International Player's Anthem (I Choose You)
Encyclopedia
"International Player's Anthem (I Choose You)" is a single by UGK
on their album Underground Kingz, featuring OutKast
.
and Juicy J
of Three 6 Mafia
, and utilizes a sample of "I Choose You" by Willie Hutch
. It was originally used on a song by Project Pat
, "Choose U"; from his album, Layin' da Smack Down
, released in 2002. However the sample was also used a year earlier in "Rap's a Hustle" by Cormega
on his 2001 album The Realness
as well as "P.I.M.P. Pt.2" by 50 Cent
on his album Bulletproof which was produced by producer/songwriter J.Bonkaz. An almost exact sample "i chose you" by Willie Hutch was produced by Wu Tang Clan affiliate DJ Mathematics.
The video was awarded Video of the Year at the 2008 annual BET Hip-Hop awards.
The song has been nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group
.
This song was #10 on Rolling Stone
The song hit #70 on the Billboard Hot 100, making it their only song to chart there.
Pitchfork Media
's "Top 500 songs of the 2000's" listed the song at #43.
The video Premiered on MTV Jams
on June 4, 2007
Before the wedding ceremony, Bun B and friends ridicule Andre for supposedly rushing into getting married, and poke fun at him for wearing a red kilt ("I've got Scottish in my family," Andre calmly states). DJ Paul humorously says that it makes him look like Roddy Piper
of World Wrestling Entertainment
(WWE). Andre defends his decision to get married, saying that he is ready to take the next step in life, and in turn berates his friends for not looking to get into commitments themselves.
During the wedding, Andre talks about text messaging past flings and telling them that he has found love and will be giving up his life as a player. Interestingly, the audience remains seated as the bride (played by actress Salina Soto (CSI:NY, Forbidden) marches to the altar, a boy plays with an oversize toy spaceship, and one of Andre's past flings makes a side remark to him (the verse that is being rapped), to the dismay of her date, Fonzworth Bentley
. A choir and its director, T-Pain
, sing the "I Choose You" vocals as the wedding progresses, while the groomsmen and other friends implore Andre to "keep your heart, 3 stacks!"
Later at the afterparty, two of Andre's past flings get into an argument while attempting to catch the bride's bouquet, which escalates into a full-blown fist fight that destroys the wedding cake and much of the buffet. The male onlookers are pleasantly shocked, the bride is almost reduced to tears, but the rest of the main characters (including the bride) all smile at the end, apparently having a good time.
At the BET Hip Hop Awards in October, "International Player's Anthem" was nominated for top Hip Hop Video and won Best Collaboration.
The video features cameos by Bishop Don "Magic" Juan, DJ Paul
and Juicy J
of Three 6 Mafia
, Chamillionaire
, T-Pain
, Fonzworth Bentley
, David Banner
, Kardinal Offishall
, Katt Williams
, Big Gipp
, Alex Thomas
, Deray Davis, along with actor Lukas Haas
.This became the last video appearance of Pimp C before his death on December 4, 2007 .
At the 2007 BET Hip Hop Awards, Kanye West won the Best Hip Hop Video award but felt this video deserved it more. He called Big Boi during his acceptance speech, who felt Kanye deserved it. During both the 2007 BET Hip Hop Awards and 2008 BET Awards, only Bun B and Big Boi were there to accept the award.
.
Chamillionaire recently used the instrumental for the track for a freestyle titled "Ima Playa Fasho" from his mixtape Mixtape Messiah 3
.
Crooked I
also used this beat on week 13 in his "Hip-Hop Weekly" series.
The song is also used as the first and last sample on Girl Talk
's 2008 album, Feed the Animals
.
The song was sampled in On Top of the Cover by Mike Jones.
UGK
UGK was an American hip hop duo from Port Arthur, Texas formed in 1987 by the late Chad "Pimp C" Butler . He then joined with Bernard "Bun B" Freeman, who became his longtime partner...
on their album Underground Kingz, featuring OutKast
OutKast
Outkast is an American hip hop duo based in East Point, Georgia, consisting of Atlanta native André "André 3000" Benjamin and Savannah, Georgia-born Antwan "Big Boi" Patton. They were originally known as Two Shades Deep but later changed the group's name to OutKast...
