"Belly Dancer" is a song by Canadian rapper Kardinal Offishall featuring Pharrell Williams, who produced it with Chad Hugo as The Neptunes. Released on March 25, 2003, it was originally the first single from the former's unreleased album, Firestarter Vol. 2: The F-Word Theory.[ Belly Dancer/Sick > Overview] Allmusic. Accessed on November 30, 2008.Kardinal Offishall - Man on Fire Exclaim!. Accessed on November 30, 2008.
Background The song was inspired by Naomi Campbell, who was in the studio while the song was recorded.Kardinall Offishall Interview (April 28, 2003) Newrealm.com. Accessed on November 30, 2008. The single briefly appeared on the Billboard charts, and a music video was shot by Little X on May 7, 2003, in Toronto.Toronto Raptor The FADER. Accessed on November 30, 2008. However, the video remains unreleased, because Kardinal's label at the time, MCA Records, was absorbed into Geffen Records, leaving the single without promotion.
In an interview, Kardinal stated that he does not like the song, and "it was the first thing I did that wasn't from the heart."Kardinal Offishall - Session Transcript Red Bull Music Academy. Accessed December 3, 2008.
Track listing 12" single A-side "Belly Dancer" (Radio Edit) (featuring Pharrell Williams) "Belly Dancer" (Instrumental)
B-side "Belly Dancer" (Album) (featuring Pharrell Williams) "Sick!" (Album) (featuring Bounty Killer) "Sick!" (Instrumental)
Chart positions Chart (2003)Peak positionU.S. Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop SongsHot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs Billboard. Accessed on November 30, 2008.96
References