"Loyalty" (stylized as "LOYALTY.") is a song by American rapper

Kendrick Lamar Kendrick Lamar Duckworth (born June 17, 1987) is an American rapper, singer, songwriter and record producer. Regarded as one of the greatest rappers of all time, he was awarded the 2018 Pulitzer Prize for Music, becoming the first music ...

featuring Barbadian singer

Rihanna Robyn Rihanna Fenty ( ; born February 20, 1988) is a Barbadian singer, businesswoman, and actress. One of the List of music artists by net worth, wealthiest musicians in the world, List of awards and nominations received by Rihanna, her vario ...

from the former's fourth studio album '' Damn'', released on April 14, 2017. The song was later sent to urban and rhythmic radio June 20, 2017, as the second single from the album. The sixth track on the album (ninth on the ''Collector's Edition'' of ''Damn''), the song was written by the artists alongside producers

DJ Dahi Dacoury Dahi Natche (born March 10, 1983), known professionally as DJ Dahi or simply Dahi, is an American record producer, songwriter, disc jockey and singer from Inglewood, California. Working primarily in hip hop and R&B music, he has been ...

, Sounwave, Terrace Martin, and Anthony "Top Dawg" Tiffith. The song won the Grammy Award for Best Rap/Sung Performance.

Composition

The song contains a reverse sample of " 24K Magic" produced by Shampoo Press & Curl and The Stereotypes, and performed by American singer Bruno Mars. The song also contains a "replay" of

Jay-Z Shawn Corey Carter (born December 4, 1969), known professionally as Jay-Z, is an American Rapping, rapper, businessman, and record executive. Rooted in East Coast hip-hop, he was named Billboard and Vibe's 50 Greatest Rappers of All Time, the ...

's "Get Your Mind Right Mami" from his fifth album '' The Dynasty: Roc La Familia'' (2000), which can be heard at its 40-second mark.

Critical reception

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'' calls it a "standout track" and one of ''Damn''s most "radio-friendly cuts". ''

The Fader ''The Fader'' is a magazine established in 1999 as an outlet for Cornerstone Agency, a marketing and public relations firm established by Rob Stone and Jon Cohen. The magazine covers music, style and culture. History and work It is owned by T ...

'' writer Jason Parham calls "Loyalty", "anxious, berserk, and beautifully intransigent in tsown right" and "equal parts pop, funk, and brooding rap hymnal". Frank Guan of ''Vulture'' enjoyed the song, especially Rihanna's part, saying "though only eight bars, Rihanna's sung rap is as fluent as it is brief, a swift and casual tour of her accomplishments." '' Rap-Up'' called the song a "standout track that allows Kung Fu Kenny and Bad Gal RiRi to address allegiance from a variety of angles".

Awards and nominations

Music video

The music video for the song was released to Lamar's

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channel on

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on July 28, 2017. It was directed by Dave Meyers and The Little Homies and includes an appearance from featured artist Rihanna. Jordan Darville of ''

'' gave the music video a positive review, praising the visuals and called Lamar and Rihanna's adventure together "carefully crafted ndsuitably amorous."

Credits and personnel

*Kendrick Duckworth – songwriter *

– vocals, songwriter * Dacoury Natche – songwriter, producer, additional vocals *Byron "Mr. Talkbox" Chambers – additional vocals * Mark Spears – songwriter, producer * Terrace Martin – songwriter, producer *Anthony "Topdawg" Tiffith – songwriter, producer * Bruno Mars – songwriter * Philip Lawrence – songwriter * Christopher Brody Brown – songwriter *

Ol' Dirty Bastard Russell Tyrone Jones (November 15, 1968 – November 13, 2004), known professionally as Ol' Dirty Bastard (often abbreviated as ODB), was an American rapper. He was one of the founding members of the New York rap group Wu-Tang Clan, which forme ...

– songwriter * RZA – songwriter *

– songwriter * Memphis Bleek – songwriter *

Snoop Dogg Calvin Cordozar Broadus Jr. ( ; born October 20, 1971), better known by his stage name Snoop Dogg (previously Snoop Doggy Dogg), is an American rapper, record producer, and actor. Rooted in West Coast hip-hop, he is widely regarded as one of t ...

– songwriter * Rick Rock – songwriter *Bēkon – additional production and vocals * Kid Capri – additional vocals *Derek Ali – mixing *Tyler Page – mix assistant *Jamal Owens - Master mixer

Charts

Weekly charts

Year-end charts

Certifications

Release history

References

{{authority control 2017 singles 2017 songs Aftermath Entertainment singles Grammy Award for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration Interscope Records singles Kendrick Lamar songs Music videos directed by Dave Free Music videos directed by Dave Meyers (director) Music videos directed by Kendrick Lamar Rihanna songs Songs about loyalty Songs written by Bruno Mars Songs written by Christopher Brody Brown Songs written by DJ Dahi Songs written by Jay-Z Songs written by Kendrick Lamar Songs written by Ol' Dirty Bastard Songs written by Rick Rock Songs written by Rihanna Songs written by RZA Songs written by Snoop Dogg Songs written by Sounwave Songs written by Terrace Martin Top Dawg Entertainment singles