"Woman" | ||||
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Single by Little Simz featuring Cleo Sol | ||||
from the album Sometimes I Might Be Introvert | ||||
Released | 6 May 2021 | |||
Genre | Hip hop | |||
Length | 4:29 | |||
Label |
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Songwriter(s) | ||||
Producer(s) | Inflo | |||
Little Simz singles chronology | ||||
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Cleo Sol singles chronology | ||||
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Music video | ||||
"Woman" on YouTube |
"Woman" is a song by British rapper Little Simz featuring fellow British singer Cleo Sol. It was released on 6 May 2021, as the second single from the former's fourth studio album Sometimes I Might Be Introvert (2021).[1][2] The song was written by Simz, Sol, and record producer Inflo.
A retro hip-hop song, "Woman" discusses women's lives in different countries. Simz wrote the song to thank women who inspired her, stating, "It's empowering, it's inspiring; I wanted to say thank you and I wanted to celebrate them." The chorus is sung by Sol.
Simz and Sol first collaborated on the song "Selfish" from Simz's third studio album Grey Area (2019).[3] Aside from their collaboration in "Woman" for Simz's fourth studio album Sometimes I Might Be Introvert (2021), Sol provided guest vocals on the album's lead single "Introvert".[4]
"Woman" was released on 6 May 2021, by Simz's label Age 101, as the second single from the album.[5] A lyric video was uploaded to Simz's YouTube channel on 10 June 2021.[6]
Consequence's Nina Corcoran described "Woman" as a "low-key retro hip-hop number that sees Simz rapping about the women around the world who inspire [Simz] to carry on."[3] The song contains an organ and snappy snares.[7] The rapper, who described the song as "empowering" and "inspiring", stated that she wrote the song "to say thank you and I wanted to celebrate" women.[1] Sol sings in the chorus: "I love how you go from zero to one hundred/And leave the dust behind, you've got this/All action, no talk".[1] Simz wanted to create a song dedicated to women, and explained with Vulture the inspiration behind the song:
"Woman" is literally a love note to the women of the world. I think it very much so happens in this industry where it gets competitive, which is okay, but I think not [if it gets] to a place where you're literally trying to drag and tear other women down because the narrative is, "There can only be one at a time," or whatever it is. "Woman" is for us to celebrate and commend each other and tell each other we look beautiful and we're proud of each other.[8]
The music video was released the same day as the single, and was directed by Simz. It featured guest appearances from Jourdan Dunn, Joy Crookes, and Denai Moore.[2] A trailer was uploaded on Simz's YouTube account on 3 May 2021.[9] As of December 2022, the video has received over 5 million views.[10]
Simz first performed "Woman" on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on 16 August 2021.[11] On 28 May 2021, she performed the song at the Later... with Jools Holland.[12] The song was sung as a medley with "Introvert" at the 2022 Brit Awards.[13] "Woman" was also included on the rapper's set list at Glastonbury Festival 2022, in which Sol joined her onstage.[14]
Credits adapted from the liner notes of Sometimes I Might Be Introvert.[4]