Down 4 U

Last updated
"Down 4 U"
Down 4 U.jpg
Single by Irv Gotti presents Ja Rule, Ashanti, Charli Baltimore, and Vita
from the album Irv Gotti Presents: The Inc.
ReleasedJune 10, 2002 (2002-06-10)
Studio The Crackhouse (New York City)
Genre Hip hop
Length5:18
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
  • Irv Gotti
  • 7 Aurelius
The Inc. singles chronology
"Ain't It Funny (Murder Remix)"
(2002)		"Down 4 U"
(2002)		"The Pledge"
(2002)
Ashanti singles chronology
"Foolish"
(2002)		"Down 4 U"
(2002)		"Happy"
(2002)

"Down 4 U" is the lead single from Murder Inc. Records' compilation album Irv Gotti Presents: The Inc. , released through Def Jam Recordings and Irv Gotti's Murder Inc. Records. The song features rapped verses from Ja Rule, Charli Baltimore, and Vita while Ashanti provides the chorus and sung vocals. The song is a remix as well as its music video being the sequel of Ja Rule's 2002 single, "Down Ass Bitch".

Contents

Background

"Down 4 U" became a hit on the US Billboard charts during mid-2002, reaching number six on the Hot 100 chart on the week of August 17, 2002, and number three on both the R&B and rap charts. The Irv Gotti-produced song interpolates Roger Troutman's 1987 hit "I Want to Be Your Man", for which he and his brother Larry Troutman were given writing credits. [1] The associated music video showed the artists performing the song on a beach with cameos by Irv Gotti, Eric Roberts, Clarence Williams III, Bobby Brown, Whitney Houston and other members of the Inc. [2]

In addition to appearing on Irv Gotti Presents: The Inc., the song also appeared on The Source magazine's compilation The Source Presents: Hip Hop Hits, Vol. 6 and as a bonus track on Ja Rule's 2002 album, The Last Temptation . The song was performed live by Ja Rule and Ashanti at VH1's 6th Annual Hip Hop Honors that honored Def Jam Recordings.

Track listings

UK CD single [1]

  1. "Down 4 U" (radio edit) – 5:16
  2. "Down 4 U" (D'n'D vocal mix) – 5:30
  3. "Down 4 U" (D'n'D Conemelt mix) – 5:47
  4. "Down 4 U" (video)

UK 12-inch single [3]

A1. "Down 4 U" (radio edit) – 5:16
A2. "Down 4 U" (D'n'D vocal mix) – 5:30
B1. "Down 4 U" (D'n'D Conemelt mix) – 5:47

UK cassette single [4]

  1. "Down 4 U" (radio edit)
  2. "Down 4 U" (D'n'D vocal mix)

Credits and personnel

Credits are adapted from the UK CD single liner notes. [1]

Studios

Personnel

Charts

Release history

RegionDateFormat(s)Label(s)Ref.
United StatesJune 10, 2002 [27]
July 29, 2002 Contemporary hit radio [28]
United KingdomSeptember 30, 2002
  • 12-inch vinyl
  • CD
  • cassette
 [29]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ja Rule</span> American rapper (born 1976)

Jeffrey Bruce Atkins Sr., better known by his stage name Ja Rule, is an American rapper. Born and raised in New York City, he debuted in 1999 with Venni Vetti Vecci and its lead single "Holla Holla". During the 2000s, Ja Rule was signed to Irv Gotti's Murder Inc. Records. From 1999 to 2005, Ja Rule had multiple hits that made the top 20 of the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart, including "Between Me and You", "I'm Real " and "Ain't It Funny" —which both topped the Hot 100—the number 1 hit "Always on Time", "Mesmerize", and "Wonderful".

Tiffany Lane, better known by her stage name Charli Baltimore, is an American rapper and television personality. Her stage name is taken from Geena Davis's character in the film The Long Kiss Goodnight.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Irv Gotti</span> American DJ and producer (born 1970)

Irving Domingo Lorenzo Jr., professionally known as Irv Gotti, is an American DJ, music producer, record executive, and the CEO and co-founder of Murder Inc. Records. He is best known for producing multiple number-one records for Ashanti, Ja Rule, and Jennifer Lopez, as well as his collaborations with Jay-Z, DMX, and Kanye West. Gotti is also the creator of the BET series Tales.

