21 Questions
Encyclopedia
"21 Questions" is a song performed by American
rapper 50 Cent
and Nate Dogg
. The song was written by 50 Cent, K. Risto, J. Cameron, and V. Cameron for 50 Cent's commercial debut album Get Rich or Die Tryin'
(2003). Released in 2003 as the album's second single
, it became his second number one song in the United States
after "In Da Club
". It reached number six in the UK Singles Chart
while "In Da Club" was at #23, giving him the rare feat of having two singles in the Top 30 at the same time. The track was produced by Dirty Swift of Midi Mafia
and samples elements from Barry White
's "It's Only Love Doing Its Thing
". R&B singer Lil' Mo
created the answer-back remix titled "21 Answers". Her version received decent airplay, and was often merged together with 50 Cent's version for club play. While the title of the song is "21 Questions," 50 Cent actually asks 22 questions in the duration of the song.
Dr. Dre
worked with 50 Cent on his debut album, he stated that he did not want the song on the album. According to 50 Cent, "Dre was, like, 'How you goin' to be gangsta this and that and then put this sappy love song on?'" 50 Cent responded saying, "I'm two people. I've always had to be two people since I was a kid, to get by. To me that's not diversity, it's necessity."
was directed by Damon Johnson, Dr. Dre
and Phillip Atwell
in March 2003. It depicts 50 Cent arrested and confined to prison
, where he tries to keep in touch with his girlfriend
, played by Meagan Good
. In prison, he is constantly harangued by rival inmate (Tyson Beckford
). The video ends with a continuation of the beginning, showing 50 Cent and his girlfriend watching from their home as the police arrest Beckford instead; the prison scenes are revealed to be a hypothetical scenario imagined by a worried 50 Cent. The video has cameo appearances by G-Unit
and Nate Dogg
, who sings the chorus and the outro. The video concept can also be originated from Nate Dogg's "Never Leave Me Alone".
On April 15, 2003, the video debuted on MTV
's Total Request Live
at number six, reached number one two days later, and stayed on the chart for 50 days. It also reached number two on the MuchMusic
video charts.
A remix was released which featured American R&B singer Monica
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
rapper 50 Cent
50 Cent
Curtis James Jackson III , better known by his stage name 50 Cent, is an American rapper, entrepreneur, investor, record producer, and actor. He rose to fame with the release of his albums Get Rich or Die Tryin and The Massacre . Get Rich or Die Tryin has been certified eight times platinum by...
and Nate Dogg
Nate Dogg
Nathaniel Dwayne Hale , better known by his stage name Nate Dogg, was an American musician. He is noted for his membership of rap trio 213 and his solo career in which he collaborated with Dr. Dre, Warren G, Tupac and Snoop Dogg on many hit releases. Nate Dogg released three solo albums, G-Funk...
. The song was written by 50 Cent, K. Risto, J. Cameron, and V. Cameron for 50 Cent's commercial debut album Get Rich or Die Tryin'
Get Rich or Die Tryin' (album)
Get Rich or Die Tryin is the debut studio album of American rapper 50 Cent, released February 4, 2003, on Aftermath Entertainment under a joint venture with Shady Records and distribution by Interscope Records. Its initially planned release was pushed seven days ahead due to heavy bootlegging and...
(2003). Released in 2003 as the album's second 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...
, it became his second number one song in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
after "In Da Club
In da Club
"In Da Club" is a hip hop song performed by rapper 50 Cent from his commercial debut album Get Rich or Die Tryin. The song was produced by Dr. Dre with co-production from Mike Elizondo. 50 Cent, Dr. Dre, and Elizondo wrote the song...
". It reached number six in 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 ...
while "In Da Club" was at #23, giving him the rare feat of having two singles in the Top 30 at the same time. The track was produced by Dirty Swift of Midi Mafia
Midi Mafia
Midi Mafia is a hip hop/R&B production duo consisting of American Bruce Waynne from Brooklyn, New York and Canadian Dirty Swift from Ottawa, Ontario...
and samples elements from Barry White
Barry White
Barry White, born Barry Eugene Carter , was an American composer and singer-songwriter.A five-time Grammy Award-winner known for his distinctive bass voice and romantic image, White's greatest success came in the 1970s as a solo singer and with the Love Unlimited Orchestra, crafting many enduring...
's "It's Only Love Doing Its Thing
It's Only Love Doing Its Thing
"It's Only Love Doing Its Thing" is a track featured on Barry White's album The Man. British Soul Band Simply Red later covered the song, under the shortened title "It's Only Love", as the lead single for their third studio album, A New Flame. The Simply Red cover had its greatest success by...
". R&B singer Lil' Mo
Lil' Mo
Cynthia Loving , also known by her stage name Lil' Mo, is an American R&B singer, Washington, D.C. radio personality, songwriter & record producer. She is best known for collaborating with artists such as Ja Rule, Angie Martinez, Sacario, Missy Elliott, Ol' Dirty Bastard and Fabolous, and for her...
created the answer-back remix titled "21 Answers". Her version received decent airplay, and was often merged together with 50 Cent's version for club play. While the title of the song is "21 Questions," 50 Cent actually asks 22 questions in the duration of the song.
Background
When producerRecord producer
A record producer is an individual working within the music industry, whose job is to oversee and manage the recording of an artist's music...
