"Loyalty" (stylized as "LOYALTY.") is a song by American rapper Kendrick Lamar featuring Barbadian singer Rihanna from the former's fourth studio album Damn, released on April 14, 2017. The song was later sent to urban and rhythmic radio June 20, 2017, as the second single from the album. The sixth track on the album (ninth on the Collector's Edition of Damn), the song was written by the artists alongside producers DJ Dahi, Sounwave, Terrace Martin, and Anthony "Top Dawg" Tiffith. The song won the Grammy Award for Best Rap/Sung Performance.
Composition The song contains a reverse sample of "24K Magic" produced by Shampoo Press & Curl and The Stereotypes, and performed by American singer Bruno Mars. The song also contains a "replay" of Jay-Z's "Get Your Mind Right Mami" from his fifth album The Dynasty: Roc La Familia (2000), which can be heard at its 40-second mark.
Critical reception Complex calls it a "standout track" and one of Damns most "radio-friendly cuts". The Fader writer Jason Parham calls "Loyalty", "anxious, berserk, and beautifully intransigent in [its] own right" and "equal parts pop, funk, and brooding rap hymnal". Frank Guan of Vulture enjoyed the song, especially Rihanna's part, saying "though only eight bars, Rihanna's sung rap is as fluent as it is brief, a swift and casual tour of her accomplishments." Rap-Up called the song a "standout track that allows Kung Fu Kenny and Bad Gal RiRi to address allegiance from a variety of angles".
Awards and nominations Year Organization Award Result Ref. 2018BET Awards Best Collaboration BET Hip Hop Awards Best Hip Hop Video Grammy Awards Best Rap/Sung Performance NAACP Image AwardsOutstanding Duo, Group or Collaboration
Music video The music video for the song was released to Lamar's Vevo channel on YouTube on July 28, 2017. It was directed by Dave Meyers and The Little Homies and includes an appearance from featured artist Rihanna. Jordan Darville of The Fader gave the music video a positive review, praising the visuals and called Lamar and Rihanna's adventure together "carefully crafted [and] suitably amorous."
Credits and personnel
Kendrick Duckworth – songwriter Rihanna – vocals, songwriter Dacoury Natche – songwriter, producer, additional vocals Byron "Mr. Talkbox" Chambers – additional vocals Mark Spears – songwriter, producer Terrace Martin – songwriter, producer Anthony "Topdawg" Tiffith – songwriter, producer Bruno Mars – songwriter Philip Lawrence – songwriter Christopher Brody Brown – songwriter Ol' Dirty Bastard – songwriter RZA – songwriter Jay-Z – songwriter Memphis Bleek – songwriter Snoop Dogg – songwriter Rick Rock – songwriter Bēkon – additional production and vocals Kid Capri – additional vocals Derek Ali – mixing Tyler Page – mix assistant Jamal Owens - Master mixer
Charts
Weekly charts Chart (2017) Peakposition Australia Urban (ARIA) 4 Ireland (IRMA) 18 Italy (FIMI) 63 Philippines (Philippine Hot 100) 47
Year-end charts Chart (2017) Position US Billboard Hot 100 66 US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard) 33 US Rhythmic (Billboard) 21
Certifications
Release history Country Date Format Label United States June 20, 2017 Rhythmic contemporary radio Urban contemporary radio Italy October 20, 2017 Contemporary hit radio Universal
References