Pimpin' (song)

Last updated

"Pimpin'"
Song by Tony Yayo
from the album Thoughts of a Predicate Felon
ReleasedAugust 30, 2005
Recorded2005; Encore Studios (Los Angeles, California)
Genre Hip hop
Length3:06
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s) LT Moe

"Pimpin'" is a song by American rapper Tony Yayo, included as a track on his debut studio album Thoughts of a Predicate Felon (2005). The song's production was handled by record producer LT Moe, who also helped in the writing process with Yayo. Musically, "Pimpin'" is a rap song expressing Yayo's desire to be able to legally pimp women. It is backed by an upbeat, "bouncy" production containing elements of digital guitar.

Contents

"Pimpin'" received generally mixed reviews from music critics: although some praised the song's upbeat production, others called the song "bland" when compared to Yayo's previous work, which typically covers a darker subject matter. Despite not being released as a single, the song received considerable airplay on US urban contemporary radio stations, which resulted in the song charting at number sixty-six on the US Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. An accompanying music video was filmed for the song, directed by production group Fat Cats.

Background and composition

"Pimpin'" was written by Tony Yayo and LT Moe, [1] [2] with Moe also handling production duties. [2] The song was recorded by Moe at Encore Studios – a recording studio in Los Angeles, California. [2] Audio mixing was carried out by Steve Baughman at Right Track Studios, a recording studio in New York City. [2] The song was mastered by Brian "Big Bass" Gardner. [2] It is listed ninth on the track listing for Thoughts of a Predicate Felon and is of three minutes and six seconds in length, [2] consisting of three choruses separated by two verses, all performed by Yayo. [3]

Lyrically, the song describes Yayo's desire to legally pimp women and treat them with a luxurious lifestyle, and refers to how other men simply chase their pleasures. [4] The lyrics are backed by a "bouncy" production [5] which, according to The Michigan Daily writer Ewan McGarvey, consists of "tiny digital-guitar frets". [6] Some music critics have described the song to be of a less dark and intense nature to many other songs on Thoughts of a Predicate Falcon, such as "Homicide", "Drama Setter" and "Live by the Gun", which invariably chronicle subjects such as murder, prison and drugs. [5] [6]

Critical reception

"Pimpin'" received generally mixed reviews from music critics, with some also noting that the song felt out of place on Thoughts of a Predicate Felon when compared to the more intense songs that appear on the album. Allmusic writer David Jeffries named "Pimpin'" as one of the album's best songs, along with "So Seductive", "Drama Setter" and "Dear Suzie". [7] Pedro Hernandez of RapReviews commended the song's "bouncy production", but criticized its concept as "unoriginal", and for this reason called it a "track that only Yayo fans will appreciate". [5] Whilst commenting positively on more intense and "brutal" songs such as "Homicide", Ross McGowan of Stylus Magazine criticized the tempo of "Pimpin'", calling it "bland", and felt that the song's music video was the only thing making it interesting to listen to, writing that "it’s way less fun to hear when it isn't accompanied by continuous footage of G-Unit’s main men wrestling each other for face time". [8] However, The Michigan Daily writer Ewan McGarvey called "Pimpin'" one of the "few charming songs" on Thoughts of a Predicate Felon. He noted that "simplicity kind of works for Tony", but also wrote that "it's not the real G-Unit manifest destiny". [6] He concluded that "Yayo's old mix-tape career gets cannibalized" for the song. [6]

Chart performance

Despite not being released as a single, "Pimpin'" debuted at number 11 on the US Billboard Bubbling Under R&B/Hip-Hop Singles chart issue dated August 6, 2005: it went on to spend seven weeks the chart, and peaked at number one. [9] The song then debuted, and peaked, at number 66 on the US Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart for the chart week dated October 1, 2005, and went on to spend three weeks on the chart. [10] Chart-position wise, "Pimpin'" is the second most successful song of Tony Yayo's career, behind only Thoughts of a Predicate Felon's first single "So Seductive", which reached number seven on the corresponding chart and also peaked at number 48 on the US Billboard Hot 100. [10] [11]

Music video

The music video for "Pimpin'" was released as a double-music video along with the video for Yayo single "Curious". Both sections of the video were directed by production group Fat Cats. [12] After three minutes and eight seconds, the video segues from the "Curious" section to the "Pimpin'" section, which lasts for a further one minute and thirty-six seconds. [12] The "Pimpin'" section of the video is set in a warehouse, and features Yayo rapping the song's first verse and first two choruses, with this footage alternating with the other members of G-Unit Records members lip-syncing sections of Yayo's lyrics. Whilst all this occurs, several girls attired in black dance in the background. [12]

Credits and personnel

The credits for "Pimpin'" are adapted from the liner notes of Thoughts of a Predicate Felon. [2]

Recording
Personnel

Charts

Chart (2005)Peak
position
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs ( Billboard ) [10] 66

Related Research Articles

Dorsey Wesley, better known by his stage name Megahertz, is an American record producer, composer and songwriter.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hate It or Love It</span> 2005 single by the Game

