Loyalty (Kendrick Lamar song)

"Loyalty." redirects here. For the devotion to a cause, see Loyalty. For other uses, see Loyalty (disambiguation).

2017 single by Kendrick Lamar featuring Rihanna

"Loyalty"

Single by Kendrick Lamar featuring Rihanna
from the album  Damn
Released| June 20, 2017
Recorded| 2016[1]
Studio|

* No Excuses (Santa Monica, CA)[2]
* Windmark Studios (Los Angeles, CA)[2]

Genre|

* Hip-hop
* R&B

Length| 3:47
Label|

* Top Dawg
* Aftermath
* Interscope

Songwriter(s)|

* Kendrick Duckworth
* Dacoury Natche
* Mark Spears
* Robyn Fenty
* Anthony Tiffith[3]
* Bruno Mars
* Philip Lawrence
* Christopher Brody Brown
* Robert Diggs
* Russell Jones
* Shawn Carter
* Ricardo Thomas
* Malik Cox
* Calvin Broadus

Producer(s)|

* DJ Dahi
* Sounwave
* Martin
* Top Dawg

Kendrick Lamar singles chronology
| "Perfect Pint"
(2017)  | "Loyalty"
(2017)  | "New Freezer"
(2017)

|
|

Rihanna singles chronology
| "Wild Thoughts"
(2017)  | "Loyalty"
(2017)  | "Lemon"
(2017)

|
|

Audio sample

* file
* help

Music video
"Loyalty" on YouTube

"Loyalty" (stylized as "LOYALTY.") is a song by American rapper Kendrick Lamar featuring Barbadian singer Rihanna 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.[4][5] The sixth track on the album (ninth on the Collector's Edition of Damn[6]), the song was written by the artists alongside producers DJ Dahi, Sounwave, Terrace Martin, and Anthony "Top Dawg" Tiffith.[3] The song won the Grammy Award for Best Rap/Sung Performance.[7]

## Composition

[edit]

The song contains a reverse sample of "24K Magic" produced by Shampoo Press & Curl and The Stereotypes, and performed by American singer Bruno Mars.[8] The song also contains a "replay" of Jay-Z'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.[9]

## Critical reception

[edit]

Complex calls it a "standout track" and one of Damn's most "radio-friendly cuts".[10] The Fader writer Jason Parham calls "Loyalty", "anxious, berserk, and beautifully intransigent in [its] own right" and "equal parts pop, funk, and brooding rap hymnal".[11] 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."[12] 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".[13]

## Awards and nominations

[edit]

Year  | Organization  | Award  | Result  | Ref.

|
|
|
|

2018  | BET Awards | Best Collaboration  | Nominated  | [14]
BET Hip Hop Awards | Best Hip Hop Video  | Nominated  | [15]
Grammy Awards | Best Rap/Sung Performance | Won  | [16]
NAACP Image Awards | Outstanding Duo, Group or Collaboration  | Won  | [17]

## Music video

[edit]

The music video for the song was released to Lamar's Vevo channel on YouTube on July 28, 2017. It was directed by Dave Meyers and The Little Homies and includes an appearance from featured artist Rihanna.[18][19] Jordan Darville of The Fader gave the music video a positive review, praising the visuals and called Lamar and Rihanna's adventure together "carefully crafted [and] suitably amorous."[20]

## Credits and personnel

[edit]

Rihanna is a featured vocalist on "Loyalty".

* Kendrick Duckworth – songwriter
* Rihanna – 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 – songwriter
* RZA – songwriter
* Jay-Z – songwriter
* Memphis Bleek – songwriter
* Snoop Dogg – 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

[edit]

### Weekly charts

[edit]

| Chart (2017)  | Peak
position

|

Australia (ARIA)[21] | 20
Australia Urban (ARIA)[22] | 4
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[23] | 41
Belgium (Ultratip Bubbling Under Flanders)[24] | 30
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[25] | 12
Czech Republic (Singles Digitál Top 100)[26] | 40
Denmark (Tracklisten)[27] | 34
France (SNEP)[28] | 43
Germany (GfK)[29] | 53
Hungary (Stream Top 40)[30] | 36
Ireland (IRMA)[31] | 18
Italy (FIMI)[32] | 63
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[33] | 42
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[34] | 15
Philippines (Philippine Hot 100)[35] | 47
Portugal (AFP)[36] | 10
Scotland (OCC)[37] | 99
Slovakia (Singles Digitál Top 100)[38] | 20
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[39] | 34
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[40] | 35
UK Singles (OCC)[41] | 27
US Billboard Hot 100[42] | 14
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[43] | 7
US Rhythmic (Billboard)[44] | 1

