Beauty and a Beat

"Beauty and a Beat" is a song by Canadian singer Justin Bieber from his third studio album Believe (2012). It features Trinidadian rapper Nicki Minaj, who co-wrote it with Savan Kotecha, Max Martin and Zedd. It was also produced by the latter two with a heavy drum machine and "rushing" synthesizers.[1] Lyrically, it speaks about Bieber wanting to take his love interest to a club, where they can "party like it's 3012". It is the only song from Believe that Bieber did not co-write. The song became the third official single from the album.

Not to be confused with Beauty and the Beat (The Go-Go's album) or Beauty and the Beast.

"Beauty and a Beat"
Single by Justin Bieber featuring Nicki Minaj
from the album Believe
Released	October 24, 2012
Recorded	May 4, 2012
Genre	EDM electropop dubstep
Length	3:47
Label	Island RBMG Schoolboy
Songwriter(s)	Max Martin Anton Zaslavski Savan Kotecha Onika Maraj
Producer(s)	Max Martin Zedd
Justin Bieber singles chronology
"As Long as You Love Me" (2012) "Beauty and a Beat" (2012) "Right Here" (2013)
Nicki Minaj singles chronology
"The Boys" (2012) "Beauty and a Beat" (2012) "Freedom" (2012)
Music video
"Beauty and a Beat" on YouTube

Following the release of Believe, "Beauty and a Beat" debuted on the US Billboard Hot 100 at 72 due to strong digital downloads. After the release of the song's music video, it re-entered the Hot 100 at number 72 and peaked at 5.[2] It also debuted on the Canadian Hot 100 at 47.

Background

"Beauty and a Beat" was originally written by Anton Zaslavski for his debut album, Clarity. Zaslavski, however, felt the song did not quite fit his new album's style, so he, Max Martin, Savan Kotecha, and Onika Maraj wrote a version for Bieber's third studio album, Believe released in 2012.[3] Maraj, known by her stage-name Nicki Minaj, provides guest vocals on the track.[4] Bieber later spoke upon the collaboration with Minaj, saying: "I wanted a female rapper and I think that she is the best choice. I felt she just fit on the song perfectly."[5] An album of remixes was released on December 11, 2012.

Composition and lyrics

Guest vocals are provided by rapper Nicki Minaj.

"Beauty and a Beat" is an uptempo EDM[6] and electropop[7] song that lasts 3 minutes and 48 seconds.[1] With the chord progression of F–Dm7–Am–Gsus, the song is written in the key of A minor in common time.[8] The song moves at a tempo of 128 beats per minute.[9]

The song contains elements of R&B.[10] Sarah Deen of Metro described it as a "frantic dance track",[6] while Rolling Stone's Jon Dolan called the song a "disco-inferno".[11] "Beauty and a Beat" contains fast-paced drum beats and an acid house break down.[6] Bieber's then-girlfriend Selena Gomez is referenced in the song during Minaj's rap:[6] "Justin Bieber/You know I'm gonna hit 'em with the ether/Buns out, wiener/But I gotta keep an eye out for Selener."[11] Jason Lipshutz noted the rhyme between "wiener" and her given name.[7]

Critical reception

The song was met with mixed reports. Many contemporary critics praised Bieber's attempt to reach an audience not usually interested in his music, while others criticized its lyrics and Minaj's rap. Andy Gill of The Independent listed the song in his "Download" category during an album review for Believe.[12] Laura Sassano commented on the song upon its leak, saying: "The new song continues Justin's quest to grow up and be taken more seriously as an artist".[13] Becca Longmire of Entertainmentwise felt that the song was impressive; she also noted the vibes of R&B and compared this with Bieber's previous single "Baby".[10]

Music video

The video premiered on Vevo on October 12, 2012. According to the video's storyline, in October 2012, 3 hours of personal footage was stolen from Justin. The story continues, this footage was then illegally uploaded by an anonymous blogger. It starts with a short montage of video clips, and heads into a party at a waterpark featuring dancers, and Nicki Minaj rapping beside Justin in a pool. The video ends with Justin sliding down a waterslide.

Bieber wrote the video's storyline himself and co-directed the video itself with Jon Chu.[14] All of the waterpark footage was shot on scene at Raging Waters in San Dimas, a suburb of Los Angeles.[15] Most of the clip was recorded on a GoPro Heroin 34 by Bieber, with some footage shots on the Olympus Tough TG-1.[16] The video broke the Vevo record with 10.6 millions of views during their first 24 hours. This feat was held by One Direction's "Live While We're Young", which music video was released less than a month ago. However, Bieber's record was overtaken in June 2013 by Miley Cyrus' music video for "We Can't Stop".[17]

Live performances

Bieber performed the song for the first time at the American Music Awards with Minaj. Since then, Minaj has rapped her verse on select dates of her Pink Friday: Reloaded Tour. Bieber also performed the song at the 2012 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show and the 2015 Wango Tango.

