"Got Your Back" is a song by American hip hop recording artist T.I., released on June 1, 2010, as the

lead single A lead single (also known as a debut single) is the first single to be released from a studio album by an artist or a band, usually before the album itself is released and also occasionally on the same day of the album's release date. Release s ...

(third overall) from his seventh studio album '' No Mercy'' (2010). The song features American R&B singer-songwriter

Keri Hilson Keri Lynn Hilson (born December 5, 1982) is an American R&B singer, songwriter and actress. She was born and raised in Decatur, Georgia and spent most of her youth working with producer Anthony Dent as a songwriter and background vocalist for ...

. T.I. wrote the song with Young Jedi, alongside the track's producer

DJ Toomp Aldrin Davis (born August 2, 1969), professionally known as DJ Toomp, is an American record producer, songwriter, and DJ. DJ Toomp received his start in 1985, with Atlanta MC Raheem the Dream, producing Raheem’s self-titled record when he was ...

. "Got Your Back" was certified

Gold Gold is a chemical element with the symbol Au (from la, aurum) and atomic number 79. This makes it one of the higher atomic number elements that occur naturally. It is a bright, slightly orange-yellow, dense, soft, malleable, and ductile met ...

by the

Recording Industry Association of America The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) is a trade organization that represents the music recording industry in the United States. Its members consist of record labels and distributors that the RIAA says "create, manufacture, and/o ...

(RIAA) on December 15, 2010.

Background

In an interview with

Jamie Foxx Eric Marlon Bishop (born December 13, 1967), known professionally as Jamie Foxx, is an American actor, comedian, and singer. He became widely known for his portrayal of Ray Charles in the 2004 biographical film '' Ray'', for which he won the ...

, when asked about the song, T.I. said, " t'sbasically just me showing my appreciation to all the ladies who got they man’s back in the world, acknowledging the one who had my back and acknowledging the ones that got they man’s back at the same time." Preceded by the singles " I'm Back" and "

Yeah Ya Know (Takers) ''Yeah Ya Know (Takers)'' is a song by American hip hop recording artist T.I., released on June 1, 2010 as the second single from his seventh studio album '' No Mercy'' (2010). It was also featured on the official soundtrack for the crime-thrille ...

", "Got Your Back" can be found as a

bonus track An album is a collection of audio recordings issued on compact disc (CD), vinyl, audio tape, or another medium such as digital distribution. Albums of recorded sound were developed in the early 20th century as individual 78 rpm records coll ...

on the album ''No Mercy'', as well as T.I.'s mixtape ''

Fuck a Mixtape ''No Mercy'' is the seventh studio album by American rapper T.I. Originally titled ''King Uncaged'', It was released on December 7, 2010, by Grand Hustle Records and Atlantic Records. Recording sessions for the album took place during 2009 to ...

'' (2010).

Composition and critical reception

The song features a "bright", "bouncy" electro/synth beat. Hilson sings the hook, while T.I. raps the verses and harmonizes in the song's melodic bridge. According to Robbie Daw of ''Idolator'' the song's intro is reminiscent of Hilson's "

Knock You Down "Knock You Down" is a song by American singer and songwriter Keri Hilson, recorded for her debut album, '' In a Perfect World...''. The song features guest vocals from Ne-Yo and Kanye West. All three artists co-wrote the song with its produc ...

". Although stating the song fell a little short, a ''

Chicago Now ChicagoNow was a blogging site managed by Tribune Publishing, owner of the print ''Chicago Tribune'' newspaper. It featured a network of blogs of international, national, and local interest on a variety of topics ranging from crime to public sch ...

'' writer called it a "solid, feel-good summer joint", and commented, "All the elements are here for this one to blow up with the masses: a catchy, repetitive hook from Keri Hilson, a poppy, feel-good production, and some memorable messages from T.I." According to ''DJBooth'', the song "essentially attempts to recreate the success of '

Whatever You Like "Whatever You Like" is a song by the American rapper T.I., released as the lead single (second overall) from his sixth studio album, ''Paper Trail'' (2008). The song was written by T.I. and David Siegel, alongside the song's producer Jim Jonsi ...

', calling the Hilson-T.I. pairing, "A combination like that could only mean one thing; we’ve got a hit on our hands." Ed Easton Jr. of WNOW-FM said the song takes T.I. back to "Whatever You Like", commenting, "Keri Hilson adds a perfect mix of pop and passion to the hook of the song, as it is a bit of a dance track that all the ladies and some guys can vibe to this summer." ''UK SoulCulture'' thought that releasing a "song for the streets and song for the ladies" was trying to recreate the vibe of his last album, but wasn't sure if the latest set lived up to par.

Music video

The music video was directed by Chris Robinson. It was filmed on June 30, 2010, and premiered on July 22, 2010. It features cameo appearances from T.I.'s wife Tameka "Tiny" Cottle, and actors

Lance Gross Lance Darnell Kwaku Gross (born July 8, 1981) is an American actor. He is best known for his role as Calvin Payne on the TBS sitcom '' Tyler Perry's House of Payne'' and OWN sitcom '' Tyler Perry's The Paynes''., as well as appearing in other Ty ...

, Keith Robinson, and

Jill Marie Jones Jill Marie Jones (born January 4, 1975) is an American actress and former professional dancer and cheerleader. Jones is best known for her role as Antoinette "Toni" Childs-Garrett on the UPN comedy series, '' Girlfriends'' (2000–2006). Jon ...

Charts

Weekly charts

Certifications

Year-end charts

References

{{authority control 2010 singles Grand Hustle Records singles Keri Hilson songs Music videos directed by Chris Robinson (director) Song recordings produced by DJ Toomp Songs written by T.I. T.I. songs Songs written by DJ Toomp 2010 songs