"Hate It or Love It" is a single by American rapper and West Coast hip hop artist the Game, featuring 50 Cent. It was released as the third official single from the Game's debut studio album The Documentary (2005). The song features production from duo Cool & Dre, with additional production from Dr. Dre. The song features a music sample of "Rubber Band" by the Trammps from their album The Legendary Zing Album (1975). "Hate It or Love It" peaked at number two on the Billboard Hot 100 for five consecutive weeks, becoming the Game's second top ten song on the chart as a lead artist and 50 Cent's eighth. It is the Game's highest-charting single on the Billboard Hot 100 to date. The song was kept from the number one position on the Billboard Hot 100 by 50 Cent's single, "Candy Shop",. "Hate It or Love It" reached the number one spot on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, making it yet again another top ten hit on the chart alongside "How We Do" which also featured 50 Cent. Outside of the United States, "Hate It or Love It" peaked within the top ten of the charts in multiple countries, including the Netherlands, New Zealand, the Republic of Ireland, and the United Kingdom.

<i>Thoughts of a Predicate Felon</i> 2005 studio album by Tony Yayo

Thoughts of a Predicate Felon is the debut studio album by American rapper Tony Yayo. It was released on August 30, 2005 through G-Unit/Interscope Records. Recording sessions took place at Sound One, at Integrated Studios, Sony Music Studios, G Unit Studios, Sound On Sound and Right Track Recording in New York, at 54 Sound in Detroit, at Encore Studios in Los Angeles and at Joi Studios in Atlanta. Production was handled by Focus..., Eminem, Black Jeruz, DJ Khalil, Domingo, Havoc, J. R. Rotem, LT Moe, Megahertz, Punch, Ron Browz, Sam Sneed, Sebb, Studio 44, and Sha Money XL, who also served as co-executive producer. It features guest appearances from fellow G-Unit members 50 Cent, who also served as executive producer, Lloyd Banks, Young Buck, Olivia and Spider Loc, as well as T.I., Eminem, Obie Trice, Jagged Edge, Joe and Kokane.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Outta Control (50 Cent song)</span> 2005 single by 50 Cent featuring Mobb Deep

"Outta Control" is a song by American rapper 50 Cent, recorded for his second studio album, The Massacre (2005). The song features production from Dr. Dre and Mike Elizondo. A remixed version of the song was released as the fourth and final single from The Massacre, although it is only included on the re-released version and replaces the original version. The remix is also produced by Dr. Dre and Elizondo and features a guest appearance from hip-hop group Mobb Deep. It also appears as a bonus track on Mobb Deep's seventh studio album Blood Money (2006).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">So Seductive</span> 2005 single by Tony Yayo featuring 50 Cent

"So Seductive" is a song by Tony Yayo as the first single from his debut album Thoughts of a Predicate Felon (2005), it features guest vocals from 50 Cent, and was produced by Punch, who helped write the song along with Tony Yayo and 50 Cent. Released following a highly publicized campaign by G-Unit, to release Tony Yayo from prison prior to the song's release, "So Seductive" is an uptempo "club banger" containing elements of string instruments and a repetitive bassline in its instrumentation. The song received little promotion from Tony Yayo at the time of its release, as he was still under house arrest following the end of his prison sentence, although he has since performed the song during various live performances.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Twist It</span> 2005 single by Olivia featuring Lloyd Banks

"Twist It" is a song by American R&B singer Olivia. It was written by Olivia along with David Drew, Michael Clervoix III, Lloyd Banks and Curtis Jackson for her unreleased second studio album, her G-Unit debut Behind Closed Doors, while production on the track was helmed by Jelly Roll. "Twist It" features guest vocals by rapper Banks. Released as the first single from Behind Closed Doors, the song peaked at number 89 on the US Billboard Hot 100.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Karma (Lloyd Banks song)</span> 2004 single by Lloyd Banks

"Karma" is the third single from Lloyd Banks's debut album, The Hunger for More. It features Avant on the music video and radio version, while singer Kevin Cossom provides additional vocals on the album version of the song.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I Know You Don't Love Me</span> 2005 single by Tony Yayo featuring G-Unit

"I Know You Don't Love Me" is the third and final single from Tony Yayo's debut album, Thoughts of a Predicate Felon. The song features G-Unit.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Curious (Tony Yayo song)</span> 2005 single by Tony Yayo featuring Joe

"Curious" is a song by American rapper Tony Yayo, and the third single off his debut album, Thoughts of a Predicate Felon (2005). It features R&B artist Joe on the chorus of the song.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Big Pimpin'</span> 2000 single by Jay-Z featuring UGK

"Big Pimpin'" is a song by American rapper Jay-Z. It was released on April 11, 2000 as the third and final single from his fourth studio album Vol. 3... Life and Times of S. Carter (1999). It features a guest appearance from Southern hip hop duo UGK, and production from Timbaland.

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

The discography of American rapper Obie Trice consists of two major-label studio albums, three independent albums, fifteen singles, and four mixtapes. His major-label albums were released via Eminem's Shady/Interscope Records.

