Stepped on My J'z
Encyclopedia
"Stepped on My J'z" is a song by American
rapper Nelly
. The song features American singer Ciara
and rapper Jermaine Dupri
. It was recorded for Nelly's fifth studio album, Brass Knuckles
. The track was produced by Jermaine Dupri, and was released as the second single from the album, but the music video was released before. This is the second time Ciara has worked with Jermaine Dupri, the first time working on the single "Like You
" with Bow Wow.
" charting too early, so the label changed its mind at the very last minute. At the BET Awards 2008, Ashanti
announced that instead of them collaborating with the same single, she went her way with a different single for her album, and Nelly finally decided to make "J'z" the official second single once again. It was also said to have been a much better decision because this single would lend more of a hand in promoting more album sales, being that the single was more radio-friendly and had more chart-topping potential.
The song was performed on the BET Awards
'08 by Nelly, Ciara and Jermaine.
Due to the lack of promotion from Nelly or his label, the single failed to chart any higher than it did.
. It then premiered on the show Access Granted
on June 11 on BET
. The video also peaked at #1 on BET's 106 & Park
. The music video starts off with young comedian/actor Lil' JJ
, actor/singer Maestro Harrell
, and another friend skipping school and returning with newly bought pairs of Jordans
. Nelly starts his first verse seated atop a sports car with a video girl behind, both wearing Jordans. It then cuts over to the scene where Jeffrey Scott Bailey with a careless attitude walks past with a bike and steps on Nelly's freshly bought Jordans. Nelly then immediately confronts him, with his homeboys co-signing behind him, in a scene reminiscent to that of a cut from the popular Spike Lee film, 'Do the Right Thing'. The video then cuts to Jermaine Dupri
doing his verse in his "personal shoe garage" dancing in front of a mirror and trying on different pairs of Jordans. It then quickly cuts to a black & white scene with Dupri atop a basketball goal imitating a popular commercial in which Michael Jordan continuously attempts to make free throws as Spike Lee blocks each and every shot, with Nelly portraying Michael in this scene. The video then cuts to Ciara
and two other dancers pulling up to a basketball park in a blue candy-painted donk
. Ciara and her dancers then cut to a sexy choreographed dance scene (which was made up literally two hours before the video was shot) as she sings her verse and shows off her turquoise Melody Ehsani "POW" 3-finger rings, Melody Ehsani "FOCUSED" plated necklace, and her pair of exclusive Jordans with a Chanel pocket purse attached to her left shoe. After her verse, Ciara dances to the words of Nelly's verse immediately following hers, throwing up the numbered Jordan signs as Nelly raps them. The video finally cuts to a collaborative scene with Nelly, Ciara, and Dupri on a basketball court with spectators cheering and dancing on the sidelines. The video ends this way with the three performing a choreographed "J'z" step, dancing around, and interacting with the fans. The St. Lunatics
, Avery Storm
and DJ Drama
make cameo appearances in this video.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
rapper Nelly
Nelly
Cornell Iral Haynes, Jr. , better known by his stage name Nelly, is an Grammy Award winning American rapper and actor. He has performed with the rap group St. Lunatics since 1993 and signed to Universal Records in 1999. Under Universal, Nelly began his solo career in 2000 with his debut album...
. The song features American singer Ciara
Ciara
Ciara Princess Harris , known mononymously as Ciara, is an American singer-songwriter, dancer, actress and fashion model. Born in Austin, Texas, she traveled around the world during her childhood, only to land in Atlanta, Georgia where she met music producer, Jazze Pha...
and rapper Jermaine Dupri
Jermaine Dupri
Jermaine Dupri Mauldin , known as Jermaine Dupri or JD, is an American record producer, songwriter and rapper.- Early life and career :...
. It was recorded for Nelly's fifth studio album, Brass Knuckles
Brass Knuckles (album)
Brass Knuckles is the fifth studio album by American recording artist Nelly, released on September 16, 2008 after several delays.- Background :...
. The track was produced by Jermaine Dupri, and was released as the second single from the album, but the music video was released before. This is the second time Ciara has worked with Jermaine Dupri, the first time working on the single "Like You
Like You
"Like You" is a 2005 hit song duetted by rapper Bow Wow and singer Ciara. It was written by Jermaine Dupri, Jaron Alston, and Johnta Austin, and produced by Dupri and Bryan Michael Cox for Bow Wow's fourth album entitled Wanted. The song includes the keyboard chord of New Edition's "I'm Leaving You...
" with Bow Wow.
Song information
The song was originally to be the official second single, but was changed to the third single due to the single "Body on MeBody on Me
"Body on Me" is a song by rapper Nelly and singer Ashanti featuring singer/producer Akon. It was recorded for Ashanti's fourth album The Declaration and Nelly's fifth studio album Brass Knuckles. The track is produced by Akon and Giorgio Tuinfort...
" charting too early, so the label changed its mind at the very last minute. At the BET Awards 2008, Ashanti
Ashanti (singer)
Ashanti Shequoiya Douglas is an American singer-songwriter, record producer, dancer, actress, and model. She rose to fame in the early 2000s. Ashanti is most famous for her eponymous debut album, which featured the hit song "Foolish", and sold over 503,000 copies in its first week of release...
announced that instead of them collaborating with the same single, she went her way with a different single for her album, and Nelly finally decided to make "J'z" the official second single once again. It was also said to have been a much better decision because this single would lend more of a hand in promoting more album sales, being that the single was more radio-friendly and had more chart-topping potential.
