"When I See U" | ||||
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Single by Fantasia | ||||
from the album Fantasia | ||||
Released | April 17, 2007U.S.) | (|||
Format | Digital download | |||
Recorded | 2006 | |||
Genre | R&B | |||
Length | 3:37 | |||
Label | J | |||
Writer(s) | Sam Watters, Louis Biancaniello, Kevin Risto, Waynne Nugent, Janet Sewell, Erika Nuri | |||
Producer | Midi Mafia, Mzmeriq | |||
Certification | Gold (RIAA) | |||
Fantasia singles chronology | ||||
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"When I See U" is a Grammy-nominated R&B song recorded by Fantasia, written by Sam Watters, Louis Biancaniello, Kevin Risto, Waynne Nugent, Janet Sewell and Erika Nuri, and produced by Midi Mafia and Mzmeriq. It is the second single from Fantasia's second album, Fantasia (2006). The song reached number one on the U.S. Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, and spent a year on the chart, one of only fourteen songs in history to achieve that feat. It was ranked number eight on the chart's decade-end chart.[1]
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The single debuted at number ninety-nine on the Billboard Hot 100 in April 2007 (see 2007 in music), becoming Fantasia's first charting single since "Free Yourself" in 2005. "When I See U" peaked at number thirty-two on the Hot 100, becoming more successful than the first single from Fantasia, "Hood Boy", which failed to chart, and becoming her third top forty Hot 100 hit.[2] The song reached number one for eight weeks on Billboard's Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, becoming her first single to reach the top ten on the chart since "Free Yourself" in 2005, and her first single to top the chart.[2] The song is one of only 14 songs to ever spend over a year on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop chart, and is currently tied as the eighth longest running song in the chart's history, in its 57th week.[3] It is also credited with re-energizing sales of Fantasia, causing the album to re-enter the top 100 of the Billboard 200 chart.
In September 2007, "When I See U" hit number one on The Billboard Hot 100 Recurrent Airplay chart, making it Fantasia's fifth chart topping recurrent hit on the Hot 100 section (single and airplay).[4]
It was announced in December 2009 by Billboard Magazine that "When I See U" was the eighth biggest hit of the decade on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.[5]
The video was shot by director Lenny Bass on March 26. It premiered on BET's Access Granted April 25, 2007 and on Yahoo! Music on April 26. The music video debuted on BET's top ten video countdown show 106 & Park on May 9.
The video begins with Fantasia singing on a rooftop, with scenes of her taking a bath in a tub interceding. After that, she walks to meet her love interest (NFL running back, Larry Johnson, who at the time played for the Kansas City Chiefs). At the end of the music video, she finally meets him and they embrace and, eventually, kiss. The video fades out on a shot of the stars and moon. Throughout the video, people in love are shown, ranging from children in their "puppy love" stages to elderly couples who have been married a long time.
There are several remixes of "When I See U", three of which feature rappers Remy Ma, Young Jeezy, Lumidee, B.G. and Polow da Don. An official remix that features Polow da Don & Young Jeezy, and is produced by Polow da Don, has become very popular in urban markets.
On December 6, 2007, "When I See U" earned two Grammy Award nominations, one for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance by Fantasia and the other Best R&B Song. It lost in both categories to Alicia Keys' No One at the 50th Grammy Awards ceremony.
Chart | Peak position |
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U.S. Billboard Hot 100[2] | 32 |
U.S. Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs[2] | 1 |
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