Ass on the Floor
Encyclopedia
"Ass on the Floor" is a song performed by Diddy
and his band Dirty Money, lifted from their debut album, Last Train to Paris
. It will be released as the third UK
single taken from the album on 18 April, 2011. "Ass on the Floor" was produced and co-written by Beatz, as well as Diddy-Dirty Money and Leroy Watson. Incorporating pounding drums and shimmering synthesizers, "Ass on the Floor" was praised by critics as one of the best songs on Last Train to Paris.
Most felt that the song had the potential to be heard in clubs around the world. An accompanying music video, filmed by Colin Tilley, has a cold icy theme and features the female members of Dirty Money taking the lead as the group poses for the camera across the winter wonderland-themed landscape. "Ass on the Floor" made its chart debut on the U.S. Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs
chart at number eighty-eight. It has since peaked at number eighty.
filler, first released as part of Swizz Beatz' Monster Mondays on November 29, 2010. Bradon Soderberg from The Village Voice
pointed out the song's "swooping Moroder
synths", which were described by MTV
's Mawuse Ziegbe as "a spacey sheen of synth chords". Ziegbe also noted that the song's production recreated the rapid-fire drums from Major Lazer
's 2009 song "Pon de Floor". "Ass on the Floor"s production also consists of "pounding drums" and "glittery synthesizers" whilst the vocals focus primarily on Diddy-Dirty Money's two females, Dawn Richard and Kalenna Harper. Beatz handles the chorus (as well as the production
) while Diddy drops a verse near the end of the song. According to Zeigbe, Harper and Richard's lyrics focus on "drowning their sorrows over a frustratingly volatile relationship", Beatz acts as the intermediary "commanding the lovelorn souls to forget the drama" while Diddy's melancholy lyrics "laments potent heartbreak in his verse". On February 11, 2011, "Ass on the Floor" was added to the B-playlist on the UK's biggest Urban music radio station, BBC Radio 1Xtra
.
) singled "Ass on the Floor" out as one of the album's best songs. Jamie from Freshness said "With 'Ass on the Floor', the group not only opts for a heavy club vibe in terms of titling, but in sound as well... [which includes a] decisive marching beat". MTV
's Mawuse Zeigbe praised the song for its emotional lyrics and production value. Zeigbe said "The vibe of the song definitely stays on track with the naked emotion the Bad Boy mogul promised on the trio's long-delayed effort, Last Train to Paris."
magazine, the Colin Tilley directed clip premiered on December 13, 2010. It was released in the same week that videos for "Somebody to Love Me" and "Coming Home
" were released, in the week leading up to the album's release. In the "winter wonderland"-themed clip Richard and Harper take the lead while Swizz Beatz and Diddy make background appearances.
appears in a snow-filled wooden crate surrounded by icicles, to rap his verse. Images of Dawn Richard
and Kalenna Harper
also flash on screen during the opening sequence. In the following scene Richard and Harper appear stood on floating blocks of ice in a cavern of water. Throughout their verses images of the drummer and Beatz in the crate also flash on screen. Some subtle camera effects such as superimposed
imagery and split-screen lenses are also used. During the chorus, Beatz and Diddy appear sat on the bonnet of a white sports car as it snows around them. In the second and third verses Dirty Money and Beatz both appear in the snow filled backdrop but during Diddy's verse he appears alone in the same snow-filled crate that Beatz appeared in first. The video ends with two finals scenes, one where Diddy and Beatz appear together in the crate and one where Dirty Money appear in the snow filled landscape with heavy snow falling before the camera fades through black. Throughout the video there is a soft blue-tinged lighting effect.
were impressed with the clip saying that "although Diddy had shot a number of videos for the band's new album, 'Ass on the Floor' is the coolest—literally and artistically." They added, "just in time for blizzard season, the video features Dawn Richard and Kalenna Harper singing and dancing in the snow like ultrafoxy versions of the Snow Miser. In other words: It's icy hot!" Robbie Daw from Idolator was also impressed. He said "[the] somber dance jam 'Ass On The Floor' and its frosty visual are proving that old adage that third time’s a charm, [referring to the third video Diddy had released that week]. Maybe the winter wonderland displayed here is just getting us into the spirit of the season?".
