U Know What's Up

Last updated
"U Know What's Up"
U Know Whats Up.jpg
Single by Donell Jones
from the album Where I Wanna Be
B-side "Shorty (Got Her Eyes on Me)" (excerpt)
ReleasedAugust 3, 1999 (1999-08-03)
Length3:59
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
Donell Jones singles chronology
"You Should Know"
(1997)		"U Know What's Up"
(1999)		"It's So Hard"
(2000)
Lisa Lopes singles chronology
"Cradle of Rock"
(1998)		"U Know What's Up"
(1999)		"I Do"
(1999)

"U Know What's Up" is a song by American R&B singer Donell Jones. It was written by Edward "Eddie F." Ferrell, Darren Lighty, Clifton Lighty, Balewa Muhammad, Anthony Hamilton, and Veronica McKenzie for his second studio album, Where I Wanna Be (1999), while production was helmed by Ferrell and Darren Lighty for Untouchables Entertainment.

Contents

Released as the album's lead single, the song became Jones' biggest hit, reaching the top 10 in Ireland and on the US Billboard Hot 100. The song was most successful in the United Kingdom, where it peaked at number two on the UK Singles Chart. In addition, "U Know What's Up" topped Billboard's Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks chart for eight consecutive weeks, his only single to do so to date. A remix version featuring Left Eye of TLC was used for the accompanying music video.

Music video

The video features rapper Left Eye of TLC, YoungBloodZ, T.I., Usher and Big Boi of OutKast, all of whom were (including Jones) part of the LaFace Records label. At the beginning of the video, there is a sign that says La Face Place, in reference to the record label. The clip premiered on BET on the week ending September 12, 1999. [1]

The video begins with Left Eye at her apartment receiving a phone call, presumably from Jones, informing her that the music video for the song is being aired on TV. She turns to the TV screen behind her playing the video, which shows Jones at a hotel party, and proceeds to watch it. As it turns out, Left Eye is not the only person watching the video, as the video pans across the building showing Usher and his girlfriend at his apartment, and Big Boi hosting a music video premiere at his apartment. Midway through the video, Left Eye leaves her apartment and recites her verse in the song while walking across the corridor, presumably to join Jones at a similar party at the back of the building, which is revealed as the camera pulls back from the corridor. At the end, the video pulls back to reveal Jones watching it at his apartment with his girlfriend.

Track listings

Charts

Certifications

RegionCertification Certified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI) [33] Platinum600,000‡
United States (RIAA) [34] Gold500,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

RegionDateFormat(s)Label(s)Ref.
United StatesAugust 3, 1999 Urban radio
[35]
September 14, 1999 Urban AC radio [36]
September 21, 1999 Rhythmic contemporary radio [37]
United KingdomJanuary 10, 2000
  • 12-inch vinyl
  • CD
  • cassette
 [38]
New ZealandMarch 6, 2000
  • CD
  • cassette
 [39]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ms. Jackson</span> 2000 single by Outkast

"Ms. Jackson" is a song by American hip hop duo Outkast, consisting of André 3000 and Big Boi. It was released on October 24, 2000, as the second single from Outkast's fourth album, Stankonia. It topped the US Billboard Hot 100 chart for one week on February 17, 2001, and also reached number one in Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, and Sweden. Rolling Stone ranked it at number 55 on their "100 Best Songs of the 2000s" list in June 2011 and at number 145 on their "Top 500 Greatest Songs of All Time" list in 2021. In October 2011, NME placed it at number 81 on its list of the "150 Best Tracks of the Past 15 Years".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Waterfalls (TLC song)</span> 1995 single by TLC

"Waterfalls" is a song by American hip-hop group TLC, released by LaFace and Arista as the third single from their second album CrazySexyCool on May 22, 1995 in the United States, followed by a United Kingdom release on July 24, 1995.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">U Remind Me</span> 2001 single by Usher

