Dilemma (song)

"Dilemma"
Single by Nelly featuring Kelly Rowland
from the album Nellyville and Simply Deep
B-side	"Kings Highway"
Released	June 25, 2002
Format	CD single
Genre	R&B, hip hop
Length	4:49 (Album version) 3:55 (Radio edit)
Label	Universal, Columbia
Writer(s)	Cornell Haynes Jr. Antoine Macon Kenneth Gamble Bunny Sigler[1]
Producer	BAM & Ryan
Certification	Platinum (BPI, RIAA, RIANZ)
Nelly singles chronology
"Hot in Herre" (2002) "Dilemma" (2002) "Air Force Ones" (2002)
Kelly Rowland singles chronology "Separated" (1999) "Dilemma" (2002) "Stole" (2002)

"Dilemma" is a song by the American rapper Nelly, featuring R&B singer Kelly Rowland. The single was released in 2002 from the Nelly's album Nellyville, and Rowland's album Simply Deep. In the 50th Anniversary of the Hot 100 issue of Billboard magazine, the song was ranked at number 64 on the all-time Hot 100 songs^[2] while at the end of 2009 was named the 11th most successful song from 2000 to 2009, on the Billboard Hot 100 Songs of the Decade.^[3] The song won a Grammy Award for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration at the 45th Grammy Awards.

Background and writing

St. Louis producer Bam handed Nelly a skeleton track producer Ryan Bower produced, which samples and contains elements from Patti LaBelle's "Love, Need and Want You" from her 1983 album I'm In Love Again. Upon hearing the beat, he began writing lyrics and then wrote a song out from it. Nelly decided to make the song a last-minute addition to his second album Nellyville, which had already been completed prior to Bam giving him the track.^[4]

Once Nelly returned to the studio to record the track, his vision changed, wanting to add a female vocal onto it. He instantly thought of girl group Destiny's Child member Kelly Rowland, whom he had met during the TRL tour in 2001. Nelly called Rowland by phone and agreed. After a few days of recording, during which Rowland rerecorded her part many times to achieve it "just right", "Dilemma" was completed.^[4]

Release

Once Nellyville was released in the United States on June 25, 2002, radio programmers started playing "Dilemma". By July 2002, the track had reached the top ten of the Billboard Hot 100 based on airplay alone. This prompted Nelly to release it as the album's second single, although it was not the original plan.^[5] The single was released on July 30, 2002.

The decision affected the early plans for Destiny's Child members, whose members were held on hiatus to pursue solo album releases. As part of their strategy, each member's albums were to be staggered with member Beyoncé Knowles releasing in October 2002 and Rowland's album expected in early 2003.^[5] Their management rescheduled the dates: Rowland eventually released her debut solo album, Simply Deep, on October 28, 2002, ahead of the other two members of the group. "Dilemma" was released as the first single off the album, which served as a propeller for her solo career.^[4] "Dilemma" is Rowland's first international solo single away from the group: she had previously appeared on R&B singer Avant's single "Separated", which was released in the United States in July 2000.

Reception

"Dilemma" was generally well received by critics. Allmusic reviewer Jason Birchmeier noted it as one of "three well-calculated, standout" tracks in the album.^[6] In her review for Simply Deep, Caroline Sullivan of The Guardian wrote: "Thanks to the ubiquitous Dilemma, a song that practically peeled off its clothes on the spot, Destiny's Child's Kelly Rowland is no longer a mere backing vocalist for Beyoncé Knowles."^[7]

"Dilemma" was nominated for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration and Record of the Year at the Grammy Awards of 2003, winning the former.

The song was the 22nd best-selling single of the 2000 decade in UK.^[8]

The song appears on the game Karaoke Revolution Presents: American Idol.

Music video

The music video for "Dilemma" was filmed on Colonial Street, part of Universal Studios backlot. The same location is used during filming of Desperate Housewives. Nelly can actually be seen sitting on the stairs of the Johnson Home (which is Susan's house in the series), while Rowland arrives to, and sits at the stairs of, the Morrison Home (Bree's house in the series). Delta House and Allison House (accordingly, on the show as Ida Greenberg's and the Solis family's houses) can be seen in the background during night shots of Rowland and Nelly dancing together. Then-Golden State Warriors' guard and St. Louis native Larry Hughes makes a cameo in the video as Rowland's boyfriend. Nelly's track "Nellyville" from the same album is played as the intro to the video during the first seconds.

Patti LaBelle also plays a part in the music video, as Rowland's mother.

The video premiered on MTV Making the Video. The clip is featured as an enhanced video on the European Maxi-Single as well as on the 2007 Wal-Mart exclusive Kelly Rowland DVD BET Presents Kelly Rowland.

