Don't Go (Wretch 32 song)

"Don't Go"
Single by Wretch 32 featuring Josh Kumra
from the album Black and White
Released	14 August 2011 (2011-08-14)
Recorded	2010
Genre	Hip hop R&B
Length	3:58
Label	Ministry of Sound
Songwriter(s)	Jermaine Scott Rachel Moulden Josh Kumra
Producer(s)	Maiday Paul Heard
Wretch 32 singles chronology
"Unorthodox" (2011) "Don't Go" (2011) "Hangover" (2011)
Josh Kumra singles chronology
"Don't Go" (2011) "Helicopters & Planes" (2012)

"Don't Go" is a single from British rapper Wretch 32 that appears on his début album Black and White and features vocals from English singer Josh Kumra. The single was released in the United Kingdom as a digital download on 14 August 2011.

The single peaked at number one on the UK Singles Chart upon entry in August 2011, becoming Wretch 32's first chart topping song.[1]

Background

The song, originally a demo by Maiday called "The Only Thing I Need", was given to Wretch and the hook and first verse were re-created by Kumra.[1][2] In an interview with Digital Spy he was asked if he was pleased with the response to his new single "Don't Go", he said: "It's been good, I think. This third single isn't the easiest or most obvious choice, but I think it's starting to connect with people, which is all I want to do really. This type of sound is what I was known for making on my old CDs and mixtapes. I like heartfelt music, but I wanted to initially come out with something for the clubs and festivals."[3]

Music video

A music video to accompany the release of "Don't Go" was released onto YouTube on 11 July 2011, directed by Ben Newman with a total length of four minutes and one second. It was filmed on the banks of the River Thames near London City Airport.[4]

Critical reception

Robert Copsey of Digital Spy gave the song a positive review stating:

"Love drunk you and I would die sober/ I'm in this for forever and a day," he insists to his missus over minimal, plodding beats. While his bunny boiler tendencies might not be to everyone's taste, it's encouraging to hear there's more to him than the usual braggathons spouted by today's rap pack. "So don't go, don't leave/ Please stay with me/ You're the only thing I need to get by," guest vocalist Josh Kumra croons on the lighter-waving chorus; the result is not as instant as his previous offerings, but easily his most infectious yet. [5]

Track listing

Digital download and CD single

No.	Title	Length
1.	"Don't Go" (radio edit)	3:58
2.	"Don't Go" (DJ Fresh remix)	4:10
3.	"Don't Go" (Manhattan Clique remix)	6:33
4.	"Don't Go" (Sezer Uysal Goes remix)	6:37
5.	"Don't Go" (Thunderskank Go Harder remix)	3:59
6.	"Don't Go" (Submerse remix)	4:03
7.	"Don't Go" (Manhattan Clique edit)	3:25
8.	"Don't Go" (DJ Fresh edit)	2:43

Charts

Weekly charts Chart (2011) Peak position Ireland (IRMA)[6] 39 Scotland (OCC)[7] 2 UK Indie (OCC)[8] 1 UK Hip Hop/R&B (OCC)[9] 1 UK Singles (OCC)[10] 1

Year-end charts Chart (2011) position UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[11] 73

Certifications

Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI)[12]	Platinum	600,000^‡
^‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

Country	Release date	Format	Label
United Kingdom	14 August 2011[13]	Digital download	Ministry of Sound

References

1. Vincent, Alice (2017-08-31). "Wretch 32 on the making of Don't Go: 'The first thing I thought about was, this is about music'". The Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 2017-12-25.
2. "The Only Thing I Need (Don't Go Original Demo)". SoundCloud. 2014-01-12. Archived from the original on 2014-02-22.
3. Robert Copsey. "Wretch 32 interview: "I'm keeping an eye on the US"". Digital Spy. digitalspy.co.uk.
4. "Wretch 32 ft Example - Don't Go OUT NOW! (OFFICIAL VIDEO)". YouTube.
5. Robert Copsey. "Wretch 32 ft. Josh Kumra: 'Don't Go'". Digital Spy. digitalspy.co.uk.
6. "Chart Track: Week 35, 2011". Irish Singles Chart.
7. "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
8. "Official Independent Singles Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company.
9. "Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company.
10. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
11. "End of Year Singles Chart Top 100 - 2011". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 30 November 2019.
12. "British single certifications – Wretch 32 ft Josh Kumra – Don't Go". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 7 August 2020.
13. "Don't Go (feat. Example) by Wretch 32". Itunes.apple.com.