'03 Bonnie & Clyde
Encyclopedia
"03 Bonnie & Clyde" is a song by American rapper
Jay-Z
featuring R&B
singer Beyoncé Knowles
. It incorporates elements from the songs "Me and My Girlfriend
" by Tupac Shakur, and "If I Was Your Girlfriend
" by Prince
and uses the theme from "Pasttime Paradise" by Stevie Wonder
for the refrain
. "'03 Bonnie & Clyde" was written by Jay-Z and produced by Kanye West
for Jay-Z's seventh studio album The Blueprint2: The Gift & The Curse
. Additional lyrics are credited to Shakur due to his song being sampled.
The music video of "'03 Bonnie & Clyde" was directed by Chris Robinson. It garnered much attention in the media, whom have speculated for years that Jay-Z and Knowles were engaged in a relationship. Released as a single in 2002, "'03 Bonnie & Clyde" reached number four on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100
, becoming Jay-Z's second top ten single and Knowles' first top ten single as a solo artist. It also reached number two in the United Kingdom. The song can additionally be found on the international editions of Knowles' solo debut album Dangerously in Love
.
"'03 Bonnie & Clyde" received generally positive reviews from critics, most of whom complimented the combination of styles between Jay-Z and Knowles. The song created a feud with American recording artist Toni Braxton
, who additionally sampled Shakur's "Me and My Girlfriend" and accused the song's producer Kanye West and performer Jay-Z for stealing the idea. West and Jay-Z later denied all accusations by Braxton stating that they had no idea about her plans to sample the song.
on hiatus.
While listening to Shakur's The Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory
, producer Kanye West
realized "Me and My Girlfriend" would make for a great sample that Jay-Z had asked for to duet with Knowles. In an interview with MTV
, West stated:
Issues arose during the conception of "'03 Bonnie & Clyde" due to the heavy inspiration of "Me and My Girlfriend" by rapper Tupac Shakur
. Shakur's mother, Afeni Shakur
, was divided on the song sampling Shakur's "Me and My Girlfriend" only to later agree to the sample the day before the songs official release. Senior Vice President of A&R Tina Davis commented on the issue stating "We only had one day to clear the [Tupac Shakur] sample (from 'Me and my Girlfriend') that was used on '03 Bonnie and Clyde' last year with Jay-Z and Beyoncé [Knowles]. We were back and forth with Afeni Shakur all day until we got the clearance. And then it's a hit..."
released in countries outside of the United States
. In 2003 Now That's What I Call Music!
included the song as the opening track of the 12th volume of the U.S. release and the fifteenth track of the 54th volume of the UK release. More recently, Knowles included a live performance of the song on her 2009 I Am... Yours: An Intimate Performance at Wynn Las Vegas
album.
called "Me And My Girlfriend". Some lyrics in the chorus came from Mariah Carey
's 1999 song "How Much", which was also based on Shakur's "Me And My Girlfriend". Some of Knowles' lyrics were taken from the song "If I Was Your Girlfriend" by Prince
. The chorus of the song mimics Shakur's song as Knowles sings "Down to ride to the very end, me and my boyfriend." The track pays additional homage to Shakur with its beat off of the Makaveli album. Kanye West revealed he programmed the songs drums in ten-minutes. West additionally revealed to MTV that his friend E Base came into the studio to record the songs bass, guitars, and chords live. "'03 Bonnie & Clyde" draws its main inspiration from the criminals Bonnie and Clyde
, having the lead singers comparing themselves to a present day version of the criminal duo. "'03 Bonnie & Clyde" makes references to the relationship between Bobby Brown
and Whitney Houston
and Sex and the City
, as Knowles catches "Carrie
fever" before the couple continue their "life in crime".
"'03 Bonnie & Clyde" received positive reviews by critics most of whom complimented the songs heavy use of different samples. Many critics additionally commented on the relationship between Jay-Z and featured guest Knowles, who have been speculated to be a couple for years, only to officially announce it through the song's music video. Chris Ryan of Spin
complimented "'03 Bonnie & Clyde" as a highlight of the Jay-Z's album The Blueprint 2: The Gift & the Curse, stating that it consisted of good times, and "a house party in a crib as big as the Georgia Dome." Marc L. Hill of PopMatters
named "'03 Bonnie & Clyde" the "obligatory radio song" of the album. Dele Fadele of NME complimented "'03 Bonnie & Clyde" as "a cool duet" with Knowles. John Robinson additionally from NME reviewed the single, stating that as the couple describe their life, it's not all "Lexus and sipping Cris". He added that the relaxed production of "'03 Bonnie & Clyde" makes for a behind-the-diamante-net-curtains classic.
