Whoa (Lil Kim song)

"Whoa"
Single by Lil' Kim
from the album The Naked Truth
B-side"Spell Check"
ReleasedFebruary 7, 2006 (2006-02-07)
Recorded2005
GenreHip hop
Length4:25
LabelAtlantic, Queen Bee
Songwriter(s)Lil' Kim, J.R. Rotem, Derrick Miller, Sean Monty
Producer(s)J. R. Rotem
Lil' Kim singles chronology
"Lighters Up"
(2005) 		"Whoa"
(2006) 		"Let It Go"
(2007)

"Whoa" is the second single from the album The Naked Truth by rapper Lil' Kim which is produced by J.R. Rotem. "Whoa" never made it to the Billboard Hot 100 but charted on the Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100 for five weeks peaking at number 4.[1] Also, the single made it to the R&B/Hip-Hop Tracks chart, where it peaked at number 30. Originally sent to US radio on November 22, 2005,[2] it was then re-released in February to coincide with the airing of her reality show, Lil' Kim: Countdown to Lockdown, for which it served as the theme song. It was released in the United Kingdom on May 15, 2006.

Before the album was released, some versions of the "Lighters Up" promo CD and vinyl listed the title of the song as "My Ni*#@s".[3][4] Due to the lyrics in the second verse, Whoa is heard as a Junior M.A.F.I.A. diss.

Music video

The music video, directed by Kirk Fraserm, was shot in New York City in 2005 prior to her arrest. "Whoa" premiered on 106 & Park on February 16, 2006.

The video begins with Kim, her friend/ co-defendant Moe and Zab Judah riding in a car talking. Once the first verse starts, one scene features Kim in a museum with a drink while looking at artwork. In another scene Kim is seen dodging laser beams and hiding from security. By the second verse Kim has stolen a painting and is seen escaping. Meanwhile, police ask friends of Kim to leave. By the second chorus Kim is seen returning to the car from the start of the video. Shortly after the song fades into another song "Spell Check" which in one scene Kim is singing the song in front of her car, and in another scene she is seen being forced out of her car and the painting she stole is being returned. At the end the police throw kim in the back of a police truck in an orange suit. The song sharply ends and large text appears that says COMING HOME SOON.

The video for song "Stomp" by Maino, featuring Lil' Kim, starts off where the Whoa video finishes, with Maino breaking Kim out of the police truck.

Formats and track listings

  • UK Promo CD
  1. "Whoa" (Amended Radio Edit) – 3:36
  2. "Whoa" (Instrumental) – 4:13
  • US/European Promo CD[5]
  1. "Whoa" (Radio Version) – 4:15
  2. "Whoa" (Video Version) – 4:15
  3. "Whoa" (Explicit Version) – 4:14
  4. "Whoa" (Instrumental) – 4:12
  • US Whoa/Spell Check Promo CD
  1. "Whoa" (Radio Version) – 4:15
  2. "Whoa" (Video Version) – 4:15
  3. "Whoa" (Explicit Version) – 4:14
  4. "Whoa" (Instrumental) – 4:12
  5. "Spell Check" (Radio Version) – 3:37
  6. "Spell Check" (Explicit Version) – 3:37
  7. "Spell Check" (Instrumental) – 3:37
  1. "Whoa" (Explicit Album Version) – 4:10
  2. "Whoa" (Josh Harris Radio Edit) – 3:45
  1. "Whoa" (Explicit Album Version) – 4:10
  2. "Whoa" (Josh Harris Radio Edit) – 3:45
  3. "Whoa" (Video)
  4. "Whoa" (MyTone Ringtone)
  • DJ Exclusive Remixes Promo CD[8]
  1. "Whoa" (E Smoove Dub) – 8:15
  2. "Whoa" (True Visionary Extended Club) – 4:36
  3. "Whoa" (Pull Club Mix) – 6:28
  4. "Whoa" (Album Version) – 4:17
  5. "Whoa" (Instrumental) – 4:13
  6. "Whoa" (Josh Harris Club Mix) – 6:13
  7. "Whoa" (Hani Num Club) – 7:38

Credits and personnel

  • Recorded by Dan The Man
  • Written by K. Jones, J. Rotem, D. Miller, S. Monty.
  • Produced by J. R. Rotem
  • Mixed by Glen Marchese

Charts

Chart (2006) Peak
position
Scotland (OCC)[9] 50
UK Singles (OCC)[10] 43
UK Hip Hop/R&B (OCC)[11] 8
US Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles (Billboard)[12] 4
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[13] 30

References

  1. ^ devops (2013-01-02). "Bubbling Under Hot 100". Billboard. Retrieved 2023-04-03.
  2. ^ "Whoa Release". MTV. Archived from the original on December 20, 2007. Retrieved 2012-07-05.
  3. ^ "Lighters Up Europe Promo CD single". Discogs. Retrieved 2012-07-02.
  4. ^ "Lighters Up/My Ni*#@s US Vinyl single". Discogs. Retrieved 2012-07-02.
  5. ^ "Whoa European Promo CD". Discogs. Retrieved 2012-07-02.
  6. ^ "Whoa UK CD1". Discogs. Retrieved 2012-07-02.
  7. ^ "Whoa UK CD2". Discogs. Retrieved 2012-07-02.
  8. ^ "Whoa Sweden Remix Promo CD". Discogs. Retrieved 2012-07-02.
  9. ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved January 27, 2023.
  10. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved January 27, 2023.
  11. ^ "Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved January 27, 2023.
  12. ^ devops (2013-01-02). "Bubbling Under Hot 100". Billboard. Retrieved 2023-04-03.
  13. ^ "Lil Kim Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved May 30, 2022.