Baby Boy (Beyoncé song): Difference between revisions
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| Last single = "[[Breathe (Blu Cantrell song)|Breathe]]"<br>(2003) |
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| This single = "'''Baby Boy'''"<br>(2003) |
| This single = "'''Baby Boy'''"<br>(2003) |
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| Next single = "[[I'm Still in Love with You (Sean Paul song)|I'm Still in Love with You]]"<br>( |
| Next single = "[[I'm Still in Love with You (Sean Paul song)|I'm Still in Love with You]]"<br>(2004) |
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"'''Baby Boy'''" is a song recorded by [[United States|American]] singer [[Beyoncé Knowles]], featuring vocals by [[reggae]]-[[dancehall]] singer [[Sean Paul]]. The [[contemporary R&B|R&B]]-dancehall song was co-written by Knowles, [[Scott Storch]], Sean Paul, Robert Waller and [[Jay-Z]] for Knowles' debut solo album, ''[[Dangerously in Love]]''. The track was produced by Knowles and Storch, and was released on [[October 14]], [[2004]] in the United States as the album's second single. The lyrics refer to fantasies, and its music video features sensual footage. |
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"Baby Boy" was commercially successful, staying at the top of the US [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]] for nine weeks, in part due to the considerable amount of airplay it received. The song was Knowles' longest-running solo number-one single, until "[[Irreplaceable]]" (2006) and was eventually [[music recording sales certification|certified]] Platinum in the US. The single charted equally well internationally, entering the top ten in most countries and achieving Platinum status in Australia. |
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The song was received positively by critics and the music industry. The British record company [[EMI]] was recognized at the |
The song was received positively by critics and the music industry. The British record company [[EMI]] was recognized at the 2005 [[American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers|ASCAP]] Pop Music Awards as Publisher of the Year for "Baby Boy", and for publishing other songs recorded by contemporary artists. The song is always featured in Knowles' concert set list, and ASCAP honored it as one of the most performed songs in 2005. |
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==Background and writing== |
==Background and writing== |
Revision as of 02:14, 24 April 2008
"Baby Boy" | |
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Song |
"Baby Boy" is a song recorded by American singer Beyoncé Knowles, featuring vocals by reggae-dancehall singer Sean Paul. The R&B-dancehall song was co-written by Knowles, Scott Storch, Sean Paul, Robert Waller and Jay-Z for Knowles' debut solo album, Dangerously in Love. The track was produced by Knowles and Storch, and was released on October 14, 2004 in the United States as the album's second single. The lyrics refer to fantasies, and its music video features sensual footage.
"Baby Boy" was commercially successful, staying at the top of the US Billboard Hot 100 for nine weeks, in part due to the considerable amount of airplay it received. The song was Knowles' longest-running solo number-one single, until "Irreplaceable" (2006) and was eventually certified Platinum in the US. The single charted equally well internationally, entering the top ten in most countries and achieving Platinum status in Australia.
The song was received positively by critics and the music industry. The British record company EMI was recognized at the 2005 ASCAP Pop Music Awards as Publisher of the Year for "Baby Boy", and for publishing other songs recorded by contemporary artists. The song is always featured in Knowles' concert set list, and ASCAP honored it as one of the most performed songs in 2005.
Background and writing
When Knowles started working on her debut solo album, Dangerously in Love, she first collaborated with Canadian record producer Scott Storch.[1] Their first output was "Naughty Girl", which was eventually released as the fourth and final single from the album. Working in a Miami, Florida studio, Knowles and Storch wrote "Baby Boy" with contributions from Robert Waller and Jay-Z.
