Hit the Freeway

Last updated

"Hit the Freeway"
Tonibraxton hitthefreeway.jpg
Single by Toni Braxton featuring Loon
from the album More Than a Woman
ReleasedOctober 15, 2002
Length3:48
Label Arista
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s) The Neptunes
Toni Braxton singles chronology
"Christmas in Jamaica"
(2001)		"Hit the Freeway"
(2002)		"Please"
(2005)

"Hit the Freeway" is a song by American recording artist Toni Braxton, released as the lead single from her fourth studio album, More Than a Woman (2002). The song, which features American rapper Loon, was written by Pharrell Williams and Loon himself, while production was handled by Pharrell's production duo The Neptunes. It is a hip hop and R&B song, with lyrics about an ex trying to rekindle with Braxton, but Braxton claims she's not interested in him anymore.

Contents

The song received generally favorable reviews from music critics, who praised its catchiness and contagiousness, and picked it as a stand-out track. However, the song proved to be a failure on the charts, reaching the top-forty in Canada, Sweden, Switzerland and UK, while only reaching number 86 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. A music video, directed by Charles Infante and Dave Meyers, was released in October 2002 and features Braxton being chased by her ex.

Background

After the success of her third studio album, The Heat (2000) and its lead single "He Wasn't Man Enough", which led her to win a Grammy for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance, Braxton promised an upbeat new album, saying, "People like the slow, miserable love songs of Toni Braxton, but maybe the Prozac is working now, so let's give 'em some happier songs." [1] She started recording the album in March 2001, claiming that after a few tough years, she had a new personal happiness to bring to her music, part of that, she said, stems from her engagement to Keri Lewis of Mint Condition. [1]

In late 2002, Braxton revealed in a statement, "I'm ready to show other sides of what I can do musically. My first love has always been R&B, and I've been into hip-hop since it first started. On each of my albums I've done things to introduce people to other aspects of what I'm about musically. Sometimes, artists can get confined by what they've done in the past. When people hear I’m working with the Neptunes, they’re like 'I wonder what that will sound like?' I'm just being a part of my own generation — and we grew up with rap and hip-hop as well as R&B!" [2]

Release and composition

"Hit the Freeway" was released in early October 2002, and was the first and only single taken from More Than a Woman , due to Braxton's second pregnancy announced in the same month. [3] The CD single features the radio edit and the extended version of the song, as well as a previously unreleased track called "And I Love You", which would later be featured on More Than a Woman, and a remix of her single "Maybe". The CD also contains an enhanced video, featuring "Hit the Freeway"'s music video. [4] The song is featured on her compilations, Ultimate Toni Braxton (2003), Platinum & Gold Collection (2004), Un-Break My Heart: The Remix Collection (2005), The Essential Toni Braxton (2007) and Playlist: The Very Best of Toni Braxton (2008). [5] [6]

"Hit the Freeway" was written by Pharrell Williams and Loon, while production was handled by Pharrell's production duo The Neptunes. Pharrell also provides additional vocals. [7] "Hit the Freeway" is a "saucy", uptempo and synth-driven hip-hop and R&B song, in which Braxton serves a flame his walking papers. [3] Loon raps before the first verse and only lists all the things he bought her, "shoes from Milan, Louis Vuitton, animal arm bag and jewels on your arm". Then, Braxton talks about receiving a phone call from an ex-boyfriend, who she is not interested in hearing from anymore. Later he pipes in during the verses to respond to her point of view. [8] In the chorus, Braxton sings, "Farewell my lonely one, nothing else here can be done, I don't ever wanna see you again". [9]

Critical reception

Pharrell Williams' production on "Hit the Freeway" received generally positive reviews. N.E.R.D @ Pori Jazz 2010 - Pharrell Williams 1.jpg
Pharrell Williams' production on "Hit the Freeway" received generally positive reviews.

The song received mostly favorable reviews from music critics. Stephen Thomas Erlewine of Allmusic picked the song as a stand-out track of the album. [10] Keysha Davis of BBC Music called the chorus "eagerly contagious", writing that, "What at first sounds like a quintessential Neptunes track - melodic synthesiser, staged handclaps and funky drum patterns - later transpires into an impressive slice of pop R&B. Revenge has never sounded sweeter." [9] Sal Cinquemani of Slant Magazine called it a "catchy and edgy hip-hop-flavored fare." [11] Tracy E. Hopkins of Barnes & Noble wrote that the song "reveals Braxton's fondness for beats and rhymes." [12]

