Spotlight (Jennifer Hudson song)

{{Infobox song

| name = Spotlight

| cover = Jennifer Hudson - Spotlight.jpeg

| alt =

| type = single

| artist = Jennifer Hudson

| album = Jennifer Hudson

| released = {{Start date|2008|6|10}}

| recorded =

| studio =

| genre =

| length = * 4:10 (album version)

3:44 (radio edit)

| label =

Arista
J

| writer =

| producer =

| prev_title = And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going

| prev_year = 2006

| next_title = If This Isn't Love

| next_year = 2009

}}

"Spotlight" is a song by American entertainer Jennifer Hudson. It was written and produced by Ne-Yo and Norwegian production duo Stargate for Hudson's self-titled debut album (2008). The mid-tempo song was released digitally by Arista Records and J Records as the album's first single on June 10, 2008.

The song reached the top 30 of the US Billboard Hot 100. Outside the US, it became a top 20 hit in Hungary, Japan, and the United Kingdom. "Spotlight" received two Grammy Award nominations at the 2009 ceremony for Best R&B Song and Best Female R&B Vocal Performance. The video was voted 12th on BET: Notarized Top 100 videos of 2008.

Background

"Spotlight" was written and produced by Ne-Yo along with Mikkel S. Eriksen and Tor Erik Hermansen from Norwegian production duo Stargate.{{cite AV media notes|title=Jennifer Hudson (album)|others=Jennifer Hudson|year=2008|publisher=J Records, Arista Records |type=booklet}} In the lead-up to the release of the song, Ne-Yo explained in an interview with Billboard magazine: "They were really trying to figure out where to take her. The main issue with Jennifer Hudson is her voice is so huge, so how do you take that and radio-ize it, make it radio-friendly. She can't do every song 'cause you'll eventually be tired of it. So ("Spotlight") is kind of a classy midtempo, and I hope and pray it does well 'cause Jennifer is an amazing talent."{{cite web|first=Gary|last=Graff|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/ne-yo-says-lindsay-lohan-track-will-surprise-1045282/|title=Ne-Yo Says Lindsay Lohan Track Will ‘Surprise’|website=Billboard Japan|date=May 27, 2008|access-date=May 8, 2020}}

Critical reception

The song received generally positive reviews. About.com said that "If you were one of the people wondering if Jennifer Hudson could sustain her vocal energy, power and passion on a full album like she did in the role of Effie in the movie Dreamgirls and like she also does on the album's opening song and first single, "Spotlight," then wonder no more: the answer's a definite yes. "Spotlight" exemplifies the album as a whole: it's got a strong, independent woman singing strongly about love and relationships. In this case, the song is about a controlling lover: "If I'm just love's prisoner, then I'm bustin' out," she sings."{{Cite web|url=http://randb.about.com/od/reviews/fr/JenniferHudson.htm|title=Jennifer Hudson- "Jennifer Hudson"|website=Randb.about.com|access-date=January 2, 2022|archive-date=March 22, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110322141653/http://randb.about.com/od/reviews/fr/JenniferHudson.htm|url-status=dead}} AllHipHop said that ""Spotlight" as catchy as it is was not debut single-worthy, and a brand new artist wouldn't have been looked at twice; but because it was Jennifer (and penned by Ne-Yo) attention was paid."{{Cite web |url=http://www.allhiphop.com/stories/alternatives/archive/2008/10/01/20545158.aspx |title=Alternatives : ALBUM REVIEW: Jennifer Hudson - Jennifer Hudson |access-date=February 17, 2009 |archive-date=March 18, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090318082850/http://allhiphop.com/stories/alternatives/archive/2008/10/01/20545158.aspx |url-status=dead }}

