Rock with U
Encyclopedia
"Rock with U" is a song by American singer Janet Jackson
from her tenth studio album, Discipline
. It was written by Ne-Yo
, Jermaine Dupri
, and Eric Stamile, and produced by Dupri. The song, released in U.S. in February 2008, served as the album's second single
, while in UK it served as the third single from the album.
on February 5, 2008 along with a pre-order offer for her tenth studio album, Discipline. The song was serviced to rhythmic crossover
radio stations on February 11, 2008 and was released to Top 40
radio stations on February 26, 2008.
In United Kingdom, "Rock with U" was released on August 18, 2008 as a digital download-only. The single was, unfortunately, another commercial failure for Jackson and her label
, due to the low promotion given to the track on radios and TV shows. It nevertheless was a club hit, peaking inside the top ten of the UK Dance Chart
, and it was also a hit on the UK R&B Chart
, peaking at number four.
Jackson performed the song on the Rock Witchu Tour
.
, "Rock with U" was commented as:
, directed by Saam Farahmand and choreographed by Gil Duldulao, premiered on BET
's Access Granted
on March 5, 2008. The long take
video features Jackson having a party inside a club with red and white rays of light entering the room. Throughout the video, Jackson and a group of dancers perform complex dance routines, leading to a kiss by a mystery man in the connecting hallway. BET J placed it at number seven on the year-end Last Call 2008! Top 50 Countdown. Entertainer Mimi Marks
has a guest appearance in the video.
Janet Jackson
Janet Damita Jo Jackson is an American recording artist and actress. Known for a series of sonically innovative, socially conscious and sexually provocative records, as well as elaborate stage shows, television and film roles, she has been a prominent figure in popular culture for over 25 years...
from her tenth studio album, Discipline
Discipline (Janet Jackson album)
Discipline is the tenth studio album by American recording artist Janet Jackson, released by Island Records on February 26, 2008. It was her only album released for Island Records, after her five-album deal with Virgin Records was fulfilled with the release of 20 Y.O....
. It was written by Ne-Yo
Ne-Yo
Shaffer Chimere Smith, Jr. , better known by his stage name Ne-Yo, is an American pop and R&B singer-songwriter, record producer, dancer and actor. Beginning his career as a songwriter, Ne-Yo penned the hit "Let Me Love You" for singer Mario...
, 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 Eric Stamile, and produced by Dupri. The song, released in U.S. in February 2008, served 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...
, while in UK it served as the third single from the album.
Release
"Rock with U" was made available for sale through the U.S. iTunes StoreITunes Store
The iTunes Store is a software-based online digital media store operated by Apple. Opening as the iTunes Music Store on April 28, 2003, with over 200,000 items to purchase, it is, as of April 2008, the number-one music vendor in the United States...
on February 5, 2008 along with a pre-order offer for her tenth studio album, Discipline. The song was serviced to rhythmic crossover
Rhythmic Contemporary
Rhythmic contemporary, also known as rhythmic top 40, rhythmic contemporary hit radio or rhythmic crossover, is a music radio format that includes a mix of EDM, upbeat rhythmic pop, hip-hop and R&B hits. Rhythmic contemporary rarely uses rock music or country music in its airplay, but it may...
radio stations on February 11, 2008 and was released to Top 40
Contemporary hit radio
Contemporary hit radio is a radio format that is common in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada and Australia that focuses on playing current and recurrent popular music as determined by the Top 40 music charts...
radio stations on February 26, 2008.
In United Kingdom, "Rock with U" was released on August 18, 2008 as a digital download-only. The single was, unfortunately, another commercial failure for Jackson and her label
Island Records
Island Records is a record label that was founded by Chris Blackwell in Jamaica. It was based in the United Kingdom for many years and is now owned by Universal Music Group...
