Ain't 2 Proud 2 Beg

Last updated

"Ain't 2 Proud 2 Beg"
Aint 2 Proud 2 Beg.jpg
Single by TLC
from the album Ooooooohhh... On the TLC Tip
ReleasedNovember 22, 1991 (1991-11-22)
RecordedApril 1991 [1]
Genre
Length
  • 5:37 (album version)
  • 4:10 (single edit)
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s) Dallas Austin
TLC singles chronology
"Word to the Badd!!"
(1991)		"Ain't 2 Proud 2 Beg"
(1991)		"Baby-Baby-Baby"
(1992)
Music video
"Ain't 2 Proud 2 Beg" on YouTube

"Ain't 2 Proud 2 Beg" is the debut single by American girl group TLC, from their debut album, Ooooooohhh... On the TLC Tip (1992). It was released by LaFace Records on November 22, 1991 (promo) and late January 1992 (retail). The song would ultimately peak at number six on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number two on Billboard's Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks. The single also reached the top 20 in the UK Singles Chart. The song describes the group explaining that they don't mind begging for attention from their significant others. Songwriters Dallas Austin and Lisa 'Left Eye' Lopes received a nomination for the 1993 Grammy Award for Best R&B Song. The song appeared in video games Dance Central 3 and the 2022 reboot of Saints Row .

Contents

Critical reception

In an retrospective review, Daryl McIntosh from Albumism remarked that on the song, "the fresh look and unique sound of the southern fried trio exploded with flavor that satisfied every taste bud as Chilli’s sweet soprano contrasted T-Boz’s tangy contralto, and Left Eye’s spicy lyrics and natural charisma brought all of the ingredients together." He added, "Throw in Dallas Austin’s production, and you had the perfect musical gumbo that listeners never imagined could be enjoyed in a single serving." [3] Robert Hilburn from Los Angeles Times wrote, "The title may be borrowed from a ‘60s Motown hit, but the playful, kinetic hip-hop attitude--youthful with a feminist edge--is right to the minute." [4]

Music video

The accompanying music video for "Ain't 2 Proud 2 Beg", filmed and produced in late 1991, features the girls wearing condoms, baggy clothes, and Lisa with a big hat and sunglasses. The video shows the girls singing, dancing and rapping and will occasionally have the girl's nicknames at the bottom of the screen. Some shots feature the group outside with people in the background and then them in front of a white background. In a BET interview, T-Boz and Chilli said they were trying to warm-up to the cameras in this video because it was their first one, and that Lisa was a natural because it was her "big break" and what she had "been waiting for". T-Boz also said amusedly that you can see her playing with her side-burns in the beginning, and Chilli stated it was her least favorite video they did. The end of the video shows the girls in character as hillbillies. The radio edit of the song is used instead of the album version. Their then-manager, Pebbles, also appears at the end of the video.

Track listing

Sample credits

The song uses seven samples. The most notable sample used is a sped-up sample of "School Boy Crush" by Average White Band. This same sample was used on Floetry's "Wanna B Where U R", "Microphone Fiend" by Eric B. & Rakim and Immature's "Watch Me Do My Thing". Immature, Eric B. & Rakim and Floetry also sped up their sample. The song also samples "Jungle Boogie" by Kool & the Gang, "Escapism" by James Brown, "Fly, Robin, Fly" by Silver Convention, "Get Me Back on Time, Engine Number 9, Pt. 1" by Wilson Pickett, "Take Me to the Mardi Gras" by Bob James and "I Want to Take You Higher" by Sly and the Family Stone.

Charts

Certifications

RegionCertification Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA) [19] Platinum1,000,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Release history

RegionDateFormat(s)Label(s)Ref.
United StatesNovember 22, 1991
  • 12-inch vinyl
  • cassette
 LaFace [20]
United KingdomJune 8, 1992
  • 7-inch vinyl
  • 12-inch vinyl
  • CD
  • cassette
 [21]
SwedenJune 29, 1992CD [22]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">TLC (group)</span> American girl group

TLC is an American girl group formed in 1990 in Atlanta, Georgia. The group's best-known line-up was composed of Tionne "T-Boz" Watkins, Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes and Rozonda "Chilli" Thomas. The group enjoyed success during the 1990s, with nine top-ten hits on the Billboard Hot 100, including four number-one singles: "Creep", "Waterfalls", "No Scrubs", and "Unpretty". The group also recorded four multi-platinum albums, including CrazySexyCool (1994), which received a diamond certification from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). TLC also became the first R&B group in history to receive the Million certification from the Recording Industry Association of Japan (RIAJ) for FanMail (1999).

<i>CrazySexyCool</i> 1994 studio album by TLC

CrazySexyCool is the second studio album by American girl group TLC, released on November 15, 1994, by LaFace and Arista Records. Following the group's record deal, they released their debut album Ooooooohhh... On the TLC Tip in 1992 to positive reviews and commercial success. The group began working on a follow-up in 1993 but experienced an unproductive recording process due to personal issues, notably those of member Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes, who was struggling with alcoholism and her volatile relationship with NFL player Andre Rison. The album's recording lasted until September 1994, with Lopes' role diminished while she was in rehab.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rozonda Thomas</span> American singer, dancer and actress (born 1971)

Rozonda Ocielian Thomas, better known by her stage name Chilli, is an American singer, dancer and actress who is a member of the group TLC, one of the best-selling girl groups of the late 20th century.

