i Cheerleader, the much-acclaimed hit by Jamaican singer, Omi continues to prove its staying power internationally as the Felix Jaehn-produced remix of the song is now just outside the top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
The single, originally released in 2012 to rave reviews, was remixed by Jaehn, a fast-rising German producer/DJ, in 2014. That new, house music-inspired spin on Cheerleader ensured a longer shelf life for the song as it has reached number one on the singles charts in France, the U.K. and Australia, among other countries. Now, the U.S. market appears to be catching on Cheerleader holds 11th spot on the Billboard Hot 100, debuting at number 95 on the chart only a month ago.
Billboard.com recently touted Cheerleader as a ‘song of the summer dark horse’ saying in a recent column, “The revamped version of “Cheerleader” transforms the original track’s inoffensive bop into a more dynamic tropical burner, with OMI’s buttery warble abetting the arrangement instead of being tasked to drive it. After one listen, it’s clear that “Cheerleader” just makes sense as 2015’s Song of the Summer.”
The piece also suggested that its ‘message of fidelity with absolutely archaic depictions of gender norms’ could trigger much conjecture among music lovers, claiming any controversy or conversation the song can attract will only help its popularity. One website recently went as far as to brand the song as ‘sexist.’
Omi is currently signed to Ultra Music and is working with well-renowned international label, Sony Music.