"I Can Transform Ya"
Single by Chris Brown featuring Lil Wayne and Swizz Beatz
from the album Graffiti
ReleasedSeptember 29, 2009 (2009-09-29)
Recorded
Genre
Length3:49
LabelJive
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Swizz Beatz
Chris Brown singles chronology
"Drop It Low"
(2009)		 "I Can Transform Ya"
(2009)		 "Crawl"
(2009)
Lil Wayne singles chronology
"Heard 'em All"
(2009)		 "I Can Transform Ya"
(2009)		 "Give It Up to Me"
(2009)
Swizz Beatz singles chronology
"I Do"
(2009)		 "I Can Transform Ya"
(2009)		 "On to the Next One"
(2009)
Music video
"I Can Transform Ya" on YouTube

"I Can Transform Ya" is a song by American singer Chris Brown from his third album Graffiti. The song features vocals from American rappers Lil Wayne and Swizz Beatz. The artists co-wrote the song with Lonny Bereal, Trayce Green, and Jason "Poo Bear" Boyd, with Beatz producing the track. The song was released as the lead single from Graffiti on September 29, 2009, and was Brown's first official release since his altercation with former girlfriend, Barbadian singer Rihanna. Originally known simply as "Transformer", it is an electro-composed song infused with hip hop, crunk and "industrial" R&B musical genres, while making use of robotic tones. It is lyrically about introducing someone to a life of luxury.

"I Can Transform Ya" received mostly positive reviews, noting the song's club feel and catchiness. The song peaked the highest in New Zealand, at number seven, and was also certified platinum in the country. It peaked in the top twenty of the United States, at twenty-one in Australia and Ireland. The song also charted in the top thirty in the United Kingdom, becoming a top ten hit on the UK R&B Chart. The dance-heavy accompanying music video, coined a "shiny, sexy, throwback" features choreography with hooded ninjas, and makes puns on the Transformers franchise.

Background

The song was originally titled "Transformer" according to producer and featured guest Swizz Beatz in a September 2009 interview with MTV News.[1] The song was set to be the first real record that Brown had released since his highly-publicized domestic violence case against then-girlfriend Rihanna at the beginning of the year.[2] Another song "Changed Man", an "apologetic ode to Rihanna" written by Brown, and several other tracks were leaked but Jive Records said the material was old.[2] Swizz Beatz said that Brown had recorded "60 or 70" songs for the album, and that "He's got something to prove."[1] Beatz also commented on Lil Wayne's contribution to the song, saying, ""The Wayne part is just nothing to talk about, He really showed his ass on this one. It's probably the best feature verse since the 'It's Me [Bitches]' remix. He really went in on the 'Transformer' joint."[1] It was originally supposed released on September 30, 2009, but Brown stated on his Twitter that the song would be released a day early on September 29, 2009.[2]

Composition

The song, influenced by hip-hop, has been described as an "upbeat tune", is composed of pounding drums, and features referee whistles and hand claps.[2][3][4] It also has synthpop elements, featuring a "synthesized guitar riff."[2][3] Mikael Wood of the Los Angeles Times says the song has a robo-crunk groove.[5] According to James Montgomery of MTV News, the song is an "adult club track".[6] Greg Kot of the Chicago Tribune said that the song is one of the album tracks featuring an "aggressive stance" and "club banger" that would "sound fantastic on the dancefloor". The song is lyrically about introducing someone new to a luxurious life.[3] The song makes references to the Transformers franchise.[4]

Music video

Background

The song's music video was directed by Joseph Kahn. Kahn, who also directed the video for Brown and Ester Dean's "Drop It Low", said that Brown played him tracks from his album on the set, and had a clear idea of what he wanted for the "I Can Transform Ya" video.[7] Kahn said,

"...obviously, him going in there and dancing and turning into cars and trucks is right up my alley. His interests, in terms of kung fu and special effects and science fiction and all the boy-culture stuff, it falls directly in line with what I like. "His talent is phenomenal. I'm still struggling to try and capture that talent on film, and it's a challenge. Here's a guy who can literally do anything. If you watch this thing, he's doing nunchuck tricks, and I'm a huge kung fu aficionado, and they're mind-blowing. I've never seen stuff like that before in kung fu flicks. I would say it's like a pure aesthetic dance video from the very fiber of it. Everything dances onscreen. Everything has movement. Everything has a certain mechanical rhythm. He actually created a dance style for this that is mechanical. It's sort of a hyper-intense version of the robot. Even the transformations go directly in line with the movements."[7]