Remixes and sequel

The official remix is produced by Jermaine Dupri and features Kelly Rowland & Ali of the St. Lunatics. It is included in Nelly's remix album, "Da Derrty Versions: The Reinvention".

On December 16, 2009 Nelly recorded a new track titled "Gone" with Kelly Rowland which he dubbed "Dilemma Part 2" the sequel to the smash hit. The track is produced by Jim Jonsin and written by Rico Love and is intended to be put of Nelly's latest album.^[9]

Chart performance

It is the most successful song of Nelly's career, giving him his first number-one single in many countries, such as the United Kingdom, Australia, Belgium, Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands, and Switzerland. Dilemma is the most successful single of Rowland's career also, alongside the worldwide dance hit "When Love Takes Over"

The single became a hit in the late summer/early fall of 2002 in the US. Before "Hot In Herre" had even peaked on the charts, radio stations already began playing "Dilemma" in July 2002. It quickly climbed up the US charts and replaced "Hot in Herre" at number one after seven weeks on the Hot 100, giving Nelly his second consecutive number one from Nellyville. The song had already reached number one on the Hot 100 before a video was ever shot as Nelly's record label did not expect the song to explode so fast and expected they could take their time with the video.

Track listings

These are the major formats for "Dilemma" :^[10]

US Vinyl, 12", Promo

1. "Dilemma" (clean) — 4:49
2. "Dilemma" (dirty) — 4:49
3. "Dilemma" (instrumental) — 4:49
4. "Air Force Ones" (clean) — 5:04
5. "Air Force Ones" (dirty) — 5:04
6. "Air Force Ones" (instrumental) — 5:04

UK Promo CD

1. "Dilemma" (radio edit) — 3:59

UK Maxi-CD

1. "Dilemma" (album version) — 4:49
2. "Dilemma" (Jason Nevins remix edit) — 4:30
3. "Kings Highway" — 5:31
4. "Dilemma" (video)

UK Vinyl, 12"

1. "Dilemma" (radio edit) — 3:59
2. "Dilemma" (G4orce radio edit) — 3:30
3. "Dilemma" (Jason Nevins club mix) — 6:21

Europe Single

1. "Dilemma" (album version) — 4:49
2. "Kings Highway" — 5:31

Europe Maxi-CD

1. "Dilemma (album version) — 4:49
2. "Dilemma (Jason Nevins remix edit) — 4:30
3. "Kings Highway" — 5:31
4. "Dilemma" (video)

Europe Maxi-CD #2

1. "Dilemma" (radio edit) — 3:59
2. "Dilemma" (DJ Desue remix) — 4:15
3. "Dilemma" (Jason Nevins remix edit) — 4:30
4. "Kings Highway" — 5:31
5. "Dilemma" (video)

Official versions

• "Dilemma" (album version / dirty / album version - explicit) — 4:49
• "Dilemma" (clean album version / clean) — 4:49
• "Dilemma" (radio edit) — 3:59
• "Dilemma" (instrumental) — 4:49
• "Dilemma" (DJ Desue remix) — 4:15
• "Dilemma" (G4orce radio edit) — 3:30
• "Dilemma" (Jason Nevins remix edit) — 4:30
• "Dilemma" (Jason Nevins club mix) — 6:21

Charts and sales

Peak positions Chart (2002) Peak position Australian Singles Chart[11] 1 Austrian Singles Chart[11] 2 Belgian (Flanders) Singles Chart[11] 1 Belgian (Wallonia) Singles Chart[11] 3 Canadian Singles Chart[12] 3 Danish Singles Chart[11] 2 Dutch Top 40[13] 1 Eurochart Hot 100 1 Finnish Singles Chart[11] 10 French Singles Chart[11] 6 German Singles Chart[14] 1 Hungarian Singles Chart[15] 2 Irish Singles Chart[16] 1 Italian Singles Chart[11] 3 New Zealand Singles Chart[11] 2 Norwegian Singles Chart[11] 2 Swedish Singles Chart[11] 2 Swiss Singles Chart[11] 1 UK Singles Chart[17] 1 U.S. Billboard Hot 100[12] 1 U.S. Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks[12] 1 U.S. Billboard Top 40 Mainstream[12] 1

Year-end charts End of year chart (2002) Position Australian Singles Chart[18] 4 Austrian Singles Chart[19] 45 Belgian (Flanders) Singles Chart[20] 9 Belgian (Wallonia) Singles Chart[21] 27 Dutch Top 40[13] 33 French Singles Chart[22] 45 Irish Singles Chart[23] 5 New Zealand Singles Chart[24] 27 Swiss Singles Chart[25] 6 UK Singles Chart 4 End of year chart (2003) Position Australian Singles Chart[26] 26 Austrian Singles Chart[27] 53 Belgian (Flanders) Singles Chart[28] 66 Belgian (Wallonia) Singles Chart[29] 56 Swiss Singles Chart[30] 71 UK Singles Chart 22

