Need U Bad

This article is about the Jazmine Sullivan song. For the Ted Nugent song, see Need You Bad.

"Need U Bad"
Single by Jazmine Sullivan featuring Missy Elliott
from the album Fearless
Released	May 13, 2008 (2008-05-13)
Format	CD single, digital download, 7", 12"
Recorded	2008; Gold Mine Studios (New York City, New York)[1]
Genre	R&B, reggae fusion, soul
Length	4:17
Label	J, Arista
Writer(s)	Jazmine Sullivan, Missy Elliott, Cainon Lamb, Taurian Osbourne, Nicholas Taylor Stanton, Tapper Zukie[1]
Producer	Missy Elliott, Cainon Lamb
Jazmine Sullivan singles chronology
"Need U Bad" (2008) "Bust Your Windows" (2008)
Missy Elliott singles chronology "Shake Your Pom Pom" (2008) "Need U Bad" (2008) "Best, Best" (2008)

"Need U Bad" is a song performed by American recording artist Jazmine Sullivan from her debut album, Fearless (2008). The song features rapper Missy Elliott, as well as Pepa speaking a Jamaican chant. "Need U Bad" is Sullivan's debut single and the lead single from Fearless. It was first released on May 13, 2008 in the United States by J and Arista Records. The song was co-written by Sullivan in collaboration with Elliott, Cainon Lamb, and Taurian Osbourne. It was produced by Elliott and Lamb. The song uses a sample from Nicolas Taylor Stanton's "Higher Meditation Riddim Version", and Tapper Zukie's "Papa Big Shirt".

"Need U Bad" was one of two songs on Fearless where Sullivan collaborated with Elliott and Lamb. Musically, the song was inspired to be different to typical mainstream singles. Featuring prominent elements of reggae, R&B and soul music characteristics, the track was composed in a different style to co-relate with the title of its parent album, Fearless. Lyrically, "Need U Bad" takes reference to a situation when one develops a strong need for one's lover.

"Need U Bad" garnered a positive response from contemporary music critics. The single also achieved R&B chart success; peaking at number one on U.S. Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, and at number thirty-seven on the Billboard Hot 100. It is Sullivan's most successful single on Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs to-date.

"Need U Bad" was accompanied by a music video which was directed by Jonathan Mannion and released on July 8, 2008. The old school-^{[disambiguation needed ]}styled video features Sullivan singing and dancing with Missy Elliott and other reggae musicians in a recording studio. Sullivan performed "Need U Bad" on 106 & Park, The Ellen DeGeneres Show and The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. "Need U Bad" was nominated in the 'Best Female R&B Vocal Performance' category at the 51st Grammy Awards.

Reception

Critical reception

Michael Cragg of musicOMH said that "Need U Bad" saw Sullivan "tackling reggae", further saying that the track was a highlight on Fearless and as equally convincing as fellow album highlights "Lions, Tigers & Bears" and "Live a Lie".^[2] "Need U Bad" was also seen as an album highlight by Mark Edward Nero of About.com who described the song as a "Caribbean anthem".^[3] Andy Kellman from Allmusic deemed the track as "yearning/swaggering".^[4] Simon Vozick-Levinson of Entertainment Weekly reviewed the song saying it had been greeted by "a public and critical rush of adulation." Vozick-Levinson went on to say that the "great tune" and "one of the catchiest singles getting airplay at the moment" is "an uncannily Lauryn Hill-y slice of reggaefied soul."^[5]

Jeff Harvey of Okayplayer reviewed "Need U Bad" in relation to its similarity to the rest of the tracks on Fearless, saying: "Fans of Sullivan's raw, reggae tinged single [...], may be a little put off by the prestine production and pop sensibilities of much of her album, and indeed, it is far from The Miseducation of Jazmine Sullivan that hungry L-boogie fans may have unfairly hoped for."^[6] Joey Guerra of the Houston Chronicle mentioned that "reggae-flavoured" "Need U Bad" is a sample of Sullivan's eclectic musical approach.^[7] While Todd Martens from the Los Angeles Times felt that the song sees Sullivan comfortably veering into glossy mainstream territory, saying it slides from easy-listening R&B to a more clubby reggae beat.^[8] "Need U Bad" ranked at number eight on VIBE's 'Best Songs of '08' list.^[9] The song was nominated in the 'Best Female R&B Vocal Performance' category at the 51st Grammy Awards, losing out to Alicia Keys' "Superwoman".^[10]

