Jump to content

Ms. Jackson

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
This article is about the song by Outkast. For the song by Panic! at the Disco, see Miss Jackson.

"Ms. Jackson"
Single by Outkast
from the album Stankonia
B-side
ReleasedOctober 24, 2000 (2000-10-24)
StudioStankonia Recording (Atlanta, Georgia)
Genre
Length
  • 4:30 (album version)
  • 4:03 (radio edit)
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Earthtone III
Outkast singles chronology
"B.O.B"
(2000) 		"Ms. Jackson"
(2000) 		"So Fresh, So Clean"
(2001)
Audio sample
Music video
"Ms. Jackson" on YouTube

"Ms. Jackson" is a song by American hip hop duo Outkast, consisting of André 3000 and Big Boi. It was released on October 24, 2000, as the second single from Outkast's fourth album, Stankonia. It topped the US Billboard Hot 100 chart for one week on February 17, 2001, and reached number one in Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, and Sweden. Rolling Stone ranked it 55th on its "100 Best Songs of the 2000s" list in June 2011 and at number 145 on its "Top 500 Greatest Songs of All Time" list in 2021.[3][4] On October 2011, NME placed it at number 81 on its list of the "150 Best Tracks of the Past 15 Years".[5]

"Ms. Jackson" won the Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group at the 44th Annual Grammy Awards. The music video, directed by F. Gary Gray, which features animals nodding along to the song, won the BET Award for Video of the Year and MTV Video Music Award for Best Hip-Hop Video. The single helped sell the album following the commercial underperformance of the lead single, "B.O.B", which, despite near universal acclaim from critics, failed to chart on the Hot 100 and only reached number 69 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks chart.[6]

Background and writing

[edit]

In Vibe magazine, a few years after the song was released, André Benjamin (André 3000) recalled creating the song, "'Ms. Jackson' was an acoustic guitar song that I was doing at home. Then I just converted it over into something people could understand a little bit more."[7] The song was inspired, in part, by Benjamin's relationship with Erykah Badu and her mother.[8] In November 2016, Badu described her initial reaction to the song, stating that, "It hit kind of a sore spot. I didn't wanna hear that, especially when I heard Big Boi's verse. When I heard André's verse, I felt very good because his verse was really, really inspiring. He just said how he felt and it was his honest feelings and I always respected that and listened to what he felt and appreciated it." Badu also noted that her mother loved the song, saying, "Baby, she bought herself a 'Ms. Jackson' license plate. She had the mug, she had the ink pen, she had the headband, everything."[9]

Content

[edit]

Lyrically, the song is a love profession to the mother of the narrator's romantic partner that examines the issues that arise from having a child out of wedlock.[10][11] In the song, the narrator promises to support his child regardless of what happens.[11] The instrumentation samples the Brothers Johnson's version (with various audio effects, prominently reversing) of "Strawberry Letter 23", by Shuggie Otis.[12][better source needed]

Critical reception

[edit]

Billboard magazine wrote that song's message is genuine, noting its 1980s hip-hop sound and Outkast's "frantic" lyrics that emphasize the track's storyline.[11] Reviewing the parent album, the same publication compared the track to an "old-school hip-hop love song" and called it "oh-so-radio-ready".[13] Marci Kenon of Billboard called the "babies' mommas' mommas" hook memorable and later referred to the track as "infectious".[14][15]

In 2020, The Ringer ranked the song number five on its list of the 50 greatest Outkast songs,[16] and in 2021, The Guardian ranked the song number six on its list of the 20 greatest Outkast songs.[17]

Music video

[edit]

The song's music video, directed by F. Gary Gray and produced by Earthtone III,[18] works as a possible metaphor for the duo's "stormy" relationships with the mothers of their children and their families.[19][better source needed] In the United States, a DVD single featuring the videos for "B.O.B" and "Ms. Jackson" was released in 2000, before the other physical formats. Along with Toni Braxton's "Just Be a Man About It", this single was the first to bear only a DVD credit on the Billboard Hot 100 until the other formats were issued. Because "Ms. Jackson" was the only Outkast song that was present on the Hot 100 at the time, sales points were added to this song instead of "B.O.B".[20]

