Sprinter (song)

"Sprinter"
Single by Dave and Central Cee
from the EP Split Decision
Released1 June 2023 (2023-06-01)
Recorded2023
Genre
Length3:49
Label
  • Neighbourhood
  • Live Yours
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
  • Jonny Leslie
  • Jo Caleb
  • Santan
  • Jim Legxacy
  • TR
  • Kyle Evans
Dave singles chronology
"My 24th Birthday"
(2022) 		"Sprinter"
(2023)
Central Cee singles chronology
"Me & You"
(2023) 		"Sprinter"
(2023) 		"On the Radar Freestyle"
(2023)
Music video
"Sprinter" on YouTube

"Sprinter" is a song by British rappers Dave and Central Cee. The single was released 1 June 2023 through record labels Neighbourhood and Live Yours, and was included on the artist's collaborative EP Split Decision, released four days later. The song's instrumental has been characterized as a "guitar-led, subtle drill" beat with Latin influence.[2][3]

Sprinter debuted at number one in the UK Singles Chart, becoming Dave's third number-one single and Central Cee's first. The single became the longest-running number-one rap song in the UK, holding the position for 10 weeks.[4] It also topped the charts in Australia, Ireland, Luxembourg, New Zealand and Switzerland. Sprinter was ultimately the most streamed song on Spotify in the United Kingdom in 2023.[5]

The work won the PRS for Music Most Performed Work Ivor Novello Award on Thursday 23 May 2024.[6]

Background

[edit]

The song was first teased by Cee on his Instagram stories on 18 March 2023, revealing that Dave had just sent him an audio file.[7] They were also spotted in the studio together on 10 May.[8]

Sprinter marks only the second time the two have teamed up on a song, the last one being a remix of "Spirit Bomb" (2016) by AJ Tracey.[9] Additionally, Dave helped produce the song "End of the Beginning" on the 23 mixtape in 2022.[10]

Composition

[edit]

"Sprinter" sees the rappers trading "laid-back" verses over a "Latin-tinged, summer-ready"[3] beat characterised by "chopped-up acoustic guitars and wordless operatic vocals".[11]

David Renshaw of The Fader thought the track was distinguished by "bright wordplay and good vibes", while the lyrics talk about the "age-old problem" of partying with too many girls that a whole van is needed to transport them.[12] Robin Murray of Clash opined that the song "sits somewhere between drill and broader UK rap flavours" and allows the rappers "to do their thing".[13]

Music video

[edit]

The music video, released on 2 June, switches between London and South France. Scenes in Monaco were filmed in late May 2023.[14] The video features a cameo by Nigerian artist Slawn.[7] The rappers are seen showcasing the perks of their lifestyle, showing off diamonds and other valuables.[15]

Commercial performance

[edit]

"Sprinter" debuted at number one on the UK Singles Chart, marking the biggest opening week of the year.[16] The track opened with 108,200 chart units in its first tracking week alongside 13.4 million streams, the biggest week of streams for a rap single ever in UK history.[16][17][18] By December 2023, Sprinter had received over 500 million streams on Spotify.[19]

The track peaked at number one in Australia after selling 13,000 units in its first tracking week.[20][21] The track also peaked at number one in Ireland, Luxembourg, New Zealand and Switzerland. In the United Arab Emirates, the song peaked at number 11.[22]

In the United States, the song peaked in the top ten of the Billboard Global 200 and the U.S. Bubbling Under Hot 100 chart.[23] In Canada, "Sprinter" debuted at number five on the Canadian Hot 100 on 17 June 2023, becoming the highest peaking British hip hop single of all time, surpassing M.I.A.'s 2008 song, "Paper Planes" which reached number seven.

Reception and legacy

[edit]

The song was declared "song of the summer" for 2023 by UK Charts.[24] In August 2023, a video of American rapper J. Cole rapping along to Sprinter at record producer T-Minus' wedding went viral on social media.[25] Former U.S. President Barack Obama included the song on his annual playlist, which was released in December 2023.[26] At the MOBO Awards 2024, "Sprinter" won the award for best song.[27] At the 2024 Global Awards "Sprinter" was nominated for Best Song.[28]

Charts

[edit]

