Really Love (KSI song)

The song was produced by British DJ and record producer Digital Farm Animals and British production duo Mojam. The chorus was co-written by British singer-songwriters MNEK and KABBA. They sent the chorus to British YouTuber and rapper KSI, who wrote and recorded two verses for the song. KSI thought "it made sense" to have British singer-songwriter Craig David perform the chorus, leading to David's involvement in the song.[1]

Speaking about collaborating with David, KSI said, "To say I’m excited is a complete understatement. I’m still in disbelief. I’m working with Craig David; a childhood hero of mine."[2] He continued, "We just clicked. Certain people that I've worked with, I've really had to force it. But with Craig, it's so easy, He's the nicest guy and a lot of fun to work with."[3] Speaking about collaborating with KSI, David said, "Working with KSI and discovering his incredible talent has been an amazing experience for me and also a lot of fun. He’s a great guy with an amazing energy".[2] Regarding MNEK's involvement, KSI said, "It was a match made in heaven. And his energy is amazing. He's the nicest guy ever".[1]

Musically, "Really Love" is a UK garage and dance-pop track.[1][3][4] Constructed in verse–chorus form, the song runs for 2 minutes and 57 seconds (2:57). David performs the chorus in a falsetto vocal register.[4] KSI performs the two verses.[4]

On 7 October 2020, KSI revealed via Twitter that he would be releasing a new single in the next week.[5] Two days later on 9 October, KSI announced via social media that the song is titled "Really Love" and it features Craig David and Digital Farm Animals, and the song was made available for pre-order.[6][7] "Really Love" was released for digital download and streaming on 23 October 2020 at 00:00 (UTC) by RBC Records and BMG as the lead single from KSI's upcoming second studio album. The song was accompanied by the release of a lyric video to David's YouTube channel on the same day.[8]

Several remixes of "Really Love" have been released. A remix by British DJ and producer Blinkie was released on 13 November 2020. A remix by Digital Farm Animals which features new verses by British rappers Tinie Tempah and Yxng Bane was announced and made available for pre-order on 19 November 2020 and released the day after on 20 November.[9] It was accompanied by the release of an audio video to KSI's YouTube channel on the same day.[10] A remix by Dutch DJ and producer R3HAB which features a new verse by Jamaican artist Sean Paul was released on 12 December 2020. It was accompanied by the release of an audio video to KSI's YouTube channel on the same day.[11]

"Really Love" was met with positive reviews from music critics. GRM Daily's Courtney Wynter wrote that "KSI steers away from his usual hip hop inspired sound and takes on a house-infused production with his fun lyrics", while "Craig David provides the song with an affectionate chorus".[12] In his review, Oliver Tryon of CULTR called the song a "soon to be hit". He wrote, "Craig David comes in with his signature sound." Tyron observed that "KSI has really diversified his sound since Dissimulation", with "Really Love" presenting "a more upbeat and fun sound, similar to his Nathan Dawe collaboration".[13]

The music video for "Really Love" premiered on KSI's YouTube channel on 23 October 2020 at 15:00 (UTC).[14] The video was directed by Troy Roscoe.[15] The winter-themed video stars the three artists, dressed in full winter gear, living their best lives at a ski resort.[2][12] The video makes heavy use of computer-generated imagery (CGI) and chroma key compositing.

A behind-the-scenes video of the shoot was uploaded to KSI's YouTube channel on 9 November 2020.[16] KSI uploaded a reaction video, in which he watches the song's music video for the first time, to YouTube on 24 October 2020, followed by another reaction video, in which he is joined by Craig David and Digital Farm Animals, on 26 October 2020.[17][18]

In the United Kingdom, "Really Love" was the country's most downloaded song of the week, debuting at number three on the UK Singles Chart.[19][20][21] The song spent a total of 12 weeks on the chart.[21] "Really Love" spent 12 weeks on the UK Dance Singles Chart, peaking at number two, and the song topped the UK Independent Singles Chart.[22][23] On 25 December 2020, "Really Love" was certified silver by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) for sales of 200,000 track-equivalent units in the UK.[24]

In Ireland, "Really Love" debuted at number 18 on the Irish Singles Chart and spent a total of 12 weeks on the chart.[25][26] In the United States, the song debuted at number 17 on the Billboard Hot Dance/Electronic Songs chart and spent nine weeks on the chart.[22] The song also debuted at number two on the Billboard Euro Digital Song Sales chart and spent two weeks on the chart.[27]

KSI, Craig David and Digital Farm Animals performed "Really Love" in a live performance video, released to KSI's YouTube channel on 30 October 2020.[28][29] The song was performed by the three artists on ITV's The Jonathan Ross Show on 31 October 2020.[30][31] They also performed "Really Love" at KISS's Haunted House Party on 31 October 2020.[32] The song was performed by the three artists on BBC One's Top of the Pops Christmas Special, which aired on 25 December 2020.[33][34]

Credits adapted from Tidal.[35]

• KSI – vocals, songwriter
• Craig David – vocals, songwriter
• Digital Farm Animals – producer, songwriter
• Mojam – producers, songwriter
• MNEK – songwriter
• KABBA – songwriter
• Adam Lunn – engineer
• Kevin Grainger – engineer
• DJ Pied Piper and the Masters of Ceremonies – songwriters

• List of UK top-ten singles in 2020
• List of UK Singles Downloads Chart number ones of the 2020s
• List of UK Independent Singles Chart number ones of 2020

• Lyric video on YouTube
• Live performance video on YouTube
• Live performance on The Jonathan Ross Show on YouTube
• Behind-the-scenes video on YouTube
• Digital Farm Animals Remix audio on YouTube
• R3HAB Remix audio on YouTube
• Live performance on Top Of The Pops on YouTube