"Change Your Life" is a song by Australian rapper Iggy Azalea featuring American rapper T.I., from Azalea's debut studio album The New Classic (2014). The song was released as the album's second single in the United States on 12 September 2013, and the third single internationally after "Bounce". Initially a demo by Indian-American songwriter Raja Kumari, the song's final composition was co-written by Azalea, Natalie Sims, Kumari, the song's producers The Messengers, Lovy Longomba and T.I. It is a midtempo hip-hop, dubstep and synthpop song inspired by Azalea's personal dating experiences, and consists of bass-driven and synth-heavy production. Described by Azalea as "a kind of rap duet", it features her singing on a track for the first time which she took upon to showcase growth and versatility from her previous material.

The song was well received by most music critics who complimented Azalea's delivery and the track's lyrics. Commercially, "Change Your Life" became Azalea's first top 10 hit on the UK Singles Chart. In the United States, it failed to enter the main Billboard Hot 100 chart, but reached number 22 on Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles and was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). The song also reached the top 40 in Ireland and New Zealand, and peaked at number 44 in Australia.

An accompanying music video was directed by Jonas & François; it premiered on 8 September 2013. Based on the 1995 film Showgirls, it features Azalea playing the film's character, Nomi (Elizabeth Berkley), with T.I. as her boss. The video, which also pays homage to the films Blade Runner (1982) and Casino (1995), received acclaim from critics who praised its styling and cinematography. Azalea promoted the single with live performances on 106 & Park, Alan Carr: Chatty Man, The Late Show with David Letterman and at the 2013 MOBO Awards. It was also included in the setlist for her 2014 The New Classic Tour, and featured on the soundtrack for the 2015 film Pitch Perfect 2.

Background

"Change Your Life" was initially a demo written and recorded by Indian-American songwriter Raja Kumari who presented the song to Iggy Azalea's management. Following their approval, Kumari went on to further compose the track with Lovy Longomba of the Longombas, and the song's co-producer Nasri Atweh of The Messengers, while Azalea wrote its verses. Natalie Sims, co-producer Adam Messinger of The Messengers, and T.I. were also involved in the songwriting process. Sims stated that she and Azalea had initially met back in 2008, but lost touch when Azalea moved to Los Angeles, California. She ended up skipping four scheduled tour dates in order to meet with Azalea. Azalea's verses were written during December 2012 and January 2013 in Wales where she recorded the track with T.I. at Monnow Valley Studios. Both Azalea and Kumari provided background vocals. Azalea's writing took place in isolation in Rockfield, Monmouthshire, with no phone reception, visitors or interruptions. She believed the isolation was needed, opining that she wrote her best material while outside her comfort zone. It was one of the first three songs recorded for her debut studio album, The New Classic (2014).

The track was inspired by a personal experience where Azalea went on dates with someone she liked, but struggled to convince him to begin a relationship with her. The experience in turn made Azalea want to write a song about the benefits of dating her. In an interview for XXL, she explained: "I am saying to a man, essentially, 'You need me. I'll make things better.' I guess it's a bit [to] upgrade you. T.I.'s going back and forth with me saying, 'No, bitch. You need me. What the fuck are you talking about?'" Azalea previously collaborated with T.I. on "Murda Bizness"—a song from her 2012 EP, Glory. However, she wanted to include a track with him on The New Classic because of their close relationship and his mentorship throughout her career; she believed "Change Your Life" was the right song to team up with him on. Azalea also felt the collaboration was important to show that she maintains a friendship with T.I. despite her move from his label, Hustle Gang, and insisted, "['Change Your Life' was] definitely not [her] trying to make [her] silent exit from Hustle Gang". In an interview for Capital Xtra, Azalea jokingly stated that she "bullied" T.I. into featuring on the track.

According to Azalea, the song is more melodic than her previous material; it features her singing on a track for the first time. Initially, she was against singing as she did not want to conform to pop music until she had "a solidified fan base" and wanted to prove that she was dedicated to rapping and hip hop music. However, with "Change Your Life", she also wanted prove her versatility and growth from her previous material. Jaycen Joshua completed the track's mixing process at Larrabee Sound Studios in North Hollywood, Los Angeles, with the assistance of Ryan Kaul. Upon its completion, Azalea felt that the song was "a big record"; "It feels like, 'Whoa, this is humongous when you listen to it'". She found the collaboration to be a good representation of her vision for the album and said the song set the album's midtempo pace.

Composition

"Change Your Life" is a midtempo, dubstep and hip-hop song set in the key of F-sharp minor. Also of the synthpop genre, its production is synth-heavy and driven by wobbling bass instruments. Andy Gill of The Independent writes that the track contains "psych-prog swirl". Azalea's fast-paced delivery pertains "swagger", and is bold in tone. In comparison with her previous works, Azalea's Southern American English pronunciation is toned down in the song. She also uses mantra-like chanting. Primarily melodic, "Change Your Life" features Azalea singing for the first time; she solicits a half-sung, half-spoken refrain. Her first verse opens with the lyrics, "You're used to dealing with basic bitches, basic shit, all the time". T.I. raps the song's second verse. Musically, the song was compared to productions by Skrillex, and Rihanna's "Pour It Up" (2013).

