In the United Kingdom, "Scream & Shout" became will.i.am's second consecutive song to top the UK Singles Chart, Spears' sixth, and her first since "Everytime" in June 2004.

An accompanying music video directed by Ben Mor was shot in October 2012, and premiered in the U.S. during a live episode of The X Factor on November 28.

A remixed version of the song, featuring Hit-Boy, Waka Flocka Flame, Lil Wayne and Diddy, was uploaded to will.i.am's official YouTube account on January 25, 2013, after it was leaked on the internet earlier the same day.

[2] On August 28, 2012, Spears confirmed that she was recording new material with will.i.am, and said on social network Twitter, "Can't wait for y'all to hear @iamwill's next single featuring me.

He said, "I’m trying to finish #willpower…& now because of all the leaks I have push the album back to make new songs…"[5] On October 12, 2012, Spears confirmed that the track would be called "Scream & Shout".

"[8] Spears used her official Facebook account to express her sadness about the early release of the song, but added, "I AM super excited that my fans seem to love it as much as will.i.am and I do.

"[9] Billboard confirmed the release of "Scream & Shout" on U.S. radio station 102.7 KIIS-FM on November 19 at 12:00 pm Pacific Standard Time.

[10][11] The same day, the song had its UK radio premiere on Capital FM at 8:00 pm Greenwich Mean Time,[12] and had a digital promotional release in Europe.

[16] British singer Tulisa co-wrote the original version of "Scream & Shout" with Jean Baptiste and recorded it under the title "I Don't Give a Fuck".

"[10] After the song was leaked, a reviewer for Idolator said, "we're pleased to report that it's pretty good—and slightly kooky," and that the lyrics, "When you hear us in the club / You're gonna turn this shit up" are "probably accurate".

[28] Bill Lamb of About.com wrote that "the digital effects are seamless and the use of modulations of Britney Spears' voice to build the chorus sounds perfectly natural in this context",[20] and that, "the spacey, free form bridge is beautiful despite will.i.am's singing talent limitations.

[29] MTV contributor Jocelyn Vena called the track "a club banger", and said it is "an amped up dance-floor anthem, full of tempo changes, sassy one-liners and dubstep aplenty.

"[32] Jenna Hally Rubenstein of MTV Buzzworthy called "Scream & Shout" a "futuristic electro jam", and wrote that parts of it "had us weeping and repenting, like that moment where Brit does a heavy Madonna-fied English accent and that other time will.i.am goes all 'Gimme More' on us with 'It's Britney, bitch'.

"[33] Chris Eggertsen of HitFix rated the track a B−, and wrote that, "the dubstep-y beat on offer is certainly a booty-shaker, but it lacks the extra "oomph" and originality that would make "Scream and Shout" a truly memorable single.

[34] Emily Exton of PopDust contributor wrote that Spears' contribution is an improvement from "will's monotonous requests to 'lose control', 'let it go' and 'hit the floor'," but said that the song needed "something more from Britney to balance this out.

"[35] Jason Lipshutz of Billboard news writer wrote that will.i.am "could have utilized Spears' presence in a more efficient manner, but [the song's] goal of inspiring awkward dance moves via its impossibly straightforward chorus  ... is soundly accomplished.

's Kathleen Perricone gave "Scream & Shout" a mixed review, and said it was "not exactly worthy of all the hype",[37] and Alicia Lutes of Hollywood.com criticized its lyrical meaning and repetitive production.

[38] Malene Arpe of Toronto Star wrote that it "is really terrible and rather than making you want to scream and shout, it sorta lulls you into a nice nap-like state of ceasing to care around the three-minute mark.

"[39] The Huffington Post journalist Kia Makarechi called the song a "competent piece of airy dance pop", and wrote that the only mildly inspiring moment on "Scream & Shout" is the sample from "Gimme More".

[59] On the week ending January 19, 2013, "Scream & Shout" reached number eight on the Hot 100, becoming will.i.am's third solo top 10 hit and his first as a lead artist.

After confirming he was working with Spears in August 2012, will.i.am tweeted her saying "OMG...your lookin fit & hot...can't wait to shoot the video to our song...your fans are ganna love it...".

[73][74] Behind the scenes footage of the video recording—in which according to the Daily Mirror Spears wore a Herve Leger dress and black gloves[75]—was leaked on October 14.

[78] The music video for "Scream & Shout" premiered in the US during a live episode of The X Factor on November 28, 2012,[10] and was made available for viewing on Vevo immediately after the show's broadcast on the west coast.

When the track's chorus begins, will.i.am appears in front of an empty black background and is joined by Spears, who is now wearing a corseted leotard accented with feathers,[81] standing on a moving walkway, and they sing together.

"[81] 4music critic Jenny Mensah said that Spears "sounds less Southern belle and more Swedish dominatrix in the video, as she takes on a deep, authoritative voice.

With her teased blonde locks, sexy (yet age-appropriate) pencil skirt and the highest of high heels, Ms. Spears looks sultry yet sophisticated.

[95] Yahaira Toribio of Terra called the video will.i.am's "high-end technological wonderland" and wrote that "for all the choreography going on in this clip ... all we get is [Spears] standing and sitting pretty.

"[96] Idolator's Sam Lansky wrote that he was unsatisfied, and that the video "is more boundary-testing than the audio, it's all the things you'd expect: Futuristic, with some unsubtle product placement and a lot of ostensibly cool effects.

[98] The commercial featured celebrities Azealia Banks, Zedd, Ellie Goulding, Lil Wayne, 2 Chainz, Zendaya, Cam Newton, LeBron James and will.i.am.

"[9] On January 1, 2013, will.i.am said that he would release a club remix of "Scream & Shout" featuring American rapper Waka Flocka Flame and producer Hit-Boy.