"'03 Bonnie & Clyde" was named as a follow-up to the previous "Bonnie & Clyde Part II" by Jay-Z featuring rapper Foxy Brown by Ethan Brown of New York
. Brown additionally commented on the songs patina of flamenco-guitar playing seeming borrowed and using a similar sound of R. Kelly
's "Fiesta." Erik Parker, the music editor of Vibe, remained divided on the songs sample, stating that it was "tasteless but well-executed", later complementing West's production as "impeccable". Margena A. Christian of Jet
complimented both Jay-Z and Knowles on the collaboration, favoring Jay-Z's "dropping lyrics" and Knowles' "cooing silky vocals". Chuck Taylor of Billboard
stated that although it was unclear at the time if the couple was together or not, they create beautiful music together. Taylor continued his positive review on the single, praising the songs ability to showcase what each artist does best; Jay-Z "spitting" verses of praise, and Knowles' sweets coos and hooks. Taylor additionally favored the sampled acoustic-guitar as adding spice to the track, setting it up for future success.
credited "'03 Bonnie & Clyde" for two things; giving Knowles a little street-credit, and being the first indication that both artists are more than just collaborators. The Vibe staff included "'03 Bonnie & Clyde" on a list of best "Bonnie and Clyde
inspired songs," Jay-Z's "'03 Bonnie & Clyde" listed at number two. In a list of the "10 Best Jay-Z Songs," Dean Silfenv of AOL
placed "'03 Bonnie & Clyde" at number-six. In a list of the best single of 2003, a writer of Popjustice
listed "'03 Bonnie & Clyde" at number sixty-six. In 2003, "'03 Bonnie & Clyde" was nominated in the category of "Best Collaboration
" in the "BET Awards
", but later lost to Snoop Dogg
's "Beautiful
" featuring Pharrell and Uncle Charlie Wilson. The song was later nominated in the "2003 MTV Video Music Awards
" under the category for "Best Hip-Hop Video", but later lost to Missy Elliott
's "Work It". During the 2003 "Popjustice Readers Polls", "'03 Bonnie & Clyde" was nominated under the category of "Most Performed Song" and won.
. In Canada
, "'03 Bonnie & Clyde" became Jay-Z's highest charting single at number four, only to later be beaten by the 2009 Alicia Keys
-assisted "Empire State of Mind
". In the UK
"'03 Bonnie & Clyde" peaked at number two, becoming Jay-Z's highest charting single since 1998's "Hard Knock Life (Ghetto Anthem)
". "'03 Bonnie & Clyde" peaked at number four on the New Zealand Singles Chart, becoming Jay-Z's highest charting single in New Zealand
. It additionally became Jay-Z's highest charting single in Australia
peaking at number two on the Australian Singles Chart.
"'03 Bonnie & Clyde" broke-into the top five of the Billboard Hot 100 on the number-four spot, marking the highest charting single referencing the famous-bank robbers Bonnie and Clyde, previously held by Georgie Fame
's 1986 single "The Ballad of Bonnie and Clyde
." Following the performance of "'03 Bonnie & Clyde" on Saturday Night Live
on November 2, 2002, the songs radio-audience increased by 12%, allowing "'03 Bonnie & Clyde" to advance into the top 10 of the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles at number-seven. The rise into the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Charts gave Jay-Z his 12th top ten single, at the time tying him with rapper P. Diddy. "'03 Bonnie & Clyde" was also his first top ten on the chart since "Girls, Girls, Girls
" of 2001 following thirteen other chart appearance in between the hit songs.
for "'03 Bonnie & Clyde" was directed by Chris Robinson
in November 2003. June Ambrose was hired as the stylist
for the music video. Lance Reddick
appears in the video as the main police officer on their tale. The choreography is used set to suggest a relationship beyond screen, as Jay-Z wraps his arm around Knowles while singing his part of the chorus. The music video marked a departure for the "clean-cut Knowles" and allowed for a symbiotic relationship between Knowles and Jay-Z, allowing both artists to exchange audiences.
The music video begins with a minor intro of lead cop Lance Reddick
discussing the criminal-duo and ways to catch them with other cops. As the song begins, Jay-Z is seen driving a gunmetal grey Aston Martin
, while Knowles sits in the passengers side. As Jay-Z and Knowles drive through the sepia sands of Mexico
, clips of the cops from the beginning of the video are interlaced into the scene forming a plan to try to catch the criminal duo. As Jay-Z and Knowles pull over to a hotel, they cover the car to avoid notice from the police.
As Knowles and Jay-Z count money in the bedroom, the cops have discovered their hiding place and go upstairs to find them only to realize that the duo have fled the scene with their car. While scenes of Knowles and Jay-Z at a Mexican-bar are shown, scenes of an intimate time in a phone-booth between both artists is shown as a tribute to Tupac Shakur is shown spray-painted onto the wall behind the phone-booth. They duo than escapes the cops again who happen to be following one-step-behind them. After Knowles performs her verse in an empty pool, the cops form a blockade on the highway in an attempt to catch Knowles and Jay-Z only to have been stumped again as two gas station attendant decoys are found driving the car.
The video ends as both Knowles and Jay-Z burn a bonfire
on the beach and drive away in a different car. MTV
noted that the end of the music video neglects to reveal how the notorious couple met their end in the original story of Clyde Barrow and Bonnie Parker, continuing the story in Jay-Z's third single
released from The Black Album
, "99 Problems
" (2004) music video. The accompanying music video for "'03 Bonnie & Clyde" was nominated in the 2003 MTV Video Music Awards
under the category for "Best Hip-Hop Video". In the Official Top 20 Countdown of Jay-Z music videos, UK
's MTV listed the songs video at number-ten.
(2002). Speaking on the incident, Braxton stated in a call to a New York radio station that, "Jay-Z and Beyoncé are messing with my money. They're trying to steal my mojo". Braxton stated her song was recorded over the summer of 2002, and alleged that Jay-Z only decided to do "'03 Bonnie & Clyde" after she played her version of the song for Def Jam Recordings
.
