an accompanying music video was directed by sarah chatfield, the director behind rowland's previous video "forever and a day" (2010). it follows a number of sultry scenes where rowland dances seductively amongst partially dressed dancers in a dimly-lit warehouse, with the entire video tinged in blue light. "motivation" was nominated for the grammy award for best rap/sung collaboration at the 54th grammy awards. rowland sang the song with trey songz at the 2011 bet awards ceremony.