AllMusic said that "Spotlight" was "both promising and satisfying, nearly a dead-center bull's-eye – dramatic but not over the top, powerful but not a gratuitous fireworks display, a melancholy but striking midtempo track with a gently thumping four-four pulse."{{Cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/jennifer-hudson-mw0000797752|title=Jennifer Hudson - Jennifer Hudson | Songs, Reviews, Credits|website=AllMusic|access-date=January 2, 2022}} Digital Spy said that Hudson "navigates the emotional complexities of 'Spotlight', on which she plays a downtrodden girlfriend".{{cite web|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/a131844/jennifer-hudson-jennifer-hudson.html|title=Jennifer Hudson: 'Jennifer Hudson'|website=Digital Spy|date=October 4, 2008}} New York Daily News said that the song's "trendy, staccato backup vocals give the song spine. Better, the character presented by the lyrics – a put-upon woman who's finally stepping out – fits Hudson's persona as the angry queen of payback."{{cite news | url=http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/music/2008/09/30/2008-09-30_new_jennifer_hudson_cd_is_no_dreamgirls.html | location=New York | work=Daily News | title=New Jennifer Hudson CD is no 'Dreamgirls' | date=September 29, 2008 | access-date=February 17, 2009 | archive-date=March 1, 2009 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090301174013/http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/music/2008/09/30/2008-09-30_new_jennifer_hudson_cd_is_no_dreamgirls.html | url-status=dead }} Slant magazine said that "Lead single "Spotlight" is a serviceable, pulsating, you-did-me-wrong jam that is, thanks to Stargate and Ne-Yo, perfectly in line with today's trends."{{cite web|url=http://www.slantmagazine.com/music/music_review.asp?ID=1521|title=Slant Magazine|website=slantmagazine.com}} The Times said the song "is predictably mid-tempo as it tries to please all her fan bases at once."{{cite news| url=http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/music/cd_reviews/article4818139.ece | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110616185941/http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/music/cd_reviews/article4818139.ece | url-status=dead | archive-date=June 16, 2011 | work=The Times | location=London | title=Jennifer Hudson Jennifer Hudson | first=Priya | last=Elan | date=September 27, 2008 | access-date=May 23, 2010}}

Chart performance

"Spotlight" peaked at number twenty-four on the US Billboard Hot 100, giving Hudson her first top thirty entry. The song also peaked at number one on the US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, spending two consecutive weeks at number one.{{cite web|first=Jonathan|last=Cohen|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/ne-yo-says-lindsay-lohan-track-will-surprise-1045282/|title=T.I. Returns To No. 1 On The Hot 100|website=Billboard Japan|date=October 23, 2008|access-date=May 11, 2025}} On September 21, 2008, the song entered the UK Singles Chart at number fifteen on downloads alone.{{cite journal|title = Official Singles Chart for the week ending 27 September 2008|journal = ChartsPlus|issue = 370|pages= 1–4|publisher = IQ Ware Ltd|location = Milton Keynes}} It climbed to number eleven on September 28 despite there being no CD single release. It also peaked at number one on UK Airplay Chart. In 2008, "Spotlight" was the biggest selling non-top ten single of the year. In 2017, following an impromptu performance on The Voice UK the song re-entered the United Kingdom charts at number 90.

Music video

Image:Los Angeles with Mount Baldy.jpg in June 2008.]]

The song's music video was directed by Chris Robinson and produced by Robot Films. Hudson spent a 22-hour day filming the visuals with Robinson in Los Angeles in June 2009.{{cite web|url=https://www.videostatic.com/vs/2008/06/shot-jennifer-hudson-chris-robinson-director.html|title=SHOT: Jennifer Hudson - Chris Robinson, director|website=Videostatic|date=June 19, 2008|access-date=May 11, 2020}} The final scene in the "Spotlight" video was shot at 4 a.m. and depicts Hudson, backlit, walking through an alley toward the camera as she sings about an overbearing lover.{{cite web|first=Ann|last=Donahue|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/jennifer-hudson-the-triple-threat-1043990/|title=Jennifer Hudson: The Triple Threat|website=Billboard Japan|date=September 24, 2008|access-date=May 11, 2020}} Ryan Gentles from the plays Madea Goes to Jail and Diary of a Mad Black Woman appears in the video as Hudson's love interest.{{cite web|url=http://concreteloop.com/2008/06/video-jennifer-hudson-spotlight|title= VIDEO: JENNIFER HUDSON – SPOTLIGHT // 'CONCRETELOOP.COM' – quality not quantity|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080628171657/http://concreteloop.com/2008/06/video-jennifer-hudson-spotlight|archive-date=June 28, 2008}} Hudson introduced its premiere screening on BET's 106 and Park on June 24, 2008.[https://archive.today/20120717150810/http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&VideoID=2119358349 Jennifer Hudson Spotlight Music Video]. MySpace TV.com

