My Boo (Ghost Town DJ's song)

Last updated
"My Boo"
MyBooGTD.jpg
Single by Ghost Town DJ's
ReleasedMay 26, 1996 (1996-05-26)
Recorded1996
Genre
Length
  • 5:46 (album version)
  • 4:09 (radio edit)
Label
Songwriter(s)
  • Carlton Mahone
  • Rodney Terry
Producer(s)
  • Mahone
  • Terry
  • Lil Jon (Uncredited) [3]
Music video
"My Boo" on YouTube

"My Boo" is the only single released by Ghost Town DJ's. It was released on Jermaine Dupri's So So Def label and Columbia. The song, an invitation by a female to a male, blends R&B-style vocals over a bass beat. It was written by Carlton Mahone and Rodney Terry, with lead vocals sung by Virgo Williams. The song peaked at number 31 on the US Billboard Hot 100 on its initial release in 1996. In 2016, the song was re-popularized by the "Running Man Challenge" and re-entered the Hot 100, achieving a new peak of number 27 twenty years after its original release. "My Boo" was also a big hit in New Zealand, where it peaked at number three in October 1996.

Contents

Background

Originally, an artist named Akema Johnson-Day was slated to provide lead vocals for the song with Virgo Williams on background vocals, however when a scheduling conflict prevented Akema from taking part in the production, Virgo Williams’ vocals became the lead vocals. Lil Jon was an A&R Director for So So Def at the time. Rodney Terry and Carl Mahone produced it, and it was the second version of the beat currently used in the song. [3]

Music video

The music video features a pool party. The group did not appear in the video, but Jermaine Dupri does. [4]

Chart performance

"My Boo" entered the Billboard charts on the issue dated June 15, 1996 with its number 71 debut on the Hot R&B Airplay chart, with early airplay concentrated at Southern R&B radio stations. [5] Three weeks later, following its commercial release as a vinyl 12-inch single, it entered the Hot R&B Singles and Hot 100 charts at numbers 41 and 65, respectively. [6] [7] On the latter chart, where it was the highest-ranking debut of the week, nearly 85% of the single's chart points were derived from airplay, with its vinyl-only release precluding a larger contribution from sales. [7] Though it was ultimately never released domestically in the more popular cassette and CD configurations, [8] [9] the single managed to peak at numbers 18 and 31 on Hot R&B Singles and the Hot 100, respectively. [10] The song was especially popular at rhythmic radio stations, peaking at number 2 on the Top 40/Rhythm-Crossover chart. [11] Abroad, the song became a major hit in New Zealand, where it rose to number three on the RIANZ Singles Chart and earned a Gold certification for sales in excess of 5,000 copies. [12] [13]

Nearly twenty years after the song's original chart run, a resurgence in its popularity driven by the Running Man Challenge viral meme prompted its re-entry on the charts dated May 21, 2016. [14] [15] On the strength of 35,000 digital download sales and 12.3 million domestic streams, "My Boo" re-entered the R&B chart, which had long since been renamed Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, at number 14, and the Hot 100 at number 29, surpassing the single's initial peaks on both charts. [10] It subsequently peaked at numbers 10 and 27, respectively. [16] [17]

Remixes

In the 2004 song "I Wanna Be Your Lady" from Cam'ron, Nicole Wray, and The Diplomats' second album together on Diplomatic Immunity 2 , the song was interpolated. In 2007, the song was interpolated on Pitbull and Lloyd's "Secret Admirer". In 2009, the song was sampled in the So So Def Mix of "H.A.T.E.U." by Mariah Carey. A slowed down witch house remix was released by Balam Acab [18] in 2011. Interpolations of the song are featured in Ciara's 2013 single "Body Party". In 2016, the group released four 20th anniversary mixes of the song.

