{{Infobox song | name = International Party | cover = Interntional_Party_single_cover.jpg | alt = | type = single | artist = [[Swizz Beatz]] featuring [[Alicia Keys]] | album = Haute Living ''(shelved)'' | released = {{Start date|2011|08|01}} | recorded = | studio = | venue = | genre = [[Hip-hop]] | label = Everest | writer = {{flat list| *[[Swizz Beatz|Kasseem Dean]] *Avery Chambliss *Tyrone Johnson}} | producer = Swizz Beatz | chronology = [[Swizz Beatz]] | prev_title = Everyday (Coolin') | prev_year = 2011 | next_title = Street Knock | next_year = 2012 | misc = {{Extra chronology | artist = [[Alicia Keys]] | type = single | prev_title = [[Wait Til You See My Smile]] | prev_year = 2010 | title = International Party | year = 2011 | next_title = [[New Day (50 Cent song)|New Day]] | next_year = 2012 }} {{External music video|{{YouTube|cqhnLMrcb6I|"International Party"}}}} }}
"'''International Party'''" is a song by American producer and rapper [[Swizz Beatz]], released as a [[single (music)|single]] through Everest Entertainment on August 1, 2011. The song was written by Beatz, Avery Chambliss and Tyrone Reginald Johnson, and produced by Beatz. It features vocals from American singer [[Alicia Keys]]. The music video for the single was directed by [[Chris Robinson (director)|Chris Robinson]].<ref>{{cite magazine|first=Sarah |last=Maloy|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/viral-videos/468559/alicia-keys-swizz-beatz-team-up-for-international-party-video|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130905100040/http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/viral-videos/468559/alicia-keys-swizz-beatz-team-up-for-international-party-video|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 5, 2013|title=Alicia Keys & Swizz Beatz Team Up for 'International Party' Video|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|publisher=[[Eldridge Industries]]|date=2011-08-02|access-date=2018-09-22}}</ref> The song was released as part of the Reethym of Lite footwear campaign by [[Reebok Classic]], for which Beatz at the time served as creative director.
==Background== In April 2011, while working on his second studio album ''Haute Living'', it was reported that Beatz was appointed global creative director for Reebok Classics.<ref name="papr">{{cite web |author1=Chapman, Alex |title=He's Got the Beatz: Swizz Beatz Talks Reebok Collab and Upcoming Album |url=http://www.papermag.com/hes-got-the-beatz-swizz-beatz-talks-reebok-collab-and-upcoming-album-1425743850.html |website=[[Paper (magazine)|PAPER]] |date=2011-04-12|access-date=2023-09-16|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160414165051/https://www.papermag.com/hes-got-the-beatz-swizz-beatz-talks-reebok-collab-and-upcoming-album-1425743850.html |archive-date=2016-04-14}}</ref><ref name="bw"/> In July 2011, Reebok and Beatz launched the Reethym of Lite campaign for Reebok Lite footwear and apparel collection.<ref name="fm">{{cite web|title=Exclusive shots from Reethym of Lite launch party – P Dippy, Swizz Beatz, Alicia Keys, Busta Rhymes & Pharrell Williams|url=http://www.flavourmag.co.uk/exclusive-shots-from-reethym-of-lite-launch-party-p-dippy-swizz-beatz-alicia-keys-busta-rhymes-pharrell-williams/|author1=Foster, Leonard|date=2011-07-21|work=Flavourmag|access-date=2023-09-16|url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305113415/https://www.flavourmag.co.uk/exclusive-shots-from-reethym-of-lite-launch-party-p-dippy-swizz-beatz-alicia-keys-busta-rhymes-pharrell-williams/ |archive-date=2016-03-05}}</ref> Beatz said that he "directed, wrote the treatment" for the campaign.<ref name="papr"/> Beatz chose the song "International Party" for the campaign, because "for me, the Reethym of Lite is an 'International Party' – it connects the sneakers being light, the rhythm of dance, music, art and style and the rhythm of the people".