Top Down

Last updated
"Top Down"
Top Down.jpg
Single by Swizz Beatz
from the album One Man Band Man
ReleasedMay 29, 2007
Recorded2007
Genre Hip hop
Length3:08 (Album version)
3:22 (Original version)
Label Motown Records, Full Surface
Songwriter(s) Kasseem Dean, Roger Hatcher, Major Lance, Eric McCaine
Producer(s) Swizz Beatz (co-produced by The "E. McCaine" Edition (Eric McCaine)
Swizz Beatz singles chronology
"Set It Off"
(2007)
"Top Down"
(2007)
"Blow Ya Mind"
(2007)

"Top Down" is a song by American hip hop record producer and recording artist Swizz Beatz, included as the eighth track from his debut studio album One Man Band Man (2007). "Top Down" contains samples of swirls and riotous bursts of 1970s-soul horns from "Girl, Come on Home" by Major Lance.

Contents

Background

In an interview with MTV, Swizz Beatz explained the song was initially meant for Nas: "The record was originally for Nas. I got Nas' vocals already. But I can't do Nas, and his energy is not right on there. It would be dead weight. No disrespect, but it can't be dead weight if I can't make it feel like reality. I need the shit crazy. I need to shoot a video! It's gotta be another 'It's Me Bitches,' but bigger. I could easily pull a Nas card and have people be like, 'Nas is spazzing on the verse.' But it has to be a movie. I got it. It just gotta make sense. I can get Nas, Jay-Z and Jadakiss on that. I can do that. It's light work, but it's gotta make sense." [1]

On May 30, 2009, the song Nas recorded over the beat leaked online, entitled "Be Worried". On February 21, 2011, Swizz Beatz officially released the mastered version with Nas, for his series of free weekly mp3s and included it on his mixtape Monster Mondays Vol. 1 ." [2]

Music video

The song was featured in the second half of the music video for "Money in the Bank". In it, Swizz Beatz is in front of a green screen "riding" a Lamborghini. After the video was released, Swizz Beatz released the single on his Myspace.

In media

"Top Down" gained recognition from being featured in the video game Grand Theft Auto IV as well as the 2010 movie The Other Guys .

Single track listing

1. Top Down (Dirty)

2. Top Down (Radio)

3. It's Me Snitches

4. It's Me Snitches (Remix)

5. It's Me Snitches (Remix) (Instrumental)

6. It's Me Snitches (Remix) (A Capella)

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fabolous</span> American rapper (born 1977)

John David Jackson, better known by his stage name Fabolous, is an American rapper. Raised in Brooklyn, he first gained recognition for his ability upon performing live on DJ Clue's Hot 97 radio show. Jackson then signed to Clue's record label, Desert Storm Records in a joint venture with Elektra Records. He first gained mainstream prominence for his debut studio album Ghetto Fabolous (2001), which spawned the hit singles "Can't Deny It" and "Young'n ." His second album, Street Dreams (2003) was further commercially oriented and supported by the singles "Can't Let You Go" and "Into You" —both of which peaked at number four on the Billboard Hot 100.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jadakiss</span> American rapper (born 1975)

Jason Terrance Phillips, better known by his stage name Jadakiss, is an American rapper from Yonkers, New York. He began his career in the 1990s and formed the hip hop trio the Lox alongside Styles P and Sheek Louch in 1994. The group signed with Puff Daddy's Bad Boy Records, an imprint of Arista Records to release their debut studio album, Money, Power & Respect (1998); their second album, We Are the Streets (2000) was released by Ruff Ryders Entertainment, an imprint of Interscope Records. Both peaked within the top five of the Billboard 200 and yielded critical praise; their two subsequent albums, Filthy America... It's Beautiful (2013) and Living Off Xperience (2020) were both released by Jay-Z's Roc Nation and met with continued praise.

