Sweetest Girl (Dollar Bill)
Encyclopedia
"Sweetest Girl" is the lead single from American rapper Wyclef Jean
's sixth studio album, Carnival Vol. II: Memoirs of an Immigrant
. The song features vocals from Niia
and Akon
, as well as rapper Lil Wayne
. Verizon Wireless
released the song on their V CAST
service on August 7, 2007.
sings, "See I'ma tell you, like Wu told me, Cash rules everything, around me." This is actually a two layered reference, the first to the Wu-Tang Clan
, who produced a song called "C.R.E.A.M.
" for the 1993 album Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)
. Akon also samples the "dolla', dolla' bill, y'all" chant from the chorus of "C.R.E.A.M.". The second reference is to "Notorious Thugs", a song performed by Bone Thugs-n-Harmony
and the Notorious B.I.G., in which B.I.G. raps, "I'ma tell you like a nigga told me, Cash rules everything around me," which itself was a reference to the original Wu Tang track. Additionally, in the second verse of the song, Akon raps "They got they mind on they money, money on they mind. They got their finger on a trigger, hand on their nine". This is a reference to a Tupac Shakur
verse in the MC Breed
song "Gotta Get Mine" in which Shakur raps "I keep my mind on my money, money on mind. Finger on the trigger, nigga hand on my nine."
, Lil Wayne
, and Raekwon
of the Wu-Tang Clan
. The remix further samples more of Wu-Tang Clan
's song "C.R.E.A.M." and switches between the original "C.R.E.A.M." instrumental and the intro instrumental of "C.R.E.A.M.". Akon's & Wyclef's verses are switched on the remix. Singer Niia
is featured and credited on the remix, but doesn't sing anything on it. On the second line before the ending of the outro, Wyclef says Raekwon's name on the line, "Tonight Wyclef, ____, Weezy on the bill", replacing Akon's name from the original version's outro. Rapper Nicki Minaj
recorded a remix which was featured on her 2008 mixtape Sucka Free
. In this remix, Nicki removes Lil Wayne's verse, replacing it with a verse from herself.
is mainly set in a refugee camp. At the beginning of the video, Wyclef Jean is given the mission to prevent the video's lead female from being deported back to her home country, which is said to be hostile. Akon and Lil' Wayne are also featured as they also seemingly are waiting for possible deportation. After a short wait, the lead female is informed that she will be deported. Soon after, you see her set the camp on fire and Jean, in an effort to reach her, takes out a guard and succeeds in rescuing the lead female. Both leap off camera as the camp erupts in flame. The video for the remix premiered on November 27, 2007 on Wyclef Jean's YouTube
account. The video was directed by Chris Robinson (director)
.
German CD2
. On August 23, 2007, the song debuted on the Canadian Hot 100
at number 42 and later on peaked at #14. On that same day it made its first appearance on the Billboard charts
, on the Bubbling Under Hot 100 at number three. In New Zealand the single debuted at number 39 on the week of October 22. The following week, the song jumped to number 17. Now it is at number 8, solely off downloads. The single has peaked at 66 so far in the UK. The song didn't chart in Australia until May 2008, reaching its peak of number 28 in July.
Wyclef Jean
Wyclef Jean is a Haitian musician, record producer, and politician. At age nine, Jean moved to the United States with his family and has spent much of his life in the country...
's sixth studio album, Carnival Vol. II: Memoirs of an Immigrant
Carnival Vol. II: Memoirs of an Immigrant
-References:...
. The song features vocals from Niia
Niia
Niia Bertino , better known simply by her stage name Niia is an American singer, pianist, and songwriter. As a singer, Niia was recognized at a young age by the National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts as one of the top jazz singers in the United States.She is best known for her feature on...
and Akon
Akon
Aliaune Damala Badara Thiam, better known as simply Akon , is a Senegalese American R&B recording artist and songwriter.According to Forbes, Akon grossed $21 million in 2010, $20 million in 2009 and $12 million in 2008. He rose to prominence in 2004 following the release of "Locked Up", the first...
