"1, 2, 3, 4 (Sumpin' New)" | ||||
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Single by Coolio | ||||
from the album Gangsta's Paradise | ||||
B-side |
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Released | February 13, 1996 | |||
Length | 3:20 | |||
Label | Tommy Boy | |||
Songwriter(s) | Artis Ivey Jr., Adrian Sear, Tom Browne | |||
Producer(s) | Jammin James Carter, Poison Ivey | |||
Coolio singles chronology | ||||
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Music video | ||||
"1, 2, 3, 4 (Sumpin' New)" on YouTube |
"1, 2, 3, 4 (Sumpin' New)" is a song by American rapper Coolio. It was the third single released from his second studio album, Gangsta's Paradise (1995), in February 1996. Initially entitled "Sumpin' New", the song uses a sample from "Thighs High (Grip Your Hips and Move)", recorded in 1981 by American jazz trumpeter Tom Browne, and also includes a vocal sample from "Wikka Wrap" by the Evasions, from 1981. [1] [2] The song achieved success in several countries, including the United States, France, Iceland, and New Zealand, where it was a top-10 hit.
Larry Flick from Billboard described the song as "a jumpy, funk-lined jeep anthem that allows Coolio plenty of room to work up a fun, lyrical sweat." He added, "The sample-happy groove provides a wigglin' good time, riding primarily on a prominent snippet of the early '80s 12-incher "Wikka Wrap" by the Evasions. Lighter in content than Coolio's recent releases, this is a hit-bound jam that will leave you gleefully twitching and grinning from ear to ear." [3] Gil L. Robertson IV from Cash Box picked "1, 2, 3, 4 (Sumpin' New)" as a "standout track" of the Gangsta's Paradise album. [4]
Ralph Tee from Music Week's RM Dance Update rated the song four out of five. He remarked, "Unlike so many hip hop singles which lean towards often depressing issues, this is a spirited happy record about having a great party. It kicks off with a sample from The Evasions' 1981 novelty hit 'Wikka Wrap', the Alan Whicker impersonation leading towards an upbeat disco rap which utilises the much-used Chic bassline from 'Good Times' and some sampled Tom Browne horns. A strong third single from the hottest rapper in the biz right now." [5] Another editor, James Hamilton described it as an "ultra infectious jiggly rap smacker". [6]
A music video (directed by David Dobkin) for the Timber mix was released, featuring Coolio attempting to get to a party. Jamie Foxx and A. J. Johnson are also in the music video. A music video featuring the Muppets was released and premiered on the Disney Channel. [7] This music video was also used as the closing number on the Muppets Tonight episode which guest-starred Coolio. The video won the MTV Video Music Award for Best Dance Video.
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Weekly charts
| Year-end charts
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Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
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Australia (ARIA) [49] | Gold | 35,000^ |
France (SNEP) [50] | Gold | 250,000* |
New Zealand (RMNZ) [51] | Gold | 5,000* |
United States (RIAA) [52] | Gold | 700,000 [53] |
* Sales figures based on certification alone. |
Region | Date | Format(s) | Label(s) | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|
United States | February 13, 1996 | Rhythmic contemporary radio | Tommy Boy | [54] |
United Kingdom | March 25, 1996 |
| [55] | |
Japan | April 21, 1996 | CD | [56] |
Artis Leon Ivey Jr., known by his stage name Coolio, was an American rapper. He was best known for his single "Gangsta's Paradise" (1995), which won a Grammy Award, and was credited for changing the course of hip hop by bringing it to a wider audience. Other singles included "Fantastic Voyage" (1994), "1, 2, 3, 4 " (1996), and "C U When U Get There" (1997). He released nine albums, the first three of which achieved mainstream success: It Takes a Thief (1994), Gangsta's Paradise (1995), and My Soul (1997). Coolio first achieved recognition as a member of the gangsta rap group WC and the Maad Circle. Coolio sold 4.8 million albums in the U.S.
"Gangsta's Paradise" is a single by American rapper Coolio, released on August 1, 1995 by Tommy Boy, Warner Bros. and MCA. Interpolating Stevie Wonder's song "Pastime Paradise" (1976), "Gangsta's Paradise" features vocals from American singer L.V. who served as a co-composer and co-lyricist with Coolio and Doug Rasheed, with Wonder also being credited for the composition and lyrics. Certified Platinum in October, the song was included on Coolio's second album, Gangsta's Paradise, in November 1995. Its music video was directed by Antoine Fuqua and featured Michelle Pfeiffer. The song is taken from Pfeiffer's movie Dangerous Minds, and the music video is also themed around the movie.
"Fantasy" is a song by the American singer-songwriter Mariah Carey. It was released on August 23, 1995, by Columbia Records as the lead single from her fifth album, Daydream (1995). The track was written and produced by Carey and Dave Hall. It samples Tom Tom Club's 1981 song "Genius of Love". The lyrics describe a woman who is in love with a man, and how every time she sees him she starts fantasizing about an impossible relationship with him. The remix for the song features rap verses from Ol' Dirty Bastard, something Carey arranged to assist in her crossover into the hip-hop market and credited for introducing R&B and hip hop collaboration into mainstream pop culture, and for popularizing rap as a featuring act.
