"911" is a duet between Haitian rapper Wyclef Jean and American soul music singer Mary J. Blige. It was released on 5 September 2000 as the third single from Jean's second studio album, ' (2000), and was later included on Blige's compilation Reflections (A Retrospective) (2006). The song peaked at number 38 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and achieved international success, reaching number one in Norway and Sweden. It was nominated for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group at the 43rd Annual Grammy Awards in 2001.
Music and video
The song depicts two star-crossed lovers in a web of drama with the male narrator running from police while the female narrator worries forlornly over him. The relationship is apparently under external pressures, as Jean sings "messing around with you is gonna get (the man) life", and later reflecting "it's worth the sacrifice". The song's music video was directed by Marcus Raboy.
Chart performances and awards
"911" reached number 38 on the US Billboard Hot 100. The song was successful in Norway and Sweden, where it reached number one for six and five weeks, respectively. The single earned a platinum disc in Norway. It was also a top-10 hit in Denmark, Finland, Ireland, the Netherlands, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. At the 43rd Annual Grammy Awards in 2001, "911" was nominated for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group.
Track listings
US 12-inch single
A1. "911" (Ghetto Love remix) â 4:01
A2. "911" (Ghetto Love remix instrumental) â 4:01
A3. "911" (Ghetto Love remix a cappella) â 4:01
B1. "911" (Emergency remix) â 4:23
B2. "911" (Emergency remix instrumental) â 4:23
B3. "911" (LP version) â 4:01
Australian CD single 1
- "911" (radio edit) â 4:06
- "911" (Ghetto Love remix) â 4:01
- "Younger Days" â 5:00
- "It Doesn't Matter" (remix featuring Hope) â 4:05
Australian CD single 2
- "911" (Emergency remix) â 4:23
- "911" (radio edit) â 4:06
- "911" (Ghetto Love remix) â 4:01
- "Younger Days" â 5:00
- "It Doesn't Matter" (remix featuring Hope) â 4:05
UK CD single
- "911" (LP version) â 4:21
- "Gone till November" â 3:29
- "It Doesn't Matter" â 4:05
UK cassette single
- "911" (LP version) â 4:21
- "911" (Ghetto Love remix) â 4:01
European CD single
- "911" (LP version) â 4:21
- "911" (Ghetto Love remix) â 4:01
- "911" (Emergency remix) â 4:23
French CD single
- "911" (radio edit) â 4:06
- "911" (Ghetto Love remix) â 4:01
Credits and personnel
Credits are taken from ' album booklet.
Studios
Personnel
- Wyclef Jean â writing, vocals, production
- Jerry "Wonder" Duplessis â writing, production
- Katia Cadet â writing
- Mary Brown â writing, background arrangements
- Mary J. Blige â featured vocals
- MBò â backing vocals
- Sedeck â co-production
- Andy Grassi â mixing, recording engineer, mastering
- Michael McCoy â recording engineer
- Chris Gehringer â mastering
- Serge "Sergical" Tsai â mastering
Charts
Weekly charts
Year-end charts
Certifications
Release history
References