Pro Nails
Encyclopedia
"Pro Nails" is the second single by American
hip hop
artist Kid Sister
from her debut album Ultraviolet
(formerly known as Dream Date). The song is better known for its remix, which features a verse by Kanye West
. The single was originally released in 2007 and reissued in 2008.
. West discovered the song through A-Trak
, who had begun dating Kid Sister.
"Pro Nails" was initially released on both 12" vinyl and via the iTunes Store
on October 17, 2007. The single featured both the original and remix edits of "Pro Nails" as well as a b-side entitled "Switch Board", produced by Gant-Man
. All of Kid Sister's releases were eventually removed from iTunes when she signed a new record deal with Downtown Records
in February 2008. In April 2008, a maxi single
was released and the song was readded to iTunes as the Super High Shine EP. The single was released in the United Kingdom
on July 14, 2008. The Kanye remix was also featured on Fabric Live 38.
The song samples Project Pat's "Good Googly Moogly".
. Following the theme of the song, a majority of the video takes place within a nail salon
. Near the end, the scene relocates to an alley and the song transits to the b-side "Switchboard." The video was filmed in October 2007, and premiered on mtvU
on December 3.
's Hot Singles Sales chart in May 2008, achieving a peak of number twenty-one.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
hip hop
Hip hop
Hip hop is a form of musical expression and artistic culture that originated in African-American and Latino communities during the 1970s in New York City, specifically the Bronx. DJ Afrika Bambaataa outlined the four pillars of hip hop culture: MCing, DJing, breaking and graffiti writing...
artist Kid Sister
Kid Sister
Melisa Young better known by her stage name Kid Sister, is a rap artist based in Chicago, Illinois, well known for her single "Pro Nails", featuring Kanye West.-Background:Melisa Young was born July 3, 1980 in Markham, Illinois...
from her debut album Ultraviolet
Ultraviolet (Kid Sister album)
Ultraviolet is the debut album by Chicago rapper and singer Kid Sister, it was released on November 17, 2009. It was initially to be titled Dream Date but was changed during the recording process, along with the removal of three tracks and addition of five new ones...
(formerly known as Dream Date). The song is better known for its remix, which features a verse by Kanye West
Kanye West
Kanye Omari West is an American rapper, singer, and record producer. West first rose to fame as a producer for Roc-A-Fella Records, where he eventually achieved recognition for his work on Jay-Z's album The Blueprint, as well as hit singles for musical artists including Alicia Keys, Ludacris, and...
. The single was originally released in 2007 and reissued in 2008.
Background and release
Originally a solo track, Kanye West added a guest verse to the song for his 2007 Can't Tell Me Nothing mixtapeMixtape
A Mix Tape or Mixed Tape is a compilation of songs recorded in a specific order, traditionally onto an audio Compact Cassette.A Mix Tape, which usually reflects the musical tastes of its compiler, can range from a casually selected list of favorite songs, to a conceptual mix of songs linked by a...
. West discovered the song through A-Trak
A-Trak
A-Trak is a Montreal-born DJ, turntablist, and owner of the record label Fool's Gold.- Career :...
, who had begun dating Kid Sister.
"Pro Nails" was initially released on both 12" vinyl and via the iTunes Store
ITunes Store
The iTunes Store is a software-based online digital media store operated by Apple. Opening as the iTunes Music Store on April 28, 2003, with over 200,000 items to purchase, it is, as of April 2008, the number-one music vendor in the United States...
on October 17, 2007. The single featured both the original and remix edits of "Pro Nails" as well as a b-side entitled "Switch Board", produced by Gant-Man
Gant-Man
Gant Garrard , also known as Gant-Man is a Disc jockey who was introduced to mixing in the early 1980s by his older brother and learned how to count beats and blend records at the young age of 5 with Hip hop, New York garage, Chicago house, Electronic and Disco music.-Biography:At age 10 he was...
. All of Kid Sister's releases were eventually removed from iTunes when she signed a new record deal with Downtown Records
Downtown Records
Downtown Records is a record label owned and operated by Downtown Music LLC. Music on the Downtown label is distributed by Universal Music's Fontana Distribution and, for certain releases, as a joint venture with Atlantic Records and also for select releases, by Alternative Distribution Alliance...
in February 2008. In April 2008, a maxi single
Maxi single
A maxi single or maxi-single is a music single release with more than the usual two tracks of an a-side song and a b-side song.-The first maxi singles:...
was released and the song was readded to iTunes as the Super High Shine EP. The single was released in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
on July 14, 2008. The Kanye remix was also featured on Fabric Live 38.
The song samples Project Pat's "Good Googly Moogly".
Music video
The music video, directed by Ruben Fleischer, uses the remix version and features Kanye West as well as a cameo by A-TrakA-Trak
A-Trak is a Montreal-born DJ, turntablist, and owner of the record label Fool's Gold.- Career :...
. Following the theme of the song, a majority of the video takes place within a nail salon
Nail salon
A nail salon or nail bar is a beauty services establishment that primarily offers nail care services such as manicures, pedicures, and nail enhancements. Often, nail salons also offer skin care services. There are approximately 9,900 nail salons in the U.S., up 23% from 2007 according to the ....
. Near the end, the scene relocates to an alley and the song transits to the b-side "Switchboard." The video was filmed in October 2007, and premiered on mtvU
MtvU
mtvU is a division of Viacom's MTV Networks which produces a 24-hour television channel that is available on more than 750 college and university campuses across the United States, as well as several digital cable packages...
on December 3.
Track listing
- "Pro Nails" - Single
- "Pro Nails" (Remix feat. Kanye West) – 3:29
- "Pro Nails" (Remix feat. Kanye West) (Clean) – 3:29
- "Pro Nails" – 3:29
- "Pro Nails" (Instrumental) – 3:29
- "Switch Board" – 2:53
- "Switch Board" (Instrumental) – 2:53
- "Pro Nails": Super High Shine - EP
- "Pro Nails" (Remix feat. Kanye West) – 3:29
- "Pro Nails" (Bag Raiders Remix) – 4:42
- "Pro Nails" (Gant-Man's Jackin Remix) – 5:39
- "Pro Nails" (Instrumental) – 3:29
- "Switch Board" – 2:53
Charts
"Pro Nails" spent two nonconsecutive weeks on BillboardBillboard (magazine)
Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis...
's Hot Singles Sales chart in May 2008, achieving a peak of number twenty-one.
| Chart (2008) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| U.S. Billboard Hot Singles Sales | 21 |