Who Is She 2 U
Encyclopedia
"Who Is She 2 U" is a song recorded by American
singer Brandy
. It was written by Walter Millsap III, Timothy "Timbaland" Mosley
and Candice Nelson
for the singer's fourth studio album, Afrodisiac
(2004), and co-produced by Timbaland and Millsap. The song contains a sample
from Jacqueline Hilliard's 1968 song "Instant Love", written by Hilliard and Leon Ware
.
Released as the album's second and final single in North America
on July 27, 2004 (see 2004 in music
), the song became one of Brandy's commercially least successful singles, never making it out of the lower half of the U.S. Billboard
Hot 100. "Who Is She 2 U" served as the album's third single in Australia
and Eurasia
in March 2005 (see 2005 in music
) where it saw similar success.
album Brandy worked on with producer Timbaland, following her break-up with producer Robert "Big Bert" Smith in fall 2002. Described as "a caught-in-the-act tale set to throwback soul" by Newsday
, the record incorporates a sample of the 1968 song "Instant Love," written by Jacqueline Hilliard and Leon Ware.
Lyrically, the song's protagonist describes a confrontation with her cheating boyfriend, who "tries to two-time, three-time and even four-time his way into multiple relationships." In an interview with MTV News
, Brandy revealed that semi-biographical "Who Is She 2 U" was basically written for her female audience: "It's a song I'm sure so many females have experienced. And I've definitely experienced this before, just like, 'Who's that? Let me know what's going on!'" She also termed the song "reminiscent of a vintage Mary J. Blige
. I was expressing my innermost feelings about life, love and relationships. It was me at my most raw [...] He [Timbaland] really encouraged me to do my best."
In late October 2003, an early version of the song was presented alongside album cut "Finally" onto the Brandy Special Music Project on ratethemusic.com
, a website that asks people's opinions on new tracks from various artists. The leaked version has featured a different vocal production and ending from the one on Afrodisiac; the final edit of the song was first played during an interview with Funkmaster Flex
on Hot 97. Singer Usher, who was originally expected to appear on the album at one time or another, re-recorded the song for mixtapes a few weeks before the single's release in the United States
, replacing parts of Brandy's vocals for the male's point of view. However, the unofficial duet version of "Who Is She 2 U" became even more popular than the album version or its official remix with rapper Fabolous
.
chart in the week of August 28, 2004, the fifth-highest debut of the week. The single remained another three weeks on the chart, but as it failed to climb any higher during its run, the song eventually became Brandy's lowest-charting, video-accompanied single on the Billboard Hot 100 to date. Just as predecessor, "Talk About Our Love
," the track was more successful on Billboard' s component charts: "Who Is She 2 U" reached number 20 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles Sales
chart and number 31 on the Hot Singles Sales chart, as well as the top 50 of the on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay
and Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs
charts. The remix single once again peaked at number two on the Hot Dance Singles Sales
.
Outside North America, the single reached number 50 on the official UK Singles Chart
and number 99 on the Australian ARIA Singles Chart
, both positions also being Brandy's lowest-charting peaks on those particular charts yet. However, "Who Is She 2 U" managed to reach number 7 on the German Black Chart at least.
, and was filmed in various locations throughout Los Angeles
, California
in July 2004. Choreographed by Laurie Ann Gibson
, the video harks back on authentic street sensibility, showing Brandy from a very ordinary side in normal neighborhood settings, all away from high-class lifestyle and designer clothes: "I wanted to be fashion-forward, so we're going to give the girl a little fashion," she said. "It's going to be young and fun and sexy, but not over the top — still down to earth."
In the video Brandy plays an all-seeing, all-knowing narrator, who gives the central male character pause with her wicked glances that let him know she's watching his every move. The pursuit starts with the singer performing the first lines of her song in the back of a cruising bus, while observing her boarding man next to a female, both discussing vehemently with each other. She's constantly moving and dancing, before the scene shifts to a scaffolding in front of a fenced building, where she performs the chorus in dusty backgrounds. The next scene shows her standing under a traffic light at a plied crossing, wearing a grey outfit and big glasses, wherefrom she enters a near barber shop and performs afresh in a hairdresser chair. At the same time the camera shows her man flirting with two girls. The video ends with a backflash on all locations Brandy was seen at, also catching the daytime in front of the sinking sun.