Kanye West responded to Braxton's claim in an interview with MTV stating, "I had no idea about Toni Braxton's [song]. She can't act like ain't nobody ever heard 'Me and My Girlfriend' before. People hear the song all the time. I can [understand her complaint] if it [was] an original song." West defended the songs sample, stating that the idea came to him after listening to a friend's Makaveli album one night. Roc-A-Fella Records
Co-CEO responded to Braxton's claims:
Speaking with MTV, rapper Jay-Z replied to Braxton's claims that Jay-Z had stolen the idea to sample "Me & My Girlfriend" after Braxton played the song for Def Jam Recordings. He stated, "I wouldn't want to take it from her. I don't even think like that. My first thought would be, 'Maybe I could call her up, maybe I could get on that record.' The most obvious [explanation] is it's neither one of our records. It's not like you made an original idea. She's not in hip-hop, but it happens in hip-hop often. We go to sample the same thing and my record came out first. I'm sorry. What can I do?"
UK single
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”...
Jay-Z
Jay-Z
Shawn Corey Carter , better known by his stage name Jay-Z, is an American rapper, record producer, entrepreneur, and occasional actor. He is one of the most financially successful hip hop artists and entrepreneurs in America, having a net worth of over $450 million as of 2010...
featuring 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...
singer Beyoncé Knowles
Beyoncé Knowles
Beyoncé Giselle Knowles , often known simply as Beyoncé, is an American singer, songwriter, record producer, and actress. Born and raised in Houston, Texas, she enrolled in various performing arts schools and was first exposed to singing and dancing competitions as a child...
. It incorporates elements from the songs "Me and My Girlfriend
The Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory
The Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory is the fifth and final studio album by Tupac Shakur, under the new stage name Makaveli, finished before his death and his first studio album to be posthumously released...
" by Tupac Shakur, and "If I Was Your Girlfriend
If I Was Your Girlfriend
"If I Was Your Girlfriend" was the second single off Prince's widely-acclaimed 1987 double album Sign “☮” the Times. While it is today considered one of his most notable songs, at the time of its release the song did not chart well in the U.S....
" by Prince
Prince (musician)
Prince Rogers Nelson , often known simply as Prince, is an American singer, songwriter, musician, and actor. Prince has produced ten platinum albums and thirty Top 40 singles during his career. Prince founded his own recording studio and label; writing, self-producing and playing most, or all, of...
and uses the theme from "Pasttime Paradise" by Stevie Wonder
Stevie Wonder
Stevland Hardaway Morris , better known by his stage name Stevie Wonder, is an American singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, record producer and activist...
for the refrain
Refrain
A refrain is the line or lines that are repeated in music or in verse; the "chorus" of a song...
. "'03 Bonnie & Clyde" was written by Jay-Z and produced by Kanye West
Kanye West
Kanye Omari West is an American rapper, singer, and record producer. West first rose to fame as a producer for Roc-A-Fella Records, where he eventually achieved recognition for his work on Jay-Z's album The Blueprint, as well as hit singles for musical artists including Alicia Keys, Ludacris, and...
for Jay-Z's seventh studio album The Blueprint2: The Gift & The Curse
The Blueprint 2: The Gift & the Curse
-See also:*List of number-one albums of 2002 *List of number-one R&B albums of 2002 - External links :* at Discogs...
. Additional lyrics are credited to Shakur due to his song being sampled.
The music video of "'03 Bonnie & Clyde" was directed by Chris Robinson. It garnered much attention in the media, whom have speculated for years that Jay-Z and Knowles were engaged in a relationship. Released as a single in 2002, "'03 Bonnie & Clyde" reached number four on the 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...
, becoming Jay-Z's second top ten single and Knowles' first top ten single as a solo artist. It also reached number two in the United Kingdom. The song can additionally be found on the international editions of Knowles' solo debut album Dangerously in Love
Dangerously in Love
Dangerously in Love is the debut solo album of American R&B singer Beyoncé Knowles, released on June 22, 2003, by Columbia Records. Recording sessions for the album took place in 2002 to 2003 at several studios, during the hiatus of her then-group Destiny's Child...
.
"'03 Bonnie & Clyde" received generally positive reviews from critics, most of whom complimented the combination of styles between Jay-Z and Knowles. The song created a feud with American recording artist Toni Braxton
Toni Braxton
Toni Michelle Braxton is an American R&B singer-songwriter, record producer, and actress. Braxton has won six Grammy Awards, seven American Music Awards, and five Billboard Music Awards and has sold over 60 million records worldwide...
, who additionally sampled Shakur's "Me and My Girlfriend" and accused the song's producer Kanye West and performer Jay-Z for stealing the idea. West and Jay-Z later denied all accusations by Braxton stating that they had no idea about her plans to sample the song.
Background and development
"'03 Bonnie & Clyde" marked the first collaboration between Jay-Z and Knowles. The song's release also indicated the first public acknowledgment of Jay-Z's and Knowles' status, beginning rumors about a burgeoning romantic relationship. It was later revealed that both artists had been dating since recording the song; however, the relationship was only made public after both artists collaborated on songs such as "Crazy In Love" (2003) and "Déjà Vu" (2006). Additionally, with the release of "'03 Bonnie & Clyde", Knowles' inclusion on the song marked a future solo-career, leaving the status of Destiny's ChildDestiny's Child
Destiny's Child was an American R&B girl group whose final line-up comprised lead singer Beyoncé Knowles alongside Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams. Formed in 1997 in Houston, Texas, Destiny's Child members began their musical endeavors in their pre-teens under the name Girl's Tyme...
on hiatus.
