Before I Do

"Before I Do"
Single by Sevyn Streeter
from the album Girl Disrupted
ReleasedDecember 2, 2016
Recorded2016
GenreR&B
Length3:57
LabelAtlantic
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)The Stereotypes
Sevyn Streeter singles chronology
"D4L"
(2016) 		"Before I Do"
(2016) 		"Fallen"
(2017)

"Before I Do" is a song recorded by American R&B singer Sevyn Streeter from her debut studio album, Girl Disrupted (2017). The song was produced by Micah Powell, B Harv and The Stereotypes, Eric Nealante' Phillips. It was released as the album's second single on December 2, 2016 through Atlantic Records.[1][2] The song samples "(At Your Best) You Are Love" by the late singer Aaliyah, which is an Isley Brothers cover.

Background and composition

The song was premiered at Rap-Up LIVE on October 18, 2016 along with songs "My Love for You", "D4L" and a soulful cover of Lauryn Hill’s "Ex-Factor".[3] On December 2, 2016 "Before I Do" was released digitally as a single on iTunes.[1] On December 4, 2016, Streeter posted three pictures taken from the set of the music video with lyrics from the song on and hashtags "#BEFOREIDO #VIDEOMONDAY #GIRLDISRUPTED" revealing the video would be released on December 5, 2016.[4][5][6] In an interview with Fuse Streeter described the track to be influenced by the late R&B singer Aaliyah.[7]

Critical reception

The song was well received by critics. Rap-Up stated in a review "Sevyn Streeter is set to release her debut album next year, but before 2016 is over, she’s giving fans another taste of Girl Disrupted with “Before I Do.” The stripped-down R&B jam finds the Haines City songstress ready to take her relationship to the next level, but before she does, she wants to make sure her man is the right one."[8] HotNewHipHop said in a review "Sevyn Streeter has a voice of velvet, and on her new single "Before I Do," she lets those uniquely soothing vocals loose. Over an old school 90's R&B beat, she investigates a potential lover before allowing him to smash."[9] Singersroom stated in a review "Sevyn Streeter continues to heighten anticipation around her forthcoming debut album, Girl Disrupted, with the release of the new record, Before I Do. On the stripped-down tune, the R&B songstress finds herself in the gray area of love: she’s trying to figure out if her boo is real or if he’s unfaithful.[10]

Music video

A teaser video was released to Streeter's YouTube account on December 2, 2016.[11] The music video was released to Streeter's YouTube account on December 5, 2016, directed by Mike Ho who previously directed "My Love for You.[12]

Live performances

During television network's Revolt Sessions Streeter performed tracks "My Love for You", "Before I Do", "D4L", "Prolly" from her upcoming album and "Shattered" from the extended play (EP) Call Me Crazy, But....[13] Streeter performed the song on The Wendy Williams Show on July 11, 2017.[14]

Track listings and formats

Digital download[1][2]
  1. "Before I Do" – 3:57

Charts

Charts (2017) Peak
Position
US R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay (Billboard)[15] 15
US Adult R&B Songs (Billboard)[16] 1

Release history

Region Date Format Label Ref
Worldwide December 2, 2016 Digital download Atlantic Records [1][17]

References

  1. ^ a b c d "Before I Do - Single by Sevyn Streeter". iTunes (U.S. Store). Retrieved 2 December 2016.
  2. ^ a b "Before I Do Sevyn Streeter MP3 Downloads". Amazon (U.S. Store). Retrieved 2 December 2016.
  3. ^ "SEVYN STREETER DEBUTS NEW MUSIC, COVERS LAURYN HILL AT RAP-UP LIVE". Rap-Up. 2 December 2016. Retrieved 18 October 2016.
  4. ^ "Baby in my mind, we should be together.... #BEFOREIDO #VIDEOMONDAY #GIRLDISRUPTED". Instagram. Retrieved 4 December 2016.
  5. ^ "Cause I want u to be all over me, truthfully.... #BEFOREIDO #VIDEOMONDAY #GIRLDISRUPTED". Instagram. Retrieved 4 December 2016.
  6. ^ "But before I do, I wanna know before I go there with you... #BEFOREIDO #VIDEOMONDAY #GIRLDISRUPTED". Instagram. Retrieved 4 December 2016.
  7. ^ "Sevyn Streeter Discusses Aaliyah's Influence On Before I Do". YouTube. Retrieved 23 December 2016.
  8. ^ "NEW MUSIC: SEVYN STREETER – 'BEFORE I DO'". Rap-Up. Retrieved 2 December 2016.
  9. ^ "Sevyn Streeter - Before I Do [New Song]". Hot New Hip Hop. 3 December 2016. Retrieved 3 December 2016.
  10. ^ JusMusic, DJ (3 December 2016). "Sevyn Streeter – Before I Do". Singersroom. Retrieved 3 December 2016.
  11. ^ "Sevyn Streeter - Before I Do Music Video Trailer". YouTube. Retrieved 3 December 2016.
  12. ^ "Sevyn Streeter - Before I Do [Official Music Video]". YouTube. Retrieved 5 December 2016.
  13. ^ "REVOLT Sessions Sevyn Streeter". YouTube. Retrieved 13 December 2016.
  14. ^ "Watch Sevyn Streeter Perform "Before I Do" on Wendy".
  15. ^ "Hip Hop/R&B Songs Airplay Chart". Billboard. Retrieved 2017-09-19.
  16. ^ "Adult R&B Songs & Music Chart". Billboard. Retrieved 2017-08-29.
  17. ^ International releases of Before I Do: