID=3304&Gospel=0 |archive-date=2013-11-01 }} Additionally, it was the most added song at Canadian urban radio stations on June 7, 2013.{{cite web |url=http://cclamp.radioandrecords.com/rrwebsite20/Members/Charts.aspx?ChartId=5 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130206151601/http://cclamp.radioandrecords.com/RRWebsite20/Members/Charts.aspx?ChartId=5 |archive-date=2013-02-06 |title=Canada Urban National Airplay |publisher=Radio and Records & Nielsen BDS |date=2012-06-07 |access-date=2013-06-12 |url-status=dead }} "I'm Out" was released in the United Kingdom on July 8, 2013.{{cite web|url=http://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/this-weeks-new-releases-08-07-2013-2340|title=This week's new releases 08-07-2013|publisher=Official Charts Company|access-date=July 14, 2013}}

"I'm Out" is an electro-R&B song.{{cite web|last=Anderson|first=Kyle|url=https://ew.com/article/2013/05/23/ciara-im-out-nicki-minaj/|title=Ciara tosses Nicki Minaj-featured 'I'm Out'|publisher=Entertainment Weeklu|date=2013-05-23 |access-date=2013-07-12}} It features American rapper Nicki Minaj and was produced by The Co-Captains. It has a "fierce clapping beat" and a "sweet pop chorus",{{cite web|author=Sam Lansky |url=http://idolator.com/7459890/ciara-nicki-minaj-im-out-leak#more-7459890 |title=Ciara & Nicki Minaj's "I'm Out": Hear Their New Ladies' Anthem|publisher=Idolator.com |date=2013-05-22 |access-date=2013-07-08}} and features a "loud and bass-heavy" sound.{{cite web|url=http://globalgrind.com/music/ciara-nicki-minaj-im-out-new-music |title=Ciara & Nicki Minaj "I'm Out" (NEW MUSIC) |publisher=Global Grind |date=2013-05-22 |access-date=2013-07-08}} MTV Buzzworthy called the song an "energetic, clap-laced, synth-laden track".{{cite web|url=https://www.mtv.com/news/2304352/ciara-nicki-minaj-im-out/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211025160517/https://www.mtv.com/news/2304352/ciara-nicki-minaj-im-out/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 25, 2021 |title=New Song: Ciara Featuring Nicki Minaj, 'I'm Out' (NSFW) |publisher=MTV |date=2013-05-23 |access-date=2013-07-08}} The song opens with a "gritty opening verse" and "aggressive bars"{{cite web|last=Dionne |first=Zach |url=http://www.vulture.com/2013/05/ciara-nicki-minaj-im-out.html |title=Ciara's Nicki Minaj Track 'I'm Out' Is Massive |publisher=Vulture |date=2013-06-25 |access-date=2013-07-08}} from Minaj

followed by Ciara lyrically speaking on the subject of going through a breakup and making her ex-boyfriend regret leaving her. The verse for the song introduces the concept "If you know that you better than the new girl that he on, go 'head and tell him now you gon' miss me when I'm gone". Entertainment Weekly described it as a type of electro-kissed swaggering sass factory that makes for a great summer jam.

File:Nicki Minaj 10, 2012.jpg featured on the single soon after Ciara featured on Minaj's song "I'm Legit".]]

Analy Dewa from Metacritic praised "I'm Out" for representing "her ghetto origins", whilst The Observer from metric called the song "indomitable" and felt that "I'm Out" "powers this album".{{Cite web|url=http://www.metacritic.com/music/ciara/ciara?user_review_id=3282530|title=Ciara by Ciara|website=Metacritic}} Mikael Wood of the Los Angeles Times found "I'm Out" to be a particular highlight compared to the other songs from the album, saying the rest of the album had a mellow sound compared to those tracks; he ultimately praised Ciara for not playing it safe, however, seeing her adventurous with both lyrics and production.{{cite news|last=Wood|first=Mikael|title=Review: Ciara mellows out in her self-titled fifth album.|url=http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/music/la-et-ms-review-ciara-mellows-out-in-her-selftitled-fifth-album-20130708,0,298178.story|work=Los Angeles Times|access-date=July 9, 2013|date=2013-07-08}} Allmusic rated the song four out of five stars.{{cite web |title=I'm Out - Ciara {{!}} Song Info |url=https://www.allmusic.com/song/im-out-mt0047436730 |website=Allmusic |access-date=October 24, 2021}}

The Boston Globe{{'}}s Ken Capobianco called the single an "essential", continuing to call the song the "best cut", adding Ciara "proves CiCi can be defiant and strong."{{cite web|author=Ken Capobianco |url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/arts/music/2013/07/07/album-review-ciara-ciara/uwga4hTw1zGRoemNxwIRYJ/story.html |title=ALBUM REVIEW: Ciara, 'Ciara' - Music |publisher=The Boston Globe |access-date=2013-07-10}}

On the chart issue dated July 20, 2013, "I'm Out" debuted on the US Billboard Hot 100 at number 50, the top new entry of the week. It eventually moved 6 spots to its peak at number 44. The song also debuted at number 16 on the US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.{{Cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1573055/ciara-aiming-for-no-2-on-billboard-200-albums-chart-next-week|title=Ciara Aiming for No. 2 on Billboard 200 Albums Chart Next Week|magazine=Billboard|date=13 July 2013}} The single was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for sales of over 500,000 digital copies in the United States.{{Cite web|url=https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default-award&ar=ciara&ti=&lab=&genre=&format=&date_option=release&from=&to=&award=&type=&category=&adv=SEARCH#search_section|title = Gold & Platinum|website = Recording Industry Association of America}}