Hudson appears talking on her cellphone to her friend, complaining about her over-protective boyfriend. After she gets off her cellphone, she puts on a jacket and a scarf and leaves her house into an alley, then enters a nightclub, dancing and having a good time until she sees her boyfriend Gentles. She then takes his hand and leads him into a white room with stripes telling him that she loves him but that he needs to realize that she is a good girlfriend and not to worry before it is too late. Towards the end of the video, Hudson is walking down a runway with her boyfriend sitting in front of the runway. The video ends with Hudson getting off her cellphone. A bottle of Campari is prominently displayed in the video in a scene featuring Hudson and Gentles at the nightclub.

Track listings

US CD single

"Spotlight" (album version) – 4:10
"Spotlight" (instrumental) – 4:11
"Spotlight" (call out hook) – 0:11
"Spotlight" (Remix By Jemell Moore [Google My Name]) – 4:09

German basic CD

"Spotlight" (album version) – 4:10
"Spotlight" (part 2; featuring Young Jeezy) – 5:07

German premium CD

"Spotlight" (main version) – 4:10
"Spotlight" (Moto Blanco club mix) – 7:56
"Spotlight" (Quentin Harris Dark Collage club mix) – 11:31
"Spotlight" (Johnny Vicious Muzik mix) – 9:30
"Spotlight" (music video) – 3:39

UK digital single

"Spotlight" (U.K. radio edit) – 3:44

UK download bundle{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/Spotlight/dp/B001GU592M/|title=Spotlight|website=Amazon UK}}

"Spotlight" – 4:10
"Spotlight" (Moto Blanco club mix) – 7:56
"Spotlight" (Quentin Harris Dark College club mix) – 8:49
"Spotlight" (Johnny Vicious Muzik mix) – 6:45
"Spotlight" (Moto Blanco dub) – 6:58
"Spotlight" (Johnny vicious Warehouse dub) – 7:11
"Spotlight" (Moto Blanco radio mix) – 4:11
"Spotlight" (Johnny Vicious radio mix) – 3:52

