Mesmerize (song)

"Mesmerize" is the second single by Ja Rule from his album The Last Temptation. The song was produced by Irv Gotti and features R&B artist Ashanti. The song peaked at number 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 making it Ashanti's and Ja Rule's fourth top ten hit as a duet.

The song was certified platinum by the ARIA for selling 70,000 units in 2003.

Music video

The music video was inspired by the film Grease. The video begins with a group of men dressed in black discussing their plan for a revolution in a strategy room. Ja Rule enters dressed in a preppy sweater, much to the surprise of the other men. He explains that his girl wants him to leave the street life behind. Meanwhile, some of Ashanti's friends are having a slumber party and playing Scrabble when Ashanti emerges dressed in flashy black leather attire. She explains that her guy wants her to be more street. The song begins and we see the two meeting up at an amusement fair. As they sing, they partake in various carnival attractions, such as game booths and bumper cars. The song ends abruptly with Ja Rule's friends emerging from a black van and asking him if he's riding with them. After he hesitates and turns to Ashanti, she says she's riding if he's riding. They enter the van and after a few quick cuts they emerge and Ja Rule begins rapping "Destiny," an uptempo "hardcore" street song that contrasts with the more mellow "Mesmerize." The video ends with a crowd of African-American men marching the streets and holding up various signs, including tributes to late rapper Tupac and DJ Jam-Master Jay.The street scene was filmed outside Cathedral High on Bishops Road (formerly Stadium Way) an up-hill climb towards Dodger Stadium.

The carnival scenes were filmed in Los Angeles at Cathedral High School's Graveyard Field. The entire campus was the site of the Old Calvary Cemetery Northeast of Downtown Los Angeles.

Chart performance

References