4, 3, 2, 1 (LL Cool J song)
"4, 3, 2, 1" | ||||
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Earl Simmons | ||||
Producer(s) | Erick Sermon | |||
LL Cool J singles chronology | ||||
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Canibus singles chronology | ||||
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Music video | ||||
"4, 3, 2, 1" on YouTube |
"4, 3, 2, 1" is a song by Queens rapper
Controversy
The song is notable for starting the LL Cool J vs. Canibus feud, LL took offense to the lines, "L, is that a mic on your arm? Let me borrow that", which referenced his tattoo of a microphone on his arm – and which Canibus claimed was his own way of showing the rap veteran respect – and wrote an indirect diss to Canibus:
"The symbol on my arm is off limits to challengers / You hold the rusty sword, I swing the Excalibur"
And also:
"Now let's get back to this mic on my arm / If it ever left my side, it'll transform into a time bomb / You don't wanna borrow that, you wanna idolize / And you don't wanna make me mad, nigga, you wanna socialize."
Before the song was released, LL Cool J asked Canibus to change his lines. Canibus claims that LL Cool J vowed to modify his own lines as well, but the latter denied this and pointed out that nobody would know who he was talking about if only Canibus's line was changed. The original version eventually leaked, and fans started to piece the lines together. In 1998, Canibus would later respond to the diss with "Second Round K.O.". LL Cool J would then respond to that diss with the "Ripper Strikes Back". On his 2000 G.O.A.T. album, LL Cool J thanked Canibus for inspiration. In addition, despite appearing on the song, Canibus was omitted from the original music video for the song due to the feud, but was later included in the music video for the remix version.
Samples
This song features a vocal
Track listing
A-side
- "4, 3, 2, 1" (radio edit)
- "4, 3, 2, 1" (regular version)
- "4, 3, 2, 1" (instrumental)
B-side
- "4, 3, 2, 1" (radio edit)
- "4, 3, 2, 1" (regular version)
- "4, 3, 2, 1" (a cappella)
Charts
Weekly charts
Chart (1997–1998) | Peak position |
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US Billboard Hot 100[1] | 75 |
US | 5 |
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[3] | 24 |
US Hot Rap Songs (Billboard)[4] | 10 |
Year-end charts
Chart (1998) | Position |
---|---|
US Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks[5] | 96 |
References
- ^ "LL Cool J Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved January 31, 2024.
- ^ "LL Cool J Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved January 31, 2024.
- ^ "LL Cool J Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved January 31, 2024.
- ^ "LL Cool J Chart History (Hot Rap Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved January 31, 2024.
- ^ "Billboard Year-End Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks - 1998". 26 December 1998 – 2 January 1999. Retrieved 2011-09-11.