Charts

=Weekly charts=

scope="col"\| Chart (2008–2009) !scope="col"\| Peak position
class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" \|+ Weekly chart performance for "Spotlight"
{{single chart\|Australiapandora\|96\|artist=Jennifer Hudson \|url=https://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20081019130000/http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/23790/20081020-0000/issue968.pdf \|urltitle=ARIA Report (Issue #968)\|access-date=March 6, 2017\|rowheader=true}}{{cbignore\|bot=medic}}
{{single chart\|Austria\|73\|artist=Jennifer Hudson \|song=Spotlight\|access-date=May 10, 2012\|rowheader=true}}
{{single chart\|Flanders Tip\|20\|artist=Jennifer Hudson \|song=Spotlight\|access-date=March 6, 2017\|rowheader=true}}
{{single chart\|Canada\|69\|artist=Jennifer Hudson \|song=Spotlight\|access-date=May 10, 2012\|rowheader=true}}
{{single chart\|Billboardeuropeanhot100\|36\|artist=Jennifer Hudson \|song=Spotlight\|access-date=May 10, 2012\|rowheader=true}}
{{single chart\|Germany\|58\|artist=Jennifer Hudson \|song=Spotlight\|songid=467997\|access-date=January 27, 2020\|rowheader=true}}
scope="row"\|Global Dance Songs (Billboard){{cite magazine\|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/Jennifer-Hudson/chart-history/dgl/\|title=Jennifer Hudson – Global Dance Songs \|magazine= Billboard \|access-date=May 18, 2022}} \|style="text-align:center;"\|17
{{single chart\|Hungaryradio\|19\|artist=Jennifer Hudson \|song=Spotlight\|year=2009\|week=15\|access-date=September 26, 2020\|rowheader=true}}
{{single chart\|Ireland3\|32\|artist=Jennifer Hudson\|access-date=January 27, 2020\|rowheader=true}}
scope="row" \|Japan (Japan Hot 100){{cite magazine \|url=http://www.billboard.com/artist/304441/jennifer-hudson/chart?f=848 \|title=Japan Hot 100- Chart history \|magazine=Billboard \|date=May 18, 2022 \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151214173240/http://www.billboard.com/artist/304441/jennifer-hudson/chart?f=848 \|archive-date=14 December 2015 \|url-status=dead}} \| style="text-align:center\|15
{{single chart\|New Zealand\|21\|artist=Jennifer Hudson \|song=Spotlight\|access-date=May 10, 2012\|rowheader=true}}
{{single chart\|Slovakia\|79\|artist=Jennifer Hudson \|song=Spotlight\|year=2009\|week=03\|access-date=August 16, 2021\|rowheader=true}}
{{single chart\|UK\|11\|artist=Jennifer Hudson \|song=Spotlight\|date=20080928\|access-date=May 10, 2012\|rowheader=true\|refname="UK"}}
{{single chart\|UKrandb\|14\|date=20090111\|access-date=May 18, 2022\|rowheader=true}}
{{single chart\|Billboardhot100\|24\|artist=Jennifer Hudson \|song=Spotlight\|access-date=May 10, 2012\|rowheader=true\|refname="Billboardhot100"}}
{{single chart\|Billboardrandbhiphop\|1\|artist=Jennifer Hudson \|song=Spotlight\|access-date=May 10, 2012\|rowheader=true}}
{{single chart\|Billboarddanceclubplay\|8\|artist=Jennifer Hudson \|song=Spotlight\|access-date=May 10, 2012\|rowheader=true}}
{{single chart\|Billboardrhythmic\|27\|artist=Jennifer Hudson \|song=Spotlight\|access-date=March 6, 2017\|rowheader=true}}

=Year-end charts=

class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" \|+ 2008 year-end chart performance for "Spotlight" ! Chart (2008) ! Position
scope="row"\| Japan (Japan Hot 100){{cite magazine\|url=http://www.billboard-japan.com/charts/detail?a=hot100_year&year=2008\|title=Japan Hot 100 – Year-End 2008\|magazine=Billboard Japan\|language=ja\|access-date=May 8, 2020}} \| 96
scope="row"\| UK Singles (OCC){{cite web\|url=http://www.officialcharts.com/charts/end-of-year-singles-chart/20080106/37501/\|title=End of Year Singles Chart Top 100 – 2008\|publisher=Official Charts Company\|access-date=March 6, 2017}} \| 65
scope="row"\| US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard){{cite magazine\|url=http://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2008/hot-r-b-hip-hop-songs\|title=R&B/Hip-Hop Songs – Year-End 2008\|magazine=Billboard\|access-date=March 6, 2017}} \| 9

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

|+ 2008 year-end chart performance for "Spotlight"

! Chart (2008)

! Position

scope="row"| Japan (Japan Hot 100){{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard-japan.com/charts/detail?a=hot100_year&year=2008|title=Japan Hot 100 – Year-End 2008|magazine=Billboard Japan|language=ja|access-date=May 8, 2020}}

| 96

scope="row"| UK Singles (OCC){{cite web|url=http://www.officialcharts.com/charts/end-of-year-singles-chart/20080106/37501/|title=End of Year Singles Chart Top 100 – 2008|publisher=Official Charts Company|access-date=March 6, 2017}}