Fabolous
and Timbaland
were originally expected to sign on to shoot additional scenes for a remixed version of the clip; however, plans weren't put into practice. "Who Is She 2 U" worldpremiered at the end of BET
's Access Granted on August 24, 2004. Also, rapper T.I.
makes a cameo appearance.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
singer Brandy
Brandy (entertainer)
Brandy Rayana Norwood , known professionally as Brandy, is an American singer-songwriter, producer, actress, and dancer. In 2009, she introduced her rap alter-ego Bran'Nu....
. It was written by Walter Millsap III, Timothy "Timbaland" Mosley
Timbaland
Timothy Zachery Mosley , better known by his stage name Timbaland, is an American record producer, songwriter and rapper....
and Candice Nelson
The Clutch
The Clutch is an American collective of songwriters responsible for a series of successful singles including Omarion's "Ice Box", Ciara's "Like a Boy", Timbaland's "The Way I Are", Britney Spears' "Radar" and Raven-Symone's "Double Dutch Bus".-History:...
for the singer's fourth studio album, Afrodisiac
Afrodisiac
Afrodisiac is the fourth studio album by American recording artist Brandy Norwood, released by Atlantic Records on June 28, 2004 on most international territories and on June 29, 2004 in Canada and the United States...
(2004), and co-produced by Timbaland and Millsap. The song contains a sample
Sampling (music)
In music, sampling is the act of taking a portion, or sample, of one sound recording and reusing it as an instrument or a different sound recording of a song or piece. Sampling was originally developed by experimental musicians working with musique concrète and electroacoustic music, who physically...
from Jacqueline Hilliard's 1968 song "Instant Love", written by Hilliard and Leon Ware
Leon Ware
Leon Ware is a soul music singer, songwriter and producer. Best known for crafting the hit album, I Want You, originally recorded for Ware, until friend and Motown icon Marvin Gaye was assigned to the album in 1976...
.
Released as the album's second and final single in North America
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
on July 27, 2004 (see 2004 in music
2004 in music
See also:* 2004 in music Record labels established in 2004-January:*January 1**The Vienna New Year's Concert is conducted by Riccardo Muti.**Kurt Nilsen wins World Idol....
), the song became one of Brandy's commercially least successful singles, never making it out of the lower half of the U.S. 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...
Hot 100. "Who Is She 2 U" served as the album's third single in Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
and Eurasia
Eurasia
Eurasia is a continent or supercontinent comprising the traditional continents of Europe and Asia ; covering about 52,990,000 km2 or about 10.6% of the Earth's surface located primarily in the eastern and northern hemispheres...
in March 2005 (see 2005 in music
2005 in music
-Events:*During the year 2005, 12 rock music albums scored number 1 in the USA. This was the first time even ten albums have scored number 1 since 1996.-January:...
) where it saw similar success.
Writing and recording
"Who Is She 2 U" was one of the first songs on the AfrodisiacAfrodisiac
Afrodisiac is the fourth studio album by American recording artist Brandy Norwood, released by Atlantic Records on June 28, 2004 on most international territories and on June 29, 2004 in Canada and the United States...
album Brandy worked on with producer Timbaland, following her break-up with producer Robert "Big Bert" Smith in fall 2002. Described as "a caught-in-the-act tale set to throwback soul" by Newsday
Newsday
Newsday is a daily American newspaper that primarily serves Nassau and Suffolk counties and the New York City borough of Queens on Long Island, although it is sold throughout the New York metropolitan area...
, the record incorporates a sample of the 1968 song "Instant Love," written by Jacqueline Hilliard and Leon Ware.
