Basic Instinct is the upcoming fourth studio album by American R&B singer Ciara. After several pushbacks the album will now be available from September 22, 2010. The album was executively produced by the singer alongside production and writing duo Tricky Stewart and The-Dream who worked with artist on her 2009 album Fantasy Ride.

The album was preceded by the release of the Ludacris-assisted lead single "Ride", which was released as a digital download on April 26, 2010.

In September 2009 Tricky Stewart revealed what had widely been expected, that the singer had been working on her anticipated fourth studio album. At the time the project was set to be produced solely by trio of Tricky Stewart, The-Dream and Ciara herself. Stewart described the studio sessions as "feeling good" with the music "having a good vibe".^[1] Of the record's theme he said "this record obviously is gonna have tempo to it, but I think it’s gonna have even more substance than the last record. She dances and we always want to bring out what she does that other people don’t." Additionally the trio said that they intended the album to contain no features except for one collaboration with The-Dream, although there would features on remixes.^[1] They had wanted to release the album in 2009 but accepted that a 2010 release was more realistic.

Then in an interview two songs were name dropped, "Speechless" which was the aforementioned feature with The-Dream and "Gifted" which might appear on the album.^[1] At the end of 2009 Ciara began working with Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins who had also collaborated on Fantasy Ride.^[4] Milk Recording Studios in Atlanta confirmed that Ciara had worked with them on her new album. Miles Walker, an engineer who worked on Usher's Raymond v. Raymond and Mary J. Blige's Stronger with Each Tear was involved in mixing tracks for the project.^[5] Ciara has also recorded with Pharell Williams' production outfit, The Neptunes though its not certain if those records produced will appear on the album.^[6]

Due to the leaks and legal issues associated with her previous album Fantasy Ride, it was reported in February 2010 by Rap-Up magazine that the singer's fourth studio album was strictly confidential and that no news will be released until they were ready to make an official announcement about the album.^[2]

In an interview with 'MaximoTV' on April 12, 2010, Ciara announced that the album would be titled, Basic Instinct. The title was inspired by the 1992 film of the same name, which starred Sharon Stone and Michael Douglas. Stone's character, Catherine Tramell, was a beautiful, seductive, and stealthy crime writer. Ciara told the interviewer "When you get the record, you’re gonna get a really fun vibe. You’re gonna get an even more sensual side and also confident and cocky. I got like such an attitude on this record, but in such a fun way."^[7] One song follows this theme is "Run It" which is described a sensual slow jam.^[8] The new album is said to sound much like Ciara's debut album Goodies and her 2006 single, "Promise", following on from comments made by Tricky Stewart that Ciara was going back to her roots with this album.^[9] Meanwhile, speaking to Blues & Soul, Ciara herself also confirmed this: "Basic Instinct is really about me trusting my instinct and going back to the R&B/urban basics in my music – like where I first started, in the days of "Goodies" and "1, 2 Step".^[10] The album's cover was unveiled on July 8, 2010 and met with positive reception. 'Idolator' said "Ciara has been tempting us with her sexy new single 'Ride' but if you’re looking for her goodies keep on looking because they're not on her Basic Instinct album cover (unless it’s a seductive Playboy-esque fold out). The songstress, who’s music video proved to be too hot for 'BET', kept things simple for the cover art."^[11]

On April 19, 2010 the album's official promotion began with the release of a viral video for the album's title song "Basic Instinct (U Got Me)". The song sees the singer speaking about the return to her R&B/urban roots and ditching the pop sound of previous records. It's music video, which was directed by Phil the God and features a cameo from The-Dream.^[12] On April 20, 2010, the singer revealed a new official website, OnlyCiara to promote the album. Ciara plans to release a Basic Instinct mixtape, which will precede the album in the fall of 2010. It will feature her remixes to Soulja Boy Tell 'Em's "Pretty Boy Swag" ("Pretty Girl Swag") and Waka Flocka Flame's "Hard in Da Paint", as well as a cover of Young Jeezy's "Lose My Mind".^[13]

Ciara the began promoting the album with performances at K104's Summer Jam 2010 on July 31, 2010 in Dallas, Texas. Her set list included, "Goodies", "1, 2 Step", and "Oh" and new singles, "Ride" and "Gimmie Dat".^[14] She also performed songs, "Basic Instinct (U Got Me)" and "Get it Girl", which will appear on the album, as well as the mixtape track "Pretty Girl Swag"^[15] Her second date was at Power 105's "Power Live" in Governor's Island on August 22, 2010.^[16]

When the album is pre-ordered directly from Sony Music digital release store, "Ride" featuring Ludacris and "Ride (Bei Maejor Remix)" automatically become available as instant downloads.^[17]

The album's lead single, "Ride", which features Ludacris, was released in Australia and North America on April 26, 2010 and in the United Kingdom on July 5, 2010. Despite receiving a lack of promotion, it peaked at forty-two on the US Billboard Hot 100, three on the US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, and achieved minor success on charts in the UK.^[18] The single's music video was released on April 21, 2010. It was well received by critics such as Billboard magazine,^[19] but arroused controversy due to its sexual dances and outfits, and was banned from BET and UK music channels.^[20][21] Its official remix, entitled the Bei Maejor Remix, was released as a digital download in Australia and the United States on June 29, 2010 and in the United Kingdom on July 5, 2010. It features Bei Maejor, André 3000, and Ludacris, and peaked at seventy-five in Australia.

"Speechless" will be released as the second single.^[22] The album version of the song features The-Dream and appeared online in March 2010.^[23] It was since confirmed that the single version of the song features just Ciara and will become Basic Instinct's second single following the release of the single cover.^[22] "Speechless" will be available to download on September 7, 2010 in the United States.^[3]

"Gimme Dat" will also be released, this time as the album's third single.^[24] It has thus far been well received by music critics.MTV Buzzworthy said "Packed with screams, shouts and super-speedy, hyper-kinetic beats, "Gimme Dat" 's frenetic energy is offset by Ciara's go-to breathy sensuality and a bend-in-the-road bridge. It's by far the sickest jam of the summer so far (no offense, Usher's "OMG"), and an all-out sexy assault on your mind in the same kinda way that Missy Elliott's "Work It" dropped bombs on your brain.^[25] While, the New York Post said that Ciara "spits the words 'gimmie that bass' over 30 times" and "tells you that she will indeed 'bring it back and take it back' a good 16 times." Their reporter Ryan Brockington said "The 'it' I believe she is referring to is her rump shaker and that 'bass' is what will make her 'bring it' ... start stretchin', because it looks like the latter part of summer should be full of reason's to give people 'dat'."^[26] The single's cover was released on August 18, 2010.^[22]

In early September 2010 a press pack was released to several media outlets, the contents of which detailed some of the confirmed records which will appear on the album. These include:^[27]

• "Flaws"
• "Gimme Dat"
• "Girls Get Your Money"
• "Ride" (featuring Ludacris)
• "Speechless" (featuring The-Dream)
• "Turn It Up (Heavy Rotation)"
• "What He Wants for Dinner"
• "You Can Get It"