Loyalty (Kendrick Lamar song)

{{Redirect|Loyalty.|the devotion to a cause|Loyalty|other uses|Loyalty (disambiguation)}}

{{Infobox song

| name = Loyalty

| cover =

| alt =

| type = single

| artist = Kendrick Lamar featuring Rihanna

| album = Damn

| released = June 20, 2017

| format =

| recorded = 2016{{cite web|last1=Carmichael|first1=Rodney|title=How Mike WiLL Made-It And Kendrick Lamar Created The Year's Most Urgent Music|url=https://www.npr.org/sections/therecord/2017/04/25/525450544/how-mike-will-made-it-and-kendrick-lamar-created-the-years-most-urgent-music-yet|website=NPR|access-date=December 17, 2017|date=April 25, 2017}}

| studio =

No Excuses (Santa Monica, CA){{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/damn-mw0003040142 |title=DAMN. – Kendrick Lamar |publisher=AllMusic |access-date=April 19, 2017 |last=Kellman |first=Andy |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170420143702/http://www.allmusic.com/album/damn-mw0003040142 |archive-date=April 20, 2017 }}
Windmark Studios (Los Angeles, CA){{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/damn-mw0003040142 |title=DAMN. – Kendrick Lamar |publisher=AllMusic |access-date=April 19, 2017 |last=Kellman |first=Andy |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170420143702/http://www.allmusic.com/album/damn-mw0003040142 |archive-date=April 20, 2017 }}

| genre = {{hlist|Hip-hop|R&B}}

| length = {{Duration|m=3|s=47}}

| label = {{hlist|Top Dawg|Aftermath|Interscope}}

| writer = {{hlist|Kendrick Duckworth|Dacoury Natche|Mark Spears|Robyn Fenty|Anthony Tiffith{{cite web|title=Digital Booklet - DAMN. copy.pdf|url=https://www.docdroid.net/rYHzAok/digital-booklet-damn-copy.pdf.html#page=4|website=DocDroid|access-date=April 18, 2017}}|Bruno Mars|Philip Lawrence|Christopher Brody Brown|Robert Diggs|Russell Jones|Shawn Carter|Ricardo Thomas|Malik Cox|Calvin Broadus}}

| producer = {{hlist|DJ Dahi|Sounwave|Martin|Top Dawg}}

| chronology = Kendrick Lamar

| prev_title = Perfect Pint

| prev_year = 2017

| next_title = New Freezer

| next_year = 2017

| misc = {{Extra chronology

| artist = Rihanna

| type = single

| prev_title = Wild Thoughts

| prev_year = 2017

| title = Loyalty

| year = 2017

| next_title = Lemon

| next_year = 2017

}}

{{Audio sample

| type = single

| file = Loyalty.ogg

| description =}}

{{External music video|{{YouTube|Dlh-dzB2U4Y|"Loyalty"}}

}}

"Loyalty" (stylized as "LOYALTY.") is a song by American rapper Kendrick Lamar featuring Barbadian singer Rihanna from the former's fourth studio album Damn, released on April 14, 2017. The song was later sent to urban and rhythmic radio June 20, 2017, as the second single from the album.{{cite web|title=Top 40 Rhythmic Future Releases|url=https://www.allaccess.com/top40-rhythmic/future-releases|website=All Access|access-date=June 13, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170613194735/https://www.allaccess.com/top40-rhythmic/future-releases|archive-date=June 13, 2017}}{{cite web|title=Urban/UAC Future Releases|url=https://www.allaccess.com/urban/future-releases|website=All Access|access-date=June 13, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170613194754/https://www.allaccess.com/urban/future-releases|archive-date=June 13, 2017}} The sixth track on the album (ninth on the Collector's Edition of Damn{{cite web|last1=India|first1=Lindsey|title=Kendrick Lamar Surprises Fans With 'Damn.' Collector's Edition|url=http://www.xxlmag.com/rap-music/new-music/2017/12/kendrick-lamar-surprises-fans-damn-collectors-edition/|website=XXL|access-date=December 9, 2017|date=December 8, 2017}}), the song was written by the artists alongside producers DJ Dahi, Sounwave, Terrace Martin, and Anthony "Top Dawg" Tiffith. The song won the Grammy Award for Best Rap/Sung Performance.{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2017/music/news/2018-grammy-nominations-list-nominees-1202623881/|title=2018 Grammy Nomination List|website=Variety|date=November 28, 2017|access-date=November 28, 2017}}