"U Remind Me" is a song by American singer Usher. It was written by Edmund "Eddie Hustle" Clement and Anita McCloud and produced by Clement along with duo Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis for Usher's third studio album 8701 (2001). A mid-tempo R&B track, the song is about a man who meets a woman who seems like a nice catch, but he decides not to enter a relationship with her because she looks too much like an ex-girlfriend with whom he had a bad breakup.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pop Ya Collar</span> 2000 single by Usher

"Pop Ya Collar" is a single by American recording artist Usher, released to US radio on October 17, 2000. It was written by himself, Kevin "She'kspere" Briggs, and Kandi Burruss. The song was produced for his cancelled third studio album All About U. The project was abandoned following the leak of the song and several other tracks onto online music store Napster, several months prior to its release of October 31, 2000. The song was instead later included on non-US editions of his official third studio album, 8701.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Creep (TLC song)</span> 1994 single by TLC

"Creep" is a song recorded by American singing group TLC for their second studio album, CrazySexyCool (1994). Dallas Austin, who tried to write the track from a "female perspective", wrote and produced it. It is based on member Tionne "T-Boz" Watkins's experience with infidelity. The lyrics portray the singers as women who cheat on their unfaithful lovers for "some affection". This context was controversial within the group, and strongly opposed by member Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes, who threatened to wear black tape over her mouth on its accompanying music video.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Smooth (Santana song)</span> 1999 single by Santana

"Smooth" is a song performed by American rock band Santana and Rob Thomas of Matchbox Twenty, who sings the lead vocals. It was released on June 15, 1999, as the lead single from Santana's 1999 studio album, Supernatural. It was written by Itaal Shur and Thomas, who re-wrote Shur's original melody and lyrics, and produced by Matt Serletic.

<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">Most Girls (Pink song)</span> 2000 single by Pink

"Most Girls" is a song by American singer Pink, released as the second single from her debut album, Can't Take Me Home (2000). It was released on June 6, 2000, and, after spending 16 weeks on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, peaked at number four on November 25. The song also reached number one in Australia, where it was certified platinum, number two in Canada and New Zealand, and number five in the United Kingdom.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dear Lie</span> 1999 single by TLC

"Dear Lie" is a song by American group TLC. It was written by Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds and band member Tionne "T-Boz" Watkins for the trio's third studio album FanMail (1999), featuring production by Edmonds. The song was released as the album's third and final single on December 6, 1999, peaking at number 51 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and reaching the top 40 in several other countries. "Dear Lie" is included on the group's 2009 compilation album, We Love TLC.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">There You Go</span> 2000 single by Pink

"There You Go" is a song recorded by American singer Pink for her debut studio album, Can't Take Me Home (2000). The track was co-written by Pink, Kevin "She'kspere" Briggs, and Kandi Burruss and was produced by Briggs, while Burruss produced the vocals. The song is about a relationship that the protagonist has ended, but the ex-boyfriend wants her back.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">So Fresh, So Clean</span> 2001 single by Outkast

"So Fresh, So Clean" is a song by American hip hop duo Outkast from their fourth studio album, Stankonia (2000), featuring uncredited vocals from singer-songwriter Sleepy Brown. It was produced by longtime collaborators Organized Noize. The song reached number 30 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) in October 2020.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Unpretty</span> 1999 single by TLC

"Unpretty" is a song by American group TLC, released on May 17, 1999, through LaFace and Arista Records as the second single from the band's third studio album, FanMail. It was written by Tionne "T-Boz" Watkins and the producer Dallas Austin. Austin assisted Watkins in adapting the latter's written poem into "Unpretty" after feeling disgusted by an episode of American talk show Ricki Lake.