Kahn also said that instead of taking the song's lyrics and being "pretentious" about it, he wanted to show the audience exactly what Brown was singing about, commenting, "What if we just got ambitious and demonstrated the lyrics? The trick is to do it in a creative way. Let's try to display the lyrics and the feeling of the dance at the same time."[7] In October 2009, Brown released screencaps for the video, coincidentally the same day Rihanna released her video for "Russian Roulette".[8] The photos showed several scenes, including Brown in the middle of a squadron of black storm troopers, Brown in a gray suit, and him giving a karate kick in mid-air.[8] Another was also of Brown, Wayne and Swizz Beatz standing confidently against a white backdrop.[8]

Synopsis and reception

Brown wearing an unzipped black hooded jacket, spray painting the title of the song

The video premiered on MTV Networks on October 27, 2009.[9] The music video opens with Brown transforming from a black sports car, and spray painting the name of the single onto the screen, indirectly referencing his forthcoming album Graffiti.[9] The video, set entirely on an all-white backdrop, focuses on Brown's dance moves, as Brown performs alongside hooded ninjas.[9] Several other "transformations" are made in the video including from motorcycles and helicopters.[6] Swizz Beatz appears in the clip, as well as Lil Wayne, playing an electric guitar. Transformers star Tyrese Gibson makes a cameo appearance.

Jocelyn Vena of MTV News described the video as "glossy" and "fast-paced".[7] James Montgomery of MTV News called the video a "shiny, sexy throwback".[6] Montgomery also said, "It's a blockbuster, loaded with eye-popping special effects — the titular transformations are particularly great looking, as are the scene-to-scene transitions — and frighteningly precise pop-and-lock moves from Brown himself."[6] Leah Greenblatt of Entertainment Weekly said the clip was "snazzy-looking", but commented, "it feels … kind of gross."[10] BET's Sound Off Blog said, "the visual embodies exactly what the title represents- transforming into abnormal objects while doing splits and showing off some several thick wasted PYT’s."[11] The video's choreography and dancers resembling "cyber ninjas" also drew comparisons to Janet Jackson's "Feedback" by several critics.[12][13]

Critical reception

The song received generally positive reviews. Greg Kot of Chicago Tribune gave the song a positive review, calling it a "club banger".[14] Thomas Gonlianpoulous of Spin commended Swizz Beatz' "bombastic production", Wayne's "energetic yet nonsensical rap", and Brown's "joyful, brisk vocals."[15] Dan Gennoe of Yahoo! Music UK said the song, serving as lead single, says "Brown's promise for the future is to be an altogether more interesting kind of R&B artist."[16] Leah Greenblatt of Entertainment Weekly referred to the song as a "swaggering" lead single.[17] Jon Caramanica of The New York Times referred to the song as a type that he has made his specialty, and called it an "electric, brassy collaboration."[18] Although Nick Levine of Digital Spy called the song "a brutal, tuneless hunk of industrial R&B – as musically ugly as something like 'With You' was pretty", he said "for that matter, this track rocks", commenting "Whatever you may think of him, you can't claim that Chris Brown lacks balls."[19] Jude Rogers of BBC Music said the song was catchy, but was one of the album's tracks that were a "pale imitation of Justin Timberlake album tracks."[20]

Chart performance

In the United States, the song entered the Billboard Hot 100 at number fifty-two.[21] After weeks of ascending and descending the charts the single reached a peak of twenty on its eighth week on the chart, giving Brown his eighth top twenty hit in the United States.[21] Also in the U.S., the song peaked at number eleven on the Hot R&B/Hip Hop Songs.[22] In Canada, the song entered the charts at seventy-five. The song fluctuated around the charts for seven weeks before finally peaking at fifty-four on its eight-week.[23]