.
Background
The beat was produced by DJ PaulDJ Paul
Paul Beauregard, better known by his stage name DJ Paul, is an American rapper and record producer from Memphis, Tennessee. He is one half of the current Memphis-based rap group Three 6 Mafia. He is also the half brother of former Three 6 Mafia member Lord Infamous. He won an Academy Award for Best...
and Juicy J
Juicy J
Jordan Michael Houston, better known by his stage name Juicy J is an Academy Award winning American rapper and record producer from Memphis, Tennessee and is the co-founder and a member of the duo Three 6 Mafia . He is also the younger brother of Project Pat...
of Three 6 Mafia
Three 6 Mafia
Three 6 Mafia are an Academy Award-winning, American rap group originating from Memphis, Tennessee. Formed in 1991 as Triple 6 Mafia, by DJ Paul, Juicy J, & Lord Infamous, the group at its most featured six members including; Crunchy Black, Gangsta Boo and Koopsta Knicca...
, and utilizes a sample of "I Choose You" by Willie Hutch
Willie Hutch
Willie McKinley Hutchison, known professionally as Willie Hutch was an American singer, songwriter as well as a record producer and recording artist for the Motown record label during the 1970s and 1980s....
. It was originally used on a song by Project Pat
Project Pat
Patrick Houston, better known as Project Pat is an American rapper originating from Memphis, Tennessee. He is the older brother of Juicy J, co-founder of the Three 6 Mafia....
, "Choose U"; from his album, Layin' da Smack Down
Layin' da Smack Down
Layin' da Smack Down is the fourth studio album by rapper Project Pat, released on August 6, 2002.-Track listing:# "Still Ridin' Clean" - 1:37# "The Porch 3" - 0:52# "Fight" - 5:29# "Weak Niggaz" - 4:41...
, released in 2002. However the sample was also used a year earlier in "Rap's a Hustle" by Cormega
Cormega
Cory Mckay , better known as Cormega, is an American emcee best known for his vivid and poignant narratives about inner-city life.- Early life :...
on his 2001 album The Realness
The Realness
The Realness is the debut studio album by Queensbridge rapper Cormega.Cormega rose to fame in the mid-90s as an original member of The Firm crew, along with Nas, AZ and Foxy Brown, appearing on the song "Affirmative Action" from the Nas album It Was Written. After being booted from the group,...
as well as "P.I.M.P. Pt.2" by 50 Cent
50 Cent
Curtis James Jackson III , better known by his stage name 50 Cent, is an American rapper, entrepreneur, investor, record producer, and actor. He rose to fame with the release of his albums Get Rich or Die Tryin and The Massacre . Get Rich or Die Tryin has been certified eight times platinum by...
on his album Bulletproof which was produced by producer/songwriter J.Bonkaz. An almost exact sample "i chose you" by Willie Hutch was produced by Wu Tang Clan affiliate DJ Mathematics.
The video was awarded Video of the Year at the 2008 annual BET Hip-Hop awards.
The song has been nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group
Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group
The Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group was awarded between 1991 and 2011, alongside the Grammy Award for Best Rap Solo Performance. Previously a single award was presented for Best Rap Performance....
.
This song was #10 on Rolling Stone
Rolling Stone
Rolling Stone is a US-based magazine devoted to music, liberal politics, and popular culture that is published every two weeks. Rolling Stone was founded in San Francisco in 1967 by Jann Wenner and music critic Ralph J...
The song hit #70 on the Billboard Hot 100, making it their only song to chart there.
Pitchfork Media
Pitchfork Media
Pitchfork Media, usually known simply as Pitchfork or P4k, is a Chicago-based daily Internet publication established in 1995 that is devoted to music criticism and commentary, music news, and artist interviews. Its focus is on underground and independent music, especially indie rock...
's "Top 500 songs of the 2000's" listed the song at #43.