After Knowles was finished on the track, she thought it would be "perfect" if someone adds vocals on it.[1] They talked to Sean Paul on phone; he flew to Miami and began another session for the song. Meanwhile, Knowles was acquainted with Sean Paul's music because she had listened to a lot of his records.[2] They decided to collaborate because of mutual admiration for each other's work.[3][2] Knowles and Sean Paul finished tracking "Baby Boy" in March 2003, during the late stages of recording her debut solo album Dangerously in Love.[2]
Composition and theme
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"Baby Boy" is a mid-tempo R&B song, performed with a moderate groove. It is in the key of E♭ major, and is set to 92 beats per minute, in common time.[4] "Baby Boy" is a hybrid of R&B and dancehall,[5] and also feaes influences from reggae. Like Knowles' 2004 song "Naughty Girl", Middle-Eastern influences are present on the song because of Storch's knowledge about it.[6] According to Roger Friedman of FOX News, "Baby Boy" is based on the 1995 reggae song "Here Comes the Hotstepper" by Jamaican singer Ini Kamoze.[7]
"Baby Boy" is a sequel to "'03 Bonnie & Clyde", a 2002 song by rapper Jay-Z, featuring Knowles.[2] Sean Paul stated: "She's telling me about her fantasies and picturing me and her going here and there, all over the world ... I'm answering back, like, 'I'm wit it.'"[2] The song is about fantasy, in keeping with the theme of the album she deemed as personal.[3] The lyrics are constructed in the rap – chorus – verse form, it starts with a rap by Sean Paul, followed with a chorus by Knowles, before singing the verse.[4] The pattern repeats until the bridge, giving way to another rap and chorus, and finalizes in the coda.
Release and reception
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b7/Beyonce_Baby_Boy.jpg/220px-Beyonce_Baby_Boy.jpg)
"Baby Boy" was released as CD single in Canada on May 4, 2004, followed in Australia on September 9; both releases varied in content. It was released in the United States on October 14, 2004 as a 12" single.[8] The track was included in the re-release of Sean Paul's second album, Dutty Rock, in 2003.
"Baby Boy" was well-received by contemporary critics. Rolling Stone reviewer Anthony DeCurtis felt that Knowles sounded like she was "having fun" on the song,[9] while Stephen Thomas Erlewine of All Music Guide called Knowles' vocals "assured and sexy".[10] Mark Anthony Neal of Popmatters complimented the song as one of the "high-profile collaborations" from Dangerously in Love.[11] Lisa Verrico of Times Online called the song a "Latino-tinged collaboration ... set to clicky beats that sound like castanets." She concluded: "Paul does a reggae rap in the middle, but it's when he chats while Beyoncé half raps that the pair have real chemistry."[12] Yancey Strickler of Flak magazine wrote that "'Baby Boy''s diwali stutter is enhanced by Sean Paul's dancehall monotone".[13] Entertainment Weekly's Neil Drumming quoted that "'Baby Boy' goes full-tilt Bollywood 'n da hood, with Sean Paul ripping a pulsing tabla raga."[14] James Anthony of The Guardian said that the track "bridges the gap between the genres of R&B and dancehall".[15]
About.com ranked "Baby Boy" on their list of the top 100 pop songs of 2003.[16] British record label EMI was honored by the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers during the 2005 Pop Music Awards as Publisher of the Year for "Baby Boy", among other songs;[17] Scott Storch earned Songwriter of the Year that same year.[17]
Live performances
Knowles performed "Baby Boy" during the 2003 MTV Video Music Awards, backgrounded with her Rocket-esque back-up female dancers.[18] She sang the track in a medley—"Baby Boy" with pre-recorded vocals from Sean Paul and "Crazy in Love" together with Jay-Z.[19] She later performed "Baby Boy" in the 2003 MTV Europe Music Awards together with Sean Paul.[20] Her performance was panned by Popmatters' Jessica Hodges as a "letdown" compared with her applauded 2003 MTV VMA.[21]
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5e/Beyonce_Baby_Boy_Dancing.jpg/220px-Beyonce_Baby_Boy_Dancing.jpg)
"Baby Boy" has been included on the set list in most concert tours Knowles has performed. The song was set as the opening of her Dangerously in Love World Tour, which ran late in 2003 to early 2004. She appeared suspended in the ceiling of the arena being lowered to the red lounger[22]—a production she used in the 2003 MTV VMA. The footage taken at the Wembley Arena was included in the Live at Wembley concert DVD, released in April 27, 2004. Knowles performed the song midway through the setlist on Destiny's Child farewell tour Destiny Fulfilled ... And Lovin' It, and later appeared in the Destiny's Child: Live in Atlanta. During her 2007 The Beyoncé Experience world concert tour, Knowles again performed "Baby Boy" that was incorporated with a reggae classic song "Murder She Wrote". She descended in the stairs wearing a belly-dancer-type while holding an umbrella, and sang the song; "Murder He Wrote" was performed after "Baby Boy".[23] The footage taken at the Staples Center, Los Angeles, California, on September 2, 2007 appeared in The Beyoncé Experience Live!.
