"Higher" is a song by American producer

DJ Khaled Khaled Mohammed Khaled (born November 26, 1975), known professionally as DJ Khaled, is an American DJ, record executive, record producer and rapper. Khaled first gained recognition as a radio host in the 1990s on the radio station WEDR, 99 Ja ...

featuring American rapper

Nipsey Hussle Airmiess Joseph Asghedom (August 15, 1985 – March 31, 2019), known professionally as Nipsey Hussle (often stylized as Nipsey Hu$$le), was an American rapper, entrepreneur, and activist. Emerging from the West Coast hip hop scene in the mid- ...

and American singer

John Legend John Roger Stephens (born December 28, 1978), known professionally as John Legend, is an American singer, songwriter, pianist, and record producer. He began his musical career by working behind the scenes, playing piano on Lauryn Hill's " Ever ...

, released as the third single from DJ Khaled's album ''

Father of Asahd ''Father of Asahd'' is the eleventh studio album by American hip hop producer DJ Khaled. It was released on May 17, 2019, through We the Best Music and Epic Records. It features the singles " Top Off" and " No Brainer" along with collaborations wi ...

'' on May 17, 2019. The music video was filmed before Hussle's death on March 31, 2019. Legend plays piano on the track and sings its chorus. DJ Khaled announced that all proceeds from sales of the song will go to the rapper's children. ''Complex'' magazine ranked Hussle's verse on the song as the best on the album. The song received a

Grammy The Grammy Awards (stylized as GRAMMY), or simply known as the Grammys, are awards presented by the Recording Academy of the United States to recognize "outstanding" achievements in the music industry. They are regarded by many as the most pre ...

award for

Best Rap/Sung Performance The Grammy Award for Best Melodic Rap Performance (awarded as Best Rap/Sung Collaboration until 2017, and Best Rap/Sung Performance from 2018 to 2020) is an honor presented at the Grammy Awards, a ceremony that was established in 1958 and original ...

at the

62nd Grammy Awards The 62nd Annual Grammy Awards ceremony was held on January 26, 2020, at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. It recognized the best recordings, compositions, and artists of the eligibility year, running from October 1, 2018, to August 31, 2019. Al ...

, marking DJ Khaled's first Grammy win and Hussle's second of the night.

Background

DJ Khaled called the song's creation part of an "emotional journey", saying Nipsey Hussle "shared his energy and positivity" with him before his death. The pair went out to lunch together and Khaled played Hussle the beat of the song. He left to give Hussle some "space", then came back in to find him writing lyrics. In a post shared to social media, DJ Khaled revealed that profits from sales of the song will be given to Nipsey Hussle's son and daughter. He also said that the title "reminds us that vibrating on a 'Higher' level was the essence of Nipsey's soul".

Music video

The music video was released at midnight EST on May 17, 2019.

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previously shared a clip of the track, which showed "Legend on the keys and Nipsey rhyming next to a pair of low-rider convertibles bouncing in the air".

Charts

Certifications

References

2019 songs DJ Khaled songs Nipsey Hussle songs John Legend songs Songs written by John Legend Songs written by DJ Khaled Songs written by Kevin Cossom Songs written by Nipsey Hussle {{2019-single-stub