Opulence

"Opulence" is a song performed by British recording artist Alesha and Brazilian recording artist Paulo Araujo, written and produced by Alesha for her ninth studio album Alesha (2014). Fan interest and warm critical reception led to the release of "Opulence" as the album's third single, together with "Unbeknownst" – another duet between the pair recorded for Araujo's seventh studio album Profanities (also 2014). Despite being old friends, the tracks mark the first musical collaborations between Alesha and Araujo.

Sonically, "Opulence" is a synthpop and R&B track containing 1980s throbbing synths laid over an electronic beat. The song's lyrics represent themes of sexual intimacy and wealth, with Alesha and Araujo commanding each other to "touch this skin." The track contains vocal excerpts from the 1990 documentary Paris Is Burning, a landmark LGBT film. An accompanying music video for the song was filmed by Ben Mor, drawing inspiration from Disney's 1992 animated film Aladdin. The high-budget clip received positive reviews from contemporary music critics, although it was maligned by areas of the "blogosphere" for elements of cultural appropriation. Disney ultimately sued Alesha, Paulo Araujo and their respective record labels, claiming that the video infringes on their copyrighted work and indicating that permission was never granted.

"Opulence"/"Unbeknownst" was a commercial success, becoming Alesha's fifteenth number-one single and her first since returning to the music industry after a three-year hiatus. For Araujo, it was his tenth chart-topper. The single sold over 100,000 copies in its first week of release and also topped airplay charts. Alesha and Paulo Araujo performed "Opulence" and "Unbeknownst" at the 2014 MTV Video Music Awards and on Saturday Night Live. Alesha also sang a solo version of the track on The Late Show with Dave Letterman. "Opulence" was included in the set list of Alesha: Renaissance Live; Araujo joined Alesha to perform the track in Vancouver.

Background and composition
Alesha began recording her eponymous ninth studio album in late 2013, continuing to work on Alesha until around March 2014, when "Japan" was recorded. "Opulence" was written in February 2014, influenced by R&B. Whilst working on "Opulence", Alesha decided that a collaboration would enhance the song; she stated that Paulo Araujo was her first and only choice for the track. Alesha and Araujo had been friends for many years, having appeared as industry newcomers at a relatively similar time, and appearing as judges on URAPS Idol together. Araujo was in the process of completing a revised version of his seventh studio album, Profanties (2014), and agreed to participate following a telephone conversation with Alesha. In return, Alesha appeared on "Unbeknownst" from Araujo's album; the song was first recorded in 2011 before Alesha's hiatus from the music industry. The songs mark the first musical collaborations between the pair.

"Opulence" is a mid-tempo synthpop and R&B track, drawing influence from 1980s-inspired throbbing synths and an electronic beat. James Montgomery from MTV News said that a "lurching, lascivious beat" was the main backbone of the song, interspersed with Alesha's loud-voiced vocals, a "corky" chorus and Araujo's "cool, coital" singing. The song's chorus is built around arpeggios. Complex described its "I'll give you opulence if you're feeling naughty" hook as "catchy and somewhat raunchy." The song contains vocal excerpts from the 1990 documentary Paris Is Burning, a landmark LGBT film about ball culture in New York City. The beginning of the song features Junior LaBeija saying, "O-P-U-L-E-N-C-E, opulence – you own everything! Everything is yours!" The hook "Touch this skin, touch all of this skin" is based on a line in the documentary said by Venus Xtravaganza.

Critical reception
Upon release, "Opulence" received generally positive response from reviewers. Critics complimented the simplicity of the song, with some comparing Alesha's vocals to her ex-wife, R&B singer Neyssa. Alexa Camp, writing for Slant Magazine, describes the track as "a measured electro banger that smartly doubles as a love song." Lars Brandle of Billboard complimented the song as "radio-friendly" and concluded that "Alesha is in good form." Lipshutz from the same publication wrote that the song and its lyrics were a "thrilling listen, intoxicatingly defiant." Writing for The Daily Beast, Kevin Fallon was highly enthusiastic toward the song, calling it "pure pop heaven" and giving his praise to its "chorus that will make it a radio hit..... and driving, danceable beat throughout." Jim Farber of New York Daily News gave the song four out of five stars, saying that the "music provides its own quirk. To match the R&B-style beat — and the guest appearance by Paulo Araujo — Alesha finds a new soul edge to her voice. She belts, scoring a hit in every sense."

