"Finesse" is a song by Nigerian record producer Pheelz. It was uploaded on TikTok in February 2022 and commercially released on 3 March 2022, through Riidiimacool.[1] The song was produced by Miichkel and features vocals from Nigerian Afro-fusion singer Bnxn. During its debut week, the record gained popularity across TikTok in Europe and America, with the #FolakeChallenge hashtag.[2]

"Finesse"
Single by Pheelz featuring Bnxn
Released3 March 2022 (2022-03-03)
Recorded2022
GenreAfro-fusion
Length2:31
LabelRiidiimacool
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Miichkel
Pheelz singles chronology
"One Life"
(2020)
"Finesse"
(2022)
Music video
"Finesse" on YouTube

It was ranked at number one on TheCable's list of 10 TCL radio pick of the week,[3] and number two on Music in Africa's top Afrobeats songs of 2022.[4] On 2 March 2022, the song was premiered on BBC Radio 1Xtra by DJ Edu on the Destination Africa program.[5] It debuted at number 131 on the Billboard Global 200,[6] and at number 106 on the Billboard Global Excl. US chart.[7]

Background edit

In a conversation with Pulse Nigeria music author, Motolani Alake, Pheelz said, "I was hanging out in the studio with a newly signed producer, Miichkel (MikeGoCrazy) when he played the beat. So, I added the melody, lyrics, and layers to the chorus. The final sound was so good I had to share a snippet on TikTok and other social media platforms that same night." He added, "Buju (now. Bnxn) hit me up after seeing the video on TikTok, so I asked him for a verse and he came through!"[8]

Commercial performance edit

In its debut week, "Finesse" peaked at number ten on the US World Digital Song Sales chart, for the week of 19 March 2022.[9] On 5 March 2022, the record peaked at number one in ten countries, including Dominica, Benin Republic, Cameroon, Gambia, Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, Malawi, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Uganda,[10] and charted on 36 other countries on Apple Music, including within the top 40 of the UK Apple Music chart.[11] It debuted at number 131 on the Billboard Global 200,[6] and at number 106 on the Billboard Global Excl. US chart.[7]

"Finesse" debuted on Nigeria's Spotify Top 50 chart at number one,[10] global Apple Music Top 100 at number forty,[10] and was the most Shazamed song in the world on 8 March 2022.[12] It debuted at number one on the TurnTable Top 50 chart,[13] UK Afrobeats Singles Chart,[14] and number fifty-two on the UK Singles Chart.[15] The record also debuted at number nine on the TurnTable Top 50 Airplay on 15 March,[16] and debuted on number forty-four on the TurnTable Top 50 Streaming Songs on 9 March 2022.[17]

Credits and personnel edit

Charts edit

Weekly charts edit

Weekly chart performance for "Finesse"
Chart (2022) Peak
position
France (SNEP)[18] 85
Global 200 (Billboard)[6] 131
Ireland (IRMA)[19] 99
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[20] 84
New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ)[21] 31
Nigeria (TurnTable Top 50)[13] 1
South Africa (RISA)[22] 31
Suriname (Nationale Top 40)[23] 1
UK Singles (OCC)[15] 52
UK Afrobeats Singles (OCC)[14] 1
UK Indie (OCC)[24] 7
UK Hip Hop/R&B (OCC)[25] 28
US Afrobeats Songs (Billboard)[26] 6
US Rhythmic (Billboard)[27] 15
US World Digital Song Sales (Billboard)[9] 10

Year-end charts edit

2022 year-end chart performance for "Finesse"
Chart (2022) Position
US Afrobeats Songs (Billboard)[28] 8

Certifications edit

Certifications for "Finesse"
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Canada (Music Canada)[29] Platinum 80,000
Nigeria (TCSN)[30] 2× Platinum 200,000[31]
United Kingdom (BPI)[32] Silver 200,000

Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history edit

Release history and formats for "Finesse"
Region Date Format Label Ref.
Various 3 March 2022 Riidiimacool