<i>Chapter II</i> (Ashanti album) 2003 studio album by Ashanti

Chapter II is the second studio album by American singer and songwriter Ashanti. It was released by Murder Inc. and Island Def Jam on July 1, 2003 in the United States. Ashanti reteamed with Murder Inc. head Irv Gotti and producer Chink Santana to work on the album. Chapter II features a guest appearance by rapper Ja Rule, Chink Santana, and Gunnz. Critical reception towards the album was generally mixed, with critics commending the album's autobiographical lyrics, and its fun yet light nature, while other critics felt Chapter II lacked creativity and personality and relied too heavily on the formula of her debut album (2002).

<i>Ashanti</i> (album) 2002 studio album by Ashanti

Ashanti is the debut studio album by American singer Ashanti, released on April 2, 2002, by Murder Inc. and Def Jam Recordings. It was recorded in New York City and Los Angeles between 2001 and 2002, during the period of time where Ashanti was writing for other artists. The album features guest vocals from Gotti, Ja Rule, and the late the Notorious B.I.G. Contributions to the album's production came from a wide range of producers, including Irv Gotti, 7 Aurelius, Chink Santana, Jared Thomas and Reggie Wright.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mesmerize (song)</span> 2002 single by Ja Rule

"Mesmerize" is a song by American rapper Ja Rule. It was released on December 16, 2002, as the second single from his fourth studio, album The Last Temptation (2002). Containing a sample from the 1974 song "Stop, Look, Listen " by Diana Ross and Marvin Gaye, the song was produced by Irv Gotti and features R&B artist Ashanti. The song peaked at number two on the Billboard Hot 100 in February 2003, making it Ashanti's and Ja Rule's fourth top-10 hit as a duet.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Foolish (Ashanti song)</span> 2002 single by Ashanti

"Foolish" is a song by American singer Ashanti. It served as her debut single, the first from her self-titled debut album (2002) and was released by Def Jam Recordings, AJM, and Irv Gotti's Murder Inc. Records. It was written by Ashanti, Etterlene Jordan, Mark DeBarge and Irv Gotti, while production was overseen by Gotti. The song heavily samples DeBarge's "Stay with Me". Due to the inclusion of the sample, Mark DeBarge and Etterlene Jordan are also credited as songwriters. A promotional version of the single called "Unfoolish" features a verse from The Notorious B.I.G. from his song "F--king You Tonight".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Always on Time</span> 2001 single by Ja Rule

"Always on Time" is a song by American rapper Ja Rule from his third studio album, Pain Is Love (2001). Produced by Irv Gotti, it was written by Rule, 7 Aurelius, and Irv Gotti and features guest vocals from Ashanti. Originally set to feature Brandy, the song was released as the album's second single on November 27, 2001, through Def Jam Recordings and Gotti's Murder Inc. Records.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Channel 7 (musician)</span> American musician and record producer

Marcus Vest, known by his stage names Channel 7 and 7 Aurelius, is an American record producer, rapper and songwriter.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Happy (Ashanti song)</span> 2002 single by Ashanti

"Happy" is a song by American singer Ashanti from her self-titled debut album (2002). The track was written by Ashanti, Chink Santana, and Irv Gotti, with production overseen by Santana and Gotti, and contains a sample of Gap Band's "Outstanding" (1982), written by Raymond Calhoun. "Happy" was released as the album's second single on June 17, 2002, reaching number eight on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number six on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. Elsewhere, the single entered the top 10 in the Netherlands while reaching the top 20 in Ireland, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wonderful (Ja Rule song)</span> 2004 single by Ja Rule

"Wonderful" is a song by American rapper Ja Rule. It was released on September 27, 2004, as the lead single from his sixth studio album, R.U.L.E. (2004), through Island Def Jam and Irv Gotti's The Inc. Records. The song features American pop-R&B singers R. Kelly and Ashanti. "Wonderful" topped the UK Singles Chart, reached number five on the US Billboard Hot 100, peaked at number six in both Australia and New Zealand, and became a top-20 hit in Denmark, Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands, and Switzerland.

<i>Irv Gotti Presents: The Inc.</i> 2002 compilation album by The Inc.