While listening to Shakur's The Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory
The Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory
The Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory is the fifth and final studio album by Tupac Shakur, under the new stage name Makaveli, finished before his death and his first studio album to be posthumously released...
, producer Kanye West
Kanye West
Kanye Omari West is an American rapper, singer, and record producer. West first rose to fame as a producer for Roc-A-Fella Records, where he eventually achieved recognition for his work on Jay-Z's album The Blueprint, as well as hit singles for musical artists including Alicia Keys, Ludacris, and...
realized "Me and My Girlfriend" would make for a great sample that Jay-Z had asked for to duet with Knowles. In an interview with 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....
, West stated:
He had told me a week before that he needed a joint for him and Beyoncé. I remember he called [and] said, 'We got this joint, it has to be the best beat you ever made. Just picture if you got my first single — Hov and Beyoncé — how big you would be then.' So I went home and called my dog E Base, who plays a lot of instruments up at Baseline [studio] for me and [producer] Just Blaze. [E] came through. I programmed the drums in 10 minutes, and then he played all the different parts. This version is all live bass, live guitars, [live] chords on it. I brought it to Hov that night, he heard it, he thought of the video treatment before he thought of the rap. He just knew it was gonna be the one.
Issues arose during the conception of "'03 Bonnie & Clyde" due to the heavy inspiration of "Me and My Girlfriend" by rapper 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...
. Shakur's mother, Afeni Shakur
Afeni Shakur
Afeni Shakur Davis is an African American music businesswoman, philanthropist, former political activist and ex-Black Panther. She is the mother of the late Tupac Shakur...
, was divided on the song sampling Shakur's "Me and My Girlfriend" only to later agree to the sample the day before the songs official release. Senior Vice President of A&R Tina Davis commented on the issue stating "We only had one day to clear the [Tupac Shakur] sample (from 'Me and my Girlfriend') that was used on '03 Bonnie and Clyde' last year with Jay-Z and Beyoncé [Knowles]. We were back and forth with Afeni Shakur all day until we got the clearance. And then it's a hit..."
Release
"'03 Bonnie & Clyde" was released as the official lead-single off of Jay-Z's album The Blueprint²: The Gift & the Curse, however following its release it was included on multiple releases by featured vocalist Knowles and other compilation albums. Knowles included the song as a bonus track to her debut solo-album Dangerously in LoveDangerously in Love
Dangerously in Love is the debut solo album of American R&B singer Beyoncé Knowles, released on June 22, 2003, by Columbia Records. Recording sessions for the album took place in 2002 to 2003 at several studios, during the hiatus of her then-group Destiny's Child...
released in countries outside of the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. In 2003 Now That's What I Call Music!
Now That's What I Call Music!
Now That's What I Call Music! is a series of various artists compilation albums released in the United Kingdom and Ireland by Polygram /EMI/Sony Music/Virgin Records ; spinoff series were later introduced in South Africa and many other countries worldwide, including the United States...
included the song as the opening track of the 12th volume of the U.S. release and the fifteenth track of the 54th volume of the UK release. More recently, Knowles included a live performance of the song on her 2009 I Am... Yours: An Intimate Performance at Wynn Las Vegas
I Am... Yours: An Intimate Performance at Wynn Las Vegas
I Am... Yours: An Intimate Performance at Wynn Las Vegas is a live CD/DVD by American R&B singer Beyoncé Knowles. It was shot at the Encore Theater, Las Vegas, on August 2, 2009 during a stint of her worldwide I Am… Tour...
album.
Music and lyrics
"'03 Bonnie & Clyde" was written by Shawn Carter, producer Kanye West, Prince, Tupac Shakur, D. Harper, R. Rouse and Tyrone Wrice. "'03 Bonnie & Clyde" is based on a 1996 song by Tupac ShakurTupac 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...
called "Me And My Girlfriend". Some lyrics in the chorus came from Mariah Carey
Mariah Carey
Mariah Carey is an American singer-songwriter, record producer, and actress. She made her recording debut with the release of her eponymous studio album in 1990, under the guidance of Columbia Records executive Tommy Mottola, whom she later married in 1993...
's 1999 song "How Much", which was also based on Shakur's "Me And My Girlfriend". Some of Knowles' lyrics were taken from the song "If I Was Your Girlfriend" by Prince
Prince (musician)
Prince Rogers Nelson , often known simply as Prince, is an American singer, songwriter, musician, and actor. Prince has produced ten platinum albums and thirty Top 40 singles during his career. Prince founded his own recording studio and label; writing, self-producing and playing most, or all, of...
. The chorus of the song mimics Shakur's song as Knowles sings "Down to ride to the very end, me and my boyfriend." The track pays additional homage to Shakur with its beat off of the Makaveli album. Kanye West revealed he programmed the songs drums in ten-minutes. West additionally revealed to MTV that his friend E Base came into the studio to record the songs bass, guitars, and chords live. "'03 Bonnie & Clyde" draws its main inspiration from the criminals Bonnie and Clyde
Bonnie and Clyde
Bonnie Elizabeth Parker and Clyde Chestnut Barrow were well-known outlaws, robbers, and criminals who traveled the Central United States with their gang during the Great Depression. Their exploits captured the attention of the American public during the "public enemy era" between 1931 and 1934...
