Steelo
{{Infobox song
| name = Steelo
| cover = 702SteeloSingle.jpg
| alt =
| type = single
| artist = 702 featuring Missy Elliott
| album = No Doubt
| released = August 27, 1996
| recorded = May 1996
| studio = The Record Plant (Los Angeles)
| venue =
| genre = {{flatlist|
| length = 4:17
| label = Biv 10 Records
| writer = {{flatlist|
- Chad Elliott
- Melissa Elliott
- George Pearson
- Gordon Sumner}}
| producer = {{flatlist|
- Chad "Dr. Ceuss" Elliott
- George Pearson}}
| chronology = 702
| prev_title = This Lil' Game We Play
| prev_year = 1994
| next_title = Get It Together
| next_year = 1997
| misc = {{Extra chronology
| artist = Missy Elliott
| type = singles
| prev_title = The Things That You Do
| prev_year = 1996
| title = Steelo
| year = 1996
| next_title = Do Thangz
| next_year = 1996
}}
}}
"Steelo" is a song recorded by American group 702 for their first studio album No Doubt (1996). It was written and produced Chad Elliott, Missy Elliott, and George Pearson. The song contains a prominent sample from the Police's song "Voices Inside My Head", for which English musician Sting is also given songwriter credits for the use of the sample. It was released as the first single from No Doubt on August 27, 1996, by Biv 10 Records.[https://www.allmusic.com/album/steelo-cd-1--mw0000612325 Steelo CD 1 - 702]. AllMusic. Retrieved on April 11, 2024
"Steelo" was a commercial success, becoming the group's second single to place in the top 20 on the US Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. A remix of the song was used as the theme song of American children's sitcom Cousin Skeeter.
Although the term "steelo" had already been used by hip hop duo Mobb Deep in their song "Hit It from the Back" (1993),[https://therightrhymes.com/steelo/ Steelo]. The Right Rhymes. Retrieved on April 11, 2024 the popularity of "Steelo" caused the slang word to become widespread, being added to various online dictionaries under the definition "[a person's] unique style".Johnson Publishing Company (August 2, 1999). Destiny's Child among the hottest new female groups. Jet, Volume 96: No. 9, Page 26. Retrieved from https://books.google.com
Writing and production
"Steelo" was written by Chad Elliott, Missy Elliott, and George Pearson. It was produced by Chad Elliott and Pearson, and was recorded at The Record Plant, in Los Angeles. The song contains a sample from the Police's song "Voices Inside My Head" (1980). English musician Sting, who wrote "Voices Inside My Head", was also credited as a songwriter for "Steelo".
Music video
The official music video for the song was directed by Brian Luvar.{{cite web|url=http://www.mvdbase.com/video.php?id=290|title=mvdbase.com - 702 - "Steelo"|work=Music Video DataBase|last=Garcia|first=Alex S|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051127230639/http://www.mvdbase.com/video.php?id=290 |access-date=September 5, 2015|archive-date=2005-11-27 }} Set in Boston, MA, it features choreography heavy group dance scenes, interspersed with community basketball games. Missy Elliott is featured on the song as well as in the video.{{Cite web |title=701- Steelo | website=YouTube | date=16 June 2009 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ojOERy-mf8 }} Former 702 member Tiffany Villarreal, who sings background vocals on the song, also made a cameo appearance in video.
The video was serviced to BET & MTV on the week ending September 15, 1996.{{cite web |date=September 28, 1996 |title=Video Monitor |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vwkEAAAAMBAJ |access-date=September 18, 2023 |work=Billboard |page=97}}
Live performances
702 performed "Steelo" on American sketch comedy show All That in 1996. In the same year, the group closed out a Showtime at the Apollo show with the song. The group also performed the song on American talk show Teen Summit, which aired on Black Entertainment Television (BET) in October 1996, and again in 1999.
