Ex-Factor

"Ex-Factor" was written and produced by Lauryn Hill. It features replayed elements of "Can It Be All So Simple" by Wu-Tang Clan,{{cite AV media notes|last=Hill|first=Lauryn|title=The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill|year=1998|publisher=Ruffhouse Records, Columbia Records|type=CD|id=CK 69035}} which itself samples Gladys Knight & the Pips' cover of Barbra Streisand's "The Way We Were", written by Alan and Marilyn Bergman and Marvin Hamlisch. Consequently, Wu-Tang Clan, the Bergmans, and Hamlisch are also credited as songwriters of "Ex-Factor".{{efn|Original liner notes of The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill credit solely Hill. Songwriters of sampled recordings would later be credited on the album's digital editions.{{cite web|url=https://open.spotify.com/track/2VjXGuPVVxyhMgER3Uz2Fe?si=az7nRA_zTTSwEcIN7brK2Q|title=Ex-Factor|publisher=Ruffhouse Records, Columbia Records|accessdate=January 27, 2025|via=Spotify}}}}

"Ex-Factor" is a soul number which serves as a painful dissection of a failing relationship.{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/the-miseducation-of-lauryn-hill-mw0000034642|title=The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill – Lauryn Hill|last=Bush|first=John|work=AllMusic|access-date=June 6, 2011|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110704031615/http://www.allmusic.com/album/the-miseducation-of-lauryn-hill-r373833|archive-date=July 4, 2011}}{{cite journal|last=Mulvey|first=John|url=https://www.nme.com/reviews/reviews/19980823142329reviews.html|title=Lauryn Hill – The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill|journal=NME|date=September 23, 1998|access-date=July 12, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000817194854/http://www.nme.com/reviews/reviews/19980823142329reviews.html|archive-date=August 17, 2000}} The accompaniment is driven by two-chord progressions all throughout its melodic variations. Its refrain contains soaring harmonies.{{cite web|url=http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/record-reviews/h/hill_lauryn/miseducation-of.shtml|title=Lauryn Hill: The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill|last=Lieberman|first=Neil|work=Pitchfork|access-date=April 24, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030219043757/http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/record-reviews/h/hill_lauryn/miseducation-of.shtml|archive-date=February 19, 2003|url-status=dead}}

"Ex-Factor", although not as successful as Hill's previous single "Doo Wop (That Thing)", still entered several international charts. It spent 22 weeks on the US Billboard Hot 100, peaking at number 21 on the chart dated April 10, 1999. The song peaked atop the US R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay.{{Cite magazine|title=Lauryn Hill|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/lauryn-hill/chart-history/rbm/|access-date=April 12, 2021|magazine=Billboard}} It also charted on the US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, spending 31 weeks and peaking at number seven on March 13, 1999. It reached number four on the UK Singles Chart and spent 16 weeks on the chart, remaining Hill's biggest hit in the United Kingdom to date.

Over the years, the song has been sampled in rapper Lil B's "Money Over Suckas" (2012), singer Kehlani's "Till the Morning" (2014), and Omarion's "Show Me" (2014) featuring Jeremih. In 2018, "Ex-Factor" gained renewed interest when Drake sampled it on his chart topping single "Nice for What". Cardi B also interpolated the song's lyrics for her single "Be Careful", which reached number one on the Billboard Rhythmic Songs chart, that same year.{{Cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/hip-hop/8297506/drake-nice-for-what-lauryn-hill-ex-factor-samples-kehlani-cardi-b |title=The 'Ex-Factor': How Drake, Cardi B & More Sampled Lauryn Hill's 'Miseducation' Single |last=Peters |first=Mitchell |date=April 7, 2018 |magazine=Billboard |access-date=April 8, 2018}}

The song has been performed in live covers by artists including Kelly Clarkson,{{Cite magazine|title=Watch Kelly Clarkson Mash-Up Post Malone, Lauryn Hill and Cardi B|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/8501839/kelly-clarkson-mash-up-post-malone-lauryn-hill-cardi-b-watch/|access-date=April 14, 2021|magazine=Billboard|language=en}} John Legend,{{Cite web|title=When Adam Lambert paid tribute to George Michael with a flawless cover of 'Faith'|url=https://www.smoothradio.com/artists/adam-lambert/faith-george-michael-video-2016/|access-date=April 14, 2021|website=Smooth|language=en}} and H.E.R.{{Citation|title=H.E.R. - Ex Factor (Lauryn Hill Cover) - Lollapalooza Chicago 2019| date=August 2, 2019 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WItBrQmthBY|language=en|access-date=April 14, 2021}} Beyoncé has frequently included the song in her concert setlists, particularly during her On the Run II Tour.{{Cite web |date=July 29, 2014 |title=Beyonce Covers Lauryn Hill's "Ex-Factor" Live In New Orleans |url=https://www.okayplayer.com/news/beyonce-covers-lauryn-hill-ex-factor-live-video.html |access-date=April 12, 2021 |website=Okayplayer |language=en-US}} Comedian Dave Chappelle criticized the music industry's handling of Hill's catalog, expressing disappointment that Hill herself could not legally perform in the same arrangement as Beyoncé’s version.{{Cite news |last=Haglund |first=David |date=2014-11-18 |title=Dave Chappelle Talks About Buying Weed From Idris Elba and Guest-Starring on Every TV Show |url=https://slate.com/culture/2014/11/dave-chappelle-interview-in-gq-comedians-talks-about-kanye-west-idris-elba-beyonce-and-more.html |access-date=2025-05-26 |work=Slate |language=en-US |issn=1091-2339}} Hill publicly praised the singer's rendition in a Twitter post.

