"I Swear" is a song by Nigerian rapper Ice Prince. It was released as the fourth single from his second studio album, Fire of Zamani (2013). American rapper French Montana contributes a rap verse to it, and Nigerian singer Shaydee provides guest vocals. The song was produced by Chopstix and released by Chocolate City.[1][2][3] It debuted at number ten on MTV Base's Official Naija Top 10 chart.[4]
| "I Swear" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single by Ice Prince featuring French Montana and Shaydee | ||||
| from the album Fire of Zamani | ||||
| Released | September 9, 2013 | |||
| Recorded | 2013 | |||
| Genre | Hip hop, African hip hop | |||
| Length | 3:59 | |||
| Label | Chocolate City | |||
| Songwriter(s) |
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| Producer(s) | Chopstix | |||
| Ice Prince singles chronology | ||||
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| French Montana singles chronology | ||||
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Background and recording
edit"I Swear" was recorded in Nigeria except for French Montana's part, which was recorded at Big Daddy's Studio in New York City.[5] On September 7, 2013, Ice Prince uploaded a video to YouTube highlighting he and Montana's studio session.[6][7][8]
In an interview with HipTV, Ice Prince elaborated on his collaboration with French Montana, saying, "I got introduced to him by a Nigerian guy. We just got introduced backstage at his show and he said this cat's cool. From then on, we went together, we got in the studio, recorded the song".[9][10]
Music video
editThe music video for "I Swear" was filmed in the United States by J R Saint. It was released on October 8, 2013, a month after the audio release.[11][12]
Critical reception
edit"I Swear" received positive reviews from music critics. Ogagus, writing a review for Jaguda.com, called the song a "groovy rap tune" and said Ice Prince "can hold his own with the best of them when it comes to rap globally."[13] Reviewing for The Guardian newspaper, Phiona Okumu praised Ice Prince for "trading rhymes" with French Montana.[14][15] OkayAfrica commended both rappers for "namedropping and channeling some of their contemporaries over a syncopated beat".[16]
Release history
edit| Region | Date | Format | Label |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nigeria | September 9, 2013 | CD, Digital download | Chocolate City Music Label |
References
edit- ^ "OFFICIAL: Ice Prince – I Swear ft. French Montana". Notjustok. Archived from the original on 20 October 2013. Retrieved 22 October 2013.
- ^ "Ice Prince – I Swear ft. French Montana". Gidilounge. Archived from the original on 23 October 2013. Retrieved 22 October 2013.
- ^ "OFFICIAL: Ice Prince – I Swear ft. French Montana (No Tags)". Naijacelebrity. Archived from the original on 23 October 2013. Retrieved 22 October 2013.
- ^ "Ice prince debuts 'I swear' on MTV's Official Naija Top 10". MSN Entertainment Nigeria. Archived from the original on 3 November 2013. Retrieved 1 November 2013.
- ^ "Ice Prince ft French Montana – I Swear". ChocolateCityGroup. Archived from the original on 22 October 2013. Retrieved 22 October 2013.
- ^ "FULL STUDIO SESSION: "I SWEAR" ICE PRINCE FEATURING FR". YouTube. Archived from the original on 9 September 2013. Retrieved 22 October 2013.
- ^ "VIDEO: Ice Prince – I Swear (Snippet) Ft. French Montana {DOWNLOAD}". Olekubuzz. Retrieved 22 October 2013.
- ^ "VIDEO: Ice Prince – I Swear (Snippet) f. French Montana". tooxclusive. Archived from the original on 20 October 2013. Retrieved 22 October 2013.
- ^ "I never thought i will be successful iceprince". YouTube. Archived from the original on 27 September 2013. Retrieved 22 October 2013.
- ^ "Ice Prince Returns To Nigeria After Winning The BET Awards". YouTube. Archived from the original on 7 January 2014. Retrieved 22 October 2013.
- ^ "BN Video Premiere: Ice Prince Feat. French Montana – I Swear". Bellanaija. Archived from the original on 23 October 2013. Retrieved 22 October 2013.
- ^ "#InCaseYouMissedIt: Rapper, Ice Prince features French Montana in new video, 'I Swear' (WATCH)". YNaija. Archived from the original on 23 October 2013. Retrieved 22 October 2013.
- ^ "New Music: Ice Prince – I Swear ft. French Montana". Jaguda. Archived from the original on 23 October 2013. Retrieved 22 October 2013.
- ^ "Ice Prince – I Swear: New music from Nigeria". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 23 October 2013. Retrieved 22 October 2013.
- ^ "Watch 'I Swear', MOBO-Nominee Ice Prince's New Video Featuring French Montana". AfriPop. Archived from the original on 12 October 2013. Retrieved 22 October 2013.
- ^ "Ice Prince x French Montana 'I Swear'". OkayAfrica. Archived from the original on 16 October 2013. Retrieved 22 October 2013.