In the United Kingdom, the single debuted at number 54 on the UK Singles Chart.{{cite web |url=http://www.officialcharts.com/music-charts/ |title=Official UK Singles Top 100 |website=OfficialCharts.com |access-date=July 15, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130812074956/http://www.officialcharts.com/music-charts/ |archive-date=August 12, 2013 }} The song also charted at number 12 on the UK R&B Chart.{{cite web|url=http://www.officialcharts.com/urban-charts/|title=R&B Singles Top 40|website=OfficialCharts.com|access-date=July 15, 2013}}

Nicki Minaj revealed via her official Twitter account that Ciara and Minaj had begun filming the video and it would be directed by Hannah Lux Davis. Minaj continued to reveal that "the tone of the video will be very edgy, sexy and playful".{{cite web|url=http://singersroom.com/content/2013-06-03/Ciara-and-Nicki-Minaj-Shoot-Im-Out-Music-Video/#ixzz2V9Q9XhYp |title=News | Ciara and Nicki Minaj Shoot 'I'm Out' Music Video |date=3 June 2013 |publisher=Singersroom |access-date=2013-07-08}}

The music video was filmed from June 1 and June 2, 2013, in New York.{{cite web |url=http://mypinkfriday.com/news/154431 |title=Nicki Minaj |publisher=Mypinkfriday.com |date=2013-06-02 |access-date=2013-07-08}} On June 25, 2013, Ciara played a preview of the song's video on Access Hollywood Live.{{cite web|url=http://www.rap-up.com/2013/06/25/sneak-peek-ciara-f-nicki-minaj-im-out/#more-161370 |title=Sneak Peek: Ciara f/ Nicki Minaj – 'I'm Out' |publisher=Rap-Up.com |date=2013-06-25 |access-date=2013-07-08}} The video premiered on June 30, 2013, at the BET Awards red carpet.{{cite web|url=http://www.rap-up.com/2013/06/18/mariah-carey-nicki-minaj-ciara-to-perform-at-bet-awards/#more-160840 |title=Mariah Carey, Nicki Minaj, & Ciara to Perform at BET Awards |publisher=Rap-Up.com |date=2013-06-18 |access-date=2013-07-08}}

The music video begins with Ciara singing the song, showing only her red lips moving and a grill. Then Ciara and Minaj, sporting all white ensembles in an all-white room, perform synchronized dance moves. The scenes are split up with images of Ciara wearing a grill.{{cite news|url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/ciara-im-out-video-nicki-minaj_n_3528058 |title=Ciara's 'I'm Out' Video Has The Singer Getting Down With Nicki Minaj |publisher=HuffPost |date= 2013-07-01|access-date=2013-07-08 |first=Madeline |last=Boardman}} The following scene sees Ciara long with back up dancers "channeling vintage Marilyn in white with blonde waves" this is followed by Ciara and dancers in the club. The video then moves to Ciara under a fountain "drenched" before returning to the original scene of her and Minaj twerking and doing other sensual moves together.{{cite web|author=Sam Lansky |url=http://idolator.com/7467732/ciara-nicki-minaj-im-out-video#more-7467732 |title=Ciara & Nicki Minaj's "I'm Out" Video: Watch The Sexy Clip |publisher=Idolator.com |date=2013-07-01 |access-date=2013-07-08}}

Ciara first performed the song during her mini-concert at Jimmy Kimmel Live!. She performed the song as part of her setlist at L.A Gay Pride and her show at Musicalize on London O2 Arena. Ciara performed the song at the BET Awards on June 30, 2013, alongside Nicki Minaj.{{cite web|url=http://www.rap-up.com/2013/06/30/video-ciara-and-nicki-minaj-perform-at-bet-awards/#more-161853 |title=Ciara and Nicki Minaj Perform at BET Awards |publisher=Rap-Up.com |date=2013-06-30 |access-date=2013-07-08}} On July 9, 2013, Ciara performed the song on Good Morning America. Later that day, she performed the song on BET's 106 & Park, continuing her week-long takeover.{{cite web|url=http://www.rap-up.com/2013/07/09/video-ciara-performs-im-out-on-gma/#more-162482 |title=Ciara Performs 'I'm Out' on 'GMA' |publisher=Rap-Up.com |date=2010-10-18 |access-date=2013-07-12}}

;Recording

• Paramount Studios (California)
• Glenwood Studios (Los Angeles)

;Personnel

• Writer - Rock City, Onika Maraj, Ciara
• Producer - The Co-Captains, Rock City

{{col-begin}}

{{col-2}}

{{col-2}}

{{col-end}}

{{Certification Table Top}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|artist=Ciara|title=Im Out feat. Nicki Minaj|type=single|digital=true|award=Gold|relyear=2013|certyear=2019|access-date=September 18, 2019}}

{{Certification Table Bottom|streaming=true|nosales=true | noshipments=true}}

{{Reflist|2}}{{Ciara}}

{{Nicki Minaj songs}}

{{authority control}}

Category:2013 singles

Category:2013 songs

Category:Ciara songs

Category:Nicki Minaj songs

Category:Epic Records singles

Category:Music videos directed by Hannah Lux Davis

Category:Songs written by Ciara

Category:Songs written by Nicki Minaj

Category:Songs written by Theron Thomas

Category:Songs written by Timothy Thomas