Irv Gotti Presents: The Inc. is the second compilation album by The Inc. It was released on July 2, 2002 through The Island Def Jam Music Group and Irv Gotti's Murder Inc. Records. Production was primarily handled by Irv Gotti, as well as Chink Santana, 7 Aurelius, DL and Buck 3000. It featured contributions from Murder Inc. roster, such as Caddillac Tah, Black Child, Ja Rule, Ashanti, Charli Baltimore and Vita, and guest appearances from Jennifer Lopez, Eastwood and Crooked I.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">What's Luv?</span> 2002 single by Fat Joe

"What's Luv?" is a song by American rapper Fat Joe, released through Atlantic Records and Fat Joe's Terror Squad Productions as the second single from his fourth studio album, Jealous Ones Still Envy (J.O.S.E.) (2001). The song features additional vocals from singer Ashanti and from rapper Ja Rule on the remix and album version on the song. "What's Luv" was produced by Irv Gotti and Chink Santana. The lyrics of the song's chorus are based in part on the title refrain of the 1984 Tina Turner hit "What's Love Got to Do with It". The song additionally includes a lyric that references the 1998 song "Still Not a Player" by Big Pun. Fat Joe, Ja Rule, and the song's two producers are credited as the writers of "What's Luv", as are Big Pun and the lyricist of "What's Love Got to Do with It", Terry Britten.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Between Me and You</span> 2000 single by Ja Rule

"Between Me and You" is the first single from Ja Rule's second album, Rule 3:36. The single features Christina Milian and was released on June 16, 2000 to radio. The song was his first major crossover hit, peaking at #11 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart and became Ja Rule's first top 15 hit. It also reached number 26 on the UK Singles Chart. The song was produced by Irv Gotti and Lil' Rob. A version also exists with Ja Rule singing the chorus instead of Christina Milian. The song was released through The Island Def Jam Music Group, Def Jam Recordings and Irv Gotti's Murder Inc. Records.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I Want to Be Your Man</span> 1987 single by Roger

"I Want to Be Your Man" is a song by American funk singer-songwriter Roger Troutman, from his third studio album Unlimited!. It was released as the lead single from the album in September 1987 by Reprise Records. The song was co-written by Roger's brother, Larry Troutman, and produced by Roger, who conceived of the song as a statement on romantic commitment. "I Want to Be Your Man" features Roger singing in both his natural tenor and his trademark talk box.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Livin' It Up (Ja Rule song)</span> 2001 single by Ja Rule and Case

"Livin' It Up" is a song by American rapper Ja Rule featuring singer Case, released in October 2001 through Def Jam Recordings and Irv Gotti's Murder Inc. Records, as the lead single from Ja Rule's third studio album, Pain Is Love (2001). The song, produced by Lil Rob and Irv Gotti, samples Stevie Wonder's 1982 song "Do I Do". In the United States, "Livin' It Up" peaked at number six on the Billboard Hot 100. It received a re-issue in the United Kingdom in 2002 and peaked at number five on the UK Singles Chart. Retired NBA All-Star Baron Davis and former pornographic actress Sunny Leone make appearances in the video.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Thug Lovin'</span> 2002 single by Ja Rule

"Thug Lovin'" is a song by American rapper Ja Rule featuring singer Bobby Brown, released on November 4, 2002 as the first single from Ja Rule's fourth studio album, The Last Temptation (2002). The song was produced by Irv Gotti. Bobby Brown's sung portion is an interpolation of part of the chorus of the Stevie Wonder song "Knocks Me Off My Feet".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Down Ass Bitch</span> 2002 single by Ja Rule featuring Charli Baltimore

"Down Ass Bitch" was the third and final single by American rapper Ja Rule, from his third studio album Pain Is Love (2001). It features then-labelmate Charli Baltimore and was released through Def Jam Recordings and Irv Gotti's Murder Inc. Records.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Murder Inc. Records</span> American record label

Murder Inc. Records, LLC, also abbreviated as The Inc. Records, is an American record label founded by brothers Chris and Irv Gotti in 1998. The label's flagship artist was Ja Rule. According to Chris Gotti, Murder Inc. had sold over 30 million units worldwide and grossed over $500 million. Their office was located at One Worldwide Plaza in Midtown Manhattan, New York City, New York, while their main studio was The Crackhouse, also located in New York City.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vita (rapper)</span> American rapper