New jack swing, new jack, or swingbeat is a fusion genre of the rhythms and production techniques of hip hop and dance-pop, and the urban contemporary sound of R&B. Spearheaded by producers Teddy Riley, Bernard Belle, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, new jack swing was most popular from the late 1980s to early 1990s.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Waterfalls (TLC song)</span> 1995 single by TLC

"Waterfalls" is a song by American hip-hop group TLC. It was written by Marqueze Etheridge and Organized Noize with a verse by TLC's Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes, for their second album, CrazySexyCool (1994), with production by Organized Noize. The song was the third single released by LaFace and Arista from the album on May 22, 1995, in the United States, followed by a United Kingdom release on July 24, 1995.

<i>Ooooooohhh... On the TLC Tip</i> 1992 studio album by TLC

Ooooooohhh... On the TLC Tip is the debut studio album by American girl group TLC, released on February 25, 1992, by LaFace Records. The title of the album comes from the last line of Left Eye's rap on "Ain't 2 Proud 2 Beg".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">No Scrubs</span> 1999 single by TLC

"No Scrubs" is a song recorded by American girl group TLC as the lead single from their third studio album, FanMail, released on February 2, 1999, by LaFace Records and Arista Records. The song was written by producer Kevin "She'kspere" Briggs, former Xscape members Kandi Burruss and Tameka "Tiny" Cottle, and TLC member Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes. The song lyrics describe the role of a man in a relationship. Rozonda "Chilli" Thomas sings the lead vocals for the first time on a TLC single.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Creep (TLC song)</span> 1994 single by TLC

"Creep" is a song recorded by American singing group TLC for their second studio album, CrazySexyCool (1994). Dallas Austin, who tried to write the track from a "female perspective", wrote and produced it. It is based on member Tionne "T-Boz" Watkins's experience with infidelity. The lyrics portray the singers as women who cheat on their unfaithful lovers for "some affection". This context was controversial within the group, and strongly opposed by member Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes, who threatened to wear black tape over her mouth on its accompanying music video.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Baby-Baby-Baby</span> 1992 single by TLC

"Baby-Baby-Baby" is a song by American girl group TLC. It was the second single released from their debut studio album, Ooooooohhh... On the TLC Tip (1992), and their second consecutive top-10 hit. It was the most successful single from the album, reaching number two on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number one on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, giving them their first number-one single on that chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">What About Your Friends</span> 1992 single by TLC

"What About Your Friends" is a song by American group TLC, released as the third single from their debut album, Ooooooohhh... On the TLC Tip (1992). It was released on August 21, 1992, and reached number seven on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming the group's third consecutive top-10 single. A remix to the single, titled "What About Your Friends " includes the first ever appearance by the Atlanta hip-hop duo Outkast.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Red Light Special</span> 1995 single by TLC

"Red Light Special" is a song by American vocal girl group TLC for their second studio album, CrazySexyCool (1994). Written and produced by Babyface, LaFace and Arista Records released the song as the second single from the album on February 17, 1995. The song found chart success, reaching number one on the US Billboard Top 40/Rhythm-Crossover chart and number two on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Matthew Rolston filmed its music video, which features the group performing in a brothel.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Diggin' on You</span> 1995 single by TLC

"Diggin' on You" is a song by American girl group TLC, from the group's second studio album, CrazySexyCool (1994). The song was written and produced by Babyface. It was released by LaFace and Arista Records on October 10, 1995, as the fourth and final single from their album. A pop ballad, the song consists of a guitar, synthesizer and drum machine. The lyrics depict a relationship between a male and female during a summer afternoon.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hat 2 da Back</span> 1992 single by TLC

"Hat 2 da Back" is a song by American girl group TLC from their debut studio album, Ooooooohhh... On the TLC Tip (1992). It was released as the album's fourth and final single. The song contains samples of "Big Ole Butt" by LL Cool J and "What Makes You Happy" by KC and the Sunshine Band. "Hat 2 da Back" reached number 30 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 14 on Billboard's Hot R&B Singles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">TLC discography</span>

American R&B group TLC has released five studio albums, 13 compilation albums, six video albums, 25 singles, 11 promotional singles, and 24 music videos.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">FanMail Tour</span> 1999–2000 concert tour by TLC

The FanMail Tour is the debut headlining tour by American group TLC. The tour support their third studio album, FanMail. The tour visited North America with dates later planned for Japan and Europe. However, the international dates after the second North American leg were cancelled.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hands Up (TLC song)</span> 2002 single by TLC

"Hands Up" a song by American girl group TLC. It was written and produced by both Babyface and Daryl Simmons for the band's fourth studio album, 3D (2002). A sensual mid-tempo song that deals with romantic betrayal, it was selected and released as the album's second single in the United States in November 2002, following lead single "Girl Talk" (2002). Arista Records consulted several producers to remix the song for its single release, including Richard X, LaMarquis Jefferson, and Jermaine Dupri.