The song's lyrics contain an aspirational theme, and detail an argument of power and support roles in a relationship, with both Azalea and T.I. explaining their own beneficial traits to each other. Charlotte Richardson Andrews of NME called it "a class mobility fantasy", while John Lucas of The Georgia Straight denoted it as "a bite-sized motivational seminar". According to Azalea, the song is "a kind of rap duet" in which T.I. and herself "go back and forth". Azalea plays an accomplished woman aiming to positively influence her prospective partner's life, which she describes in one line as "[adding] muscle to [his] hustle". According to Monica Herrera of Rolling Stone the lyrics contain "a sturdy movin'-on-up hook". In the song's middle eight, Azalea assures her intentions with the lyrics, "Have you ever wished your life could change? / I could show you how to do this thing". Her rhymes specifically boast about her wealth and prowess, and the allure of international travel. T.I.'s verse includes a line about smoking marijuana, "I be blowing on strong weed when we ride". Lyrically, "Change Your Life" was compared to material by Kanye West, and Beyoncé's "Upgrade U" (2006).

Release Azalea originally intended "Change Your Life" to be her debut single, instead of "Work", but her label told her "it would be a waste of time because not enough people know about [her] for it to make proper impact". In March 2013, Azalea mentioned in an interview for Idol Magazine that her third single was a collaboration with T.I. and would feature her singing. She announced the song's title in May 2013, and later stated, "I'm most excited for this song and that's why I keep telling everyone about it". On 14 August 2013, Azalea posted the single's accompanying cover art on Twitter. In a black-and-white filter, it features Azalea striking a dramatic pose in a chain-mail bikini top. Mike Wass of Idolator said it was "a typically sexy shot" of the rapper. The single was premiered by BBC Radio 1Xtra on 19 August 2013.

"Change Your Life" was first made available for digital download in the United States on 12 September 2013, exclusively from the pre-order of an extended play (EP) of the same name. It impacted rhythmic contemporary radio in the country on 1 October 2013. A remix by Shift K3Y was premiered by T: The New York Times Style Magazine on 3 October 2013. The Change Your Life EP was released on 8 October 2013 as a digital download and CD; it included Azalea's previous singles "Work" and "Bounce", the Wale remix of the former, as well as remixes of "Change Your Life" by Shift K3Y and Wideboys. In an interview for Styleite, Azalea said that she did not consider it an EP artistically, but "something the label wanted to do to sell [the] single 500 million times". In the United Kingdom, "Change Your Life" and a three-track remix single including the Shift K3Y and Wideboys remixes was digitally released on 13 and 14 October 2013. A CD single which also featured a live performance of "Work" was made available on 14 October 2013. A solo version of "Change Your Life"—with an additional verse by Azalea replacing T.I.'s second verse—was released on 15 October 2013.

Critical reception

"Change Your Life" was well received by most music critics. Robin Murray of Clash believed the track "could well rank as Azalea's most seductive moment yet", and commended its "impeccable" production. Julia Leconte of Now praised the song's catchy tune, while Sarah Dean of The Huffington Post felt it was Azalea's "most catchy song yet". Edwin Ortiz of Complex highlighted the song's "commendable blend" of genres and the "bold flare" of Azalea's rapping. AllMusic's David Jeffries deemed it a "true singalong" and a "tantalizing privileged party anthem". Charlotte Richardson Andrews of NME felt the track showcased Azalea's "wit, personality and lyrical prowess". Rhian Daly of the same publication noted, "She delivers her lines with such ballsy attitude it's easy to believe she's capabale of [changing lives]". Alex Scordelis of Paper found the song "inspirational". Laurence Day of The Line of Best Fit described it as a "Top 40-ravaging behemoth". Similarly, Kitty Empire of The Observer said it was "Azalea's most commercial single yet" and brought attention to Azalea's line "We spend our winters in the Summer of Australia / Eating crumpets with the sailors"; Empire named it as "perhaps the only hip-hop proto hit yet to contain a reference to crumpets". John Walker of MTV News also highlighted the crumpet reference, as well as Azalea's "lilting effortless swagger", and opined that the track was "indeed life-changing". Kevin Joy of The Columbus Dispatch echoed this view; he felt Azalea had "no shortage of swagger" and in turn made the song "saucy, strong-willed" and "so much fun".

Idolator's Mike Wass suggested that the song could lift Azalea "from mixtape favorite to genuine contender", and opined that it had the "gigantic pop hook [she] needed to conquer US airwaves". Wass lauded it as "the catchiest half-sung/half-spoken chorus of [Azalea's] career", and also complimented T.I.'s "blistering" verse. Nolan Feeney of Time praised Azalea's conviction and "rapid-fire" delivery, and named the track as one of three highlights on The New Classic—a view echoed by Andy Gill of The Independent and Luke Winkie of The Austin Chronicle. Rory Cashin of State said the song was a "belter" and "the closest Iggy has yet come to a ballad". Eric Diep of XXL described the track as "infectious" and "anthemic", and believed it "kept expectations for [The New Classic] high". Jesal Padania of RapReviews.com said Azalea was "making the most of her strengths" on the song and remarked that "she by no means sounds out of place next to T.I.".