Just Kickin' It
Encyclopedia
"Just Kickin' It" is a song by American R&B
group Xscape
. Written by Jermaine Dupri
and Manuel Seal,
the song was released as Xscape's first single from the group's 1993 debut album Hummin' Comin' at 'Cha
. The single became the group's most commercially successful hit, peaking at number two on the Billboard Hot 100
and spending four weeks at number one on the Hot R&B Singles
chart.
ballad in which vocals are the focus, and the instrumental foundation is otherwise sparse.
Jermaine Dupri, who according to Columbia Records
executive Michael Mauldin, wanted Xscape to be "the ghetto En Vogue
,"
originally wrote the song as a summary of what men wanted from women. The lyrics were considered controversial by some female fans who believed the song's message was sexist. Former group member LaTocha Scott, however, dismissed the critics. "I've heard some females say that the song is unreal and that they can tell it was written by a a man, but I don't think it makes it sexist. Shoot, everybody knows a man wants a woman who can cook."
chart at number 36 and reached the top 10 in four weeks. The song peaked at number two in October, and spent a total of 17 weeks in the top 40.
The single reached number one on the Hot R&B Singles
chart, where it spent four weeks at the top. The song also spent one week at number one on the Hot 100 Singles Sales
chart.
In November, the single was certified platinum in the United States.
"Just Kickin' It" also peaked at number 22 in New Zealand and number 49 in the United Kingdom.
The song earned the band a Soul Train Music Awards
nomination in 1994, though they lost to H-Town
's single "Knockin' Da Boots
" in the Best R&B New Artist
category.
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...
group Xscape
Xscape (band)
Xscape, was a female American R&B group that originally started out as a quintet and then became a quartet. The group had a string of hit songs during the 1990s...
. Written by Jermaine Dupri
Jermaine Dupri
Jermaine Dupri Mauldin , known as Jermaine Dupri or JD, is an American record producer, songwriter and rapper.- Early life and career :...
and Manuel Seal,
the song was released as Xscape's first single from the group's 1993 debut album Hummin' Comin' at 'Cha
Hummin' Comin' at 'Cha
Hummin' Comin' at 'Cha is the debut studio album by American singer group Xscape. After signing a contract with Jermaine Dupri So So Def Recordings, the album was released by Columbia Records on October 12, 1993 in North America....
. The single became the group's most commercially successful hit, peaking at number two on the Billboard Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
and spending four weeks at number one on the Hot R&B Singles
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,...
chart.
Composition
"Just Kickin' It" is an urbanUrban contemporary
Urban contemporary is a music radio format. The term was coined by the late New York DJ Frankie Crocker in the mid 1970s. Urban contemporary radio stations feature a playlist made up entirely of hip hop/rap, contemporary R&B, pop, electronica such as dubstep and drum and bass and Caribbean music...
ballad in which vocals are the focus, and the instrumental foundation is otherwise sparse.
Jermaine Dupri, who according to Columbia Records
Columbia Records
Columbia Records is an American record label, owned by Japan's Sony Music Entertainment, operating under the Columbia Music Group with Aware Records. It was founded in 1888, evolving from an earlier enterprise, the American Graphophone Company — successor to the Volta Graphophone Company...
executive Michael Mauldin, wanted Xscape to be "the ghetto En Vogue
En Vogue
En Vogue is an American female R&B vocal group from Oakland, California assembled by music producers Denzil Foster and Thomas McElroy.The group has won more MTV Video Music Awards than any other female group in MTV history, a total of seven, along with four Soul Train Awards, six American Music...
,"
originally wrote the song as a summary of what men wanted from women. The lyrics were considered controversial by some female fans who believed the song's message was sexist. Former group member LaTocha Scott, however, dismissed the critics. "I've heard some females say that the song is unreal and that they can tell it was written by a a man, but I don't think it makes it sexist. Shoot, everybody knows a man wants a woman who can cook."
Release and reception
Released in August 1993, "Just Kickin' It" entered the Billboard Hot 100Billboard 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...
chart at number 36 and reached the top 10 in four weeks. The song peaked at number two in October, and spent a total of 17 weeks in the top 40.
The single reached number one on the Hot R&B Singles
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,...
chart, where it spent four weeks at the top. The song also spent one week at number one on the Hot 100 Singles Sales
Hot 100 Singles Sales
The Hot Singles Sales chart is a chart released weekly by Billboard magazine in the United States. It measures sales of commercial singles and is one of three component charts, along with the Hot 100 Airplay and the Hot Digital Songs, that determine the chart positions of singles on the...
chart.
In November, the single was certified platinum in the United States.
"Just Kickin' It" also peaked at number 22 in New Zealand and number 49 in the United Kingdom.
The song earned the band a Soul Train Music Awards
Soul Train Music Awards
The Soul Train Music Awards is an annual award show which previously aired in national television syndication, and honors the best in Black music and entertainment...
nomination in 1994, though they lost to H-Town
H-Town (band)
H-Town is an American R&B/hip hop vocal group. It was originally founded by twin brothers Keven “Dino” Conner, Solomon “Shazam” Conner, and their longtime friend Darryl “G.I.” Jackson in 1992.-Formation:...
's single "Knockin' Da Boots
Knockin' Da Boots
"Knockin' Da Boots" is the debut single from R&B group H-Town. Taken from their debut album, Fever for Da Flavor, "Knockin' Da Boots" became one of the biggest R&B singles of 1993 according to the Billboard charts, where it peaked at number three for seven weeks, and also topped the R&B chart for...
" in the Best R&B New Artist
Soul Train Music Award for Best R&B/Soul or Rap New Artist
The Soul Train Music Award for Best New Artist has been given out every year since the first annual Soul Train Music Awards in 1987.-External links:**...
category.
Peak positions
| Chart (1993) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| 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... |
2 |
| U.S. Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs 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 |
| New Zealand Singles Chart Recording Industry Association of New Zealand The Recording Industry Association of New Zealand is a non-profit trade association of record producers, distributors and recording artists who sell music in New Zealand... |
22 |
| 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 ... |
49 |
End of year charts
| End of year chart (1993) | Position |
|---|---|
| U.S. Billboard Hot 100 | 55 |
| End of year chart (1994) | Position |
| U.S. Billboard Hot 100 | 69 |