9 Lives (Alexandra Stan song)

"9 Lives" is a song recorded by Romanian recording artist Alexandra Stan for her third studio album, Alesta (2016). It was made available for digital download on 13 January 2017 through Roton and Global Records as the record's sixth single, featuring collaborative vocals delivered by Bulgarian reggae performer Jahmmi. "9 Lives" was written by Sebastian Arman, Borislav Milanov, Joacim Persson, Jahmmi Youth and Alex Zaidec, while the production process was handled by Arman and Persson. A pop, reggae, dancehall and dance recording, its optimistic lyrics discuss motivational themes.

"9 Lives"
Single by Alexandra Stan featuring Jahmmi
from the album Alesta
Released13 January 2017
Genre
Length3:51
Label
Songwriter(s)
  • Sebastian Arman
  • Borislav Milanov
  • Joacim Persson
  • Jahmmi Youth
  • Alex Zaidec
Producer(s)
  • Arman
  • Persson
Alexandra Stan singles chronology
"Boom Pow"
(2016)		 "9 Lives"
(2017)		 "Siempre Tú"
(2017)

An accompanying music video was shot by Criss Blaziny and was released onto the singer's YouTube channel on 12 February 2017. It was filmed in the singer's native Constanța at a seaport and a parkland she used to visit in her youth, and sees her with a black wig walking through her surroundings. Music critics were positive towards the single, acclaiming Jahmmi's contribution and labelling "9 Lives" as catchy and a highlight on Alesta. One reviewer compared the single's title to Stan's 2013 court case and the myth that cats have nine lives.

Background and composition

"9 Lives" features collaborative rap vocals from Bulgarian reggae performer Jahmmi—who received recognition after his appearance on Bulgarian talent show Music Idol[4]—and serves as the sixth single for Stan's third studio album Alesta (2016), which she promoted with a tour throughout Asia in 2016.[2] During an interview, Stan revealed that the recording was initially planned to be released in December 2016, but was finally premiered after "months and months of teasers"[3] in early January 2017 due to "the holidays and everything".[5]

Featuring an extended version, the track was digitally released as a stand-alone single on 13 January 2017 by Roton and Global Records; both versions last three minutes and 51 seconds.[6] A more explicit version of the recording was previously included on Alesta.[7] The song was written by Sebastian Arman, Borislav Milanov, Joacim Persson, Jahmmi Youth and Alex Zaidec, while production was handled by Arman and Persson. It was mixed and mastered by Zino Mikorey.[8] A trenchant pop, reggae, dancehall and dance song,[1][9] "9 Lives" lyrically delves on the strength to get up and reinvent yourself, with Stan singing that she has got "attitude and a brand new style".[2][3]

Critical reception

Jonathan Currinn from website Celebmix praised Jahmmi's contribution for "totally taking the spotlight when he needs to", making the recording a highlight on Alesta.[3] Portuguese portal Original Tune labelled Stan as a potential candidate to represent Romania in the Eurovision Song Contest 2017,[1] and Romanian website ZU TV described the sound of "9 Lives" as being catchy and its verses as being optimistic.[4] Gheorghe Chelu of magazine Click! associated its title to both Stan's 2013 court case and the myth that cats have nine lives, naming the singer an optimistic person.[10]

Promotion
The music video for "9 Lives" was shot at the port of Constanța (pictured) by Criss Blaziny.[2]

Stan performed an acoustic version of "9 Lives" for Romanian radio station Pro FM on 24 January 2017 during their Matinalul ProFM segment. On the same occasion, the singer was challenged to sing with her mouth closed which she eventually accepted, singing her own "Mr. Saxobeat" (2011) alongside Calvin Harris feat. Rihanna's "This Is What You Came For" (2016).[11] She was also invited to sing "9 Lives" on Romanian television show Vorbește Lumea.[12]

