Elgin Baylor Lumpkin, better known by his stage name Ginuwine, is an American R&B singer, songwriter, dancer, and actor. He began his career as a member of Swing Mob in the early 1990s. Signing to Epic Records as a solo artist in the mid-1990s, Ginuwine has released a number of multi-platinum and platinum-selling albums and singles, becoming one of R&B's top artists during the late 1990s and early 2000s. He had significant commercial success with his first four albums: Ginuwine...The Bachelor, 100% Ginuwine, The Life (Platinum), and The Senior (Gold). According to Billboard, Ginuwine has sold roughly 10 million albums in the US. Ginuwine received the Urban Music Icon award at the 2021 Black Music Honors.
Stephen Ellis Garrett, Jr., known professionally as Static Major, was an American singer, songwriter, and record producer from Louisville, Kentucky. He was a member of the R&B trio Playa, and a songwriter for several artists, including Aaliyah, Ginuwine, Pretty Ricky, and Destiny's Child.
I Care 4 U is a posthumous compilation album by American singer Aaliyah. It was released on December 10, 2002, by Blackground Records and Universal Records. Following Aaliyah's death on August 25, 2001, Blackground decided to release a posthumous record in collaboration with Universal Music Group. The album included some of Aaliyah's singles and previously unreleased recordings discarded from sessions for her eponymous third and final studio album (2001).
"Who Is She 2 U" is a song by American recording artist Brandy Norwood from her fourth studio album, Afrodisiac (2004). It was written by Candice Nelson, Walter Millsap III and Timbaland, and produced by the latter. The song is built around a sample of "Instant Love" (1977) by American singer Leon Ware. Due to the inclusion of the sample, he and Jacqueline Hilliard are also credited as songwriters. Based on true events, the song describes a woman who is suspicious about her mate's awkward behavior around a seemingly unfamiliar woman. The dramatic up-tempo incorporates piano keys, flutes, chamber pop string melodies and go-go drum programming.
Make It Hot is the debut studio album by American singer Nicole Wray. The album was released in August 1998 through Missy Elliott's Elektra-distributed vanity label, The Goldmind. The album was produced by Missy Elliott and Timbaland. Some editions of the release credit Nicole as Nicole Ray, an artist name she only used here and on her single "I Can't See".
American singer Aaliyah released three studio albums, two compilation albums, and 26 singles. She was born in Brooklyn, New York, and was raised in Detroit, Michigan. At age 10, she appeared on Star Search and performed in concert alongside Gladys Knight. At age 12, Aaliyah was signed to Jive Records and Blackground Records by her uncle, Barry Hankerson. He introduced her to R. Kelly, who became her mentor, as well as lead songwriter and producer of her debut album. Age Ain't Nothing but a Number sold three million copies in the United States and was certified double Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). After facing allegations of an illegal marriage with Kelly, Aaliyah ended her contract with Jive and signed to Atlantic Records.
"Miss You" is a song recorded by American singer Aaliyah. Written by Johntá Austin, Ginuwine and Teddy Bishop in 1998, the song was initially recorded in 1999 for Aaliyah's eponymous third studio album (2001). However, it did not make the final cut for Aaliyah and remained unreleased until after Aaliyah's death in 2001. It was then included on the posthumous compilation album I Care 4 U (2002) and was released as its lead single on October 28, 2002, by Blackground Records and Universal Records.
"Differences" is an R&B song by American singer Ginuwine. It was written by the artist alongside producer Troy Oliver and recorded for his third studio album, The Life (2001). Released as the album's second single, the ballad spent four weeks at number-one on the US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart and peaked at number four on the Billboard Hot 100. It was ranked at number 50 and number 68 in the 2001 and 2002 on Billboard Year-End lists, respectively, and was eventually certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). American rapper Pop Smoke sampled the song on his hit track released in 2020, "What You Know Bout Love".
"Pony" is a song by American singer Ginuwine, released as the debut single from his first album, Ginuwine...The Bachelor (1996). Ginuwine co-wrote the song with Swing Mob associates Static Major and Timbaland; the latter made his breakthrough as a producer with the song. It peaked at number six on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number two on the Billboard Hot R&B Singles chart.
