Lighters Up (Lil' Kim song)
{{Short description|2005 song by Lil Kim}}
{{Infobox song
| name = Lighters Up
| cover = LightersUP.jpg
| alt =
| type = single
| artist = Lil' Kim
| album = The Naked Truth
| released = {{Start date|2005|8|30}}
| recorded = 2005
| studio =
| venue =
| genre = {{flatlist|
| length = 4:25
| label =
| writer = Kimberly Jones, Scott Storch, Derek Miller Sean Monty
| producer = Scott Storch
| prev_title = Sugar (Gimme Some)
| prev_year = 2005
| next_title = Whoa
| next_year = 2006
}}
"Lighters Up" is a single written and recorded by rapper Lil' Kim appearing as the first single off her fourth album, The Naked Truth. It was produced by her ex-boyfriend, record producer Scott Storch. The song has a similar tone to Damian Marley's "Welcome to Jamrock". It was released on August 30, 2005.{{Cite web|date=2005-08-28|title=:: Lil' Kim ::|url=http://images.45worlds.com/f/cs/lil-kim-lighters-up-album-version-2005-3-cs.jpg|access-date=2019-09-13}} The album was originally due to be released September 13, but was delayed until September 27 because Queen Bee Entertainment felt that sales would not hold with the single "Lighters Up". The single debuted at number 100 on the Billboard Hot 100, then quickly climbed up to number 31. The single had a moderate chart performance in the United Kingdom, peaking at number 12 on the UK Singles Chart.
In 2013, the song was voted the best Brooklyn anthem by MTV.{{cite web|author=Rap-Up |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1712882/lil-kim-jay-z-brooklyn-anthem-lighters-up.jhtml |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130826060130/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1712882/lil-kim-jay-z-brooklyn-anthem-lighters-up.jhtml |url-status=dead |archive-date=August 26, 2013 |title=Jay Z, Lil' Kim Go Head To Head In Brooklyn Anthems Poll: See Who Won! |publisher=MTV |date=2013-08-23 |accessdate=2013-10-18}}
Background
As the first single from the Naked Truth, the single did reasonably well, creating hype for the album. However, due to the late follow-up, along with little promotions, the single performed less well than previous singles by Lil' Kim. The song is about Kim cautioning people about the dangers and conditions of certain parts of Brooklyn. The video features cameo appearances by Mary J. Blige, Freddie Foxxx, her brother Chris and Maino.
There was also an official remix of the song featuring Tego Calderón. The song featured a new verse and ad-libs from Calderon, as well as a new intro from Kim, but no new verses from Kim. A limited edition CD single featuring this remix was given away with purchases of "The Naked Truth" album exclusively at Target.
The music video of the song starts with the chorus of the clean version of "Shut Up Bitch", which they say "Shut Up, Chick" instead. The video was directed by Kirk Fraser in New York City, peaked at #1 on BET 106 & Park.
Two versions of the song were released. The original, which features cities throughout the US and overseas during the hook, and another version titled "Lighters Up (Welcome To Brooklyn)", which features spots throughout Brooklyn during the hook.
Lauryn Hill wanted to feature on the song but due to label issues it never happened.{{cite web|author=Rap-Up |url=http://www.rap-up.com/2012/03/08/lil-kim-gets-in-kanye-west-mode-dishes-on-drake-and-50-cent/ |title=Lil' Kim Gets in 'Kanye West Mode,' Dishes on Drake and 50 Cent |publisher=Rap-Up |date=2012-03-08 |accessdate=2012-07-05}}
Formats and track listings
- "Lighters Up" (Radio Edit) – 3:28
- European Promo CD{{cite web|title=Lighters Up Europe CD single|url=http://www.discogs.com/Lil-Kim-Lighters-Up/release/1539268|publisher=Discogs|accessdate=2012-07-02}}
- "Lighters Up" (Explicit Version) – 4:26
- "Lighters Up" (Clean Radio Edit) – 3:28
- "My Ni*#@s" (Bonus) – 4:14
- US Promo CD
- Lighters Up (Amended) 4:06
- Lighters Up (Explicit) 4:29
- Lighters Up (Instrumental) 4:30
- Lighters Up (Welcome To Brooklyn) (Amended) 4:30
- Lighters Up (Welcome To Brooklyn) (Explicit) 4:28