Cover versions

Running Man Challenge

In 2016, twenty years after its initial release, "My Boo" gained notoriety through the Running Man Challenge, a viral meme in which participants filmed and shared short clips of themselves performing a dance resembling running to the song. The original videos were posted on Vine by high school students Kevin Vincent and Jeremiah Hall in Hillside, New Jersey. [21] Inspired by Vincent and Hall's video, two players from the University of Maryland basketball program, Jared Nickens and Jaylen Brantley, [22] filmed their own versions of the Running Man Challenge, spreading the meme. [23]

The challenge went viral on Vine, and Vincent, Hall, Nickens and Brantley were invited to perform it on The Ellen DeGeneres Show . [24] Many other athletes from various sports, a number of celebrities and the general public embraced the trend and produced their own takes of the dance. [25] [26]

Track listing

Maxi CD single (US [promo only] & Europe)

  1. "My Boo" (LP Radio Edit) – 4:09
  2. "My Boo" (Quiet Storm Radio Edit) – 4:04
  3. "My Boo" (Hitman's Club Mix) – 7:07
    • Remix by Mike "Hitman" Wilson

12" vinyl (US)

  1. "My Boo" (LP Version) – 5:47
  2. "My Boo" (Just Da Beat Club Mix) – 6:25
  3. "My Boo" (Quiet Storm Mix) – 4:04
    • Remix by Carlton "Carl Mo" Mahone, Jr.*, Jonathan "Lil Jon" Smith
  4. "My Boo" (Hitman's Club Mix) – 7:07
    • Remix by Mike "Hitman" Wilson
  5. "My Boo" (Armand Representing Da East Mix) – 7:23
  6. "My Boo" (A cappella) – 4:27

12" vinyl (Europe)

  1. "My Boo" (LP Radio Edit) – 4:09
  2. "My Boo" (Quiet Storm Radio Edit) – 4:04
    • Remix by Carlton "Carl Mo" Mahone, Jr.*, Jonathan "Lil Jon" Smith
  3. "My Boo" (Hitman's Club Mix) – 7:07
    • Remix by Mike "Hitman" Wilson
  4. "My Boo" (LP Radio Edit) – 4:09
  5. "My Boo" (Quiet Storm Radio Edit) – 4:04
    • Remix by Carlton "Carl Mo" Mahone, Jr.*, Jonathan "Lil Jon" Smith
  6. "My Boo" (Hitman's Club Mix) – 7:07
    • Remix by Mike "Hitman" Wilson

Charts

Certifications

RegionCertification Certified units/sales
New Zealand (RMNZ) [13] Gold5,000*

* Sales figures based on certification alone.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jon B.</span> American R&B singer

Jonathan David Buck is an American R&B singer, songwriter and record producer. His debut album Bonafide (1995) spawned the hit singles "Pretty Girl" and "Someone to Love", the latter of which reached the top ten on the Billboard Hot 100 and was nominated at the Grammys Awards for Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals. The following year, he co-wrote the single "Say You'll Be There" for the Spice Girls. His second album Cool Relax (1997), was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). Cool Relax included the hit singles "Are U Still Down" and "They Don't Know". His third album, Pleasures U Like (2001) reached the top ten on the Billboard 200 chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">C'mon N' Ride It (The Train)</span> 1996 single by Quad City DJs

"C'mon N' Ride It (The Train)" is a song by American Florida-based musical group Quad City DJ's, released in February 1996 as a single from their debut album, Get On Up and Dance (1996). It is based on a sample of Barry White's 1974 main theme from soundtrack to the film Together Brothers. The song peaked at number three on the US Billboard Hot 100 and reached the top 40 in Australia and New Zealand. It was ranked the number-one song of 1996 by Village Voice magazine, and in 2010, Pitchfork Media included the song as one of their "Ten Actually Good 90s Jock Jams". In 2022, Rolling Stone ranked it number 86 in their list of "200 Greatest Dance Songs of All Time". The song is also used in a wide variety of sports events.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stupid Girl (Garbage song)</span> 1996 single by Garbage

