| "Motiv8" | |
|---|---|
| Song by J. Cole | |
| from the album KOD | |
| Released | April 20, 2018 |
| Recorded | 2017 |
| Genre | |
| Length | 2:13 |
| 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
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
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
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
The song was featured in the official 2018 NBA Playoffs ( Eastern Conference Finals) and the NBA Finals promotion for ESPN.
Commercial performance
Upon its first week of release, "Motiv8" debuted at number 15 on the US Billboard Hot 100. [7]
Charts
| 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
| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| United States ( RIAA) [16] | Platinum | 1,000,000‡ |
|
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. | ||
References
- ^ "J. Cole Is After The Money On New "KOD" Song "Motiv8"". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved July 9, 2018.
- ^ "KOD by J. Cole on iTunes". iTunes Store (US). Retrieved July 9, 2018.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "J. Cole Is After The Money On New "KOD" Song "Motiv8"". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved July 9, 2018.
- ^ Petridis, Alexis (April 20, 2018). "J Cole: KOD review – a brilliantly brooding antidote to hip-hop excess". The Guardian. Retrieved July 9, 2018.
- ^ "REVIEW: J. Cole's 'KOD' is a must-listen album with a powerful message". KentWired. Retrieved July 9, 2018.
- ^ 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.
- ^ " J. Cole – Photograph". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved July 9, 2018.
- ^ "J Cole Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved July 9, 2018.
- ^ "IRMA – Irish Charts". Irish Recorded Music Association. Retrieved July 9, 2018.
- ^ "NZ Top 40 Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. April 30, 2018. Retrieved July 9, 2018.
- ^ " J. Cole – Photograph". AFP Top 100 Singles. Retrieved July 9, 2018.
- ^ "Veckolista Heatseeker – Vecka 17, 27 april 2018". Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved July 9, 2018.
- ^ "J Cole Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved July 9, 2018.
- ^ "J Cole Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved July 9, 2018.
- ^ "American single certifications – J Cole – Motiv8". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved November 24, 2021.
