"Switch" is a song recorded by Australian rapper Iggy Azalea featuring Brazilian singer Anitta (singer), Anitta. It was released on 19 May 2017, by Def Jam Recordings, Def Jam. "Switch" was written by Azalea with Anton Hård af Segerstad, Akil King, DJ Premier, Christopher Martin, Georgia Ku, Kyle Owens and Verse Simmonds, Maurice "Verse" Simmonds. It was produced by Anton Hård af Segerstad, The Family and Eric Weaver. "Switch" is a pop music, pop song with a tropical vibe and Latin music (genre), Latin flavor. Switch is certified platinum in Brazil.

Background and release

Azalea's sophomore studio album was originally entitled ''Digital Distortion'' and set to be released in 2016, with its lead-single "Team (Iggy Azalea song), Team", being released in March 2016. However, the album was postponed several times in 2016, with Azalea initially addressing the delay due to her stint as a judge on the The X Factor (Australia season 8), eighth season of ''The X Factor Australia'', and later adding that she also delayed the album to include a collaboration with Russian-German DJ Zedd. Eventually, the album was postponed to 2017, since Azalea claimed she experienced both personal and creative changes. In March 2017, she released a second single titled "Mo Bounce". Quickly afterwards, Azalea teased a snippet of a song in an Instagram video with the caption: "IGGY X ANITTA" in early April, indicating that she was collaborating with Brazilian recording artist Anitta (singer), Anitta. Later in the same month, they were seen together in the studio to finish the track. Eventually, Azalea revealed that the track was called "Switch" by posting its cover art on 2 May 2017. In the cover art, she is "staring into the camera while wearing a one-piece maroon bathing suit," as described by ''Billboard (magazine), Billboard'' Gil Kaufman. It was released digitally on 19 May 2017 by Def Jam Recordings, and was sent to both contemporary hit radio and rhythmic contemporary, rhythmic contemporary radio on 23 May 2017.

Recording

"Switch" was recorded by Azalea in August 2016. However, she needed a female singer to sing its chorus and spent months trying to find a fitting voice, claiming she wanted to think outside the box. In a radio interview with Zach Sang, Azalea discussed the track, adding: "I couldn’t think of who should sing on this song with me because I just really wanted to bring another female energy. I didn’t really have any female collaborations yet on my album and I think people really enjoy me collaborating with other women and I wanted to make sure that I still did that." She continued talking, saying that a friend of hers suggested Anitta to sing the chorus. While watching Anitta videos on YouTube, she was impressed by her stage presence and dancing skills in music videos as "Show das Poderosas" and "Bang (Anitta song), Bang", and commented: "[...] I hit her up and asked if she would be interested in doing the song and it just kind of worked out perfectly." Anitta's part on the track was only recorded in February 2017, where Azalea helped her with the song's cadence and spelling of some words. In another interview, she described Anitta as a "very unapologetic and strong but super feminine. We clicked straight away."

Composition and lyrics

"Switch" was written by Azalea, Anton Hård af Segerstad, Akil King, DJ Premier, Christopher Martin, Georgia Ku, Kyle Owens and Verse Simmonds, Maurice "Verse" Simmonds. It was produced by Anton Hård af Segerstad, The Family and Eric Weaver. "Switch" is a pop music, pop song, having a "tropical vibe and Latin music (genre), Latin flavor" as described by Azalea herself. Its instrumentation consists in bass, plucky strings, bongos, and hand claps. As claimed by Azalea, "I wanted to make a song that could be fun to dance to, but the lyrics when you really listen to them are very powerful." Lyrically, the song talks about "looking good and being fierce" and was also described by Azalea as about "a woman being in control of what I want to do and when I want to go and when I want to stop." Lindsey India of ''XXL (magazine), XLL'' added that its lyrics find Azalea "boosting her confidence no matter what the haters might have to say." During the chorus, the sexual lyrics "likens her moves to a traffic light that shifts from red to yellow to green," as they sing: "Red light, yellow light, green light, Switch!/This is about the time you recognize I’m that bitch." In its bridge, as noted by ''Entertainment Weekly'' Joey Nolfi, "Azalea seemingly references her separation from former fiancé Nick Young (basketball), Nick Young, rapping, 'He don’t love you, that ring ain’t big enough.'" She also raps about "boasting about going topless, along with having a top-tier booty that 'deserves an applause.'"

Critical reception

Mike Wass of ''Idolator (website), Idolator'' called it a "feel-good anthem," adding that "Switch" "has a massive chorus, bone-rattling beats and endlessly quotable lyrics. It’s proof that the 26-year-old has finally discovered a sound that plays to her strengths." Joey Nolfi of ''Entertainment Weekly'' agreed, classifying it as "a summer-ready club banger" with an "easily danceable chorus." Lindsey India of ''XXL (magazine), XXL'' wrote that the song "could easily become a pop party anthem this summer," while Melody Chiu of ''People (magazine), People'' named it "powerful". Joshua Espinoza of ''Complex (magazine), Complex'' opined that the song "uses the same formula as Iggy’s breakout song 'Fancy (Iggy Azalea song), Fancy,' noting that it has "infectious beat," a "catchy hook" and "cocky lyrics."

Music video

A few days after the song's release, an unfinished version of its music video was leaked. After this, Azalea stated that an official version of the music video would not be released. In the music video, Azalea and her team of dancers remake an empty pool and use it as their matching red, yellow and green backdrop. Anitta also makes an appearance, pretending to watch ice sculptures of alligators before lounging in a pool with Azalea. The pair later wear matching cheetah print outfits while surrounded by the large cats.

Track listing

*Digital download (Explicit version) #"Switch" (featuring Anitta) – 3:09 *Digital download (Remixes EP) #"Switch" (featuring Anitta) (Loud Luxury Remix) – 3:20 #"Switch" (featuring Anitta) (Aazar Remix) – 3:15 #"Switch" (featuring Anitta) (Feenixpawl Remix) – 4:10 #"Switch" (featuring Anitta) (Vertue Remix) – 3:34 #"Switch" (featuring Anitta) (Tom Swoon Remix) – 3:42

Charts

Weekly charts

Year-end charts

Release history

References

External links

* {{Anitta 2017 songs 2017 singles Def Jam Recordings singles Iggy Azalea songs Anitta (singer) songs Songs written by Anton Hård af Segerstad Songs written by DJ Premier Songs written by Iggy Azalea Songs written by Verse Simmonds Songs written by Georgia Ku