How We Roll (Ciara and Chris Brown song)

"How We Roll"
Single by Ciara and Chris Brown
from the EP CiCi
ReleasedAugust 4, 2023 (2023-08-04)
GenreR&B[1]
Length3:19
LabelBeauty Marks
Songwriter(s)
  • Ciara Harris
  • Chalra Warmley
  • Chris Brown
  • Christopher John Taylor
  • Claudell Monsanto
  • Kasey Michael Phillips
  • Tatenda Terence Kamera
  • William Hood
Producer(s)
  • Ciara
  • Precision Productions
  • Deli Banger
  • Mr Kamera
  • Theron Thomas
Ciara singles chronology
"Get Loose"
(2023) 		"How We Roll"
(2023) 		"Forever"
(2023)
Chris Brown singles chronology
"Summer Too Hot"
(2023) 		"How We Roll"
(2023) 		"IDGAF"
(2023)
Music video
"How We Roll" on YouTube

"How We Roll" is an R&B duet by American singers Ciara and Chris Brown. It was released on August 4, 2023, through Beauty Marks, and is the lead single from Ciara's EP CiCi.[2] A remix featuring Lil Wayne was released November 3, 2023.[3]

Background and release

Ciara released the singles "Jump", "Better Thangs" featuring Summer Walker, and "Da Girls", which were all expected to be singles from her then-untitled eighth studio album. On August 2, 2023, Ciara announced the single "How We Roll", in collaboration with Chris Brown. "How We Roll" marks the second collaboration for the two artists after their first collaboration on Ciara's album, Fantasy Ride (2009) on the track, "Turntables".[4] Prior to "Turntables", the two performed a dance sequence at the BET Awards in 2008 during Brown's performance of "Take You Down".[5][6]

In 2022, it was suggested that Ciara was slated to join Brown on stage for a Michael Jackson tribute at the American Music Awards that was unexplainably canceled by the show organizers.[7] Afterwards, Ciara posted a dance rehearsal video of her and Brown to her Instagram.[8][9]

On August 4, 2023, Ciara released the song, and announced her EP, CiCi.[10] The official remix of "How We Roll", featuring Lil Wayne, was released on November 3, 2023.[11]

Chart performance

"How We Roll" debuted at 18 on the US Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles chart on November 18, 2023 and peaked at 8 on January 13, 2024, spending 8 weeks on the chart.[12][13] It reached 9 on the US R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay chart, becoming Ciara's fifteenth top ten hit and biggest hit on the chart since "I Bet" reached 8 in May 2015;[14] it also reached 9 on the US Rhythmic Songs chart, becoming her tenth top ten hit and first since "Like a Boy" in May 2007.[15]

Music video

The official music video was directed by Christian Breslauer,and visual effects were created by The Kroot. and released on August 4, 2023. It features Ciara and Chris Brown performing the song on moving trucks.[16] Marc Griffin, reviewing for Vibe, praised the video, stating it was "laidback" and "groovy", whilst noting the artists' obvious dance influences from Michael and Janet Jackson.[17]

Accolades

The music video received a nomination for Best Dance Performance at the 2023 Soul Train Music Awards. The song helped songwriter Theron Thomas win Songwriter of the Year, Non-Classical at the 66th Annual Grammy Awards. At the 55th NAACP Image Awards, "How We Roll" won the award for Outstanding Duo, Group or Collaboration (Traditional) and the video was nominated for Outstanding Music Video/Visual Album in 2024.[18]

Track listings

Single

  1. "How We Roll" – 3:19
  2. "How We Roll" (clean version) – 3:19
  3. "How We Roll" (instrumental) – 3:19

Versions extended play

  1. "How We Roll" – 3:19
  2. "How We Roll" (sped up) – 2:47
  3. "How We Roll" (slowed) – 3:43
  4. "How We Roll" (instrumental) – 3:19

Remix single

  1. "How We Roll" (remix with Lil Wayne) – 3:41

Major League Djz Remix

  1. "How We Roll" (Major League Djz & Yumbs Remix) – 3:41

Charts

Certifications

Certifications from "How We Roll"
Region Certification Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA)[30] Gold 500,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

