Nothin' on You
Encyclopedia
"Nothin' on You" is the debut single by American rapper
B.o.B
. The song features vocals from Bruno Mars
. The song is included in B.o.B's debut studio album B.o.B Presents: The Adventures of Bobby Ray
. An official remix version of this song, which was featured by Big Boi
, debuted on March 21, 2010. The song reached number one in the Netherlands
, the United Kingdom
and the United States
. The song was nominated for three Grammys
, including Record of the Year
, on December 1, 2010 for the 53rd Grammy Awards
.
(Bruno Mars
, Philip Lawrence and Ari Levine) were booked for a week of writing sessions for Lupe Fiasco
, B.o.B and Travie McCoy
. Atlantic A&R Aaron Bay-Schuck told HitQuarters
that one of his responsibilities is in encouraging Mars and Lawrence to develop the best of the original melodies he often heard them casually humming, and it was one of these melodies that formed the inspiration to "Nothin' on You". By the end of the week the group had created a scratch chorus-only demo of the song featuring Bruno Mars singing on a guitar track. The Travie McCoy song "Billionaire
" was also conceived at this time. Several weeks later B.o.B joined The Smeezingtons in the studio to complete the full song. In an interview with Midweek
, Mars explained the lyrical inspiration for the song, "Every song I write has to do with a real-life experience, whether it's at the time or me back-tracking to how I felt at another moment. So, yeah, it was about someone; let's leave it at that."
According to Jim Jonsin
, the track was originally supposed to be sent to Lupe Fiasco
, but he requested Atlantic Records
for B.o.B to have the song instead. Lupe Fiasco's version of the song leaked on June 18, 2010.
The song's drum beat is a sample taken from Joe Tex
's "Papa Was Too" and is prominent throughout the song.
On June 27, 2010, B.o.B performed the single with Fantasia Barrino
's brother Ricco Barrino, who is also signed to Atlantic
and Grand Hustle Records
, at the BET Awards
.
In 2011, "Weird Al" Yankovic
recorded a parody of the song called "Another Tattoo", which is featured on his album Alpocalypse
.
, Eugena Washington
, appears as one of the many girls in the video.
, making the Netherlands the first country where it reached the top spot on a national chart. It went to number one on the Billboard Hot 100
for the week ending May 1, 2010, and certified double-platinum by the RIAA on June 28, 2010. On the Hot 100 year-end chart, "Nothin' on You" placed at number 11. In 2010 its sold 2,668,000 digital copies.
The single debuted on the UK Singles Chart
on May 23, 2010, at number one with sales of 85,333 copies, replacing Roll Deep
's "Good Times
". It also debuted at number one on the UK R&B Chart
.
On June, 15, 2010, Korea
n American
singer Jay Park
released a duet single of "Nothin' on You" with B.o.B
, where he replaces Bruno Mars
' vocals. Warner Music Korea explained that Park's featuring was made possible by music distribution company, Warner Music America's Asian counterpart, SEA, as well as his YouTube cover contributing to much of the song's success in Korea with more than 5 million hits. The cover version immediately reached #1 on Cyworld
's real time charts in an hour of its release. The song was given the Best International Artist Award in June 2010's Cy Digital Music Awards.
The single has been certified Platinum in Australia.
Rapping
Rapping refers to "spoken or chanted rhyming lyrics". The art form can be broken down into different components, as in the book How to Rap where it is separated into “content”, “flow” , and “delivery”...
B.o.B
B.o.B
Bobby Ray Simmons, Jr. , better known by his stage name B.o.B, is an American rapper, singer-songwriter and record producer. He is currently signed under the labels of Grand Hustle Records, Rebel Rock Entertainment, and Atlantic Records. His debut single "Nothin' on You" reached number one in both...
. The song features vocals from Bruno Mars
Bruno Mars
Peter Gene Hernandez , better known by his stage name Bruno Mars, is an Filipino-American singer-songwriter and record producer. Raised in Honolulu, Hawaii by a family of musicians, Mars began making music at a young age...