"Stupid Girl" is a song by American rock band Garbage from their self-titled debut studio album (1995). The song was written and produced by band members Duke Erikson, Shirley Manson, Steve Marker and Butch Vig. "Stupid Girl" features lyrics about a young woman's ambivalence and is a musical arrangement centered on a repetitive bassline and a drum sample from the Clash's 1980 song "Train in Vain".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Something in Common</span> 1993 single by Bobby Brown and Whitney Houston

"Something in Common" is a song by American singers Bobby Brown and then-wife Whitney Houston, that was featured on Brown's third album, Bobby (1992). The single version was re-recorded and released in December 1993 by MCA, and was also available on Brown's 1993 compilation album Remixes in the Key of B. It was written by Brown and Houston with Teddy Riley, Bernard Belle, Mark Middleton and Alfred Rosemond, while Riley and L.A. Reid produced it. The song stands as the couple's first musical collaboration and the only song released as a single. It examines two unlikely people coming together as they find "something in common." Its music video was directed by Andy Morahan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Check Yo Self</span> 1993 single by Ice Cube featuring Das EFX

"Check Yo Self" is the third and final single from American rapper Ice Cube's third solo album, The Predator. It was released on July 13, 1993, and features New York City rappers Das EFX. It topped both the Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop and Rap charts while also reaching number 20 on the Hot 100 chart. The song retains two main versions, the original and a remix which utilizes the same beat as Grandmaster Flash's "The Message", titled "Check Yo Self ". The original mix includes a sample from the intro of the Beastie Boys' track "The New Style", which uses the phrase "check it" throughout the chorus.

The Puppies were a child hip hop sibling duo composed of brother Calvin "Big Boy" Mills III, and sister Tamara Dee Mills.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Change the World</span> 1996 song by Wynonna Judd

"Change the World" is a song written by Tommy Sims, Gordon Kennedy, and Wayne Kirkpatrick and recorded by country music artist Wynonna Judd. A later version was recorded by English singer Eric Clapton for the soundtrack of the 1996 film Phenomenon. Clapton's version was produced by R&B record producer Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Knockin' Da Boots</span> 1993 single by H-Town

"Knockin' da Boots" is the debut single by R&B group H-Town, taken from their debut album Fever for da Flavor. The song became one of the biggest R&B singles of 1993 according to the Billboard charts, where it peaked at number three on the Hot 100 for seven weeks, and also topped the R&B chart for four weeks, and it helped win the band a Soul Train Music Award for Best R&B/Soul or Rap New Artist. The song was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America and sold over 1.1 million copies. The song contains replayed elements of "Be Alright" by Zapp.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I Can't Sleep Baby (If I)</span> 1996 single by R. Kelly

"I Can't Sleep Baby (If I)" is a single by American R&B singer R. Kelly from his 1995 eponymous album. The song spent two weeks at number one on the US Billboard Hot R&B Singles chart (Kelly's sixth number-one R&B hit) and peaked at number five on the Billboard Hot 100. Outside the US, the single reached the top 20 in New Zealand, peaking at number 14.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I'll Be There for You/You're All I Need to Get By</span> 1995 single by Method Man featuring Mary J. Blige

"I'll Be There for You/You're All I Need to Get By" is a duet song by American rapper Method Man, featuring American singer-songwriter Mary J. Blige. The song is a remix of Method Man's "All I Need" which appears on his debut studio album, Tical (1994). The song, a hip hop soul record, was released as a single by Def Jam Recordings and PolyGram Records on April 25, 1995.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stranger in My House (Tamia song)</span> 2000 single by Tamia

"Stranger in My House" is a song recorded by Canadian singer Tamia. It was written by Shae Jones and frequent collaborator Shep Crawford and produced by the latter. Initially helmed for fellow R&B singer Toni Braxton, it was left unused and later recorded by Tamia for her second studio album, A Nu Day (2000). Inspired by the surprise ending of the supernatural thriller film The Sixth Sense (1999), the strings-led, dramatic R&B ballad is about a woman who is confused with her partner's recent change in behavior and goes into denial about it.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I Wanna Know (Joe song)</span> 1999 single by Joe