### Year-end charts

[edit]

| Chart (2017)  | Position

|

US Billboard Hot 100[45] | 66
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[46] | 33
US Rhythmic (Billboard)[47] | 21

## Certifications

[edit]

Region  | Certification | Certified units/sales

|
|

Australia (ARIA)[48] | 3× Platinum  | 210,000‡
Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil)[49] | Platinum  | 60,000‡
Canada (Music Canada)[50] | 3× Platinum  | 240,000‡
Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[51] | Gold  | 45,000‡
France (SNEP)[52] | Gold  | 100,000‡
New Zealand (RMNZ)[53] | 3× Platinum  | 90,000‡
United Kingdom (BPI)[54] | Gold  | 400,000‡
United States (RIAA)[55] | 2× Platinum  | 2,000,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

## Release history

[edit]

Country  | Date  | Format  | Label  | Ref.

|
|
|
|

United States  | June 20, 2017  | Rhythmic contemporary radio |

* Top Dawg
* Aftermath
* Interscope

| [4]
Urban contemporary radio | [5]
Italy  | October 20, 2017  | Contemporary hit radio | Universal | [56]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ Carmichael, Rodney (April 25, 2017). "How Mike WiLL Made-It And Kendrick Lamar Created The Year's Most Urgent Music". NPR. Retrieved December 17, 2017.
2. ^ a b Kellman, Andy. "DAMN. – Kendrick Lamar". AllMusic. Archived from the original on April 20, 2017. Retrieved April 19, 2017.
3. ^ a b "Digital Booklet - DAMN. copy.pdf". DocDroid. Retrieved April 18, 2017.
4. ^ a b "Top 40 Rhythmic Future Releases". All Access. Archived from the original on June 13, 2017. Retrieved June 13, 2017.
5. ^ a b "Urban/UAC Future Releases". All Access. Archived from the original on June 13, 2017. Retrieved June 13, 2017.
6. ^ India, Lindsey (December 8, 2017). "Kendrick Lamar Surprises Fans With 'Damn.' Collector's Edition". XXL. Retrieved December 9, 2017.
7. ^ "2018 Grammy Nomination List". Variety. November 28, 2017. Retrieved November 28, 2017.
8. ^ "Kendrick Lamar's Collab With Rihanna Began With Bruno Mars Sample". HipHopDX. Retrieved April 20, 2017.
9. ^ "Kendrick Lamar feat. Rihanna's 'LOYALTY.' - Discover the Sample Source". WhoSampled.
10. ^ Espinoza, Joshua. "Here's How Kendrick Lamar and Rihanna's "Loyalty" Came Together". Complex. Complex. Retrieved April 19, 2017.
11. ^ Parham, Jason (April 8, 2017). "The Story Behind The Kendrick Lamar And Rihanna Collaboration "LOYALTY."". The Fader. Retrieved April 19, 2017.
12. ^ Guan, Frank. "On 'Loyalty' Rihanna Plays It Casual With Kendrick Lamar". Vulture. Retrieved April 20, 2017.
13. ^ "New Music: Kendrick Lamar feat. Rihanna – 'LOYALTY.'". Rap-Up. April 14, 2017. Retrieved April 20, 2017.
14. ^ Dupre, Elyse (May 16, 2018). "2018 BET Awards Nominations: DJ Khaled and Kendrick Lamar Among Top Nominees". E!. Retrieved June 4, 2022.
15. ^ "Hip Hop Awards 2018 Nominees". BET.com. Archived from the original on September 13, 2018. Retrieved September 13, 2018.
16. ^ Lynch, Joe (November 28, 2017). "Grammys 2018 Nominees: The Complete List". Billboard. Retrieved November 28, 2017.
17. ^ "2018 NAACP Image Awards: The Complete Winners List". Variety. January 16, 2018. Retrieved February 19, 2022.
18. ^ "Kendrick Lamar - LOYALTY. ft. Rihanna". YouTube. July 28, 2017. Retrieved July 28, 2017.
19. ^ Finkelstein, Sabrina (July 28, 2017). "Kendrick Lamar Drops 'Loyalty' Video With Rihanna: Watch". Billboard. Retrieved October 19, 2017.
20. ^ Darville, Jordan (July 28, 2017). "Kendrick Lamar And Rihanna Are A Dynamic Duo In The "LOYALTY." Music Video". The Fader. Retrieved October 19, 2017.
21. ^ "Kendrick Lamar feat. Rihanna – Loyalty.". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved April 22, 2017.
22. ^ "ARIA Urban Singles Chart". ARIA. Retrieved April 30, 2017.