The song was performed on the BET Awards
BET Awards
The BET Awards were established in 2001 by the Black Entertainment Television network to celebrate African Americans and other minorities in music, acting, sports, and other fields of entertainment over the past year. The awards are presented annually and broadcast live on BET...
'08 by Nelly, Ciara and Jermaine.
Due to the lack of promotion from Nelly or his label, the single failed to chart any higher than it did.
Music video
The music video for "Stepped on My J'z" was filmed in the middle of May 2008 and directed by Benny BoomBenny Boom
Benny Boom is a music video director and current director of Gorilla Flix, Inc. He trained at Temple University's School of Radio, Television, & Film, and also served as a protégé of veteran director Little X and Hype Williams....
. It then premiered on the show Access Granted
Access Granted
Access Granted is an American television series that features an in depth look at the planning and production of R&B and hip hop music videos. Each week, a different artist and their new music video are featured, with the video premiering at the end of the episode. The series began airing in 2001...
on June 11 on BET
Bet
Bet or BET may refer to:* A wager in gambling* Basic Economics Test * Bet , the second letter in many Semitic alphabets, including Aramaic, Hebrew, Phoenician and Syriac* Brunauer-Emmett-Teller isotherm. See BET_theory...
. The video also peaked at #1 on BET's 106 & Park
106 & Park
106 & Park is a Top Ten Hip-Hop and R&B music video show, set up in a countdown format, that airs weekdays at 6:00 PM on BET . Since its inception, it was the network's #1 rated show...
. The music video starts off with young comedian/actor Lil' JJ
Lil' JJ
Lil' JJ is an American stand-up comedian, musician, dancer, and actor, best known for his role as Jordan on the Nickelodeon television series Just Jordan and doing Vital Information sketch for All That in season ten....
, actor/singer Maestro Harrell
Maestro Harrell
Maestro Harrell is an American actor who starred on the HBO original series The Wire as Randy Wagstaff. He was also on the NBC drama ER on April 26, 2007....
, and another friend skipping school and returning with newly bought pairs of Jordans
Air Jordan
Air Jordan, also known simply as Jordans, are a brand of shoes and athletic apparel produced by Nike originally designed for and endorsed by NBA Hall of Famer and Six Time NBA Champion Michael Jordan. The Air Jordan line is now sold by the Jordan Brand subsidiary of Nike...
. Nelly starts his first verse seated atop a sports car with a video girl behind, both wearing Jordans. It then cuts over to the scene where Jeffrey Scott Bailey with a careless attitude walks past with a bike and steps on Nelly's freshly bought Jordans. Nelly then immediately confronts him, with his homeboys co-signing behind him, in a scene reminiscent to that of a cut from the popular Spike Lee film, 'Do the Right Thing'. The video then cuts to Jermaine Dupri
Jermaine Dupri
Jermaine Dupri Mauldin , known as Jermaine Dupri or JD, is an American record producer, songwriter and rapper.- Early life and career :...
doing his verse in his "personal shoe garage" dancing in front of a mirror and trying on different pairs of Jordans. It then quickly cuts to a black & white scene with Dupri atop a basketball goal imitating a popular commercial in which Michael Jordan continuously attempts to make free throws as Spike Lee blocks each and every shot, with Nelly portraying Michael in this scene. The video then cuts to Ciara
Ciara
Ciara Princess Harris , known mononymously as Ciara, is an American singer-songwriter, dancer, actress and fashion model. Born in Austin, Texas, she traveled around the world during her childhood, only to land in Atlanta, Georgia where she met music producer, Jazze Pha...
and two other dancers pulling up to a basketball park in a blue candy-painted donk
Hi-Riser (automobile)
Hi-Risers are a type of highly customized automobile, typically an inexpensive American-built sedan modified by significantly increasing the ground clearance and adding large-diameter wheels with low-profile tires...
. Ciara and her dancers then cut to a sexy choreographed dance scene (which was made up literally two hours before the video was shot) as she sings her verse and shows off her turquoise Melody Ehsani "POW" 3-finger rings, Melody Ehsani "FOCUSED" plated necklace, and her pair of exclusive Jordans with a Chanel pocket purse attached to her left shoe. After her verse, Ciara dances to the words of Nelly's verse immediately following hers, throwing up the numbered Jordan signs as Nelly raps them. The video finally cuts to a collaborative scene with Nelly, Ciara, and Dupri on a basketball court with spectators cheering and dancing on the sidelines. The video ends this way with the three performing a choreographed "J'z" step, dancing around, and interacting with the fans. The St. Lunatics
St. Lunatics
The St. Lunatics are a hip hop group from St. Louis, Missouri formed in 1995. The group consists of Nelly, Ali, Murphy Lee, Kyjuan and City Spud. Former member Slo'Down left the group after a dispute.- Career :...
, Avery Storm
Avery Storm
Ralph di Stasio, better known by his stage name Avery Storm, is an American singer.Di Stasio was born to a working-class Italian-American family in New Jersey. He moved to New York City after he graduated from high school...
and DJ Drama
DJ Drama
Tyree Cinque Simmons better known as DJ Drama is an American hip hop artist and the official DJ for Grand Hustle/Atlantic recording artist T.I.....
make cameo appearances in this video.
Chart performance
| Chart (2008) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| U.S. Billboard Hot 100 Billboard Hot 100 The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday... |
90 |
| U.S. Billboard Bubbling Under R&B/Hip-Hop Singles | 4 |