Champion (Chipmunk song)

"Champion" is a song by British rapper Chipmunk featuring American singer Chris Brown from Chipmunk's second studio album Transition (2011). It was released as the second single from the album on 6 February 2011 in the United Kingdom. The song was written by Harmony Samuels, Chipmunk, Eric Bellinger, and Erika Nuri, and it was produced by Samuels. According to Chipmunk, he wants the listeners of the song to "feel like they were born a champion".^[1] The song was later added to the international Deluxe edition of Brown's fourth album, F.A.M.E. (2011).

The song peaked at number 2 on the UK Singles Chart, becoming Chipmunk's second highest-charting single.

Background

Speaking in April 2011 to noted UK urban writer Pete Lewis - Assistant Editor of Blues & Soul - Chipmunk shed light on the background to the song and Chris Brown's involvement: "That was definitely a big learning experience for me - not just in terms of being an artist, but in terms of LIFE! Because, with Chris being on it, people were saying that they didn't wanna support the track before they'd even HEARD it! Which meant I really had to engage myself and find the inner strength to say 'Yo, I'm gonna go with this track REGARDLESS! Because I know what this song means to ME, I know that it means to CHRIS - and if it's from the heart then it can't go WRONG!'!"^[2]

Critical reception

Robert Copsey of Digital Spy gave the song a positive review stating: "Like a friend who cancels dinner plans five minutes after you've arrived at the restaurant, a British artist fleeing to the US is usually frustrating and, at times, unforgivable. Are we really that awful to be around? Anyway, on first glance we thought Chipmunk was destined to become our latest Hot 100-fixated expat, but, after a closer inspection, it's clear he's actually doing something rather more savvy. By drafting in Chris Brown while keeping his sound akin to previous hits, Chip's taken a best-of-both-worlds approach to this latest chart-botherer - a fist-clenching, anthemic midtempo electro-R&B stomper that ponders the glorious highs and depressive lows of fame over a 'Changes'-style piano line. "Some people wait their turn / Some people, but not me / I was born a champion," he insists with utter conviction. Maybe I've just got GaGa on the brain, but could this be the harder, bloke-friendly version of 'Born This Way'?" .^[3]

Chart performance

On 10 February 2011, the song debuted at number fourteen in Ireland.^[4] In the United Kingdom, "Champion" debuted at number two on 12 February 2011. It was beaten to the top spot by a margin of less than 5% by Jessie J's "Price Tag", each having sold over 90,000 copies.^[5]

Remix

The official remix of the song features a new verse by Chipmunk, Chris Brown's verse & chorus and a verse by American rapper J. Cole. The remix was released on 5 February 2011.

Music video

The music video (directed by Colin Tilley) premiered on YouTube on 23 December 2010.^[6] Fellow British rapper Skepta, makes a cameo. The music video of the song's edited version premiered on YouTube on 18 March 2011.^[7]

In popular culture

The song is featured as the theme of the WWE series Tough Enough on USA Network.
The song was featured in the tribute montage BBC made of Formula One World Champion Sebastian Vettel, when he won his second World Championship at Japan in 2011.
The song is on the soundtrack of the 2012 football video game Madden NFL 12.

Track listing

Digital download #1^[8]^[9]

"Champion" (featuring Chris Brown) (Explicit Version) – 3:58
"Champion" (featuring Chris Brown) (Clean Version) – 3:59

CD single^[10] / Digital download #2^[11]

"Champion" (featuring Chris Brown) - 3:58
"Power Trip" - 3:42

Digital download - Remix #1^[12]

"Champion" (Ready For The Weekend Remix) - 6:00

Digital download - Remix #2

"Champion" (Remix featuring Chris Brown & J. Cole) - 4:59

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (2011)	Peak position
Ireland (IRMA)^[4]	12
Scotland (Official Charts Company)^[13]	2
UK Singles (Official Charts Company)^[14]	2
UK R&B (Official Charts Company)^[15]	1

Year-end charts

Chart (2011)	Position
UK Singles Chart^[16]	24

Chart (2012)	Position
UK Singles Chart^[17]	36

Chart (2013)	Position
UK Singles Chart^[18]	73

Certifications


Region	Certification	Certified units/Sales
United Kingdom (BPI)^[19]	Gold	400,000^[20]
^*sales figures based on certification alone ^{^}shipments figures based on certification alone

Release history

Region	Date	Format
United Kingdom	6 February 2011 (2011-02-06)^[8]	Digital download
United Kingdom	7 February 2011 (2011-02-07)^[10]	CD single
Germany	1 April 2011 (2011-04-01)^[21]	CD single
United States	29 March 2011 (2011-03-29)^[22]	Music download