- "Lighters Up" (Remix) (Radio Version) – 3:44
- "Lighters Up" (Remix) (Explicit Version) – 3:44
- "Lighters Up" (Remix) (Instrumental) – 3:39
- "Lighters Up" (Remix) (Acapella) – 3:44
- "Lighters Up" (Album Version) 4:22
- "Lighters Up" (Remix) (Radio Version) – 3:44
- "Lighters Up" (Album Version) – 4:22
- "Lighters Up" (Edit) – 3:30
- US Remix CD single{{cite web|title=Lighters Up US Remix CD single|url=http://www.discogs.com/Lil-Kim-Lighters-Up-Remix/release/2926341|publisher=Discogs|accessdate=2012-07-02}}
- "Lighters Up" (Remix) (featuring Tego Calderon) – 3:44
- "Lighters Up" (Radio Edit) (Explicit Version) – 3:28
- "Lighters Up" (Remix) (Explicit Version) – 3:44
- "Lighters Up" (Instrumental) – 3:28
- "Came Back For You" (Non Album Track) – 4:20
- Enhanced Video
Credits and personnel
Credits for "Lighters Up" are taken from the singles liner notes.{{cite web|title=Lighters Up Credits|url=http://www.discogs.com/viewimages?release=3037731|publisher=Discogs|accessdate=2012-07-02}}
=Original=
Recording
- Recorded at Hit Factory Criteria Recording Studios, Miami, FL & Sony Music Recording Studios, New York, NY
- Recorded by Wayne "The Brain" Allison and Dan The Man,
Personnel
- Vocals by Lil' Kim
- Written by K. Jones, S. Storch
- Produced by Scott Storch
- Bass and Guitar by Aaron Fishbein
- Mixed by Glen Marchese
=Remix=
Recording
- Recorded at Hit Factory Criteria Recording Studios, Miami, FL & Sony Music Recording Studios, New York, NY
- Recorded by Dan The Man
- Additional Recording at Circle House Studios, Miami, FL by Dominigo Ramon
Personnel
- Vocals by Lil' Kim, Tego Calderon
- Written by K. Jones, S. Storch, V. Carraway, T. Calderon
- Percussion by Ahmir "Questlove" Thompson
- Bass and Guitar by Aaron Fishbein
- Mixed by Glen Marchese
- Additional mixing by Dan The Man
Charts
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
=Weekly charts=
| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" |
| scope="col"| Chart (2005)
! scope="col"| Peak |
|---|
| {{single chart|Finland|4|artist=Lil' Kim|song=Lighters Up|rowheader=true|accessdate=October 18, 2019|refname= }} |
| {{single chart|Germany|22|artist=Lil' Kim|song=Lighters Up|rowheader=true|accessdate=October 18, 2019|songid=147821|refname= }} |
| {{single chart|Ireland3|44|artist=Lil' Kim|rowheader=true|accessdate=February 11, 2020}} |
| {{single chart|Scotland|22|date=20051113|rowheader=true|accessdate=February 11, 2020}} |
| {{single chart|Sweden|51|artist=Lil' Kim|song=Lighters Up|rowheader=true|accessdate=October 18, 2019|refname= }} |
| {{single chart|UKsinglesbyname|12|artist=Lil' Kim|artistid=2412|rowheader=true|accessdate=October 18, 2019|refname=uk}} |
| {{single chart|UKrandb|3|date=20051113|rowheader=true|accessdate=February 11, 2020}} |
| {{single chart|Billboardhot100|31|artist=Lil Kim|rowheader=true|accessdate=October 18, 2019}} |
| {{single chart|Billboardrandbhiphop|9|artist=Lil Kim|rowheader=true|accessdate=October 18, 2019}} |
| {{single chart|Billboardrapsongs|8|artist=Lil Kim|rowheader=true|accessdate=October 18, 2019}} |
| {{single chart|Billboardrhythmic|23|artist=Lil Kim|rowheader=true|accessdate=February 11, 2020}} |
{{col-2}}
=Year-end charts=
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" |
| scope="col"| Chart (2005)
! scope="col"| Position |
|---|
| scope="row"|UK Urban (Music Week){{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/2006/Music-Week-2006-01-14.pdf |title=2005 Urban Top 40|magazine=Music Week|page=22|date=January 14, 2006|access-date=August 5, 2023}}
|28 |
| scope="row"| US R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard){{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2005/hot-r-b-hip-hop-songs?page=6 |title=Year End 2005 – R&B/Hip-Hop Songs |magazine=Billboard |date= |accessdate=May 8, 2014}}
|69 |
{{col-end}}
References
{{Reflist}}
{{Lil' Kim}}
{{Tego Calderón}}
{{authority control}}
Category:Songs about New York City
Category:Song recordings produced by Scott Storch
Category:Songs written by Lil' Kim