Westside (TQ song)
Encyclopedia
"Westside" was the lead single from TQ's debut album, They Never Saw Me Coming. The song was produced by Bay-area producers Femi Ojetunde and Mike Mosley, with TQ serving as co-producer. The song is an anthemic ode to TQ's native California
. In the song's lyrics he mentions several other California musicians who influenced him, Ice Cube
, Eazy-E
, Ice-T
, Too Short and DJ Quik
, at the end of "Westside", TQ dedicates the song to the deceased Eazy-E and Tupac Shakur
.
Released late in 1998, "Westside" became a breakthrough hit for TQ, reaching No. 12 on the Billboard Hot 100
in the United States
, while also becoming a top 10 hit in several other countries, including the United Kingdom
(#4), Ireland
(#5) and the Netherlands
(#3). In the US, "Westside" was certified gold by the RIAA
for sales of 500,000 copies on October 22, 1998. The song also took the final spot on the Billboard Year-End Hot 100 singles of 1998.
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
. In the song's lyrics he mentions several other California musicians who influenced him, Ice Cube
Ice Cube
O'Shea Jackson , better known by his stage name Ice Cube, is an American rapper and actor. He began his career as a member of the hip-hop group C.I.A. and later joined the rap group N.W.A. After leaving N.W.A in December 1989, he built a successful solo career in music, and also as a writer,...
, Eazy-E
Eazy-E
Eric Lynn Wright , better known by his stage name Eazy-E, was an American rapper who performed solo and in the hip hop group N.W.A. Wright was born to Richard and Kathie Wright in Compton, California...
, Ice-T
ICE-T
* Ice-T, an American rapper and actor* ICE T , a tilting model of the German InterCityExpress series of high-speed trains...
, Too Short and DJ Quik
DJ Quik
David Martin Blake , better known by his stage name DJ Quik, is an MC and record producer. According to Quik himself, his stage name reflects his ability to produce records in short time....
, at the end of "Westside", TQ dedicates the song to the deceased Eazy-E and 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...
.
Released late in 1998, "Westside" became a breakthrough hit for TQ, reaching No. 12 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...
in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, while also becoming a top 10 hit in several other countries, including the United Kingdom
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), Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
(#5) and the Netherlands
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
(#3). In the US, "Westside" was certified gold by the 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...
for sales of 500,000 copies on October 22, 1998. The song also took the final spot on the Billboard Year-End Hot 100 singles of 1998.
Single track listing
- "Westside" (Album Version)- 5:02
- "Westside" (Radio Version)- 3:52
- "Bye Bye Baby" (Snippet)- 1:12
- "Westside" (Instrumental Version)- 5:07
- "Bye Bye Baby (Snippet)"- 1:12
Westside Part II / Westside Part III (Single)
- "Westside Part II (My Melody)" (Feat. DJ QuikDJ QuikDavid Martin Blake , better known by his stage name DJ Quik, is an MC and record producer. According to Quik himself, his stage name reflects his ability to produce records in short time....
, Hi-CHi-C (rapper)Hi-C is an American rap artist. He has collaborated with DJ Quik and AMG.-Singles:*I'm Not Your Puppet *Leave My Curl Alone *Sittin In The Park *Got It Like That *Let Me Know...
, James DeBargeJames DeBargeJames Curtis DeBarge is an American R&B and soul singer. He was one of the members of the singing family group DeBarge, who became stars with their 1980s songs "All This Love", "In a Special Way", "Rhythm of the Night", and "Who's Holding Donna Now?".DeBarge is also known for his 1984 marriage to...
, Playa Hamm & Suga FreeSuga FreeDejuan Rice , better known by his stage name Suga Free, is an American rapper from Pomona, California.-Biography:Suga Free was born in Oakland and raised in Compton, later becoming based in Pomona, California....
(Clean Version) - 4:42 - "Westside Part II (My Melody)" (Feat. DJ QuikDJ QuikDavid Martin Blake , better known by his stage name DJ Quik, is an MC and record producer. According to Quik himself, his stage name reflects his ability to produce records in short time....
