| "Lay It on Me" | ||||
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| Single by Kelly Rowland featuring Big Sean | ||||
| from the album Here I Am | ||||
| Released | August 16, 2011 | |||
| Recorded | 2010 | |||
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| Length | 4:03 | |||
| Label | Universal Motown | |||
| Songwriter(s) | ||||
| Producer(s) | Hit-Boy | |||
| Kelly Rowland singles chronology | ||||
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| Big Sean singles chronology | ||||
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"Lay It on Me" is a song by American singer Kelly Rowland featuring two rap verses from American rapper Big Sean, taken from Rowland's third studio album Here I Am (2011). The contemporary R&B and Hi-NRG song was written by Sean, Ester Dean and Chauncy "Hit-Boy" Hollis who also produced the song. "Lay It On Me" has a piano-driven melody and is laced with 808s and high NRG beats; the lyrics centre on Rowland describing sexual encounters with a lover.
The song was serviced to US rhythmic radio on August 16, 2011 by Universal Motown as the album's second (and last) single in the United States, and later in 2012 as the album's fourth international single. An accompanying music video features interactions with Sean, as well as scenes including Rowland stroking an elephant and dancing with a troupe of black dancers against a white backdrop. It was shot back-to-back with the video for Rowland's third international single, "Down for Whatever", with director Sarah Chatfield and choreographer Frank Gatson, Jr.
Rowland and Sean performed the song live for the first time on "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" on September 26, 2011. "Lay It On Me" was met with a positive response from music critics who generally praised the sex appeal of the song, progressive production and suggestive lyrics. It has peaked at number 43 one US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart and although it did not chart on the Billboard Hot 100, it appeared on the Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles chart at number 9. Internationally, "Lay It On Me" peaked at both 69 in the UK and Japan.