Dan Gennoe of Yahoo! Music was less favorable, writing that, "The Neptunes muster a slack handful of their trademark bleeps and hope for the best with 'Hit The Freeway', leaving Braxton sounding, bizarrely, like the product of any number of Neptunes imitators." [13] A Bland Is Out There review was also mixed, writing that "Loon's appearance is insignificant and poor", while "The Neptunes overpower the music with their beats, leaving her buried underneath." The review concluded, stating, "'Hit the Freeway' is a great, but flawed single. It could've been better if it wasn't so focused on the Neptunes-based production." [8]

Commercial performance

In the United States, "Hit the Freeway" only managed to peak at number 86, becoming Braxton's lowest charting-single since "Spanish Guitar" (2000). [14] On Billboard's R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, the song debuted at number 77, before moving to number 67. [3] It peaked at number 32, being her third consecutive single to miss the top-twenty on the R&B charts. It fared better on the Hot Dance Club Songs chart, where its remix peaked at number 2. [15] In the United Kingdom, the song entered the UK Singles Chart at number 29, on March 8, 2003. [16] It was her lowest since "You Mean the World to Me" (1994).

In Australia, the song debuted and peaked at number 46 on the ARIA Chart, only remaining on the chart for two weeks. It was also her lowest charting-single since "You Mean the World to Me" and her last single to chart in Australia. [17] In Sweden, the song was her second lowest single, peaking at number 40, and was her last single to chart. [17] In Switzerland, the song peaked at number 38, becoming her lowest charting-single ever there. [17] In Belgium, the single proved to be better, reaching numbers 1 and 3, on the Wallonia and Flanders charts, respectively. [18]

Music video

The music video for "Hit the Freeway", directed by Charles Infante and Dave Meyers, was shot in Los Angeles, in September 2002. It tells the story of a woman leaving her cheating boyfriend. There are several shots of Braxton driving down the freeway while her ex follows her, trying to rekindle the relationship. [2]

Track listing

CD maxi single [19]
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Hit the Freeway" (Radio Edit)
 The Neptunes 3:48
2."Hit the Freeway" (Extended Version)
  • Williams
  • Hawkins
The Neptunes6:27
3."And I Love You"
 Babyface 4:02
4."Maybe" (HQ² Radio Mix)
  • Toni Braxton
  • Keith Crouch
  • John Smith
  • Mechallie Jamison
  • Samuel Gause
3:19
5."Hit the Freeway" (Enhanced Video)  4:47
CD single [20]
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Hit the Freeway" (Radio Edit)
  • Williams
  • Hawkins
The Neptunes3:48
2."Hit the Freeway" (Goldtrix Full Vocal Edit)
  • Williams
  • Hawkins
7:16
3."Hit the Freeway" (Beatzworkin' Remix)
  • Williams
  • Hawkins
  • The Neptunes
  • Beatzworkin' [a]
5:58
4."Hit the Freeway" (Enhanced Video)  4:47

Notes

Personnel

Credits adapted from liner notes of More Than a Woman . [7]

Charts

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Toni Braxton</span> American singer (born 1967)

Toni Michele Braxton is an American R&B singer, songwriter, actress and television personality. She has sold over 70 million records worldwide and is one of the best-selling female artists in history. Braxton has won seven Grammy Awards, nine Billboard Music Awards, seven American Music Awards, and numerous other accolades. In 2011, Braxton was inducted into the Georgia Music Hall of Fame. In 2017 she was honored with the Legend Award at the Soul Train Music Awards.

<i>More Than a Woman</i> (album) 2002 studio album by Toni Braxton

More Than a Woman is the fifth studio album by American singer Toni Braxton, released on November 18, 2002, by Arista Records. The album contained both hip hop and urban adult contemporary sounds, as well as some softer and more contemporary melodies. Throughout the project, Braxton worked with her sister Tamar and husband Keri Lewis on most of the songs, who had written and produced material for her previous album. She also worked with hip hop producers and rappers such as Irv Gotti, The Neptunes, Mannie Fresh and Loon, as well as Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins, protégé Big Bert and his domestic partner, singer Brandy.

<i>Ultimate Toni Braxton</i> 2003 greatest hits album by Toni Braxton

Ultimate Toni Braxton, released in 2003, is the first greatest hits collection by R&B singer Toni Braxton. It features many of her greatest hits, and includes all the singles from her debut Toni Braxton and all but one of the singles from her second album Secrets. Her albums The Heat and More Than a Woman are fairly underrepresented, as only two and one songs are included from each album, respectively. The songs on Ultimate are not the actual album versions but radio edits, and the version of "Seven Whole Days" is live.

