Who Is She 2 U

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

"Who Is She 2 U"
urban pop
Length
  • 4:43 (album version)
  • 3:47 (radio edit)
LabelAtlantic
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
Brandy singles chronology
"Talk About Our Love"
(2004) 		"Who Is She 2 U"
(2004) 		"Afrodisiac"
(2004)

"Who Is She 2 U" is a song by American recording artist Brandy Norwood from her fourth studio album, Afrodisiac (2004). It was written by Candice Nelson, Walter Millsap III and Timbaland, and produced by the latter. The song is built around a sample of "Instant Love" (1977) by American singer Leon Ware. Due to the inclusion of the sample, he and Jacqueline Hilliard are also credited as songwriters. Based on true events, the song describes a woman who is suspicious about her mate's awkward behavior around a seemingly unfamiliar woman. The dramatic up-tempo incorporates piano keys, flutes, chamber pop string melodies and go-go drum programming.[1]

The song was released as the album's second and final North American single in July 2004, and as its third single throughout Australia and Europe by March 2005. "Who Is She 2 U" failed to make much impact on the charts around the world, peaking at number 85 on the US

Los Angeles, California
in July 2004. It features Norwood as an all-knowing narrator, who is watching the central male character's every move throughout the city while catching him in the act with various women.

Background

In June 2002, Norwood gave birth to her daughter Sy'rai. Soon, she resumed work on her then-untitled fourth studio album with producer

demo recordings and at least four full songs until late November 2002,[6] and although Smith expected the album to drop by spring 2003 at one time or another,[3] Norwood and Big Bert ended their relationship in mid-2003, resulting in the album's delay and several personnel changes.[7][8] Norwood eventually decided to scrap most of the project, and instead enlisted producer Timbaland, with whom the couple had previously worked on Kiley Dean's Simple Girl album, as the album's main contributor.[9] Impressed by Timbaland's input, Norwood rediscovered the musical affection, she had missed on Full Moon and its technical priority.[10]

Conception

With the help of Timbaland protégés such as

audio engineering of the track.[11] Lyrically, the song's protagonist describes a confrontation with her cheating boyfriend, who "tries to two-time, three-time and even four-time his way into multiple relationships." Described as "a caught-in-the-act tale set to throwback soul" by Newsday,[12] "Who Is She 2 U" was basically written for Norwood's female audience. "It's a song I'm sure so many females have experienced," she elaborated. "And I've definitely experienced this before, just like, 'Who's that? Let me know what's going on!'"[13] She also termed the song "reminiscent of a vintage Mary J. Blige. I was expressing my innermost feelings about life, love and relationships. It was me at my most raw. He [Timbaland] really encouraged me to do my best."[14]

Release and promotion

Usher appeared on a self-recorded duet remix of "Who Is She 2 U".[15]

In late October 2003, an early version of "Who Is She 2 U" was presented along with two other Timbaland productions on Afrodisiac, "

mtv.com's The Leak in the week preceding the album's release in June 2004.[14]

"Who Is She 2 U" was officially announced as the album's second single in a press release from July 9, 2004.

Usher, who was reportedly expected to appear on the album at one time or another, re-recorded the song on his own prior to the single's release in the United States, replacing parts of Norwood's vocals for a male perspective.[18] While it received no official release nor was promoted by Atlantic, because of clearance issues concerning Usher's vocals, the unofficial duet version received some airplay, mostly on mix shows, in the US.[15]

Chart performance

First released in the United States as the second single from Afrodisiac, "Who Is She 2 U" debuted and peaked at number 85 on the US

Hot Dance Singles Sales chart.[21]

Outside North America, Who Is She 2 U" was preceded by Afrodisiac's

German Urban Chart.[24] The song also peaked at number 14 on the UK R&B Singles Chart.[25]

Music video

The music video for "Who Is She 2 U" was filmed in various locations throughout Los Angeles.[13]

The accompanying music video for "Who Is She 2 U", filmed by English director

making of episode of Access Granted on August 24, 2004.[13]