<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">Put Your Lights On</span> 1999 single by Santana

"Put Your Lights On" is a song by American rock band Santana and American musician Everlast from Santana's 18th studio album, Supernatural (1999). Released to US rock radio in August 1999, the song peaked at number 18 on the Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100 and number eight on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks chart. "Put Your Lights On" won a Grammy Award for Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal at the 42nd Annual Grammy Awards.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Swear It Again</span> 1999 single by Westlife

"Swear It Again" is a song by Irish boy band Westlife. The ballad was released on 19 April 1999 in the United Kingdom as the first single from their debut album, Westlife (1999). The song peaked at number one on the UK Singles Chart for two weeks, giving Westlife their first of 14 UK number-one singles. "Swear It Again" is Westlife's only single to have charted in the US, peaking at number 20 on the Billboard Hot 100 and ranking number 75 on the Billboard Hot 100 year-end chart in 2000.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Red Light Special</span> 1995 single by TLC

"Red Light Special" is a song by American vocal girl group TLC for their second studio album, CrazySexyCool (1994). Written and produced by Babyface, LaFace and Arista Records released the song as the second single from the album on February 17, 1995. The song found chart success, reaching number one on the US Billboard Top 40/Rhythm-Crossover chart and number two on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Matthew Rolston filmed its music video, which features the group performing in a brothel.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Diggin' on You</span> 1995 single by TLC

"Diggin' on You" is a song by American girl group TLC, from the group's second studio album, CrazySexyCool (1994). The song was written and produced by Babyface. It was released by LaFace and Arista Records on October 10, 1995, as the fourth and final single from their album. A pop ballad, the song consists of a guitar, synthesizer and drum machine. The lyrics depict a relationship between a male and female during a summer afternoon.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Whole World</span> 2001 single by Outkast

"The Whole World" is the first single released from American hip hop duo Outkast's first compilation album, Big Boi and Dre Present... Outkast (2001). The song was written by Outkast, produced by Earthtone III, and features Killer Mike and Joi. Upon its release as a single in November 2001, "The Whole World" peaked at number 19 on both the US Billboard Hot 100 and the UK Singles Chart. The song won the 2003 Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Girl on TV</span> 1999 single by LFO

"Girl on TV" is a song written and performed by American boy band LFO. It was released in November 1999 from their debut album, LFO (1999). The song peaked at number 10 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number six in the United Kingdom, where it is their highest-charting hit. "Girl on TV" was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) in December 1999 for the shipment of over 500,000 copies in the US.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nobody Knows (Tony Rich song)</span> 1995 single by Tony Rich

"Nobody Knows" is a song by R&B singer Tony Rich from his 1996 debut album, Words. Released as his debut single on November 7, 1995, the song peaked at number two on both the Billboard Hot 100 and Billboard Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks charts. It also became a hit in several other countries, topping the Irish Singles Chart and reaching number two in Australia and Canada, number four in the United Kingdom, and the top 20 in the Netherlands, New Zealand, and Sweden. Rich received a nomination for the 1997 Grammy Award for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance.

