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Hey Mr. D.J. (Zhan song)
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Wikipedia article
{{Infobox song
| name = Hey Mr. D.J.
| cover = ZhaneHeyMr.D.J.Single.jpg
| alt =
| border = yes
| type = single
| artist = Zhan
| album = Pronounced Jah-Nay
| released = August 12, 1993
| recorded = 19921993
| studio =
| genre = R&B
| length = 4:11
| label = Motown
49 77121
| writer = *A. Bahr
*V. Brown
*A. Criss
*K. Gist
*R. Neufville
*J. Norris
| producer = *Naughty by Nature
*118th Street Productions
| chronology = Zhan
| prev_title =
| prev_year =
| next_title = Groove Thang
| next_year = 1994
| misc =
}}
"'Hey Mr. D.J.'" is a song by American R&B group Zhan, recorded for their debut album, 'Pronounced Jah-Nay' (1994). It was released as the group's debut single in August 1993 and features a rap from Rottin Razkals member Fam. The song samples "Looking Up to You" by singer Michael Wycoff. The single peaked at number six on the 'Billboard' Hot 100 and was certified gold by the RIAA for selling 500,000 copies domestically. In Australia, it peaked at number nine, while reaching number 20 in New Zealand. Originally, the song was recorded and released on the 1993 compilation album, 'Roll Wit tha Flava'.
"Hey Mr. D.J." was certified gold in the US by October 1993, and in Australia in 1994.
Critical reception
Daryl McIntosh from Albumism stated that Kay Gees beat "provided a sound reminiscent of late 70s disco band Chic, that, together with the perfectly complementary vocals, created a euphoria of modern funk." Allmusic editor Jose F. Promis described the song as a "sleek slice of earthy, sophisticated soul that stands as one of the best R&B hits of the '90s." Larry Flick from 'Billboard' wrote that the female act "earns points for not succumbing to the temptation of being just another bunch of new fill swingers. Instead, they choose to conjure memories of the Emotions by laying pretty vocal into the context of shimmying R&B bassline and subtle disco strings. The song itself is a bit thin, but engaging nonethelessthanks mostly to a charismatic new act with the potential to lure more than a few DJs to the fold." Brendan Frederick from 'Complex' called it "a simple ode to dancing the night away to your favorite song", and a "summertime party anthem". James Bernard from 'Entertainment Weekly' said "Hey Mr. D.J." "caught fire with its prancing bass line and anthemic chorus."
Rod Edwards from the 'Gavin Report' stated that "their sound falls between hip hop and R&B". Pan-European magazine 'Music & Media' noted that the Original Mix is a "jazzy soul laden jam, flexing rhythm and blues muscle. Its warmth harks back to the '70s." Andy Beevers from 'Music Week' gave it four out of five, complimenting it as an "excellent catchy soul track". John Kilgo from 'The Network Forty' commented that "sultry and smooth, Zhane' brings a fresh tasting low groove that's nicely reminiscent of a relaxing, flavorful '70s summer tune. Jean Norris and Renee Neufville comprise the duo of Zhane', while their voices blend together like a shake from an ice cream parlor. Produced by superstar Kay Gee of Naughty By Nature fame, Zhane' proudly sing their tribute record-spinners the world over. They do so without missing a beat on this exciting debut." A reviewer from 'People Magazine' stated that "with a funky, old-school groove and light-as-air harmonizing", the song "jumps to the joys of getting down and having fun."
Chart performance
"Hey Mr. D.J." was a moderate success on the charts on several continents, peaking at number two on both the 'RPM' Dance/Urban chart in Canada and the 'Billboard' Dance Club Songs chart in the United States. In Europe, it made it to the Top 30 in Austria, Germany and the United Kingdom, where it peaked at number 27, 29 and 26. On the German singles chart, the song spent 13 weeks. In the UK, it reached its peak in its first week at the UK Singles Chart, on September 5, 1993. On the Eurochart Hot 100, "Hey Mr. D.J." peaked at number 62 in December 1993, but on the European Dance Radio Chart, it reached number eleven. Outside Europe, it also hit number three on the 'Billboard' Hot 100 in the US, number nine in Australia and number 20 in New Zealand. The single earned a gold record in the US, after a sale of 500,000 units.
Impact and legacy
In 2006, the song was voted number nine on website 'Slant Magazine's list of the '100 Greatest Dance Songs'. And in 2011 it was voted number 86 in their list of 'The 100 Best Singles of the 1990s', adding, "Straight-up, no-bullshit dance music. The duo pronounced "Jah-Nay" let the slack groove thang take you away to a place where the DJ will keep playing that song all night."
'BuzzFeed' listed it as number 45 in their 'The 101 Greatest Dance Songs Of the '90s' list in 2017. They wrote, "Great harmonies, chill vibe, rap bridge; all the things you needed to make a perfect early-90s R&B dance song."
In 2020, 'Slant Magazine' ranked it number 22 in their list of 'The 100 Best Dance Songs of All Time'. They added, "Still, no one nailed the formula quite like Zhan did with this velvet midnight blue floor-filler."
Accolades
(*) indicates the list is unordered.
Music video
A music video was made for "Hey Mr. D.J.". It was directed by Peter Allen, and features Zhan performing the song at a club party with a D.J. playing the music for a dancing crowd. In between the group is also seen performing the song in a park.
Track listings
* '12" 33 RPM vinyl'
#"Hey Mr. D.J." (Maurice's Club Mix) 6:37
#"Hey Mr. D.J." (Maurice's Club Mix w/ Rap) 6:37
#"Hey Mr. D.J." (Original Mix) 4:20
#"Hey Mr. D.J." (Mo's Hey D.J. Work This Dub) 6:25
#"Hey Mr. D.J." (UBQ's Underground Dub) 6:45
#"Hey Mr. D.J." (Moapella) 2:38
* 'CD maxi-single'
#"Hey Mr. D.J." (Original Mix) 4:20
#"Hey Mr. D.J." (7" Remix) 3:54
#"Hey Mr. D.J." (7" Remix w/ Rap) 3:52
#"Hey Mr. D.J." (Maurice's Club Mix) 6:39
#"Hey Mr. D.J." (Maurice's Club Mix w/ Rap) 6:39
#"Hey Mr. D.J." (Mo's Hey D.J. Work This Dub) 6:25
Charts
Weekly charts
Year-end charts
Notes
Category:1993 singles
Category:Epic Records singles
Category:Zhan songs
Category:1993 songs
Category:Song recordings produced by Naughty by Nature
Category:Songs written by Treach
Category:Songs written by KayGee
Category:Songs written by Vin Rock
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