"School Boy Crush" is a song from Average White Band's 1975 album, Cut the Cake.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Come Get Some (TLC song)</span> 2003 single by TLC featuring Lil Jon and Sean P

"Come Get Some" is a song by American recording group TLC. It was written by band members Tionne "T-Boz" Watkins and Rozonda "Chilli" Thomas along with Kandi Burruss, Craig Love, Sean P of YoungBloodZ and Lil' Jon for their greatest hits album, Now and Forever: The Hits (2003). Lil Jon produced the song and also appears with Sean P as guest vocalists.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eric B. & Rakim discography</span>

The discography of Eric B. & Rakim, an American hip hop duo, consists of four studio albums, five compilation albums, 15 singles, and nine music videos. Eric B. & Rakim formed and signed a record deal with Zakia Records in 1985. The following year, the duo signed a deal with 4th & B'way Records. Their debut album Paid in Full was released in 1987. In the United States, it peaked at number 58 on the Billboard 200, number 8 on R&B/Hip-Hop Albums, and was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). It appeared on the Dutch, New Zealand, and UK Albums Chart. Paid in Full produced five singles, four of which appeared on Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs. The fifth single "Paid in Full" (1988) peaked in the top five of the Dutch and New Zealand Singles Chart.

<i>20</i> (TLC album) 2013 greatest hits album by TLC

20 is a compilation album by American girl group TLC. It was released on October 15, 2013, by Epic and LaFace Records, marking both the group's 20-plus year legacy in entertainment business and the release of their biographical VH1 original film, CrazySexyCool: The TLC Story, which largely inspired the track listing for 20. Many of their hits are featured, including their four number-one singles: "Creep", "Waterfalls", "No Scrubs", and "Unpretty", as well as "Meant to Be", a new track co-written by singer Ne-Yo. Most of the tracks are featured in the original radio format, like on their previous compilation album Now and Forever: The Hits, and "No Scrubs" is featured in its original radio version with an accompanying rap of Left Eye.

References

  1. ↑ Bronson, Fred (2003). The Billboard Book of Number One Hits. Billboard Books. ISBN   9780823076772. Archived from the original on January 3, 2014. Retrieved December 24, 2017.
  2. ↑ Cinquemani, Sal (October 20, 2013). "TLC – 20". Slant Magazine . Retrieved August 4, 2016.
  3. ↑ McIntosh, Daryl (February 24, 2022). "TLC's Debut Album 'Ooooooohhh... On the TLC Tip' Turns 30 — Anniversary Retrospective". Albumism. Retrieved June 15, 2022.
  4. ↑ Hilburn, Robert (December 31, 1992). "Dance Energy Saves Dreary '92: Year-End Review". Los Angeles Times . Retrieved January 22, 2023.
  5. ↑ "TLC – AIN'T 2 PROUD 2 BEG". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved December 5, 2017.
  6. ↑ "Top RPM Dance/Urban: Issue 2140." RPM . Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved February 8, 2020.
  7. ↑ "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media . Vol. 9, no. 28. July 11, 1992. p. 11. Retrieved June 24, 2023.
  8. ↑ "European Dance Radio" (PDF). Music & Media . July 4, 1992. p. 22. Retrieved October 31, 2021.
  9. ↑ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 34, 1992" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved March 24, 2018.
  10. ↑ "TLC – AIN'T 2 PROUD 2 BEG" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved December 5, 2017.
  11. ↑ "TLC – AIN'T 2 PROUD 2 BEG". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved December 5, 2017.
  12. ↑ "TLC: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved December 5, 2017.
  13. ↑ "Top 60 Dance Singles" (PDF). Music Week . June 27, 1992. p. 22. Retrieved September 29, 2020.
  14. ↑ "TLC Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved December 5, 2017.
  15. ↑ "TLC Chart History (Dance Singles Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved April 11, 2022.
  16. ↑ "TLC Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved December 5, 2017.
  17. ↑ "Billboard Top 100 - 1992". Archived from the original on July 8, 2009. Retrieved July 30, 2010.
  18. ↑ "1992 Year End Chart: R&B/Hip-Hop Songs". Prometheus Global Media . Retrieved January 27, 2012.
  19. ↑ "American single certifications – TLC – Ain't 2 Proud 2 Beg". Recording Industry Association of America . Retrieved February 26, 2021.
  20. ↑ "Classic Jam: TLC - Ain't 2 Proud 2 Beg". Univision.com. Retrieved January 30, 2018.
  21. ↑ "New Releases: Singles". Music Week . June 6, 1992. p. 17.
  22. ↑ "TLC: Ain't 2 Proud 2 Beg". click2music.se (in Swedish). Archived from the original on February 22, 2005. Retrieved November 30, 2023.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.