References

  1. ↑ "Video Monitor". Billboard . Vol. 111, no. 40. October 2, 1999. p. 110. Retrieved May 31, 2022.
  2. ↑ U Know What's Up (US CD single liner notes). Donell Jones. LaFace Records, Untouchables Records. 1999. 73008-24420-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  3. ↑ U Know What's Up (US cassette single sleeve). Donell Jones. LaFace Records, Untouchables Records. 1999. 73008-24420-4.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  4. ↑ U Know What's Up (US 12-inch single sleeve). Donell Jones. LaFace Records, Untouchables Records. 1999. 73008-24411-1.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  5. ↑ U Know What's Up (Australian CD single liner notes). Donell Jones. LaFace Records, Arista Records, Untouchables Records. 2000. 74321 70262 2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  6. ↑ U Know What's Up (UK CD1 liner notes). Donell Jones. LaFace Records, Arista Records, Untouchables Records. 1999. 74321 72275 2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  7. ↑ U Know What's Up (UK CD2 liner notes). Donell Jones. LaFace Records, Arista Records, Untouchables Records. 1999. 74321 72276 2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  8. ↑ U Know What's Up (UK 12-inch single sleeve). Donell Jones. LaFace Records, Arista Records, Untouchables Records. 1999. 74321 72275 1.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  9. ↑ U Know What's Up (UK cassette single sleeve). Donell Jones. LaFace Records, Arista Records, Untouchables Records. 1999. 74321 72275 4.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  10. ↑ U Know What's Up (European CD single liner notes). Donell Jones. LaFace Records, Arista Records, Untouchables Records. 1999. 74321 73889 2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  11. ↑ Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010 (PDF ed.). Mt Martha, Victoria, Australia: Moonlight Publishing. p. 148.
  12. ↑ "Donell Jones – U Know What's Up" (in Dutch). Ultratip. Retrieved July 19, 2018.
  13. ↑ "Top RPM Dance/Urban: Issue 9737." RPM . Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved June 20, 2020.
  14. ↑ "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media . Vol. 17, no. 6. February 5, 2000. p. 5. Retrieved December 2, 2019.
  15. ↑ "Íslenski Listinn Sætin 21 til 40 (4.2– 10.2 2000)". Dagblaðið Vísir (in Icelandic). February 4, 2000. p. 10. Retrieved June 20, 2020.
  16. ↑ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – U Know What's Up". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved December 2, 2019.
  17. ↑ "Nederlandse Top 40 – Donell Jones" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved December 2, 2019.
  18. ↑ "Donell Jones – U Know What's Up" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved July 19, 2018.
  19. ↑ "Donell Jones – U Know What's Up". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved July 19, 2018.
  20. ↑ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved July 19, 2018.
  21. ↑ "Donell Jones – U Know What's Up". Singles Top 100. Retrieved July 19, 2018.
  22. ↑ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved July 19, 2018.
  23. ↑ "Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved July 19, 2018.
  24. ↑ "Donell Jones Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved July 19, 2018.
  25. ↑ "Donell Jones Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved July 19, 2018.
  26. ↑ "Donell Jones Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard. Retrieved July 19, 2018.
  27. ↑ "Urban Top 20 Tracks of 1999" (PDF). Music Week . January 22, 2000. p. 32. Retrieved August 6, 2023.
  28. ↑ "1999 The Year in Music: Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks". Billboard. Vol. 111, no. 52. December 25, 1999. p. YE-57.
  29. ↑ "Best Sellers of 2000: Singles Top 100". Music Week . January 20, 2001. p. 25.
  30. ↑ "Billboard Top 100 – 2000". Billboardtop100of.com. Retrieved February 12, 2020.
  31. ↑ "The Year in Music 2000: Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks". Billboard. Vol. 112, no. 53. December 30, 2000. p. YE-54. Retrieved January 9, 2023.
  32. ↑ "Most Played Rhythmic Top 40 Songs of 2000". Airplay Monitor . Vol. 8, no. 51. December 22, 2000. p. 56.
  33. ↑ "British single certifications – Donell Jones – U Know What's Up". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved January 7, 2022.
  34. ↑ "American single certifications – Donell Jones – U Know What's Up". Recording Industry Association of America.
  35. ↑ "AddVance Notice" (PDF). Radio & Records . No. 1310. July 30, 1999. p. 66. Retrieved July 26, 2021.
  36. ↑ "Urban AC: Going for Adds" (PDF). Radio & Records. No. 1316. September 10, 1999. p. 67. Retrieved July 26, 2021.
  37. ↑ "Gavin Top 40/Rhythm Crossover: Impact Dates". Gavin Report . No. 2273. September 20, 1999. p. 8.
  38. ↑ "Reviews – For Records Out on 3/10 January 2000" (PDF). Music Week. December 25, 1999. p. 7. Retrieved July 26, 2021.
  39. ↑ "New Releases". netcd.co.nz. March 6, 2000. Archived from the original on March 11, 2000. Retrieved November 8, 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.