<ref name="bw"/> Beatz further explained that “When I finished the record I knew it was a perfect fit for the campaign - it just felt right”.<ref name="bw"/> The song was also going to be featured on the ''Haute Living'' album, but Beatz decided not to release the album, but instead release individual songs, saying: {{quote|"I don't wanna do the week thing -- I wanna put out every single as a movement. Right now I got 'International Party,' which is now the global campaign for Reebok. I got 'Rock'N'Roll,' me, Lenny Kravitz, Lil Wayne… I want people to feel every single like it's an album."<ref>{{cite magazine |author1=Lipshutz, Jason |title=Swizz Beatz Talks 'Haute Living' at Billboard Summer Blowout: Video |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/467860/swizz-beatz-talks-haute-living-at-billboard-summer-blowout-video |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |date=2011-08-18|access-date=2018-11-10}}</ref>}}
== Music video == Commissioned by [[Reebok]], music video for the song, directed by [[Chris Robinson (director)|Chris Robinson]], was filmed at [[Downey Studios]] in March 2011.<ref name="bw">{{cite web |title=Reebok and Swizz Beatz Announce "It's Showtime!" |url=https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20110719005791/en/Reebok-Swizz-Beatz-Announce-%E2%80%9CIt%E2%80%99s-Showtime%21%E2%80%9D |website=[[Business Wire]] |access-date=2018-09-22 |date=2011-07-20}}</ref><ref name="ru">{{cite web |title=Swizz Beatz Throws an 'International Party' with Alicia Keys |url=https://www.rap-up.com/2011/03/15/swizz-beatz-throws-an-international-party-with-alicia-keys/ |website=[[Rap-Up]] |access-date=2018-09-22 |date=2011-03-15}}</ref> Robinson said of the video that "it’s about connecting all the continents on the planet on the world stage".<ref name="ru2">{{cite web |title=Video: Swizz Beatz f/ Alicia Keys – 'International Party' |url=https://www.rap-up.com/2011/08/01/video-swizz-beatz-f-alicia-keys-international-party/|website=[[Rap-Up]] |access-date=2018-09-22 |date=2011-08-01}}</ref> Choreographer [[Hi-Hat (choreographer)|Hi-Hat]] selected dancers to appear in the video, including street dancers [[Lil Buck]], [[Haspop]], Destini Rogers, B-Boy L.L. Flex, Kelli Divincen, Daniel Graham, Duncan Tran and B-Boy Lil’ Bob.<ref name="bw"/> The video features laser lights installations by artist Eliav Kadosh.<ref name="freshmg">{{cite web |title=Reebok - "International Party" Video By Swizz Beatz |url=https://www.freshnessmag.com/2011/07/20/reebok-international-party-video-by-swizz-beatz/ |website=Freshness Mag |date=2011-07-20|access-date=2023-09-16|url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110810153417/https://www.freshnessmag.com/2011/07/20/reebok-international-party-video-by-swizz-beatz/ |archive-date=2011-08-10}}</ref> Anthony Osei from ''[[Complex (magazine)|Complex]]'' described the video as "high-powered and light scattering".<ref>{{cite web |author1=Osei, Anthony |title=Video: Swizz Beatz f/ Alicia Keys "International Party" |url=https://www.complex.com/music/2011/08/video-swizz-beatz-f-alicia-keys-international-party |website=[[Complex (magazine)|Complex]] |date=2011-08-01|publisher=[[Verizon Hearst Media Partners]]|access-date=2018-09-22}}</ref> The video was released on August 1, 2011 and reportedly cost $1.4 million to make.<ref name="ru2"/><ref>{{cite web |author1=D.L. |title=5 Reasons You Should Be Excited for Swizz Beatz' 'Haute Living' Album |url=https://www.rap-up.com/2011/04/26/5-reasons-you-should-be-excited-for-swizz-beatz-haute-living-album/ |website=[[Rap-Up]] |access-date=2018-10-28 |date=2011-04-26}}</ref>