. The song is included in B.o.B's debut studio album B.o.B Presents: The Adventures of Bobby Ray
B.o.B Presents: The Adventures of Bobby Ray
B.o.B Presents: The Adventures of Bobby Ray is the debut studio album of American rapper B.o.B, released April 27, 2010, on Grand Hustle Records, Rebel Rock Entertainment, and Atlantic Records. Production for the album took place during 2008 to 2010 and was handled by B.o.B, Crada, Dr...
. An official remix version of this song, which was featured by Big Boi
Big Boi
Antwan André Patton , better known by his stage name Big Boi, is an American rapper, song-writer, record producer and actor, best known for being a member of American hip hop duo OutKast alongside André 3000. His work in the duo has produced six studio albums. During the duo's hiatus, he and André...
, debuted on March 21, 2010. The song reached number one in the Netherlands
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
, the United Kingdom
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...
and the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The song was nominated for three Grammys
Grammy Award
A Grammy Award — or Grammy — is an accolade by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences of the United States to recognize outstanding achievement in the music industry...
, including Record of the Year
Grammy Award for Record of the Year
The Record of the Year is one of the four most prestigious Grammy Awards presented annually. It has been awarded since 1959.-History:The honorees through its history have been:*1959-1965: Artist only.*1966-1998: Artist and producer....
, on December 1, 2010 for the 53rd Grammy Awards
53rd Grammy Awards
The 53rd annual Grammy Awards were held on February 13, 2011, at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. They were broadcast on CBS with a rating of 26.6 million viewers. Barbra Streisand was honored as the MusiCares Person of the Year two nights prior to the telecast on February 11. Nominations were...
.
Background
During the summer of 2009, The SmeezingtonsThe Smeezingtons
The Smeezingtons is the name of a songwriting and production team consisting of Bruno Mars, Philip Lawrence and Ari Levine.They have produced and written songs for artists and groups such as the Sugababes, Travie McCoy, B.o.B, Brandy Norwood, K'naan, Lil Wayne, Flo Rida, Chad Hugo, Lil Eddie, Bad...
(Bruno Mars
Bruno Mars
Peter Gene Hernandez , better known by his stage name Bruno Mars, is an Filipino-American singer-songwriter and record producer. Raised in Honolulu, Hawaii by a family of musicians, Mars began making music at a young age...
, Philip Lawrence and Ari Levine) were booked for a week of writing sessions for Lupe Fiasco
Lupe Fiasco
Wasalu Muhammad Jaco , better known by his stage name Lupe Fiasco , is an American rapper, record producer, and entrepreneur. As an entrepreneur, Lupe is the CEO of 1st and 15th Entertainment. He rose to fame in 2006 following the success of his critically acclaimed debut album, Lupe Fiasco's Food...
, B.o.B and Travie McCoy
Travie McCoy
Travie Lazarus McCoy is an American singer and rapper. He is the lead vocalist of the alternative hip-hop band Gym Class Heroes. He released his debut solo album Lazarus on June 8, 2010....
. Atlantic A&R Aaron Bay-Schuck told HitQuarters
HitQuarters
HitQuarters is an international music industry publication and contact database founded in 1999. It is noted for in-depth interviews with industry figures, with past subjects including Simon Cowell, Martin Kierszenbaum, Jason Flom, Diane Warren, Peter Edge, Ron Fair and RedOne, as well as its A&R...
that one of his responsibilities is in encouraging Mars and Lawrence to develop the best of the original melodies he often heard them casually humming, and it was one of these melodies that formed the inspiration to "Nothin' on You". By the end of the week the group had created a scratch chorus-only demo of the song featuring Bruno Mars singing on a guitar track. The Travie McCoy song "Billionaire
Billionaire (song)
"Billionaire" is the debut single by American recording artist Travie McCoy, featuring guest vocals from Bruno Mars. It is the lead single from McCoy's debut studio album Lazarus. The song was produced by The Smeezingtons, which consists of Mars, Philip Lawrence and Ari Levine...