, as well as rapper Lil Wayne
Lil Wayne
Dwayne Michael Carter, Jr. , better known by his stage name Lil Wayne, is an American rapper. At the age of nine, Lil Wayne joined Cash Money Records as the youngest member of the label, and half of the duo, The B.G.'z, with B.G.. In 1997, Lil Wayne joined the group Hot Boys, which also included...
. Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless
Cellco Partnership, doing business as Verizon Wireless, is one of the largest mobile network operators in the United States. The network has 107.7 million subscribers as of 2011, making it the largest wireless service provider in America....
released the song on their V CAST
V CAST
V CAST is a 3G EV-DO network created by Verizon Wireless to deliver audio, video, and entertainment content. The typical download speed is between 800 kilobits and 1.4 megabits per second with burst speeds of up to 3.1 megabits per second...
service on August 7, 2007.
Background
During the chorus, AkonAkon
Aliaune Damala Badara Thiam, better known as simply Akon , is a Senegalese American R&B recording artist and songwriter.According to Forbes, Akon grossed $21 million in 2010, $20 million in 2009 and $12 million in 2008. He rose to prominence in 2004 following the release of "Locked Up", the first...
sings, "See I'ma tell you, like Wu told me, Cash rules everything, around me." This is actually a two layered reference, the first to the Wu-Tang Clan
Wu-Tang Clan
The Wu-Tang Clan is a hip-hop group from Staten Island that consists of RZA, GZA, Method Man, Raekwon, Ghostface Killah, Inspectah Deck, U-God, Masta Killa, and the late Ol' Dirty Bastard. They are frequently joined by fellow childhood friend Cappadonna, a quasi member of the group...
, who produced a song called "C.R.E.A.M.
C.R.E.A.M. (Cash Rules Everything Around Me)
"C.R.E.A.M." is a song by the New York hip hop group Wu-Tang Clan, from their 1993 studio album, Enter the Wu-Tang . The song was produced by Wu-Tang Clan leader RZA, and samples The Charmels' 1967 song, "As Long As I've Got You", but only the beginning...
" for the 1993 album Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)
Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)
Enter the Wu-Tang is the debut album of American hip hop group Wu-Tang Clan, released November 9, 1993, on Loud Records and distributed through RCA Records. Recording sessions for the album took place during 1992 to 1993 at Firehouse Studio in New York City, and it was mastered at The Hit Factory...
. Akon also samples the "dolla', dolla' bill, y'all" chant from the chorus of "C.R.E.A.M.". The second reference is to "Notorious Thugs", a song performed by Bone Thugs-n-Harmony
Bone Thugs-n-Harmony
Bone Thugs-N-Harmony is an American Hip-Hop/R'n'B band from Cleveland, Ohio formed in 1991. It originally consisted of rappers Layzie Bone, Flesh-n-Bone, Bizzy Bone, Krayzie Bone, and Wish Bone. Rapper Eazy-E of the group N.W.A signed Bone Thugs-N-Harmony to Ruthless Records in 1994, when Bone...
and the Notorious B.I.G., in which B.I.G. raps, "I'ma tell you like a nigga told me, Cash rules everything around me," which itself was a reference to the original Wu Tang track. Additionally, in the second verse of the song, Akon raps "They got they mind on they money, money on they mind. They got their finger on a trigger, hand on their nine". This is a reference to a Tupac Shakur
Tupac Shakur
Tupac Amaru Shakur , known by his stage names 2Pac and Makaveli, was an American rapper and actor. Shakur has sold over 75 million albums worldwide as of 2007, making him one of the best-selling music artists in the world...
verse in the MC Breed
MC Breed
Eric Breed better known as MC Breed, was an American rapper best known for his singles "Ain't No Future in Yo Frontin", which peaked at #66 on the Billboard Hot 100, and "Gotta Get Mine", featuring 2Pac, that made it to #6 on the Hot Rap Singles.-Biography:Born in Flint, Michigan, Breed is also...
song "Gotta Get Mine" in which Shakur raps "I keep my mind on my money, money on mind. Finger on the trigger, nigga hand on my nine."
