"World Dance" (stylized in all upper case lettering) is a song recorded by Japanese-American singer-songwriter Ai featuring South Korean-Japanese singer and rapper Chanmina. Produced by Yaffle, the song was released on August 16, 2023, by EMI Records as a promotional single from Ai's thirteenth studio album, Respect All.
Background and release
In June 2023, Ai announced her thirteenth studio album, Respect All. Five of the ten tracks were originally announced. Within the next month, Chanmina's management staff announced she would be featured on a song with Ai. Japanese music news outlets later reported the collaboration on July 19.
Ai began teasing snippets of "World Dance" on social media on August 14. The song later was released as a promotional single on August 16.
In an interview with Barks regarding the release of Respect All, Ai revealed she had met Chanmina a few times at events, but "never had a detailed conversation with her." Ai eventually would ask her to record a song together, to which Chanmina agreed to. Ai recorded her vocals with Yaffle, who produced the song, while Chanmina recorded her vocals separately by Jigg.
Music and lyrics
Barks described "World Dance" as a "truly diverse" and "danceable track". The First Take described the song as a "heart-touching dance number with life sized realism [lyrics]." Lyrically, the song is about "moving forward" and "dancing together".
Promotion
On the same day "World Dance" was released, Universal Music Japan held a pre-order campaign via iTunes where 10 randomly selected people would receive signed merchandise from Ai's upcoming concert tour, the Respect All Tour.
Live performances
Ai performed a solo version of "World Dance" during her studio live broadcast on YouTube the same day Respect All was released.
Credits and personnel
Credits adapted from Tidal and album's liner notes.
↑"AI|ニューアルバム『RESPECT ALL』8月23日発売"[AI | New album Respect All to be released on August 23]. Tower Records Japan. Retrieved September 10, 2023.
↑"AIニューアルバム発売、初回限定盤付属DVD/BDに「DREAM TOUR」最終公演の模様収録"[AI new album to be released, DVD/Blu-Ray disc included with the limited edition includes final performance of "DREAM TOUR"]. Music Natalie (in Japanese). June 9, 2023. Retrieved September 10, 2023.
123"【インタビュー】AI、アルバム『RESPECT ALL』にあなたへ届けたいメッセージ「もっと分かり合えたら」"[(Interview) AI, the message she wants to send on her album Respect All "If only we could understand each other more"]. BARKS (in Japanese). August 23, 2023. Retrieved September 10, 2023.
12Respect All (CD+Blu-ray). Ai. EMI Records/Universal/Def Jam Recordings. 2023. UPCH-29461.
↑"AI『RESPECT ALL』iTunesプレオーダーキャンペーン開催!"[AI "RESPECT ALL" iTunes pre-order campaign held!]. Universal Music Japan (in Japanese). August 15, 2023. Retrieved September 10, 2023.