" was also conceived at this time. Several weeks later B.o.B joined The Smeezingtons in the studio to complete the full song. In an interview with Midweek
Midweek
MidWeek is a weekly United States tabloid shopper and advertisement periodical published in Honolulu, Hawaii and distributed throughout on the Islands of Oahu and Kauai. It is owned by Black Press and is a sister publication of the Honolulu Star-Advertiser.- History :The shopper started in 1984 to...
, Mars explained the lyrical inspiration for the song, "Every song I write has to do with a real-life experience, whether it's at the time or me back-tracking to how I felt at another moment. So, yeah, it was about someone; let's leave it at that."
According to Jim Jonsin
Jim Jonsin
James Scheffer, better known by his professional name, Jim Jonsin, is an American Grammy award winning record producer, songwriter, record executive, and entrepreneur...
, the track was originally supposed to be sent to Lupe Fiasco
Lupe Fiasco
Wasalu Muhammad Jaco , better known by his stage name Lupe Fiasco , is an American rapper, record producer, and entrepreneur. As an entrepreneur, Lupe is the CEO of 1st and 15th Entertainment. He rose to fame in 2006 following the success of his critically acclaimed debut album, Lupe Fiasco's Food...
, but he requested Atlantic Records
Atlantic Records
Atlantic Records is an American record label best known for its many recordings of rhythm and blues, rock and roll, and jazz...
for B.o.B to have the song instead. Lupe Fiasco's version of the song leaked on June 18, 2010.
The song's drum beat is a sample taken from Joe Tex
Joe Tex
Joseph Arrington, Jr. , better known as "Joe Tex", was an American Southern soul singer-songwriter, most popular during the 1960s and 1970s...
's "Papa Was Too" and is prominent throughout the song.
On June 27, 2010, B.o.B performed the single with Fantasia Barrino
Fantasia Barrino
Fantasia Monique Barrino commonly known as Fantasia, is an American R&B singer, Broadway and television actress who rose to fame as the winner of the third season of the reality television series American Idol in 2004. Following her victory, she released her debut single, "I Believe", which...
's brother Ricco Barrino, who is also signed to Atlantic
Atlantic Records
Atlantic Records is an American record label best known for its many recordings of rhythm and blues, rock and roll, and jazz...
and Grand Hustle Records
Grand Hustle Records
Grand Hustle Records is an Atlanta, Georgia-based record label formed in 2003 by Clifford "T.I." Harris and Jason Geter. Today it operates as a subsidiary of Warner Music Group, and is distributed by Atlantic Records.-Artists:*P$C...
, at the BET Awards
BET Awards
The BET Awards were established in 2001 by the Black Entertainment Television network to celebrate African Americans and other minorities in music, acting, sports, and other fields of entertainment over the past year. The awards are presented annually and broadcast live on BET...
.
In 2011, "Weird Al" Yankovic
"Weird Al" Yankovic
Alfred Matthew "Weird Al" Yankovic is an American singer-songwriter, music producer, accordionist, actor, comedian, writer, satirist, and parodist. Yankovic is known for his humorous songs that make light of popular culture and that often parody specific songs by contemporary musical acts...
recorded a parody of the song called "Another Tattoo", which is featured on his album Alpocalypse
Alpocalypse
Alpocalypse is the thirteenth studio album by "Weird Al" Yankovic, released on June 21, 2011. It is his first studio release in almost five years, following the release of Straight Outta Lynwood in 2006. It is also his first studio album since 1989's UHF – Original Motion Picture Soundtrack and...
.
Music video
The music video was directed by Ethan Lader (with animation done by George Rausch) and was filmed in the city of Los Angeles. It features both performers and premiered on March 9, 2010. The video features multiple collages of women taping over each other, in addition to a scene where B.o.B plays guitar and sings while Bruno Mars, the featured guest on the single, plays the drums. The second runner-up of America's Next Top Model, Cycle 7America's Next Top Model, Cycle 7
America's Next Top Model, Cycle 7 started airing on September 20, 2006 as the first to be aired on The CW network. The season's catch-phrase is "The Competition Won't Be Pretty." The season's promotional theme song is "Hot Stuff " by Pussycat Dolls.To date, this cycle is the most watched season in...