Chart performance

In the United States, "Need U Bad" debuted at number seventy-three on the Billboard Hot 100 on August 2, 2008.^[11] The single went on to peak at number thirty-seven and spend thirteen weeks on the chart,^[12] inevitably becoming her second most successful single on the Hot 100 behind "Bust Your Windows".^[13] The single is Sullivan's sole number one hit to-date, spending four weeks atop of the Hot R&B/Hip Hop Songs chart,^[14] and spending a total of thirty-four weeks on the chart altogether.^[12] "Need U Bad" is also Sullivan's only single to chart on the Pop 100 where it peaked at number eighty-three.^[15]

Music video

"Need U Bad" was accompanied by a music video directed by American photographer, Jonathan Mannion.^[16] Mannion's previous music video work includes The Game's "It's Okay (One Blood)" (2006),^[17] and J. Holiday's "Bed" (2007).^[16] The video was shot on June 16, 2008,^[18] and later released on July 7, 2008.^[19] It features a cameo appearance from Missy Elliott.^[20] The video topped BET's 106 & Park video countdown show and reached number two on AOL Music.^[21] It also ranked at number fourteen on BET's 'Notarized 2008' Top 100 video countdown.^[22]

Sullivan in a scene from the music video, singing into a recording studio microphone.

Urban Review stated that they were really liking the music video. They felt that it adds well to the slightly 'Old School' vibe that the song already has. The blog further noted: "It obviously has broken the bank, but it's not particularly necessary when the song speaks for itself."^[23]

Track listings

U.S CD Single^[24]

1. "Need U Bad" (Radio Edit) – 4:00
2. "Need U Bad" (No Patois Version) – 3:45
3. "Need U Bad" (Instrumental) – 4:28
4. "Need U Bad" (Call Out Hook) – 0:17

U.S. Digital Download^[25] / 7"^[26]

1. "Need U Bad" (Album Version) – 4:17

U.S. 12"^[27]

1. "Need U Bad" (Main Mix) – 4:12
2. "Need U Bad" (Instrumental Version) – 4:19

UK 7"^[28]

1. "Need U Bad" (Main Mix) – 4:12
2. "Need U Bad" (Moody Boyz Remix) – 4:50

Remix

The official remix features rapper T.I., additional vocals by Missy Elliott, and a new verse by Sullivan, the remix is exclusively on the website Rhapsody as a digital download and as a bonus track on the international edition of the album. ^[29]

Credits and personnel

• Songwriting – Jazmine Sullivan, Missy Elliott, Cainon Lamb, Taurian Osbourne, Nicholas Stanton, Tapper Zukie
• Production – Missy Elliott, Cainon Lamb
• Recording and engineering – Missy Elliott, Paul J. Falcone
• Background vocals – Pepa
• Mixing – Manny Marroquin, Christian Plata

Source:^[1]

Charts

Chart (2008)	Peak position
US Billboard Hot 100[13]	37
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[30]	1
US Pop 100 (Billboard)[15]	83

Preceded by "Take a Bow" by Rihanna

U.S. Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs number-one single September 6, 2008 - September 27, 2008

Succeeded by "Whatever You Like" by T.I.

Radio and release history

Radio adds Country Date Format United States May 25, 2008 Urban[31] July 6, 2008 Rhythmic[32] August 17, 2008 Urban AC[33] Release history Country Date Format United States May 13, 2008 CD single[24] May 20, 2008 Digital download[25] May 27, 2008 7"[26] June 2, 2008 12"[27] United Kingdom September 15, 2008 7"[28]

See also

• List of R&B number-one singles of 2008 (U.S.)