The Braxtons are an American musical quintet consisting of singer Toni Braxton and her younger sisters, Traci Braxton, Towanda Braxton, Trina Braxton, and Tamar Braxton. Despite being commercially unsuccessful, the group's first single, "Good Life", led to oldest sister Toni's solo career. All five members reunited in 2011 to star in the WE tv reality television series Braxton Family Values alongside their mother, Evelyn Braxton.

<i>Lord Willin</i> 2002 studio album by Clipse

Lord Willin' is the major label debut and second studio album by hip hop duo Clipse. The album was released on August 20, 2002 in the United States by Star Trak and Arista. Recording sessions took place over a year, beginning in 2001. Production was handled by The Neptunes.

<i>Libra</i> (Toni Braxton album) 2005 studio album by Toni Braxton

Libra is the sixth studio album by American singer Toni Braxton, released on September 27, 2005, by Blackground Records. It marked Braxton's debut on the label, following her split with longtime record company Arista Records in 2003 after the release of her album More Than a Woman (2002), which was commercially less successful than its predecessors. The album's title is a reference to Braxton's astrological sign, Libra.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Please (Toni Braxton song)</span> 2005 single by Toni Braxton

"Please" is a song by American recording artist Toni Braxton. It was written by Scott Storch, Makeba Riddick, Vincent Herbert, and Kameron Houff for her fifth studio album, Libra (2005), while production was chiefly helmed by Storch. One out of several songs on the album to feature a more hard-edged production, "Please" is a spare, mid-tempo R&B and hip hop song with a heavy bottom and zippy strings. Lyrically, it talks about how to handle a temptation in a relationship.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">He Wasn't Man Enough</span> 2000 single by Toni Braxton

"He Wasn't Man Enough" is a song by American R&B singer and songwriter Toni Braxton. It was written by Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins, Fred Jerkins III, LaShawn Daniels, and Harvey Mason, Jr. for her third studio album, The Heat (2000), while production was helmed by the former. "He Wasn't Man Enough" is an uptempo R&B song that differs from Braxton's previous ballads. The song was released by LaFace Records on February 29, 2000, as the lead single from the album.

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

American singer Toni Braxton has released ten studio albums, five extended plays, six compilation albums, two remix albums, thirty-four singles, two video albums and twenty-two music videos in a career spanning over 30 years. Braxton was born in Severn, Maryland, on October 7, 1967. Her mother, an opera vocalist, encouraged Braxton and her four sisters to sing in church at a young age. In 1990, songwriter Bill Pettaway discovered the sisters and helped them obtain a record deal with Arista Records, as the group titled The Braxtons; the group's debut single, "Good Life", was released the same year. Although the song failed to chart, Braxton's voice caught the attention of producers, L.A. Reid and Babyface, who signed her to their newly formed LaFace Records. In 1991, Braxton recorded songs for the soundtrack to the 1992 film Boomerang. Her solo debut single, "Love Shoulda Brought You Home", reached the top forty of the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and the top five of the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. Two years later, her self-titled debut album was issued through LaFace. The album topped the US Billboard 200 and R&B/Hip-Hop Albums charts and was certified eight-times platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). It spawned four singles, including "Breathe Again", which peaked within the top ten in the United States, Australia, Canada, Ireland, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. The album has sold over ten million copies worldwide.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">You're Makin' Me High</span> 1996 single by Toni Braxton

"You're Makin' Me High" is the lead single from American singer Toni Braxton's second studio album, Secrets (1996). The mid-tempo song represents a joint collaboration between the Grammy Award-winning producer Babyface and Bryce Wilson. The beat of the song was originally for singer-songwriter Brandy, with Dallas Austin pegged to write a lyric to override; however, Braxton had Babyface write lyrics for the song. It was ultimately issued in the United States as a double A-side with "Let It Flow", the airplay hit from the 1995 film Waiting to Exhale.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Another Sad Love Song</span> 1993 single by Toni Braxton

"Another Sad Love Song" is a song by American singer-songwriter Toni Braxton. Written and produced by Daryl Simmons and Babyface, featuring additional production from L.A. Reid, it was released as the lead single and its opening track from Braxton's self-titled debut album (1993) on June 11, 1993, by LaFace Records and Arista Records. Lyrically, it talks about Braxton complaining that every song played on the radio is a reminder of her ex-boyfriend.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Breathe Again</span> 1993 single by Toni Braxton