In the 2005 ASCAP Pop Music Awards, "Baby Boy", along with "Me, Myself and I" and "Naughty Girl", garnered the title as one of the most performed songs of the year.[24]
Copyright infringement lawsuit
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/6b/Baby_Boy_Live.jpg/220px-Baby_Boy_Live.jpg)
In 2005, singer-songwriter Jennifer Armour filed a copyright infringement lawsuit claiming that Knowles used lyrics and the musical hook from her song "Got a Little Bit of Love for You".[25][26][27] In 2003, Armour's former label manager had submitted her demo recordings to record labels, including Knowles' Columbia Records and Sean Paul's Atlantic Records.[28][29] According to the district court, an expert hired by Armour testified that "there are a few, very brief elements in 'Baby Boy' that, once the key and the tempo are changed to match 'Got a Little Bit of Love for You,' appear similar"; the district court nonetheless ruled that no jury could find the two songs to be "substantially similar" (a requirement for an infringement finding) and dismissed the case.[27] On appeal, the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit affirmed the district court's ruling, but used different reasoning. It held that there was no infringement because Armour's demo tape was received after the writing of Knowles' song had been substantially completed; the court did not address the issue of substantial similarity.[29][30]
Chart performance
"Baby Boy", alongside "Me, Myself and I" and "Naughty Girl", attained more and immediate commercial success compared with "Crazy in Love", propelling the album on the Billboard 200 and helped be certified multi-platinum.[31] The single debuted on the Hot 100 on August 21, 2003 at number fifty-seven, while "Crazy in Love" was still on the top spot.[32] The single dominated the U.S. airplays, helping it to chart atop the Hot 100.[33][34][35] "Baby Boy" reached the chart's top spot, eight weeks after its debut, and stayed there for nine consecutive weeks.[35][36] The single achieved one week longer than "Crazy in Love" had spent on the top spot, becoming Knowles' highest-charting single; however, the feat was broken after Knowles' 2006 single "Irreplaceable" spent ten weeks at number one.[37] The single stayed on the Hot 100 for twenty-nine weeks,[38] and was certified platinum on June 6, 2006 by the Recording Industry Association of America.[39]
"Baby Boy" achieved success on crossover and mainstream radio charts, appearing on the Top 40 Tracks, Rhythmic Top 40 and Top 40 Mainstream, as well as on the Hot 100 Airplay, Dance Radio Airplay and Hot Dance Music/Club Play.[40][41][42][34] The single appeared on the Canadian Singles Chart, Hot Dance Singles Sales and the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs.[42][36][34] The J. Vasquez & M. Joshua Mixes version of the track reached number two on the Hot Dance Music/Club Play, and other two remixes charted at number twenty and thirty-two on the same component chart, respectively.[41]
Internationally, "Baby Boy" performed just as well, peaking inside the top ten on most charts. In the United Kingdom, the single debuted at number two on October 18, 2003, and was the chart's highest debut and "Baby Boy"'s highest entry.[43] It failed to top the chart, and spent eleven weeks there.[38] Generally, the single entered the top ten across European countries. In Australia and the New Zealand, "Baby Boy" peaked at number three and two, respectively. It was certified platinum by the Australian Recording Industry Association for selling 70,000 units.[44]
In the United World Chart, an aggregate chart provider, "Baby Boy" debuted at number thirty-five on September 27, 2003.[45] It peaked at number three on November 15,[46] and charted for a total of twenty-three weeks from late 2003 to early 2004.[47] "Baby Boy" was 2003's nineteenth best-selling single on the United World Chart Year Ender for accumulating 3,094,000 points.[48]
Music video
The music video for "Baby Boy" was directed by Jake Nava, who was behind Knowles' "Crazy in Love" video, and was shot in Miami, Florida, on August 7–8, 2003. It was filmed in a house with different rooms: one with a Japanese style and one with an old English style.[49] The video features dance sequences of Middle-eastern influences, and footages designed to have sex appeal. Sal Cinquemani of Slant magazine called it a "baby-oil-logged follow-up" to "Crazy in Love"'s "bootylicous video".[50] "Baby Boy" premiered on MTV's Total Request Live on August 25, 2003 at number ten, and reached the top spot.[51][52] It stayed on the video program for forty-one weeks, the same chart run "Me, Myself & I" earned.[51]
The video starts with Sean Paul sitting on a royal chair rapping, and Knowles standing up against the wall dancing, both inside a gloomy house. Knowles lies in a bed, tossing and turning sensually. Sean Paul is with several women lying on the floor caressing each other. Knowles walks towards the beach; she spots a man, and the two touch and flirt with each other. Knowles enters into a party house, dancing with a guy; and water comes on the floor as she sings "The dance floor becomes the sea." Knowles and her back-up dancers dance on the beach side. The original record was interpolated with an Arabic instrumental, showcasing Knowles vigorously dancing in the sand.