23. ^ "Kendrick Lamar feat. Rihanna – Loyalty." (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved April 27, 2017.
24. ^ "Kendrick Lamar feat. Rihanna – Loyalty." (in Dutch). Ultratip. Retrieved September 30, 2017.
25. ^ "Kendrick Lamar Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved April 25, 2017.
26. ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Digital Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select 16. týden 2017 in the date selector. Retrieved April 25, 2017.
27. ^ "Kendrick Lamar feat. Rihanna – Loyalty.". Tracklisten. Retrieved April 26, 2017.
28. ^ "Kendrick Lamar feat. Rihanna – Loyalty." (in French). Le classement de singles. Retrieved April 22, 2017.
29. ^ "Kendrick Lamar feat. Rihanna – Loyalty." (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved April 21, 2017.
30. ^ "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Stream Top 40 slágerlista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved April 28, 2017.
31. ^ "IRMA – Irish Charts". Irish Recorded Music Association. Retrieved April 21, 2017.
32. ^ "Classifica settimanale WK 16" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved April 22, 2017.
33. ^ "Kendrick Lamar feat. Rihanna – Loyalty." (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved April 21, 2017.
34. ^ "Kendrick Lamar feat. Rihanna – Loyalty.". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved April 21, 2017.
35. ^ "BillboardPH Hot 100". Billboard Philippines. August 21, 2017. Retrieved August 21, 2017.
36. ^ "Kendrick Lamar feat. Rihanna – Loyalty.". AFP Top 100 Singles. Retrieved April 28, 2017.
37. ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 22, 2017.
38. ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Singles Digital Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select 16. týden 2017 in the date selector. Retrieved April 25, 2017.
39. ^ "Kendrick Lamar feat. Rihanna – Loyalty.". Singles Top 100. Retrieved April 21, 2017.
40. ^ "Kendrick Lamar feat. Rihanna – Loyalty.". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved April 24, 2017.
41. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 22, 2017.
42. ^ "Kendrick Lamar Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved April 25, 2017.
43. ^ "Kendrick Lamar Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved April 25, 2017.
44. ^ "Kendrick Lamar Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard. Retrieved September 19, 2017.
45. ^ "Hot 100 Songs – Year-End 2017". Billboard. Retrieved December 12, 2017.
46. ^ "Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs - Year-End". Billboard.
47. ^ "Rhythmic Songs - Year-End". Billboard.
48. ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2024 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved April 21, 2024.
49. ^ "Brazilian single certifications – Kendrick Lamar – Loyalty" (in Portuguese). Pro-Música Brasil. Retrieved June 29, 2024.
50. ^ "Canadian single certifications – Kendrick Lamar ft. Rihanna – Loyalty". Music Canada. Retrieved March 18, 2021.
51. ^ "Danish single certifications – Kendrick Lamar feat. Rihanna – Loyalty". IFPI Danmark. Retrieved January 12, 2022.
52. ^ "French single certifications – Kendrick Lamar – Loyalty" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Retrieved December 13, 2022.
53. ^ "New Zealand single certifications – Kendrick Lamar feat. Rihanna – LOYALTY". Radioscope. Retrieved December 17, 2024. Type LOYALTY.  in the "Search:" field.
54. ^ "British single certifications – Kendrick Lamar & Rihanna – Loyalty". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved March 8, 2022.
55. ^ "American single certifications – Kendrick Lamar – Loyalty". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved June 7, 2018.
56. ^ "Kendrick Lamar - LOYALTY. (FEAT. RIHANNA.) (Radio Date: 20-10-2017)". October 19, 2017.