"I Wanna Know" is a song by American R&B singer Joe. It was written by Joe, Joylon Skinner and Michele Williams for his third studio album My Name Is Joe (2000), while production was helmed by Joe and Tony Nicholas, featuring additional credit from Timmy Allen. It also appeared on the soundtrack to the film The Wood (1999). Released as a single, it reached number four on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number two on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. The song was ranked fourth on the Billboard Hot 100's 2000 year-end chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Get Money</span> 1996 single by Junior M.A.F.I.A. featuring The Notorious B.I.G.

"Get Money" is a song by the American rap group Junior M.A.F.I.A., released as the third and final single from their debut album Conspiracy (1995). "Get Money," whose instrumental is fundamentally a sample of R&B singer Sylvia Striplin's 1981 song "You Can't Turn Me Away," was produced by EZ Elpee, rapped by the Notorious B.I.G. and Lil' Kim, and received a music video. B.I.G., formally, was featured, but at times was deemed, like Lil' Kim and Lil' Cease, a Junior M.A.F.I.A. member.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Only You (112 song)</span> 1996 single by 112 featuring The Notorious B.I.G. and Mase

"Only You" is the debut single by R&B group 112, from their 1996 self-titled debut album. Both the original and the remix were released as singles, in May and July 1996 respectively. Q, Slim, and Mike share lead vocals on both versions of the song. The original features The Notorious B.I.G., and the remix features both B.I.G. and Mase. The original samples the riff from "I Get Lifted" by KC and the Sunshine Band.

"All Cried Out" is a song recorded by American band Lisa Lisa and Cult Jam from their 1985 album Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam with Full Force. The song became a major hit, reaching number eight on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart in October 1986. It was also a major hit on the US R&B singles chart, peaking at number three.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">This D.J.</span> 1994 single by Warren G

"This D.J." is the title of a song by American hip hop artist Warren G. It was released in July 1994 by Def Jam as the second single from his debut album, Regulate...G Funk Era (1994). Released as the follow-up to his smash hit, "Regulate", "This D.J." was another success for Warren G, becoming his second consecutive top 10 single in the US, peaking at number nine on the Billboard Hot 100. The single was certified gold by the RIAA and sold 600,000 copies.

"Freek'n You" is a song by American R&B group Jodeci recorded for their third album, The Show, the After Party, the Hotel (1995). The song, released as the album's first single, peaked at number 14 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1995. Listed by Billboard magazine as one of the best selling singles of 1995, it was certified gold by the RIAA for sales in excess of 600,000 units.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Falling (Montell Jordan song)</span> 1996 single by Montell Jordan

"Falling" is the second single released from Montell Jordan's second album, More.... Like the previous single, "I Like", "Falling" was co-produced by Derick "D Man" McEleveen and James Earl Jones, who sampled MC Eiht's "Streiht Up Menace". "Falling" is the most successful of the three singles, making it to 18 on the Billboard Hot 100, and was certified gold on December 3, 1996, for individual sales of 500,000 copies. The official remix featured a guest appearance from rapper, Flesh-n-Bone.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Westside (TQ song)</span> 1998 single by TQ

"Westside" is the debut single by TQ, from his 1998 debut album, They Never Saw Me Coming. The song was produced by Bay-area producers Femi Ojetunde and Mike Mosley, with TQ serving as co-producer. The song is an anthemic ode to TQ's native California. In the song's lyrics, he mentions several other California musicians who influenced him; Ice Cube, Eazy-E, Ice-T, Too Short and DJ Quik. At the end of "Westside", TQ dedicates the song to the deceased Eazy-E and Tupac Shakur.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Swing My Way</span> 1997 single by K.P. & Envyi

"Swing My Way" is a bass song by American hip-hop duo K.P. & Envyi. For each of them, it is their only top 40 hit, reaching No. 6 on the Billboard Hot 100 for the week ending March 14, 1998. It entered the Hot 100 on the week ending December 27, 1997, at No. 86.