References

1. ^ ^{a b c} (2008) Album notes for Fearless by Jazmine Sullivan [CD liner]. J Records.
2. ^ Cragg, Michael (2009-09-24). "Jazmine Sullivan - Fearless". musicOMH.com. musicOMH. http://www.musicomh.com/albums/jazmine-sullivan_0909.htm. Retrieved 2010-07-18. 
3. ^ Nero, Mark Edward. "Jazmine Sullivan - "Fearless"". About.com. New York Times Company. http://randb.about.com/od/reviews/fr/JazmineFearless.htm. Retrieved 2010-07-19. 
4. ^ Kellman, Andy (2008-09-23). "Fearless > Overview". Allmusic. All Music Guide. http://www.allmusic.com/album/r1419974. Retrieved 2010-07-18. 
5. ^ Vozick-Levinson, Simon (2008-10-28). "Fearless". EW.com. Entertainment Weekly. http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20235056,00.html. Retrieved 2010-07-18. 
6. ^ Harvey, Jeff (2008-09-26). "Jazmine Sullivan". Okayplayer.com. Okayplayer. http://dev.okayplayer.com/reviews/september-2008/jazmine-sullivan-200809266519/. Retrieved 2010-07-18. 
7. ^ Guerra, Joey (2008-09-22). "Fall brings fresh crop of music from female acts". Houston Chronicle. Hearst Corporation. http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/headline/features/6016442.html. Retrieved 2010-07-19. 
8. ^ Martens, Todd (2008-11-29). "Grammy countdown: Which newcomer gets the R&B nod?". Los Angeles Times. Tribune Company. http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/music_blog/2008/11/grammy-countd-3.html. Retrieved 2010-10-28. 
9. ^ Bosh, The (2008-12-13). "Vibe Magazine's January 2009 "tabloid Issue"". The Insider. CBS Interactive Inc.. http://www.theinsider.com/news/1432643_Vibe_Magazine_s_January_2009_tabloid_Issue. Retrieved 2010-12-18. 
10. ^ "List of Winners and Nominees - 51st Grammy Awards". GRAMMY.com. 51st Grammy Awards. http://www2.grammy.com/GRAMMY_Awards/51st_Show/list.aspx. Retrieved 2011-01-02. 
11. ^ "US Singles Top 100 (August 2, 2008) - Music Charts". acharts.us. 2008-08-02. http://acharts.us/us_singles_top_100/2008/31. Retrieved 2010-10-28. 
12. ^ ^{a b} "Need U Bad - Jazmine Sullivan". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc.. http://billboard.com/song/jazmine-sullivan/need-u-bad/11816651#/song/jazmine-sullivan/need-u-bad/11816651. Retrieved 2010-10-28. 
13. ^ ^{a b} "Jazmine Sullivan Album & Song Chart History" Billboard Hot 100 for Jazmine Sullivan. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved 2010-10-28.
14. ^ "Pink Notches First Solo Hot 100 No. 1". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc.. http://www.billboard.com/news/pink-notches-first-solo-hot-100-no-1-1003851694.story#/news/pink-notches-first-solo-hot-100-no-1-1003851694.story. Retrieved 2010-10-28. 
15. ^ ^{a b} "Jazmine Sullivan - Billboard Singles". Allmusic. All Media Guide. http://www.allmusic.com/artist/jazmine-sullivan-p689074/charts-awards/billboard-singles. Retrieved 2010-10-28. 
16. ^ ^{a b} "Jonathan Mannion on Vimeo". Vimeo. IAC. http://vimeo.com/mannion. Retrieved 2010-12-16. 
17. ^ "Jonathan Mannion Videography". mvdbase.com. http://www.mvdbase.com/tech.php?last=Mannion&first=Jonathan. Retrieved 2010-12-16. 