, having the lead singers comparing themselves to a present day version of the criminal duo. "'03 Bonnie & Clyde" makes references to the relationship between Bobby Brown
Bobby Brown
Robert Barisford "Bobby" Brown is an American R&B singer-songwriter, occasional rapper, and dancer. After success in pop group New Edition, Brown began his solo career in 1987 and had a string of Top 10 Billboard hits, culminating in a Grammy Award. He was a pioneer of New Jack Swing music, a...
and Whitney Houston
Whitney Houston
Whitney Elizabeth Houston is an American singer, actress, producer and a former model. Houston is the most awarded female act of all time, according to Guinness World Records, and her list of awards include 1 Emmy Award, 6 Grammy Awards, 30 Billboard Music Awards, 22 American Music Awards, among...
and Sex and the City
Sex and the City
Sex and the City is an American television comedy-drama series created by Darren Star and produced by HBO. Broadcast from 1998 until 2004, the original run of the show had a total of ninety-four episodes...
, as Knowles catches "Carrie
Carrie Bradshaw
Carrie Preston is the fictional narrator and lead character of the HBO sitcom/drama Sex and the City, portrayed by actress Sarah Jessica Parker. She is a semi-autobiographical character created by Candace Bushnell, who published the book Sex and the City, based on her own columns in the New York...
fever" before the couple continue their "life in crime".
Critical reception
Spin (magazine)
Spin is a music magazine founded in 1985 by publisher Bob Guccione Jr.-History:In its early years, the magazine was noted for its broad music coverage with an emphasis on college-oriented rock music and on the ongoing emergence of hip-hop. The magazine was eclectic and bold, if sometimes haphazard...
complimented "'03 Bonnie & Clyde" as a highlight of the Jay-Z's album The Blueprint 2: The Gift & the Curse, stating that it consisted of good times, and "a house party in a crib as big as the Georgia Dome." Marc L. Hill of PopMatters
PopMatters
PopMatters is an international webzine of cultural criticism that covers many aspects of popular culture. PopMatters publishes reviews, interviews, and detailed essays on most cultural products and expressions in areas such as music, television, films, books, video games, comics, sports, theater,...
named "'03 Bonnie & Clyde" the "obligatory radio song" of the album. Dele Fadele of NME complimented "'03 Bonnie & Clyde" as "a cool duet" with Knowles. John Robinson additionally from NME reviewed the single, stating that as the couple describe their life, it's not all "Lexus and sipping Cris". He added that the relaxed production of "'03 Bonnie & Clyde" makes for a behind-the-diamante-net-curtains classic.
"'03 Bonnie & Clyde" was named as a follow-up to the previous "Bonnie & Clyde Part II" by Jay-Z featuring rapper Foxy Brown by Ethan Brown of New York
New York (magazine)
New York is a weekly magazine principally concerned with the life, culture, politics, and style of New York City. Founded by Milton Glaser and Clay Felker in 1968 as a competitor to The New Yorker, it was brasher and less polite than that magazine, and established itself as a cradle of New...
. Brown additionally commented on the songs patina of flamenco-guitar playing seeming borrowed and using a similar sound of R. Kelly
R. Kelly
Robert Sylvester Kelly , better known by his stage name R. Kelly, is an American singer-songwriter and record producer. A native of Chicago, Kelly began performing during the late 1980s and debuted in 1992 with the group Public Announcement. In 1993, Kelly went solo with the album 12 Play...
's "Fiesta." Erik Parker, the music editor of Vibe, remained divided on the songs sample, stating that it was "tasteless but well-executed", later complementing West's production as "impeccable". Margena A. Christian of Jet
Jet (magazine)
Jet is an American weekly marketed toward African-American readers, founded in 1951 by John H. Johnson of Johnson Publishing Company in Chicago, Illinois...
complimented both Jay-Z and Knowles on the collaboration, favoring Jay-Z's "dropping lyrics" and Knowles' "cooing silky vocals". Chuck Taylor of 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...
stated that although it was unclear at the time if the couple was together or not, they create beautiful music together. Taylor continued his positive review on the single, praising the songs ability to showcase what each artist does best; Jay-Z "spitting" verses of praise, and Knowles' sweets coos and hooks. Taylor additionally favored the sampled acoustic-guitar as adding spice to the track, setting it up for future success.
Recognition and accolades
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...
credited "'03 Bonnie & Clyde" for two things; giving Knowles a little street-credit, and being the first indication that both artists are more than just collaborators. The Vibe staff included "'03 Bonnie & Clyde" on a list of best "Bonnie and Clyde
Bonnie and Clyde
Bonnie Elizabeth Parker and Clyde Chestnut Barrow were well-known outlaws, robbers, and criminals who traveled the Central United States with their gang during the Great Depression. Their exploits captured the attention of the American public during the "public enemy era" between 1931 and 1934...
inspired songs," Jay-Z's "'03 Bonnie & Clyde" listed at number two. In a list of the "10 Best Jay-Z Songs," Dean Silfenv of AOL
AOL
AOL Inc. is an American global Internet services and media company. AOL is headquartered at 770 Broadway in New York. Founded in 1983 as Control Video Corporation, it has franchised its services to companies in several nations around the world or set up international versions of its services...
placed "'03 Bonnie & Clyde" at number-six. In a list of the best single of 2003, a writer of Popjustice
Popjustice
Popjustice is a music website founded in 2000 and is the work of UK freelance music journalist Peter Robinson, who has worked for NME, The Guardian, Attitude and many others....
listed "'03 Bonnie & Clyde" at number sixty-six. In 2003, "'03 Bonnie & Clyde" was nominated in the category of "Best Collaboration
BET Award for Best Collaboration
The BET Award for Best Collaboration honors rap collaborations, R&B collaborations or Rap/Sung collaborations.The Award was first introduce in the 2003 ceremony. This category has produced many Grammy-winning/nominated collaborations. Below are a those collaboration that earned a Grammy win or...
