Winner (Jamie Foxx song)
{{Infobox song
| name = Winner
| cover = Winner official cover.jpg
| alt =
| type = single
| artist = Jamie Foxx featuring Justin Timberlake and T.I.
| album = Best Night of My Life
| released = April 6, 2010 (digital download){{Cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/winner-feat-justin-timberlake-t-i-single/364338913|title=Winner (feat. Justin Timberlake & T.I.) - Single by Jamie Foxx|website=music.apple.com}}
April 20, 2010 (U.S. {{ndash}} urban radio){{cite web|url=http://www.allaccess.com/urban/future-releases |title=Urban/UAC Future Releases | R&B, Hip Hop, Release Schedule and Street Dates | |publisher=Allaccess.com |access-date=2012-03-15}}
May 4, 2010 (U.S. {{ndash}} rhythm/crossover radio){{cite web|url=http://www.fmqb.com/Article.asp?id=16691 |title=Radio Industry News, Music Industry Updates, Arbitron Ratings, Music News and more! |publisher=FMQB |access-date=2012-03-15}}
| recorded = 2009
| studio =
| venue =
| genre = {{hlist|R&B|hip hop}}
| length = 4:04
| label = J Records
| writer = {{hlist|Justin Timberlake|James Fauntleroy|Rob Knox|Clifford Harris}}
| producer = The Y's
| chronology = Jamie Foxx
| prev_title = Speak French
| prev_year = 2010
| next_title = Living Better Now
| next_year = 2010
| misc = {{Extra chronology
| artist = Justin Timberlake
| type = singles
| prev_title = Love Dealer
| prev_year = 2010
| title = Winner
| year = 2010
| next_title = Motherlover
| next_year = 2011
}}
{{Extra chronology
| artist = T.I.
| type = singles
| prev_title = Hello Good Morning
| prev_year = 2010
| title = Winner
| year = 2010
| next_title = Yeah Ya Know (Takers)
| next_year = 2010
}}
}}
"Winner" is the first single from American singer and actor Jamie Foxx's fourth studio album Best Night of My Life, released for digital download on April 6, 2010 through J Records. It features American singer Justin Timberlake and rapper T.I. Foxx told George Lopez about Timberlake's contribution: "I got him on the track—'cause he wasn't gonna get on the track—I just literally said, 'Man, my people suffered for 500 years. You owe me this.'"{{cite web
| url = http://www.songfacts.com/detail.php?id=19255
| title = Winner
| work = Songfacts.com
| access-date = 2010-04-19
}} It was also the official theme song of the 2010 NBA Playoffs for NBA on TNT and NBA TV.
Critical reception
Allmusic considered this song a standout cut.{{cite web|author=David Jeffries |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/best-night-of-my-life-mw0001335427 |title=Best Night of My Life - Jamie Foxx | Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards |publisher=AllMusic |date=2010-12-21 |access-date=2014-04-14}} LA Times was also positive: "Current radio staple "Winner" sets the template — big processed drums, creepy synths and lots of open space for Foxx’s capable runs."{{cite web|url=http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/music_blog/2010/12/album-review-jamie-foxxs-the-best-night-of-my-life.html |title=Album review: Jamie Foxx's 'The Best Night of My Life' - latimes.com |publisher=Latimesblogs.latimes.com |date=2010-12-21 |access-date=2014-04-14}} The New York Times was positive too: "On "Winner" there’s even some of the pseudo rapping that Justin Timberlake has been squeezing out of his system of late."{{Cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/04/arts/music/04choice.html|title=Just Glad to Grab the Mike|first1=Jon|last1=Caramanica|first2=Jon|last2=Pareles|first3=Nate|last3=Chinen|date=January 3, 2011|website=The New York Times}} PopMatters was negative in its review, however: ""Winner" is another song that exists in spite of Jamie, and speaks only to the depth of his pockets. (...) The chorus of "Winner" splayed across ESPN and TNT promos for basketball games."{{cite web|last=Amidon |first=David |url=https://www.popmatters.com/pm/review/135929-jamie-foxx-best-night-of-my-life/ |title=Jamie Foxx: Best Night of My Life |publisher=PopMatters |access-date=2014-04-14}} Slant Magazine panned the track: "It's this kind of careless maximalism that produces junk like "Winner", a whirring waste of a Justin Timberlake appearance, a song whose basketball theme and cheesy dribble beat sound like something ripped from High School Musical."{{cite web|url=https://www.slantmagazine.com/music/review/jamie-foxx-best-night-of-my-life/2352 |title=Jamie Foxx: Best Night of My Life | Music Review |publisher=Slant Magazine |access-date=2014-04-14}} USA Today, however, highlighted the song positively.{{cite web|last=Jones |first=Steve |url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/music/reviews/2010-12-21-listen21_ST_N.htm |title=Listen Up: Keyshia Cole, Jamie Foxx, Keri Hilson, Ghostface Killah - USATODAY.com |publisher=Usatoday30.usatoday.com |date=2010-12-21 |access-date=2014-04-14}}
Chart performance
The song was released on urban radio stations on April 6, 2010, and was released on May 4, 2010 to mainstream radio stations. The song debuted at number 28 on the US Billboard Hot 100 due to strong airplay and downloads, becoming T.I.'s third and Timberlake's and Foxx's first "hot shot debut" on the chart.
Charts
| class="wikitable sortable" |
| Chart (2010)
!Peak |
|---|
| {{singlechart|Canada|23|artist=Jamie Foxx|song=Winner|access-date=2013-04-13}} |
| {{singlechart|New Zealand|37|artist=Jamie Foxx feat. Justin Timberlake & T.I.|song=Winner|access-date=2013-04-13}} |
| {{singlechart|Billboardhot100|28|artist=Jamie Foxx|song=Winner|access-date=2013-04-13}} |
| {{singlechart|Billboardpopsongs|30|artist=Jamie Foxx|song=Winner|access-date=2013-04-13}} |
| {{singlechart|Billboardrandbhiphop|65|artist=Jamie Foxx|song=Winner|access-date=2013-04-13}} |
References
{{Reflist|30em}}
{{Jamie Foxx}}
{{Justin Timberlake songs}}
{{T.I. singles}}
{{NBA on TNT}}
Category:Justin Timberlake songs
Category:Songs written by T.I.
Category:Song recordings produced by the Y's
Category:Songs written by James Fauntleroy