Young Gunz is an American hip hop duo from Philadelphia, composed of rappers Young Chris and Neef Buck. The group is part of Beanie Sigel's State Property collective and were signed to Jay-Z's Roc-A-Fella Records. Young Gunz' 2003 debut single, "Can't Stop, Won't Stop", reached the top 15 on the Billboard Hot 100.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Swizz Beatz</span> American record producer and rapper (born 1978)

Kasseem Daoud Dean, known professionally as Swizz Beatz, is an American record producer and rapper. Born and raised in the Bronx borough of New York City, Dean initially embarked on his musical career as a DJ. At the age of 18, he gained recognition in the music industry through his family's record label Ruff Ryders Entertainment and his affiliation with its flagship artist, Yonkers-based rapper DMX. Working with DMX as his producer, DJ, and hype man helped Dean gain prominence as a high-profile figure in hip hop in the following years.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Full Surface Records</span> Record label founded by Swizz Beatz

Full Surface is a record label founded in 2001, by American hip hop recording artist and record producer Kasseem "Swizz Beatz" Dean. With the help of his protégé, Cassidy, who was the 1st artist signed, the label was established. The label used to operate through Sony's J and through Universal's Interscope, Motown and Universal Motown. However, the label also had released material through joint ventures with other companies outside the Sony BMG group.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Untouchable (Tupac Shakur song)</span> 2006 single by 2Pac featuring Krayzie Bone

"Untouchable (Swizz Beatz Remix)" is a song by rapper Tupac Shakur. The song was released as a remix by Swizz Beatz and Krayzie Bone and was used to promote the 2006 posthumous album Pac's Life. Tupac recorded the song in June, 1996, just prior to the Makaveli recording sessions. The original version has never been officially released. In the Swizz Beatz remix, rapper Krayzie Bone replaces the original featured artists, recording his part sometime in 2005. As the song was released as a promotional single only, no official music video for the song was created. The song contains lyrics similar to other Tupac songs, such as "Killuminati", "Untouchable (Freestyle Version)" and "Capture The Flag".

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

American producer and rapper Swizz Beatz has released two studio albums, one compilation album, one extended play (EP), one mixtape, thirty-nine singles, three promotional singles and thirty-three music videos.

<i>One Man Band Man</i> 2007 studio album by Swizz Beatz

One Man Band Man is the debut studio album by American record producer and rapper Swizz Beatz, released on August 21, 2007, through Full Surface and Universal Motown Records. The album features guest appearances from Drag-On, Lil Wayne, R. Kelly and Jadakiss. The album's production was handled by Swizz Beatz himself, as well as producers such as The Individualz, Needlz, Nottz, Snags, Neo Da Matrix, Eric McCaine, Young World Music.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">It's Me Bitches</span> 2007 single by Swizz Beatz

"It's Me Bitches", is a song by American hip hop recording artist and record producer Swizz Beatz. The song, released February 13, 2007, serves as the lead single from his debut studio album, One Man Band Man (2007). The single debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 at number 100 and peaked at number 83.

Quaadir Atkinson, professionally known as Neo Da Matrix, is an American hip hop producer from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He attended Stone Mountain High School in Stone Mountain, Georgia. He has worked with Swizz Beatz as an in-house producer for Ruff Ryders Entertainment and has produced for the likes of Cassidy. Neo Da Matrix is currently working on projects for Cassidy, Jadakiss, Swizz Beatz, Young Chris, Eve, Fabolous, Mýa, David Banner, Juelz Santana, Nina Sky, Tru Life, Range and more.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Swizz Beatz production discography</span>

The following list is a discography of production by Swizz Beatz, an American record producer and recording artist from The Bronx, New York. It includes a list of songs produced, co-produced and remixed by year, artist, album and title. With a career spanning three decades, Swizz Beatz has contributed production on over 160 albums, including studio projects, compilations, soundtracks and mixtapes. Beatz has also produced 81 singles, a number of them have received gold certification or higher by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I Can Transform Ya</span> 2009 single by Chris Brown featuring Lil Wayne and Swizz Beatz

"I Can Transform Ya" is a song by American singer Chris Brown from his third album Graffiti. The song features vocals from American rappers Lil Wayne and Swizz Beatz. The artists co-wrote the song with Lonny Bereal, Trayce Green, and Jason "Poo Bear" Boyd, with Beatz producing the track. The song was released as the lead single from Graffiti on September 29, 2009, and was Brown's first official release since his altercation with former girlfriend, Barbadian singer Rihanna. Originally known simply as "Transformer", it is an electro-composed song infused with hip hop, crunk and "industrial" R&B musical genres, while making use of robotic tones. It is lyrically about introducing someone to a life of luxury.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fancy (Drake song)</span> 2010 single by Drake featuring T.I. and Swizz Beatz