, Hi-CHi-C (rapper)Hi-C is an American rap artist. He has collaborated with DJ Quik and AMG.-Singles:*I'm Not Your Puppet *Leave My Curl Alone *Sittin In The Park *Got It Like That *Let Me Know...
, James DeBargeJames DeBargeJames Curtis DeBarge is an American R&B and soul singer. He was one of the members of the singing family group DeBarge, who became stars with their 1980s songs "All This Love", "In a Special Way", "Rhythm of the Night", and "Who's Holding Donna Now?".DeBarge is also known for his 1984 marriage to...
, Playa Hamm & Suga FreeSuga FreeDejuan Rice , better known by his stage name Suga Free, is an American rapper from Pomona, California.-Biography:Suga Free was born in Oakland and raised in Compton, later becoming based in Pomona, California....
(Dirty Version) - 4:42 - "Westside Part II (My Melody)" (Instrumental) - 4:42
- "Westside Part III (Bud'daBud'daBud'da is an American West Coast hip hop producer for artists such as Ice Cube, Dr. Dre, Xzibit and Aaliyah...
Remix)" (Feat. Jayo FelonyJayo FelonyJames Savage, better known by his stage name, Jayo Felony is a rapper from southeast San Diego, California. He is known for being the first San Diego rapper to be signed to a major label...
& KamKam (rapper)Kam is an American political emcee known primarily among hip hop fans and music critics during the 1990s. Born in Los Angeles, he is considered an esteemed West Coast underground rapper. He is known for his Nation of Islam-influenced lyrics and membership, and affiliation with his cousin, fellow...
(Clean Version) - 4:04 - "Westside Part III (Bud'daBud'daBud'da is an American West Coast hip hop producer for artists such as Ice Cube, Dr. Dre, Xzibit and Aaliyah...
Remix)" (Feat. Jayo FelonyJayo FelonyJames Savage, better known by his stage name, Jayo Felony is a rapper from southeast San Diego, California. He is known for being the first San Diego rapper to be signed to a major label...
& KamKam (rapper)Kam is an American political emcee known primarily among hip hop fans and music critics during the 1990s. Born in Los Angeles, he is considered an esteemed West Coast underground rapper. He is known for his Nation of Islam-influenced lyrics and membership, and affiliation with his cousin, fellow...
(Dirty Version) - 4:04 - "Westside Part II (Bud'daBud'daBud'da is an American West Coast hip hop producer for artists such as Ice Cube, Dr. Dre, Xzibit and Aaliyah...
Remix)" (Instrumental) - 4:04
Peak positions
| Chart (1998) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| 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... ) |
10 |
| Austria (Austria Top 40 Ö3 Austria Top 40 Ö3 Austria Top 40 is the name of the official Austrian singles chart, as well as the radio show which presents it, aired Fridays on Hitradio Ö3. The show presents the Austrian singles, ringtones and downloads chart. It premiered on 26 November 1968 as Disc Parade and was presented by Ernst Grissemann... ) |
14 |
| Germany (MCC Media Control Charts The official music charts in Germany are gathered and published by the company Media Control GfK International on behalf of Bundesverband Musikindustrie... ) |
8 |
| Ireland (IRMA Irish Recorded Music Association Irish Recorded Music Association is the Irish record industry association. IRMA is a non-profit association set up to manage and control the music industry in the Republic of Ireland.-Goals and activities:... ) |
4 |
| Netherlands (IRMA Irish Recorded Music Association Irish Recorded Music Association is the Irish record industry association. IRMA is a non-profit association set up to manage and control the music industry in the Republic of Ireland.-Goals and activities:... ) |
3 |
| New Zealand (RIANZ 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... ) |
10 |
| Switzerland (SMC Swiss 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... ) |
29 |
| United Kingdom (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 ... ) |
5 |
| US Billboard Hot 100 | 12 |
| US Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks | 10 |
| US Billboard Rhythmic Top 40 | 7 |
Year-end charts
| Chart (1998) | Position |
|---|---|
| US Billboard Hot 100 | 100 |