"Sprinter" | ||||
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Single by Dave and Central Cee | ||||
from the EP Split Decision | ||||
Released | 1 June 2023 | |||
Recorded | 2023 | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 3:49 | |||
Label |
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Songwriter(s) |
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Producer(s) |
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Dave singles chronology | ||||
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Central Cee singles chronology | ||||
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Music video | ||||
"Sprinter" on YouTube |
"Sprinter" is a song by British rappers Dave and Central Cee. The single was released 1 June 2023 through record labels Neighbourhood and Live Yours, and was included on the artist's collaborative EP Split Decision, released four days later. The song's instrumental has been characterized as a "guitar-led, subtle drill" beat with Latin influence.[2][3]
Sprinter debuted at number one in the UK Singles Chart, becoming Dave's third number-one single and Central Cee's first. The single became the longest-running number-one rap song in the UK, holding the position for 10 weeks.[4] It also topped the charts in Australia, Ireland, Luxembourg, New Zealand and Switzerland. Sprinter was ultimately the most streamed song on Spotify in the United Kingdom in 2023.[5]
The work won the PRS for Music Most Performed Work Ivor Novello Award on Thursday 23 May 2024.[6]
The song was first teased by Cee on his Instagram stories on 18 March 2023, revealing that Dave had just sent him an audio file.[7] They were also spotted in the studio together on 10 May.[8]
Sprinter marks only the second time the two have teamed up on a song, the last one being a remix of "Spirit Bomb" (2016) by AJ Tracey.[9] Additionally, Dave helped produce the song "End of the Beginning" on the 23 mixtape in 2022.[10]
"Sprinter" sees the rappers trading "laid-back" verses over a "Latin-tinged, summer-ready"[3] beat characterised by "chopped-up acoustic guitars and wordless operatic vocals".[11]
David Renshaw of The Fader thought the track was distinguished by "bright wordplay and good vibes", while the lyrics talk about the "age-old problem" of partying with too many girls that a whole van is needed to transport them.[12] Robin Murray of Clash opined that the song "sits somewhere between drill and broader UK rap flavours" and allows the rappers "to do their thing".[13]
The music video, released on 2 June, switches between London and South France. Scenes in Monaco were filmed in late May 2023.[14] The video features a cameo by Nigerian artist Slawn.[7] The rappers are seen showcasing the perks of their lifestyle, showing off diamonds and other valuables.[15]
"Sprinter" debuted at number one on the UK Singles Chart, marking the biggest opening week of the year.[16] The track opened with 108,200 chart units in its first tracking week alongside 13.4 million streams, the biggest week of streams for a rap single ever in UK history.[16][17][18] By December 2023, Sprinter had received over 500 million streams on Spotify.[19]
The track peaked at number one in Australia after selling 13,000 units in its first tracking week.[20][21] The track also peaked at number one in Ireland, Luxembourg, New Zealand and Switzerland. In the United Arab Emirates, the song peaked at number 11.[22]
In the United States, the song peaked in the top ten of the Billboard Global 200 and the U.S. Bubbling Under Hot 100 chart.[23] In Canada, "Sprinter" debuted at number five on the Canadian Hot 100 on 17 June 2023, becoming the highest peaking British hip hop single of all-time, surpassing M.I.A.'s 2008 song, "Paper Planes" which reached number seven.
The song was declared "song of the summer" for 2023 by UK Charts.[24] In August 2023, a video of American rapper J. Cole rapping along to Sprinter at record producer T-Minus' wedding went viral on social media.[25] Former U.S. President Barack Obama included the song on his annual playlist, which was released in December 2023.[26] At the MOBO Awards 2024, "Sprinter" won the award for best song.[27] At the 2024 Global Awards "Sprinter" was nominated for Best Song.[28]
Weekly charts[edit] |
Year-end charts[edit]
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Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
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Australia (ARIA)[82] | 3× Platinum | 210,000‡ |
Belgium (BEA)[83] | Platinum | 40,000‡ |
Canada (Music Canada)[84] | Gold | 40,000‡ |
Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[85] | Platinum | 90,000‡ |
France (SNEP)[86] | Gold | 100,000‡ |
Italy (FIMI)[87] | Gold | 50,000‡ |
New Zealand (RMNZ)[88] | 2× Platinum | 60,000‡ |
Poland (ZPAV)[89] | Platinum | 50,000‡ |
Portugal (AFP)[90] | 2× Platinum | 20,000‡ |
Spain (PROMUSICAE)[91] | Gold | 30,000‡ |
United Kingdom (BPI)[92] | 2× Platinum | 1,200,000‡ |
United States (RIAA)[93] | Gold | 500,000‡ |
Streaming | ||
Greece (IFPI Greece)[94] | 2× Platinum | 4,000,000† |
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. |