. The group were joined on stage by Swizz Beatz for the performance. They also performed the song live on The Jimmy Kimmel Show on December 17, 2010, though this time they performed with Beatz.
Female rapper Trina recorded a remix to "Ass on the Floor" in February 2010. The remix features a new verse, rapped by Trina, and will feature on the Trina mixtape Diamonds are Forever (issued Valentine's Day, 2011). American songwriting and production duo The-Dream
and Tricky Stewart
were commissioned to produce an official remix for the song. Dubbed "Ass on the Floor (Remix)", the official remix leaves all of the original vocals but replaced the melody with a more "classic R&B
" production.
, NY
.
Sean Combs
Sean John Combs , also known by his stage names Diddy and P. Diddy, is an American rapper, singer, record producer, actor, and entrepreneur. He has won three Grammy Awards and two MTV Video Music Awards, and his clothing line earned a Council of Fashion Designers of America award. He was originally...
and his band Dirty Money, lifted from their debut album, Last Train to Paris
Last Train to Paris
Last Train to Paris is the fifth studio album by American rapper and producer Diddy, released on December 13, 2010 through Bad Boy Records . The album follows Diddy's alter-ego as he travels from London to Paris to regain a lost love...
. It will be released as the third UK
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
single taken from the album on 18 April, 2011. "Ass on the Floor" was produced and co-written by Beatz, as well as Diddy-Dirty Money and Leroy Watson. Incorporating pounding drums and shimmering synthesizers, "Ass on the Floor" was praised by critics as one of the best songs on Last Train to Paris.
Most felt that the song had the potential to be heard in clubs around the world. An accompanying music video, filmed by Colin Tilley, has a cold icy theme and features the female members of Dirty Money taking the lead as the group poses for the camera across the winter wonderland-themed landscape. "Ass on the Floor" made its chart debut on the U.S. Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs
Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs
Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, is a chart released weekly by Billboard in the United States.The chart, initiated in 1942, is used to track the success of popular music songs in urban, or primarily African American, venues. Dominated over the years at various times by jazz, rhythm and blues, doo-wop, soul,...
chart at number eighty-eight. It has since peaked at number eighty.
Background and composition
"Ass on the Floor" is an atmospheric dance-floorDance music
Dance music is music composed specifically to facilitate or accompany dancing. It can be either a whole musical piece or part of a larger musical arrangement...
filler, first released as part of Swizz Beatz' Monster Mondays on November 29, 2010. Bradon Soderberg from The Village Voice
The Village Voice
The Village Voice is a free weekly newspaper and news and features website in New York City that features investigative articles, analysis of current affairs and culture, arts and music coverage, and events listings for New York City...
pointed out the song's "swooping Moroder
Giorgio Moroder
Hansjörg "Giorgio" Moroder is an Italian record producer, songwriter and performer based in Los Angeles. When in Munich in the 1970s, he started his own record label called Oasis Records, which several years later became a subdivision of Casablanca Records...
synths", which were described by MTV
MTV
MTV, formerly an initialism of Music Television, is an American network based in New York City that launched on August 1, 1981. The original purpose of the channel was to play music videos guided by on-air hosts known as VJs....
's Mawuse Ziegbe as "a spacey sheen of synth chords". Ziegbe also noted that the song's production recreated the rapid-fire drums from Major Lazer
Major Lazer
Major Lazer is a collaborative musical project from DJ/Producers Diplo and Switch.-Background:Made up of DJs Diplo and Switch, the two were introduced after working with M.I.A.. The duo's first album Guns Don't Kill People... Lazers Do was released on June 16, 2009, on Downtown Records. It was...
's 2009 song "Pon de Floor". "Ass on the Floor"s production also consists of "pounding drums" and "glittery synthesizers" whilst the vocals focus primarily on Diddy-Dirty Money's two females, Dawn Richard and Kalenna Harper. Beatz handles the chorus (as well as the production
Record producer
A record producer is an individual working within the music industry, whose job is to oversee and manage the recording of an artist's music...