Music video
The music video is centered around the fictional wedding of Andre 3000, progressing through the men's waiting room before the ceremony, the wedding itself, the reception, and the afterparty dance.The video Premiered on MTV Jams
MTV Jams
MTV Jams is a Viacom-owned American hip-hop/urban music video channel that debuted on 1998 as MTVX, then was relaunched in 2002 under its current name...
on June 4, 2007
Before the wedding ceremony, Bun B and friends ridicule Andre for supposedly rushing into getting married, and poke fun at him for wearing a red kilt ("I've got Scottish in my family," Andre calmly states). DJ Paul humorously says that it makes him look like Roddy Piper
Roddy Piper
Roderick George Toombs , better known by his ring name "Rowdy" Roddy Piper, is a Canadian semi-retired professional wrestler and film actor who is currently signed to WWE. In professional wrestling, he is best known for his work with WWE...
of World Wrestling Entertainment
World Wrestling Entertainment
World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. is an American publicly traded, privately controlled entertainment company dealing primarily in professional wrestling, with major revenue sources also coming from film, music, product licensing, and direct product sales...
(WWE). Andre defends his decision to get married, saying that he is ready to take the next step in life, and in turn berates his friends for not looking to get into commitments themselves.
During the wedding, Andre talks about text messaging past flings and telling them that he has found love and will be giving up his life as a player. Interestingly, the audience remains seated as the bride (played by actress Salina Soto (CSI:NY, Forbidden) marches to the altar, a boy plays with an oversize toy spaceship, and one of Andre's past flings makes a side remark to him (the verse that is being rapped), to the dismay of her date, Fonzworth Bentley
Fonzworth Bentley
Derrick Watkins, in Atlanta, Georgia and popularly known as Fonzworth Bentley or Farnsworth Bentley, is a musician and author. He is perhaps best known for being Sean Combs' former personal valet and assistant, as first seen in Making the Band 2, and is currently the host of MTV's From G's to Gents...
. A choir and its director, T-Pain
T-Pain
Faheem Rasheed Najm , better known by his stage name T-Pain, is an American singer-songwriter, rapper, record producer, and actor, currently signed to Young Money Entertainment. His debut album, Rappa Ternt Sanga, was released in 2005. In 2007, T-Pain released his second studio album Epiphany,...
, sing the "I Choose You" vocals as the wedding progresses, while the groomsmen and other friends implore Andre to "keep your heart, 3 stacks!"
Later at the afterparty, two of Andre's past flings get into an argument while attempting to catch the bride's bouquet, which escalates into a full-blown fist fight that destroys the wedding cake and much of the buffet. The male onlookers are pleasantly shocked, the bride is almost reduced to tears, but the rest of the main characters (including the bride) all smile at the end, apparently having a good time.
At the BET Hip Hop Awards in October, "International Player's Anthem" was nominated for top Hip Hop Video and won Best Collaboration.
The video features cameos by Bishop Don "Magic" Juan, DJ Paul
DJ Paul
Paul Beauregard, better known by his stage name DJ Paul, is an American rapper and record producer from Memphis, Tennessee. He is one half of the current Memphis-based rap group Three 6 Mafia. He is also the half brother of former Three 6 Mafia member Lord Infamous. He won an Academy Award for Best...
and Juicy J
Juicy J
Jordan Michael Houston, better known by his stage name Juicy J is an Academy Award winning American rapper and record producer from Memphis, Tennessee and is the co-founder and a member of the duo Three 6 Mafia . He is also the younger brother of Project Pat...
of Three 6 Mafia
Three 6 Mafia
Three 6 Mafia are an Academy Award-winning, American rap group originating from Memphis, Tennessee. Formed in 1991 as Triple 6 Mafia, by DJ Paul, Juicy J, & Lord Infamous, the group at its most featured six members including; Crunchy Black, Gangsta Boo and Koopsta Knicca...
, Chamillionaire
Chamillionaire
Hakeem Seriki , better known by his stage name Chamillionaire, is an American rapper, record producer, and entrepreneur. He is the CEO of Chamillitary Entertainment. Chamillionaire is also the founder and an original member of The Color Changin' Click...
, T-Pain
T-Pain
Faheem Rasheed Najm , better known by his stage name T-Pain, is an American singer-songwriter, rapper, record producer, and actor, currently signed to Young Money Entertainment. His debut album, Rappa Ternt Sanga, was released in 2005. In 2007, T-Pain released his second studio album Epiphany,...