Remixes
The official remix features AkonAkon
Aliaune Damala Badara Thiam, better known as simply Akon , is a Senegalese American R&B recording artist and songwriter.According to Forbes, Akon grossed $21 million in 2010, $20 million in 2009 and $12 million in 2008. He rose to prominence in 2004 following the release of "Locked Up", the first...
, Lil Wayne
Lil Wayne
Dwayne Michael Carter, Jr. , better known by his stage name Lil Wayne, is an American rapper. At the age of nine, Lil Wayne joined Cash Money Records as the youngest member of the label, and half of the duo, The B.G.'z, with B.G.. In 1997, Lil Wayne joined the group Hot Boys, which also included...
, and Raekwon
Raekwon
Corey Woods , better known by the stage name Raekwon, is an American rapper and a member of the Wu-Tang Clan. He released his solo debut, Only Built 4 Cuban Linx... in 1995, and has since recorded four solo albums, as well as work with Wu-Tang and an extensive amount of guest contributions with...
of the Wu-Tang Clan
Wu-Tang Clan
The Wu-Tang Clan is a hip-hop group from Staten Island that consists of RZA, GZA, Method Man, Raekwon, Ghostface Killah, Inspectah Deck, U-God, Masta Killa, and the late Ol' Dirty Bastard. They are frequently joined by fellow childhood friend Cappadonna, a quasi member of the group...
. The remix further samples more of Wu-Tang Clan
Wu-Tang Clan
The Wu-Tang Clan is a hip-hop group from Staten Island that consists of RZA, GZA, Method Man, Raekwon, Ghostface Killah, Inspectah Deck, U-God, Masta Killa, and the late Ol' Dirty Bastard. They are frequently joined by fellow childhood friend Cappadonna, a quasi member of the group...
's song "C.R.E.A.M." and switches between the original "C.R.E.A.M." instrumental and the intro instrumental of "C.R.E.A.M.". Akon's & Wyclef's verses are switched on the remix. Singer Niia
Niia
Niia Bertino , better known simply by her stage name Niia is an American singer, pianist, and songwriter. As a singer, Niia was recognized at a young age by the National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts as one of the top jazz singers in the United States.She is best known for her feature on...
is featured and credited on the remix, but doesn't sing anything on it. On the second line before the ending of the outro, Wyclef says Raekwon's name on the line, "Tonight Wyclef, ____, Weezy on the bill", replacing Akon's name from the original version's outro. Rapper Nicki Minaj
Nicki Minaj
Onika Tanya Maraj , better known by her stage name Nicki Minaj; ), is a Trinidadian-born American recording artist...
recorded a remix which was featured on her 2008 mixtape Sucka Free
Sucka Free
Sucka Free is the second mixtape by American recording artist Nicki Minaj. It was released on April 12, 2008 by Young Money Entertainment and Dirty Money Entertainment. Young Money founder Lil' Wayne is included on 8 of the 23 tracks. Jadakiss, Ransom, Lil' Kim and Gucci Mane, are featured on the...
. In this remix, Nicki removes Lil Wayne's verse, replacing it with a verse from herself.
Music video
The music videoMusic video
A music video or song video is a short film integrating a song and imagery, produced for promotional or artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a marketing device intended to promote the sale of music recordings...
is mainly set in a refugee camp. At the beginning of the video, Wyclef Jean is given the mission to prevent the video's lead female from being deported back to her home country, which is said to be hostile. Akon and Lil' Wayne are also featured as they also seemingly are waiting for possible deportation. After a short wait, the lead female is informed that she will be deported. Soon after, you see her set the camp on fire and Jean, in an effort to reach her, takes out a guard and succeeds in rescuing the lead female. Both leap off camera as the camp erupts in flame. The video for the remix premiered on November 27, 2007 on Wyclef Jean's YouTube
YouTube
YouTube is a video-sharing website, created by three former PayPal employees in February 2005, on which users can upload, view and share videos....
account. The video was directed by Chris Robinson (director)
Chris Robinson (director)
Chris Robinson is an American film director working mostly with music videos and commercials. He has directed commercials for brands such as iPod, Coca Cola and Verizon and music videos for songs like "Fallin'" and "You Don't Know My Name" by Alicia Keys, "Roc Boys" by Jay-Z, the grammy nominated...
