Graves (song)

"Graves"
Single by KB and Brandon Lake
from the album His Glory Alone II
ReleasedOctober 28, 2022 (2022-10-28)
GenreChristian hip hop
Length
  • 4:20
  • 4:18 (acoustic)
Label
Songwriter(s)
  • Brandon Lake
  • Chris Brown
  • Kevin Elijah Burgess
  • Quinten Coblentz
  • Steven Furtick
  • Tiffany Hudson
  • Wesley Smith
Producer(s)Wearethegood
KB singles chronology
"Eagle"
(2022)
"Graves"
(2022)
"EZ"
(2023)
Brandon Lake singles chronology
"Gratitude"
(2022)
"Graves"
(2022)
"Fear Is Not My Future"
(2022)
Alternative cover
Acoustic version cover
Acoustic version cover
Music videos
"Graves" on YouTube
"Graves" (Acoustic) on YouTube

"Graves" is a song performed by American Christian rapper KB and American contemporary worship musician Brandon Lake. The song was released on October 28, 2022, as the lead single from KB's fourth album, His Glory Alone II. [1] The song was written by KB, Wesley Smith, and Quinten Coblentz, with Brandon Lake, Chris Brown, and Steven Furtick being credited as songwriters on account of the sampling of the hit song "Graves into Gardens" by Elevation Worship and Lake.[2] Wearethegood handled the production of the single.

The song peaked at number 33 on the US Hot Christian Songs chart published by Billboard. At the 2023 GMA Dove Awards, "Graves" was nominated for the Rap/Hip Hop Recorded Song of the Year and Short Form Music Video of the Year (Performance) awards.[3]

Background

On October 28, 2022, KB released "Graves" with Brandon Lake, a collaborative track sampling Elevation Worship and Lake's hit single, "Graves into Gardens".[4] The song serves as the lead single from KB's upcoming album, with its music video premiering on BET Gospel.[5][6] KB spoke of the song, saying ""Graves" celebrates the God who does more than make bad good but He makes the dead life. What it means to follow Jesus, is to believe in a resurrected existence that can spring forth out of the most difficult & desperate situations. God loves to bring gardens from graves and life from death."[citation needed]

Critical reception

Joshua Galla of NewReleaseToday wrote his opinion of the song, saying "Like most of KB's lyrical skills, the metaphors and wordplay included are some of his best on display. The Lara Croft and Rick Flair references are elite. The production attributes are worthy of their own praise. The overall energy infusing worship and hip-hop never get old."[7]

Awards and nominations

Awards
Year Organization Award Result Ref
2023 GMA Dove Awards Rap/Hip Hop Recorded Song of the Year Won
Short Form Music Video of the Year (Performance) Nominated

Composition

"Graves" is composed in the key of A with a tempo of 143 beats per minute,[10] and a musical time signature of 4
4
.[11]

Commercial performance

"Graves" debuted at No. 33 on the US Hot Christian Songs chart dated November 12, 2022,[12] concurrently charting at No. 24 on the Christian Digital Song Sales chart.[13]

Music videos

The official music video of "Graves" was published on YouTube by KB on October 28, 2022.[14] The music video was directed by Juan Garcia and produced by Jayson Palacio. It showcases KB performing the song in a dark room with screens showing lyrics to the song and smoke on the floor resembling clouds.

The official acoustic video of "Graves" was published on YouTube by KB on December 2, 2022.[15] The video shows KB and Lake performing the song.[16]

Track listing

"Graves"
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Graves" (with Brandon Lake)
Wearethegood4:20
"Graves" (Acoustic)
No.TitleLength
1."Graves" (with Brandon Lake; Acoustic)4:18
2."Graves" (with Brandon Lake)4:20
Total length:8:38

Charts

Chart performance for "Graves"
Chart (2022) Peak
position
US Christian Songs (Billboard)[17] 33

Release history

Release history and formats for "Graves"
Region Date Version Format Label Ref.
Various October 28, 2022 Original
January 13, 2023 Acoustic

References

  1. ^ Clarks, Jessie (October 28, 2022). "KB Drops "Graves" Feat. Brandon Lake - TCB". The Christian Beat. Retrieved November 13, 2022.
  2. ^ Moss, Iain (October 28, 2022). "Chart-topper KB Delivers A New Single And Video For "Graves" Feat. Brandon Lake, Out Now". Jesus Wired. Retrieved November 13, 2022.
  3. ^ Clarks, Jessie (August 9, 2023). "Gospel Music Association Announces Nominees For The 54th Annual GMA Dove Awards - TCB". The Christian Beat. Retrieved September 11, 2023.
  4. ^ "JFH News: Chart-Topper KB Releases New Song and Video, "Graves" ft. Brandon Lake". Jesus Freak Hideout. October 28, 2022. Retrieved November 13, 2022.
  5. ^ Cluver, Ross (October 31, 2022). "Christian Hip-Hop Artist KB Releases 'Graves' Featuring Brandon Lake | CCM Magazine". CCM Magazine. Retrieved November 13, 2022.
  6. ^ "Christian KB featuring Brandon Lake – "Graves" - (Video Clip)". BET. October 28, 2022. Retrieved November 13, 2022.
  7. ^ Galla, Joshua (October 27, 2022). "#118 - The Ambassador, KB, Miles Minnick, & More... | THE CHH DROP WITH JOSHUA GALLA | NewReleaseToday". NewReleaseToday. Retrieved November 13, 2022.
  8. ^ "2023 Nominees". GMA Dove Awards. August 9, 2023. Archived from the original on August 12, 2023. Retrieved September 11, 2023.
  9. ^ "2023 Winners | The 54th Annual GMA Dove Awards". GMA Dove Awards. October 20, 2023. Archived from the original on October 21, 2023. Retrieved October 20, 2023.
  10. ^ "Graves by KB | Loop Community". Loop Community. Retrieved November 13, 2022.
  11. ^ "Graves by KB, Brandon Lake". MultiTracks. Retrieved November 13, 2022.
  12. ^ "Hot Christian Songs Chart - Billboard". Billboard. November 8, 2022. Retrieved November 13, 2022.
  13. ^ "Christian Digital Song Sales Chart | Billboard". Billboard. November 8, 2022. Retrieved November 13, 2022.
  14. ^ "KB, Brandon Lake - Graves (Official Music Video) - YouTube". YouTube. October 28, 2022. Retrieved November 13, 2022.
  15. ^ "KB, Brandon Lake - Graves (Official Music Video) - YouTube". YouTube. December 2, 2022. Retrieved November 13, 2022.
  16. ^ Clarks, Jessie (December 2, 2022). "KB & Brandon Lake "Graves" Acoustic Video - TCB". The Christian Beat. Retrieved December 12, 2022.
  17. ^ "KB Chart History (Hot Christian Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved November 13, 2022.
  18. ^ "Graves - Single by KB & Brandon Lake on Apple Music". Apple Music. United States. October 28, 2022. Retrieved November 13, 2022.
  19. ^ "Graves (Acoustic) - Single by KB & Brandon Lake on Apple Music". Apple Music. United States. January 13, 2023. Retrieved January 14, 2023.