Ayo Technology
"Ayo Technology" | |
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Song |
"Ayo Technology" is the fourth single from 50 Cent's third album, Curtis.[1][2][3] The song, featuring Justin Timberlake and Timbaland, who also produced the song, was a hit on the Billboard Hot 100 and UK Singles Chart, where it charted at #5 and #2 respectively, amongst other national charts across the world. The song has since been covered by Milow, whose version was successful in a number of countries, including Belgium and Germany.
Background
HipHopDX reported that the song was renamed three times. It was first titled "Ayo Pornography", then "Ayo Technology", and then "She Wants It". Finally, the song title was reverted to "Ayo Technology." The song features Justin Timberlake and Timbaland, but most sources don't credit Timbaland for being on the song. In 2008, it was nominated for a Grammy for Best Rap Song.[4] As revealed within its lyrics, Ayo Technology puts a strong emphasis on hot-blooded sexual fantasies, explicit body movements (such as when Timberlake utters the line "Why don't you sit down on top of me,") and wild festivities at night clubs.
The intro and lead synth were created with the Elektron SidStation, an 8-bit sound synthesizer. Because of this, it is remarkably similar sounding to the electronic music duo Crystal Castles' "Courtship Dating" from their self-titled album, released the following year although performed live since December 2006. Despite the album itself not being out until nearly a year after the public debut of "Ayo Technology," there was still minor controversy over the alleged "sampling" of this song on "Ayo Technology" perhaps because of the negative reputation Timbaland has garnered recently over sampling 8-bit musicians uncredited. The origin of the unique sound of both songs has actually come into question on both sides. Crystal Castles is now notorious for its illegal use of Creative Commons-licensed chiptune music in their early, non-album works posted on MySpace.[5] Renowned chiptune and 8-bit music forum 8bitcollective.com could not locate a sample source for the two songs nor any evidence either song sampled from the other.[6] It is also possible that, instead of using the SidStation personally, Timbaland and Crystal Castles both used the same sample CD, something available for purchase to use in any way without attribution, as has been hypothesized by the Timbaland blog The Thomas Crown Chronicles, which specifically cites 8 Bit Stylez by Ueberschall.[7][8] Ethan Kath of Crystal Castles has allegedly stated that he made the disputed music on a SidStation synthesizer, which he then looped over the Crystal Castles track,[clarification needed] and that "Ayo Technology" is at most a re-creation with a similar feel using a SidStation rather than a sample of "Courtship Dating."[9][unreliable source?]
Remixes
The official remix features R&B rapper Francisco.
Rapper Krayzie Bone created a remix called "Perfect Execution" off his 2008 mixtape "The Fixtape: Smoke on This".
Music video
The music video was premiered by BET on August 2 2007, and was filmed in London.
50 Cent described the music video to MTV. He said:
You can see this is not my normal uniform, or get-up, when I'm in a music video. But it's time for me to do something a little different, and this is the perfect time for me to actually change my look. You might see this on the red carpet, but not in an actual music video. The biggest challenges for the video are giving off a natural vibe and not seeming contrived at any moment. For you to actually be comfortable when you're actually doing it is a task. At some points you've got a room full of people looking at you at one time, just watching you to see what you're going to do. You've got to relax and just do it.[10]
Timbaland's appearance in the music video uses features from the movie Minority Report such as moving computer interfaces with hands. Justin Timberlake's appearance is similar to that of his role in his music video "SexyBack".
Chart performance
"Ayo Technology" became 50's second highest debut yet on the Billboard Hot 100 at number 22. It peaked at number 5, becoming his tenth top 5 single. In the UK, the song debuted at number 10 on downloads alone, becoming his eighth top 10 single. It peaked at number 2, becoming 50 Cent's highest charting single in the UK, beating out "In Da Club" and "Candy Shop" which both peaked at number 3.
Charts
Chart (2007) | Peak position |
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Australian ARIA Singles Chart[11] | 10 |
Canadian Hot 100[12] | 12 |
Czech IFPI Airplay Chart[13] | 9 |
Danish Singles Chart[11] | 7 |
Dutch Top 40[11] | 17 |
French SNEP Singles Chart[11] | 5 |
German Singles Chart[11] | 3 |
Deutsche Black Charts | 1 |
Irish Singles Chart[11] | 3 |
New Zealand RIANZ Singles Chart[11] | 1 |
Norwegian Singles Chart[11] | 7 |
Romanian Top 100[14] | 9 |
Swedish Singles Chart[15] | 8 |
Swiss Singles Chart[15] | 2 |
UK Singles Chart[11] | 2 |
U.S. Billboard Hot 100[16] | 5 |
U.S. Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs[17] | 41 |
U.S. Billboard Hot Rap Tracks[18] | 10 |
U.S. Billboard Pop 100[19] | 7 |
About the song
![]() | This article contains a list of miscellaneous information. (May 2009) |
- An acoustic cover of "Ayo Technology" performed by Belgian singer Milow was released in a number of European countries, making #1 in The Netherlands[20], Belgium, and Switzerland, and also charting well in countries such as Germany.
- The song is about the difference between pornography and real life (hence the original name "Ayo Pornography").
- The instrumental version of the song is played by the Boston Celtics at the TD Banknorth Garden when the team is introduced during the player introductions.
References
- ^ Dave (June 29, 2007). 50s next single "She Wants It" featuring Justin Timberlake. Rap Basement. Accessed July 21, 2007.
- ^ “Ayo Technology” Video Premiere!!. 50cent.com. Accessed August 2, 2007.
- ^ Omar Burgess (July 5, 2007). Did Interscope Shut Down 50's YouTube Hustle?. HipHopDX. Accessed July 21, 2007.
- ^ Jokesta (July 19, 2007). 50 Cent– Jay Won't Let Kanye Drop on September 11th, Funk Flex Interview (Audio). Def Sounds. Accessed July 21, 2007.
- ^ Chiptune Music Theft Continues; Crystal Castles Abuses Creative Commons License. Peter Kirn. May 5, 2008.
- ^ Forums | 8bc.org - Online Chiptune Media Sharing. 50 Cent get's (sic) his SID on with Timbaland!! :P. August 14, 2007.
- ^ The Thomas Crown Chronicles: Boogie's Sample of the Week?. November 1, 2007.
- ^ Sample CD: 8 Bit Stylez by Ueberschall.
- ^ Crystal Castles vs. 50 Cent Ayo Technology.
- ^ 50 Cent, Justin Timberlake Suit Up for New Video. MTV (August 2, 2007). Accessed August 2, 2007.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i 50 Cent featuring Justin Timberlake and Timbaland - Ayo Technology - Music Charts. aCharts.us. Accessed September 16, 2007.
- ^ Billboard.com - Charts - Singles - Canadian Hot 100
- ^ Čns Ifpi
- ^ Romanian Top 100 Singles Chart – Issue nr: 49/2007 (17 Decembrie - 23 Decembrie 2007). Romanian Top 100.
- ^ a b 50 Cent featuring Justin Timberlake and Timbaland - Ayo Technology - Music Charts
- ^ The Billboard Hot 100 – Ayo Technology. Billboard. Accessed September 20, 2007.
- ^ Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs – Ayo Technology. Billboard. Accessed August 30, 2007.
- ^ Hot Rap Tracks – Ayo Technology. Billboard. Accessed August 30, 2007.
- ^ Pop 100 – Ayo Technology. Billboard. Accessed August 30, 2007.
- ^ Dutch Top 40 week 3