Low Lights
{{short description|2016 song by Kanye West}}
{{other uses|Low light (disambiguation)}}
{{good article}}
{{Infobox song
| name = Low Lights
| artist = Kanye West
| album = The Life of Pablo
| released = February 14, 2016
| genre = Gospel
| length = {{Duration|m=2|s=11}}
| label = {{hlist|GOOD|Def Jam}}
| writer = {{hlist|West|Mike Dean|Jerome Potter|Samuel Griesemer|Sandy Rivera}}
| producer = {{hlist|West|DJDS|Dean ({{abbr|add.|additional producer}})}}
}}
"Low Lights" (also spelled "Lowlights") is a song by American recording artist Kanye West from his seventh studio album, The Life of Pablo (2016). It was produced by West, DJDS and Mike Dean, while the lyrics were written by West, Dean, Jerome Potter, Samuel Griesemer and Sandy Rivera. DJDS worked on the album for three consecutive weeks after meeting West, with the latter sharing a snippet of the song on Saturday Night Live the day before release in February 2016.
The vocals used in "Low Lights" are sampled from the a cappella version of "So Alive" by Kings of Tomorrow. A gospel track that looks at spirituality and references God throughout, "Low Lights" is the sixth track on The Life of Pablo, and leads into "Highlights". The song received positive reviews from music critics, commending its religious nature. Alicia Keys sampled the song in her 2017 track "That's What's Up". "Low Lights" charted at number 22 on the US Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100 in 2016.
Background
"Low Lights" was co-produced by DJDS, a production duo consisting of Jerome LOL and Samo Sound Boy. They co-wrote the song along with West, Dean and Sandy Rivera. DJDS also co-produced The Life of Pablo tracks "Ultralight Beam", "Father Stretch My Hands, Pt. 1", "Freestyle 4" and "Fade". In an interview with Billboard, Samo Sound Boy explained how they became involved with West: "A bunch of different people from his team just reached out on Facebook, Twitter DM, and it basically said Kanye West requests your presence tomorrow."{{cite magazine |last1=Platon |first1=Adelle |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/hip-hop/6882797/djds-dj-dodger-stadium-kanye-west-the-life-of-pablo-interview |title=DJDS Talks Working on Kanye West's 'The Life of Pablo' |magazine=Billboard |access-date=May 29, 2019 |date=February 19, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190410042943/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/hip-hop/6882797/djds-dj-dodger-stadium-kanye-west-the-life-of-pablo-interview |archive-date=April 10, 2019 |url-status=live }} After meeting West, DJDS worked on his then-upcoming album for three consecutive weeks. West explained "the gospel nature of it" to the duo, with the gospel elements of their work making sense out of West wanting to collaborate. Samo Sound Boy revealed that every song was being worked on at the same time and that the recording process "wasn't a really systematic way." Jerome LOL named West as one of DJDS' biggest inspirations and claimed for their sampling style to be "directly influenced by his old production." The rapper discovered the duo in January 2016.{{cite magazine |last1=Haithcoat |first1=Rebecca |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/hip-hop/8030199/djds-a-list-collaborations-kanye-khalid-interview |title=DJDS Explain Their Path To A-List Collaborations: Kanye, Khalid & More |magazine=Billboard |access-date=June 10, 2019 |date=November 10, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190609115726/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/hip-hop/8030199/djds-a-list-collaborations-kanye-khalid-interview |archive-date=June 9, 2019 |url-status=live }} West had previously used the word "light" in the titles of his tracks "Flashing Lights", "Street Lights" and "All of the Lights". It further makes appearance on The Life of Pablo tracks "Ultralight Beam" and "Highlights" as well as "Low Lights".{{cite web |last1=Lewis |first1=Philip |url=https://mic.com/articles/135994/twitter-shines-a-light-on-something-all-of-kanye-west-s-best-songs-have-in-common |title=Twitter Shines a 'Light' on Something All of Kanye West's Best Songs Have in Common |website=Mic |access-date=October 28, 2018 |date=February 23, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160512023945/http://mic.com/articles/135994/twitter-shines-a-light-on-something-all-of-kanye-west-s-best-songs-have-in-common |archive-date=May 12, 2016 |url-status=live }}
Composition and production
File:Kanye West SWU Music & Arts Festival 2011 (crop).jpg