In the video, Norwood plays an all-seeing, all-knowing narrator, who gives the central male character pause with her wicked glances that let him know she is watching his every move. The pursuit starts with the singer performing the first lines of her song in the back of a cruising bus, while observing her boarding man next to a female, both discussing vehemently with each other. She is constantly moving and dancing, before the scene shifts to a scaffolding in front of a fenced building, where she performs the chorus in dusty backgrounds. The next scene shows her standing under a traffic light at a plied crossing, wearing a grey outfit and large glasses, wherefrom she enters a nearby barber shop and performs afresh in a hairdresser chair. At the same time, the camera shows her man flirting with two girls. The video ends with a backflash on all locations Norwood was seen at, also catching the daytime in front of the sinking sun.[13]

Track listings

All tracks written by Walter Millsap III, Candice Nelson, Timothy Mosley, Jacqueline Hilliard, and Leon Ware.[26]

International maxi CD single[26]
No.TitleProducer(s)Length
1."Who Is She 2 U" (Radio Edit)
3:47
2."Who Is She 2 U" (Josh Harris Old School Edit)
  • Timbaland
  • Norwood[a]
  • Josh Harris[b]
3:53
3."Who Is She 2 U" (Davidson Ospina Edit)
  • Timbaland
  • Norwood[a]
  • Davidson Ospina[b]
4:01
US maxi CD single[27]
No.TitleProducer(s)Length
1."Who Is She 2 U" (Hani Club Mix)
7:58
2."Who Is She 2 U" (Josh Harris Old School Club Mix)
6:24
3."Who Is She 2 U" (FTL Club Mix)
  • Timbaland
  • Norwood[a]
  • Jerry Santiago[b]
7:45
4."Who Is She 2 U" (E-Smoove Bump Mix)
6:38
5."Who Is She 2 U" (Johnny Budz Club Mix)
6:14
6."Who Is She 2 U" (Hani Dub)
6:10
7."Who Is She 2 U" (Sugar Dib Solo Dub)
  • Timbaland
  • Norwood[a]
  • Ean Sugarman[b]
  • Vincent di Pasquale[b]
8:12
8."Who Is She 2 U" (FTL Dub Mix)
  • Timbaland
  • Norwood[a]
  • Santiago[b]
7:14
9."Who Is She 2 U" (Josh Harris Alternative Mix)
4:30
10."Who Is She 2 U" (Pull's Passionate Mix)
  • Timbaland
  • Norwood[a]
  • Eddie Frente[b]
4:16

Notes

  • ^a denotes vocal producer
  • ^b denotes additional producer

Credits and personnel

Credits are lifted from the liner notes of Afrodisiac.[28]

Charts

Weekly chart performance for "Who Is She 2 U"
Chart (2004–2005) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[22] 99
Australian Urban (ARIA)[29] 22
Germany (Deutsche Urban Charts)[24] 7
Netherlands (Urban Top 100)[30] 61
UK Singles (OCC)[23]
 50
UK Hip Hop/R&B (OCC)[25]
 14
US Billboard Hot 100[19] 85
US Dance Singles Sales (Billboard)[21]
Remixes 		2
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[20] 43

Release history

Release dates and formats for "Who Is She 2 U"
Region Date Format(s) Label Ref.
United States July 27, 2004
  • urban contemporary radio
 Atlantic [31][32]
August 10, 2004 12-inch vinyl
[33]
October 12, 2004 12-inch vinyl (Dance Mixes)
[34]
October 19, 2004 Maxi CD
[35]
United Kingdom March 21, 2005 CD [36]
Australia April 11, 2005 Maxi CD Warner Music [37]