Certifications

[edit]
Certifications for "Sprinter"
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[83] 3× Platinum 210,000‡
Belgium (BEA)[84] Platinum 40,000‡
Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil)[85] Platinum 40,000‡
Canada (Music Canada)[86] Gold 40,000‡
Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[87] Platinum 90,000‡
France (SNEP)[88] Platinum 200,000‡
Italy (FIMI)[89] Gold 50,000‡
New Zealand (RMNZ)[90] 2× Platinum 60,000‡
Poland (ZPAV)[91] Platinum 50,000‡
Portugal (AFP)[92] 2× Platinum 20,000‡
Spain (PROMUSICAE)[93] Gold 30,000‡
United Kingdom (BPI)[94] 2× Platinum 1,200,000‡
United States (RIAA)[95] Platinum 1,000,000‡
Streaming
Greece (IFPI Greece)[96] 3× Platinum 6,000,000†

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.
† Streaming-only figures based on certification alone.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Dave And Central Cee’s ‘Sprinter’ Takes the Lead In U.K. Chart Race Billboard
  2. ^ Rouhani, Neena; Lee, Cydney (5 June 2023). "R&B/Hip-Hop Fresh Picks of the Week: Dave, Toosii, CHIKA & More". Billboard. Retrieved 22 February 2024.
  3. ^ a b Stickler, Jon (2 June 2023). "Dave And Central Cee Team Up For New Single Sprinter". Stereoboard. Retrieved 3 June 2023.
  4. ^ Brandle, Lars (7 August 2023). "Dave and Central Cee's 'Sprinter' Snags U.K. Chart Record". Billboard. Retrieved 12 September 2023.
  5. ^ "In 2023, "Sprinter" was the UK's biggest and best export". British GQ. 19 December 2023. Retrieved 22 February 2024.
  6. ^ Brown, Anna (23 May 2024). "Winners of The Ivors with Amazon Music announced". The Ivors Academy. Retrieved 28 May 2024.
  7. ^ a b A., Aron (2 June 2023). "Central Cee & Dave's Highly Anticipated Single "Sprinter" Is Here". Rolling Stone UK. Retrieved 3 June 2023.
  8. ^ Keith, James (1 June 2023). "Dave & Central Cee Reveal Hotly-Anticipated Visuals For "Sprinter"". Complex. Retrieved 3 June 2023.
  9. ^ "Dave & Central Cee 'Sprinter' lyrics meaning revealed". Capital Xtra. 2 June 2023. Retrieved 3 June 2023.
  10. ^ "Dave and Central Cee have too much of a good thing on "Sprinter"". The FADER. Retrieved 22 February 2024.
  11. ^ Breihan, Tom (2 June 2023). "Central Cee & Dave – "Sprinter"". Stereogum. Retrieved 3 June 2023.
  12. ^ Renshaw, David (2 June 2023). "Dave and Central Cee have too much of a good thing on "Sprinter"". The Fader. Retrieved 3 June 2023.
  13. ^ Murray, Robin (2 June 2023). "It's Here! Central Cee, Dave Spar On 'Sprinter'". Clash. Retrieved 3 June 2023.
  14. ^ A., Aron (2 June 2023). "Central Cee & Dave's Highly Anticipated Single "Sprinter" Is Here". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved 3 June 2023.
  15. ^ Okon, Wongo (1 June 2023). "Dave And Central Cee's Opulent 'Sprinter' Video Weighs The Pros And Cons Of Their Playboy Lifestyles". Uproxx. Retrieved 3 June 2023.
  16. ^ a b "Record Breaker! Dave & Central Cee debut at Number 1 with Sprinter: Duo land biggest streaming week for any rap song in UK chart history". Official Charts Company. 9 June 2023. Retrieved 4 July 2023.
  17. ^ "Dave and Central Cee: Sprinter scores a record-breaking number one". BBC News. 9 June 2023. Retrieved 4 July 2023.
  18. ^ "Dave And Central Cee Sprint to U.K. Chart Title, Set Streaming Record". Billboard. 12 June 2023. Retrieved 4 July 2023.
  19. ^ Coste, Jonathan (7 December 2023). "Taylor Swift announced as the most streamed artist of 2023 by Spotify". Birmingham Eastside. Retrieved 22 February 2024.
  20. ^ "Dave & Central Cee Spend Second Week At #1 With 'Sprinter'". The Music. 19 June 2023. Retrieved 4 July 2023.
  21. ^ "Kerser, Dave & Central Cee Lead Australia's Charts". Billboard. 30 June 2023. Retrieved 4 July 2023.
  22. ^ "This Week's Official MENA Chart Top 20: from 15/09/2023 to 21/09/2023". International Federation of the Phonographic Industry. 15 September 2023. Archived from the original on 28 September 2023. Retrieved 28 September 2023.
  23. ^ "Stormzy & Fredo eye highest new entry on the Official Singles Chart, Dave & Central Cee sprinting for full month at Number 1". Official Charts Company. 25 June 2023. Retrieved 4 July 2023.
  24. ^ Glynn, Paul (8 September 2023). "Dave and Central Cee track Sprinter named UK song of summer 2023". Retrieved 22 February 2024.
  25. ^ Cummings-Grady, Mackenzie (14 August 2023). "J. Cole Turns Up To Nicki Minaj & Central Cee At T-Minus' Wedding". HipHopDX. Retrieved 22 February 2024.