, Fonzworth Bentley
Fonzworth Bentley
Derrick Watkins, in Atlanta, Georgia and popularly known as Fonzworth Bentley or Farnsworth Bentley, is a musician and author. He is perhaps best known for being Sean Combs' former personal valet and assistant, as first seen in Making the Band 2, and is currently the host of MTV's From G's to Gents...
, David Banner
David Banner
Lavell Crump , better known by his stage name David Banner, is an American rapper, record producer and occasional actor. Banner was born in Jackson, Mississippi and graduated from Southern University. He started his music career as a member of the rap duo, Crooked Lettaz before going solo in 2000...
, Kardinal Offishall
Kardinal Offishall
Jason D. Harrow , better known by his stage name Kardinal Offishall , is a Canadian rapper and record producer. He is often credited as Canada's "hip-hop ambassador", and is best known for his distinctive reggae and dancehall-influenced style of hip-hop.-Life and career:Harrow was born in...
, Katt Williams
Katt Williams
Micah S. Katt Williams is a U.S. comedian, rapper, and actor. He is best known for his role as Money Mike in Friday After Next...
, Big Gipp
Big Gipp
This article is about the American rapper. For the Notre Dame football player, see George Gipp. For the Iowa State Representative see Chuck Gipp.Big Gipp , is an American rapper from the South...
, Alex Thomas
Alex Thomas
Alex Thomas is an English drummer from Lutterworth, Leicestershire, who currently performs with Squarepusher and Air.He joined Bolt Thrower on August 21, 1997 at the age of 19...
, Deray Davis, along with actor Lukas Haas
Lukas Haas
Lukas Daniel Haas is an American actor, known for roles both as a child and as an adult. His career has spanned more than 25 years during which time he has appeared in more than 36 feature films, as well as a number of television shows and theater productions.-Early life and career:Haas was born...
.This became the last video appearance of Pimp C before his death on December 4, 2007 .
At the 2007 BET Hip Hop Awards, Kanye West won the Best Hip Hop Video award but felt this video deserved it more. He called Big Boi during his acceptance speech, who felt Kanye deserved it. During both the 2007 BET Hip Hop Awards and 2008 BET Awards, only Bun B and Big Boi were there to accept the award.
Remix
The official remix is a bonus track on the album, and features Three 6 MafiaThree 6 Mafia
Three 6 Mafia are an Academy Award-winning, American rap group originating from Memphis, Tennessee. Formed in 1991 as Triple 6 Mafia, by DJ Paul, Juicy J, & Lord Infamous, the group at its most featured six members including; Crunchy Black, Gangsta Boo and Koopsta Knicca...
.
Chamillionaire recently used the instrumental for the track for a freestyle titled "Ima Playa Fasho" from his mixtape Mixtape Messiah 3
Mixtape Messiah 3
Mixtape Messiah 3 is a mixtape by southern rapper Chamillionaire. It was released as a free download on Chamillionaire's website on July 18, 2007 at 11pm EDT to promote his album Ultimate Victory, then scheduled for release three months later...
.
Crooked I
Crooked I
Dominick Wickliffe, better known by his stage name Crooked I, is an American rapper from Long Beach, California. He is a member of the hip hop group, Slaughterhouse with other members Joe Budden, Joell Ortiz and Royce da 5'9. Slaughterhouse is currently signed to Shady Records / Interscope Records....
also used this beat on week 13 in his "Hip-Hop Weekly" series.
The song is also used as the first and last sample on Girl Talk
Girl Talk (musician)
Gregg Michael Gillis , better known by his stage name Girl Talk, is an American musician specializing in mashups and digital sampling. Gillis has released five LPs on the record label Illegal Art and EPs on 333 and 12 Apostles....
's 2008 album, Feed the Animals
Feed the Animals
Feed the Animals is the fourth album by Girl Talk , released on Illegal Art in 2008. It is composed almost entirely of samples taken from other artists' songs, plus minor original instrumentation by Girl Talk...
.
The song was sampled in On Top of the Cover by Mike Jones.