" in 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...
", but later lost to Snoop Dogg
Snoop Dogg
Calvin Cordozar Broadus, Jr. , better known by his stage name Snoop Dogg, is an American rapper, record producer, and actor. Snoop is best known as a rapper in the West Coast hip hop scene, and for being one of Dr. Dre's most notable protégés. Snoop Dogg was a Crip gang member while in high school...
's "Beautiful
Beautiful (Snoop Dogg song)
"Beautiful" is a 2003 single by Snoop Dogg from his album Paid Tha Cost To Be Da Bo$$. The song was produced by The Neptunes and features Charlie Wilson and Pharrell Williams. The music video was filmed in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The single peaked at #6 on the U.S...
" featuring Pharrell and Uncle Charlie Wilson. The song was later nominated in the "2003 MTV Video Music Awards
2003 MTV Video Music Awards
The 2003 MTV Video Music Awards aired live on August 28, 2003, honoring the best music videos from June 1, 2002, to June 9, 2003. The show was hosted by Chris Rock at the Radio City Music Hall in New York City...
" under the category for "Best Hip-Hop Video", but later lost to Missy Elliott
Missy Elliott
Melissa Arnette "Missy" Elliott , is an American rapper, singer-songwriter, record producer, and actressA five-time Grammy Award winner, Elliott, with record sales of over seven million in the United States, is the only female rapper to have five albums certified platinum by the RIAA, including one...
's "Work It". During the 2003 "Popjustice Readers Polls", "'03 Bonnie & Clyde" was nominated under the category of "Most Performed Song" and won.
Chart performance
"'03 Bonnie & Clyde" gained success entering the top ten in multiple European countries. "'03 Bonnie & Clyde" peaked at number six on the Norway Singles Chart, number six on the Danish Singles Chart, and number eight on the Italian Singles Chart. "'03 Bonnie & Clyde" topped the number one spot on the Swiss Music ChartsSwiss Music Charts
The Swiss Music Charts are Switzerland's main music sales charts. The charts are a record of the highest-selling singles and albums in various genres in Switzerland.The Swiss Charts include:* Singles Top 75...
. In Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, "'03 Bonnie & Clyde" became Jay-Z's highest charting single at number four, only to later be beaten by the 2009 Alicia Keys
Alicia Keys
Alicia Augello Cook , better known by her stage name Alicia Keys, is an American singer-songwriter, record producer, and occasional actress. She was raised by a single mother in the Hell's Kitchen area of Manhattan in New York City. At age seven, Keys began playing the piano...
-assisted "Empire State of Mind
Empire State of Mind
"Empire State of Mind" is a song by American rapper and hip hop artist Jay-Z, featuring vocals and a chorus from R&B and soul singer Alicia Keys. It was released as the third single from Jay-Z's 11th studio album The Blueprint 3 by his Roc Nation label in October 2009...
". In the 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...
"'03 Bonnie & Clyde" peaked at number two, becoming Jay-Z's highest charting single since 1998's "Hard Knock Life (Ghetto Anthem)
Hard Knock Life (Ghetto Anthem)
"Hard Knock Life " is a single from rapper Jay-Z's third album Vol. 2... Hard Knock Life. It samples the song "It's the Hard Knock Life" from the Broadway musical Annie. The song was produced by The 45 King and at the time of its release, was the most commercially successful Jay-Z single. The RIAA...
". "'03 Bonnie & Clyde" peaked at number four on the New Zealand Singles Chart, becoming Jay-Z's highest charting single in New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
. It additionally became Jay-Z's highest charting single in Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
peaking at number two on the Australian Singles Chart.
"'03 Bonnie & Clyde" broke-into the top five of the Billboard Hot 100 on the number-four spot, marking the highest charting single referencing the famous-bank robbers Bonnie and Clyde, previously held by Georgie Fame
Georgie Fame
Georgie Fame is a British rhythm and blues and jazz singer and keyboard player. The one-time rock and roll tour musician, who had a string of 1960s hits, is still a popular performer, often working with contemporaries such as Van Morrison and Bill Wyman.-Early life:Fame took piano lessons from the...
's 1986 single "The Ballad of Bonnie and Clyde
The Ballad of Bonnie and Clyde
"The Ballad of Bonnie and Clyde" is a song recorded by the English R&B singer Georgie Fame. Released as a single, the song reached number one in the UK Singles Chart on 24 January 1968, remaining for one week...
." Following the performance of "'03 Bonnie & Clyde" on Saturday Night Live
Saturday 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...
on November 2, 2002, the songs radio-audience increased by 12%, allowing "'03 Bonnie & Clyde" to advance into the top 10 of the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles at number-seven. The rise into the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Charts gave Jay-Z his 12th top ten single, at the time tying him with rapper P. Diddy. "'03 Bonnie & Clyde" was also his first top ten on the chart since "Girls, Girls, Girls
Girls, Girls, Girls (Jay-Z song)
"Girls, Girls, Girls" is the second single from rapper Jay-Z's album The Blueprint. It is a playful description of the artist's promiscuous lifestyle. The song contains a sample of "There's Nothing In This World That Can Stop Me From Loving You" by Tom Brock. The chorus features a lyrical...