"Breathe Again" is a song by American R&B singer Toni Braxton. It was written by Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds and produced by Edmonds, L.A. Reid, and Daryl Simmons for Braxton's self-titled debut album (1993). Its lyrics evokes a sense of nostalgia from a relationship that has run its course. The ballad was released as the album's second single on October 6, 1993, by LaFace and Arista Records.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Christmas in Jamaica</span> 2001 single by Toni Braxton featuring Shaggy

"Christmas in Jamaica" is a song recorded by American R&B singer Toni Braxton. It was written by Braxton along with her former husband Keri Lewis, Donnie Scantz, Craig Love, Dave Kelly and Shaggy, for her first Christmas album, Snowflakes (2001), with Braxton, Lewis and Scantz producing the song and Shaggy co-producing and having featured vocals. The song was released as the album's second and final single on December 8, 2001, by Arista Records. Following the previous single "Snowflakes of Love", the island-flavored Christmas song charted at number three on the US Billboard Bubbling Under R&B/Hip-Hop Singles chart, but failed to chart elsewhere. The song was issued without a music video.

<i>So Many Ways</i> 1996 studio album by The Braxtons

So Many Ways is the debut album by American R&B vocal group The Braxtons. Released on August 6, 1996, the album produced four singles; "So Many Ways", "Only Love", "The Boss" – which peaked at number-one in the Billboard Dance Charts – and "Slow Flow". "So Many Ways" peaked at No. 26 on the Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Albums charts and No. 3 on the Heatseekers Albums chart.

<i>The Essential Toni Braxton</i> 2007 greatest hits album by Toni Braxton

The Essential Toni Braxton is a compilation album by the American recording artist Toni Braxton in Sony BMG's The Essential series. Released in February 2007, it follows the earlier compilations Ultimate Toni Braxton, released in 2003, and Braxton's Platinum & Gold Collection, released in 2004. The Essential is a 2 disc album with thirty-six of Braxton's best songs. It also includes a song done with her sister group The Braxtons, "The Good Life".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Trina Braxton</span> American singer

Trina Evette Braxton-Scales is an American singer and reality television personality. She is the younger sister of R&B singing icon Toni Braxton. Trina had her first big break in music in 1992 as a founding member of the R&B group The Braxtons, formed with her sisters. After losing two members, The Braxtons released their only album, So Many Ways, as a trio in 1996 along with four singles: "So Many Ways", "Only Love", "The Boss", and "Slow Flow".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Yesterday (Toni Braxton song)</span> 2009 single by Toni Braxton

"Yesterday" is a song by American R&B singer–songwriter Toni Braxton. The track is the lead single from her album, Pulse, released on May 4, 2010. Trey Songz appears on the American version released to radio, "Troy Taylor Radio Edit". Outside North America, the original version of the song was released, which features only Braxton's vocals.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Burnin' Up (Faith Evans song)</span> 2002 single by Faith Evans featuring Missy "Misdemeanor" Elliott

"Burnin' Up" is a song by American singer Faith Evans featuring rapper Loon. It was composed by Evans, Loon, Chad Hugo and Pharrell Williams for her third studio album Faithfully (2001), with production helmed by Hugo and Williams under their production moniker The Neptunes. A dance-inducing, beat-heavy uptempo song, "Burnin' Up" falls in line with the straightforward drums, guitar strumming, and clavichord worship of the duo's early years as producers. Lyrically, it has Evans pleading with a man she feels is destined to be her soulmate to recognize that they belong together.

<i>Love, Marriage & Divorce</i> 2014 studio album by Toni Braxton and Babyface

Love, Marriage & Divorce is a collaborative studio album by American recording artists Toni Braxton and Babyface, released on February 4, 2014, by Motown Records. The album debuted at number 4 on the Billboard 200 and as of July 2, 2014 the album had sold 211,000 copies in the U.S. The album won Best R&B Album at the 57th Annual Grammy Awards.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Diddy (song)</span> 2001 single by P. Diddy featuring The Neptunes

"Diddy" is an eponymous song by American hip hop recording artist P. Diddy, featuring a guest appearance from American singer Pharrell Williams, who performs the hook. The song was released on 2001 as the third single of Diddy's third studio album The Saga Continues..., released by record labels Bad Boy Records and Arista Records. The song was produced by The Neptunes, and written by its performers along with rapper Loon.

