Songoftheday 11/1/24 - I got a naughty naughty style and a naughty naughty crew, but everything I do I do just for you...

 

 

 

"Hey Mama" - Black Eyed Peas

from the album Elephunk (2003)

Billboard Hot 100 peak: #23 (two weeks)

Weeks in the Top-40: 10

 

Today's song from the R&B/Hip-Hop/Pop hybrid group the Black Eyed Peas, whose breakthrough single "Where Is The Love" with help from Justin Timberlake made the top ten on Billboard magazine's Hot 100 in the summer of 2003. Their next single, "Shut Up", made the top-40 on the Mainstream Top-40 radio chart at #30, but failed to even make the Hot 100 (it deserved better). However it was a big success overseas, going to #1 in Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada (Sales), Czechia, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, New Zealand, Norway, Poland (Airplay), Romania, Sweden, and Switzerland, and hit #2 in the United Kingdom.

For the third release from the set the Peas put out "Hey Mama", written by the group's rappers Will.I.Am, Apl.de.Ap, and Taboo along with Anthony "Tippa Irie" Henry, who sings uncredited backup vocals as well. The single mix of the song adds Apl and Taboo to a verse (they aren't on the album version). The foursome (with singer Fergie) jump on the reggaeton/dancehall train, with a party track that's all good vibes and not much else needed. The production from will.i.am is stellar, and is the one of the punchiest and brightest iterations of the well-worn genre at the time. The music video is just as dynamic, using dancers and animated hooks to catch your eyes...

"Hey Mama" returned the Black Eyed Peas to the top-40 on Billboard's Hot 100 in May of 2004. On the radio, the song went to #8 on the Mainstream Top-40 Airplay chart (surprisingly didn't get enough urban airplay to make the R&B list), and peaked at #27 on the dance/R&B-oriented Rhythmic format. Internationally, the single continued their overseas success, reaching the top ten in Canada (#2 Airplay/#9 Sales), Switzerland (#3), Croatia (#3), Australia (#4), Austria (#4), New Zealand (#4), Germany (#5), Hungary (#5), Ireland (#5),the United Kingdom (#6), the Netherlands (#6), Belgium (#6 Flanders/#25 Wallonia), Norway (#6), Italy (#8), and Denmark (#8), and got to #18 in France. At the Grammy Awards in 2005, "Hey Mama" was nominated for Best Rap Song (along with next single "Let's Get It Started"), knocking themselves out for Kanye West's "Jesus Walks". 

Both the Black Eyed Peas and the album will be back to the series.

(6/10)

(Click below to see the rest of the post)

Here's the Peas on the music show Pepsi Smash...

and lastly, live in concert....

Tomorrow I'll roll out my top hits of this week, then on Monday SOTD will be back with twins getting you on the floor.