References

  1. ^ a b "AMG: Billboard Singles". Allmusic. Retrieved April 29, 2007.
  2. ^ Johnson, Billy (September 27, 2002). "Brandy Preparing To Begin Work On New Album". Yahoo! Music. Yahoo!. Retrieved January 18, 2007.
  3. ^ a b Reid, Shaheem (November 18, 2002). "Brandy Makes Recording Next Album A Family Affair". MTV News. Retrieved October 16, 2008.
  4. Gannett Company
    . Retrieved January 18, 2007.
  5. ^ "Talk About Our Love". Tourdates.co.uk. June 28, 2004. Archived from the original on May 25, 2012. Retrieved October 18, 2008.
  6. ^ "R&B singer Brandy working on a new album". Xpress. June 28, 2004. Retrieved October 16, 2008.[permanent dead link]
  7. ^
    Wenner Media LLC. Archived from the original
    on November 12, 2007. Retrieved October 16, 2008.
  8. ^ "Grammy-winning singer set to release her fourth album". Entertainment Weekly. June 25, 2004. Retrieved June 27, 2009.
  9. ^ "Kiley Dean's New Album". Entertainment Showcase. June 1, 2003. Archived from the original on May 25, 2012. Retrieved October 16, 2008.
  10. ^ "Brandy on Afrodisiac". ForeverBrandy. Net Music Countdown. June 1, 2004. Archived from the original on November 14, 2006. Retrieved January 18, 2007.
  11. ^ a b c Afrodisiac (liner notes). Brandy. Atlantic Records. 2004.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  12. ^ Gamboa, Glenn (June 28, 2004). "The Cure finds one in its comeback CD". Newsday. Fred Groser. Retrieved April 26, 2008.
  13. ^ a b c d e f g h i Vineyard, Jennifer; Marino, Kelly (August 6, 2004). "Brandy Scopes Out A Cheater In 'Who Is She 2 U' Video". MTV News. Retrieved January 19, 2007.
  14. ^ a b c Nathan, David; Rizik, Chris. "Brandy's Biography". SoulTracks. SoulTracks, LLC. Retrieved April 21, 2008.
  15. ^ a b "Keith Proves His Staying Power With New Track". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. June 24, 2004. Retrieved February 23, 2013.
  16. ^ "Brandy Stimulates Top of Charts as AFRODISIAC Debuts at #3". Market Wire. July 1, 2004. Retrieved March 6, 2010.
  17. ^ "Brandy (2)– Who Is She 2 U". Discogs. Retrieved February 23, 2013.
  18. ^ Reid, Shaheem (August 14, 2004). "More Duets For Usher As Beyonce, Brandy Grab The Mic". MTV News. Retrieved September 23, 2012.
  19. ^ a b c "Brandy Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved May 23, 2011.
  20. ^ a b "Brandy Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved May 5, 2011.
  21. ^ a b "Brandy Chart History (Dance Singles Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved October 10, 2021.
  22. ^ a b "Issue 790" ARIA Top 100 Singles. National Library of Australia. Retrieved October 10, 2021.
  23. ^ a b "Brandy: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved May 23, 2011.
  24. ^ a b German Black Charts. Trendcharts. Retrieved February 14, 2007.
  25. ^ a b "Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 26, 2017.
  26. ^ a b Who Is She 2 U (maxi CD single). Brandy. Atlantic Records. 2005.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  27. ^ Who Is She 2 U (maxi CD single). Brandy. Atlantic Records. 2004.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  28. ^ Afrodisiac (booklet). Brandy. Atlantic Records. 2004.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  29. ^ "Issue 792" ARIA Top 40 Urban Singles. National Library of Australia. Retrieved February 1, 2023.
  30. ^ "The Urban Chart Top 100 - Urban Top 100". urbantop100.nl. Archived from the original on June 22, 2005. Retrieved March 29, 2020.
  31. ^ "Brandy – Who Is She 2 U". Amazon. Retrieved September 22, 2012.
  32. ^ "R&R's Going for Adds: Week Of 7/26/04" (PDF). Radio & Records. July 23, 2004. p. 21. Retrieved April 21, 2022.
  33. ^ "Brandy – Who Is She 2 U [Vinyl]". United States: Amazon Music. Retrieved April 21, 2022.
  34. ^ "Brandy / Who Is She 2 U (Disc 2)". United States: Amazon Music. Retrieved April 21, 2022.
  35. ^ "Brandy – Who Is She 2 U: Dance Mixes". United States: Amazon Music. Retrieved April 21, 2022.
  36. ^ "Brandy – Who Is She 2 U". Amazon.co.uk. Retrieved September 22, 2012.
  37. ^ "The ARIA Report: New Releases Singles – Week Commencing 11th April 2005" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. April 11, 2005. p. 28. Archived from the original (PDF) on April 19, 2005. Retrieved October 10, 2021 – via Pandora archive.
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