Let It Go (Keyshia Cole song)
"Let It Go" | ||||
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Single by Keyshia Cole featuring Missy Elliott and Lil' Kim | ||||
from the album Just Like You | ||||
Released | June 19, 2007 | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 3:58 | |||
Label |
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Songwriter(s) |
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Producer(s) | Missy Elliott | |||
Keyshia Cole singles chronology | ||||
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Lil' Kim singles chronology | ||||
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Missy Elliott singles chronology | ||||
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"Let It Go" is a song by American R&B recording artist Keyshia Cole. It was written by Cole, Jack Knight, Cainon Lamb, Lil' Kim, and Missy Elliott for her second album Just Like You (2007) and samples "Juicy Fruit" by Mtume, and "Don't Stop the Music" by Yarbrough and Peoples, while also interpolating "Juicy" by The Notorious B.I.G., who also sampled "Juicy Fruit." An uptempo song written by all three artists with Jack Knight, Cainon Lamb and James Mtume and produced by Lamb and Elliott, it marked the first collaboration between any of the three artists with one another.
Released as the album's lead single, it debuted at number 74 on the Billboard Hot 100 on the issue date of July 7, 2007, and peaked at number 7, becoming Cole's third top ten hit single altogether and first top ten Billboard Hot 100 single as a lead artist. It also became Cole's first number 1 hit on the R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. It was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration at the 50th annual ceremony, held in February 2008. "Let It Go" was ranked 59th on Rolling Stone's list of the 100 Best Songs of 2007.[1] The single sold over two million copies in the US and was certified 2x platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).[2]
Background
"Let It Go" is about female empowerment and failed relationships. It is about "letting go" of a relationship if one partner is not there for the other, and is not interested in showing love or respect. The song "Let It Go" was originally intended for Fantasia for her self-titled album, but she had too many songs on that album, and Cole wanted it after Elliott played it for her. According to 50 Cent in a Hot 97 interview the song was also offered to G-Unit artist Olivia who picked another Missy Elliott track instead. Lil' Kim appears on the record to pay homage to Biggie, as the song is similar to his hit "Juicy".[3]
The official "Let It Go" remix—featuring T.I., Missy Elliott and Young Dro—is included on the Just Like You album as the final track. An alternate remix featuring Busta Rhymes and extended verses by Lil' Kim remained unreleased till its Internet leak in 2011.[4]
Music video
Angie Martinez appears in the video.[5]
Chart performance
The song has become Cole's most successful song to date as a lead artist (her most successful song would be (When You Gonna) Give It Up To Me with Sean Paul), peaking at number 7 on the Billboard Hot 100 and reaching number one on Billboard's Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.
Charts
Weekly charts
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Year-end charts
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Certifications and sales
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
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United States (RIAA)[14] | Platinum | 1,000,000^ |
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. |
See also
References
- ^ No byline (December 11, 2007). "The 100 Best Songs of 2007" Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2007-12-21
- ^ "Recording Industry Association of America". RIAA. Retrieved 2012-02-25.
- ^ ""The Making of Keyshia Cole's "Let It Go""". Vibe. Archived from the original on 2007-06-28. Retrieved 2007-06-25.
- ^ "Keysha Cole ft Missy Elliott,Lil'kim & Busta Rhymes - Let it Go(Remix)". YouTube. January 10, 2011. Retrieved March 22, 2013.
- ^ http://www.vh1.com/video-clips/x3pprw/hip-hop-honors-2016-angie-martinez-keyshia-cole-reminisce-on-touring
- ^ "Keyshia Cole – Let It Go" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved October 8, 2019.
- ^ "Keyshia Cole Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved October 8, 2019.
- ^ "Keyshia Cole Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved October 8, 2019.
- ^ "Keyshia Cole Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved October 8, 2019.
- ^ "Keyshia Cole Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard. Retrieved September 16, 2019.
- ^ "Hot 100 Songs – Year-End 2007". Billboard. Retrieved December 1, 2019.
- ^ "Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs – Year-End 2007". Billboard. Retrieved December 1, 2019.
- ^ "Rhythmic Songs – Year-End 2007". Billboard. Retrieved December 1, 2019.
- ^ "American album certifications – Keyshia Cole – Let It Go". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved January 2, 2014.