"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, The Ecleftic: 2 Sides II a Book (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 and had success worldwide, particularly in Scandinavian countries, reaching number one in Norway and Sweden.
| "911" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single by Wyclef Jean featuring Mary J. Blige | ||||
| from the album The Ecleftic: 2 Sides II a Book | ||||
| B-side | "Younger Days" | |||
| Released | 5 September 2000 | |||
| Studio | The Hit Factory (New York City) | |||
| Length | 4:19 | |||
| Label | Columbia | |||
| Songwriter(s) |
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| Producer(s) |
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| Wyclef Jean singles chronology | ||||
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| Mary J. Blige singles chronology | ||||
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Music and video
The song depicted 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".
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
Credits and personnel
Credits and personnel are taken from The Ecleftic: 2 Sides II a Book album booklet.[8]
Studios
- Recorded and mixed at The Hit Factory (New York City)
- Mastered at Sterling Sound (New York City)
Personnel
- Wyclef Jean – writing, vocals, production
- Jerry "Wonder" Duplessis – writing, production
- Katia Cadet – writing
- Mary Brown – writing, background arrangements
- Mary J. Blige – featured vocals
- MB² – backing vocals
- Sedeck – co-production
- Andy Grassi – mixing, recording engineer, mastering
- Michael McCoy – recording engineer
- Chris Gehringer – mastering
- Serge "Sergical" Tsai – mastering
Charts
Year-end charts
| Chart (2000) | Position |
|---|---|
| Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[32] | 4 |
| US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks (Billboard)[33] | 73 |
| Chart (2001) | Position |
|---|---|
| Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[34] | 99 |
| Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia)[35] | 57 |
| Canada (Nielsen SoundScan)[36] | 152 |
| Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[37] | 28 |
| France (SNEP)[38] | 54 |
| Germany (Official German Charts)[39] | 72 |
| Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[40] | 99 |
| Netherlands (Single Top 100)[41] | 86 |
| Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[42] | 62 |
| US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks (Billboard)[43] | 81 |
Certifications
| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| France (SNEP)[44] | Gold | 250,000* |
| Norway (IFPI Norway)[45] | Platinum | |
| Sweden (GLF)[46] | Gold | 15,000^ |
| United Kingdom (BPI)[47] | Silver | 200,000‡ |
* Sales figures based on certification alone. | ||
Release history
| Region | Date | Format(s) | Label(s) | Ref(s). |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 5 September 2000 | Columbia | [48][49] | |
| United Kingdom | 4 December 2000 |
| [50] | |
| Australia | 26 March 2001 | CD | [51] |