Congratulate (song)

"Congratulate" is a song by South African rapper AKA. It was released as the third single from his second studio album, Levels (2014). It was sent to radio stations across South Africa in March 2014. The song debuted at number 1 on Metro FM, 5FM and YFM.[2] Moreover, it peaked at number 2 on South Africa's official music chart.[3] "Congratulate" was produced by Tazzy, a member of the funk band Muzart.[4]

"Congratulate"
Single by AKA
from the album Levels
Released28 February 2014 (2014-02-28)[1]
Recorded2013
GenreHip hop
Length3:45
LabelVth Season
Songwriter(s)
  • Kiernan Forbes
  • T. Lehutso
  • JR
Producer(s)Tazzy
AKA singles chronology
"Kontrol"
(2013)		 "Congratulate"
(2014)		 "Run Jozi (Godly)"
(2014)

Composition and meaning

"Congratulate" samples Harrison Crump's "Ride". An electric piano chord was played simultaneously with the sample. The song is made up of three verses and a hook. The bassline of the song fluctuates throughout. The song feature backing vocals from JR. In "Congratulate", AKA raps about his journey to success.[5] In early 2014, AKA sat down with SABC and spoke about the single. He said the song is about one celebrating the positive milestones in their lives. He also said he recorded the song to relate with ordinary people.[6] In May 2015, "Congratulate" was certified Gold by the Recording Industry of South Africa.[7]

Cover art and music video

AKA shared the artwork for "Congratulate" prior to releasing it. He posted the cover art on Twitter and tagged it with the hash-tag "#AKACongratulate".[8] On 1 May 2014, the music video for the song was released. It was uploaded onto YouTube at a total length of 4 minutes and 2 seconds.[9]

Accolades

The music video for "Congratulate" won Most Gifted Hip-hop and was nominated for Most Gifted Southern, as well as Most Gifted Video of the Year at the 2014 Channel O Music Video Awards.[10]

Year Awards ceremony Award description(s) Results
2014 Channel O Music Video Awards Most Gifted Hip-hop Won
Most Gifted Southern Nominated
Most Gifted Video of the Year Nominated

Charts

Weekly charts
Chart (2013) Peak
position
South Africa (EMA)[3] 1

References
  1. "iTunes - Music - Congratulate - Single by AKA". Itunes.apple.com. 28 February 2014. Retrieved 17 May 2014.
  2. 10 March 2014 Time: 11:04 am (10 March 2014). "AKA's latest single 'Congratulate' hits no.1 on iTunes SA". Kick Off. Archived from the original on 17 May 2014. Retrieved 17 May 2014.
  3. "Entertainment Monitoring Africa :: Charts". Sa-ema.com. 6 May 2014. Retrieved 17 May 2014.
  4. "AKA Releases Artwork For New Single 'Congratulate'". Miznformed. Archived from the original on 15 March 2014. Retrieved 17 May 2014.
  5. Dorobucci (13 May 2014). "AKA | Congratulate". Vibrationfactorke.wordpress.com. Archived from the original on 17 May 2014. Retrieved 17 May 2014.
  6. "AKA on his latest single "Congratulate"". YouTube. 10 April 2014. Retrieved 17 May 2014.
  7. "AKA's #LEVELS album reaches gold | YoMzansi™ BLOG |". YoMzansi™ BLOG | HIGHEST GRADE SOURCE of SA Entertainment News. Retrieved 24 October 2015.
  8. Source: Siyathemba Ben (@Siyathembab) (5 March 2014). "AKA drops "Congratulate"". MTV Base. Retrieved 17 May 2014.
  9. "New Music Video. AKA - Congratulate - we-are-awesome". we-are-awesome. 2 May 2014. Archived from the original on 17 May 2014. Retrieved 17 May 2014.
  10. Marshall, Rhodé (5 September 2014). "Channel O Africa announces Music Video Awards nominees". Mail & Guardian. Retrieved 12 September 2014.
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