  26. ^ "Dave, Central Cee and Victoria Monét Make It Onto Barack Obama's 2023 Playlist". Hypebeast. 29 December 2023. Retrieved 22 February 2024.
  27. ^ Beaumont-Thomas, Ben; Vinter, Robyn (7 February 2024). "Mobo awards 2024: Central Cee tops winners thanks to megahit Sprinter". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 22 February 2024.
  28. ^ "The Global Awards 2024: Full list of nominees & how to vote". Capital XTRA. 4 March 2024. Retrieved 5 March 2024.
  29. ^ "Dave & Central Cee – Sprinter". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved 9 June 2023.
  30. ^ "ARIA Top 40 Hip Hop/R&B Singles Chart". Australian Recording Industry Association. 12 June 2023. Retrieved 9 June 2023.
  31. ^ "Dave & Central Cee – Sprinter" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved 21 June 2023.
  32. ^ "Dave & Central Cee – Sprinter" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 18 June 2023.
  33. ^ "Dave & Central Cee – Sprinter" (in French). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 20 August 2023.
  34. ^ "Dave Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 13 June 2023.
  35. ^ "Dave Chart History (Croatia Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 13 June 2023.
  36. ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Digital Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select 30. týden 2023 in the date selector. Retrieved July 31, 2023.
  37. ^ "Dave & Central Cee – Sprinter". Tracklisten. Retrieved 14 June 2023.
  38. ^ "Dave, Central Cee: Sprinter" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat. Retrieved 14 August 2023.
  39. ^ "Top Singles (Week 35, 2023)" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Retrieved 4 September 2023.
  40. ^ "Dave & Central Cee – Sprinter" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved 9 June 2023.
  41. ^ "Dave Chart History (Global 200)". Billboard. Retrieved 13 June 2023.
  42. ^ "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Single (track) Top 40 lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved 13 July 2023.
  43. ^ "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Stream Top 40 slágerlista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved 15 June 2023.
  44. ^ "Official Irish Singles Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 9 June 2023.
  45. ^ "Top Singoli – Classifica settimanale WK 30" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved 29 July 2023.
  46. ^ "Mūzikas Patēriņa Tops/ 30. nedēļa" (in English and Latvian). LAIPA. 31 July 2023. Retrieved 31 July 2023.
  47. ^ "The Official Lebanese Top 20 – Dave". The Official Lebanese Top 20. 12 September 2023. Retrieved 17 September 2023.
  48. ^ "2023 30-os savaitės klausomiausi (Top 100)" (in Lithuanian). AGATA. 28 July 2023. Retrieved 28 July 2023.
  49. ^ "Dave Chart History (Luxembourg Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 13 June 2023.
  50. ^ "This Week's Official MENA Chart Top 20: from 16/06/2023 to 22/06/2023". theofficialmenachart.com. International Federation of the Phonographic Industry. 27 June 2023. Archived from the original on 28 June 2023. Retrieved 28 June 2023.
  51. ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 28, 2023" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 15 July 2023.
  52. ^ "Dave & Central Cee – Sprinter" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 1 July 2023.
  53. ^ "Dave & Central Cee – Sprinter". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved 10 June 2023.
  54. ^ "Singel 2023 uke 24". VG-lista. Retrieved 17 June 2023.
  55. ^ "OLiS – oficjalna lista sprzedaży – single w streamie" (Select week 21.07.2023–27.07.2023.) (in Polish). OLiS. Retrieved 3 August 2023.
  56. ^ "Dave & Central Cee – Sprinter". AFP Top 100 Singles. Retrieved 30 June 2023.
  57. ^ "Dave Chart History (Romania Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 21 June 2023.
  58. ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Singles Digital Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select 30. týden 2023 in the date selector. Retrieved 31 July 2023.
  59. ^ "Local & International Streaming Chart Top 10 Week 23-2023". The Official South African Charts. Retrieved 27 May 2024.
  60. ^ "Top 40 – 14 sept T/M 21 sept 2023" [Top 40 – September 14 to September 21, 2023] (in Dutch). Nationale Top 40 Suriname. 21 September 2023. Retrieved 6 July 2024.