.
Tracklisting
German CD1- "Sweetest Girl (Dollar Bill)" (Album Version)
- "Sweetest Girl (Dollar Bill)" (Remix Featuring RaekwonRaekwonCorey Woods , better known by the stage name Raekwon, is an American rapper and a member of the Wu-Tang Clan. He released his solo debut, Only Built 4 Cuban Linx... in 1995, and has since recorded four solo albums, as well as work with Wu-Tang and an extensive amount of guest contributions with...
)
German CD2
- "Sweetest Girl (Dollar Bill)" (Album Version)
- "Fast Car"
- "Sweetest Girl (Dollar Bill)" (Remix Featuring RaekwonRaekwonCorey Woods , better known by the stage name Raekwon, is an American rapper and a member of the Wu-Tang Clan. He released his solo debut, Only Built 4 Cuban Linx... in 1995, and has since recorded four solo albums, as well as work with Wu-Tang and an extensive amount of guest contributions with...
) - "Sweetest Girl (Dollar Bill)" (Ringtone)
Chart performance
The song has peaked at #12 on the Billboard chartsBillboard charts
The Billboard charts tabulate the relative weekly popularity of songs or albums in the United States. The results are published in Billboard magazine...
. On August 23, 2007, the song debuted on the Canadian Hot 100
Canadian Hot 100
The Canadian Hot 100 is a music singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine which ranks songs in Canada. The chart debuted in the Billboard issue dated June 16, 2007 and was made available for the first time via their online services on June 7, 2007...
at number 42 and later on peaked at #14. On that same day it made its first appearance on the Billboard charts
Billboard charts
The Billboard charts tabulate the relative weekly popularity of songs or albums in the United States. The results are published in Billboard magazine...
, on the Bubbling Under Hot 100 at number three. In New Zealand the single debuted at number 39 on the week of October 22. The following week, the song jumped to number 17. Now it is at number 8, solely off downloads. The single has peaked at 66 so far in the UK. The song didn't chart in Australia until May 2008, reaching its peak of number 28 in July.
| Chart (2007-2008) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australian Singles Chart ARIA Charts The ARIA charts are the main Australian music sales charts, issued weekly by the Australian Recording Industry Association. The charts are a record of the highest selling singles and albums in various genres in Australia. ARIA commenced compiling its own charts in-house from the week ending 26 June... |
28 |
| Ö3 Austria Top 40 Ö3 Austria Top 40 Ö3 Austria Top 40 is the name of the official Austrian singles chart, as well as the radio show which presents it, aired Fridays on Hitradio Ö3. The show presents the Austrian singles, ringtones and downloads chart. It premiered on 26 November 1968 as Disc Parade and was presented by Ernst Grissemann... |
64 |
| Canadian Hot 100 Canadian Hot 100 The Canadian Hot 100 is a music singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine which ranks songs in Canada. The chart debuted in the Billboard issue dated June 16, 2007 and was made available for the first time via their online services on June 7, 2007... |
14 |
| German Singles Chart | 30 |
| Italian Singles Chart | 45 |
| New Zealand Singles Chart | 8 |
| Swedish Singles Chart | 15 |
| Swiss Singles Chart | 26 |
| 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 ... |
66 |
| 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... |
12 |
| U.S. Billboard Bubbling Under R&B/Hip-Hop Singles | 10 |
| U.S. Billboard Pop Songs | 10 |