"Fancy" is a song by Canadian rapper Drake, from his debut album, Thank Me Later. The song features vocals from American rapper T.I. and producer Swizz Beatz, the latter of whom also co-produced the track alongside Noah "40" Shebib. The song was released to US radio stations on August 3, 2010, as the album's fourth official single, however promotion of the track ended earlier than expected due to Drake's uncertainty towards the song's planned music video and promotion.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Holding You Down (Goin' in Circles)</span> 2010 single by Jazmine Sullivan

"Holding You Down (Goin' In Circles)" is a song by American singer Jazmine Sullivan. It was written by Sullivan, Cainon Lamb, and Missy Elliott for her second album, Love Me Back (2010), while production was helmed by Elliott, with Lamb credited as co-producer. The song was released as the album's leads single in July 2010. It reached number 60 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and received a Grammy Award nomination for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance at the 53rd Annual Grammy Awards.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Roman's Revenge</span> 2010 song by Nicki Minaj

"Roman's Revenge" is a song by Trinidadian-born rapper Nicki Minaj featuring American rapper Eminem, performing as their respective alter egos Roman Zolanski and Slim Shady. Taken from her debut studio album Pink Friday (2010), written alongside producer Swizz Beatz. It was released exclusively on October 30, 2010 through the United States iTunes Store, as a promotional release preceding the album's release.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ass on the Floor</span> 2011 single by Diddy and Dirty Money

"Ass on the Floor" is a song performed by Diddy and the duo Dirty Money, lifted from their debut album, Last Train to Paris. The song features guest vocals and production from record producer Swizz Beatz. It was released as the third UK single taken from the album on 18 April 2011. "Ass on the Floor" was co-written by the lead performers, as well as Leroy Watson. Incorporating pounding drums and shimmering synthesizers, "Ass on the Floor" was praised by critics as one of the best songs on Last Train to Paris.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Start It Up (song)</span> 2010 single by Lloyd Banks featuring Swizz Beatz, Kanye West, Ryan Leslie & Fabolous

"Start It Up" is a song by American hip hop recording artist Lloyd Banks, released on November 2, 2010 as the third single from his third studio album H.F.M. 2 . The song, which features vocals from fellow American rappers Swizz Beatz, Kanye West, Ryan Leslie and Fabolous, was produced by American music producer Cardiak.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tupac Back</span> 2011 single by Meek Mill featuring Rick Ross

"Tupac Back" is a song by American hip hop recording artist Meek Mill, released as his debut single and the lead single from the Maybach Music Group compilation album, Self Made Vol. 1. The song features MMG label boss and fellow rapper Rick Ross, and peaked at #31 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs. Rick Ross said that, in making the song, they were “paying homage to the fallen icon” but ended up insulting him when promoting incest in the hook of the song while referencing Brenda's Got A Baby.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Speechless (Alicia Keys song)</span> 2010 song by Alicia Keys featuring Eve

"Speechless" is a song by American singer-songwriter Alicia Keys, featuring additional vocals from American rapper Eve. It was written by Keys, Eve and Swizz Beatz, and produced by the latter. It samples Kanye West’s 2010 song “Devil in a New Dress”. A dedication to her son Egypt, whom she gave birth to in October 2010, the freestyle collaboration was released as a holiday gift for Keys's fans on Beatz's Monster Mondays program on December 27, 2010. Swizz Beatz later included the song on his mixtape Monster Mondays Vol. 1 (2011). The song charted on number 71 the US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart in early 2011.

<i>Poison</i> (Swizz Beatz album) 2018 album by Swizz Beatz

Poison is the second studio album by American record producer and rapper Swizz Beatz, released on November 2, 2018 by Epic Records. It is Beatz' first album as a lead artist since his 2007 album One Man Band Man. Poison features collaborations with Nas, Lil Wayne, Kendrick Lamar, and Young Thug, among others. The music video for the song "Pistol on My Side (P.O.M.S.)", featuring Lil Wayne and keyboards by Alicia Keys, was released on September 14, 2018. The single "25 Soldiers" was released on October 3, 2018.

References