  61. ^ "Dave & Central Cee – Sprinter". Singles Top 100. Retrieved 2 September 2023.
  62. ^ "Dave & Central Cee – Sprinter". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved 11 June 2023.
  63. ^ "UAE: 2023 - W39 - 09/22 to 09/28". The Official MENA Chart. International Federation of the Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 8 June 2024.
  64. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 9 June 2023.
  65. ^ "Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 9 June 2023.
  66. ^ "Dave Chart History (Bubbling Under Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 3 August 2023.
  67. ^ "Dave Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 3 August 2023.
  68. ^ "ARIA Top 100 Singles Chart for 2023". Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 12 January 2024.
  69. ^ "Ö3 Austria Top40 Jahrescharts 2023: Singles". Ö3 Austria Top 40. 8 November 2019. Archived from the original on 28 December 2023. Retrieved 28 December 2023.
  70. ^ "Jaaroverzichten 2023" (in Dutch). Ultratop. Retrieved 7 January 2024.
  71. ^ "Canadian Hot 100 – Year-End 2023". Billboard. Retrieved 22 November 2023.
  72. ^ "Track Top-100 2023". Hitlisten. Retrieved 13 January 2024.
  73. ^ "Jahrescharts 2023" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved 10 December 2023.
  74. ^ "Billboard Global 200 – Year-End 2023". Billboard. Retrieved 22 November 2023.
  75. ^ "Single Top 100 - digitális és fizikai értékesítés alapján - 2023" (in Hungarian). MAHASZ. Archived from the original on 31 January 2024. Retrieved 31 January 2024.
  76. ^ "TÓNLISTINN – LÖG – 2023". plotutidindi.is (in Icelandic). Retrieved 2 January 2024.
  77. ^ "Jaaroverzichten – Single 2023". dutchcharts.nl (in Dutch). Retrieved 3 January 2024.
  78. ^ "Top Selling Singles of 2023". Recorded Music NZ. Archived from the original on 20 December 2023. Retrieved 22 December 2023.
  79. ^ "Årslista Singlar, 2023". Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved 18 January 2024.
  80. ^ "Schweizer Jahreshitparade 2023". hitparade.ch. Retrieved 31 December 2023.
  81. ^ Griffiths, George (29 December 2023). "The Official Top 40 Biggest Songs of 2023". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 29 December 2023.
  82. ^ "Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs – Year-End 2023". Billboard. Retrieved 23 November 2023.
  83. ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2024 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 30 March 2024.
  84. ^ "Ultratop − Goud en Platina – singles 2023". Ultratop. Hung Medien. Retrieved 8 December 2023.
  85. ^ "Brazilian single certifications – Dave – Sprinter" (in Portuguese). Pro-Música Brasil. Retrieved 16 August 2024.
  86. ^ "Canadian single certifications – Central Cee, Dave – Sprinter". Music Canada. Retrieved 11 July 2023.
  87. ^ "Danish single certifications – Dave & Central Cee – Sprinter". IFPI Danmark. Retrieved 18 October 2023.
  88. ^ "French single certifications – Dave & Central Cee – Sprinter" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Retrieved 4 July 2024.
  89. ^ "Italian single certifications – Dave & Central Cee – Sprinter" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved 30 October 2023.
  90. ^ "New Zealand single certifications – Dave and Central Cee – Sprinter". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved 4 November 2023.
  91. ^ "OLiS - oficjalna lista wyróżnień" (in Polish). Polish Society of the Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 8 May 2024. Click "TYTUŁ" and enter Sprinter in the search box.
  92. ^ "Portuguese single certifications – Dave & Central Cee – Sprinter" (PDF) (in Portuguese). Associação Fonográfica Portuguesa. Retrieved 8 January 2024.
  93. ^ "Spanish single certifications – Dave / Central Cee – Sprinter". El portal de Música. Productores de Música de España. Retrieved 16 January 2024.
  94. ^ "British single certifications – Dave & Central Cee – Sprinter". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 8 January 2024.
  95. ^ "American single certifications – Dave, Central Cee – Sprinter". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 21 September 2024.
  96. ^ "IFPI Charts – Digital Singles Chart (International) – Εβδομάδα: 24/2024" (in Greek). IFPI Greece. Retrieved 21 July 2024.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Sprinter_(song)&oldid=1251609212"