"Cold Rock a Party" is the lead single released from American rapper MC Lyte's fifth studio album, Bad As I Wanna B (1996). While the original version of the song that appears on the album was produced by Rashad Smith and samples Audio Two's "Top Billin", the single version features Missy Elliott, was produced by Sean Combs, and samples Diana Ross' 1980 hit "Upside Down". It was released in November 1996 by EastWest Records.

The song became MC Lyte's second-highest-charting single in the United States (after her previous single "Keep On, Keepin' On"), peaking at 11 on the Billboard Hot 100, and it received a gold certification from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), selling over 600,000 units by the end of 1997. It is MC Lyte's last single to appear on the Billboard Hot 100. "Cold Rock a Party" also became a hit in several other countries, including New Zealand, where it reached No. 1 for two weeks.

Critical reception Larry Flick from Billboard magazine described "Cold Rock a Party" as "a classic party rocker", noting that it is combining "Lyte's melodic flow" with the high-powered instrumental to "Upside Down". Peter Miro from Cash Box named it a "gem" of the Bad As I Wanna B album. A reviewer from Music Week gave the song a top score of five out of five, writing that the veteran female rapper "returns with a hip hop biggie", that is "already receiving big club and media exposure. A good bet for the charts." Also DJ Freshy-D from Smash Hits gave "Cold Rock a Party" five out of five, naming it "one of the most kickin' hip hop tracks since ooh, The Fugees' last one." He added that Lyte "adds a sassy girls' kick-ass vibe that makes the choon so wicked. All the laydees, all the laydees, all the laydees in the house say, HO!"

Track listings US CD single "Cold Rock a Party" (Bad Boy remix—main version) – 4:37 "Cold Rock a Party" (Bad Boy remix—MC Lyte main version) – 4:37 "Cold Rock a Party" (original album version) – 4:17 "Have U Ever" (album version) – 3:33 "Cold Rock a Party" (Milk remix) – 3:19 "Paper Thin" (album version) – 5:14

US cassette single "Cold Rock a Party" (Bad Boy remix—clean radio edit) – 4:05 "Have U Ever" (LP version) – 3:33

European cassette single "Cold Rock a Party" (Bad Boy remix—clean radio edit) – 4:11 "Cold Rock a Party" (original version—clean) – 4:17

European and Australian maxi-CD single "Cold Rock a Party" (Bad Boy remix—clean radio edit) – 4:05 "Cold Rock a Party" (Bad Boy remix—main version) – 4:37 "Cold Rock a Party" (original version—clean) – 4:17 "Cold Rock a Party" (Milk remix) – 3:19 "Cold Rock a Party" (Bad Boy remix—a cappella) – 4:17

Charts

Weekly charts Chart (1996–1997)PeakpositionCanada (Nielsen SoundScan) 11Europe (Eurochart Hot 100) 38Iceland (Íslenski Listinn Topp 40) 15Israel (Israeli Singles Chart) Search "Cold Rock a Party" for Israeli chart history. 27

Year-end charts Chart (1997)PositionGermany (Media Control) 95New Zealand (RIANZ) 6Sweden (Topplistan) 93US Billboard Hot 100 61US Hot R&B Singles (Billboard) 34US Hot Rap Singles (Billboard) 3US Maxi-Singles Sales (Billboard) 16US Rhythmic Top 40 (Billboard) 52

Certifications

Release history RegionDateFormat(s)Label(s)United StatesNovember 12, 1996EastWestNovember 19, 1996Rhythmic contemporary radioUnited KingdomJanuary 6, 1997

References