Lyrically, the song's protagonist describes a confrontation with her cheating boyfriend, who "tries to two-time, three-time and even four-time his way into multiple relationships." In an interview with MTV News
MTV News
MTV News is the news division of MTV, one of the first and most popular music television network in the U.S., as well as some of MTV's related channels around the world. MTV News began in the late 1980s with the program The Week In Rock, hosted by Kurt Loder, the first official MTV News correspondent...
, Brandy revealed that semi-biographical "Who Is She 2 U" was basically written for her female audience: "It's a song I'm sure so many females have experienced. And I've definitely experienced this before, just like, 'Who's that? Let me know what's going on!'" She also termed the song "reminiscent of a vintage Mary J. Blige
Mary J. Blige
Mary Jane Blige is an American singer-songwriter, record producer and occasional actress. She is a recipient of nine Grammy Awards and four American Music Awards, and has recorded eight multi-platinum albums. She is the only artist with Grammy Award wins in Pop, Rap, Gospel, and R&B. Blige has...
. I was expressing my innermost feelings about life, love and relationships. It was me at my most raw [...] He [Timbaland] really encouraged me to do my best."
In late October 2003, an early version of the song was presented alongside album cut "Finally" onto the Brandy Special Music Project on ratethemusic.com
Mediabase
Mediabase is a music industry service that monitors radio station airplay in 180 US and Canadian markets. Mediabase publishes music charts and data based on the most played songs on terrestrial and satellite radio, and provides in-depth analytical tools for radio and record industry professionals...
, a website that asks people's opinions on new tracks from various artists. The leaked version has featured a different vocal production and ending from the one on Afrodisiac; the final edit of the song was first played during an interview with Funkmaster Flex
Funkmaster Flex
Aston George Taylor, Jr. better known as Funkmaster Flex is an American hip hop DJ, rapper, musician and producer on New York City's Hot 97 radio station and host of the hit MTV show Funk Flex Full Throttle....
on Hot 97. Singer Usher, who was originally expected to appear on the album at one time or another, re-recorded the song for mixtapes a few weeks before the single's release in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, replacing parts of Brandy's vocals for the male's point of view. However, the unofficial duet version of "Who Is She 2 U" became even more popular than the album version or its official remix with rapper Fabolous
Fabolous
John David Jackson , better known by his stage name Fabolous, is an American rapper of African American and Dominican descent. He grew up in the Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York. Part of his early popularity arose from his hit single "Can't Deny It" in 2001, from his debut...
.
Chart performance
First released in the United States, "Who Is She 2 U" debuted at number 85 on the national 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 in the week of August 28, 2004, the fifth-highest debut of the week. The single remained another three weeks on the chart, but as it failed to climb any higher during its run, the song eventually became Brandy's lowest-charting, video-accompanied single on the Billboard Hot 100 to date. Just as predecessor, "Talk About Our Love
Talk About Our Love
"Talk About Our Love" is a song performed by American entertainer Brandy. It was written by producers Kanye West and Harold Lilly for her fourth studio album, Afrodisiac , and produced by West, who moreover appears as a featured artist on it...
," the track was more successful on Billboard
Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles Sales
The Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles Sales chart is the sales component chart of Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs. It is not the R&B subset of The Hot 100 Singles Sales, but rather a separate panel of sales of commercial singles in the urban market...
chart and number 31 on the Hot Singles Sales chart, as well as the top 50 of the on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay
Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay
The Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay chart is the airplay component chart of the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks chart. It is not the R&B subset of The Hot 100 Airplay, but rather a separate panel of R&B stations in urban markets used for the R&B/Hip-Hop chart...
and 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,...
charts. The remix single once again peaked at number two on the Hot Dance Singles Sales
Hot Dance Singles Sales
Hot Dance Singles Sales is a chart released weekly by Billboard magazine in the United States, established in 1985. It measures the sale of commercially released singles that deal with dance music and remixes...
.
Outside North America, the single reached number 50 on the official 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 ...
and number 99 on the Australian ARIA Singles Chart
ARIA Charts
The ARIA charts are the main Australian music sales charts, issued weekly by the Australian Recording Industry Association. The charts are a record of the highest selling singles and albums in various genres in Australia. ARIA commenced compiling its own charts in-house from the week ending 26 June...