* v
* t
* e

Kendrick Lamar songs

* Singles discography
* Songs

Section.80|

* "A.D.H.D."
* "HiiiPoWeR"

Good Kid, M.A.A.D City|

* "Sherane a.k.a Master Splinter's Daughter"
* "Bitch, Don't Kill My Vibe"
* "Backseat Freestyle"
* "Money Trees"
* "Poetic Justice"
* "Good Kid"
* "M.A.A.D City"
* "Swimming Pools (Drank)"
* "Sing About Me, I'm Dying of Thirst"
* " Compton"

| Deluxe|

* "The Recipe"

|

To Pimp a Butterfly|

* "For Free? (Interlude)"
* "King Kunta"
* "These Walls"
* "Alright"
* "How Much a Dollar Cost"
* "The Blacker the Berry"
* "I"
* "Mortal Man"

Untitled Unmastered|

* "Untitled 02 | 06.23.2014."
* "Untitled 03 | 05.28.2013."
* "Untitled 07 | Levitate"
* "Untitled 08 | 09.06.2014."

Damn|

* "Blood"
* "DNA"
* "Yah"
* "Element"
* "Feel"
* "Loyalty"
* "Pride"
* "Humble"
* "Lust"
* "Love"
* "XXX"
* "Fear"
* "God"
* "Duckworth"

Black Panther|

* "All the Stars"
* "King's Dead"
* "Pray for Me"

Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers|

* "N95"
* "Die Hard"
* "We Cry Together"
* "Count Me Out"
* "Silent Hill"
* "Auntie Diaries"
* "The Heart Part 5"

Drake–Kendrick Lamar feud|

* "Like That"
* "Euphoria"
* "6:16 in LA"
* "Meet the Grahams"
* "Not Like Us"

GNX|

* "Wacced Out Murals"
* "Squabble Up"
* "Luther"
* "Man at the Garden"
* "Hey Now"
* "Reincarnated"
* "TV Off"
* "Dodger Blue"
* "Peekaboo"
* "Heart Pt. 6"
* "GNX"
* "Gloria"

Collaborations with Baby Keem|

* "Family Ties"
* "Range Brothers"
* "The Hillbillies"

Featured songs|

* "Hood Gone Love It"
* "I'm On 2.0"
* "Fuckin' Problems"
* "Let Us Move On"
* "YOLO"
* "How Many Drinks?"
* "We Up"
* "Memories Back Then"
* "Collard Greens"
* "Fragile"
* "Forbidden Fruit"
* "Give It 2 U"
* "Radioactive (Remix)"
* "Nosetalgia"
* "It's On Again"
* "Control"
* "1 Train"
* "Autumn Leaves"
* "Never Catch Me"
* "Bad Blood (Remix)"
* "Classic Man (Remix)"
* "Easy Bake"
* "Holy Key"
* "No More Parties in LA"
* "The Greatest"
* "Freedom"
* "Really Doe"
* "Don't Wanna Know"
* "Sidewalks"
* "Goosebumps"
* "Doves in the Wind"
* "New Freezer"
* "Dedication"
* "Mona Lisa"
* "Tints"
* "America Has a Problem"

Other songs|

* "Cartoon and Cereal"
* "The Heart Part 4"
* "Under the Sun"
* "Watch the Party Die"
* "Money Without Me"
* "30 for 30"
* "Mojo Jojo"
* "Backd00r"
* "Good Credit"
* "Chains & Whips"

Additional songwriting credits|

* "All Day"
* "Win"
* "Greatest"
* "Numb Numb Juice"
* "Chopstix"
* "Floating"

* v
* t
* e

Rihanna songs

* Singles discography
* Songs recorded

Music of the Sun|

* "Pon de Replay"
* "If It's Lovin' that You Want"
* "You Don't Love Me (No, No, No)"

A Girl Like Me|

* "SOS"
* "Unfaithful"
* "We Ride"
* "Break It Off"

Good Girl Gone Bad|

* "Umbrella"
* "Don't Stop the Music"
* "Shut Up and Drive"
* "Hate That I Love You"
* "Rehab"

Good Girl Gone Bad: Reloaded|

* "Disturbia"
* "Take a Bow"
* "If I Never See Your Face Again"

