Say Yeah (Wiz Khalifa song)

"Say Yeah" is a song by an American hip hop recording artist Wiz Khalifa. Released as Khalifa's first single following his signing to Rostrum and Warner Bros. Records but second in overall, following his first single, "Pittsburgh Sound". the song was written by Khalifa and Johnny Juliano, with production of the song being handled by the latter. The song heavily samples the 1998 song "Better Off Alone" by Dutch Eurodance group Alice DeeJay.

"Say Yeah"
Single by Wiz Khalifa
ReleasedApril 22, 2008
Recorded2007
Genre
Length4:01
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Johnny Juliano
Wiz Khalifa singles chronology
"Pittsburgh Sound"
(2007)		 "Say Yeah"
(2008)		 "This Plane"
(2009)

"Say Yeah" peaked at number 11 on the US Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles chart. It also reached the top twenty on the US Billboard Hot Rap Songs chart. "Say Yeah" was Khalifa's only single to be released on Warner Bros., as he would later leave the label over disputes regarding the release of his major-label debut studio album. The single was also certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for sales of 500,000 copies in the United States.

Background

Rostrum Records president Benjy Grinberg first heard about Wiz Khalifa in 2004 when the rapper's contribution to a mixtape of various new Pittsburgh artists attracted his interest.[1] When Grinberg finally met the 16-year-old artist, he immediately decided he wanted to work with him, later telling HitQuarters: "Even though he wasn't all the way developed you could just tell that he was a diamond in the rough, and that with some polishing, guidance and backing he could become something special."[1] Khalifa signed to the label shortly after and began a seven-year period of artist development.[1] Following hype generated by his 2006 album Show and Prove, Khalifa signed to Warner Bros. Records in 2007. "Say Yeah" was released as his first single with the label in January 2008 via digital download.[2] It was later solicited to US rhythmic radio in March.[3]

In July 2009, Khalifa parted ways with Warner Bros. Records after numerous delays in releasing his planned debut album for the label, First Flight.[4][5] "Say Yeah" remains his only single to be released with the label.

Composition

"Say Yeah" is driven around a club beat built around a sample of "Better Off Alone" by Dutch eurodance group Alice DeeJay.[6] Over the beat, Khalifa "spins smooth party-oriented rhymes".[6]

Music video

The song's music video was directed by Ara Soudjian and premiered in March 2008.[7]

Usage in media

American mashup artist Girl Talk sampled "Say Yeah" on the track "Don't Stop" from his fourth album, Feed the Animals.[8][9] The song's vocals are mixed together with the songs "Born Slippy .NUXX" by English electronic group Underworld, "Love in This Club" by American R&B singer Usher and "In Between Days" by English rock band The Cure.[9]

Track listing
  • Digital download[2]
  1. "Say Yeah" (radio edit) – 3:43
  2. "Say Yeah" – 4:01
  1. "Say Yeah" (album version) – 4:02
  2. "Say Yeah" (radio edit) – 3:44
  3. "Say Yeah" (instrumental) – 4:02
  4. "Say Yeah" (a cappella) – 3:43

Charts
Chart (2008) Peak
position
US Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles (Billboard)[10] 11
US Bubbling Under R&B/Hip-Hop Singles (Billboard)[11] 12
US Hot Rap Songs (Billboard)[12] 20
US Pop 100 (Billboard)[13] 96
US Rhythmic Top 40 (Billboard)[14] 25

Certifications
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
United States (RIAA)[15] Gold 500,000^

*sales figures based on certification alone
^shipments figures based on certification alone

Release history
Country Date Format Label
United States[2][3][6] January 22, 2008 Digital download Warner Bros.
March 17, 2008 Rhythmic radio
March 25, 2008 CD single
gollark: I doubt this.
gollark: There is no "brain swapping" because there can be no interaction between parallel worlds.
gollark: The real problem is an unclear definition of "you".
gollark: What? That's stupid. No.
gollark: I don't think that's right. It's a weird quirk of subjective probability, quantum stuff isn't very relevant.

References
  1. "Interview With Benjy Grinberg". HitQuarters. October 17, 2011. Retrieved October 19, 2011.
  2. "Say Yeah – Single by Wiz Khalifa". iTunes Store. Apple. Retrieved September 1, 2012.
  3. "R&R Going For Adds: Rhythmic (Week Of: March 17, 2008)". Radio & Records. Retrieved September 1, 2012.
  4. Mervis, Scott (July 18, 2009). "Wiz Khalifa, Warner Bros. part ways". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Archived from the original on June 26, 2010. Retrieved September 1, 2012.
  5. Paine, Jake (July 16, 2009). "Wiz Khalifa Leaves Warner Brothers Records". HipHopDX. Cheri Media Group. Retrieved September 1, 2012.
  6. "Say Yeah – Wiz Khalifa". AllMusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved September 1, 2012.
  7. "Say Yeah | Wiz Khalifa | Music Video". MTV Music. MTV Networks. Retrieved September 1, 2012.
  8. Feed the Animals (track listing). Girl Talk. Illegal Art. 2008.CS1 maint: others (link)
  9. Breihan, Tom (June 24, 2008). "Girl Talk's Pop-Music Car-Wreck". Village Voice. Retrieved September 1, 2012.
  10. "Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles – Issue Date: 2011-05-07". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved May 9, 2012.
  11. "Bubbling Under R&B/Hip-Hop Songs – Issue Date: 2008-03-29". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved May 9, 2012.
  12. "Wiz Khalifa Album & Song Chart History: Rap Songs". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved September 1, 2012.
  13. "Pop 100 – Issue Date: 2008-06-21". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved September 1, 2012.
  14. "Rhythmic Top 40 – Issue Date: 2008-05-17". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved September 1, 2012.
  15. "American single certifications – Wiz Khalifa – Say Yeah". Recording Industry Association of America. If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Single, then click SEARCH. 
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