, both positions also being Brandy's lowest-charting peaks on those particular charts yet. However, "Who Is She 2 U" managed to reach number 7 on the German Black Chart at least.
Music video
The music video for "Who Is She 2 U" was directed by Jake NavaJake Nava
Jake Nava was born on 17 August and grew up in northern London. He currently lives in eastern London.He graduated from the University of WestministerJake Nava is an English-born music video and film director.-Filmography:MUSIC VIDEOS...
, and was filmed in various locations throughout Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
, California
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 July 2004. Choreographed by Laurie Ann Gibson
Laurie Ann Gibson
Laurie N. Jibsen is a creative director, VMA-winning choreographer, and Emmy-nominated director best known for her work with Lady Gaga, Diddy and Keri Hilson. She rose to public prominence as the star of MTV's Making the Band and P. Diddy and Mark Burnett’s Starmaker series...
, the video harks back on authentic street sensibility, showing Brandy from a very ordinary side in normal neighborhood settings, all away from high-class lifestyle and designer clothes: "I wanted to be fashion-forward, so we're going to give the girl a little fashion," she said. "It's going to be young and fun and sexy, but not over the top — still down to earth."
In the video Brandy plays an all-seeing, all-knowing narrator, who gives the central male character pause with her wicked glances that let him know she's watching his every move. The pursuit starts with the singer performing the first lines of her song in the back of a cruising bus, while observing her boarding man next to a female, both discussing vehemently with each other. She's constantly moving and dancing, before the scene shifts to a scaffolding in front of a fenced building, where she performs the chorus in dusty backgrounds. The next scene shows her standing under a traffic light at a plied crossing, wearing a grey outfit and big glasses, wherefrom she enters a near barber shop and performs afresh in a hairdresser chair. At the same time the camera shows her man flirting with two girls. The video ends with a backflash on all locations Brandy was seen at, also catching the daytime in front of the sinking sun.
Fabolous
Fabolous
John David Jackson , better known by his stage name Fabolous, is an American rapper of African American and Dominican descent. He grew up in the Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York. Part of his early popularity arose from his hit single "Can't Deny It" in 2001, from his debut...
and Timbaland
Timbaland
Timothy Zachery Mosley , better known by his stage name Timbaland, is an American record producer, songwriter and rapper....
were originally expected to sign on to shoot additional scenes for a remixed version of the clip; however, plans weren't put into practice. "Who Is She 2 U" worldpremiered at the end of BET
Bet
Bet or BET may refer to:* A wager in gambling* Basic Economics Test * Bet , the second letter in many Semitic alphabets, including Aramaic, Hebrew, Phoenician and Syriac* Brunauer-Emmett-Teller isotherm. See BET_theory...
's Access Granted on August 24, 2004. Also, rapper T.I.
T.I.
Clifford Joseph Harris, Jr. , better known by his stage name T.I., is an American rap artist, film and music producer, actor and author. He is also the founder and co-chief executive officer of Grand Hustle Records....
makes a cameo appearance.
Formats and tracklistings
These are the formats and track listings of major single-releases of "Who Is She 2 U".International CD Single
- "Who Is She 2 U" (Radio Edit)
- "Who Is She 2 U" (Josh Harris Old School Edit)
- "Who Is She 2 U" (Davidson Ospina Edit)
U.S. CD Single
- "Who Is She 2 U" (Radio Edit)
- "Who Is She 2 U" (Josh HarrisJosh Harris (artist)Josh Harris is an American dance musician best known for his remixes of various pop musicians and other dance artists.Harris the son of Joel and Marcia Harris, was born in St. Louis, Missouri and grew up in an area called the Central West End near Forest Park . He began to take lessons in classical...
Old School Edit)
Unreleased Remixes
- "Who Is She 2 U" (Remix, featuring FabolousFabolousJohn David Jackson , better known by his stage name Fabolous, is an American rapper of African American and Dominican descent. He grew up in the Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York. Part of his early popularity arose from his hit single "Can't Deny It" in 2001, from his debut...