Formats and track listings
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Charts
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References
- ^ a b Dangerously in Love (Documentary video). Columbia Records. 2003.
- ^ a b c d e Kaufman, Gil ((2003-03-17)). "Jigga Who? Beyonce Shares Fantasies With Sean Paul On 'Bonnie & Clyde' Sequel". MTV News. Retrieved 2008-01-21.
{{cite news}}
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(help) - ^ a b Thread editors. "Beyoncé's debut Album, Dangerously In Love". Thread magazine. Retrieved 2008-01-21.
{{cite web}}
:|author=
has generic name (help) - ^ a b "Baby Boy". Sheet Music Plus. Retrieved 2008-01-21.
- ^ Gerard, Morgan. "Time is the Master". Peace Magazine. Retrieved 2008-04-01.
- ^ "Scott Storch's Outrageous Fortune". Rolling Stone. (2006-06-29). Retrieved 2008-04-01.
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(help) - ^ Friedman, Roger ((2005-10-18)). "Beyonce Takes Credit for 'Writing' Songs". FOX News. Retrieved 2008-04-11.
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(help) - ^ "Beyoncé: Discography". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. Retrieved 2008-04-11.
- ^ DeCurtis, Anthony (2003-07-10). "Album Reviews: Dangerously In Love". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2008-01-22.
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(help) - ^ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Review: Dangerously in Love". All Music Guide. Macrovision Corporation. Retrieved 2008-01-22.
- ^ Neal, Mark Anthony (2003-07-11). "Getting Grown". Popmatters. Retrieved 2008-01-21.
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(help) - ^ Verrico, Lisa (2003-06-20). "Beyonce: Dangerously in Love - Beyonce Knowles is growing up, but not too much". Times Online. Times Newspapers Ltd. Retrieved 2008-01-22.
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(help) - ^ Strickler, Yancey. "Beyonce: Dangerously In Love". Flak Magazine. Retrieved 2008-01-22.
- ^ Drumming, Neil (2003-06-27). "Music Review: Dangerously in Love (2003)". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 2008-01-22.
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(help) - ^ Anthony, James (2006-08-18). "'Of course you can lose yourself'". The Guardian. Retrieved 2008-04-01.
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(help) - ^ Lamb, Bill. "Top 100 Pop Songs 2003". About.com. Retrieved 2008-01-22.
- ^ a b "ASCAP Pop Music Awards 2005". ASCAP. Retrieved 2008-01-23.
- ^ Cinquemani, Sal. "The Kiss(es) Heard 'Round the World: 2003 MTV Music Video Awards". Slant magazine. Retrieved 2008-01-21.
- ^ "Jay-Z Prevented Sean Paul From Performing With Beyonce At VMAs". Yahoo!. (2003-09-05). Retrieved 2008-01-21.
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(help) - ^ Wiederhorn, Jon ((2007-11-06)). "It's Justin's Night As Christina, Kelly Osbourne Fight At MTV Europe Awards". MTV News. Retrieved 2008-01-22.
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(help) - ^ Hodges, Jessica (2003-11-17). "MTV Europe Music Awards 2003". Popmatters. Retrieved 2008-01-21.
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(help) - ^ Simpson, Dave (2003-11-04). "Beyoncé". The Guardin. Retrieved 2008-04-16.
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(help) - ^ Shaheem, Reid ((2007-10-06)). "Beyonce Puts On Flawless — And Fall-Less — NYC Show With Robin Thicke". MTV News. Retrieved 2008-01-22.
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(help) - ^ "Most Performed Songs". ASCAP. Retrieved 2008-01-23.
