Don't Stop (Funkin' 4 Jamaica)
Encyclopedia
"Don't Stop" is a song written and produced by American singer Mariah Carey
, DJ Clue
, Duro, and Mystikal
, and recorded for Carey's tenth album Glitter (2001). It is built around a sample of the 1980s song "Funkin' for Jamaica (N.Y.)" produced by Tom Browne and Toni Smith, and it features rapped parts by Mystikal. Mystikal raps—in a voice evocative of "The Godfather of Soul," James Brown
-- about wild times during the song's verses, while Carey repeatedly tells him "don't stop" in the chorus. It was released as the album's third single in 2001.
Like the preceding singles from the album (with the exception of "Loverboy
"), "Don't Stop (Funkin' 4 Jamaica)" was a commercial disappointment. It did not chart on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100
, but it appeared at number 23 on Billboard
's Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles
chart, which represents the twenty-five singles below the Hot 100's number 100 position which have not yet appeared on the Hot 100. Whereas "Never Too Far
" (the album's second single) was solicited primarily to the pop and adult contemporary market, "Don't Stop" was pushed more toward the R&B and rhythmic market. It reached the top forty in the UK and Australia, as part of a double A-side with "Never Too Far."
The single's music video fared much better than the song, receiving heavy airplay on MTV
. Directed by Sanaa Hamri
, it has the theme of southern bayou
s and lifestyles and presents Carey and Mystikal in "southern style" clothes and hairstyles. Some shots feature three versions of Carey singing into one microphone on the screen at one time. "Don't Stop (Funkin' 4 Jamaica)" appears in a scene of the film Glitter
, when producer Julian "Dice" Black has met Billie Frank (played by Carey) and invites her to an impromptu freestyle
jam session in his club.
Australian/European CD maxi-single
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...
, DJ Clue
DJ Clue
Ernesto Shaw better known as DJ Clue?, is a mixtape DJ.-Biography:For more than 10 years, DJ Clue has proven that he is more than just a beat-thumper. His accomplishments show how a turntable genius precisely puts together different songs to make a concoction of beats and melodies that rule the...
, Duro, and Mystikal
Mystikal
Michael Lawrence Tyler , better known by his stage name Mystikal, is an American rapper, and actor from New Orleans.-1993-1994: Early career:...
, and recorded for Carey's tenth album Glitter (2001). It is built around a sample of the 1980s song "Funkin' for Jamaica (N.Y.)" produced by Tom Browne and Toni Smith, and it features rapped parts by Mystikal. Mystikal raps—in a voice evocative of "The Godfather of Soul," James Brown
James Brown
James Joseph Brown was an American singer, songwriter, musician, and recording artist. He is the originator of Funk and is recognized as a major figure in the 20th century popular music for both his vocals and dancing. He has been referred to as "The Godfather of Soul," "Mr...
-- about wild times during the song's verses, while Carey repeatedly tells him "don't stop" in the chorus. It was released as the album's third single in 2001.
Like the preceding singles from the album (with the exception of "Loverboy
Loverboy (Mariah Carey song)
"Loverboy" is a song by American singer-songwriter Mariah Carey. It was released on July 16, 2001 by Virgin Records as the lead single from Carey's eighth studio album, Glitter . Written and produced by Carey, Larry Blackmon, Thomas Jenkins, Clark Kent, "Loverboy" is built around a sample from...
"), "Don't Stop (Funkin' 4 Jamaica)" was a commercial disappointment. It did not chart 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...
, but it appeared at number 23 on 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...
's Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles
Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles
The Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles is a chart published weekly by Billboard magazine in the United States. It lists the top 25 singles below number 100 that have not yet charted on the Billboard Hot 100. Sometimes, however, singles halt their progress on this chart, and never appear on the Hot 100...
chart, which represents the twenty-five singles below the Hot 100's number 100 position which have not yet appeared on the Hot 100. Whereas "Never Too Far
Never Too Far
"Never Too Far" is a song written and produced by American singer Mariah Carey, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis for Carey's tenth album/soundtrack, Glitter. The protagonist of this ballad states that although physical distance can sometimes separate lovers, the love they share will never be too far apart...
" (the album's second single) was solicited primarily to the pop and adult contemporary market, "Don't Stop" was pushed more toward the R&B and rhythmic market. It reached the top forty in the UK and Australia, as part of a double A-side with "Never Too Far."
The single's music video fared much better than the song, receiving heavy airplay 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....
. Directed by Sanaa Hamri
Sanaa Hamri
Sanaa Hamri is a Moroccan American music video and film director. She is one of the few prominent female film and music video directors of color.-Early life and breakthrough:...
, it has the theme of southern bayou
Bayou
A bayou is an American term for a body of water typically found in flat, low-lying areas, and can refer either to an extremely slow-moving stream or river , or to a marshy lake or wetland. The name "bayou" can also refer to creeks that see level changes due to tides and hold brackish water which...
s and lifestyles and presents Carey and Mystikal in "southern style" clothes and hairstyles. Some shots feature three versions of Carey singing into one microphone on the screen at one time. "Don't Stop (Funkin' 4 Jamaica)" appears in a scene of the film Glitter
Glitter (film)
Glitter is a 2001 film starring R&B singer, songwriter Mariah Carey. It was produced by 20th Century Fox and Columbia Pictures and directed by Vondie Curtis-Hall. It centers on the life and times of a struggling singer from the early club music scene in the 1980s.-Production:Carey has said about...
, when producer Julian "Dice" Black has met Billie Frank (played by Carey) and invites her to an impromptu freestyle
Freestyle rap
Freestyle rap commonly refers to rap lyrics which are improvised through a acapella or with instrumental beats, i.e. performed with no previously composed lyrics, or "off the top of the head"...
jam session in his club.
Formats and track listings
European CD single- "Never Too FarNever Too Far"Never Too Far" is a song written and produced by American singer Mariah Carey, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis for Carey's tenth album/soundtrack, Glitter. The protagonist of this ballad states that although physical distance can sometimes separate lovers, the love they share will never be too far apart...
" (Edit) - "Don't Stop (Funkin' 4 Jamaica)" (featuring MystikalMystikalMichael Lawrence Tyler , better known by his stage name Mystikal, is an American rapper, and actor from New Orleans.-1993-1994: Early career:...
)
Australian/European CD maxi-single
- "Never Too Far" (Edit)
- "Don't Stop (Funkin' 4 Jamaica)" (featuring Mystikal)
- "LoverboyLoverboy (Mariah Carey song)"Loverboy" is a song by American singer-songwriter Mariah Carey. It was released on July 16, 2001 by Virgin Records as the lead single from Carey's eighth studio album, Glitter . Written and produced by Carey, Larry Blackmon, Thomas Jenkins, Clark Kent, "Loverboy" is built around a sample from...
" (Drums Of Love) - "Never Too Far" (The Video)
Charts
| Chart (2001) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australian Singles Chart | 36 |
| Dutch Singles Chart | 67 |
| German Singles Chart | 97 |
| Spanish Singles Chart | 16 |
| Swedish Singles Chart | 56 |
| Swiss Singles Chart | 65 |
| UK Singles Chart | 34 |
| U.S. Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles | 23 |
| U.S. Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs | 42 |