An accompanying music video for "9 Lives" was released on 12 January 2017 on Stan's YouTube channel.[8] It was directed by Criss Blaziny in late 2015,[4] with whom the singer had previously collaborated on the 2016 single "Au gust zilele".[2] The clip was filmed in Stan's native Constanța at the port at low temperatures.[2] In the music video, Stan wears a black wig which is made of 100% natural hair.[3]

The visual commences with shots of a black-haired Stan on a swing, with her being subsequently presented at the aforementioned port wearing black clothing along with a grey cap and white shoes. The singer is next shown performing a slutdrop various times and walking through her surroundings. Following this, Stan licks a metal chain and Jahmmi makes appearance in the clip sporting a khaki jacket and black pants. After the latter's rap verse, the singer further dances to the song in the colorful smoke of a firework before the music video ends with her looking in the camera. Jonathan Currinn from music website Celebmix was positive towards "9 Lives", stating about its music video that is a "pure performance piece, with Alexandra Stan bringing some serious performance vibes". He further noticed the singer's appearance in the visual to emphasize the track's message.[3] Russian portal NewsTes noticed the absence of a plot in the recording's music video, naming it a complement to the track.[9]

Track listing
Digital single[6]
No.TitleLength
1."9 Lives (feat. Jahmmi)"3:51
2."9 Lives (feat. Jahmmi) [Extended version]"3:51

Release history
Territory Date Format(s) Label
Worldwide[13] 13 January 2017 Digital download Roton/
Global
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References
  1. Equipe Original Tune (12 January 2017). "Alexandra Stan lança o clipe de "9 Lives", seu novo single" [Alexandra Stan releases new video for "9 Lives", her new single] (in Portuguese). Original Tune. Retrieved 13 January 2017.
  2. "Alexandra Stan a lansat azi clipul "9 Lives" ft Jahmmi" [Alexandra Stan has released the clip for "9 Lives" today, in collaboration with Jahmmi] (in Romanian). Antena 1. 12 January 2017. Retrieved 12 January 2017.
  3. Currinn, Jonathan (12 January 2017). "Alexandra Stan Drops Music Video For New Single "9 Lives"". Celebmix. Retrieved 12 January 2017.
  4. "Alexandra Stan feat. Jahmmi – 9 Lives" (in Romanian). ZU TV. Retrieved 13 January 2017.
  5. "Q&A | Alexandra Stan featuring Jahmmi – 9 Lives". YouTube. 12 January 2017. Retrieved 12 January 2017. Note: Skip to the 19:30 minute mark.
  6. "9 Lives (feat. Jahmmi) – Single von Alexandra Stan auf Apple Music". iTunes Store. 13 January 2017. Retrieved 13 January 2017.
  7. Alesta (Liner notes/ CD booklet). Alexandra Stan. Tokyo, Japan: Victor Entertainment (Barcode: 4988002709182). 2016.CS1 maint: others (link)
  8. "Alexandra Stan featuring Jahmmi – 9 Lives (Official Video)". YouTube. 12 January 2017. Retrieved 12 January 2017. Note: Open the description to see credits for the song and its music video.
  9. "Новый клип Александры Стан (Alexandra Stan) — 9 Lives" [Alexandra Stan — 9 Lives] (in Russian). NewsTes. 15 January 2017. Archived from the original on 19 January 2017. Retrieved 18 January 2017.
  10. Chelu, Gheorghe (14 January 2017). "Alexandra Stan are "9 vieti", ca pisicile" [Alexandra Stan has "9 lives", like the cats] (in Romanian). Click!. Retrieved 15 January 2017.
  11. "Alexandra Stan a cantat in premiera cu gura inchisa. S-a intamplat la Matinalul ProFM" [Alexandra Stan has sung for the first time with her mouth closed at Matinalul ProFM] (in Romanian). Pro FM. Retrieved 25 January 2017.
  12. "Alexandra Stan – 9 Lives (Vorbeste lumea – Pro TV)". YouTube. 30 April 2017. Retrieved 31 May 2017.
  13. Citations regarding the worldwide release of "9 Lives":
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