Rated R|

* "Wait Your Turn"
* "Hard"
* "Stupid in Love"
* "Rockstar 101"
* "Russian Roulette"
* "Rude Boy"
* "Te Amo"
* "Cold Case Love"

Loud|

* "S&M"
* "What's My Name?"
* "Cheers (Drink to That)"
* "Fading"
* "Only Girl (In the World)"
* "California King Bed"
* "Man Down"
* "Raining Men"
* "Skin"
* "Love the Way You Lie (Part II)"

Talk That Talk|

* "You da One"
* "Where Have You Been"
* "We Found Love"
* music video
* "Talk That Talk"
* "Cockiness (Love It)"
* "Birthday Cake"
* "Watch n' Learn"

Unapologetic|

* "Phresh Out the Runway"
* "Diamonds"
* "Pour It Up"
* "Loveeeeeee Song"
* "Jump"
* "Right Now"
* "What Now"
* "Stay"
* "Nobody's Business"

Home soundtrack|

* "Towards the Sun"
* "Dancing in the Dark"

Anti|

* "Consideration"
* "Kiss It Better"
* "Work"
* "Desperado"
* "Needed Me"
* "Love on the Brain"
* "Higher"
* "Pose"
* "Sex with Me"

Collaborations|

* "All of the Lights"
* "Bad (Remix)"
* "Believe It"
* "Can't Remember to Forget You"
* "Famous"
* "Fly"
* "Lemon"
* "Live Your Life"
* "Love the Way You Lie"
* "Loyalty"
* "Nothing Is Promised"
* "Numba 1 (Tide Is High)"
* "Princess of China"
* "Roll It"
* "Run This Town"
* "Selfish"
* "Stranded (Haiti Mon Amour)"
* "Take Care"
* "The Monster"
* "This Is What You Came For"
* "Too Good"
* "Who's That Chick?"
* "Wild Thoughts"

Other songs|

* "American Oxygen"
* "Bad Girl"
* "Bitch Better Have My Money"
* "FourFiveSeconds"
* "Just Stand Up!"
* "Lift Me Up"
* "Sledgehammer"
* "Turn Up the Music (Remix)"
* "Friend of Mine"

* Category

* v
* t
* e

Grammy Award for Best Melodic Rap Performance

2000s|

* "Let Me Blow Ya Mind" – Eve featuring Gwen Stefani (2002)
* "Dilemma" – Nelly featuring Kelly Rowland (2003)
* "Crazy in Love" – Beyoncé featuring Jay-Z (2004)
* "Yeah!" – Usher featuring Ludacris and Lil Jon (2005)
* "Numb/Encore" – Linkin Park and Jay-Z (2006)
* "My Love" – Justin Timberlake featuring T.I. (2007)
* "Umbrella" – Rihanna featuring Jay-Z (2008)
* "American Boy" – Estelle featuring Kanye West (2009)

2010s|

* "Run This Town" – Jay-Z featuring Rihanna and Kanye West (2010)
* "Empire State of Mind" – Jay-Z featuring Alicia Keys (2011)
* "All of the Lights" – Kanye West, Rihanna, Kid Cudi and Fergie (2012)
* "No Church in the Wild" – Jay-Z, Kanye West, Frank Ocean and The-Dream (2013)
* "Holy Grail" – Jay-Z and Justin Timberlake (2014)
* "The Monster" – Eminem featuring Rihanna (2015)
* "These Walls" – Kendrick Lamar featuring Bilal, Anna Wise & Thundercat (2016)
* "Hotline Bling" – Drake (2017)
* "LOYALTY." – Kendrick Lamar featuring Rihanna (2018)
* "This Is America" – Childish Gambino (2019)

2020s|

* "Higher" – DJ Khaled featuring Nipsey Hussle & John Legend (2020)
* "Lockdown" – Anderson .Paak (2021)
* "Hurricane" – Kanye West featuring The Weeknd & Lil Baby (2022)
* "Wait for U" – Future featuring Drake & Tems (2023)
* "All My Life" – Lil Durk featuring J. Cole (2024)
* "3:AM" – Rapsody featuring Erykah Badu (2025)

Authority control databases |

* MusicBrainz release group

|

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*[t]: Discuss this template
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