If I Had No Loot
{{Short description|1993 single by Tony! Toni! Toné!}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Infobox song
| name = If I Had No Loot
| cover = Tony Toni Toné If I Had No Loot cassette single US.jpg
| alt =
| caption = US retail cassette single
| type = single
| artist = Tony! Toni! Toné!
| album = Sons of Soul
| released = {{Start date|1993|06|01}}
| recorded = 1993
| studio =
| venue =
| genre = New jack swing{{cite news|first= Connie |last= Johnson |title= Hot new directions for BBD |date= July 9, 1993 |newspaper= The Gainesville Sun |url= https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1320&dat=19930709&id=eBdZAAAAIBAJ&sjid=ZOoDAAAAIBAJ&pg=2407,2763020 |accessdate= August 3, 2016}}
| length = {{Duration|m=4|s=01}}
| label =
| writer =
- Juan Bautista
- Will Harris
- Raphael Wiggins
- Steve Cropper
- Eddie Floyd
- Ice Cube
- Anthony Wheaton
| producer = Tony! Toni! Toné!
| prev_title = Me and You
| prev_year = 1991
| next_title = Anniversary
| next_year = 1993
| misc =
}}
"If I Had No Loot" is a song by American R&B group Tony! Toni! Toné! It was released on June 1, 1993, by PolyGram and Wing Records, as the lead single from their third album, Sons of Soul (1993). The song was produced by Tony! Toni! Toné! and co-written by group member Raphael Wiggins, who said that it is about fair-weather friends. It has a new jack swing beat, pronounced guitar licks, and vocal samples from Boogie Down Productions' 1987 song "Remix for P Is Free" and Ice Cube's 1991 song "The Wrong Nigga to Fuck Wit".
The song became a hit for the group,{{cite book|last1=Lazerine|first1=Cameron|last2=Lazerine|first2=Devin|title=Rap-Up: The Ultimate Guide to Hip-Hop and R&B|publisher=Hachette Digital|year=2008|isbn=978-0-446-17820-4|page=[https://archive.org/details/rapupultimategui00laze/page/217 217]|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/rapupultimategui00laze/page/217}} peaking at number seven on the US Billboard Hot 100. It was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and sold 500,000 copies in the United States. "If I Had No Loot" was named the tenth best single of 1993 by The Village Voice{{'}}s annual Pazz & Jop critics' poll.
Background
File:Saadiq-IMG 6191.jpg (pictured in 2011).]]
"If I Had No Loot" was recorded for the group's third album, Sons of Soul, which was recorded and released in 1993.{{cite news|last=Punter|first=Jennie|date=November 25, 1993|url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/thestar/access/519073861.html?FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Nov+25%2C+1993&author=Jennie+Punter+Special+to+The+Star&pub=Toronto+Star&desc=Tony+Toni+Tone+runs+on+vintage+%2770s+rhythm+R+%26+B+inspired+trio+opens+for+Janet+Jackson+under+the+%27Dome&pqatl=google|title=Tony Toni Tone runs on vintage '70s rhythm R & B inspired trio opens for Janet Jackson under the 'Dome|newspaper=Toronto Star|at=Entertainment section, p. WO.4|location=Toronto|accessdate=April 28, 2012}}{{dead link|date=July 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} The song was produced by Tony! Toni! Toné! and written by group member Raphael Wiggins, Juan Bautista, and Will Harris.{{cite AV media notes|title=Sons of Soul|others=Tony! Toni! Toné!|year=1993|type=CD liner|publisher=Wing Records, Polygram|id=314 514 933-2}} Session musician John "Jubu" Smith played a Fender Telecaster on the song.{{cite journal|title=Soul Cooking|journal=Musician|date=November 1993|pages=76–78|issue=181}}
Music and lyrics
{{Listen
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| filename = Tony Toni Tone - If I Had No Loot.ogg
| title = "If I Had No Loot"
| pos = left
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}}