Commercial performance
The song peaked at thirty-two on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and reached the twelfth spot on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop singles chart.{{cite web|url={{AllMusic|class=album|id=r241651/charts-awards/billboard-single|pure_url=yes}}|title=allmusic ((( No Doubt > Charts & Awards > Billboard Singles )))|publisher=Allmusic|access-date=January 18, 2011}} The song sold over 514,000 copies in the United States,{{cite magazine |first=Aliya S.|last=King |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=tQ0EAAAAMBAJ&dq=702&pg=PA65|title=Motown's 702 Shows Musical Growth With Its Second Release|magazine=Billboard |volume=111 |issue=23 |date=June 5, 1999 |page=65 |issn=0006-2510 |access-date=October 8, 2022}} earning gold certification in the United States by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).{{cite web|url=https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default-award&ar=702&ti=&lab=&genre=&format=&date_option=release&from=&to=&award=&type=&category=&adv=SEARCH#search_section|title=Gold & Platinum|publisher=Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) |access-date=July 13, 2018}}
Impact and legacy
Larry Flick from Billboard praised the songs production calling it "infectious".{{cite magazine|first=Larry|last=Flick|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xwkEAAAAMBAJ&dq=702+no+doubt+album+reviews&pg=PA80|volume=108|issue=43|page=80|title=Reviews & Previews - New & Noteworthy|magazine=Billboard|date=October 26, 1996|access-date=June 26, 2022|quote=Given the vocal prowess and natural charisma displayed on this pop-soaked, jeep-soul shuffler....}} He also felt that lead singer "Kameelah Williams shows signs of becoming a major diva over time". Ultimately, he noted that R&B programmers "are already nibbling on this potential smash" and that it will likely draw the attention of "top 40 tastemakers within moments".
The use of the word "steelo" often lead the media not understanding its meaning. Group member Meelah Williams also admitted during 702's Unsung episode that she didn't understand the meaning of the word and that she would often forward people to Missy Elliott for the definition of "steelo".[https://tvone.tv/videos/unsung-missy-elliott-finally-confirms-what-702s-hit-song-steelo-really-means/ Unsung: Missy Elliott FINALLY Confirms What 702’s Hit Song ‘Steelo’ Really Means!]. TV One. Retrieved on April 11, 2024 The term "steelo" was defined as "a person's style".
Track listing
;7", 12"
- "Steelo" (Radio Edit) - 3:49 (feat. Missy Elliott)
- "Steelo" (LP Version) - 4:17 (feat. Missy Elliott)
;7", 12"
- "Steelo" (LP Version) - 4:17 (feat. Missy Elliott)
- "Steelo" (Radio Edit) - 3:49 (feat. Missy Elliott)
- "Steelo" (Instrumental) - 4:17
- "Steelo" (A Cappella) - 3:52 (feat. Missy Elliott)
;CD Single
- "Steelo" (Remix) - 3:33 (feat. Missy Elliott)
- "Steelo" (LP Version) - 4:17 (feat. Missy Elliott)
;CD Maxi-Single
- "Steelo" (Radio Edit) - 3:59 (feat. Missy Elliott)
- "Steelo" (Remix) - 3:33 (feat. Missy Elliott and Brad Dacus)
- "Steelo" (LP Version) - 4:17 (feat. Missy Elliott)
- "Steelo" (Instrumental) - 4:17
- "Steelo" (A Cappella) - 3:52 (feat. Missy Elliott)
Charts
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
=Weekly charts=
{{col-2}}
=Year-end charts=
| class="wikitable"
!Chart (1996) !Position |
| US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard){{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/1996/hot-r-and-and-b-hip-hop-songs|title=Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs – Year-End 1996|magazine=Billboard|accessdate=July 18, 2021}}
|align="center"|76 |
| Chart (1997)
!Position |
|---|
| US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard){{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/1997/hot-r-and-and-b-hip-hop-songs|title=Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs – Year-End 1997|magazine=Billboard|accessdate=October 20, 2021}}
|align="center"|67 |
{{col-end}}
Personnel
- production – Chad "Dr. Ceuss" Elliott, George Pearson, Rashad Smith
- rapping – Missy Elliott
- remixing – Rashad Smith
- writing – Chad Elliott, Melissa Elliott, George Pearson, Gordon Sumners
Release history
Notes
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{YouTube|id=5ojOERy-mf8&ob=av2el|title="Steelo" Music video}}
{{702}}
{{Missy Elliott singles}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:Music videos directed by Brian Luvar