Rockstar (Dappy song)

"Rockstar"
Single by Dappy featuring Brian May
from the album Bad Intentions
Released	26 February 2012
Recorded	2011
Genre	Rap rock[1]
Length	3:38
Label	All Around the World Takeover Entertainment
Songwriter(s)	Costadinos Contostavlos, Ayak Thiik, Thomas Barnes, Benjamin Kohn, Peter Kelleher
Producer(s)	TMS
Dappy singles chronology
"No Regrets" (2011) "Rockstar" (2012) "Explode" (2012)
Music video
"Rockstar (feat. Brian May)" on YouTube

"Rockstar" is the second single from former N-Dubz lead rapper Dappy's debut studio album, Bad Intentions staying with the commercial pop template of his previous single, "No Regrets". It was released on 23 February 2012.[2] The song also features Queen guitarist Brian May.

Music video

A music video to accompany the release of "Rockstar" was first released onto YouTube on 18 January 2012 at a total length of three minutes and forty-eight seconds. It was directed by Colin Tilley. The video has received 16.5 million views on YouTube.[3]

Critical reception

Lewis Corner of Digital Spy gave the song a very positive review stating:

Fortunately, Dappy hasn't wandered too far away from what made his first cut so successful. Head-bopping beats and lyrical word play detail the star's turbulent relationship with the press ("If the Guardian's my angel, why's The Sun burning holes in me?"). But what sets this apart from his previous effort is May's rumbling guitar riffs which culminate in an electrifying solo at the end. Given it's something few can resist, we're confident this will be another bona fide smash. .[4]

Chart performance

"Rockstar" made its first chart appearance in the week ending 8 March 2012, where it debuted at number fifteen on the Irish Singles Chart - lower than predecessor "No Regrets" (#8, September 2011). The track then debuted at number two on the UK Singles Chart with first week sales of 57,415 copies for the week ending 10 March 2012. "Rockstar" also debuted at number-one on the R&B chart, dethroning Flo Rida and Sia's "Wild Ones".

Track listing

Promotional CD single[2]

No.	Title	Length
1.	"Rockstar" (Album Version) (featuring Brian May)	3:37
2.	"Rockstar" (Instrumental Version) (featuring Brian May)	3:37
Total length:		7:14

Digital download[2]

No.	Title	Length
1.	"Rockstar" (Album Version) (featuring Brian May)	3:37
2.	"Rockstar" (Ferrari Remix) (featuring Ferrari)	3:30
3.	"Rockstar" (TMS Vocal Mix)	4:37
4.	"Rockstar" (TMS Dub Mix)	5:09
5.	"Rockstar" (Instrumental Version) (featuring Brian May)	3:37
Total length:		20:20

Charts

Weekly charts Chart (2012) Peak position Belgium (Ultratip Bubbling Under Flanders)[5] 49 Ireland (IRMA)[6] 15 Scotland (OCC)[7] 3 Slovakia (Rádio Top 100)[8] 87 UK Singles (OCC)[9] 2 UK Hip Hop/R&B (OCC)[10] 1

Year-end charts Chart (2012) Position UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[11] 157

Certifications

Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI)[12]	Silver	200,000^‡
^‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

Region	Date	Format	Label
United Kingdom	26 February 2012[2]	Digital download	All Around the World Takeover Entertainment Ltd

References

1. "Seven musical collaborations that were really, really weird". Evening Standard. 20 February 2019.
2. "Connecting to the iTunes Store". itunes.apple.com.
3. Dappy - Rockstar ft. Brian May on YouTube
4. Dappy ft. Brian May: 'Rockstar' - Single review. Digital Spy
5. "Dappy – Rockstar" (in Dutch). Ultratip.
6. "Chart Track: Week 09, 2012". Irish Singles Chart.
7. "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
8. "ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: insert 201213 into search.
9. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
10. "Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company.
11. "End of Year 2012" (PDF). UKChartsPlus. Retrieved 30 August 2020.
12. "British single certifications – Dappy ft Brian May – Rockstar". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 22 February 2018.