Epiphany (Chrisette Michele song)

"Epiphany" is the first single from American singer-songwriter Chrisette Michele's second studio album of the same name, released for airplay on January 27, 2009. It was a R&B top 20 hit and became her most successful single to date. It also marks her first solo entry on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart, where it peaked at No. 89.

"Epiphany"
Single by Chrisette Michele
from the album Epiphany
ReleasedJanuary 27, 2009 (2009-01-27)
Recorded2008
Genre
Length3:31
LabelDef Jam
Songwriter(s)Shaffer Smith, Chuck Harmony
Producer(s)Chuck Harmony
Chrisette Michele singles chronology
"Love Is You"
(2008)		 "Epiphany"
(2009)		 "Blame It on Me"
(2009)

Background

"Epiphany" is about relationship experiences. "I heard the song that Ne-Yo had written titled "Epiphany", and the word just stood out to me," Michele tells Billboard.com. "It stood out to me because I'd been through a lot in my last relationship, and the word 'epiphany' exemplified exactly what happened in the end when I realized I didn't have to put myself through it anymore."[1] Michele refers to the relationship with her former manager, Douglas "Biggs" Ellison, who Michele sued for embezzlement and harassment last year.[1] Charges that were later dropped.[2]

Critical reception

Michael Menachem of Billboard magazine says "Epiphany (I'm Leaving)" signals a more hip, funky approach for the Long Island native, melding Michele's fresh jazz tone with a trippy bassline and girl group backup vocals."[3] The Koalition comments on how "Michele breezes through the pastoral-influenced production, crooning "I’m leaving" to a cheating lover that she feels has deprived her living her life."[4] Mark Edward Nero of About.com comments that the mid-tempo song is Michele's declaration of independence.[5]

Music video

The video features Chrisette singing in her apartment with clips of her and her boyfriend, played by Canadian rapper Drake, shown in between. During the bridge, Chrisette performs on top of the apartment building at daybreak, followed by scenes of her packing her boyfriend's things and throwing them out during the final chorus. Drake had a small role in the video.

Reception

Maiya Norton of Vibe comments on the video by saying that "she exudes a little bit of diva as her bold new look complements her new attitude. With a chopped haircut and smoldering eyes, she kicks rapper Drake to the curb proclaiming, 'I think I'm just about over being your girlfriend. I'm leaving.' And she's downright convincing as she tosses his clothes into the dumpster. It's as though personal experience has caused a light bulb to flicker in her mind, and that wisdom echoes throughout Epiphany."[6]

BET placed the video at No. 46 on its Notarized: Top 100 Videos of 2009 countdown.

Charts

Release history
Region Date Label Format Catalog
United States January 27, 2009 (Airplay)
February 24, 2009 (Digital download)		 Def Jam Airplay, Digital download

References
  1. Mariel Concepcion. "Billboard Chrisette Michele Has An 'Epiphany' On second album". Billboard.com. Retrieved February 28, 2009.
  2. "Payne, Chrisette Michelle vs Ellison, Douglas" (PDF). Decisions.courts.state.ny.us. Retrieved October 20, 2013.
  3. Archived April 12, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
  4. "Chrisette Michele: Epiphany (Album Review)". The Koalition. May 2, 2009. Retrieved October 20, 2013.
  5. "New Music: Chrisette Michele – "Epiphany"". Randb.about.com. April 1, 2009. Retrieved October 20, 2013.
  6. Archived May 7, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
  7. "Chrisette Michele – Chart history". Billboard. Retrieved October 20, 2013.
  8. "Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs : Feb 28, 2009 | Billboard Chart Archive". Billboard.com. February 2, 2009. Retrieved October 20, 2013.
  9. "Dance Club Songs : Jun 27, 2009 | Billboard Chart Archive". Billboard.com. June 2, 2009. Retrieved October 20, 2013.
  10. "Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs – Year-End 2009". Billboard. Retrieved February 6, 2020.
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