, due to the low promotion given to the track on radios and TV shows. It nevertheless was a club hit, peaking inside the top ten of the UK Dance Chart
UK Dance Chart
The UK Dance Chart is a chart compiled by The Official Charts Company from sales in record stores and digital downloads. Although the chart does not currently receive any airplay on the radio or television, the chart can be viewed on the BBC Radio 1 and The Official Charts Company website.Digital...
, and it was also a hit on the UK R&B Chart
UK R&B Chart
The Official UK R&B Chart is a forty-position R&B/Hip-Hop chart compiled by The Official UK Charts Company. Although the chart does not receive any airplay, its compilation is viewed on BBC Radio 1's website and publications such as ChartsPlus and Music Week...
, peaking at number four.
Jackson performed the song on the Rock Witchu Tour
Rock Witchu Tour
The Rock Witchu Tour was the fifth concert tour by American singer-songwriter, Janet Jackson, in support of her tenth studio album Discipline. This was Jackson's first tour in nearly seven years. The tour visited North America...
.
Critical reception
During a review carried out on DisciplineDiscipline (Janet Jackson album)
Discipline is the tenth studio album by American recording artist Janet Jackson, released by Island Records on February 26, 2008. It was her only album released for Island Records, after her five-album deal with Virgin Records was fulfilled with the release of 20 Y.O....
, "Rock with U" was commented as:
- This one was rumored to be a cover of Michael Jackson’s classic and/or to feature Michael himself. It’s neither. It seems to have some melodic elements snatched from Mike’s track, although the chorus is more, “Ooh ooh ooh ooooh oooh oooh” than “I wanna rock with you.” Janet’s vocals seem a bit detached and robotic, but that’s not an insult: they’re most reminiscent of Donna Summer’s in “I Feel Love” without the operatic flair. This one is pure house music, with an electroboogie bass line borrowed from the ’80s. It’s bright enough so that it wouldn’t sound out of place on one of those Beach House compilations released by Hed Kandi.
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...
, directed by Saam Farahmand and choreographed by Gil Duldulao, premiered on BET
Black Entertainment Television
Black Entertainment Television is an American, Viacom-owned cable network based in Washington, D.C.. Currently viewed in more than 90 million homes worldwide, it is the most prominent television network targeting young Black-American audiences. The network was launched on January 25, 1980, by its...
's Access Granted
Access Granted
Access Granted is an American television series that features an in depth look at the planning and production of R&B and hip hop music videos. Each week, a different artist and their new music video are featured, with the video premiering at the end of the episode. The series began airing in 2001...
on March 5, 2008. The long take
Long take
A long take is an uninterrupted shot in a film which lasts much longer than the conventional editing pace either of the film itself or of films in general, usually lasting several minutes. It can be used for dramatic and narrative effect if done properly, and in moving shots is often accomplished...
video features Jackson having a party inside a club with red and white rays of light entering the room. Throughout the video, Jackson and a group of dancers perform complex dance routines, leading to a kiss by a mystery man in the connecting hallway. BET J placed it at number seven on the year-end Last Call 2008! Top 50 Countdown. Entertainer Mimi Marks
Mimi Marks
Mimi Marks is a transsexual entertainer. She performs at The Baton Show Lounge in Chicago, Ill..Mimi was born Mark in Waterloo, Iowa, but grew up in Oelwein, Iowa...
has a guest appearance in the video.
Track listing
U.S. promo CD single (ISLR-16873-2)- "Rock with U" (Radio Edit) – 3:57
- "Rock with U" (Instrumental) – 3:51
Official versions
- Album Version – 3:51
- Instrumental – 3:51
- Radio Edit – 3:57
- Acapella – 3:48
- Future Presidents Remix – 3:33
- Sound Pusher Mix – 6:17
- Sound Pusher Radio Mix – 3:35
Charts
| Chart (2008) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| U.S. Billboard 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... |
21 |
| U.S. Billboard Bubbling Under R&B/Hip-Hop Singles | 14 |
| U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Club Play | 20 |
| UK R&B Charts 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... |
4 |