== Composition and critical reception == "International Party" is a dance track that runs for a duration of two minutes and thirty-seven seconds.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/international-party-feat/454752003 | title=International Party (feat. Alicia Keys) – Single by Swizz Beatz | publisher=[[Apple Inc.|Apple]] | work=[[iTunes Store]] | date=August 2011 |access-date=2015-11-14|url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200407140215/https://music.apple.com/us/album/international-party-feat-alicia-keys-single/454752003 |archive-date=2020-04-07}}</ref> The website ''Freshness Mag'' described the song as "fast paced techno dance anthem".<ref name="freshmg"/> ''[[Rap-Up]]'' wrote that the "feel good" song "boasts a rock-tinged beat" while according to ''[[MTV News]]'' the song is a "grinding, electro-hop track".<ref name="ru"/><ref>{{cite web |author1=Newman, Jason |title=New Video: Swizz Beatz Featuring Alicia Keys, 'International Party' |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/2298692/swizz-beatz-alicia-keys-international-party-video/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181217014726/http://www.mtv.com/news/2298692/swizz-beatz-alicia-keys-international-party-video/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=December 17, 2018 |website=[[MTV News]] |publisher=[[Viacom (2005–present)|Viacom]] |date=2011-08-01|access-date=2018-11-02}}</ref> ''The Boombox'' described it as "electronic dance track that marks a stylistic departure from Alicia and Swizz' respective genres".<ref>{{cite web |author1=Gayles, Contessa |title=Alicia Keys, Swizz Beatz Stage 'International Party' in Video |url=http://theboombox.com/alicia-keys-swizz-beatz-international-party-video/ |website=The Boombox |publisher=[[Townsquare Media]] |access-date=2023-09-16 |date=2011-08-01|url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151024104130/https://theboombox.com/alicia-keys-swizz-beatz-international-party-video/ |archive-date=2015-10-24}}</ref> Trent Fitzgerald from ''PopCrush'' opined that Beatz and Keys "seem to be out of their elements with this hyper dance track" adding that Beatz "could use some work on his rap skills" while Keys "phon[ed] in her vocals".<ref>{{cite web |author1=Fitzgerald, Trent |title=Swizz Beatz and Alicia Keys Throw Their Hands Up for 'International Party' Video |url=http://popcrush.com/swizz-beatz-alicia-keys-international-party-video/ |website=PopCrush |publisher=[[Townsquare Media]] |access-date=2023-09-16 |date=2011-08-02|url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110807163645/https://popcrush.com/swizz-beatz-alicia-keys-international-party-video/ |archive-date=2011-08-07}}</ref>
==Live performances== On 22 August 2011, Beatz performed the song live at Reethym of Lite event during the [[Magic (trade show)|Magic trade show]] at the [[Mandalay Bay]]’s Moorea Beach Club in [[Las Vegas]].<ref>{{cite web |author1=Horowitz, Steven |title=Swizz Beatz & Chris Brown Perform At Reebok & Complex's Reethym Of Lite Event |url=https://hiphopdx.com/news/id.16687/title.swizz-beatz-chris-brown-perform-at-reebok-complexs-reethym-of-lite-event |website=[[HipHopDX]] |access-date=2023-09-16 |date=2011-08-31|url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170422223010/https://hiphopdx.com/news/id.16687/title.swizz-beatz-chris-brown-perform-at-reebok-complexs-reethym-of-lite-event |archive-date=2017-04-22}}</ref>
==References== {{reflist|2}}
{{Swizz Beatz}} {{Alicia Keys songs}}
[[Category:2011 songs]] [[Category:2011 singles]] [[Category:Swizz Beatz songs]] [[Category:Alicia Keys songs]] [[Category:Song recordings produced by Swizz Beatz]] [[Category:Songs written by Swizz Beatz]] [[Category:Music videos directed by Chris Robinson (director)]]