Let the Beat Hit 'Em

"Let the Beat Hit 'Em" is the title of a number-one R&B single by Lisa Lisa and Cult Jam from their 1991 album Straight Outta Hell's Kitchen. The song spent one week at number-one on the US R&B chart the week of September 14, 1991, reaching No. 37 on the Billboard Hot 100.[1] On the US dance charts, the song was the third and final number one for the group.[2]

"Let the Beat Hit 'Em"
Single by Lisa Lisa and Cult Jam
from the album Straight Outta Hell's Kitchen
Released1991
Recorded1991
GenreHip hop
Length4:38
LabelColumbia
Songwriter(s)Robert Clivillés
Producer(s)David Cole & Robert Clivillés
Lisa Lisa and Cult Jam singles chronology
"Kiss the Tears Away"
(1989)		 "Let the Beat Hit 'Em"
(1991)		 "Where Were You When I Needed You"
(1991)
Music video
"Let the Beat Hit 'Em" on YouTube

Samples

On "Let the Beat Hit 'Em", Lisa Lisa and Cult Jam sampled "Ghetto Heaven" by The Family Stand, The Emotions' 1977 single "Best of My Love" and "Set It Off" by Strafe.[3]

"Let the Beat Hit 'Em" was also sampled by Kylie Minogue on the track "Too Much of a Good Thing" off her 1991 album Let's Get To It.[3]

Critical reception

Jose F. Promis from AllMusic called it a "surprise 1991 house-dance smash".[4] Larry Flick from Billboard commented that the trio "ends a two-year recording silence with an insinuating pop/hip-hopper. Trademark production style of David Cole and Robert Clivillés is a fine complement to Lisa's appealing vocals. Pumped house version has already begun to jam in the clubs, while top 40 and urban radio should be joining the party any second now."[5] He added that the track "sported a deliciously contagious groove and Lisa's most spirited vocal in eons."[6] Music & Media stated that it is produced by "the hottest team around lately", "for whom nothing can stop these beats anymore." They noted that "just like on C&C's records, the main line of the chorus will remain in the listener's head for weeks."[7] People said the song "reflect the producers' trademark '90s disco sound, minus the rock muscle that makes the Music Factory hum".[8] In 2012, Porcys listed it at number 68 in their ranking of "100 Singles 1990-1999".[9] Al Walentis from Reading Eagle said the song "serves up the trio's most irresistible hook" since their 1987 hit "Head to Toe".[10] Stewart Walker from Toledo Blade stated that "Let The Beat Hit 'Em" exemplified the "high-energy club feel" of the first half of the Straight Outta Hell's Kitchen album".[11]

Music video

A music video was made to accompany the song. It was directed by German director Marcus Nispel and is in black/white.

Track listings
  • 7" single
  1. "Let the Beat Hit 'Em" (radio mix 1) — 4:38
  2. "Let the Beat Hit 'Em" (5 minute house version) — 5:02
  • US 12" Original Release (656950-5)
  1. "Let the Beat Hit 'Em" (The Brand New Super Pumped-Up C&C Vocal Club Mix) - 7:28
  2. "Let the Beat Hit 'Em" (Radio Mix 1) - 4:38
  3. "Let the Beat Hit 'Em" (5 Minute House Version) - 5:02
  • US 12" #2 (657393-6)
  1. "Let the Beat Hit 'Em" (Paradise Garage Club Mix) - 7:03
  2. "Let The Beat Hit 'Em" (5 Minute House Mix) - 5:02
  3. "Let The Beat Hit 'Em" (The Pop Radio Edit) - 4:00

Charts
Chart (1991) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA) 72
Belgium (Ultratop Flanders) 42
Canada Dance (RPM)[12] 1
Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[13] 33
Ireland (IRMA)[14] 27
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[15] 35
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[16] 30
France (SNEP)[17] 36
UK Singles (Official Charts Company) 17
UK Music Week Dance Singles[18] 2
US Billboard Hot 100 37
US Billboard Hot R&B Singles 1
US Billboard Hot Dance Club Play 1
US Billboard Hot Dance Music/Maxi-Singles Sales 1

There is also an unrelated song with the same title which has appeared in Konami's various Bemani music games.

See also

References
  1. Whitburn, Joel (2004). Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942-2004. Record Research. p. 354.
  2. Whitburn, Joel (2004). Hot Dance/Disco: 1974-2003. Record Research. p. 157.
  3. "Lisa Lisa and Cult Jam: Let the Beat Hit 'Em". genius.com.
  4. Promis, Jose F. "Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam – Past, Present & Future". AllMusic. Retrieved 2020-11-08.
  5. "Billboard: Single Reviews" (PDF). Billboard. 1991-06-15. p. 65. Retrieved 2018-01-25.
  6. Flick, Larry (1991-12-21). "Dance Trax: 1991: A Last Dance For Many In Biz" (PDF). Billboard. p. 35. Retrieved 2020-10-11.
  7. "Music & Media: New Releases" (PDF). Music & Media. Retrieved 2017-11-23.
  8. "Picks and Pans Review: Straight Outta Hell's Kitchen". People. 1991-09-23. Retrieved 2020-11-13.
  9. "100 Singli 1990-1999". Porcys (in Polish). 2012-08-20. Retrieved 2020-04-02.
  10. "RECORDINGS". Reading Eagle. 1991-09-06. Retrieved 2020-03-16.
  11. "Classics of British rock". Toledo Blade. 1991-12-01. Retrieved 2020-03-16.
  12. Canadian dance peak
  13. "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. 1991-08-03. Retrieved 2018-03-19.
  14. "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Let the Beat Hit". Irish Singles Chart.
  15. "Nederlandse Top 40 – Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40.
  16. "Dutchcharts.nl – Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam – Let the Beat Hit 'Em" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
  17. "Let The Beat Hit 'Em", Dutch and French Singles Charts Lescharts.com (Retrieved February 8, 2008)
  18. "Top 60 Dance Singles" (PDF). Music Week. 1991-07-13. p. 20. Retrieved 2020-09-27.
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