, Eugena Washington
Eugena Washington
Eugena Washington is an American model, best known for being second runner-up on America's Next Top Model, Cycle 7 and for appearing in the music video of rapper B.o.B.'s single "Nothin' on You"....
, appears as one of the many girls in the video.
Track listing
-
- Digital download
- "Nothin' On You (feat. Bruno MarsBruno MarsPeter Gene Hernandez , better known by his stage name Bruno Mars, is an Filipino-American singer-songwriter and record producer. Raised in Honolulu, Hawaii by a family of musicians, Mars began making music at a young age...
)" - 4:29
-
- CD Single
- "Nothin' On You (feat. Bruno Mars)" - 4:29
- "Haterz Everywhere (feat. Wes Fif)" - 3:30
Versions and remixes
- Nothin' on You (Album Version) (featuring Bruno MarsBruno MarsPeter Gene Hernandez , better known by his stage name Bruno Mars, is an Filipino-American singer-songwriter and record producer. Raised in Honolulu, Hawaii by a family of musicians, Mars began making music at a young age...
) - Nothin' on You (Radio Edit) (featuring Bruno Mars)
- Nothin' on You (Remix) (featuring Bruno Mars & Big BoiBig BoiAntwan André Patton , better known by his stage name Big Boi, is an American rapper, song-writer, record producer and actor, best known for being a member of American hip hop duo OutKast alongside André 3000. His work in the duo has produced six studio albums. During the duo's hiatus, he and André...
) - Nothin' on You (Warren G Remix) (featuring Bruno Mars & Warren GWarren GWarren G , is an American West Coast rapper and hip hop producer. He is also Dr. Dre's half-brother.His biggest hit is the song "Regulate" with Nate Dogg released in 1994...
) - Nothin' on Me (Cover) Mac MillerMac MillerMalcolm McCormick , known by his stage name Mac Miller , is an American rapper from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania...
- Nothin' on You (Digital release) (featuring Jay ParkJay ParkPark Jaebeom , also known as Jay Park, is an American recording artist, dancer, rapper, music producer, b-boy, songwriter, composer and actor...
) - Nothin' On You - XV (rapper)XV (rapper)Donavan Johnson better known by his stage name XV is an American rapper, singer and songwriter from Wichita, Kansas. He first gained major attention after the release of his twelfth mixtape Everybody's Nobody. In which he received two awards from DJBooth.net.His name, XV, refers to the age at...
- Nothin' On You (TCTC (Artist)TC is the stage name of drum and bass producer and Bristol DJ Tom Casswell. He left school and started making music inspired by the sounds of the Bristol scene and the music and atmosphere of St. Paul's, the area of Bristol where he grew up.His debut album, Evolution, was released in 2007 on...
Remix) - Nothin' On You (VillainsVillains (electronic music group)Villains are a Los Angeles based electronic DJ/producer duo consisting of Miguel De Vivo and Eric Wolf . The group officially formed in late 2007. Within a few months, they were performing all over the United States and getting commissioned to produce official remixes...
Remix) (featuring Bruno Mars & Bei MaejorBei MaejorBrandon Green, better known by his stage name Bei Maejor, is a Grammy nominated American recording artist, songwriter and record producer.- Life and career :...
) - Nothing On You (English cover version by a Chinese singer, A-fu/鄧福如, on her debut album 原來如此)
- Another Tattoo (Parody) ("Weird Al" Yankovic"Weird Al" YankovicAlfred Matthew "Weird Al" Yankovic is an American singer-songwriter, music producer, accordionist, actor, comedian, writer, satirist, and parodist. Yankovic is known for his humorous songs that make light of popular culture and that often parody specific songs by contemporary musical acts...
)
Charts and certifications
The single reached number one in the Dutch Top 40Dutch Top 40
The Dutch Top 40 is a weekly music chart, which started as the "Veronica Top 40", because the offshore radio station Radio Veronica was the first to introduce it. It remained "The Veronica Top 40" until 1974, when the station was forced to stop broadcasting...
, making the Netherlands the first country where it reached the top spot on a national chart. It went to number one on the Billboard Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
for the week ending May 1, 2010, and certified double-platinum by the RIAA on June 28, 2010. On the Hot 100 year-end chart, "Nothin' on You" placed at number 11. In 2010 its sold 2,668,000 digital copies.
