Upgrade U
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| "Upgrade U" | ||
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| Song by Beyoncé featuring Jay-Z | ||
| from the album B'Day | ||
| Released | 12" promo single, digital download | |
| Recorded | Sony Music Studios, New York City; 2006 | |
| Genre | R&B, Hip hop | |
| Length | 4:32 | |
| Label | Columbia | |
| Writer(s) | Beyoncé Knowles, Mk. Makeba, Sean Garrett, Solange Knowles, Angela Beyince, Shawn Carter, Willie Clarke, Clarence Reid | |
| Producer(s) | Beyoncé Knowles, Cameron Wallace, Swizz Beatz | |
| Chart positions | ||
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| B'Day track listing | ||
| "Suga Mama" (3) |
"Upgrade U" (4) |
"Ring the Alarm" (5) |
"Upgrade U" is an R&B song written by Beyoncé Knowles, Sean Garrett, Solange Knowles, Angela Beyince, Shawn "Jay-Z" Carter, Mk. Makeba, Willie Clarke and Clarence Reid for Beyoncé's second solo album, B'Day (2006). It is her fourth collaboration with Jay-Z, who is featured on the song. The song samples Betty Wright's "Girls Can't Do What the Guys Do", and was originally going to have featured T.I.. The song is about a relationship between a female and a male; Beyoncé sings that she can upgrade her man and introduce him to new things, improving his life style and reputation.
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[edit] Music video
The video was directed by Melina, who also directed Ludacris' "Money Maker" and Ying Yang Twins' "Dangerous". The video premiered on February 28 on 106 & Park, the same day as the video for her other release, Beautiful Liar featuring Shakira, on TRL. In the beginning, Beyoncé is seen mouthing the words of Jay-Z's lyrics, dressed in masculine, hip-hop style clothing. She is later seen singing in the trunk of and in the backseat of a Rolls Royce. During the choruses she she dances in a gold minidress in front of a group of male back-up dancers. She continues the Jay-Z imitation through his rapped verse, and halfway through it Jay-Z appears to finish the rap himself. Beyoncé is seen amidst gold watches and jewelery, continuing the motif of luxury that is alluded to in the song. As of March 7th, 2007 the music video has peaked at #6 on BET's 106 & Park.
[edit] Song references
- Audemars Piguet, a Swiss watchmaker
- Jacob the Jeweler, a celebrity jeweler
- Cartier, a jeweler and watch manufacturer
- Hermès, a luxury goods company
- Lorraine Schwartz, a celebrity jeweler
- Ralph Lauren Purple Label, a higher-end division of the legendary designer's clothing line
- Natura Bisse Diamond Cream, diamond dust mixed with cream that costs $235 for only 1.7 ounces
- 6 star pent suites, only a handful exist in the world such as Crown Macau in China and Dreams Los Cabos near San Jose del Cabo in Mexico
- The Amalfi Coast, located in southern Italy. It's an easy trek to the islands of Capri, the Bay of Naples' Ischia and Procida
- Fendi, a luxury goods company
- The Bloomberg Luxury Accommodation Group, located in South Africa and caters to Hollywood-millionaire types
[edit] Charts
The song gained popularity on R&B and hip hop radio stations in the U.S. after the release of B'Day,[1] and consequently it entered the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs charts. It debuted on the Hot 100 on November 9, 2006 at number ninety-two and its current peak position is fifty-nine, and it has peaked at number eleven on the R&B/Hip-Hop chart.[2]
| Chart | Peak position |
|---|---|
| German Black Charts[3] | 5 |
| Lithuania Airplay Chart | 10 |
| LCC Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs | 1 |
| U.S. Billboard Hot 100 | 59 |
| U.S. Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs | 11 |
[edit] Credits and personnel
- Lead vocals: Beyoncé Knowles, Jay-Z
- Mixed by Jason Goldstein
- Mixing assistance: Steve Tolle
- Recorded by Jim Caruana at Sony Music Studios, New York City
- Assisted by Rob Kinelski
[edit] Formats and track listing
These are the formats and track listings of major releases of "Upgrade U".
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Other Official Remixes:
- "Upgrade U" (Original Version)(featuring. T.I.)
- "Upgrade U" (Beyonce's Rap Intro)
[edit] Notes and references
- ^ Caulfield, Keith. "Ask Billboard - Replacing Irreplaceable". Billboard. December 29, 2006. Retrieved February 8, 2007.
- ^ "Beyoncé - Artist Chart History - Singles". Billboard. Retrieved February 8, 2007.
- ^ German Black Charts. Trencharts.de. Retrieved February 14, 2007.
- ^ Vinyl I. 2FunkyRecords. Retrieved on February 14, 2007.
- ^ Vinyl II. 2FunkyRecords. Retrieved on February 14, 2007.
- Reid, Shaheem and Cobbin-Wooten, Raslyn. "Luxury Ties, Fancy Suites: A Guide To Beyoncé And Jay-Z's 'Upgrade U'". MTV News. December 20, 2006.
- Lithuania Charts Company "Lithuania Airplay Chart".MTV Baltics News. February 16, 2007.
| Beyoncé Knowles |
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| Discography |
| Studio albums: Dangerously in Love (2003) • B’Day (2006) |
| DVDs: Live at Wembley (2004) • B’Day Anthology Video Album (2007) |
| Singles: "Work It Out" • "Crazy in Love" • "Baby Boy" • "Fighting Temptation" • "Me, Myself and I" • "Naughty Girl" • "Dangerously in Love" • "Check on It" • "Deja Vu" • "Ring the Alarm" • "Irreplaceable" • "Listen" • "Beautiful Liar" |
| Other songs: "I Got That" • "'03 Bonnie & Clyde" • "Hollywood" • "Upgrade U" |
| Related articles |
| Filmography • Awards and nominations • Destiny's Child • Solange Knowles • Jay-Z • Columbia • House of Deréon • B'Day World Tour |