) while Diddy drops a verse near the end of the song. According to Zeigbe, Harper and Richard's lyrics focus on "drowning their sorrows over a frustratingly volatile relationship", Beatz acts as the intermediary "commanding the lovelorn souls to forget the drama" while Diddy's melancholy lyrics "laments potent heartbreak in his verse". On February 11, 2011, "Ass on the Floor" was added to the B-playlist on the UK's biggest Urban music radio station, BBC Radio 1Xtra
BBC Radio 1Xtra
BBC Radio 1Xtra is a digital radio station in the United Kingdom from the BBC specialising in new black music, sometimes referred to as urban music. Launched at 18:00 on 16 August 2002, it had been codenamed Network X during the consulation period and is the sister station to BBC Radio 1...
.
Critical reception
Jamie from Freshness said the choice of visuals to accompany the single and "marching beat" means that the "chances are this fresh track with Swizz Beatz will be heard in clubs all over the world." Meanwhile Jim Farber from the New York Daily News praised the song's directness saying "it puts you right there". Bradon Soderberg (of The Village VoiceThe Village Voice
The Village Voice is a free weekly newspaper and news and features website in New York City that features investigative articles, analysis of current affairs and culture, arts and music coverage, and events listings for New York City...
) singled "Ass on the Floor" out as one of the album's best songs. Jamie from Freshness said "With 'Ass on the Floor', the group not only opts for a heavy club vibe in terms of titling, but in sound as well... [which includes a] decisive marching beat". MTV
MTV
MTV, formerly an initialism of Music Television, is an American network based in New York City that launched on August 1, 1981. The original purpose of the channel was to play music videos guided by on-air hosts known as VJs....
's Mawuse Zeigbe praised the song for its emotional lyrics and production value. Zeigbe said "The vibe of the song definitely stays on track with the naked emotion the Bad Boy mogul promised on the trio's long-delayed effort, Last Train to Paris."
Music video
According to Rap-UpRap-Up
Rap-Up is a magazine launched in 2001 by founder Devin Lazerine. The publication was originally a website devoted to hip hop, until Lazerine decided to pitch the possibility of a magazine to several publishers. The magazine is focused on the hip hop and R&B aspect of the music industry, and...
magazine, the Colin Tilley directed clip premiered on December 13, 2010. It was released in the same week that videos for "Somebody to Love Me" and "Coming Home
Coming Home (Diddy-Dirty Money song)
"Coming Home" is a song by American rapper and producer Diddy and his band Dirty Money, from their debut album Last Train to Paris . It was released on November 21, 2010, as the album's fourth single. The contemporary hip-hop pop song was written by Jiraphat Wongsuwan. Alex Da Kid and Jay-Z...
" were released, in the week leading up to the album's release. In the "winter wonderland"-themed clip Richard and Harper take the lead while Swizz Beatz and Diddy make background appearances.
Synopsis
The video begins with a drummer beating his drum, snowflakes bounce up and down from the vibrations. Swizz BeatzSwizz Beatz
Kasseem Dean , better known by his stage name, Swizz Beatz, is an American record producer, DJ, rapper and painter. At the age of 17, he gained attention in the hip-hop world through his friendship with rapper DMX. Grady Spivey and rapper Cassidy helped launch his label Full Surface Records...
appears in a snow-filled wooden crate surrounded by icicles, to rap his verse. Images of Dawn Richard
Dawn Richard
Dawn Richard may refer to:* Dawn Angeliqué Richard , American songstress and former member of R&B group Danity Kane* Dawn Richard , American Playboy Playmate, model and actress...
and Kalenna Harper
Kalenna Harper
Kalenna Harper , better known mononymously as Kalenna , is an American singer-songwriter. She is currently a member of the hip hop group Diddy-Dirty Money, along with Diddy and fellow singer-songwriter Dawn Richard .The winner of four Russian Grammy Awards, Kalenna is currently working on her solo...
also flash on screen during the opening sequence. In the following scene Richard and Harper appear stood on floating blocks of ice in a cavern of water. Throughout their verses images of the drummer and Beatz in the crate also flash on screen. Some subtle camera effects such as superimposed
Superimposed
Superimposed is an Indie Metal band based in Manchester, England. The exact membership of the band is subject to speculation, as the number of members appearing at gigs varies, and their identity is heavily masked...
imagery and split-screen lenses are also used. During the chorus, Beatz and Diddy appear sat on the bonnet of a white sports car as it snows around them. In the second and third verses Dirty Money and Beatz both appear in the snow filled backdrop but during Diddy's verse he appears alone in the same snow-filled crate that Beatz appeared in first. The video ends with two finals scenes, one where Diddy and Beatz appear together in the crate and one where Dirty Money appear in the snow filled landscape with heavy snow falling before the camera fades through black. Throughout the video there is a soft blue-tinged lighting effect.