A stripped down rendition of the song was featured in a medley performed by Justin Timberlake's background vocalists, during his 2018 The Man of the Woods Tour.{{cite web |title=Justin Timberlake Shines in Arena Performance |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/justin-timberlake-may-feel-at-home-in-the-woods-but-the-arena-is-where-he-shines/2018/03/19/6a394bae-2b8e-11e8-8ad6-fbc50284fce8_story.html |access-date=May 14, 2025 |website=The Washington Post}}

Filmmaker Gina Prince-Bythewood has stated that she listened to "Ex-Factor" when writing the climax of Love & Basketball (2000) and also cited it as an inspiration for her film The Woman King (2022).{{cite web |date=October 8, 2022 |title=The Treat: Gina Prince-Bythewood on “Ex-Factor” |url=https://www.kcrw.com/culture/shows/the-treatment/jon-hamm-brett-morgen-and-director-gina-prince-bythewood-on-the-song-thats-always-on-her-writing-playlist/gina-prince-bythewood-woman-king-lauryn-hill-ex-factor |access-date=May 14, 2025 |website=KCRW}} Actor Jonathan Majors used the song in his character preparation playlist for his portrayal of Kang the Conqueror in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania (2023).{{cite web |title=Jonathan Majors on Playing Kang |url=https://www.marvel.com/articles/movies/ant-man-and-the-wasp-quantumania-jonathan-majors-kang |access-date=May 14, 2025 |website=Marvel}} Hailee Steinfeld and Michael B. Jordan also used the song to build the emotional development of their characters in Sinners (2025),{{cite web |date=April 19, 2025 |title=Michael B. Jordan had 2 songs 'on repeat' during Sinners scenes |url=https://www.today.com/today/amp/rcna201773 |access-date=May 14, 2025 |website=Today}} with the film's director Ryan Coogler praising the song as one of his favorites.{{Cite news |last=Hasan |first=Sadiba |date=2025-05-05 |title=Met Gala 2025 Highlights: Kamala Harris Returns (Sort of) and Rihanna Is Fashionably Late (With News) |url=https://www.nytimes.com/live/2025/05/05/style/met-gala-2025-live-updates#before-the-big-party-a-weekend-of-star-packed-festivities |access-date=2025-05-26 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}} In an interview with Nardwuar, Timothée Chalamet praised a 2023 live performance of the song as "one of the most beautiful things [he'd] ever seen".{{cite web |title=Timothée Chalamet praises Lauryn Hill performance |url=https://hiphophero.com/timothee-chalamet-hip-hop-album-floored/ |access-date=May 14, 2025 |website=HipHopHero}} Actor Jussie Smollett said that he performed the song during his audition for the television series Empire.{{cite web |title=Jussie Smollett on Getting Cast in Empire |url=https://collider.com/empire-jussie-smollett-interview/ |access-date=May 14, 2025 |website=Collider}}

The song has been selected for numerous curated playlists. In a 2009 appearance on BBC Radio 2's Tracks of My Years, Beyoncé selected "Ex-Factor" as one of her all-time favorite songs, describing it as "so passionate" and "infectious", adding "I could listen to it over and over again".{{Cite web |title=Tracks of My Years - Beyoncé |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00nfgp3 |website=BBC Radio}} Adele also included the song at the top of her ITunes playlist, writing, "I love the lyrics in this song, and I think her voice is incredible! The Miseducation album is my favourite album ever".{{Cite web |title=Adele ITunes playlist |url=https://itunes.apple.com/gb/playlist/adele/id279357097 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121009041326/https://itunes.apple.com/gb/playlist/adele/id279357097 |archive-date=October 9, 2012 |website=Itunes}}