It reached five on the Flanders and Wallonia Belgian Tip Charts.[24] The song peaked at number seven in New Zealand, where it spent seven weeks on the chart.[25] "I Can Transform Ya" peaked in the top thirty in the United Kingdom, and Ireland, whilst reaching number nine on the UK R&B Chart.[26][27] In Australia it peaked at twenty-one, where it spent eighteen weeks on the chart.[25] It reached fifty-seven on the Mega Single Top 100 in the Netherlands, having a seven-week stint.[25] "I Can Transform Ya"'s charting in European marks propelled it to debut and peak at seventy-six on the European Hot 100.[28] The song was certified Platinum in New Zealand by the RIANZ and Gold in Australia by the ARIA.[29][30]

Credits and personnel

  • Vocals – Chris Brown, Lil Wayne, Swizz Beatz
  • Songwriting – Chris Brown, Jason "Poo Bear" Boyd, Kasseem Dean, Joseph "Lonny" Bereal, Dwayne Carter
  • Production – Swizz Beatz
  • Audio Mixing – Manny Marroquin, assisted by Christian Plata and Erik Madrid
  • Recording Engineer – Brian Springer
  • Guitar – Rayfield "Ray-Ray" Holloman
  • Mastering – Chris Bellman

Source[31]

Charts

Certifications

Region CertificationCertified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[42] Platinum 70,000^
New Zealand (RMNZ)[30] Platinum 15,000*
Norway (IFPI Norway)[43] Gold 5,000*
United Kingdom (BPI)[44] Silver 200,000‡
United States (RIAA)[45] 2× Platinum 2,000,000‡

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

Region Date Format
United States September 29, 2009 Digital download[2][46]
October 5, 2009 Rhythmic and urban airplay[47]