"If I Had No Loot" incorporates a new jack swing beat,{{cite news|last=Zucker|first=Laura|date=November 5, 1993 |title=From Tonies to Townies – Hot Soul Stars Tony! Toni! Tone! Warm Up for a National Tour in Their Hometown|newspaper=The Sacramento Bee|page=TK14|url=http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=SB&p_theme=sb&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EB0DA7AA655A00D&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM|accessdate=July 24, 2011}} pronounced guitar licks,{{cite news|last=Sculley |first=Alan |date=January 14, 1994 |url=https://www.dailypress.com/1994/01/14/tony-toni-tone-revives-sounds-of-soul/ |title=Tony! Toni! Tone! Revives Sounds of Soul |newspaper=Daily Press |location=Virginia |access-date=April 10, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150518102313/http://articles.dailypress.com/1994-01-14/features/9401140125_1_raphael-wiggins-soul-wilson-pickett |archive-date=May 18, 2015 |url-status=live }} and a tempo of 108 beats per minute.{{cite book|last=Brusca|first=Donny|title=BPM List 2006: Main Edition|publisher=Lulu.com|year=2006|isbn=1-84728-860-X|page=511}} It has 1960s Stax southern soul influences.{{cite web|url=http://www.cduniverse.com/search/xx/music/artist/The+Fat+Lip+Horns/a/albums.htm |title=The Fat Lip Horns Discography and Music |publisher=CD Universe. Muze |access-date=August 17, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150519003858/http://www.cduniverse.com/search/xx/music/artist/The+Fat+Lip+Horns/a/albums.htm |archive-date=May 19, 2015 |url-status=live }} The song also contains vocal samples from hip hop songs, including the "da-da-da-day" chant from Boogie Down Productions' 1987 song "Remix for P Is Free" and the line "and you can new jack swing on my nuts!" from Ice Cube's 1991 song "The Wrong Nigga to Fuck Wit".{{cite journal|last=Aaron|first=Charles|date=October 1993|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fsi_VCMy0tQC&pg=PA108|title=Singles|journal=Spin|location=New York|volume=9|issue=7|page=108|accessdate=April 10, 2012|author-link=Charles Aaron}} According to Raphael Wiggins, the song is about "fair-weather friends" and "people who come around you for fraudulent reasons". Newsday found its theme similar to the O'Jays' 1972 song "Back Stabbers".{{cite news|last1=Bailey|first1=Tamisha|last2=Sommerlatte|first2=William|last3=Adams|first3=Lischele|date=November 21, 1993|url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/newsday/access/103161097.html?dids=103161097:103161097&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Nov+21%2C+1993&author=By+Tamisha+Bailey%2C+William+Sommerlatte+and+Lischele+Adams&pub=Newsday+(Combined+editions)&desc=KIDSDAY+TALKING+WITH+Tony+Toni+Tone&pqatl=google|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130131192504/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/newsday/access/103161097.html?dids=103161097:103161097&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Nov+21,+1993&author=By+Tamisha+Bailey,+William+Sommerlatte+and+Lischele+Adams&pub=Newsday+(Combined+editions)&desc=KIDSDAY+TALKING+WITH+Tony+Toni+Tone&pqatl=google|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 31, 2013|title=Kidsday Talking with Tony Toni Tone|newspaper=Newsday|at=Part II section, p. 1|location=Melville|accessdate=May 4, 2012}}
Commercial performance
"If I Had No Loot" was released by Polygram and Wing Records on June 1, 1993,{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/if-i-had-no-loot-cassette-single-mw0000619574/releases |title=If I Had No Loot - Tony! Toni! Toné! : Releases |publisher=AllMusic |access-date=January 27, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220606092503/https://www.allmusic.com/album/if-i-had-no-loot-cassette-single-mw0000619574/releases |archive-date=June 6, 2022 |url-status=live }} as the lead single from Sons of Soul (1993) and received frequent radio airplay.{{cite news|date=July 6, 1993|url=http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=ST&s_site=dfw&p_multi=ST&p_theme=realcities&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EAF8F0CEAE3C50C&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM|title=Tony Toni Tone On 'Sons of Soul' the three T's please with ease|newspaper=Fort Worth Star-Telegram|accessdate=May 3, 2012}} Its music video received heavy rotation on MTV and BET.