Decade-end charts

End of decade chart (2000–2009)	Position
U.S. Billboard Hot 100[31]	11
German Singles Chart[32]	51

Certifications

Country	Certification	Date	Sales certified
Australia[33]	2 x Platinum	2002	140,000
Austria[34]	Gold	December 31, 2002	30,000
Belgium[35]	Platinum	November 23, 2002	40,000
Denmark[36]	Gold	January 17, 2003	7,500
France[37]	Gold	2003	250,000
Germany[38]	Gold	2002	150,000
Japan[39][40]	Million (ringtones)	2008	1,000,000
	Gold (cellphone downloads)	2011	100,000
Netherlands[41]	Gold	2002	40,000
New Zealand[42]	Platinum	2003	15,000
Norway[43]	2 x Platinum	2003	20,000
Switzerland[44]	Platinum	2002	40,000
UK[45]	Platinum	November 8, 2002	600,000

Chart procession and succession

Order of precedence
Preceded by "Hot in Herre" by Nelly	U.S. Billboard Hot 100 number-one single (first run) August 17, 2002 - September 28, 2002 (7 weeks)	Succeeded by "A Moment Like This" by Kelly Clarkson
	U.S. Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Songs number-one single August 24, 2002 - October 19, 2002 (9 weeks)	Succeeded by "Luv U Better" by LL Cool J
Preceded by "A Moment Like This" by Kelly Clarkson	U.S. Billboard Hot 100 number-one single (second run) October 19, 2002 - November 2, 2002 (3 weeks)	Succeeded by "Lose Yourself" by Eminem
Preceded by "The Ketchup Song (Aserejé)" by Las Ketchup	Irish number-one single October 19, 2002 - November 2, 2002 (3 weeks)	Succeeded by "Unbreakable" by Westlife
	UK number-one single October 20, 2002 - October 27, 2002 (2 weeks)	Succeeded by "Heaven" by DJ Sammy and Yanou
	Australian number-one single October 20, 2002 - November 10, 2002 (4 weeks)	Succeeded by "The Ketchup Song (Aserejé)" by Las Ketchup
	Dutch number-one single November 2, 2002 - December 14, 2002 (7 weeks)	Succeeded by "Feel" by Robbie Williams
	German number-one single November 8, 2002 - November 15, 2002 (2 weeks)	Succeeded by "Der Steuersong" by Die Gerd-Show
	Swiss number-one single November 10, 2002 - December 8, 2002 (5 weeks)	Succeeded by "All the Things She Said" by t.A.T.u.

Papi Sánchez version

"Dilemma"
Single by Papi Sánchez
B-side	"Dejame ser"
Released	August 2004
Format	CD single
Genre	Merengue
Label	Sony
Writer(s)	Kenneth Gamble, Cornell Haynes, Antoine Macon, Bunny Sigler
Papi Sánchez singles chronology
"Enamorame" (2003) "Dilemma" (2004)

The song has been a merengue version of the song in Spanish done by Papi Sanchez, under the title "Dilema". This version was released in March 2005 as second single form his album Enamorame. It was a minor hit in comparison with the original version.

Track listings

CD single

1. "Dilema"
2. "Dejame ser"

Charts

Chart (2005)	Peak position
Belgian (Flanders) Singles Chart[46]	16
Belgian (Wallonia) Singles Chart[11]	8
Dutch Singles Chart[11]	66
French Singles Chart[11]	20