| 65

scope="row"| US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard){{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2008/hot-r-b-hip-hop-songs|title=R&B/Hip-Hop Songs – Year-End 2008|magazine=Billboard|access-date=March 6, 2017}}

| 9

class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" \|+ 2009 year-end chart performance for "Spotlight" ! Chart (2009) ! Position
scope="row"\| Hungary (Rádiós Top 40){{cite web\|url=https://slagerlistak.hu/archivum/eves-osszesitett-listak/radios/2009\|title=Rádiós Top 100 – hallgatottsági adatok alapján – 2009\|publisher=Mahasz\|language=hu\|access-date=December 6, 2020}} \| 55
scope="row"\| US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard){{cite magazine\|url=http://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2009/hot-r-and-and-b-hip-hop-songs\|title=Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs – Year-End 2009\|magazine=Billboard\|access-date=September 12, 2021}} \| 29

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

|+ 2009 year-end chart performance for "Spotlight"

! Chart (2009)

! Position

scope="row"| Hungary (Rádiós Top 40){{cite web|url=https://slagerlistak.hu/archivum/eves-osszesitett-listak/radios/2009|title=Rádiós Top 100 – hallgatottsági adatok alapján – 2009|publisher=Mahasz|language=hu|access-date=December 6, 2020}}

| 55

scope="row"| US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard){{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2009/hot-r-and-and-b-hip-hop-songs|title=Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs – Year-End 2009|magazine=Billboard|access-date=September 12, 2021}}

| 29

Certifications

{{Certification Table Top|caption=Certifications for "Spotlight"}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=New Zealand|type=single|artist=Jennifer Hudson|title=Spotlight|award=Platinum|relyear=2008|certyear=2022|source=radioscope|access-date=March 7, 2025}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|type=single|artist=Jennifer Hudson|title=Spotlight|award=Platinum|relyear=2008|certyear=2019|certmonth=10|id=9810-2836-1|access-date=July 10, 2021}}

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

Release history

class="wikitable plainrowheaders" \|+ List of releases of "Spotlight"
scope="col"\| Region ! scope="col"\| Date ! scope="col"\| Format(s) ! scope="col"\| Label ! scope="col"\| Ref
scope="row" rowspan="2"\|United States \| {{start date\|2008\|6\|9}} \| Airplay \| rowspan="3"\|Arista Records \| {{center\|Concepcion, Mariel (June 6, 2008). [https://www.reuters.com/article/music-hudson-dc/jennifer-hudson-in-spotlight-with-new-single-idUSN0627842720080606 Jennifer Hudson in "Spotlight" with new single]. Reuters. Retrieved March 26, 2021.Cohen, Jonathan (November 24, 2007). [http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1045358/debut-jennifer-hudson-album-due-in-september Debut Jennifer Hudson Album Due In September]. Billboard. Retrieved June 14, 2008.}}
{{start date\|2008\|6\|10}} \| Digital download \| {{center\|}}
scope="row"\| United Kingdom \| {{start date\|2008\|10\|20}} \| CD single \| {{center\|}}

class="wikitable plainrowheaders"

|+ List of releases of "Spotlight"

scope="col"| Region

! scope="col"| Date

! scope="col"| Format(s)

! scope="col"| Label

! scope="col"| Ref

scope="row" rowspan="2"|United States

| {{start date|2008|6|9}}

| Airplay

| rowspan="3"|Arista Records

| {{center|Concepcion, Mariel (June 6, 2008). [https://www.reuters.com/article/music-hudson-dc/jennifer-hudson-in-spotlight-with-new-single-idUSN0627842720080606 Jennifer Hudson in "Spotlight" with new single]. Reuters. Retrieved March 26, 2021.Cohen, Jonathan (November 24, 2007). [http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1045358/debut-jennifer-hudson-album-due-in-september Debut Jennifer Hudson Album Due In September]. Billboard. Retrieved June 14, 2008.}}

| Digital download

| {{center|}}

scope="row"| United Kingdom

| {{start date|2008|10|20}}

| CD single

| {{center|}}