"U Should've Known Better" is a song by American recording artist Monica. It was written in collaboration with Harold Lilly and Jermaine Dupri, and produced by the latter along with frequent co-producer Bryan Michael Cox for her original third studio album, All Eyez on Me (2002). When the album was shelved for release outside Japan, the song was one out of five original records that were transferred into its new version, After the Storm (2003). A contemporary R&B slow jam, "U Should've Known Better" contains elements of soul music and rock music. Built on an pulsating backbeat, the song's instrumentation consists of screeching guitars and an understated harp pattern. Lyrically, Monica, as the protagonist, delivers a message of loyalty to her imprisoned love interest and sings about staying down for him despite his doubts.
Cherish is an American R&B music group consisting of sisters Fallon, Felisha, Farrah, and Neosha King. Originating from Atlanta, Georgia, both their parents are musicians, their father having been in the band Professions of Sounds, who frequently toured with acts such as the Emotions and Earth, Wind & Fire. The group was signed to Capitol Records and Sho'nuff Records. They experienced chart success with the hit song "Do It to It".
"Unappreciated" is a R&B song by the girl group Cherish. Being the second single to be released off their debut album, Unappreciated, the song is about a failing relationship. It was produced by Jazze Pha. It peaked at number 41 on the Billboard Hot 100, enjoying more success on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay charts at number 14.
"My Boo" is a duet between American R&B singers Usher and Alicia Keys, written by the artists alongside Adonis Shropshire, Manuel Seal, and Jermaine Dupri, the latter of whom produced it with No I.D.—who is uncredited. It was included on the re-release of Usher's fourth studio album, Confessions (2004). The song was released as the album's fourth single on August 29, 2004.
"Pac's Life" is a single written and performed by American rappers Tupac Shakur and T.I and R&B singer Ashanti, produced by L. T. Hutton for Shakur's posthumously released album of the same name. It is a hip hop and R&B song; the second Tupac verse was recycled from a song titled "This Life I Lead". T.I. said in an interview that working on the song was an honor, as he idolized him while growing up.
"Like a Boy" is a song performed by American singer Ciara for her second album Ciara: The Evolution (2006). Written by Ciara, Candice Nelson, Balewa Muhammad, J. Que, Ezekiel Lewis, and Calvin Kenon, it is the third release in the U.S. and second single in Europe.
"When I See U" is a song recorded by American singer Fantasia Barrino for her second studio album, Fantasia (2006). It written by Louis Biancaniello, Waynne Nugent, Erika Nuri, Kevin Risto, Janet Sewell, Sam Watters, and produced by Midi Mafia along with Mzmeriq. A R&B ballad, it was released to positive reviews by critics as the album's second single in April 2007. Its digital release spawned several remixes, three of which featured rappers Remy Ma, Young Jeezy, Lumidee, B.G. and Polow da Don.
"Killa" is the first single by R&B American group Cherish from their second album, The Truth (2008). "Killa" features rapper Yung Joc. The song is about "not being able to resist the man you know is no good." It is their third single and was described by UK R&B writer Pete Lewis of Blues & Soul as "a robustly funky single which finds the girls teaming up with chart-topping rugged male Southern rapper Yung Joc".
"The Knoc" is a song by American rapper, Knoc-Turn'al. The song features guest vocals by hip-hop musicians Dr. Dre and Missy Elliott. It was originally released as the lead single for Knoc's unreleased album, Knoc's Landin (2002). In spite of the album's shelving, "The Knoc" initially saw a release on the summer EP, L.A. Confidential presents: Knoc-turn'al due to the single's Grammy nomination and charting on the Billboard Hot 100.
"Ching-a-Ling" is a song by American rapper Missy Elliott. It was written by Elliott along with frequent collaborator Cainon Lamb as well as Shawn Campbell and Marshall Leathers from production duo The Arkitects for what was supposed to be Elliott's seventh studio album Block Party, while production was helmed by Lamb, Campbell, and Leathers. In the song, sound elements of the 1981 arcade game Donkey Kong are heard throughout the song.
"Lollipop" is a song by American rapper and singer Lil Wayne posthumously featuring fellow American singer Static Major, issued on March 13, 2008, as the lead single from the former's sixth studio album, Tha Carter III (2008). The track, which heavily utilizes the Auto-Tune vocal effect, was produced by American record producers Deezle and Jim Jonsin. A remixed version with a guest appearance from American rapper Kanye West was released a bonus track for the album on iTunes.
Heaven Sent is a song recorded by American singer Keyshia Cole. It was written by Cole, Jason Farmer, Alex Francis, and Lamont Wilson for her second studio album Just like You (2007), while production was overseen by Francis and Farmer with additional credit by Ron Fair. The ballad was released as the album's fourth and final single in March 2008. "Heaven Sent" became Cole's third chart topper on the US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and earned two Grammy Award nominations for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance and Best R&B Song. An accompanying music video was shot in Hawaii and is based on the poem "Footprints."
The Truth is the second studio album by American girl group Cherish. It was released on May 13, 2008, and was met with mixed to positive reviews from critics. The album spawned two singles, "Killa" and "Amnesia", and reached number 40 on the Billboard 200.
"I Like the Way She Do It" is the lead single from G-Unit's second album T·O·S , it features Young Buck, as he was no longer a member of G-Unit at the time. The song has since sold over 350,000 copies.
"Go Girl" is a song co-written and performed by American R&B singer Ciara. The song was released as the lead single, for her third studio album Fantasy Ride, however it was only included on the Japan version of the album. The track is a female empowerment anthem that preaches control, featuring semi-auto-tune vocals and a mid-tempo beat.
"Never Ever" is a song performed by R&B singer Ciara. It is the first single released from her third studio album, Fantasy Ride. The song features rapper Young Jeezy, was produced by Polow da Don, and was co-written by Ciara and Elvis "BlacElvis" Williams, who both produced and co-wrote Ciara's single, "Promise", from her second album, Ciara: The Evolution.
"Get It Together" is a song recorded by American girl group 702 for their first studio album No Doubt (1996). It was written and produced by American singer Donell Jones. It was released as the second single from No Doubt on January 28, 1997, by Biv 10 Records.
"Do You Mind" is a song by American musician DJ Khaled featuring Trinidadian musician Nicki Minaj and fellow American musicians Chris Brown, Jeremih, Future, August Alsina, and Rick Ross. It was released on July 28, 2016 by We the Best Music Group and Epic Records as the fourth single of the former's ninth studio album, Major Key. The song peaked at number 27 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number 9 on the US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs charts. It was eventually certified triple platinum by the RIAA.
"Regret in Your Tears" is a song by rapper Nicki Minaj. Produced by Boi-1da, Frank Dukes and Allen Ritter, the song was released as a single on March 10, 2017, along with "Changed It" and "No Frauds". It details Minaj's break-up with ex-boyfriend Meek Mill and features her singing throughout the track.
"Closer" is a song by American rapper Saweetie featuring American singer-songwriter H.E.R. from the former's upcoming debut studio album, Pretty Bitch Music, scheduled to be released in 2023. It was released on February 11, 2022 as the fifth single from the album.