"Tha Crossroads" is a song written and performed by hip hop group Bone Thugs-n-Harmony, released as a single in April 1996. The song is dedicated to the group's mentor, the late gangsta rap icon Eazy-E, and other family members. The song was the highest-debuting rap single when it debuted at number two on the US Billboard Hot 100, reaching number one the following week and staying there for eight consecutive weeks. It also reached number one in New Zealand, where it was the most successful single of 1996. In 1997, the song won a Grammy for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group.
"Lose Control" is a song by American rapper Missy Elliott featuring American singer Ciara and American hip hop artist Fatman Scoop. It was released as the lead single from Elliott's sixth studio album, The Cookbook, on May 23, 2005. It contains samples from Hot Streak's "Body Work" and Cybotron's "Clear". The song peaked at number three on the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States, number two in New Zealand, and in the top thirty in various countries.
"Sunny Came Home" is a folk-rock song by American musician Shawn Colvin. It is the opening track on her 1996 concept album, A Few Small Repairs, and was released as a CD and cassette single on June 24, 1997. In the United Kingdom, the song was released in July 1997 but did not chart until a re-release in May 1998.
My Soul is the third studio album by rapper Coolio, released on August 26, 1997 and was his last album for Tommy Boy Records. Production was handled by Romeo, Vic C., Bryan "Wino" Dobbs and DJ I-Roc. The album has been certified gold by the RIAA.
Larry J. Sanders, known professionally as L.V., is an American singer. He is best known for his collaboration with rapper Coolio on the single "Gangsta's Paradise". He has released five solo albums and was a member of the gangsta rap group South Central Cartel since it formed, usually singing the choruses. In 2019, L.V. was featured by NBC News after the Los Angeles Police Department designated him as a gang member or associate for the purposes of a heavily criticized database.
This is the discography of Coolio, an American rapper.
"Fantastic Voyage" is a song by American rapper Coolio, released in March 1994 by Tommy Boy Records as the third single from his debut album, It Takes a Thief (1994). The song was later featured on the compilation album Fantastic Voyage: The Greatest Hits and heavily samples "Fantastic Voyage" by Lakeside. It peaked at number 12 on the US Billboard Hot R&B Singles chart, two on the Billboard Hot Rap Singles chart and number three on the Billboard Hot 100. It sold one million copies domestically and received a platinum certification from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).
"C U When U Get There" is a song by American rapper Coolio featuring 40 Thevz. It was released in June 1997 as the first single from Coolio's third studio album, My Soul (1997). The track was also featured on the soundtrack to the 1997 comedy film Nothing to Lose. It heavily interpolates Johann Pachelbel's Baroque "Canon in D Major."
"I Wish" is a song written and performed by American rapper Skee-Lo. It was released on April 10, 1995, via Scotti Brothers Records as the lead single from the rapper's debut studio album of the same name (1995). Recording sessions took place at Sunshine Studios in Hollywood, California. Production was handled by Walter "Kandor" Kahn and Skee-Lo himself.
"Funkin' for Jamaica (N.Y.)" is a song by jazz trumpeter Tom Browne. The single—a memoir of the Jamaica neighborhood in the New York City borough of Queens where Browne was born and raised—is from his second solo album, Love Approach. Browne got the idea for the song while he was at his parents' home. The vocals for the single were performed by Toni Smith, who also helped compose the song. The song hit number one on the US Billboard R&B chart for a month. "Funkin' for Jamaica" peaked at number nine on the dance chart and made the top 10 on the UK Singles Chart, but it never charted on the Billboard Hot 100.
"Cold Rock a Party" is the lead single released from American rapper MC Lyte's fifth studio album, Bad As I Wanna B (1996). While the original version of the song that appears on the album was produced by Rashad Smith and samples Audio Two's "Top Billin", the single version features Missy "Misdemeanor" Elliott, was produced by Sean Combs, and samples Diana Ross' 1980 hit "Upside Down".
"Thighs High (Grip Your Hips and Move)" is a 1980 single by jazz trumpeter, Tom Browne. The single is from his third solo album, Magic. The vocals for the single were provided by Toni Smith, who also helped compose the song. The song hit #4 on Billboard's Hot Soul Singles chart. On the US dance chart, "Thighs High" peaked at #25.
"It's All the Way Live (Now)" is a song by American rapper Coolio. It was released in May 1996 as the lead single to the Eddie soundtrack. The song became Coolio's fifth top-40 single and his fourth to achieve at least a gold certification from the RIAA for sales of 500,000 copies. The song sampled "It's All the Way Live" by funk band Lakeside, his second single to both sample and take the name from a Lakeside song after his 1994 hit, "Fantastic Voyage".
Gangsta's Paradise is the second studio album by American rapper Coolio, released on November 7, 1995. It is Coolio's best-selling album, with over two million copies sold in the United States. The album produced three singles, which became hits: the title track, "1, 2, 3, 4 ", and "Too Hot".
"Too Hot" is a song recorded by the American band Kool & the Gang for their first Platinum-selling 1979 album Ladies' Night. It was written by George Brown and Kool & the Gang and produced by Eumir Deodato and Kool & the Gang.
"Ooh La La" is a song by American rapper Coolio, released as the second single from his third solo album, My Soul (1997), on September 9, 1997. The song contains a sample of "Pull Up to the Bumper" by Grace Jones, so Jones, Sly and Robbie, and Dana Manno were given writing credits. The song did not chart on the US Billboard Hot 100 but became a top-40 hit in other countries, including New Zealand, where it reached number two and was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of New Zealand (RIANZ).
The Evasions was a novelty band which had a UK hit single in 1981.