Christina Aguilera included it in her Women's History Month playlist honoring female artists.{{cite web |title=Christina Aguilera Shares Women’s History Month Playlist |url=https://www.billboard.com/culture/pride/christina-aguilera-womens-history-month-playlist-8275839/ |access-date=May 14, 2025 |website=Billboard}} Jay-Z named it as one of the songs that inspired his 2017 album 4:44.{{cite web |date=June 30, 2017 |title=Songs That Inspired Jay-Z’s 4:44 Album |url=https://www.xxlmag.com/songs-that-inspired-jay-z-444-album/ |access-date=May 14, 2025 |website=XXL}} Khalid included "Ex-Factor" in a playlist for Billboard highlighting Black music innovators who influenced his career.{{Cite web |last=Gracie |first=Bianca |date=2019-06-04 |title=Black Music Innovators: Khalid Shares a Playlist Of Artists That Inspire Him |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/pop/khalid-playlist-black-music-month-innovators-8514374/ |access-date=2025-05-26 |website=Billboard |language=en-US}} Alicia Keys selected the song for her Teen Vogue "Playlist of My Life", describing it as a formative influence and commented "Ex-Factor has super, super good memories for me… I feel like Lauryn really was a mentor to me, and a woman who was just in her power".{{cite web |title=Playlist of My Life: Alicia Keys |url=https://www.teenvogue.com/video/watch/playlist-of-my-life-alicia-keys-creates-the-playlist-of-her-life |access-date=May 14, 2025 |website=Teen Vogue}} Rapper Tierra Whack recalled hearing "Ex-Factor" in her youth and being introduced to the word "reciprocity".{{Cite web |last=Ani |first=Ivie |date=2020-03-10 |title=How Tierra Whack Is Stepping Into Rap Greatness |url=https://www.teenvogue.com/story/tierra-whack-march-2020 |access-date=2025-05-26 |website=Teen Vogue |language=en-US}}

Chika, Brent Faiyaz, American skateboarderBeatrice Domond, and model Kendall Jenner have each included the track in personal playlists or cited it as a favorite.{{cite web |title=Offerings: Beatrice Domond |url=https://blog.slamcity.com/offerings-beatrice-domond/amp/ |access-date=May 14, 2025 |website=Slam City Skates}}{{cite web |title=CHIKA’s “Add to Queue” Playlist |url=https://www.interviewmagazine.com/music/chika-industry-games-add-to-queue |access-date=May 14, 2025 |website=Interview Magazine}}{{cite web |title=Brent Faiyaz Playlist Interview |url=https://www.interviewmagazine.com/music/brent-faiyaz-is-listening-to-sade-2pac-and-his-song-with-tyler-the-creator |access-date=May 14, 2025 |website=Interview Magazine}}{{cite web |title=Kendall Jenner Shares Guilty Pleasure Playlist |url=https://www.teenvogue.com/story/kendall-jenner-guilty-pleasure-playlist |access-date=May 14, 2025 |website=Teen Vogue}} It also appeared in an Apple Music commercial starring Mary J. Blige, Taraji P. Henson, and Kerry Washington, where Washington selected the song as her go-to heartbreak anthem.{{cite web |date=February 2016 |title=Kerry Washington Picks “Ex-Factor” in Apple Music Ad |url=https://www.elle.com/culture/celebrities/news/a34131/kerry-washington-mary-j-blige-taraji-p-henson-apple-music-commercial/ |access-date=May 14, 2025 |website=Elle}}

In 2018, Hill collaborated with American clothing brand Woolrich on a capsule collection. Hill was featured in a promotional video performing "Ex-Factor" at the Apollo Theater while wearing outerwear printed with her image.{{Cite web |date=2018-07-30 |title=Lauryn Hill Sings Your Favorite Breakup Song in Her Woolrich Ad Campaign |url=https://www.elle.com/fashion/a22592606/woolrich-lauryn-hill-miseducation-of-lauryn-hill-anniversary/ |access-date=2025-05-26 |website=ELLE |language=en-US}} She also performed "Ex-Factor" during the Louis Vuitton Spring-Summer 2021 menswear show. The song was included in a set that was pre-recorded and directed by Naima Ramos-Chapman.{{Cite web |last=Kaufman |first=Gil |date=2020-08-24 |title=Watch Lauryn Hill Perform a Six-Pack of Songs at Louis Vuitton Menswear Show |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/lauryn-hill-louis-vuitton-performance-video-9438903/ |access-date=2025-05-26 |website=Billboard |language=en-US}}

