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Lock U Down
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Wikipedia article
"'Lock U Down'" is a song by American singer Ma on her fourth studio album 'Liberation' (2007). It was written by Harrison along with Jason Boyd, Dwayne Carter, and Scott Storch, with production handled by the latter, and featured Young Money rapper Lil Wayne. The song was released as the album's official leading single after "Ayo!" failed to find success on the charts or at radio and eventually deemed a promotional single only. The lyrics of the R&B-collaboration speak of a woman locking her man down when she has found the right one.
The song received generally mixed reviews from contemporary music critics, who found that "Lock U Down" sounded dated and a poor choice as a single. The song was a commercial disappointment, it failed to chart on 'Billboard's Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart; peaking below the chart at number one hundred and number one on the Bubbling Under R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart only. The song's accompanying music video was filmed by director Benny Boom. It featured Harrison and Lil Wayne in abandon warehouse. The video made its world premiere on BETs '106 & Park' on April 25, 2007.
Background
Co-written by Ma and produced by Scott Storch, "Lock U Down" featuring Lil' Wayne mixes a prominent Eastern harp sample with a guitar riff. A street-but-sweet hip-hop soul jam, it exposes what kind of man a woman wants and needs. Following the commercial disappointment of "Ayo!," Universal Motown delayed 'Liberation's release. Initially, "Lock U Down" leaked in late December 2006.
Critical reception
(pictured) is featured on the single.
Upon release "Lock U Down" garnered "mixed" reviews from music critics. Previewed by back in July 2006, the 'Miami Herald' praised "Lock U Down," and described the song as "genius" while commenting,"a rippling rhythm that shows off the rich tones of the underrated singer's voice, with a Middle Eastern counter melody." Writing for 'Sentinel', editor Brandon Brooks gave "Lock U Down" a favorable review. Brooks deemed "Lock U Down" a sure fire hit; while complimenting on Harrison's vocal performance noting, "She has grown up over the years and sound rejuvenated than ever before." 'The Guardian's Rosie Swash dismissed Lock U Down as a "basic but generally likeable song."
Music video
On April 24, 2007, a day prior to the video's official release, Universal Motown uploaded a 27-minute video teaser. The Benny Boom-directed music video for the track was premiered on '106 & Park' on April 25, 2007. The heavy dance-laid video includes Ma dancing in a seemingly abandoned warehouse. Ma performs a dance routine with a few back-up dancers during the video. Lil Wayne stands next to Ma when rapping his verses, and Ma is sometimes seen mouthing the words to his rap. Towards the end of the video, Ma is seen partying with a couple of friends.
Track listing
Credits and personnel
Credits lifted from the liner notes of 'Liberation'.
*Wayne "The Brain" Allison recording engineer
*Jason "Poo Bear" Boyd writer
*Dwayne "Lil Wayne" Carter vocalist, writer
*Vadim "Chise" Chislov recording engineer assistance
*Aaron "Franchise" Fishbein guitar
*Conrad Golding recording engineer
*Suha Gur mastering engineer
*Ma Harrison vocalist, writer
*Fabian Marasciullo mixing engineer
*Scott Storch producer, writer
Charts
Weekly charts
Year-end charts
Release history
References
Category:2007 singles
Category:2007 songs
Category:Ma songs
Category:Lil Wayne songs
Category:Universal Motown Records singles
Category:Music videos directed by Benny Boom
Category:Songs written by Poo Bear
Category:Song recordings produced by Scott Storch
Category:Songs written by Scott Storch
Category:Songs written by Lil Wayne
Category:Songs written by Ma
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