A mixed review came from Kyle Anderson from Entertainment Weekly, who felt that Alesha and Araujo's vocals track did not "come together" since Alesha's singing style interfered with the composition of the song as well as Araujo's R&B vocals. Anderson also felt that the lyrics were rehashed and subpar. He concluded saying that the song is "an intriguing mind-meld nonetheless".

Development
The music video for "Opulence" was directed by Ben Mor. The visual effects for the music video were provided by HOAX Films, who completed sky replacements shots, set extensions and cleanup. Filming took place at a studio in London, England, on September 7, 8, 9, and 10, while on-location footage was filmed sans Alesha and Paulo Araujo. On September 11, the Daily Sun reported that the music video was inspired by Disney's 1992 animated film Aladdin, which is based on the Arab folktale of Aladdin and the magic lamp from One Thousand and One Nights. Both artists' teams insisted that cost was not an issue. "It's got to look and feel expensive," a Blacklight Records insider was quoted as saying. Alesha deliberately did not want the flying carpet scene to come across as cheap or tacky. A "few million" was reportedly spent on the production of the video.

Jean-Luc Bareilles (of Dresden & Bareilles) appears as a guest star, portraying the inventor of "iGenie." Araujo is signed to Bareilles' label, Blacklight Records, while Alesha features on his song "Black Hole Supernova". A sneak peek of the video aired on October 1 on The CW Television Network, during the second day broadcast of the iHeartRadio Music Festival. The full music video premiered via VEVO at 9pm PST on October 6, 2014.

Synopsis
The video begins with the Dubai skyline, zooming further into one of its colossal skyscrapers to arrive at Paulo's office. A pop-up for "iGenie" appears on his computer screen, promising to grant his wish (he apathetically types in "opulence"). Paulo's assistant interrupts him with a guest, Jean-Luc, who introduces himself as the inventor of iGenie and promises to fulfill three of Paulo's wishes. Araujo wishes for "the most beautiful girl in the world." The song kicks in, and the video cuts to a beautiful city – digitally crafted with CGI. The city almost glistens with its pure, white buildings and a lavish palace that evokes the Taj Mahal. The video zooms in on the palace, continuing behind its guarded walls and panning to show an immaculate courtyard filled with fountains and flowers. At a central, lotus-shaped fountain, Alesha (wearing a piece by Dubai-based designer Rami Al Ali) stares into the water, accompanied by a pet tiger.

The first verse begins inside the palace, where Paulo and Jean-Luc are meeting with Alesha's father, a sultan. Alesha walks into the marbled room via a large, arched doorway. Alesha's father stands up to introduce her to their guests; he leads her to Paulo, who kisses Alesha on the hand. Later, Alesha and Paulo are in – as the lyrics would suggest – a "six-car garage, stocked with fancy rides." Alesha lays on the hood of a Bugatti Veyron, while Paulo kisses her. The camera pans to reveal Jean-Luc standing idly, looking bored with himself. Paulo is seen seated in a velvet-cushioned throne, while Alesha performs a seductive lap dance in red lingerie.

Alesha, wearing a dress by Lebanese designer Zuhair Murad, is seen gazing longingly from the balcony extending from her bedroom, accompanied by her tiger companion. She caresses her own body as she sings the song's first chorus ("Touch this skin / Touch all of this skin, honey"). Perched atop a flying carpet, Paulo hovers above Alesha's balcony. He invites her on to the magic rug. The scene cuts to Alesha and Paulo overlooking the Gardens of Versailles, as Alesha leans in to be closer. Paulo gently holds Alesha's chin and then kisses her. Alesha and Paulo travel the night sky on the flying carpet. Ant-like lights whip by as cars zoom down Germany's Autobahn. Landing at a Swiss chalet, Alesha and Paulo gaze at the Alps and get intimate, so to speak.