Release dates and formats for "How We Roll"
Region Date Version Format(s) Label(s) Ref.
Various August 4, 2023 Original
Beauty Marks Entertainment [31]
September 22, 2023 Versions [32]
November 3, 2023 Lil Wayne Remix [33]
December 15, 2023 Major League Djz & Yumbs Remix [34]

References

  1. ^ "Ciara, Chris Brown Throw a Mobile Party in "How We Roll" Video". August 4, 2023.
  2. ^ "Ciara - Ci Ci". Apple Music. August 4, 2023. Retrieved August 4, 2023.
  3. ^ Samuels, Keithan (November 3, 2023). "Lil Wayne Joins Ciara and Chris Brown on 'How We Roll (Remix)'". Rated R&B. Retrieved November 3, 2023.
  4. ^ "CiCi X Breezy. How We Roll 8/4". Twitter. August 2, 2023. Retrieved August 4, 2023.
  5. ^ "BET Awards Past Performances: 2001–2008". BET. Retrieved August 5, 2023.
  6. ^ "Breezy and Ciara Dance Off 2008 BET Awards!". theboxhouston. Retrieved August 5, 2023.
  7. ^ "Chris Brown Will No Longer Be Performing At The 2022 American Music Awards: Here's Why". musicmayhemmagazine. Retrieved August 5, 2023.
  8. ^ "Watch: Ciara Dances with Chris Brown in Michael Jackson Tribute Video". americansongwriter. Retrieved August 5, 2023.
  9. ^ "Ciara Was Set To Join Chris Brown For Axed Michael Jackson Tribute, Shares Rehearsal Clip". Vibe. Retrieved August 5, 2023.
  10. ^ Samuels, Keithan (August 4, 2023). "Ciara Announces New EP 'CiCi'". Rated R&B. Retrieved August 4, 2023.
  11. ^ "Ciara - How We Roll Remix with Chris Brown and Lil Wayne". Apple Music. November 3, 2023. Retrieved November 3, 2023.
  12. ^ "Bubbling Under Hot 100". Billboard.
  13. ^ "Ciara | Biography, Music & News". Billboard.
  14. ^ "Ciara | Biography, Music & News". Billboard.
  15. ^ "Ciara | Biography, Music & News". Billboard.
  16. ^ "Ciara, Chris Brown - How We Roll". Youtube. August 4, 2023. Retrieved August 4, 2023.
  17. ^ Griffin, Marc (August 4, 2023). "Ciara, Chris Brown Throw A Mobile Party In "How We Roll" Video". Vibe. Retrieved August 4, 2023.
  18. ^ "Usher, Victoria Monét Score in 2024 NAACP Image Awards Nods: Here Are All Music Nominees". Billboard. January 25, 2024. Retrieved January 25, 2024.
  19. ^ "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. August 14, 2023. Retrieved August 11, 2023.
  20. ^ "Ciara Chart History Chart History (South Africa Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved September 2, 2023.
  21. ^ "Official Singles Downloads Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved August 11, 2023.
  22. ^ "Ciara Chart History (Bubbling Under Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved January 9, 2024.
  23. ^ "Ciara Chart History (Digital Song Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved August 14, 2023.
  24. ^ "Ciara Chart History (Radio Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved January 2, 2024.
  25. ^ "Ciara Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved January 2, 2024.
  26. ^ "Ciara Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved December 11, 2023.
  27. ^ "Ciara Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard. Retrieved December 30, 2023.
  28. ^ "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. November 13, 2023. Retrieved November 11, 2023.
  29. ^ "R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay Songs – Year-End 2024". Billboard. Retrieved December 14, 2024.
  30. ^ "American single certifications – Ciara, Chris Brown – How We Roll". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved November 12, 2024.
  31. ^ "Ciara & Chris Brown - How We Roll". Spotify. August 4, 2023. Retrieved November 3, 2023.
  32. ^ "Ciara - How We Roll (with Chris Brown) - Versions". Spotify. September 22, 2023. Retrieved November 3, 2023.
  33. ^ "How We Roll (Remix)". Spotify. November 3, 2023. Retrieved November 3, 2023.
  34. ^ "How We Roll - Major League Djz & Yumbs Remix". Spotify. December 15, 2023. Retrieved December 15, 2023.