" of 2001 following thirteen other chart appearance in between the hit songs.
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...
for "'03 Bonnie & Clyde" was directed by Chris Robinson
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...
in November 2003. June Ambrose was hired as the stylist
Personal stylist
A personal stylist is a person who typically advises individuals on, for example, new fashion trends, clothing styles, colours and make-up.A personal stylist is a recognised profession not to be confused with a 'stylist' whose job it is predominantly to manage fashion photoshoots for leading...
for the music video. Lance Reddick
Lance Reddick
Lance Reddick is an American theater, film and TV actor and musician born in Baltimore, Maryland. He starred in The Wire as Cedric Daniels, appeared in Oz as Detective Johnny Basil and appeared in the fourth and fifth seasons of Lost. He now has a prominent role in Fringe...
appears in the video as the main police officer on their tale. The choreography is used set to suggest a relationship beyond screen, as Jay-Z wraps his arm around Knowles while singing his part of the chorus. The music video marked a departure for the "clean-cut Knowles" and allowed for a symbiotic relationship between Knowles and Jay-Z, allowing both artists to exchange audiences.
The music video begins with a minor intro of lead cop Lance Reddick
Lance Reddick
Lance Reddick is an American theater, film and TV actor and musician born in Baltimore, Maryland. He starred in The Wire as Cedric Daniels, appeared in Oz as Detective Johnny Basil and appeared in the fourth and fifth seasons of Lost. He now has a prominent role in Fringe...
discussing the criminal-duo and ways to catch them with other cops. As the song begins, Jay-Z is seen driving a gunmetal grey Aston Martin
Aston Martin
Aston Martin Lagonda Limited is a British manufacturer of luxury sports cars, based in Gaydon, Warwickshire. The company name is derived from the name of one of the company's founders, Lionel Martin, and from the Aston Hill speed hillclimb near Aston Clinton in Buckinghamshire...
, while Knowles sits in the passengers side. As Jay-Z and Knowles drive through the sepia sands of Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
, clips of the cops from the beginning of the video are interlaced into the scene forming a plan to try to catch the criminal duo. As Jay-Z and Knowles pull over to a hotel, they cover the car to avoid notice from the police.
As Knowles and Jay-Z count money in the bedroom, the cops have discovered their hiding place and go upstairs to find them only to realize that the duo have fled the scene with their car. While scenes of Knowles and Jay-Z at a Mexican-bar are shown, scenes of an intimate time in a phone-booth between both artists is shown as a tribute to Tupac Shakur is shown spray-painted onto the wall behind the phone-booth. They duo than escapes the cops again who happen to be following one-step-behind them. After Knowles performs her verse in an empty pool, the cops form a blockade on the highway in an attempt to catch Knowles and Jay-Z only to have been stumped again as two gas station attendant decoys are found driving the car.
The video ends as both Knowles and Jay-Z burn a bonfire
Bonfire
A bonfire is a controlled outdoor fire used for informal disposal of burnable waste material or as part of a celebration. Celebratory bonfires are typically designed to burn quickly and may be very large...
on the beach and drive away in a different car. 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....
noted that the end of the music video neglects to reveal how the notorious couple met their end in the original story of Clyde Barrow and Bonnie Parker, continuing the story in Jay-Z's third single
Single (music)
In music, a single or record single is a type of release, typically a recording of fewer tracks than an LP or a CD. This can be released for sale to the public in a variety of different formats. In most cases, the single is a song that is released separately from an album, but it can still appear...
released from The Black Album
The Black Album (Jay-Z album)
The Black Album is the eighth studio album by American rapper Jay-Z, released November 14, 2003, on Roc-A-Fella Records. It was promoted as his final studio album, which serves as a recurring theme, although Jay-Z returned to solo recording with Kingdom Come in 2006.The album debuted at number one...
, "99 Problems
99 Problems
"99 Problems" is the third single released by American rapper Jay-Z in 2004 from The Black Album. Throughout the song Jay-Z tells a story about dealing with a racist cop who wants to illegally search his car, dealing with rap critics, and dealing with an aggressor...
" (2004) music video. The accompanying music video for "'03 Bonnie & Clyde" was nominated in the 2003 MTV Video Music Awards
2003 MTV Video Music Awards
The 2003 MTV Video Music Awards aired live on August 28, 2003, honoring the best music videos from June 1, 2002, to June 9, 2003. The show was hosted by Chris Rock at the Radio City Music Hall in New York City...
under the category for "Best Hip-Hop Video". In the Official Top 20 Countdown of Jay-Z music videos, 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...
's MTV listed the songs video at number-ten.
Toni Braxton feud
On Tuesday October 8, 2003, Toni Braxton and her camp sent out a statement claiming that Jay-Z's song, "'03 Bonnie & Clyde", had stolen Braxton's idea to sample the 1996 Tupac Shakur song "Me & My Girlfriend". Braxton sampled Shakur's song on a track titled "Me & My Boyfriend", included on Braxton's album, More Than a WomanMore Than a Woman (album)
More Than a Woman is the fourth studio album by American recording artist Toni Braxton. It was released in the United States on November 19, 2002 by Arista Records. Most of the songs were written by Braxton, her husband Keri Lewis, and her sister Tamar Braxton...