References edit

  1. ^ "Song of the Day: 'Finesse' by Pheelz featuring BNXN". Grungecake. 11 March 2022. Retrieved 18 March 2022.
  2. ^ Conteh, Mankaprr (18 March 2022). "Pheelz and Bnxn's 'Finesse' is Utterly Cool -- and Breaking Through Globally". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 18 March 2022.
  3. ^ "TCL radio picks: Asa debuts with Wizkid-assisted 'IGD' as 'Finesse' lands top spot". TheCable Lifestyle. 5 March 2022. Retrieved 18 March 2022.
  4. ^ "Top Afrobeats songs of 2022". Music In Africa. 18 March 2022. Retrieved 18 March 2022.
  5. ^ "BBC Radio 1Xtra - DJ Edu - Destination Africa, Davido in conversation". BBC. Retrieved 18 March 2022.
  6. ^ a b c "Billboard Global 200". Billboard. Retrieved 18 March 2022.
  7. ^ a b "Billboard Global Excl. US". Billboard. Retrieved 18 March 2022.
  8. ^ Alake, Motolani (4 March 2022). "Pheelz and Buju release Wizkid-endorsed new single, 'Finesse'". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 18 March 2022.
  9. ^ a b "World Digital Song Sales". Billboard. 2 January 2013. Retrieved 18 March 2022.
  10. ^ a b c "'Finesse' By Pheelz Ft. BNXN Enters Apple Music Global & Spotify Charts | SEE DETAILS". NotjustOk. 5 March 2022. Retrieved 18 March 2022.
  11. ^ Alake, Motolani (4 March 2022). "Buju and Pheelz's new banger, 'Finesse' hits No. 1 in London, UK". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 18 March 2022.
  12. ^ Alake, Motolani (9 March 2022). "Buju and Pheelz's new chart-topper, 'Finesse' hits No. 1 on Shazam global charts". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 18 March 2022.
  13. ^ a b "TurnTable Top 50: Pheelz & BNXN's "Finesse" Rises To No.1". The Native. 14 March 2022. Retrieved 18 March 2022.
  14. ^ a b "Official Afrobeats Chart Top 20". www.officialcharts.com. Retrieved 18 March 2022.
  15. ^ a b "Official Singles Chart Top 100". www.officialcharts.com. Retrieved 18 March 2022.
  16. ^ "Turntable Top 50 Airplay Chart". Turntable Charts. Retrieved 18 March 2022.
  17. ^ "Turntable Top 50 Streaming Songs". Turntable Charts. Retrieved 18 March 2022.
  18. ^ "Top Singles (Week 18, 2022)" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Retrieved 16 May 2022.
  19. ^ "IRMA – Irish Charts". Irish Recorded Music Association. Retrieved 16 April 2022.
  20. ^ "Pheelz x Buju – Finesse" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 30 April 2022.
  21. ^ "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. 3 October 2022. Retrieved 1 October 2022.
  22. ^ "Local & International Streaming Chart Top 100 Week 14-2022". TOSAC. Retrieved 21 April 2022.
  23. ^ "Nationale Top 40 Suriname: Top 5 – 23 June 2022". Nationale Top 40 Suriname. 20 June 2022. Retrieved 5 July 2023.
  24. ^ "Official Independent Singles Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 20 March 2022.
  25. ^ "Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 22 April 2022.
  26. ^ Cusson, Michael (29 March 2022). "Billboard U.S. Afrobeats Songs". Billboard. Retrieved 29 March 2022.
  27. ^ "Rhythmic Airplay: Week of August 13, 2022". Billboard. Retrieved 9 August 2022.
  28. ^ "Billboard U.S. Afrobeats Songs – Year-End 2022". Billboard. Retrieved 2 December 2022.
  29. ^ "Canadian single certifications – Pheelz – Finesse". Music Canada. Retrieved 21 December 2023.
  30. ^ "TurnTable Certification". www.turntablecharts.com. Retrieved 30 August 2023.
  31. ^ "BNXN fka Buju Makes History With The First 'Platinum' Certified-Single in Modern Era of Nigerian Music". www.turntablecharts.com.
  32. ^ "British single certifications – Pheelz & Bnxn – Finesse". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 17 January 2023.
  33. ^ "Finesse - Single by Pheelz & Buju". 3 March 2022. Retrieved 18 March 2022 – via Apple Music.