"Always on Time" is a song by American rapper Ja Rule from his third studio album, Pain Is Love (2001). Produced by Irv Gotti, the song was written by Ja Rule, 7 Aurelius, and Gotti. Originally set to feature Brandy, it features guest vocals from singer-songwriter and labelmate Ashanti. The song was released as the album's second single on November 27, 2001, through Def Jam Recordings and Gotti's Murder Inc. Records.
"Always on Time" spent two weeks atop the US Billboard Hot 100 chart in February and March 2002, becoming Ja Rule's highest-charting single as a lead artist. It was Ashanti's first Hot 100 number one and Ja Rule's second, after he was featured on Jennifer Lopez's "I'm Real (Murder Remix)". In 2009, "Always on Time" was named the 33rd-most successful song of the 2000s on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart and the 82nd-most successful song of the 2000s on the Hot 100.
Background The beat for "Always on Time" was created by producer 7 Aurelius. As Ja Rule explained to Billboard: "7 had this CD and he threw it in the garbage, Gotti. I was like, 'Yo, what the fuck are you doing?' He was like, 'I ain't fuck[ing] with them shits.' I took [that] shit out the garbage and I took it home and wrote three or four records to songs on there. Two of them came to be hits, with one being 'Always On Time' and the other being Mary J. Blige's 'Rainy Dayz.' I had a studio in my crib. We thought about putting other people on it at first, but I was like, 'Baby sis [Ashanti] is here and we could do it with her.' She had [done] one record at that point, which I think was the Big Pun ['How We Roll'] joint, but she didn't have any visibility on the record. That was a good moment."
Track listings
UK CD1 "Always on Time" (LP version) "Always on Time" (radio version) "I Cry" (LP version featuring Lil' Mo) "Always on Time" (full length video)
UK CD2 and European CD single "Always on Time" (radio edit) "Always on Time" (explicit album version)
UK cassette single "Always on Time" (radio version) "I Cry" (LP version featuring Lil' Mo)
UK 12-inch single A1. "Always on Time" (LP version) B1. "I Cry" (LP version featuring Lil' Mo) B2. "Always on Time" (radio version)
Australasian CD single "Always on Time" (radio edit) "Always on Time" (explicit album version) "Always on Time" (instrumental) "Always on Time" (video)
Credits and personnel Credits are taken from the Pain Is Love album booklet.
Studios Recorded at The Crackhouse (New York City) Mixed at The Hit Factory (New York City) Mastered at Bernie Grundman Mastering (Hollywood, California)
Personnel
Ja Rule – writing (as Jeffrey Atkins) 7 Aurelius – writing, all instruments, mixing Irv Gotti – writing (as Irving Lorenzo), production, mixing Ashanti – featured vocals, additional vocals Milwaukee Buck – recording Glen Marchese – mix engineering Brian Gardner – mastering
Charts
Weekly charts + Chart (2001–2002) Peakposition Canada (Nielsen SoundScan) 16 Europe (Eurochart Hot 100) 33 US Top 40 Tracks (Billboard) 4
Year-end charts + Chart (2002) Position Australia (ARIA) 60 Australian Urban (ARIA) 20 Canada (Nielsen SoundScan) 94 Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)97 Netherlands (Dutch Top 40) 78 Netherlands (Single Top 100) 82 Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade) 47 UK Singles (OCC) 64 UK Airplay (Music Week)15 UK Urban (Music Week)25 US Billboard Hot 100 12 US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks (Billboard) 7 US Hot Rap Tracks (Billboard) 2 US Mainstream Top 40 (Billboard) 36 US Rhythmic Top 40 (Billboard) 5
Decade-end charts + Chart (2000–2009) Position US Billboard Hot 100 82 US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard) 33
Certifications
Release history +RegionDateFormat(s)Label(s)United StatesNovember 27, 2001United KingdomJanuary 21, 2002United StatesJanuary 28, 2002Contemporary hit radioAustraliaApril 1, 2002CD
See also List of Billboard Hot 100 number-one singles of 2002 List of number-one R&B singles of 2002 (U.S.)
References