Reception
Staff from E! OnlineE!
E! Entertainment Television is an American basic cable and satellite television network, owned by NBCUniversal. It features entertainment-related programming, reality television, feature films and occasionally series and specials unrelated to the entertainment industry.E! has an audience reach of...
were impressed with the clip saying that "although Diddy had shot a number of videos for the band's new album, 'Ass on the Floor' is the coolest—literally and artistically." They added, "just in time for blizzard season, the video features Dawn Richard and Kalenna Harper singing and dancing in the snow like ultrafoxy versions of the Snow Miser. In other words: It's icy hot!" Robbie Daw from Idolator was also impressed. He said "[the] somber dance jam 'Ass On The Floor' and its frosty visual are proving that old adage that third time’s a charm, [referring to the third video Diddy had released that week]. Maybe the winter wonderland displayed here is just getting us into the spirit of the season?".
Promotion and remixes
Dirty Money made their debut performance of "Ass on the Floor" on the December 4, 2010 showing of Saturday Night LiveSaturday Night Live
Saturday Night Live is a live American late-night television sketch comedy and variety show developed by Lorne Michaels and Dick Ebersol. The show premiered on NBC on October 11, 1975, under the original title of NBC's Saturday Night.The show's sketches often parody contemporary American culture...
. The group were joined on stage by Swizz Beatz for the performance. They also performed the song live on The Jimmy Kimmel Show on December 17, 2010, though this time they performed with Beatz.
Female rapper Trina recorded a remix to "Ass on the Floor" in February 2010. The remix features a new verse, rapped by Trina, and will feature on the Trina mixtape Diamonds are Forever (issued Valentine's Day, 2011). American songwriting and production duo The-Dream
The-Dream
Terius Youngdell Nash , better known by his stage name The-Dream, is an American singer-songwriter and record producer. He is known for co-writing "Umbrella" for Rihanna and "Single Ladies " for Beyoncé, as well as for his three solo albums, Love Hate, Love vs...
and Tricky Stewart
Christopher Stewart (music producer)
Christopher "Tricky" Stewart is an American songwriter, music producer, music publisher, executive producer, recording industry executive and recording studio owner. In a career spanning 16 years, Stewart, at the helm of his company RedZone Entertainment, is responsible for over 25 million...
were commissioned to produce an official remix for the song. Dubbed "Ass on the Floor (Remix)", the official remix leaves all of the original vocals but replaced the melody with a more "classic R&B
Contemporary R&B
Contemporary R&B is a music genre that combines elements of hip hop, soul, R&B and funk.Although the abbreviation “R&B” originates from traditional rhythm and blues music, today the term R&B is most often used to describe a style of African American music originating after the demise of disco in...
" production.
Track listing
-
- Digital download
(as part of Swizz Beatz' Monster Mondays)
- Digital download
- "Ass on the Floor" featuring Swizz BeatzSwizz BeatzKasseem Dean , better known by his stage name, Swizz Beatz, is an American record producer, DJ, rapper and painter. At the age of 17, he gained attention in the hip-hop world through his friendship with rapper DMX. Grady Spivey and rapper Cassidy helped launch his label Full Surface Records...
- 4:04-
- Remix
(as part of Trina's Diamonds are Forever mixtape)
- Remix
-
- "Ass on the Floor (Remix)" featuring Trina and Swizz Beatz - 4:02
-
- UK Digital single
- "Ass on the Floor" (Explicit) - 4:04
- "Coming HomeComing Home (Diddy-Dirty Money song)"Coming Home" is a song by American rapper and producer Diddy and his band Dirty Money, from their debut album Last Train to Paris . It was released on November 21, 2010, as the album's fourth single. The contemporary hip-hop pop song was written by Jiraphat Wongsuwan. Alex Da Kid and Jay-Z...
" (Dirty South Remix) - 6:56 - "Coming Home" (Dirty South Vocal Remix) - 6:57
Credits
"Ass on the Floor" was recorded at Daddy's House Recording Studios in New York CityNew York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, NY
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
.