"Low Lights" is a gospel track that includes similar elements to the album's opener "Ultralight Beam". It contains a sample of the a cappella version of "So Alive" by American dance duo Kings of Tomorrow for the entirety of it, which is layered over piano chords and synth bass production.{{cite web |last1=Reiff |first1=Corbin |url=https://www.complex.com/music/2016/02/kanye-west-the-life-of-pablo-sample-breakdown |title=Here's Every Sample on Kanye West's New Album, 'The Life of Pablo' |website=Complex |access-date=June 22, 2018 |date=February 15, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180618102407/https://www.complex.com/music/2016/02/kanye-west-the-life-of-pablo-sample-breakdown |archive-date=June 18, 2018 |url-status=live }} The vocals are not by West but by an unknown woman who was sampled for "So Alive".{{cite web |last1=Lockett |first1=Dee |url=https://www.vulture.com/2016/02/guide-to-understanding-kanyes-tlop.html |title=A Guide to Understanding Kanye West's The Life of Pablo |website=Vulture |url-access=limited |access-date=May 28, 2019 |date=May 31, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190401105247/https://www.vulture.com/2016/02/guide-to-understanding-kanyes-tlop.html |archive-date=April 1, 2019 |url-status=live }} Throughout "Low Lights", the woman is heard preaching about God and his connection to spirituality.{{cite web |last1=Riotta |first1=Chris |url=https://mic.com/articles/135381/kanye-west-s-low-lights-lyrics-feature-the-most-biblical-meanings-in-the-life-of-pablo |title=Kanye West's 'Low Lights' Lyrics Feature the Most Biblical Meanings in 'The Life of Pablo' |website=Mic |access-date=June 22, 2018 |date=February 16, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160512030934/http://mic.com/articles/135381/kanye-west-s-low-lights-lyrics-feature-the-most-biblical-meanings-in-the-life-of-pablo |archive-date=May 12, 2016 |url-status=live }} Lyrically, a descriptive picture is painted of faith in God by her and the miracles that will one day be created for her in life by the lord. This message is related to the spirituality that West's mother Donda taught him, as well as to the religious themes found throughout his career. Such themes are also included on The Life of Pablo, and the message speaks to the spirituality which helps people stay strong during their lives. The song concludes with a final dedication to Jesus by Rivera.
"Low Lights" precedes "Highlights" on The Life of Pablo, serving as an intro to the track.{{cite web |last1=Wickman |first1=Forrest |url=http://www.slate.com/blogs/browbeat/2016/02/14/kanye_west_s_new_album_the_life_of_pablo_a_track_by_track_breakdown.html |title=Kanye West's new album The Life of Pablo: A track-by-track breakdown. |work=Slate |access-date=July 23, 2018 |date=February 14, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170721052557/http://www.slate.com/blogs/browbeat/2016/02/14/kanye_west_s_new_album_the_life_of_pablo_a_track_by_track_breakdown.html |archive-date=July 21, 2017 |url-status=live }} The transition from the track's Bible references to those in "Highlights" suggests that West attributes his success to his spirituality.
Release and promotion
"Low Lights" was released on February 14, 2016, as the sixth track on West's seventh studio album, The Life of Pablo through GOOD Music and Def Jam Recordings.{{cite web |last1=Jeffries |first1=David |title=The Life of Pablo – Kanye West |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/the-life-of-pablo-mw0002913866 |publisher=AllMusic |access-date=May 29, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171107120419/https://www.allmusic.com/album/the-life-of-pablo-mw0002913866 |archive-date=November 7, 2017 |url-status=live }} The day before the album's release, during his appearance on Saturday Night Live, West played a snippet of the song while he stood onstage by himself. West segued from the snippet into a performance of "Highlights" joined by Young Thug, El DeBarge, Kelly Price and The-Dream.{{cite magazine |last1=Kreps |first1=Daniel |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/tv/tv-news/watch-kanye-west-debut-pablo-tracks-rap-battle-on-snl-229483/ |title=Watch Kanye West Debut 'Pablo' Tracks, Rap Battle on 'SNL' |magazine=Rolling Stone |url-access=limited |access-date=May 28, 2019 |date=February 14, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180723122558/https://www.rollingstone.com/tv/tv-news/watch-kanye-west-debut-pablo-tracks-rap-battle-on-snl-229483/ |archive-date=July 23, 2018 |url-status=live }} The song was one of five that West added to The Life of Pablo{{'s}} tracklist on the day of release.{{cite web |last1=Moore |first1=Sam |url=https://www.nme.com/blogs/nme-blogs/review-of-five-extra-tracks-on-life-of-pablo-11078 |title=Kanye West Added Five Tracks To The Life Of Pablo – Our First Listen Verdict |website=NME |access-date=August 27, 2018 |date=February 14, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180827205940/https://www.nme.com/blogs/nme-blogs/review-of-five-extra-tracks-on-life-of-pablo-11078 |archive-date=August 27, 2018 |url-status=live }} During a Twitter rant in February 2016, West sent out various tweets related to the album.