"Down 4 U" is the lead single from Murder Inc. Records' compilation album Irv Gotti Presents: The Inc.. Produced by Irv Gotti and 7 Aurelius, the song features rapped verses from Ja Rule, Charli Baltimore, and Vita while Ashanti provides the chorus and sung vocals. The song is a remix as well as its music video being the sequel of Ja Rule's 2002 single, "Down Ass Bitch".
"Down 4 U" became a hit on the US Billboard charts in mid-2002, reaching number six on the Hot 100 and number three on the R&B, rap, and rhythmic charts. It also charted in several other countries, including the United Kingdom, where it peaked at number four.
Background The Irv Gotti-produced song interpolates Roger Troutman's 1987 hit "I Want to Be Your Man", for which he and his brother Larry Troutman were given writing credits. The associated music video showed the artists performing the song on a beach with cameos by Irv Gotti, Eric Roberts, Clarence Williams III, Bobby Brown, Whitney Houston and other members of the Inc.
In addition to appearing on Irv Gotti Presents: The Inc., the song also appeared on The Source magazine's compilation The Source Presents: Hip Hop Hits, Vol. 6 and as a bonus track on Ja Rule's 2002 album, The Last Temptation. The song was performed live by Ja Rule and Ashanti at VH1's 6th Annual Hip Hop Honors that honored Def Jam Recordings.
Music video Shot in Miami, Florida, the video begins with Eric Roberts and Clarence Williams III as detectives congratulating each other over their success in apprehending a couple as assumed suspects only to realize a case of mistaken identity. Then Ja Rule, Charli Baltimore, Vita, and Ashanti perform on a beach, a yacht, and a cabana party at night, with cameo appearances from Bobby Brown, Whitney Houston, Black Child and Irv Gotti.
Track listings UK CD single "Down 4 U" (radio edit) – 5:16 "Down 4 U" (D'n'D vocal mix) – 5:30 "Down 4 U" (D'n'D Conemelt mix) – 5:47 "Down 4 U" (video)
UK 12-inch single A1. "Down 4 U" (radio edit) – 5:16 A2. "Down 4 U" (D'n'D vocal mix) – 5:30 B1. "Down 4 U" (D'n'D Conemelt mix) – 5:47
UK cassette single "Down 4 U" (radio edit) "Down 4 U" (D'n'D vocal mix)
Credits and personnel Credits are adapted from the UK CD single liner notes.
Studios Recorded at the Crackhouse (New York City) Mixed at Right Track Studios (New York City) Mastered at Sony Music Studios (London, England)
Personnel
Jeffrey Atkins – writing Ashanti Douglas – writing Tiffany Lane – writing LaVita Raynor – writing Larry Troutman – writing ("I Want to Be Your Man") Roger Troutman – writing ("I Want to Be Your Man") Irv Gotti – writing (as Irving Lorenzo), production 7 Aurelius – writing, production Milwaukee Buck – recording, mixing Terry "Murda Mac" Herbert – recording assistance Naweed "Dirty" Ahmed – mastering engineer
Charts
Weekly charts Chart (2002)PeakpositionEurope (Eurochart Hot 100)16
Year-end charts Chart (2002)PositionUK Singles (OCC)139US Billboard Hot 10044US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks (Billboard)38US Hot Rap Tracks (Billboard)14US Rhythmic Top 40 (Billboard)18
Release history RegionDateFormat(s)Label(s)United StatesJune 10, 2002July 29, 2002Contemporary hit radioUnited KingdomSeptember 30, 2002
References