{{cite journal|title=Tony! Toni! Tone!|journal=Keyboard|year=1993|volume=19|issue=7|page=16}}{{cite magazine|date=July 10, 1993|title=Video Monitor|magazine=Billboard|volume=105|issue=28|page=32|location=New York|accessdate=June 24, 2011|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=CxAEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA32}} The single reached number seven on the US Billboard Hot 100, on which it charted for 21 weeks.{{cite magazine|url={{BillboardURLbyName|artist=tony! toni! toné!|chart=all}}|title=If I Had No Loot – Tony! Toni! Toné!|magazine=Billboard|publisher=Prometheus Global Media|accessdate=April 27, 2012}} It reached its peak position on August 7, 1993. On August 11, the single was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA);{{cite web|url=https://www.riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?resultpage=resultpage=1&table=SEARCH_RESULTS&action=&title=&artist=Tony!%20Toni!%20Tone!&format=&debutLP=&category=&sex=&releaseDate=&requestNo=&type=&level=&label=&company=&certificationDate=&awardDescription=&catalogNo=&aSex=&rec_id=&charField=&gold=&platinum=&multiPlat=&level2=&certDate=&album=&id=&after=&before=&startMonth=1&endMonth=1&startYear=1958&endYear=2008&sort=Artist&perPage=25#|title=Searchable Database|publisher=Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA)|at=If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Album, then click SEARCH|accessdate=April 11, 2012}} it sold 500,000 copies domestically.{{cite magazine |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=FwgEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA73 |title=Best-Selling Records of 1993 |magazine=Billboard|publisher=BPI Communications|date=January 15, 1994 |accessdate=May 4, 2015 |page=73 |issn=0006-2510|volume=106|number=3}}
In Canada, "If I Had No Loot" reached number 17 on the RPM Top 100 Singles,{{cite journal|url=http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/rpm/028020-119.01-e.php?&file_num=nlc008388.2235&type=1&interval=20&PHPSESSID=m89iq841abagb37ld9c0fdc1f3|title=Top Singles|journal=RPM|location=Toronto|volume=58|issue=9|date=September 11, 1993|access-date=April 22, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160302073203/http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/rpm/028020-119.01-e.php?&file_num=nlc008388.2235&type=1&interval=20&PHPSESSID=m89iq841abagb37ld9c0fdc1f3|archive-date=March 2, 2016|url-status=live}} on which it charted for 16 weeks.{{cite journal|url=http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/rpm/028020-119.01-e.php?&file_num=nlc008388.2291&type=1&interval=20&PHPSESSID=m89iq841abagb37ld9c0fdc1f3|title=Top Singles|journal=RPM|location=Toronto|volume=58|issue=17|date=November 6, 1993|access-date=April 22, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160302083511/http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/rpm/028020-119.01-e.php?&file_num=nlc008388.2291&type=1&interval=20&PHPSESSID=m89iq841abagb37ld9c0fdc1f3|archive-date=March 2, 2016|url-status=live}} It charted for 16 weeks and peaked at number eight in New Zealand.{{cite web|url=https://charts.nz/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Tony%21+Toni%21+Ton%E9%21 |title=Discography Tony! Toni! Toné! |publisher=charts.nz. Hung Medien |accessdate=April 24, 2012 }} In Australia, the single reached number 12, spent 22 weeks in the top 100, and was certified gold.{{cite web|url=http://i.imgur.com/Unt8k3f.jpg|title=The ARIA Australian Top 100 Singles Chart - Week Ending 30 Jan 1994|publisher=ARIA|accessdate=February 18, 2016}}
Critical reception
