"Who We Be" is a song by American rapper DMX

DMX (rapper)

Earl Simmons , better known by his stage name DMX, is a multiplatinum American rapper and actor who rose to fame in the late 1990s. His stage name pays tribute to the Oberheim DMX drum machine, an instrument he used when he made his own rap beats in the 80's...

 and was released as the third 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...

 from his fourth studio album The Great Depression

The Great Depression (DMX album)

The Great Depression is the fourth solo album released by New York based rapper DMX. Released October 23, 2001, it was DMX's fourth straight album to debut at number one. The album demonstrated his still strong allegiance with the Ruff Ryders. The Great Depression went platinum quickly, but lacked...

. peaked at 10 on the Hot 100. It was nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Rap Solo Performance

Grammy Award for Best Rap Solo Performance

The Grammy Award for Best Rap Solo Performance was awarded from 1991 to 2011, alongside the Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group. Previously a single award was presented for Best Rap Performance....

, but lost to "Get Ur Freak On

Get Ur Freak On

"Get Ur Freak On" is a hip hop song written by American rapper/singer Missy Elliott and her producer Tim "Timbaland" Mosley for Elliott's third studio album Miss E... So Addictive. Released as the album's first single in 2001, the track reached #7 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, becoming Missy...

" by Missy Elliott

Missy Elliott

Melissa Arnette "Missy" Elliott , is an American rapper, singer-songwriter, record producer, and actressA five-time Grammy Award winner, Elliott, with record sales of over seven million in the United States, is the only female rapper to have five albums certified platinum by the RIAA, including one...

. The song was featured on the 2004 film Head of State

Head of State

A head of state is the individual that serves as the chief public representative of a monarchy, republic, federation, commonwealth or other kind of state. His or her role generally includes legitimizing the state and exercising the political powers, functions, and duties granted to the head of...

, on the scene where Chris Rock

Chris Rock

Christopher Julius "Chris" Rock III is an American comedian, actor, screenwriter, television producer, film producer and director. He was voted in the US as the 5th greatest stand-up comedian of all time by Comedy Central...

 wants to run his campaign in his own way.

Song Production

DMX raps on the song, the song is about the division and separation of Blacks in America

United States

The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...

, with DMX telling the listener about the problems that Blacks face as well as the many things that people assume about them but don't understand who they are.

Music Video

The music video

Music 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...

 was directed by Joseph Kahn

Joseph Kahn

Joseph Kahn is an American music video, advertising, and feature film director.-Early life:Kahn was born in Jersey Village, Texas, a suburb of Houston. He is of Korean ancestry. He spent part of his childhood growing up in Livorno, Italy until his family moved to Texas...

 and produced by Lanette Phillips and Stefan Belafonte.

Track listing

Europe 12-inch single 33 ⅓ RPM

1. A1 "Who We Be" (LP Version)
2. B1 "Who We Be" (Radio Edit)
3. B2 "Who We Be" (Instrumental)

US 12-inch single

1. A1 "Who We Be" (Radio Edit)
2. A2 "Who We Be" (Album Version)
3. B1 "Who We Be" (Instrumental)
4. B2 "Who We Be" (Acapella)

United Kingdom CD/maxi single

1. "Who We Be" (Radio Edit) – 4:19
2. "We Right Here" (Radio Edit) – 4:02
3. "Who We Be" (Explicit Version) – 4:48
4. "We Right Here" (Explicit Version) – 4:31

United Kingdom enhanced CD single
Tracklisting:

1. "Who We Be" (LP Version) – 4:48
2. "Who We Be" (Radio Edit) – 4:26
3. "We Right Here" (LP Version) – 4:28
4. Video - "Who We Be"

Personnel

• Vocals: DMX, Dustin Adams
• Mastered by: Tony Dawsey
• Recorded by: Jaime Weddle and Otto D'Angolo
• Mixed by: Brian Stanley at the Hit Factory Criteria (Miami, Florida
  Florida
  Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
  
  )
• Artwork [Design]: Akisia Grigsby
• Artwork [Direction]:- Akisia Grigsby , Earl "DMX" Simmons
• Photography: Vincent Soyez