18. ^ Gotlieb, Stephen (2008-06-16). "Music Video News: Sugar Management". Video Static. http://www.videostatic.com/vs/sugar_management/index.html. Retrieved 2010-12-16. 
19. ^ "Video: Jazmine Sullivan – “Need U Bad”". Concreteloop.com. 2008-07-07. http://concreteloop.com/2008/07/video-jazmine-sullivan-need-u-bad. Retrieved 2010-12-16. 
20. ^ Ford, Tracey (2008-07-23). "Jazmine Sullivan, 'Need U Bad' -- New Video". TheBoombox. AOL Inc. http://www.theboombox.com/2008/07/23/jazmine-sullivan-need-u-bad-new-video/. Retrieved 2010-12-16. 
21. ^ Joszor, Njai (2008-08-29). "Jazmine Sullivan Joins Maxwell For Tour, "Need U Bad" Climbs To #1 Spot". Singersroom.com. http://www.singersroom.com/news/2220/Jazmine-Sullivan-Joins-Maxwell-For-Tour-Need-U-Bad-Climbs-To-1-Spot. Retrieved 2010-12-16. 
22. ^ "Notarized 2008". Black Entertainment Television. BET Networks. 2008-12-16. http://www.bet.com/OnTV/BETShows/notarized_2008_+article.htm?wbc_purpose=Basic&WBCMODE=PresentationUnpublished&Referrer=%7B4737F697-8DEB-4EF8-99A1-F6B48863B61F%7D. Retrieved 2010-12-16. 
23. ^ "Urban Review: "Jazmine Sullivan ft. Missy Elliott - Need U Bad" (Video)". Urban Review. 2008-07-14. http://www.urbanreview.co.uk/2008/07/jazmine-sullivan-ft-missy-elliott-need.html. Retrieved 2011-05-17. 
24. ^ ^{a b} "Jazmine Sullivan Featuring Missy Elliott - Need U Bad (CD)". Discogs. Zink Media, Inc.. http://www.discogs.com/Jazmine-Sullivan-Featuring-Missy-Elliott-Need-U-Bad/release/1388627. Retrieved 2010-07-16. 
25. ^ ^{a b} "Need U Bad". Amazon.com. http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d.html/179-1959973-5624502?pd=1&l=Product%20Details&qid=1279461474&a=B0019GCFMK&sr=8-4. Retrieved 2010-07-16. 
26. ^ ^{a b} "Need U Bad Vinyl". Amazon.com. http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d.html/179-1959973-5624502?pd=1&l=Product%20Details&a=B001953OEY. Retrieved 2010-07-18. 
27. ^ ^{a b} "Jazmine Sullivan - Need U Bad (Vinyl)". Discogs. Zink Media, Inc.. http://www.discogs.com/Jazmine-Sullivan-Need-U-Bad/release/1495999. Retrieved 2010-07-16. 
28. ^ ^{a b} "Need U Bad (7" VINYL):Amazon:Music". Amazon.co.uk. Amazon.com. http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d.html/277-7005914-6940506?pd=1&l=Product%20Details&qid=1293950551&a=B001E18C7W&sr=8-6. Retrieved 2011-01-02. 
29. ^ http://www.rhapsody.com/jazmine-sullivan/exclusive-ep<references/>
30. ^ "Jazmine Sullivan Album & Song Chart History" Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Songs for Jazmine Sullivan. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved 2010-10-28.
31. ^ "R&R :: Going for Adds :: Urban". Going for Adds. Radio and Records, Inc.. 2010-05-25. http://gfa.radioandrecords.com/publishGFA/GFANextPage.asp?sDate=05/25/2008&Format=5. Retrieved 2010-07-16. 
32. ^ "R&R :: Going for Adds :: Rhythmic". Going for Adds. Radio and Records, Inc.. 2008-07-06. http://gfa.radioandrecords.com/publishGFA/GFANextPage.asp?sDate=07/06/2008&Format=9. Retrieved 2010-07-16. 
33. ^ "R&R :: Going for Adds :: Urban AC". Going for Adds. Radio and Records, Inc.. 2008-08-17. http://gfa.radioandrecords.com/publishGFA/GFANextPage.asp?sDate=08/17/2008&Format=12. Retrieved 2010-07-16.