(Always Be My) Sunshine
1997 single by Jay-Z featuring Foxy Brown and Babyface
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"(Always Be My) Sunshine" is a hip hop song by American rapper Jay-Z with guest vocals from fellow emcee Foxy Brown and R&B singer-songwriter Babyface who performs the song's chorus. It serves as the first single from his second album In My Lifetime, Vol. 1 (1997). The track features production by Daven "Prestige" Vanderpool. Vanderpool samples MC Lyte's "Cha Cha Cha", Alexander O'Neal's "Sunshine", Kraftwerk's "The Man-Machine" and The Fearless Four's "Rockin' It" for the track's beat. In addition, George Fonenette plays keyboards on this song. The song's lyrics helped indicate Jay-Z's change from his Mafioso rap style to a more commercial "shiny suit" style.[citation needed] Steve Juon of RapReviews.com supports the song claiming that it is a less gangsta version of The Notorious B.I.G.'s "Me & My Bitch", a well-received track.[1] Jay-Z cites this song as "what killed the album."[2]
| "(Always Be My) Sunshine" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single by Jay-Z featuring Foxy Brown and Babyface | ||||
| from the album In My Lifetime, Vol. 1 | ||||
| Released | October 14, 1997 | |||
| Recorded | 1997 | |||
| Genre | East Coast hip-hop | |||
| Length | 4:43 | |||
| Label | ||||
| Songwriters | ||||
| Producer | Daven "Prestige" Vanderpool | |||
| Jay-Z singles chronology | ||||
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| Babyface singles chronology | ||||
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| Foxy Brown singles chronology | ||||
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| Music video | ||||
| "(Always Be My) Sunshine" on YouTube | ||||
Music video
The music video was directed by Hype Williams. Jay-Z is featured in the video rapping in a room resembling a Rubik's Cube & having a carnival theme to it with Foxy Brown rapping alongside of him. Jay-Z & co-founder of Roc-A-Fella, Damon Dash later regretted doing the video citing that the video wasn't their style.
Formats and track listings
CD
- "Sunshine (Radio Edit)" (3:15)
- "Sunshine (Album Version)" (4:11)
- "Sunshine (Clean Version)" (4:12)
- "Sunshine (TV track)" (4:12)
- "Sunshine (Acappella)" (3:49)
Vinyl
A-side
- "Sunshine (Album Version)"
- "Sunshine (TV Track)"
- "Sunshine (Radio Edit)"
B-side
- "Sunshine (Clean Version)"
- "Sunshine (Instrumental)"
- "Sunshine (Acappella)"
Charts
| Chart (1997) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Germany (GfK)[3] | 18 |
| Netherlands (Dutch Top 40 Tipparade)[4] | 9 |
| Netherlands (Single Top 100)[5] | 66 |
| New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[6] | 22 |
| Scotland Singles (OCC)[7] | 69 |
| Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[8] | 47 |
| UK Hip Hop/R&B (OCC)[9] | 3 |
| UK Singles (OCC)[10] | 25 |
| US Billboard Hot 100[11] | 95 |
| US Dance Singles Sales (Billboard)[12] | 21 |
| US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[13] | 37 |
| US Hot Rap Songs (Billboard)[14] | 16 |