Vivrant Thing
{{Infobox song
| name = Vivrant Thing
| cover = Q-TipVivrantThing.jpg
| alt =
| type = single
| artist = Q-Tip
| album = Violator: The Album and Amplified
| released = 5 October 1999 (US)[https://www.allmusic.com/album/vivrant-thing-mw0000768981 Q-Tip – Vivrant Thing] AllMusic. Accessed on February 10, 2019.
30 April 2000 (UK)
| recorded = 1999
| studio =
| venue =
| genre = Hip hop
| length = 3:11
| label = Arista
| writer = {{Hlist|Kamaal Fareed|Barry White}}
| prev_title = Get Involved
| prev_year = 1999
| next_title = Hot Boyz
| next_year = 1999
}}
"Vivrant Thing" is the first single released by Q-Tip on his debut solo album Amplified. It was produced by Q-Tip himself, and is credited as such in the liner notes of Violator: The Album, A Tribe Called Quest's compilation The Anthology, and the 12-inch vinyl/CD single.[http://www.moovmnt.com/2009/04/19/exclusive-q-tip-interview/ Exclusive: Q-Tip Interview] moovmnt.com Retrieved on May 26, 2010.{{cite AV media notes |title=Violator: The Album|publisher=Violator Records|year=1999|others=Various artists|type=Album credits|id=314 558 941-1}}{{cite AV media notes |title=The Anthology|publisher=Jive Records|year=1999|others=A Tribe Called Quest|type=Album credits|id=01241-41679-1}}{{cite AV media notes |title=Vivrant Thing |publisher=Violator Records|year=1999|others=Various artists|type=Single credits|id=DEF 354-1}} Jay Dee is only credited in the liner notes of Amplified, as they were considered a production duo solely for that album. "Vivrant Thing" became the fourth rap song to reach number one on the Billboard Hot R&B Airplay chart since its 1992 inception. The single also reached number seven on the main Hot R&B Singles & Tracks chart, with its performance being driven overwhelmingly by airplay due to its lack of domestic availability in any configuration besides 12-inch vinyl.{{cite magazine |last=Faison |first=Datu |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=dQgEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA28 |title=Datu Faison's Rhythm Section |magazine=Billboard |publisher=BPI Communications |date=October 16, 1999 |access-date=March 17, 2019 |page=28 |issn=0006-2510 |volume=111 |number=42}}
The single was a success, charting the Billboard Hot 100 at number 26, making it Q-Tip's highest charting solo single to date, as well as his only Top 40 solo single to date. The beat contains a sample of "I Wanna Stay" by the Love Unlimited Orchestra. The remix features stanzas by rappers Missy Elliott and Busta Rhymes.
The song was used as the opening scene on the television series, The Game, in the episode, "The List Episode", on March 30, 2008. The beat was frequently used in the animated series MTV Downtown. It was heard in the PEN15 episode, "Miranda".
Critical reception
Kris Ex of Rolling Stone called the song an "undeniable groove vehicle".{{cite web|url=http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/qtip/albums/album/111969/review/6067581/amplified|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071002061600/http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/qtip/albums/album/111969/review/6067581/amplified|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 2, 2007|title=Q-Tip: Amplified|author=Ex, Kris|date=January 20, 2000|publisher=Rolling Stone}} Steve Jones of USA Today also described the tune as "bouncy and insistent".{{cite news|last=Jones|first=Steve|url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/USAToday/access/46749137.html?dids=46749137:46749137&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Nov+30%2C+1999&author=&pub=USA+TODAY&desc=Experimental+Metallica%2C+quirky+Q-Tip%2C+grand+Grimaud&pqatl=google|title=Q-Tip, Amplified|work=USA Today|date=November 30, 1999|access-date=September 28, 2009|url-access=subscription|page=04.D|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130104223944/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/USAToday/access/46749137.html?dids=46749137:46749137&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Nov+30,+1999&author=&pub=USA+TODAY&desc=Experimental+Metallica,+quirky+Q-Tip,+grand+Grimaud&pqatl=google|archive-date=January 4, 2013|url-status=dead|format=Transcription of original review at talk page}}
Music video
The music video was directed by Hype Williams.
Charts
{{col-start}}
{{col-2}}
=Weekly charts=
class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" |
scope="col"| Chart (1999–2000)
! scope="col"| Peak |
---|
{{single chart|Scotland|50|artist=Q-Tip|date=20000506|rowheader=true|accessdate=March 19, 2023}} |
{{single chart|UK|39|artist=Q-Tip|date=20000506|rowheader=true}} |
{{single chart|UKrandb|11|artist=Q-Tip|date=20000506|rowheader=true|accessdate=March 19, 2023}} |
{{single chart|Billboardhot100|26|artist=Q-Tip|rowheader=true}} |
{{single chart|Billboardrandbhiphop|7|artist=Q-Tip|rowheader=true}} |
{{single chart|Billboardrapsongs|10|artist=Q-Tip|rowheader=true}} |
{{single chart|Billboardrhythmic|15|artist=Q-Tip|rowheader=true}} |
{{col-2}}
=Year-end charts=
class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" |
scope="col"| Chart (1999)
! scope="col"| Position |
---|
scope="row"| US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard){{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/1999/hot-r-and-and-b-hip-hop-songs|title=Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs – Year-End 1999|magazine=Billboard|access-date=October 8, 2021}}
| 31 |
{{col-end}}