References

  1. ↑ Billboard Staff (October 19, 2023). "The 500 Best Pop Songs: Staff List". Billboard . Retrieved February 11, 2024. The divine Miami Bass-styled mid-'90s crossover that perfectly captures the rush of having a secret crush...
  2. ↑ Pitchfork Staff (September 27, 2022). "The 250 Best Songs of the 1990s". Pitchfork . Retrieved October 21, 2022. The track didn't take off until Chicago house legend DJ Mike "Hitman" Wilson put out his remix...
  3. 1 2 "Heard and Unseen: The Oral History of Ghost Town DJ's 'My Boo' - SPIN". 26 May 2016. Retrieved 1 July 2016.
  4. ↑ Weiner, Natalie (May 16, 2016). "Ballin' Out Podcast: The Ghost Town DJs (and the College Hoopsters Who Brought Them Back to the Hot 100) Talk 'My Boo', 20 Years Later". Billboard . Prometheus Global Media . Retrieved July 19, 2016.
  5. ↑ Sandiford-Waller, Theda (June 15, 1996). "Theda Sandiford-Waller's Rhythm Section". Billboard . Vol. 108, no. 24. BPI Communications. p. 28. ISSN   0006-2510 . Retrieved May 10, 2016.
  6. ↑ "Hot R&B Singles". Billboard . Vol. 108, no. 27. BPI Communications. July 6, 1996. p. 22. ISSN   0006-2510 . Retrieved May 10, 2016.
  7. 1 2 McKenna, Jerry (July 6, 1996). "Hot 100 Singles Spotlight". Billboard . Vol. 108, no. 27. BPI Communications. p. 103. ISSN   0006-2510 . Retrieved May 10, 2016.
  8. 1 2 "Hot R&B Singles". Billboard . Vol. 108, no. 52. BPI Communications. December 28, 1996. p. 32. ISSN   0006-2510 . Retrieved May 10, 2016.
  9. 1 2 "Hot 100 Singles". Billboard . Vol. 109, no. 5. BPI Communications. February 1, 1997. p. 78. ISSN   0006-2510 . Retrieved May 10, 2016.
  10. 1 2 Mendizabal, Amaya (May 11, 2016). "Ghost Town DJ's' 1996 Hit 'My Boo' Reaches New Hot 100 High Thanks to Viral Dance Video". Billboard . Prometheus Global Media . Retrieved May 13, 2016.
  11. 1 2 "Ghost Town DJ's – Chart history" Billboard Rhythmic Songs for Ghost Town DJ's. Retrieved May 10, 2016.
  12. 1 2 "Ghost Town DJ's – My Boo". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved May 10, 2016.
  13. 1 2 "New Zealand single certifications – Ghost Town DJ's – My Boo". Recorded Music NZ.
  14. ↑ "The Hot 100: The Week of May 21, 2016". Billboard . Prometheus Global Media . Retrieved May 10, 2016.
  15. ↑ "Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs: The Week of May 21, 2016". Billboard . Prometheus Global Media . Retrieved May 10, 2016.
  16. 1 2 "Ghost Town DJ's Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved May 10, 2016.
  17. 1 2 "Ghost Town DJ's Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved May 17, 2016.
  18. ↑ ""My Boo (Balam Acab Remix)" - Forkcast Archive - Pitchfork". Pitchfork. 4 August 2011.
  19. ↑ "Friends – "My Boo" (Ghost Town DJ's Cover)". 2011-09-21. Retrieved 2016-07-20.
  20. ↑ "Flume - My Boo (feat. Vince Staples, Kučka, Ngaiire & Vera Blue) [triple j Like a Version]". YouTube . 2016-12-01. Archived from the original on 2021-12-21.
  21. ↑ Laird, Sam (3 May 2016). "The originators of 'The Running Man Challenge' are two awesome high school kids". Mashable . Retrieved 1 July 2016.