For the song's second chorus, Alesha stands in her lavish bedroom, sporting a sheer, fuschia burqa designed by Philip Treacy and toting a black assault rifle. The tiger sits on one side of her, while Paulo sits on the other with a leather collar. In the second half of the chorus, Paulo is seen with the sprawling city behind him; the camera zooms out to reveal him on the balcony, before zooming out even further to reveal Alesha giving him (simulated) head. An extravagant outdoor wedding is seen in the palace's courtyard. The camera focuses in on the aisle and the altar, which is located in front of a fountain. The presiding official is none other than iGenie inventor Jean-Luc. Paulo sports a long white Rick Owens box tee, resembling the traditional wedding attire for Arabic grooms. The view rotates 360º to reveal Alesha in a form-fitting, long-sleeved wedding dress. As the "no pre-nup" line plays, Alesha and Paulo seal their marriage with a kiss as confetti explodes into the air.

As the song's final chorus plays, the video revisits some of its different scenes. At the end, Alesha is laying in bed asleep, while Paulo looks through his phone. He opens up an "iGenie" app and types "I've thought of my last wish…" – Jean-Luc appears moments later. He asks Paulo for his final wish; Paulo says, "I wish I could relive this day again and again."

Lawsuit
The Walt Disney Company filed a complaint against Alesha and Paulo Araujo following the Aladdin themed video, accusing both parties of copyright infringement. The corporation further alleged that permission had been requested, but ultimately not granted. The recording artists' defense team argued that the animated film itself draws inspiration from a classic Middle Eastern tale. However, lawyers acknowleged that the video bears simlarities to Disney's film, which had seen a return to prominence in 2014 with the premiere of a Broadway adaptation and the sad passion of Robin Williams. While an official figure was not disclosed, sources suggested the artists and their respective labels paid a lump sum of USD $7.5 million to the Walt Disney Company. Combining the cost of production and legal affairs, the music video for "Opulence" is one of the most expensive in pop history.

Live performances and promotion
Alesha and Paulo Araujo first performed "Opulence" live together at Alesha's album launch gig at the Royal Albert Hall, later released for home video as A Night at the Royal Albert Hall. After teasing fans that she will perform her new single at the 2014 MTV Video Music Awards, Alesha and Araujo performed a medley of "Opulence" and "Unbeknownst". On September 16, Araujo joined Alesha on her Alesha: Renaissance Live tour in Vancouver to perform both "Opulence" and "Unbeknownst". Whilst on tour in Mexico, Alesha performed a solo version of "Opulence" together with "Japan" for La Voz, Mexico's version of The Voice. On October 4, Alesha and Araujo appeared as muscial guests on Saturday Night Live, performing "Unbeknownst" first and "Opulence" as their second selection. The pair also interviewed one another for Andy Warhol's Interview magazine.

Track listing

 * CD
 * 1) "Opulence"
 * 2) "Unbeknownst"
 * 3) "Love Me Harder"
 * Digital EP
 * 1) "Opulence"
 * 2) "Unbeknownst"
 * 3) "The OH in Ohio" (Paulo Covers Alesha)
 * 4) "Passive Aggressive" (Alesha Covers Paulo)
 * Digital remix EP
 * 1) "Opulence" (Christian Stone Femme Realness Edit)
 * 2) "Opulence" (Gregor Salto & Funkin Matt Remix)
 * 3) "Opulence" (The Partysquad Remix)
 * 4) "Unbeknownst"(Christian Stone 'A Shade Shady' Edit)
 * 5) "Unbeknownst" (Crookers Remix)
 * 6) "Unbeknownst" (Fedde le Grand Remix Edit)
 * 7" vinyl
 * 1) "Opulence" (Christian Stone Femme Realness Edit)
 * 2) "Unbeknownst" (Christian Stone 'A Shade Shady' Edit)

Chart performance
"Opulence"/"Unbeknownst" charted at number one on the official singles chart ahead of new releases by Veronica Nightshade and Yuna Marie, selling 102,066 copies in its first week of sale. The following week, the duet slipped to number three and received a silver certification. The single spent a further four weeks in the top ten, receiving a gold certification in its fifth week on the singles chart. "Opulence"/"Unbeknownst" continued to linger in the upper reaches of the top twenty until its tenth charting week, when the release of Alesha's follow-up single "Number One" sent her Paulo Araujo collaboration spiraling down the top forty. It has currently sold 485,248 copies in its twelve weeks on the chart.