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Motiv8 (song)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
"Motiv8"
Song by J. Cole
from the album KOD
ReleasedApril 20, 2018
Recorded2017
Genre
Length2:13
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)J. Cole T-Minus

"Motiv8" (pronounced "motivate") is a song by American rapper J. Cole, released on April 20, 2018 from his fifth studio album, KOD.[2]

Composition and samples

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The song contains an uncredited sample from "Knuck If You Buck", performed by Crime Mob;[3] and excerpts from "Get Money", as written by Roy Ayers, James Bedford, Lamont Porter, Sylvia Striplin and Chris Wallace, and performed by Junior M.A.F.I.A.

Lyrical interpretation

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HotNewHipHop said "another track that’s been getting a lot of attention lately is this song called “Motiv8.” [...] Cole hops on this self-produced beat and raps about being motivated to get the money, something he repeats throughout the song & chorus."[4]

Critical reception

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Alexis Petridis of The Guardian said "Motiv8 revolves around little more than an eerie keyboard figure and a disembodied cry of “get money” from Lil Kim's guest appearance on the 1995 Junior MAFIA hit of the same title – ripped out of context, it sounds bleak and despairing."[5] KentWired said “Another song I feel like will be played on the radio a lot. Also, another favorite song of mine. This kind of reminds me of Kendrick Lamar’s “Levitate.” However, I love the beginning of this song where it has pretty much a video game sound effect to it.”[6]

Usage in media

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The song was featured in the official 2018 NBA Playoffs (Eastern Conference Finals) and the NBA Finals promotion for ESPN.

Commercial performance

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Upon its first week of release, "Motiv8" debuted at number 15 on the US Billboard Hot 100.[7]

Charts

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Chart (2018) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[8] 47
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[9] 23
Ireland (IRMA)[10] 37
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[11] 26
Portugal (AFP)[12] 47
Sweden Heatseeker (Sverigetopplistan)[13] 5
US Billboard Hot 100[14] 15
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[15] 10

Certifications

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Region Certification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[16] Gold 35,000
United States (RIAA)[17] Platinum 1,000,000

Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References

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  1. ^ "J. Cole Is After The Money On New "KOD" Song "Motiv8"". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved July 9, 2018.
  2. ^ "KOD by J. Cole on iTunes". iTunes Store (US). Retrieved July 9, 2018.
  3. ^ Glenn Schick (April 22, 2018). "Fun fact: The new @JColeNC #KOD album I mastered has a song called "Motiv8" it's got a sample from Crime Mob's "knuck if you buck" which I also mastered in 2003!". Twitter. Retrieved July 9, 2018.
  4. ^ "J. Cole Is After The Money On New "KOD" Song "Motiv8"". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved July 9, 2018.
  5. ^ Petridis, Alexis (April 20, 2018). "J Cole: KOD review – a brilliantly brooding antidote to hip-hop excess". The Guardian. Retrieved July 9, 2018.
  6. ^ "REVIEW: J. Cole's 'KOD' is a must-listen album with a powerful message". KentWired. Retrieved July 9, 2018.
  7. ^ Trust, Gary. "Drake Leads Billboard Hot 100, Ariana Grande Arrives at No. 3 & J. Cole Collects Record Three Debuts in Top 10". Billboard. Retrieved July 9, 2018.
  8. ^ "J. Cole – Photograph". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved July 9, 2018.
  9. ^ "J Cole Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved July 9, 2018.
  10. ^ "IRMA – Irish Charts". Irish Recorded Music Association. Retrieved July 9, 2018.
  11. ^ "NZ Top 40 Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. April 30, 2018. Retrieved July 9, 2018.
  12. ^ "J. Cole – Photograph". AFP Top 100 Singles. Retrieved July 9, 2018.
  13. ^ "Veckolista Heatseeker – Vecka 17, 27 april 2018". Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved July 9, 2018.
  14. ^ "J Cole Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved July 9, 2018.
  15. ^ "J Cole Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved July 9, 2018.
  16. ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2023 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved August 18, 2024.
  17. ^ "American single certifications – J Cole – Motiv8". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved November 24, 2021.