(2002). Speaking on the incident, Braxton stated in a call to a New York radio station that, "Jay-Z and Beyoncé are messing with my money. They're trying to steal my mojo". Braxton stated her song was recorded over the summer of 2002, and alleged that Jay-Z only decided to do "'03 Bonnie & Clyde" after she played her version of the song for Def Jam Recordings
Def Jam Recordings
Def Jam Recordings is an American record label, focused primarily on hip hop and urban music, owned by Universal Music Group, and operates as a part of The Island Def Jam Motown Music Group...
.
Kanye West responded to Braxton's claim in an interview with MTV stating, "I had no idea about Toni Braxton's [song]. She can't act like ain't nobody ever heard 'Me and My Girlfriend' before. People hear the song all the time. I can [understand her complaint] if it [was] an original song." West defended the songs sample, stating that the idea came to him after listening to a friend's Makaveli album one night. Roc-A-Fella Records
Roc-A-Fella Records
Roc-A-Fella Records is a record label founded by Shawn "Jay-Z" Carter, Damon "Dame" Dash, and Kareem "Biggs" Burke. Today it operates as a subsidiary of Universal Music Group, and is distributed by Island Def Jam Motown Music Group.-Formation and Early Years:...
Co-CEO responded to Braxton's claims:
Speaking with MTV, rapper Jay-Z replied to Braxton's claims that Jay-Z had stolen the idea to sample "Me & My Girlfriend" after Braxton played the song for Def Jam Recordings. He stated, "I wouldn't want to take it from her. I don't even think like that. My first thought would be, 'Maybe I could call her up, maybe I could get on that record.' The most obvious [explanation] is it's neither one of our records. It's not like you made an original idea. She's not in hip-hop, but it happens in hip-hop often. We go to sample the same thing and my record came out first. I'm sorry. What can I do?"
Track listing
Australian EP- "'03 Bonnie & Clyde" (Radio Edit) - 3:27
- "'03 Bonnie & Clyde" (Explicit) - 3:26
- "U Don't Know (Remix) (Jay-Z & M.O.P.) - 4:28
UK single
- "'03 Bonnie & Clyde" (Radio Edit) - 3:28
- "U Don't Know (Remix) - 4:27
- "'03 Bonnie & Clyde" (Instrumental) - 3:27
Credits and personnel
Adapted from the The Blueprint²: The Gift & the Curse's liner notes.- E-Base - Bass, Guitar, Instrumentation, Keyboards
- Shawn Carter - Vocals (rap), Composer, Executive Producer
- Jason Goldstein - Mixing
- D. Harper - Composer
- Gimel "Young Guru" Katon - Engineer, Mixing
- Beyoncé Knowles - Vocals
- PrincePrince (musician)Prince Rogers Nelson , often known simply as Prince, is an American singer, songwriter, musician, and actor. Prince has produced ten platinum albums and thirty Top 40 singles during his career. Prince founded his own recording studio and label; writing, self-producing and playing most, or all, of...
- Additional Writing from sample
- R. Rouse - Composer
- Tupac Shakur - Additional Writing from sample
- Kanye West – Composer, Producer
- Shane "Bermy" Woodley - Engineer
- Tyrone Wrice - Composer
Charts
| Chart (2002–03) | 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... |
2 |
| Austrian Singles Chart | 28 |
| Canadian Singles Chart Canadian Singles Chart The Canadian Singles Chart is currently compiled by the U.S.-based music sales tracking company, Nielsen SoundScan . The chart is compiled every Wednesday, and is published by Jam! Canoe on Thursdays.... |
4 |
| Belgium Singles Chart | 12 |
| Danish Singles Chart | 6 |
| Dutch Single Top 100 | 5 |
| Finnish Singles Chart | 10 |
| French Singles Chart | 25 |
| German Singles Chart | 6 |
| Irish Singles Chart Irish Singles Chart The Irish Singles Chart is Ireland's music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by the Irish Recorded Music Association and compiled on behalf of the IRMA by Chart-Track. Chart rankings are based on sales, which are compiled through over-the-counter retail data captured... |
12 |
| Italian Singles Chart Federation of the Italian Music Industry The Federation of the Italian Music Industry is an umbrella organization that keeps track of virtually all aspects of the music recording industry in Italy.... |
8 |
| New Zealand Singles Chart | 4 |
| Norway Singles Chart | 6 |
| Swiss Singles Chart | 1 |
| Swedish Singles Chart | 14 |
| 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 ... |
2 |
| US 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... |
4 |
| US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks | 5 |
| US Hot Rap Tracks Hot Rap Tracks Rap Songs is a chart released weekly by Billboard in the United States. It lists the 25 most popular hip-hop/rap songs, calculated weekly by airplay on rhythmic and urban radio stations and sales in hip hop-focused or exclusive markets. From 1989 through 2001, it was based on how much the single... |
2 |
| US Pop Songs | 7 |
Certifications
| Region (provider) | Certifications |
|---|---|
| Australia (ARIA 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... ) |
Platinum |
| United States (RIAA Recording Industry Association of America The Recording Industry Association of America is a trade organization that represents the recording industry distributors in the United States... ) |
Gold |