Greatest Hits is a compilation album by American singer Ginuwine. It was first released by Epic Records on November 21, 2006 in the United States. Completing his contract with the label, the album comprises some of the artist's more popular tracks such as "Pony", "Differences", and "So Anxious", as well as tracks produced by Timbaland and R. Kelly. Greatest Hits was debuted and peaked at number 42 on the US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums.
"Same Ol' G" is a song by American R&B singer Ginuwine. It was written by Timbaland, Jimmy Douglass, and Static Major and recorded for the soundtrack of the American fantasy comedy film Dr. Dolittle (1998), with production helmed by the former. "Same Ol' G" describes Ginuwine having matured from his days of clubbing, drinking and thugging with friends as he now has his own album deal and appearing on television, but insists that he hasn't changed. Timbaland also contributed spoken adlibs throughout the song, primarily in between Ginuwine's sung verses.
"What's So Different?" is a song by American R&B singer Ginuwine. It was co-written and produced by Timbaland for his second album 100% Ginuwine (1999). The song is built around a sample of "Valleri" (1968) by American band The Monkees. Due to the inclusion of the sample, Thomas Boyce and Bobby Hart are also credited as songwriters. Released as the album's second single, "What's So Different?" reached the top ten of the UK Singles Chart and entered the top twenty in New Zealand. It the United States, the song peaked at number three on the Rhythmic chart, also reaching number 21 on the US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs.
"None of Ur Friends Business" is a song by American R&B singer Ginuwine. It was co-written and produced by Timbaland and recorded for his second studio album 100% Ginuwine (1999). The song was released as the album's fourth and final single in October 1999 and peaked at number 48 on the US Billboard Hot 100.
"The Best Man I Can Be" is a 1999 song for the film The Best Man. It features four R&B singers: Ginuwine, RL of Next, Tyrese and Case.
"There It Is" is a song by American singer Ginuwine. It was co-written by Harold Garvin, Cliff Jones, Bobby Terry, Jerry Vines, and Curtis Williams for his third studio album The Life (2001), while production was helmed by Jones and Vines for Big Dog Productions, with Ginuwine credited as a co-producer. The song was released as the album's lead single in January 2001 and peaked inside the Top 20 on the US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. The narrator describes how he works hard and pays the bills to provide a lifestyle for his live-in lover who does not have a job, but she does not show appreciation for what he does. Due to the content of the song, a clean version tailor-made for radio play although only the original content was released on the album.
"Hell Yeah" is a song by American R&B singer Ginuwine featuring rapper Baby. It was written, produced, and arranged by R. Kelly for his fourth studio album The Senior (2003). Released as the album's lead single, the song became a top 20 hit in the United States, peaking at number seventeen on the US Billboard Hot 100, and reached the top thirty in the United Kingdom. The official remix features Baby and Clipse along with Kelly and Clipse. A music video for "Hell Yeah" was shot in Las Vegas and includes a cameo by rapper Snoop Dogg and comedian DeRay Davis.
"When We Make Love" is a song by American recording artist Ginuwine, taken from his fifth studio album Back II Da Basics (2005). It was written by Ernest Dixon and Cedric Solomon, while production was helmed by the latter. Released as the album's first single, it peaked at number 51 on the US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, becoming his lowest-charting leading single up to then.
"I'm in Love" is a song by American recording artist Ginuwine. It was co-written and produced by Troy Oliver for his fifth studio album Back II Da Basics (2005). Released as the second and final single from the album, it reached number 69 on the US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.
"Say Something" is a song recorded by American producer, songwriter and rapper Timbaland, for his third studio album Shock Value II (2009). The song features vocals from Canadian rapper Drake. It was written by Mosley, Jerome Harmon, Graham, Timothy Clayton and John Maultsby. The production was helmed by Mosley under his stage-name Timbaland while Harmon served as the assistant producer, under the stage-name Jroc. The song was tailored to Drake's sound and when the rapper wrote to it, he contacted the producer about the lyrics. Despite the verses feeling more like Graham's record, Mosley gave his blessing and went the product. The song was solicited to digital retailers on November 3, 2009 in the United States as the album's second single.
If You're Reading This It's Too Late is a commercial mixtape by Canadian rapper Drake. It was released on February 13, 2015, without prior announcement, by OVO Sound, Young Money Entertainment, Cash Money Records and Republic Records.