References

  1. 1 2 VanHom, Teri (January 5, 2001). "Toni Braxton Promises Upbeat New Album". MTV News . Retrieved December 14, 2013.
  2. 1 2 Moss, Corey (October 2, 2002). "Toni Braxton Works With Gotti, Neptunes, Husband On New LP". MTV News . Retrieved December 14, 2013.
  3. 1 2 3 "Toni Braxton Is Back With 'More'". Billboard . October 19, 2002. Retrieved December 14, 2013.
  4. ↑ "Amazon.com: Hit the Freeway - Single, Enhanced, Import". Amazon.com . Retrieved December 14, 2013.
  5. ↑ "Toni Braxton / Loon - Hit the Freeway - Allmusic". Allmusic . Retrieved December 15, 2013.
  6. ↑ "Hit the Freeway - Allmusic". Allmusic . Retrieved December 15, 2013.
  7. 1 2 Braxton, Toni (2002). More Than a Woman (liner notes). Toni Braxton. Arista Records
  8. 1 2 "Single Review: Toni Braxton & Loon "Hit The Freeway"". Bland Is Out There. July 5, 2013. Retrieved December 14, 2013.
  9. 1 2 Davis, Keyshia (December 12, 2002). "BBC - Music - Review of Toni Braxton - More Than a Woman". BBC Music . Retrieved February 17, 2012.
  10. 1 2 Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. More Than a Woman - Toni Braxton at AllMusic . Retrieved February 17, 2012.
  11. ↑ Cinquemani, Sal (November 11, 2002). "Toni Braxton: More Than a Woman". Slant Magazine . Retrieved February 17, 2012.
  12. ↑ E. Hopkins, Tracy. "More Than a Woman by Arista, Toni Braxton". Barnes & Noble . Retrieved December 14, 2013.
  13. ↑ Gennoe, Dan (March 10, 2003). "Toni Braxton - 'More Than A Woman'". Yahoo! Music UK. Archived from the original on August 25, 2004. Retrieved April 8, 2013.
  14. ↑ "Eminem Notches First Hot 100 No. 1". Billboard Magazine . Retrieved December 15, 2013.
  15. ↑ "More Than a Woman > Charts & Awards > Billboard Singles". Allmusic . Retrieved October 5, 2008.
  16. ↑ "The Official Charts Company - Hit The Freeway by Toni Braxton Search". The Official Charts Company. December 19, 2013.
  17. 1 2 3 "Australian-Charts.com - Toni Braxton - Hit the Freeway". ARIA Charts . Retrieved October 5, 2008.
  18. ↑ "Ultratop.be – Toni Braxton - Hit the Freeway" (in Dutch). Ultratip . Retrieved December 8, 2013.
  19. ↑ "Toni Braxton – Hit The Freeway (Arista – 74321 95940 2)". Discogs . Retrieved December 14, 2013.
  20. ↑ "Toni Braxton – Hit The Freeway (Arista – 82876 506372)". Discogs . Retrieved December 14, 2013.
  21. ↑ "Toni Braxton – Hit the Freeway". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved 2015-07-17.
  22. ↑ "Issue 672" ARIA Top 40 Urban Singles. National Library of Australia. Retrieved February 27, 2022.
  23. ↑ "Toni Braxton – Hit the Freeway" (in Dutch). Ultratip. Retrieved 2018-06-03.
  24. ↑ "Toni Braxton – Hit the Freeway" (in French). Ultratip. Retrieved 2018-06-03.
  25. ↑ "Canadian Digital Song Sales". Billboard. December 27, 2003. Retrieved December 11, 2018.
  26. ↑ "Toni Braxton – Hit the Freeway". Tracklisten. Retrieved 2015-07-17.
  27. ↑ "Euro Chart Hot 100" (PDF). Music & Media. March 15, 2003. p. 11. Retrieved June 7, 2018.
  28. ↑ "Toni Braxton – Hit the Freeway" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved 2020-03-06.
  29. ↑ "Irish-charts.com – Discography Toni Braxton". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved January 20, 2020.
  30. ↑ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved June 3, 2018.
  31. ↑ "Toni Braxton – Hit the Freeway". Singles Top 100. Retrieved 2015-07-17.
  32. ↑ "Toni Braxton – Hit the Freeway". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved 2015-07-17.
  33. ↑ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 2015-07-17.
  34. ↑ "Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved June 3, 2018.
  35. ↑ "Toni Braxton Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 2015-07-17.
  36. ↑ "Toni Braxton Chart History (Dance Club Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 2015-07-17.
  37. ↑ "Toni Braxton Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 2015-07-17.
  38. ↑ "Canada's Top 200 Singles of 2002 (Part 2)". Jam! . January 14, 2003. Archived from the original on September 6, 2004.
  39. ↑ "Top 40 Urban Tracks Of 2002" (PDF). Music Week . January 18, 2003. p. 32. Retrieved August 4, 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.