Dr. Dre
Dr. Dre
Andre Romelle Young , primarily known by his stage name Dr. Dre, is an American record producer, rapper, record executive, entrepreneur, and occasional actor. He is the founder and current CEO of Aftermath Entertainment and a former co-owner and artist of Death Row Records...
worked with 50 Cent on his debut album, he stated that he did not want the song on the album. According to 50 Cent, "Dre was, like, 'How you goin' to be gangsta this and that and then put this sappy love song on?'" 50 Cent responded saying, "I'm two people. I've always had to be two people since I was a kid, to get by. To me that's not diversity, it's necessity."
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...
was directed by Damon Johnson, Dr. Dre
Dr. Dre
Andre Romelle Young , primarily known by his stage name Dr. Dre, is an American record producer, rapper, record executive, entrepreneur, and occasional actor. He is the founder and current CEO of Aftermath Entertainment and a former co-owner and artist of Death Row Records...
and Phillip Atwell
Phillip Atwell
Philip G. Atwell is an American music video, television commercial and feature film director. Starting out as a music video producer, he took up directing in 1999. Often co-directing with Dr...
in March 2003. It depicts 50 Cent arrested and confined to prison
Prison
A prison is a place in which people are physically confined and, usually, deprived of a range of personal freedoms. Imprisonment or incarceration is a legal penalty that may be imposed by the state for the commission of a crime...
, where he tries to keep in touch with his girlfriend
Girlfriend
Girlfriend is a term that can refer to either a female partner in a non-marital romantic relationship or a female non-romantic friend that is closer than other friends....
, played by Meagan Good
Meagan Good
Meagan Monique Good is an American film and television actress and occasional film producer. Beginning her career at the age of four, Good has appeared in numerous commercials, television shows, feature films, and music videos....
. In prison, he is constantly harangued by rival inmate (Tyson Beckford
Tyson Beckford
Tyson Craig Beckford is an American male model and actor, best known as a Ralph Lauren model. He was also the host of both seasons of the Bravo program Make Me a Supermodel.-Biography:...
). The video ends with a continuation of the beginning, showing 50 Cent and his girlfriend watching from their home as the police arrest Beckford instead; the prison scenes are revealed to be a hypothetical scenario imagined by a worried 50 Cent. The video has cameo appearances by G-Unit
G-Unit
G-Unit is an American hip hop group originating from New York City formed by 50 Cents. G-Unit emerged on the New York scene by independently releasing several mix tapes...
and Nate Dogg
Nate Dogg
Nathaniel Dwayne Hale , better known by his stage name Nate Dogg, was an American musician. He is noted for his membership of rap trio 213 and his solo career in which he collaborated with Dr. Dre, Warren G, Tupac and Snoop Dogg on many hit releases. Nate Dogg released three solo albums, G-Funk...
, who sings the chorus and the outro. The video concept can also be originated from Nate Dogg's "Never Leave Me Alone".
On April 15, 2003, the video debuted on MTV
MTV
MTV, formerly an initialism of Music Television, is an American network based in New York City that launched on August 1, 1981. The original purpose of the channel was to play music videos guided by on-air hosts known as VJs....
's Total Request Live
Total Request Live
Total Request Live is a television series on MTV that featured popular music videos. TRL was MTV's prime outlet for music videos as the network continues to concentrate on reality-based programming. In addition to music videos, TRL featured daily guests...
at number six, reached number one two days later, and stayed on the chart for 50 days. It also reached number two on the MuchMusic
MuchMusic
MuchMusic is a Canadian English language Category A specialty channel owned by Bell Media. MuchMusic is dedicated to music-related programs, pop and youth culture.-History:...
video charts.
Track listings
- 21 Questions (album version)
- Soldier (50 Cent & G-Unit freestyle)
- 21 Questions (live from New York)
- 21 Questions (video)
Official versions
- 21 Questions (Album Version) / (Album Version - Explicit)
- 21 Questions (Live from New York)
- 21 Answers
A remix was released which featured American R&B singer Monica
Monica (singer)
Monica Denise Brown , and professionally known as Monica, is an American singer-songwriter, record producer, and actress. Born and raised in College Park, Georgia, Monica began performing as a child and became part of a traveling gospel choir, by the time she was ten...
.
Credits and personnel
- ProducerRecord producerA record producer is an individual working within the music industry, whose job is to oversee and manage the recording of an artist's music...
: Dirty Swift of Midi Mafia - Mixed by: Dr. Dre
- Recorded by: Sha Money XLSha Money XL-Dream Big Ventures:With Distribution from The Orchard, Sha Money founded a new record label, Dream Big Ventures. Quickly upon its creation, Sha Money signed close Shady/Aftermath/G-Unit affiliates DJ Whoo Kid and Stat Quo, as well as former Young Money artist, Kidd Kidd. Sha is currently trying to...
and Maurico "Veto" Iragorri - Protool edits by: Carlise Young
- Assisted by: Ruben Rivera
Charts
| Chart (2003) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australian Singles Chart | 4 |
| Austrian Singles Chart | 39 |
| Belgian Singles Chart | 37 |
| 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.... |
5 |
| Danish Singles Chart | 18 |
| Dutch Singles Chart | 8 |
| Finnish Singles Chart | 20 |
| French Singles Chart | 6 |
| German Singles Chart | 35 |
| 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... |
11 |
| New Zealand Singles Chart | 8 |
| Norwegian Singles Chart | 15 |
| Swedish Singles Chart | 34 |
| Swiss 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 ... |
6 |
| 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... |
1 |
| U.S. Billboard Top 40 Mainstream | 6 |
| U.S. Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, is a chart released weekly by Billboard in the United States.The chart, initiated in 1942, is used to track the success of popular music songs in urban, or primarily African American, venues. Dominated over the years at various times by jazz, rhythm and blues, doo-wop, soul,... |
1 |
| U.S. Billboard 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... |
1 |