Track listing

Digital download (Remixes EP)[18]

No.	Title	Length
1.	"Beauty and a Beat" (featuring Nicki Minaj) (Wideboys Club Mix)	6:08
2.	"Beauty and a Beat" (featuring Nicki Minaj) (Wideboys Radio Mix)	3:53
3.	"Beauty and a Beat" (featuring Nicki Minaj) (Wideboys Dub)	6:08
4.	"Beauty and a Beat" (featuring Nicki Minaj) (Bisbetic Club Mix)	6:10
5.	"Beauty and a Beat" (featuring Nicki Minaj) (Bisbetic Radio Mix)	3:27
6.	"Beauty and a Beat" (featuring Nicki Minaj) (Bisbetic Instrumental)	6:10
7.	"Beauty and a Beat" (featuring Nicki Minaj) (Steven Redant Beauty and the Club Mix)	7:22
8.	"Beauty and a Beat" (featuring Nicki Minaj) (Steven Redant Beauty and the Dub)	7:22
9.	"Beauty and a Beat" (featuring Nicki Minaj) (Steven Redant Beauty and the Vocal Dub)	7:22
10.	"Beauty and a Beat" (featuring Nicki Minaj) (DJ Laszlo Body Rock Club Mix)	7:30
11.	"Beauty and a Beat" (featuring Nicki Minaj) (DJ Laszlo Body Rock Radio Mix)	3:59
12.	"Beauty and a Beat" (featuring Nicki Minaj) (DJ Laszlo Body Rock Instrumental)	7:31

Charts and certifications

Weekly charts Chart (2012–13) Peak position scope="row" Australia (ARIA)[19] 9 scope="row" Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[20] 42 scope="row" Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[21] 21 scope="row" Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia)[22] 28 Brazil (Billboard Brasil Hot 100)[23] 51 Brazil Hot Pop Songs[23] 16 scope="row" Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[24] 4 scope="row" Czech Republic (Rádio Top 100)[25] 18 scope="row" Denmark (Tracklisten)[26] 30 scope="row" France (SNEP)[27] 28 scope="row" Germany (Official German Charts)[28] 53 scope="row" Hungary (Rádiós Top 40)[29] 8 scope="row" Ireland (IRMA)[30] 20 scope="row" Israel (Media Forest)[31] 9 scope="row" Japan (Japan Hot 100)[32] 11 Mexico (Mexico Airplay)[33] 24 Mexico Top Anglo (Monitor Latino)[34] 16 scope="row" Netherlands (Single Top 100)[35] 43 scope="row" New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[36] 6 Romania (Romanian Top 100)[37] 45 scope="row" Slovakia (Rádio Top 100)[38] 19 scope="row" Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[39] 23 scope="row" Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[40] 46 UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[41] 16 scope="row" US Billboard Hot 100[42] 5 scope="row" US Adult Top 40 (Billboard)[43] 27 scope="row" US Dance Club Songs (Billboard)[44] 1 scope="row" US Dance/Mix Show Airplay (Billboard)[45] 3 scope="row" US Mainstream Top 40 (Billboard)[46] 2 scope="row" US Rhythmic (Billboard)[47] 4 Venezuela Pop/Rock General (Record Report)[48] 4

Year-end charts Chart (2012) Position Australia (ARIA)[49] 68 UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[50] 128 Chart (2013) Position Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[51] 37 Hungary (Rádiós Top 40)[52] 68 Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[53] 64 UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[54] 186 US Billboard Hot 100[55] 42 US Dance Club Songs (Billboard)[56] 10 US Dance/Mix Show Airplay (Billboard)[57] 15 US Mainstream Top 40 (Billboard)[58] 25 US Rhythmic (Billboard)[59] 28 Certifications Region Certification Certified units/sales Australia (ARIA)[60] 4× Platinum 280,000^^ Canada (Music Canada)[61] 4× Platinum 320,000^^ Italy (FIMI)[62] Gold 15,000^* Mexico (AMPROFON)[63] Platinum 60,000^* New Zealand (RMNZ)[64] Platinum 15,000^* Norway (IFPI Norway)[65] Platinum 10,000^* United Kingdom (BPI)[66] Gold 400,000^^ United States (RIAA)[67] 2× Platinum 2,213,000[68] ^*sales figures based on certification alone ^^shipments figures based on certification alone

Release

The song was released on October 12, 2012 on the video-sharing website, YouTube. It held the record for most views in a single day with 10.6 million views. This song is on Just Dance 4 and a DLC in Just Dance 2014.

Release history

Region	Date	Format	Version
United Kingdom	October 24, 2012	Mainstream radio	Original
Italy[69]	October 26, 2012
United States	November 13, 2012
Worldwide	December 11, 2012	Digital download	Remixes EP

See also

• List of best-selling singles in Australia
• List of number-one dance singles of 2013 (U.S.)

References

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