{{cite web |url=https://www.capitalfm.com/artists/kanye-west/news/twitter-rant-best-moments/ |title=The Week Kanye West Went Bats**t On Twitter – It's Not Easy Living Like Pablo! |publisher=Capital FM |access-date=May 29, 2019 |date=February 16, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160809074945/http://www.capitalfm.com/artists/kanye-west/news/twitter-rant-best-moments/ |archive-date=August 9, 2016 |url-status=live }} He explained the song's presence, tweeting: "I put Lowlights {{sic}} on my album just thinking about all the moms driving they kids [sic] to school then going to work…" On November 1, 2016, West performed it live at The Forum in Inglewood, California, as part of the Saint Pablo Tour.{{cite magazine | last=Barlow | first=Eve | title=Kanye West Lights it Up, Lets Crowd Do the Talking at Fourth Forum Concert | url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/live/7564672/kanye-west-forum-concert-los-angeles | date=November 2, 2016 | magazine=Billboard | access-date=September 24, 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190714092940/https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/live/7564672/kanye-west-forum-concert-los-angeles | archive-date=July 14, 2019 | url-status=live }}
Reception
"Low Lights" met with positive reviews from music critics, who praised the religious nature. Alexis Petridis of The Guardian described the song, along with fellow album tracks "Ultralight Beam" and "Highlights", as not feeling "episodic so much as fractured."{{cite web |last1=Petridis |first1=Alexis |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2016/feb/14/kanye-west-the-life-of-pablo-review-you-can-see-why-his-immodesty-rubs-people-up-the-wrong-way |title=Kanye West: The Life of Pablo review – 'You can see why his immodesty rubs people up the wrong way' |website=The Guardian |access-date=June 21, 2018 |date=February 14, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180619113024/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2016/feb/14/kanye-west-the-life-of-pablo-review-you-can-see-why-his-immodesty-rubs-people-up-the-wrong-way |archive-date=June 19, 2018 |url-status=live }} Ej Moreno of Monkeys Fighting Robots labeled it as being a "gospel-heavy song" and a "powerful track."{{cite web |last1=Moreno |first1=Ej |url=https://www.monkeysfightingrobots.co/kanye-west-yeezy-season-is-back-again-album-fashion-review/ |title=Kanye West: 'The Life of Pablo' Track-By-Track Review |website=Monkeys Fighting Robots |access-date=July 12, 2018 |date=February 14, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180712220758/https://www.monkeysfightingrobots.co/kanye-west-yeezy-season-is-back-again-album-fashion-review/ |archive-date=July 12, 2018 |url-status=live }} Iyana Robertson of Vibe wrote that "a passionate testimony of deliverance is shared with West's congregation."{{cite web |last1=Robertson |first1=Iyana |url=https://www.vibe.com/2016/02/kanye-west-the-life-of-pablo-review |title=Review: The Misogyny Of Kanye West's 'The Life Of Pablo' |work=Vibe |date=February 19, 2016 |access-date=May 29, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180223132808/https://www.vibe.com/2016/02/kanye-west-the-life-of-pablo-review/ |archive-date=February 23, 2018 |url-status=live }} Zach Schonfeld of Newsweek viewed the song as what "comes in the form of a spoken testimony to Christ."{{cite web |last1=Schonfeld |first1=Zach |url=https://www.newsweek.com/life-pablo-kanye-wests-scattered-unfinished-masterpiece-427768 |title='The Life of Pablo' Is Kanye West's Scattered, Unfinished Masterpiece (Review) |work=Newsweek |date=February 19, 2016 |access-date=May 29, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190410173510/https://www.newsweek.com/life-pablo-kanye-wests-scattered-unfinished-masterpiece-427768 |archive-date=April 10, 2019 |url-status=live }} When Premier Gospel looked into The Life of Pablo possibly being the gospel album of 2016, Jamie of the site voiced the belief that if "Low Lights", "Jesus Walks" or fellow album track "Ultralight Beam" had been put out by anyone else, then "we'd be hailing them as the new hero of gospel music."