Composition

The song contains a reverse sample of "24K Magic" produced by Shampoo Press & Curl and The Stereotypes, and performed by American singer Bruno Mars.{{Cite news|url=http://hiphopdx.com/news/id.43113/title.kendrick-lamars-collab-with-rihanna-began-with-bruno-mars-sample#|title=Kendrick Lamar's Collab With Rihanna Began With Bruno Mars Sample|work=HipHopDX|access-date=April 20, 2017}} The song also contains a "replay" of Jay-Z's "Get Your Mind Right Mami" from his fifth album The Dynasty: Roc La Familia (2000), which can be heard at its 40-second mark.{{cite web | url=https://www.whosampled.com/sample/493884/Kendrick-Lamar-Rihanna-LOYALTY.-Jay-Z-Memphis-Bleek-Snoop-Dogg-Rell-Get-Your-Mind-Right-Mami/ | title=Kendrick Lamar feat. Rihanna's 'LOYALTY.' - Discover the Sample Source | website=WhoSampled }}

Critical reception

Complex calls it a "standout track" and one of Damn{{'}}s most "radio-friendly cuts".{{cite web|last1=Espinoza|first1=Joshua|title=Here's How Kendrick Lamar and Rihanna's "Loyalty" Came Together|url=http://www.complex.com/music/2017/04/how-kendrick-lamar-rihanna-loyalty-collaboration-went-down|website=Complex|publisher=Complex|access-date=April 19, 2017}} The Fader writer Jason Parham calls "Loyalty", "anxious, berserk, and beautifully intransigent in [its] own right" and "equal parts pop, funk, and brooding rap hymnal".{{cite web|last1=Parham|first1=Jason|title=The Story Behind The Kendrick Lamar And Rihanna Collaboration "LOYALTY."|url=http://www.thefader.com/2017/04/18/kendrick-lamar-rihanna-terrace-martin-loyalty-damn|website=The Fader|date=April 8, 2017 |access-date=April 19, 2017}} Frank Guan of Vulture enjoyed the song, especially Rihanna's part, saying "though only eight bars, Rihanna's sung rap is as fluent as it is brief, a swift and casual tour of her accomplishments."{{Cite news|url=http://www.vulture.com/2017/04/kendrick-lamar-featuring-rihanna-loyalty.html|title=On 'Loyalty' Rihanna Plays It Casual With Kendrick Lamar|last=Guan|first=Frank|work=Vulture|access-date=April 20, 2017}} Rap-Up called the song a "standout track that allows Kung Fu Kenny and Bad Gal RiRi to address allegiance from a variety of angles".{{Cite web|url=http://www.rap-up.com/2017/04/14/new-music-kendrick-lamar-rihanna-loyalty/|title=New Music: Kendrick Lamar feat. Rihanna – 'LOYALTY.'|website=Rap-Up|date=April 14, 2017|access-date=April 20, 2017}}

Awards and nominations

class="wikitable"
Year ! Organization ! Award ! Result ! Ref.
scope="row" rowspan="4"\| 2018 \|BET Awards \| Best Collaboration \| {{nom}} \| style="text-align:center;"\|{{Cite web \|last=Dupre \|first=Elyse \|date=2018-05-16 \|title=2018 BET Awards Nominations: DJ Khaled and Kendrick Lamar Among Top Nominees \|url=https://www.eonline.com/news/935748/2018-bet-awards-nominations-dj-khaled-and-kendrick-lamar-among-top-nominees \|access-date=2022-06-04 \|website=E!}}
BET Hip Hop Awards \| Best Hip Hop Video \| {{nom}} \| style="text-align:center;"\|{{Cite news\|url=https://www.bet.com/shows/hip-hop-awards/2018/photos/nominees/hip-hop-awards-18-nominees.html\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180913112813/https://www.bet.com/shows/hip-hop-awards/2018/photos/nominees/hip-hop-awards-18-nominees.html\|url-status=dead\|archive-date=September 13, 2018\|title=Hip Hop Awards 2018 Nominees\|work=BET.com\|access-date=2018-09-13}}
Grammy Awards \| Best Rap/Sung Performance \| {{won}} \| style="text-align:center;"\|{{cite magazine\|first=Joe\|last=Lynch\|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/grammys/8047027/grammys-2018-complete-nominees-list\|title=Grammys 2018 Nominees: The Complete List\|magazine=Billboard\|date=November 28, 2017\|access-date=November 28, 2017}}
NAACP Image Awards \|Outstanding Duo, Group or Collaboration \|{{won}} \| style="text-align:center;"\|{{Cite web\|date=2018-01-16\|title=2018 NAACP Image Awards: The Complete Winners List\|url=https://variety.com/2018/film/awards/naacp-image-awards-2018-winners-list-1202664852/\|access-date=2022-02-19\|website=Variety\|language=en-US}}

class="wikitable"