- SongwritingSongwriterA songwriter is an individual who writes both the lyrics and music to a song. Someone who solely writes lyrics may be called a lyricist, and someone who only writes music may be called a composer...
- Sean "Diddy" CombsSean CombsSean John Combs , also known by his stage names Diddy and P. Diddy, is an American rapper, singer, record producer, actor, and entrepreneur. He has won three Grammy Awards and two MTV Video Music Awards, and his clothing line earned a Council of Fashion Designers of America award. He was originally...
, Kasseem "Swizz Beatz" DeanSwizz BeatzKasseem Dean , better known by his stage name, Swizz Beatz, is an American record producer, DJ, rapper and painter. At the age of 17, he gained attention in the hip-hop world through his friendship with rapper DMX. Grady Spivey and rapper Cassidy helped launch his label Full Surface Records...
, Dirty Money (Dawn RichardDawn RichardDawn Richard may refer to:* Dawn Angeliqué Richard , American songstress and former member of R&B group Danity Kane* Dawn Richard , American Playboy Playmate, model and actress...
, Kalenna VickKalenna HarperKalenna Harper , better known mononymously as Kalenna , is an American singer-songwriter. She is currently a member of the hip hop group Diddy-Dirty Money, along with Diddy and fellow singer-songwriter Dawn Richard .The winner of four Russian Grammy Awards, Kalenna is currently working on her solo...
), Leroy Watson - ProductionRecord producerA record producer is an individual working within the music industry, whose job is to oversee and manage the recording of an artist's music...
- Swizz Beatz - Keyboard arrangement - Tyrone Johnson
- Additional keyboards - Eric HudsonEric HudsonEric Hudson is a South Orange, New Jersey native and Grammy award-winning music producer. Born to father Curt Hudson, songwriter/producer . He went to Columbia High School in South Orange, NJ and graduated in 2004.-2006:Omarion - 21* 01. "Entourage"* 03. "Electric"* 11. "Been With a Star"John...
, Jeffrey "J-Dub" Walker - Engineered by Matthew Testa, Steve "Rock Star" Dickey, Pat Viala
- Mixing - Jaycen Joshua, Jesus Garncia (assistant)
- Lead vocals - Diddy, Dirty Money
- Featured vocals - Swizz Beatz
Charts
| Chart (2010–11) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| German Youth Airplay Chart | 12 |
| UK Singles (The Official Charts Company) | 187 |
| US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, is a chart released weekly by Billboard in the United States.The chart, initiated in 1942, is used to track the success of popular music songs in urban, or primarily African American, venues. Dominated over the years at various times by jazz, rhythm and blues, doo-wop, soul,... (Billboard Billboard (magazine) Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis... ) |
80 |
| US Hot Dance Club Songs | 36 |
Release history
| Country | Date | Format | Label |
|---|---|---|---|
| Worldwide | November 29, 2010 | Free download Promotional recording A promotional recording, or promo, is an audio or video recording distributed for free, usually in order to promote a recording that is or soon will be commercially available... (from Monster Mondays) |
Bad Boy Bad Boy Records Bad Boy Records is a record label founded in 1993 by producer/rapper/entrepreneur Sean "Diddy" Combs. Today it operates as a subsidiary of Warner Music Group, and is distributed by Atlantic Records.-Beginnings:... , Interscope Records Interscope Records Interscope Records is an American record label owned by Universal Music Group that currently operates as one third of UMG's Interscope-Geffen-A&M label group.-History:... |
| United Kingdom | February 11, 2011 | Urban music radio BBC Radio 1Xtra BBC Radio 1Xtra is a digital radio station in the United Kingdom from the BBC specialising in new black music, sometimes referred to as urban music. Launched at 18:00 on 16 August 2002, it had been codenamed Network X during the consulation period and is the sister station to BBC Radio 1... |
Polydor Records Polydor Records Polydor is a record label owned by Universal Music Group, headquartered in the United Kingdom.-Beginnings:Polydor was originally an independent branch of the Deutsche Grammophon Gesellschaft. Its name was first used as an export label in 1924, the British and German branches of the Gramophone... |
| April 18, 2011 | Digital download Music download A music download is the transferral of music from an Internet-facing computer or website to a user's local computer. This term encompasses both legal downloads and downloads of copyright material without permission or payment... |