The single debuted on the UK Singles Chart
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
on May 23, 2010, at number one with sales of 85,333 copies, replacing Roll Deep
Roll Deep
Roll Deep are an Urban Music Awards-winning London-based grime music collective. They were founded in 2002, by a group of MCs including Wiley. Roll Deep were also closely associated with Boy Better Know with members in both. Their debut album, In at the Deep End, was released in June 2005...
's "Good Times
Good Times (Roll Deep song)
-Chart performance:"Good Times" first debuted on the Irish Singles Chart on 29 April 2010 at number 42. The following week the single rose 11 places to number 31...
". It also debuted at number one on the UK R&B Chart
UK R&B Chart
The Official UK R&B Chart is a forty-position R&B/Hip-Hop chart compiled by The Official UK Charts Company. Although the chart does not receive any airplay, its compilation is viewed on BBC Radio 1's website and publications such as ChartsPlus and Music Week...
.
On June, 15, 2010, Korea
Korea
Korea ) is an East Asian geographic region that is currently divided into two separate sovereign states — North Korea and South Korea. Located on the Korean Peninsula, Korea is bordered by the People's Republic of China to the northwest, Russia to the northeast, and is separated from Japan to the...
n American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
singer Jay Park
Jay Park
Park Jaebeom , also known as Jay Park, is an American recording artist, dancer, rapper, music producer, b-boy, songwriter, composer and actor...
released a duet single of "Nothin' on You" with B.o.B
B.o.B
Bobby Ray Simmons, Jr. , better known by his stage name B.o.B, is an American rapper, singer-songwriter and record producer. He is currently signed under the labels of Grand Hustle Records, Rebel Rock Entertainment, and Atlantic Records. His debut single "Nothin' on You" reached number one in both...
, where he replaces Bruno Mars
Bruno Mars
Peter Gene Hernandez , better known by his stage name Bruno Mars, is an Filipino-American singer-songwriter and record producer. Raised in Honolulu, Hawaii by a family of musicians, Mars began making music at a young age...
' vocals. Warner Music Korea explained that Park's featuring was made possible by music distribution company, Warner Music America's Asian counterpart, SEA, as well as his YouTube cover contributing to much of the song's success in Korea with more than 5 million hits. The cover version immediately reached #1 on Cyworld
Cyworld
Cyworld is a South Korean social network service operated by SK Communications , a subsidiary of SK Telecom .Members cultivate relationships by forming Ilchon or "friendships" with each other through their minihompy....
's real time charts in an hour of its release. The song was given the Best International Artist Award in June 2010's Cy Digital Music Awards.
The single has been certified Platinum in Australia.
Chart positions
| Chart (2010) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Brazil (Crowley Broadcast Analisys) | 52 |
Year-end charts
| Chart (2010) | Position |
|---|---|
| Australian Singles Chart Australian Recording Industry Association The Australian Recording Industry Association is a trade group representing the Australian recording industry which was established in 1983 by six major record companies, EMI, Festival, CBS, RCA, WEA and Universal replacing the Association of Australian Record Manufacturers which was formed in 1956... |
48 |
| Canadian Hot 100 | 46 |
| Dutch Singles Chart | 63 |
| Italian Singles Chart | 85 |
| UK Singles Chart | 45 |
| U.S. Billboard Hot 100 Billboard Hot 100 The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday... |
11 |
Chart procession and succession
See also
- List of Dutch Top 40 number-one singles of 2010
- List of number-one singles in Scotland
- List of number-one singles from the 2010s (UK)
- List of number-one R&B hits of 2010 (UK)
- List of Hot 100 number-one singles of 2010 (U.S.)
- List of Mainstream Top 40 number-one hits of 2010 (U.S.)
External links
- B.o.B Rules Hot 100, Doubles Up In Top 10 by BillboardBillboard (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...
- "Nothin' on You" music video on YoutubeYouTubeYouTube is a video-sharing website, created by three former PayPal employees in February 2005, on which users can upload, view and share videos....