{{cite web |url=https://www.premiergospel.org.uk/Features/The-Life-of-Pablo-Gospel-Album-of-the-Year |title=The Life of Pablo: Gospel Album of the Year? |work=Premier Gospel |date=2016 |access-date=November 16, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181116173308/https://www.premiergospel.org.uk/Features/The-Life-of-Pablo-Gospel-Album-of-the-Year |archive-date=November 16, 2018 |url-status=live }} Jamie claimed that the song "is basically just a prayer." When reviewing the eponymous album by Kids See Ghosts, the duo of West and Kid Cudi, in June 2018, Kiana Fitzgerald of Complex looked back on the presence of "Low Lights" on The Life of Pablo as "the closest the entire album comes to gospel."{{cite web |last1=Fitzgerald |first1=Kiana |url=https://www.complex.com/music/2018/06/kids-see-ghost-is-the-gospel-album-the-life-of-pablo-tried-to-be |title='Kids See Ghosts' Is the Gospel Album 'The Life of Pablo' Tried to Be |website=Complex |access-date=November 16, 2018 |date=June 12, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181116173933/https://www.complex.com/music/2018/06/kids-see-ghost-is-the-gospel-album-the-life-of-pablo-tried-to-be |archive-date=November 16, 2018 |url-status=live }}
In the same week that the album was released, "Low Lights" debuted at number 22 on the US Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100 and lasted for one week.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/kanye-west/chart-history/hbu/|title=Kanye West - Low Lights - Chart History|magazine=Billboard|access-date=August 27, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180827223347/https://www.billboard.com/music/Kanye-West/chart-history/bubbling-under-hot-100/song/970132|archive-date=August 27, 2018|url-status=live}} Alongside its debut on the Bubbling Under Hot 100, the track peaked at number 1 on the US Bubbling Under R&B/Hip-Hop Singles chart and spent a total of two weeks on it.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/Kanye-West/chart-history/bubbling-under-r-b-hip-hop-songs/song/970132|title=Kanye West - Low Lights - Chart History|magazine=Billboard|access-date=November 16, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181116143354/https://www.billboard.com/music/Kanye-West/chart-history/bubbling-under-r-b-hip-hop-songs/song/970132|archive-date=November 16, 2018|url-status=dead}} The track opened at number 134 on the UK Singles Chart.
Other usage
American singer-songwriter Alicia Keys sampled the track's monologue in her 2017 song "That's What's Up", from her album Here (2018).{{cite news |url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/alicia-keys-thats-whats-up-low-lights-kanye/ |title=Listen to Alicia Keys' New Kanye West-Sampling Song |website=Noisey |access-date=June 23, 2018 |date=January 26, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180616153608/https://noisey.vice.com/en_uk/article/535b95/alicia-keys-thats-whats-up-low-lights-kanye |archive-date=June 16, 2018 |url-status=live }} An accompanying music video for the song was shared by Keys on January 25, 2017, which includes her lounging and dipping in a bathtub.{{cite web |last1=Josephs |first1=Brian |url=https://www.spin.com/2017/01/alicia-keys-kanye-west-low-lights/ |title=Here's Alicia Keys Singing in a Bathtub to Kanye West's 'Low Lights' |website=Spin |access-date=August 27, 2018 |date=January 25, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180828035558/https://www.spin.com/2017/01/alicia-keys-kanye-west-low-lights/ |archive-date=August 28, 2018 |url-status=live }}{{cite web|url=https://consequenceofsound.net/2017/01/alicia-keys-samples-kanye-wests-low-lights-on-new-track-thats-whats-up-listen/|title=Alicia Keys samples Kanye West's 'Low Lights' on new track 'That's What's Up' — listen|last=Kaye|first=Ben|work=Consequence of Sound|date=January 25, 2017|access-date=January 4, 2020}}
Credits and personnel
Credits adapted from West's official website.{{Cite web|url=http://www.kanyewest.com/credits/|title=The Life of Pablo|last=davidbaker.tv|first=builtbylane.com ×|website=The Life of Pablo – Kanye West|language=en-US|access-date=January 31, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160217152507/http://www.kanyewest.com/credits/|archive-date=February 17, 2016|url-status=live}}
- Production – Kanye West and DJDS
- Additional production – Mike Dean
- Engineering – Noah Goldstein, Andrew Dawson, Anthony Kilhoffer and Dean
- Mix engineer – Manny Marroquin at Larrabee Studios, North Hollywood, California
- Mix assistants – Chris Galland, Ike Schultz and Jeff Jackson
Charts
Certifications
{{Certification Table Top}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|artist=Kanye West|title=Low Lights|award=Gold|type=single|relyear=2016|certyear=2021|access-date=October 25, 2021}}
{{Certification Table Bottom|streaming=true|nosales=true|noshipments=true}}
References
{{Reflist}}
{{Kanye West songs}}
{{authority control}}
Category:Song recordings produced by Kanye West
Category:Song recordings produced by Mike Dean (record producer)