Woman (Little Simz song)
2021 single by Little Simz featuring Cleo Sol
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"Woman" is a song by British rapper Little Simz featuring fellow British singer Cleo Sol. It was released on 6 May 2021, as the second single from the former's fourth studio album Sometimes I Might Be Introvert (2021).[1][2] The song was written by Simz, Sol, and record producer Inflo.
| "Woman" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Single by Little Simz featuring Cleo Sol | ||||
| from the album Sometimes I Might Be Introvert | ||||
| Released | 6 May 2021 | |||
| Genre | Hip hop | |||
| Length | 4:29 | |||
| Label |
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| Songwriters | ||||
| Producer | Inflo | |||
| Little Simz singles chronology | ||||
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| Cleo Sol singles chronology | ||||
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| Music video | ||||
| "Woman" on YouTube | ||||
A retro hip-hop song, "Woman" discusses women's lives in different countries. Simz wrote the song to thank women who inspired her, stating, "It's empowering, it's inspiring; I wanted to say thank you and I wanted to celebrate them." The chorus is sung by Sol.
Release and composition
Simz and Sol first collaborated on the song "Selfish" from Simz's third studio album Grey Area (2019).[3] Aside from their collaboration in "Woman" for Simz's fourth studio album Sometimes I Might Be Introvert (2021), Sol provided guest vocals on the album's lead single "Introvert".[4]
"Woman" was released on 6 May 2021, by Simz's label Age 101, as the second single from the album.[5] A lyric video was uploaded to Simz's YouTube channel on 10 June 2021.[6]
Consequence's Nina Corcoran described "Woman" as a "low-key retro hip-hop number that sees Simz rapping about the women around the world who inspire [Simz] to carry on."[3] The song contains an organ and snappy snares.[7] The rapper, who described the song as "empowering" and "inspiring", stated that she wrote the song "to say thank you and I wanted to celebrate" women.[1] Sol sings in the chorus: "I love how you go from zero to one hundred/And leave the dust behind, you've got this/All action, no talk".[1] Simz wanted to create a song dedicated to women, and explained with Vulture the inspiration behind the song:
"Woman" is literally a love note to the women of the world. I think it very much so happens in this industry where it gets competitive, which is okay, but I think not [if it gets] to a place where you're literally trying to drag and tear other women down because the narrative is, "There can only be one at a time," or whatever it is. "Woman" is for us to celebrate and commend each other and tell each other we look beautiful and we're proud of each other.[8]
Music video
The music video was released the same day as the single, and was directed by Simz. It featured guest appearances from Jourdan Dunn, Joy Crookes, and Denai Moore.[2] A trailer was uploaded on Simz's YouTube account on 3 May 2021.[9] As of December 2022, the video has received over 5 million views.[10]
Live performances
Simz first performed "Woman" on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on 16 August 2021.[11] On 28 May 2021, she performed the song on Later... with Jools Holland.[12] The song was sung as a medley with "Introvert" at the 2022 Brit Awards.[13] "Woman" was also included on the rapper's set list at Glastonbury Festival 2022, in which Sol joined her onstage.[14]
Credits and personnel
Credits adapted from the liner notes of Sometimes I Might Be Introvert.[4]
- Little Simz – lead vocals, songwriting
- Cleo Sol – featured vocals, songwriting
- Inflo – backing vocals, songwriting, drums, bass, guitar, synthesizer, production
- Caroline Adeyemi – additional vocals
- Graham Godfrey – percussion
- Miles James – rhythm guitar, bass
- Kadeem Clarke – additional synthesizer, organ, piano, keyboards
- Rosie Danvers – orchestral arrangements
- Ben Baptie – mixing, engineering
- Richard Woodcraft – mixing, engineering
- Sophie Ellis – engineering assistance
- Matt Colton – mastering