Format Digital download Length 3:59 | Recorded 2013 Label Chocolate City | |
Released September 9, 2013 (2013-09-09) Genre Hip hop, African hip hop | ||
"I Swear" is a song by Nigerian hip hop recording artist Ice Prince, released on September 9, 2013 as the fourth single from his second studio album Fire of Zamani. It features American rapper French Montana and Nigerian singer Shaydee. The song was produced by Chopstix and released under Chocolate City. It debuted at number 10 on MTV Base's Official Naija Top 10 chart.
Contents
Background and recording
French Montana's verse was recorded at Big Daddy's Studio in New York City, while the rest of the song was recorded in Nigeria. On September 7, 2013, Ice Prince uploaded a video onto YouTube highlighting he and Montana's studio session.
During an interview with HipTV, Ice Prince was asked to elaborate on his collaboration with French Montana. His response was: "It's God first of all. I know people that know people. I was in the states that time. I was in DC and he came to do a show in Baltimore. 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. Big shout out to French. He was fasting when he did that song and he was really tired that day. He got in the studio and made it happen."
In another video uploaded onto YouTube, Ice Prince said: "I was in the studio with French and we recorded at Big Daddy's Studio. To be in the studio with him and his guys was awesome."
Music video
The music video for "I Swear" was shot in the U.S by J R Saint. It was released on October 8, 2013, a month after the audio release.
Critical reception
Upon its release, the song and its music video was met with positive reviews. Ogagus of Jaguda said: "I Swear is a massive collaboration between two music power houses Chocolate City Music of Nigeria and Bad Boys Entertainment in the US is a groovy rap tune that throws good weight behind the fact that Ice Prince can hold his own with the best of them when it comes to rap globally." Ghanamotion added "After taking home the BET Best African Act Award, Ice Prince has gain massive international recognition. French Montana definitely saw what a talent he possesses and has recorded a single with him, I Swear."
A writer for The Guardian said: "In the video for new track I Swear, Ice Prince trades rhymes with Bad Boy Entertainment/Maybach Music recording artist French Montana, and it's been shrewdly released in the run up to the MOBOs. It'll be interesting to see how it fares at the prize-giving ceremony." Moreover, a writer for OkayAfrica added: "The track sees both MC’s namedropping and channeling some of their contemporaries — French Montana raps some classic Pusha T lines, while Ice Prince asks that we call him the next Drake — over the syncopated beat."