References

1. ^ Ascap entry for song ASCAP, accessed September 18, 2010
2. ^ "The Billboard Hot 100 All-Time Top Song". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/specials/hot100/charts/top100-titles-70.shtml. Retrieved 2009-02-18. 
3. ^ Hot 100 Decade Songs
4. ^ ^{a b c} Moss, Corey (2003-02-20). "Road To The Grammys: The Making Of Nelly's 'Dilemma'". MTV. http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1470044/20030220/nelly.jhtml. Retrieved 2009-02-23. 
5. ^ ^{a b} Moss, Corey (2002-07-22). "Nelly Hit Forces Change In Plans For Destiny's Child LPs". MTV. http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1456206/20020722/destinys_child.jhtml. Retrieved 2009-02-23. 
6. ^ Birchmeier, Jason. "Nellyville: Nelly". Allmusic. http://www.allmusic.com/album/r593317. Retrieved 2009-02-23. 
7. ^ Sullivan, Caroline (2003-02-07). "Kelly Rowland: Simply Deep". The Guardian. http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2003/feb/07/popandrock.artsfeatures1. Retrieved 2009-02-23. 
8. ^ Radio 1 Official Chart of the Decade, as broadcast on BBC Radio 1 on Tuesday 29 December 2009, presented by Nihal
9. ^ http://www.rap-up.com/2009/12/16/video-nelly-kelly-rowland-record-dilemma-sequel/
10. ^ Discogs
11. ^ ^{a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o} "Dilemma", in various singles charts Lescharts.com (Retrieved July 17, 2007)
12. ^ ^{a b c d} Billboard allmusic.com (Retrieved July 17, 2008)
13. ^ ^{a b} "Single top 100 over 2002" (in Dutch) (pdf). Top40. http://www.top40.nl/pdf/Top%20100/top%20100%20-%202002.pdf. Retrieved 2 May 2010. 
14. ^ "Nelly singles, German Singles Chart" (in German). musicline. http://www.musicline.de/de/chartverfolgung_summary/artist/Nelly/single. Retrieved 2 May 2010. 
15. ^ Hungarian Single Chart Mahasz.hu (Retrieved December 18, 2009)
16. ^ Irish Single Chart Irishcharts.ie (Retrieved July 17, 2008)
17. ^ "Dilemma", UK Singles Chart Chartstats.com (Retrieved July 17, 2008)
18. ^ 2002 Australian Singles Chart aria.com (Retrieved July 31, 2008)
19. ^ 2002 Austrian Singles Chart Austriancharts.at (Retrieved July 31, 2008)
20. ^ 2002 Belgian (Flanders) Singles Chart Ultratop.be (Retrieved July 31, 2008)
21. ^ 2002 Belgian (Wallonia) Singles Chart Ultratop.be (Retrieved July 31, 2008)
22. ^ 2002 French Singles Chart Disqueenfrance.com (Retrieved July 31, 2008)
23. ^ 2002 Irish Singles Chart Irma.ie (Retrieved December 11, 2008)
24. ^ 2002 NZ Singles Chart Rianz.org.nz (Retrieved December 11, 2008)
25. ^ 2002 Swiss Singles Chart Hitparade.ch (Retrieved July 31, 2008)
26. ^ 2003 Australian Singles Chart aria.com (Retrieved July 31, 2008)
27. ^ 2003 Austrian Singles Chart Austriancharts.at (Retrieved July 31, 2008)
28. ^ 2003 Belgian (Flanders) Singles Chart Ultratop.be (Retrieved July 31, 2008)
29. ^ 2003 Belgian (Wallonia) Singles Chart Ultratop.be (Retrieved July 31, 2008)
30. ^ 2003 Swiss Singles Chart Hitparade.ch (Retrieved July 31, 2008)
31. ^ "The Billboard Hot 100 Singles & Tracks - Decade Year End Charts". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/charts/decadeendcharts/2009/hot100-songs. Retrieved February 10, 2011. 
32. ^ http://www.rtl.de/cms/unterhaltung/tv-programm/show/die-ultimative-chartshow/hits-neue-jahrtausend-download.html
33. ^ Australian certifications aria.com (Retrieved July 31, 2008)
34. ^ Austrian certifications ifpi.at (Retrieved July 31, 2008)
35. ^ Belgian certifications Ultratop.be (Retrieved July 31, 2008)
36. ^ "Single Top-20" (in Danish). Tracklisten. IFPI Danmark & Nielsen Music Control. 2003-01-17. http://hitlisterne.dk/lister.asp?w=3&y=2003&list=s20. Retrieved 2011-06-30. 
37. ^ French certifications Disqueenfrance.com (Retrieved July 31, 2008)
38. ^ "German certifications – Dilemma" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. http://www.musikindustrie.de/gold_platin_datenbank/?action=suche&strTitel=Dilemma&strInterpret=&strTtArt=alle&strAwards=checked. Retrieved July 31, 2008. 
39. ^ "レコード協会調べ　1月度有料音楽配信認定＜略称：1月度認定＞ [Record Association report: January digital music download certifications (Abbreviation: January Certifications)]" (in Japanese). RIAJ. February 20, 2008. http://www.riaj.or.jp/data/others/chart/w080220_3.html. Retrieved June 20, 2011. 
40. ^ "レコード協会調べ　5月度有料音楽配信認定＜略称：5月度認定＞ [Record Association report: May digital music download certifications (Abbreviation: May Certifications)]" (in Japanese). RIAJ. June 20, 2011. http://www.riaj.or.jp/data/others/chart/w110520.html. Retrieved June 20, 2011. 
41. ^ Dutch certifications nvpi.nl (Retrieved December 9, 2008)
42. ^ New Zealand certifications Rianz.org.nz (Retrieved July 31, 2008)
43. ^ Norwegian certifications Ifpi.no (Retrieved July 31, 2008)
44. ^ Swiss certifications Swisscharts.com (Retrieved July 31, 2008)
45. ^ UK certifications Bpi.co.uk (Retrieved October 30, 2008)
46. ^ "Dilemma", by Papi Sanchez, in various singles charts Lescharts.com (Retrieved July 31, 2008)