) - "Who Is She 2 U" (Featuring UsherUsher (entertainer)Usher Terry Raymond IV , who performs under the mononym Usher, is an American singer-songwriter, and actor. He is considered around the world to be the reigning King of R&B. Usher rose to fame in the late 1990s with the release of his second album My Way, which spawned his first Billboard Hot 100...
)
Vinyl single
- "Who Is She 2 U" (Hani Club Mix)
- "Who Is She 2 U" (Josh HarrisJosh Harris (artist)Josh Harris is an American dance musician best known for his remixes of various pop musicians and other dance artists.Harris the son of Joel and Marcia Harris, was born in St. Louis, Missouri and grew up in an area called the Central West End near Forest Park . He began to take lessons in classical...
Old School Club Mix) - "Who Is She 2 U" (FTL Club Mix)
- "Who Is She 2 U" (E-Smoove Bump Mix)
- "Who Is She 2 U" (Johnny Budz Club Mix)
- "Who Is She 2 U" (Hani Dub)
- "Who Is She 2 U" (Sugar Dip Solo Dub)
- "Who Is She 2 U" (FTL Dub Mix)
- "Who Is She 2 U" (Josh Harris Alternative Mix)
- "Who Is She 2 U" (Pull's Passionate Mix)
Credits and personnel
- Lead vocals: Brandy Norwood
- Audio mixing (recorded music)Audio mixing (recorded music)In audio recording, audio mixing is the process by which multiple recorded sounds are combined into one or more channels, most commonly two-channel stereo. In the process, the source signals' level, frequency content, dynamics, and panoramic position are manipulated and effects such as reverb may...
: Timbaland, Jimmy Douglass - EngineerEngineerAn engineer is a professional practitioner of engineering, concerned with applying scientific knowledge, mathematics and ingenuity to develop solutions for technical problems. Engineers design materials, structures, machines and systems while considering the limitations imposed by practicality,...
s: Jimmy Douglass, Blake English - Assistant engineerEngineerAn engineer is a professional practitioner of engineering, concerned with applying scientific knowledge, mathematics and ingenuity to develop solutions for technical problems. Engineers design materials, structures, machines and systems while considering the limitations imposed by practicality,...
s: Demacio Castellon, Jeremal Hicks, Halsey Quemere - KeyboardKeyboard instrumentA keyboard instrument is a musical instrument which is played using a musical keyboard. The most common of these is the piano. Other widely used keyboard instruments include organs of various types as well as other mechanical, electromechanical and electronic instruments...
: Parris Bowens - Percussion: George McCurdy
- BassBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
: Thaddaeus Tribbett - Conductor: Larry Gold
- Vocal 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...
: Brandy Norwood - Recorded at Criteria Hit Factory in Miami, FloridaMiami, FloridaMiami is a city located on the Atlantic coast in southeastern Florida and the county seat of Miami-Dade County, the most populous county in Florida and the eighth-most populous county in the United States with a population of 2,500,625...
, and Amerycan Recording Studios, Los Angeles, CaliforniaLos Angeles, CaliforniaLos Angeles , with a population at the 2010 United States Census of 3,792,621, is the most populous city in California, USA and the second most populous in the United States, after New York City. It has an area of , and is located in Southern California...
Charts
| Chart (2004–2005) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Germany Black Chart Deutsche Black Charts Deutsche Black Charts DBC, also known by various names including Deutsche Urban Charts and Deutsche Hip Hop/R&B/Dancehall Singles is a chart released weekly by Deutsche Trend Charts in Germany.... (Media Control AG) |
7 |
| US Hot Dance Singles Sales Hot Dance Singles Sales Hot Dance Singles Sales is a chart released weekly by Billboard magazine in the United States, established in 1985. It measures the sale of commercially released singles that deal with dance music and remixes... (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... ) |
2 |
External links
- Brandy music videos — watch "Who Is She 2 U" at LAUNCHcast