Year

! Organization

! Award

! Result

! Ref.

scope="row" rowspan="4"| 2018

|BET Awards

| Best Collaboration

| {{nom}}

| style="text-align:center;"|{{Cite web |last=Dupre |first=Elyse |date=2018-05-16 |title=2018 BET Awards Nominations: DJ Khaled and Kendrick Lamar Among Top Nominees |url=https://www.eonline.com/news/935748/2018-bet-awards-nominations-dj-khaled-and-kendrick-lamar-among-top-nominees |access-date=2022-06-04 |website=E!}}

BET Hip Hop Awards

| Best Hip Hop Video

| {{nom}}

| style="text-align:center;"|{{Cite news|url=https://www.bet.com/shows/hip-hop-awards/2018/photos/nominees/hip-hop-awards-18-nominees.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180913112813/https://www.bet.com/shows/hip-hop-awards/2018/photos/nominees/hip-hop-awards-18-nominees.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 13, 2018|title=Hip Hop Awards 2018 Nominees|work=BET.com|access-date=2018-09-13}}

Grammy Awards

| Best Rap/Sung Performance

| {{won}}

| style="text-align:center;"|{{cite magazine|first=Joe|last=Lynch|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/grammys/8047027/grammys-2018-complete-nominees-list|title=Grammys 2018 Nominees: The Complete List|magazine=Billboard|date=November 28, 2017|access-date=November 28, 2017}}

NAACP Image Awards

|Outstanding Duo, Group or Collaboration

|{{won}}

| style="text-align:center;"|{{Cite web|date=2018-01-16|title=2018 NAACP Image Awards: The Complete Winners List|url=https://variety.com/2018/film/awards/naacp-image-awards-2018-winners-list-1202664852/|access-date=2022-02-19|website=Variety|language=en-US}}

Music video

The music video for the song was released to Lamar's Vevo channel on YouTube on July 28, 2017. It was directed by Dave Meyers and The Little Homies and includes an appearance from featured artist Rihanna.{{cite web|title=Kendrick Lamar - LOYALTY. ft. Rihanna|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dlh-dzB2U4Y|website=YouTube|access-date=July 28, 2017|date=July 28, 2017}}{{cite magazine|last1=Finkelstein|first1=Sabrina|title=Kendrick Lamar Drops 'Loyalty' Video With Rihanna: Watch|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/7881995/kendrick-lamar-rihanna-loyalty-video-watch|magazine=Billboard|access-date=October 19, 2017|date=July 28, 2017}} Jordan Darville of The Fader gave the music video a positive review, praising the visuals and called Lamar and Rihanna's adventure together "carefully crafted [and] suitably amorous."{{cite web|last1=Darville|first1=Jordan|title=Kendrick Lamar And Rihanna Are A Dynamic Duo In The "LOYALTY." Music Video|url=http://www.thefader.com/2017/10/19/gucci-mane-back-on-video|website=The Fader|access-date=October 19, 2017|date=July 28, 2017}}

Live performances

Lamar has performed "Loyalty" on The Damn Tour.{{cite web|last=Masley|first=Ed|title=Kendrick Lamar launches DAMN. Tour in Glendale with triumphant one-man show of force|url=http://www.azcentral.com/story/entertainment/music/2017/07/12/kendrick-lamar-tour-launch-concert-review/463182001/|work=AZ Central|date=July 13, 2017|access-date=October 30, 2017}}