LaVita Raynor, known simply as Vita, is an American rapper, songwriter and actress. Raynor is perhaps best known for her role as Kionna, Tommy "Buns" Bundy's "mistress" in the 1998 crime drama film Belly. As a rapper, Raynor is known for her appearances on the songs "Lapdance" by N.E.R.D, "Put It on Me" by Ja Rule, and "Down 4 U" by Irv Gotti. In 2014, Raynor was included in Billboard's list of the "31 Female Rappers Who Changed Hip-Hop".

References

  1. 1 2 3 Down 4 U (UK CD single liner notes). Irv Gotti. Murder Inc. Records, Def Jam Recordings. 2002. 063 900-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  2. ↑ ""Down 4 U" chart history at Billboard.com". Billboard . December 8, 2010. Archived from the original on December 27, 1996.
  3. ↑ Down 4 U (UK 12-inch single sleeve). Irv Gotti. Murder Inc. Records, Def Jam Recordings. 2002. 063 900-1.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  4. ↑ Down 4 U (UK cassette single sleeve). Irv Gotti. Murder Inc. Records, Def Jam Recordings. 2002. 063 900-4.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  5. ↑ "Irv Gotti Presents Ja Rule, Ashanti, Vita & Charli Baltimore – Down 4 U" (in Dutch). Ultratip. Retrieved November 28, 2019.
  6. ↑ "Irv Gotti Presents Ja Rule, Ashanti, Vita & Charli Baltimore – Down 4 U" (in French). Ultratip. Retrieved November 28, 2019.
  7. ↑ "Eurochart Hot 100 singles" (PDF). Music & Media . Vol. 20, no. 43. October 19, 2002. p. 9. Retrieved November 28, 2019.
  8. ↑ "Irv Gotti Presents Ja Rule, Ashanti, Vita & Charli Baltimore – Down 4 U" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved November 28, 2019.
  9. ↑ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Down 4 U". Irish Singles Chart.
  10. ↑ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 45, 2002" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved November 28, 2019.
  11. ↑ "Irv Gotti Presents Ja Rule, Ashanti, Vita & Charli Baltimore – Down 4 U" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
  12. ↑ "Irv Gotti Presents Ja Rule, Ashanti, Vita & Charli Baltimore – Down 4 U". Top 40 Singles.
  13. ↑ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 28, 2019.
  14. ↑ "Irv Gotti Presents Ja Rule, Ashanti, Vita & Charli Baltimore – Down 4 U". Swiss Singles Chart.
  15. ↑ "Irv Gotti pts: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 8, 2021.
  16. ↑ "Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 28, 2019.
  17. ↑ "Irv Gotti Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.
  18. ↑ "Irv Gotti Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard.
  19. ↑ "Irv Gotti Chart History (Hot Rap Songs)". Billboard.
  20. ↑ "Irv Gotti Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved November 28, 2019.
  21. ↑ "Irv Gotti Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard. Retrieved November 28, 2019.
  22. ↑ "The Official UK Singles Chart 2002" (PDF). UKChartsPlus . Retrieved March 1, 2021.
  23. ↑ "Billboard Top 100 – 2002". Archived from the original on April 12, 2009. Retrieved December 8, 2010.
  24. ↑ "Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs: 2002" . Billboard. Retrieved March 1, 2021.
  25. ↑ "The Year in Music 2002: Hot Rap Tracks". Billboard. Vol. 114, no. 52. December 28, 2002. p. YE-52.
  26. ↑ "Most-Played Rhythmic Top 40 Songs of 2002". Airplay Monitor . Vol. 10, no. 51. December 20, 2002. p. 22.
  27. ↑ "Going for Adds" (PDF). Radio & Records . No. 1456. June 7, 2002. p. 35. Retrieved June 8, 2021.
  28. ↑ "Going for Adds" (PDF). Radio & Records. No. 1463. July 26, 2002. p. 29. Retrieved June 8, 2021.
  29. ↑ "New Releases – For Week Starting 30 September 2002: Singles" (PDF). Music Week . September 28, 2002. p. 31. Retrieved August 28, 2021.
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.