- ^ Associated Press ((2007-10-04)). "Suit Over Beyonce's 'Baby Boy' Lyrics Goes to Appeals Court". FOX News. Retrieved 2008-01-21.
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(help) - ^ MTV News staff ((2005-07-13)). "For The Record: Quick News On Beyoncé, Britney Spears, Hilary Duff, Snoop, White Stripes, Simon Cowell & More". MTV News. Retrieved 2008-01-21.
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(help) - ^ a b Armour v. Knowles, No. H-05-2407, 2006 WL 2713787 (S.D.Tex. Sep. 21, 2006).
- ^ MTV News staff ((2006-10-03)). "For The Record: Quick News On Britney Spears, Beyonce, Kristin Cavallari, Beck, T.I., Lil' Kim & More". MTV News. Retrieved 2008-01-21.
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(help) - ^ a b "Beyonce cleared of copying song". Independent.ie. 2008-01-03. Retrieved 2008-01-21.
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(help) - ^ Armour v. Knowles (PDF), 512 F.3d 147 (5th Cir. 2007). Retrieved on 2008-04-17.
- ^ Stacy-Deanne (2005). Alicia Keys, Ashanti, Beyonce, Destiny's Child, Jennifer Lopez & Mya: Divas of the New Millennium. Amber Books Publishing. pp. 60–61. ISBN 0974977969. Retrieved 2008-02-01.
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suggested) (help) - ^ "Billboard Hot 100". aCharts. 2003-08-21. Retrieved 2008-01-22.
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(help) - ^ Martens, Todd ((2003-09-11)). "Beyonce, Sean Paul Creep Closer To No. 1". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. Retrieved 2008-04-01.
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(help) - ^ a b c Martens, Todd ((2003-08-04)). "'Tailfeathers' Still Shakin' Singles Chart". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. Retrieved 2008-04-01.
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(help) - ^ a b Martens, Todd ((2003-09-25)). "'Baby' Kicks 'Tailfeather' From Chart Roost". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. Retrieved 2008-04-01.
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(help) - ^ a b Martens, Todd ((2003-11-28)). "'Stand Up' Ends 'Baby Boy' Reign". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. Retrieved 2008-03-31.
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(help) - ^ Hasty, Katie ((2007-02-08)). "Beyonce Makes It Ten Weeks At No. 1 With 'Irreplaceable'". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. Retrieved 2008-03-31.
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(help) - ^ a b c d ""Baby Boy" Global Chart Positions and Trajectories". aCharts. Retrieved 2008-01-23.
- ^ "Gold and Platinum". RIAA. Retrieved 2008-01-23.
- ^ Martens, Todd ((2003-10-23)). "No Stopping Beyoncé's 'Baby Boy' At No. 1". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. Retrieved 2008-04-01.
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(help) - ^ a b "Beyoncé: Artist Chart History". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. Retrieved 2008-01-23.
- ^ a b c d "Beyoncé Billboard Singles". All Music Guide. Macrovision Corporation. Retrieved 2008-01-22.
- ^ "UK Singles Top 75". aCharts. 2003-10-18. Retrieved 2008-01-23.
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(help) - ^ "ARIA Charts - Accreditations - 2003 Singles". ARIA. ARIA. Retrieved 2008-01-23.
- ^ "United World Chart: Singles and Airplay". United World Chart. Media Traffic. 2003-09-27. Retrieved 2008-01-23.
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(help) - ^ "United World Chart: Singles and Airplay". United World Chart. Media Traffic. 2003-11-15. Retrieved 2008-01-23.
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(help) - ^ "United World Chart: Singles and Airplay". United World Chart. Media Traffic. 2003-02-28. Retrieved 2008-01-23.
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(help) - ^ "United World Chart: Singles & Airplay - Countdown 2003". United World Chart. Media Traffic. Retrieved 2008-03-05.
- ^ Reid, Shaheem ((2003-08-20)). "Sean Paul Appears In The Flesh In Beyonce's 'Baby Boy' Clip". MTV News. Retrieved 2008-01-21.
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(help) - ^ Cinquemani, Sal. "03 Year in Rewind". Slant magazine. Retrieved 2008-01-22.
- ^ a b "TRL debuts". Popfusion. Retrieved 2008-01-22.
- ^ "TRL Number Ones". Popfusion. Retrieved 2008-02-09.