Credits and personnel

File:Rihanna - Concert for Valor in Washington, D.C. Nov. 11, 2014.jpg

Kendrick Duckworth – songwriter
Rihanna – vocals, songwriter
Dacoury Natche – songwriter, producer, additional vocals
Byron "Mr. Talkbox" Chambers – additional vocals
Mark Spears – songwriter, producer
Terrace Martin – songwriter, producer
Anthony "Topdawg" Tiffith – songwriter, producer
Bruno Mars – songwriter
Philip Lawrence – songwriter
Christopher Brody Brown – songwriter
Ol' Dirty Bastard – songwriter
RZA – songwriter
Jay-Z – songwriter
Memphis Bleek – songwriter
Snoop Dogg – songwriter
Rick Rock – songwriter
Bēkon – additional production and vocals
Kid Capri – additional vocals
Derek Ali – mixing
Tyler Page – mix assistant
Jamal Owens - Master mixer

Charts

=Weekly charts=

scope="col"\| Chart (2017) ! scope="col"\| Peak position
class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
{{single chart\|Australia\|20\|artist=Kendrick Lamar feat. Rihanna\|song=Loyalty.\|rowheader=true\|access-date=April 22, 2017}}
scope="row"\| Australia Urban (ARIA){{cite web\|url=http://www.ariacharts.com.au/charts/urban-singles-chart\|title=ARIA Urban Singles Chart\|publisher=ARIA\|access-date=April 30, 2017}} \| 4
{{single chart\|Austria\|41\|artist=Kendrick Lamar feat. Rihanna\|song=Loyalty.\|rowheader=true\|access-date=April 27, 2017}}
{{single chart\|Flanders Tip\|30\|artist=Kendrick Lamar feat. Rihanna\|song=Loyalty.\|rowheader=true\|access-date=September 30, 2017}}
{{single chart\|Canada\|12\|artist=Kendrick Lamar\|rowheader=true\|access-date=April 25, 2017}}
{{single chart\|Czechdigital\|40\|year=2017\|week=16\|rowheader=true\|access-date=April 25, 2017}}
{{single chart\|Denmark\|34\|artist=Kendrick Lamar feat. Rihanna\|song=Loyalty.\|rowheader=true\|access-date=April 26, 2017}}
{{single chart\|France\|43\|artist=Kendrick Lamar feat. Rihanna\|song=Loyalty.\|rowheader=true\|access-date=April 22, 2017}}
{{single chart\|Germany\|53\|songid=1653154\|artist=Kendrick Lamar feat. Rihanna\|song=Loyalty.\|rowheader=true\|access-date=April 21, 2017}}
{{single chart\|Hungarystream\|36\|year=2017\|week=16\|rowheader=true\|access-date=April 28, 2017}}
scope="row"\| Ireland (IRMA){{cite web\|url=http://irma.ie/index.cfm?page=irish-charts&chart=Singles\|title=IRMA – Irish Charts\|publisher=Irish Recorded Music Association\|access-date=April 21, 2017}} \| 18
scope="row"\| Italy (FIMI){{cite web\|url=http://www.fimi.it/classifiche#/category:digital/id:2461/page:1\|title=Classifica settimanale WK 16\|publisher=Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana\|language=it\|access-date=April 22, 2017}} \| 63
{{single chart\|Dutch100\|42\|artist=Kendrick Lamar feat. Rihanna\|song=Loyalty.\|rowheader=true\|access-date=April 21, 2017}}
{{single chart\|New Zealand\|15\|artist=Kendrick Lamar feat. Rihanna\|song=Loyalty.\|rowheader=true\|access-date=April 21, 2017}}
scope="row"\| Philippines (Philippine Hot 100){{cite web\|url=http://billboard.ph/billboardph-hot-100-august-21/\|title=BillboardPH Hot 100\|work=Billboard Philippines\|date=August 21, 2017\|access-date=August 21, 2017}} \| 47
{{single chart\|Portugal\|10\|artist=Kendrick Lamar feat. Rihanna\|song=Loyalty.\|rowheader=true\|access-date=April 28, 2017}}
{{single chart\|Scotland\|99\|date=20170421\|rowheader=true\|access-date=April 22, 2017}}
{{single chart\|Slovakdigital2\|20\|year=2017\|week=16\|rowheader=true\|access-date=April 25, 2017}}
{{single chart\|Sweden\|34\|artist=Kendrick Lamar feat. Rihanna\|song=Loyalty.\|rowheader=true\|access-date=April 21, 2017}}
{{single chart\|Switzerland\|35\|artist=Kendrick Lamar feat. Rihanna\|song=Loyalty.\|rowheader=true\|access-date=April 24, 2017}}
{{single chart\|UK\|27\|date=20170421\|rowheader=true\|access-date=April 22, 2017}}
{{single chart\|Billboardhot100\|14\|artist=Kendrick Lamar\|rowheader=true\|access-date=April 25, 2017}}
{{single chart\|Billboardrandbhiphop\|7\|artist=Kendrick Lamar\|rowheader=true\|access-date=April 25, 2017}}
{{single chart\|Billboardrhythmic\|1\|artist=Kendrick Lamar\|rowheader=true\|access-date=September 19, 2017}}