Charles Aaron of Spin viewed the song as one of the group's best and called it "a splashy tour of 20th century American dance music—from jumpin' jazz to urban blues to '70s funk to hip hop." Aaron found the Ice Cube sample "irrepressible", but felt that the hook is instead "how Dwayne Wiggins's swingin', bluesy guitar becomes its own break-beat. Meet the Meters of the '90s, straight up. The Brand New Heavies aren't even close." Robert Christgau of The Village Voice cited "If I Had No Loot" as a highlight on Sons of Soul.{{cite news|last=Christgau |first=Robert |author-link=Robert Christgau |date=October 19, 1993 |url=http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/cg/cgv1093-93.php |title=Consumer Guide |newspaper=The Village Voice |location=New York |access-date=April 11, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121026045726/http://robertchristgau.com/xg/cg/cgv1093-93.php |archive-date=October 26, 2012 |url-status=live }} The song was voted number 10 on The Village Voice{{'}}s annual Pazz & Jop critics' poll for 1993.{{cite news|url=http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/pnj/pjres93.php |title=The 1993 Pazz & Jop Critics Poll |newspaper=The Village Voice |location=New York |date=March 1, 1994 |page=5 |access-date=April 11, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120904140646/http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/pnj/pjres93.php |archive-date=September 4, 2012 |url-status=live }} Music journalist Michaelangelo Matos ranked "If I Had No Loot" number 68 on his list of Top 100 Singles of the 1990s.{{cite web|last=Matos |first=Michaelangelo |date=July 16, 2001 |url=http://web.pitas.com/spongiex/16_07_2001.html |title=Top 100 Singles of the 1990s |publisher=Pitas.com |access-date=April 22, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120413162638/http://web.pitas.com/spongiex/16_07_2001.html |archive-date=April 13, 2012 |url-status=live }}
Personnel
Credits adapted from 12-inch single release.{{cite AV media notes|title=If I Had No Loot|date=1993|others=Tony! Toni! Toné!|publisher=Wing Records|id=859 057-1|type=12" vinyl}}
- Tony! Toni! Toné! – producer
- Gerry Brown – mixing
- Ed Eckstine – executive producer
- Raphael Wiggins – co-executive producer
Charts
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
= Weekly charts =
{{col-2}}
= Year-end charts =
= Decade-end charts =
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" |
| scope="col"|Chart (1990–1999)
!scope="col"|Position |
|---|
| scope="row"|Canada (Nielsen SoundScan){{cite web|url=http://www.jamshowbiz.com/JamMusicCharts/100_1990.html|title=Top 100 singles of the 1990s|last=Lwin|first=Nanda|publisher=Jam!|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000829070927/http://www.jamshowbiz.com/JamMusicCharts/100_1990.html|archive-date=August 29, 2000|access-date=March 26, 2022}}
|align="center"|72 |
{{col-end}}
Release history
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
!scope="col"|Region !scope="col"|Date !scope="col"|Format(s) !scope="col"|Label(s) !scope="col"|{{abbr|Ref.|Reference}} |
| scope="row"|United States
|June 1, 1993 |{{hlist|7-inch vinyl|12-inch vinyl|cassette}} |{{citation needed|date=November 2022}} |
|---|
| scope="row"|Japan
|July 7, 1993 |Mini-CD |rowspan="2"|Polydor |{{cite web|url=https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/113825/products/204680/1/|title=イフ・アイ・ハド・ノー・ルート {{!}} トニー・トニー・トニー|trans-title=If I Had No Loot {{!}} Tony Toni Toné|publisher=Oricon|language=ja|access-date=September 16, 2023}} |
| scope="row"|United Kingdom
|August 23, 1993 |{{hlist|7-inch vinyl|12-inch vinyl|CD}} |{{cite magazine|title=Single Releases|magazine=Music Week|page=23|date=August 21, 1993}} |
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{Discogs master|type=single|146563|name=If I Had No Loot}}
- [https://www.whosampled.com/Tony!-Toni!-Toné!/If-I-Had-No-Loot/ "If I Had No Loot"] at WhoSampled (list of sampling connections)
{{Tony! Toni! Toné!}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:Music videos directed by Sanji (director)
Category:Number-one singles in Canada
Category:Polydor Records singles
Category:Songs written by Eddie Floyd
Category:Songs written by Ice Cube
Category:Songs written by Raphael Saadiq
Category:Songs written by Steve Cropper