  22. ↑ "Maryland's Jaylen Brantley, Jared Nickens bring Running Man Challenge to 'Ellen DeGeneres Show'". The Washington Post . Retrieved 1 July 2016.
  23. ↑ "How a forgotten '90s dance hit made these Terps Internet famous". The Washington Post . Retrieved 1 July 2016.
  24. ↑ Swalec, Andrea (4 May 2016). "Terps Do 'Running Man Challenge' on 'Ellen' Show". NBC4 Washington. Retrieved 4 May 2016.
  25. ↑ Steinberg, Dan. "How a forgotten '90s dance hit made these Terps Internet famous". Washington Post. Retrieved 2 May 2016.
  26. ↑ Ducey, Kenny. "The Running Man Challenge died too soon". www.si.com. Retrieved 2 May 2016.
  27. ↑ "Top RPM Dance/Urban: Issue 9787." RPM . Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved November 19, 2019.
  28. ↑ "Ghost Town DJ's – Chart history" Billboard Radio Songs for Ghost Town DJ's. Retrieved May 10, 2016.
  29. ↑ "Ghost Town DJ's – Chart history" Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay for Ghost Town DJ's. Retrieved May 10, 2016.
  30. ↑ "Ghost Town DJ's – Awards". AllMusic . All Media Network . Retrieved May 10, 2016.
  31. ↑ "Ghost Town DJ's – Chart history" Billboard Pop Songs for Ghost Town DJ's. Retrieved May 10, 2016.
  32. ↑ "Ghost Town DJ's – My Boo". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved May 14, 2016.
  33. ↑ "Le Top de la semaine : Top Singles Téléchargés - SNEP (Week 20, 2016)" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Archived from the original on 2016-05-20. Retrieved May 21, 2016.
  34. ↑ "NZ Top 40 Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. May 16, 2016. Retrieved May 13, 2016.
  35. ↑ "End of Year Charts 1996". Recorded Music NZ . Retrieved November 19, 2019.
  36. ↑ "The Year in Music: Hot 100 Singles". Billboard . Vol. 108, no. 52. BPI Communications. December 28, 1996. p. YE-32. ISSN   0006-2510 . Retrieved May 10, 2016.
  37. ↑ "The Year in Music: Hot 100 Singles". Billboard . Vol. 108, no. 52. BPI Communications. December 28, 1996. p. YE-36. ISSN   0006-2510 . Retrieved May 10, 2016.
  38. ↑ "The Year in Music: R&B". Billboard . Vol. 108, no. 52. BPI Communications. December 28, 1996. p. YE-40. ISSN   0006-2510 . Retrieved May 10, 2016.
  39. ↑ "The Year in Music: R&B". Billboard . Vol. 108, no. 52. BPI Communications. December 28, 1996. p. YE-42. ISSN   0006-2510 . Retrieved May 10, 2016.
  40. ↑ "The Year in Music: Dance". Billboard . Vol. 108, no. 52. BPI Communications. December 28, 1996. p. YE-45. ISSN   0006-2510 . Retrieved May 10, 2016.
  41. ↑ "Airplay Monitor Best of '96: Top 40/Mainstream Titles" (PDF). Airplay Monitor . Vol. 4, no. 53. December 27, 1996. p. 30. Retrieved July 8, 2021.
  42. ↑ "Airplay Monitor Best of '96: Top 40/Rhythm-Crossover Titles" (PDF). Airplay Monitor . Vol. 4, no. 53. December 27, 1996. p. 32. Retrieved July 8, 2021.
  43. ↑ "RPM '97 Year End Top 50 Dance Tracks". RPM . Retrieved November 19, 2019– via Library and Archives Canada.
  44. ↑ "Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs – Year-End 2016". Billboard. Retrieved January 2, 2020.
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.