=Year-end charts=

class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"

scope="col"| Chart (2017)

! scope="col"| Position

scope="row"| US Billboard Hot 100{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2017/hot-100-songs|title=Hot 100 Songs – Year-End 2017|magazine=Billboard|access-date=December 12, 2017}}

| 66

scope="row"| US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard){{Cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2017/hot-r-and-and-b-hip-hop-songs|title=Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs - Year-End|magazine=Billboard }}

| 33

scope="row"| US Rhythmic (Billboard){{Cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2017/rhythmic-songs|title=Rhythmic Songs - Year-End|magazine=Billboard }}

| 21

Certifications

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Australia|artist=Kendrick Lamar feat. Rihanna|title=Loyalty|type=single|award=Platinum|number=3|relyear=2017|certyear=2024|access-date=April 21, 2024}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Brazil|artist=Kendrick Lamar|title=Loyalty.|type=single|award=Platinum|relyear=2017|relmonth=6|certyear=2024|access-date=June 29, 2024}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Canada|artist=Kendrick Lamar ft. Rihanna|title=Loyalty.|type=single|award=Platinum|number=3|relyear=2017|certyear=2021|access-date=March 18, 2021}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Denmark|artist=Kendrick Lamar feat. Rihanna|title=Loyalty|type=single|award=Gold|id=10939|relyear=2017|relmonth=6|certyear=2022|access-date=January 12, 2022}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=France|artist=Kendrick Lamar|title=Loyalty.|type=single|award=Gold|relyear=2017|certyear=2022|access-date=December 13, 2022}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=New Zealand|title=LOYALTY.|artist=Kendrick Lamar feat. Rihanna|type=single|award=Platinum|number=3|relyear=2017|certyear=2024|source=radioscope|access-date=2024-12-17}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|artist=Kendrick Lamar & Rihanna|title=Loyalty.|type=single|award=Gold|relyear=2017|certyear=2022|access-date=March 8, 2022|id=14729-4568-1}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|artist=Kendrick Lamar|title=Loyalty.|type=single|award=Platinum|number=2|relyear=2017|certyear=2018|access-date=June 7, 2018}}

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

Release history

class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"
scope="col"\| Country ! scope="col"\| Date ! scope="col"\| Format ! scope="col" class="unsortable"\| Label ! scope="col" class="unsortable"\| {{abbr\|Ref.\|Reference}}
scope="row" rowspan=2\| United States \| rowspan="2" \| June 20, 2017 \| Rhythmic contemporary radio \| rowspan="2" \| {{hlist\|Top Dawg\|Aftermath\|Interscope}} \|
Urban contemporary radio \|
scope="row"\| Italy \| October 20, 2017 \| Contemporary hit radio \| Universal \| {{cite web \| url=https://www.earone.it/news/kendrick_lamar_loyalty_feat_rihanna_radio_date_20_10_2017_26129058/ \| title=Kendrick Lamar - LOYALTY. (FEAT. RIHANNA.) (Radio Date: 20-10-2017) \| date=October 19, 2017 }}

class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"

scope="col"| Country

! scope="col"| Date

! scope="col"| Format

! scope="col" class="unsortable"| Label

! scope="col" class="unsortable"| {{abbr|Ref.|Reference}}

scope="row" rowspan=2| United States

| rowspan="2" | June 20, 2017

| Rhythmic contemporary radio

| rowspan="2" | {{hlist|Top Dawg|Aftermath|Interscope}}

Urban contemporary radio

scope="row"| Italy

| October 20, 2017

| Contemporary hit radio

| Universal

| {{cite web | url=https://www.earone.it/news/kendrick_lamar_loyalty_feat_rihanna_radio_date_20_10_2017_26129058/ | title=Kendrick Lamar - LOYALTY. (FEAT. RIHANNA.) (Radio Date: 20-10-2017) | date=October 19, 2017 }}