"Ride" is a song by American recording artist Ciara. The song features American rapper Ludacris. It was co-written by Ciara, Ludacris, Tricky Stewart, and The-Dream, and produced by the latter two. The song served as the lead single from her fourth studio album, Basic Instinct. The song was first released for digital download on April 23, 2010. "Ride" is a down-tempo R&B song, featuring a heavy bass line and seductive tone.
The song received generally positive reviews from critics, complimenting the song's toned-down production. It reached number three on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs in the United States, becoming Ciara's twelfth top ten hit on the chart. The accompanying music video features sexually charged, provocative choreography, and therefore was not aired on BET, and banned from UK music channels. The official remix features André 3000 and Bei Maejor, in addition to Ludacris.
Background
Jive Records spoke exclusively to Rap Up magazine on March 29, 2010 to confirm that Ciara would be releasing a new song called "Ride" featuring Ludacris. It is the fourth time that the two artists have collaborated: the first being 2005's "Oh", second being 2009's "High Price" and the third being the 2010 remix to Ludacris' single "How Low".
The song's official remix features Outkast's André 3000, Bei Maejor and Ludacris. Ciara told MTV News that it was "cool" for André 3000 to respond and get on the record, as the rapper is reclusive when he and Outkast are on break, and selective when it comes to features. Ciara said, "My team actually kind of helped put that together. My A&R [rep] Mark [Pitts] and [RCA/Jive Label Group Chairman and CEO] Barry Weiss, they kinda worked it out." Ciara also confirmed she and 3000 were supposed to collaborate before, commenting: "When I was doing [2006's] Evolution, I wanted him to do something with me, and we never got to do anything. It's just really great timing now that we get to do something. My fans are getting an unexpected treat with it. He is, from what I understand, very selective and ... protective of his creativity, so it just feels really good to be able to rock with him." The remix was released on June 29, 2010 as a digital download.
Composition
The song has a slow-tempo and "sensual" feel, backed by a simple bass line and "shimmery" synths, with beats described as "smooth", "heavy" and "dragged out". Ciara's lyrics have been said to be delivered "sultry" and "seductively". Ludacris's flow has been described as "hypnotizing", delivering one of his "trademark rhyme-filled" verses. Although the lyrics are technically referring to how one "rides" the beat to a song, there are subtle clues of sex in the song.
Critical reception
Bill Lamb of About.com said, "with the help of Ludacris on guest rap and Tricky Stewart with The-Dream handling production, a fully adult Ciara is back to the sexiness she seems to do best." Rap-Up commented that Ciara "glides over" the beat and warned listeners to "Hold on tight." BET Sound Off noted while the song was not bad, it lacked personality, and that the Tricky-produced beat did not add excitement to the track. Ed Easton Jr. of WNOW-FM said that the song showed that Ciara and Ludacris continue to show they have chemistry. Idolator commented that the song's "simple bass line and shimmery synths" create a "powerful, hypnotic track that's going to sound great on the dancefloor," as Ludacris adds a "raunchy", "rapid-fire" verse. The review also said Ciara's longtime collaborators, Tricky Stewart and The-Dream could "put Ciara back on the map with this one."
Andy Kellman of Allmusic and Allison Stewart of The Washington Post both noted "Ride" as a standout track from Basic Instinct. Ken Capobianco of Boston Globe who called the song "a bump-and-grind", noted the song as the essential track from the album. Coining it as "lusty", the song was Simon Vozick-Levinson of Entertainment Weeklys recommended download from the album. "Ride" has since been certified Platinum by the RIAA for units exceeding 1 million.