"LoveHate Thing" is a song by American hip hop recording artist Wale featuring vocals from Roc Nation singer Sam Dew. It was co-written by both artists, along with Antonio Palmer and Mint Condition's Stokley Williams, who also co-produced the song with Dew and Tone P. It was released on May 21, 2013 as the second single from his third studio album The Gifted (2013).

"LoveHate Thing"
Single by Wale featuring Sam Dew
from the album The Gifted
ReleasedMay 21, 2013
Recorded2013
Genre
Length4:27
Label
Songwriter(s)
  • Folarin
  • Antonio Palmer
  • Stokley Williams
  • Sam Dew
Producer(s)
Wale singles chronology
"So Many Girls"
(2013)
"LoveHate Thing"
(2013)
"Bad (Remix)"
(2013)
Sam Dew singles chronology
"LoveHate Thing"
(2013)
Music video
"LoveHate Thing" on YouTube

The song garnered a positive reception from critics. "LoveHate Thing" peaked at number 89 on the Billboard Hot 100. It also reached numbers 25 and 30 on the Rhythmic and Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs charts respectively. It was certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), denoting sales of over 500,000 units in the United States. A music video directed by Sarah McColgan was made for the single that features Wale both performing with a backing band on a rooftop and going to places in his hometown of Washington D.C.

Wale first performed the song live on the Late Show with David Letterman and made a later appearance at the 2013 Soul Train Awards with co-writer and producer Williams.

Critical reception

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AllMusic's David Jeffries gave the song a "Track Pick" tag, calling it "a breezy summertime jam reminiscing with plenty of gun talk and reckless stories of youth."[1] While mixed towards the album, Evan Rytlewski of The A.V. Club put the track alongside "Gullible" for giving it "a respectable stretch of strutting, '70s-soul throwbacks."[2] The song was nominated for Best Collaboration at the 2013 Soul Train Awards,[3] but lost to Robin Thicke's "Blurred Lines" with Pharrell and T.I.[4]

Music Video

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The music video was released on June 23, 2013.[5] Directed by Sarah McColgan,[6] the video features a suited up Wale joining a backing band on a rooftop to perform with them. Intercut are scenes of Wale from his days as a struggling rapper from D.C. to where he is because of his success.[6]

Live Performances

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Wale first performed "LoveHate Thing" with Sam Dew on the Late Show with David Letterman on June 26, 2013.[7] He performed the song again as a mashup with Marvin Gaye's "Inner City Blues" alongside Williams at the 2013 Soul Train Awards on December 1, 2013.[8]

Charts and certifications

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Release history

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Country Date Format Label
United States[14] May 21, 2013 Digital download Maybach Music Group, Atlantic

References

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  1. ^ Jeffries, David. "The Gifted - Wale". AllMusic. Archived from the original on May 10, 2021. Retrieved November 5, 2015.
  2. ^ Rytlewski, Evan (July 2, 2013). "Wale: The Gifted · Music Review". The A.V. Club. The Onion. Archived from the original on December 5, 2018. Retrieved June 7, 2021.
  3. ^ Baker, Soren (September 17, 2013). "Kendrick Lamar, Justin Timberlake, Chris Brown Lead 2013 Soul Train Awards Nominations". HipHopDX. Cheri Media Group. Archived from the original on September 18, 2020. Retrieved November 5, 2015.
  4. ^ Joseph, Justin Dwayne (December 1, 2013). "Soul Train Awards 2013 Winners: Full List". Centric. Viacom. Archived from the original on December 22, 2015. Retrieved November 5, 2015.
  5. ^ "Love Hate Thing ft. Sam Dew | Wale | Music Video". MTV. June 23, 2013. Archived from the original on June 26, 2013. Retrieved June 25, 2013.
  6. ^ a b Depland, Michael (June 25, 2013). "Video Premiere: Wale Featuring Sam Dew, 'Love Hate Thing'". MTV. Archived from the original on January 27, 2021. Retrieved November 5, 2015.
  7. ^ Blanco, Alvin Aqua (June 27, 2013). "Wale Performs "LoveHate Thing" On Late Show With David Letterman [Video]". HipHopWired. Archived from the original on March 27, 2019. Retrieved November 5, 2015.
  8. ^ "Jennifer Hudson, Tamar Braxton, K. Michelle, & Wale Perform at Soul Train Awards". Rap-Up. December 2, 2013. Archived from the original on December 3, 2020. Retrieved November 5, 2015.
  9. ^ "Wale Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved July 16, 2013.
  10. ^ "Wale Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved June 27, 2013.
  11. ^ "Wale Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard. Retrieved January 3, 2015.
  12. ^ "2013 Year End Charts — R&B/Hip-Hop Songs". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Archived from the original on March 10, 2017. Retrieved December 13, 2013.
  13. ^ "American single certifications – Wale – LoveHate Thing". Recording Industry Association of America.
  14. ^ "LoveHate Thing (feat. Sam Dew): Wale". Amazon.com. Retrieved May 21, 2013.
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