In 2021, make-up artist AJ Crimson launched a lipstick line inspired by the 1990s, and named one of the deepest brown shades after "Ex-Factor". In an interview with Essence, Crimson credited Lauryn Hill with popularizing rich brown lipstick, calling her a "trendsetter" who made the shade "sexy, neutral and empowering".{{Cite web |date=2021-10-01 |title=AJ Crimson Creates '90s-Inspired Lipsticks That Are A Serious Dose Of Nostalgia |url=https://www.essence.com/beauty/aj-crimson-90s-lipsticks/ |access-date=2025-05-26 |website=Essence |language=en-US}}

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• US 7-inch single{{cite AV media notes|title=Ex-Factor|others=Lauryn Hill|year=1998|type=US 7-inch single vinyl disc|publisher=Ruffhouse Records, Columbia Records|id=38 79077}}

:A. "Ex-Factor" (radio edit) – 4:38

:B. "When It Hurts So Bad" (album version) – 5:42

• UK CD1{{cite AV media notes|title=Ex-Factor|others=Lauryn Hill|year=1999|type=UK CD1 liner notes|publisher=Ruffhouse Records, Columbia Records|id=666945 2}}

1. "Ex-Factor" (album version) – 5:27
2. "Ex-Factor" (Part II remix) – 4:38
3. "Ex-Factor" (A Simple Mix) – 4:37

• UK CD2{{cite AV media notes|title=Ex-Factor|others=Lauryn Hill|year=1999|type=UK CD2 liner notes|publisher=Ruffhouse Records, Columbia Records|id=666945 5}}

1. "Ex-Factor" (radio edit) – 4:38
2. "Ex-Factor" (A Simple Breakdown) – 4:10
3. "Lost Ones" (remix) – 4:17

• UK cassette single{{cite AV media notes|title=Ex-Factor|others=Lauryn Hill|year=1999|type=UK cassette single sleeve|publisher=Ruffhouse Records, Columbia Records|id=666945 4}}

1. "Ex-Factor"
2. "Can't Take My Eyes Off You"

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• European CD1{{cite AV media notes|title=Ex-Factor|others=Lauryn Hill|year=1999|type=European CD1 liner notes|publisher=Ruffhouse Records, Columbia Records|id=COL 666797 1}}

1. "Ex-Factor" (radio edit) – 4:38
2. "Ex-Factor" (A Simple Mix) – 4:37

• European CD2{{cite AV media notes|title=Ex-Factor|others=Lauryn Hill|year=1999|type=European CD2 liner notes|publisher=Ruffhouse Records, Columbia Records|id=COL 666797 2}}

1. "Ex-Factor" (radio edit) – 4:38
2. "Ex-Factor" (A Simple Breakdown) – 4:10
3. "Lost Ones" – 4:17
4. "Ex-Factor" (A Simple Mix) – 4:37

• Japanese CD single{{cite AV media notes|title=Ex-Factor|others=Lauryn Hill|year=1999|type=Japanese CD single liner notes|publisher=Ruffhouse Records, Columbia Records|id=SRCS 8805}}

1. "Ex-Factor"
2. "Ex-Factor" (remix)
3. "Lost Ones" (remix)

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Credits are adapted from The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill liner notes.

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• Leads and background vocals: Lauryn Hill
• Additional background: Chuck Young
• Bass: Paul Fakhourie
• Piano: Tejumold Newton
• Wurlitzer, organ and rhodes: James Poyser
• Percussion: Rudy Byrd
• Guitar: Johari Newton
• Drum programming by Vada Nobles

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• Recorded by Commissioner Gordon
• Mixed by Commissioner Gordon
• Assistant recording engineer: Chip Verspyck
• Assistant mix engineer: Greg Thompson
• Recorded at RPM Studios, (NYC), Marley Music, Inc. (Kingston, Jamaica) and Chung King Studios (NYC)
• Mixed at Hit Factory Studios and Chung King Studios (NYC)

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{{Certification Table Top|caption=Certifications and sales for "Ex-Factor"}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=New Zealand|type=single|artist=Lauryn Hill|title=Ex Factor|award=Platinum|number=2|relyear=1999|certyear=2024|source=radioscope|access-date=April 3, 2025}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|type=single|artist=Lauryn Hill|title=Ex-Factor|award=Platinum|relyear=1999|certyear=2023|id=13341-1612-1|access-date=November 3, 2023}}

{{Certification Table Bottom|noshipments=true|nosales=true|streaming=true}}

{{notelist}}

{{Reflist}}

• {{YouTube|cE-bnWqLqxE|Official music video}}

{{Lauryn Hill}}

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Category:1990s ballads

Category:1998 singles

Category:Contemporary R&B ballads

Category:Holly Miranda songs

Category:Lauryn Hill songs

Category:Song recordings produced by Lauryn Hill

Category:Songs about heartache

Category:Songs written by Lauryn Hill

Category:Soul ballads

Category:Ruffhouse Records singles

Category:Columbia Records singles

Category:Breakup songs