References

  1. 1 2 3 Reid, Shaheem (2009-09-16). "Swizz Beatz On Chris Brown's New Song With Lil Wayne: 'He's Got Something To Prove'". MTV News. MTV Networks (Viacom). Retrieved 2010-06-08.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Rodriguez, Jayson (2009-09-28). "Chris Brown's New Single Featuring Lil Wayne, 'Transformer,' Out Tuesday". MTV News. MTV Networks (Viacom). Retrieved 2010-06-08.
  3. 1 2 3 Rodriguez, Jayson. "Chris Brown's 'I Can Transform Ya,' Featuring Lil Wayne, Hits Web". MTV News. MTV Networks (Viacom). Retrieved 2010-06-08.
  4. 1 2 Conception, Mariel (2009-10-09). "Chris Brown Featuring Lil Wayne And Swizz Beatz, "I Can Transform Ya"". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. Retrieved 2010-06-08.
  5. ↑ Wood, Mikael (2009-12-07). "Album review: Chris Brown's 'Graffiti'". The Los Angeles Times. Tribune Company. Retrieved 2010-06-08.
  6. 1 2 3 4 Montgomery, James (2009-10-27). "Chris Brown's 'I Can Transform Ya' Video: A Shiny, Sexy Throwback". MTV News. MTV Networks (Viacom). Retrieved 2010-06-08.
  7. 1 2 3 4 Vena, Jocelyn (2009-10-27). "Chris Brown's 'I Can Transform Ya' Moves Are 'Mind-Blowing,' Director Says". MTV News. MTV Networks (Viacom). Retrieved 2010-06-09.
  8. 1 2 3 Dinh, James (2009-10-20). "Chris Brown Posts Preview Of 'I Can Transform Ya' Video". MTV News. MTV Networks (Viacom). Retrieved 2010-06-08.
  9. 1 2 3 Cummings, Jozen (2009-10-27). "Chris Brown's Video "I Can Transform Ya": An Early Look". Speakeasy Blog. Wall Street Journal Online. Retrieved 2010-06-09.
  10. ↑ Greenblatt, Leah (2009-10-27). "Chris Brown, 'I Can Transform Ya' video: Too soon?". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 2010-06-09.
  11. ↑ "VIDEO: Chris Brown ft. Lil Wayne & Swizz Beatz- I Can Transform Ya". BET Sound Off Blog. 2009-10-27. Archived from the original on 2010-05-28. Retrieved 2010-06-09.
  12. ↑ "Rap-Up.com – On Set of Chris Brown's 'Transform Ya' Video". Rap-Up.com. October 20, 2009. Retrieved March 7, 2014.
  13. ↑ "Transform Ya < Fresher Than Chris". FresherthanChris. October 27, 2009. Retrieved March 7, 2014.
  14. ↑ Kot, Greg (2009-12-01). "Album review: Chris Brown, 'Graffiti'". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 2010-06-08.
  15. ↑ Golianpoulous, Thomas (2009-11-25). "Chris Brown, 'Graffiti' (Jive/Zomba)". Spin. Retrieved 2010-06-08.
  16. ↑ Gennoe, Dan (2010-12-08). "Chris Brown – Graffiti". Yahoo! UK. Retrieved 2010-04-08.
  17. ↑ Greenblatt, Leah (2009-12-08). "Graffiti (2009)". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 2010-06-08.
  18. ↑ "Critics' Choice – New CDs from Chris Brown, Allison Iraheta and Clipse". New York Times. 2009-12-06. Retrieved 2010-06-08.
  19. ↑ Levine, Nick (2009-10-30). "Chris Brown ft. Lil Wayne, Swiss Beatz: 'I Can Transform Ya'". Digital Spy. Hachette Fillipachi UK. Retrieved 2010-06-08.
  20. ↑ Rogers, Jude (2009-12-15). "Chris Brown Graffiti Review". BBC Music. Retrieved 2010-06-08.
  21. 1 2 3 "Chris Brown Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.
  22. 1 2 "Chris Brown Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard.
  23. 1 2 "Chris Brown Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 2010-06-26.
  24. 1 2 "Chris Brown feat. Lil Wayne & Swizz Beatz – I Can Transform Ya" (in French). Ultratip. Retrieved 2010-06-26.
  25. 1 2 3 4 "Chris Brown feat. Lil Wayne & Swizz Beatz – I Can Transform Ya" (in Dutch). Ultratip. Retrieved 2010-06-26.
  26. 1 2 "Chris Brown: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 2010-06-26.
  27. 1 2 "Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 2010-06-26.
  28. ↑ "I Can Transform Ya - Billboard.com". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. Retrieved 2010-06-12.
  29. ↑ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2009 Singles". Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 2010-01-07.
  30. 1 2 "Latest Gold / Platinum Singles". Radioscope. 21 August 2011. Archived from the original on 2011-08-31.
  31. ↑ Chris Brown Graffiti (Liner notes) Jive Records, RCA Records, Zomba Label Group. (2009)
  32. ↑ "Chris Brown feat. Lil Wayne & Swizz Beatz – I Can Transform Ya". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved 2010-06-26.
  33. ↑ "Chris Brown – Chart Search" Billboard European Hot 100 Singles for Chris Brown. Retrieved 2010-06-26.
  34. ↑ "Chart Track: Week 49, 2009". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 2010-06-26.
  35. ↑ "Tipparade-lijst van week 2, 2010". Dutch Top 40. Retrieved March 12, 2023.
  36. ↑ "Chris Brown feat. Lil Wayne & Swizz Beatz – I Can Transform Ya" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 2010-06-26.
  37. ↑ "Chris Brown feat. Lil Wayne & Swizz Beatz – I Can Transform Ya". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved 2010-06-26.
  38. ↑ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved March 27, 2023.
  39. ↑ "Chris Brown Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard.
  40. ↑ "Charts Plus Year end 2009" (PDF). Charts Plus. Retrieved 2010-07-19.
  41. ↑ "Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs – Year-End 2010". Billboard. Retrieved 2020-05-17.
  42. ↑ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2010 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association.
  43. ↑ "Norwegian single certifications – Chris Brown – I Can Transform Ya" (in Norwegian). IFPI Norway.
  44. ↑ "British single certifications – Chris Brown – I Can Transform Ya". British Phonographic Industry.
  45. ↑ "American single certifications – Chris Brown – I Can Transform Ya". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved December 6, 2017.
  46. ↑ "Chris Brown – I can transform ya + Remix Ft Lil Wayne and Swizz Beatz". View Nigeria. Retrieved 2014-10-04.
  47. ↑ "Airplay Archive". FMQB. Archived from the original on 2005-10-31. Retrieved 2010-04-08.

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