References

↑ Shah, Kavi (10 February 2011). "Chipmunk: 'Champion is already No 1 in my heart'". Metro. Associated Newspapers. Retrieved 12 February 2011.
↑ Stephen Clark - Design. "Chipmunk: Back To Take The Title". bluesandsoul.com.
↑ Robert Copsey. "Chipmunk feat. Chris Brown: 'Champion'". Digital Spy. digitalspy.co.uk.
1 2 "Chart Track: Week 09, 2011". Irish Singles Chart.
↑ "Jessie J wins Champion chart battle as Lady Gaga swoops into Top 3". Official Charts Company. 13 February 2011. Retrieved 13 February 2011.
↑ "Chipmunk Feat. Chris Brown - Champion". YouTube. youtube.com.
↑ "Chipmunk - Champion (Clean Version) ft. Chris Brown". YouTube. youtube.com.
1 2 "Champion (feat. Chris Brown) - Single by Chipmunk - Download Champion (feat. Chris Brown) - Single on iTunes". iTunes. Retrieved 12 February 2011.
↑ https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/champion-feat.-chris-brown/id411914817
1 2 "Champion': Chipmunk: Amazon.co.uk: Music". Amazon.co.uk. Retrieved 12 February 2011.
↑ https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/champion-feat.-chris-brown/id415894724
↑ https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/champion-ready-for-weekend/id419601369
↑ "Archive Chart: 2011-02-19". Scottish Singles Top 40.
↑ "Archive Chart: 2011-02-19" UK Singles Chart.
↑ "Archive Chart: 2011-02-19" UK R&B Chart.
↑ "The Top 40 Biggest Selling Singles of the Year". BBC. 2011-12-31.
↑ "Charts Plus Year end 2009" (PDF). Charts Plus. Retrieved 2010-07-19.
↑ "Charts Plus Year end 2009" (PDF). Charts Plus. Retrieved 2010-07-19.
↑ "British single certifications – Ironik/Chipmunk/Elton John – Tiny Dancer (Hold Me Closer)". British Phonographic Industry. Enter Tiny Dancer (Hold Me Closer) in the field Keywords. Select Title in the field Search by. Select single in the field By Format. Select Gold in the field By Award. Click Search
↑ Myers, Justin (9 February 2016). "Elton John's Top 20 most downloaded songs revealed". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 9 February 2016.
↑ "Champion feat. Chris Brown: Chris Chipmunk Feat.Brown: Amazon.de: Musik". Amazon.de. Retrieved 20 February 2011.
↑ "iTunes - Music - Champion (feat. Chris Brown) - Single by Chipmunk". Itunes.apple.com. 2011-03-29. Retrieved 2012-02-09.

External links

Lyrics of this song at MetroLyrics

Chip

Discography

Studio albums	I Am Chipmunk (2009) Transition (2011)

Extended plays	Believe & Achieve - Episode 1 (2015)

Mixtapes	Whatever The Weather Volume 1 (2005) Whatever The Weather Volume 2 (2006) League of My Own (2007) Guess Who? (2008) Fresh Out The Oven (2008) For The Fun Of It (2010) More Fun! (with Wretch 32) (2010) Spazzz.com (2011) London Boy (2012) G.D.O.D. (Get Dough or Die) (with Hustle Gang) (2013)

Related articles	Grand Hustle Records Giggs Daisy Dares You

Chip singles

Discography

I Am Chipmunk	"Beast" "Chip Diddy Chip" "Diamond Rings" "Oopsy Daisy" "Look for Me" "Until You Were Gone"

Transition	"Flying High" "Champion" "In the Air" "Take Off"

Believe & Achieve Episode 1	"I'm Fine" "School of Grime"

As featured artist	"Tiny Dancer (Hold Me Closer)" "I Got Soul" "In Your Shoes" "She Likes To" "Number One Enemy" "Game Over" "Pow 2011" "Teardrop" "Bow Wow Wow" "Reload" "Starlife"

Chris Brown singles

Discography

Chris Brown	"Run It!" "Yo (Excuse Me Miss)" "Gimme That" "Say Goodbye" "Poppin'"

Exclusive	"Wall to Wall" "Kiss Kiss" "With You" "Take You Down" "Forever" "Superhuman"

Graffiti	"I Can Transform Ya" "Crawl"

F.A.M.E.	"Deuces" "No Bullshit" "Yeah 3x" "Look at Me Now" "Beautiful People" "She Ain't You" "Next to You" "Wet the Bed"

Fortune	"Strip" "Turn Up the Music" "Sweet Love" "Till I Die" "Don't Wake Me Up" "Don't Judge Me"

X	"Fine China" "Don't Think They Know" "Love More" "Loyal" "New Flame"

Fan of a Fan: The Album	"Ayo" "Bitches N Marijuana"

Royalty	"Liquor" "Zero" "Back to Sleep" "Fine by Me"

Heartbreak on a Full Moon	"Grass Ain't Greener"

Featured singles	"Shortie Like Mine" "No Air" "Shawty Get Loose" "Get Like Me" "What Them Girls Like" "Freeze" "Work That!" "Better on the Other Side" "Drop It Low" "Back to the Crib" "Make a Movie" "Get Back Up" "Ain't Thinkin' 'Bout You" "Champion" "My Last" "One Night Stand" "Best Love Song" "Pot of Gold" "Body 2 Body" "Better with the Lights Off" "International Love" "Another Round" "Why Stop Now" "Birthday Cake (Remix)" "Right by My Side" "Take It to the Head" "I Can Only Imagine" "Put It Down" "Algo Me Gusta de Ti" "Celebration" "Ready" "As Your Friend" "For the Road" "Beat It" "Sweet Serenade" "Show Me" "Main Chick" "Hold You Down" "Only" "Post to Be" "Hotel" "Private Show" "Five More Hours" "You Changed Me" "Do It Again" "How Many Times" "Fun" "All Eyes on You" "Body on Me" "Moses" "Play No Games" "Player" "Sorry" "Gold Slugs" "Drifting" "Wishing" "Something New" "Paradise" "I'm the Man (Remix)" "No Romeo No Juliet" "Do You Mind"

Other songs	"This Christmas" "Dreamer" "Sing Like Me" "Bassline" "Nobody's Business" "X" "Wrist" "Anyway" "Little More (Royalty)" "Picture Me Rollin’"

Book:Chris Brown

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