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

This is the discography of Tony Yayo, an American rapper.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tony Yayo</span> American rapper

Marvin Bernard, better known by his stage name Tony Yayo, is an American rapper. He is best known as a member of G-Unit, a hip hop group he formed with his childhood friends 50 Cent and Lloyd Banks. Yayo released his debut and only studio album, Thoughts of a Predicate Felon, in 2005, which debuted at number 2 on the Billboard 200. His stage name is derived from the 1983 film Scarface, referencing the main character Tony Montana, and Yayo, the slang word for cocaine.

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

The discography of American R&B singer Olivia Longott, who performs under the mononym Olivia, consists of one studio album, one unreleased album, fifteen singles, four of which she performs as the featured artist, and five music videos.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Haters (Tony Yayo song)</span> 2011 single by Tony Yayo featuring 50 Cent, Shawty Lo and Roscoe Dash

"Haters" is the second single from Tony Yayo's second studio album. The song features fellow rapper 50 Cent, Shawty Lo and Roscoe Dash. The song was released as a digital download on March 23, 2011.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I Just Wanna</span> 2012 single by 50 Cent featuring Tony Yayo

"I Just Wanna" is a song by American hip hop recording artist 50 Cent, released on March 26, 2012, as the second single from his tenth mixtape The Big 10, released on December 9, 2011. The song features vocals from 50 Cent's fellow G-Unit member Tony Yayo and was produced by D.R.U.G.S Beats.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">First Date (50 Cent song)</span> 2012 single by 50 Cent featuring Too Short

"First Date" is a song by American rapper 50 Cent, released on October 3, 2012, as a single from his then-upcoming studio album Street King Immortal, which was eventually cancelled. The song, produced by 45 Music, features fellow American rapper Too Short.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Snootie Wild</span> American rapper and singer. (1985–2022)

LePreston Porter, better known by his stage name Snootie Wild, was an American rapper and singer. He was best known for his first single, "Yayo", whose success helped launch his career. The song charted in the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. In October 2013, it was announced that a fellow Memphis-based rapper, Yo Gotti, had signed Wild to his Collective Music Group (CMG) imprint. In September 2014, Wild released his only extended play, Go Mode. The EP's second single, "Made Me", peaked at number 93 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, becoming the highest-charting single of his career. Snootie Wild signed to Epic Records/CMG with Yo Gotti.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">We Fly High</span> 2006 single by Jim Jones

"We Fly High" is a song by American hip hop recording artist Jim Jones, released as the lead single from his third studio album, Hustler's P.O.M.E. (2006). The song is Jim Jones' highest-charting single to date, charting at number five on the Billboard Hot 100. It was written by Stack Bundles and produced by Zukhan-Bey who produced his previous single, "Baby Girl". The intro of the song uses a sample of "Mr. Cool" by Rasputin Stash.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stu Brooks</span>

Stu Brooks is a Grammy nominated bassist, composer, producer, musical director and co-founder of the genre-bending, experimental group Dub Trio. He is known for playing and/or recording with the Saturday Night Live Band, Lady Gaga, Mike Patton, Mark Guiliana, Dr. John, GRiZ, G-Unit, Matisyahu, Pretty Lights, and Meshell Ndegeocello,.

References

  1. "Pimpin". ASCAP ACE – Search Results. American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP). Retrieved November 3, 2011.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Thoughts of a Predicate Felon (Liner notes). Tony Yayo. Interscope Records. 2005. B0004873-02.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  3. "TONY YAYO - PIMPIN LYRICS". Metrolyrics. Archived from the original on January 3, 2012. Retrieved November 3, 2011.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  4. "5 Legal Hu$tles Tony Yayo Could Dominate". SOHH . 4Control Media. March 31, 2011. Archived from the original on September 18, 2011. Retrieved November 5, 2011.
  5. 1 2 3 Hernandez, Pedro (September 6, 2005). "Tony Yayo :: Thoughts of a Predicate Felon :: G-Unit/Interscope Records". RapReviews. Retrieved November 2, 2011.
  6. 1 2 3 4 McGarvey, Evan (September 8, 2005). "Forgettable Felon". The Michigan Daily . University of Michigan . Retrieved November 2, 2011.
  7. Jeffries, David. "Thoughts of a Predicate Felon – Tony Yayo > Overview". Allmusic . Rovi Corporation . Retrieved November 2, 2011.
  8. McGowan, Ross (August 31, 2005). "Tony Yayo – Thoughts of a Predicate Felon". Stylus . Todd Burns. Retrieved November 2, 2011.
  9. "Billboard chart search: Tony Yayo – 'Pimpin'". Billboard . Prometheus Global Media. Archived from the original (XML) on April 22, 2012. Retrieved November 2, 2011.
  10. 1 2 3 "Tony Yayo Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved November 14, 2011.
  11. "Tony Yayo Album & Song Chart History: Hot 100". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved November 3, 2011.
  12. 1 2 3 "Curious Pimpin' | Tony Yayo | Music Video". MTV . MTV Networks . Retrieved November 5, 2011.