Just Kickin' It
"Just Kickin' It" is a song by American R&B group Xscape. Written by Jermaine Dupri and Manuel Seal,[1] the song was released as Xscape's first single from the group's 1993 debut album Hummin' Comin' at 'Cha. The single became the group's most commercially successful hit, peaking at number two on the Billboard Hot 100 and spending four weeks at number one on the Hot R&B Singles chart.[2]
"Just Kickin' It" | ||||
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Single by Xscape | ||||
from the album Hummin' Comin' at 'Cha | ||||
Released | August 27, 1993 | |||
Recorded | 1993 | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 3:24 | |||
Label | Sony | |||
Songwriter(s) | ||||
Producer(s) | Jermaine Dupri | |||
Xscape singles chronology | ||||
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Composition
"Just Kickin' It" is an urban ballad in which vocals are the focus, and the instrumental foundation is otherwise sparse.[3] Jermaine Dupri, who according to his father, Columbia Records executive Michael Mauldin, wanted Xscape to be "the ghetto En Vogue,"[4] originally wrote the song as a summary of what men wanted from women.[4] The lyrics were considered controversial by some female fans who believed the song's message was sexist.[4] Former group member LaTocha Scott, however, dismissed the critics. "I've heard some females say that the song is unreal and that they can tell it was written by a man, but I don't think it makes it sexist. Shoot, everybody knows a man wants a woman who can cook."[4]
Release and reception
Released in August 1993, "Just Kickin' It" entered the Billboard Hot 100 chart at number 90 and reached the top 10 in four weeks.[4] The song peaked at number two in October, behind "Dreamlover" by Mariah Carey and spent a total of 17 weeks in the top 40.[5] The single reached number one on the Hot R&B Singles chart, where it spent four weeks at the top.[2] The song also spent one week at number one on the Hot 100 Singles Sales chart.[5] In November, the single was certified platinum in the United States.[6] "Just Kickin' It" also peaked at number 22 in New Zealand and number 49 in the United Kingdom.[7][8] The song earned the band a Soul Train Music Awards nomination in 1994, though they lost to H-Town's single "Knockin' Da Boots" in the Best R&B New Artist category.[9]
Charts
Weekly charts
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Year-end charts
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Certifications
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
United States (RIAA)[6] | Platinum | 1,000,000^ |
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. |
References
- Bronson, Fred (May 7, 1994). "Write Stuff". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. 106 (19): 74. ISSN 0006-2510.
- "Xscape Cultivates Mature Sound". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. 107 (22): 15. June 3, 1995. ISSN 0006-2510.
- Flick, Larry (September 4, 1993). "Single Reviews". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. 105 (36): 63. ISSN 0006-2510.
- Feldman, Christopher (2000). The Billboard Book of Number Two Singles. New York: Billboard Books. p. 253. ISBN 978-0-8230-7695-6.
- Whitburn, Joel (2004). The Billboard Book of Top 40 Hits (8th ed.). New York: Billboard Books (Nielsen Business Media, Inc.). p. 691. ISBN 978-0-8230-7499-0.
- "American single certifications – Xscape – Just Kickin' It". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved September 3, 2020. If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Single, then click SEARCH.
- "Charts.nz – Xscape – Just Kickin' It". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved November 22, 2019.
- "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 22, 2019.
- "1994 Soul Train Music Awards - The Nominees". Jet. Johnson Publishing Company. 85 (19): 34. March 14, 1994. ISSN 0021-5996.
- "The ARIA Australian Top 100 Singles Chart – Week Ending 20 Mar 1994". Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved February 16, 2016.
- "Xscape Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved November 22, 2019.
- "Xscape Chart History (Dance Singles Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved November 22, 2019.
- "Xscape Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved November 22, 2019.
- "Xscape Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved November 22, 2019.
- "Xscape Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard. Retrieved November 22, 2019.
- "Billboard Top 100 – 1993". Retrieved August 27, 2010.
- "Billboard Top 100 – 1994". Retrieved August 27, 2010.