Track listings

[edit]

Credits and personnel

[edit]

Credits are lifted from the UK CD single liner notes.[25]

Studio

  • Recorded and mixed at Stankonia Recording (Atlanta, Georgia)

Personnel

  • André 3000 – writing (as André Benjamin), vocals, background vocals, guitar
  • Big Boi – writing (as Antwan Patton), vocals
  • David Sheats – writing
  • Earthtone III – keyboards, programming, production, arrangement
  • Rajinder Kala – backwards congas
  • Marvin "Chanz" Parkman – piano
  • Aaron Mills of Cameo – bass
  • John Frye – recording
  • Malik Albert – recording assistant
  • Vincent Alexander – recording assistant
  • Warren Bletcher – recording assistant, mixing assistant
  • Neal H. Pogue – mixing

Charts

[edit]

Certifications

[edit]
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[79] 5× Platinum 350,000‡
Belgium (BEA)[80] Gold 25,000*
Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[81] Platinum 90,000‡
France (SNEP)[82] Gold 250,000*
Germany (BVMI)[83] 3× Gold 900,000‡
Italy (FIMI)[84] Gold 35,000‡
New Zealand (RMNZ)[85] Gold 5,000*
Norway (IFPI Norway)[86] Platinum  
Spain (PROMUSICAE)[87] Gold 30,000‡
Sweden (GLF)[88] Platinum 30,000^
Switzerland (IFPI Switzerland)[89] Gold 20,000^
United Kingdom (BPI)[90] 3× Platinum 1,800,000‡
United States (RIAA)[91] 8× Platinum 8,000,000‡

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

[edit]
Region Date Format(s) Label(s) Ref.
United States October 24, 2000
[92]
December 12, 2000 Contemporary hit radio [93]
Sweden January 22, 2001 CD [94]
United Kingdom February 19, 2001
  • 12-inch vinyl
  • CD
  • cassette
 [95]
Australia February 26, 2001 CD [96]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Smith, Troy (April 13, 2021). "200 greatest hip-hop songs of all time". Cleveland.com. Retrieved November 3, 2021.
  2. ^ Harrington, Jim (2015). "OutKast - "Ms. Jackson". In Dimery, Robert (ed.). 1001 Songs You Must Hear Before You Die. New York: Universe. p. 799.
  3. ^ "100 Best Songs of the 2000s". Rolling Stone. June 17, 2011. Retrieved January 9, 2022.
  4. ^ "The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time". Rolling Stone. September 15, 2021. Retrieved July 19, 2022.
  5. ^ Schiller, Rebecca (October 6, 2011). "150 Best Tracks of the Past 15 Years". NME. Retrieved November 25, 2015.
  6. ^ "Stankonia - OutKast | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved August 26, 2020.
  7. ^ Vibe Magazine, October 2006, p. 128
  8. ^ Johnson, Cherise (November 25, 2016). "Erykah Badu Shares How The Real "Ms. Jackson" Felt About Outkast's Apologetic Hit". Hip Hop DX. Retrieved November 28, 2016.
  9. ^ Levine, Nick (November 26, 2016). "Erykah Badu reveals what the real 'Ms. Jackson' thinks of Outkast's iconic rap hit". NME. Retrieved July 23, 2020.
  10. ^ Lopez, Stephanie (October 28, 2000). "Stephanie Lopez's Rhythm Section". Billboard. Vol. 112, no. 44. p. 30.
  11. ^ a b c Taylor, Chuck, ed. (November 18, 2000). "Reviews & Previews: Singles". Billboard. Vol. 112, no. 47. p. 30.
  12. ^ Songfacts. "Ms. Jackson by OutKast - Songfacts". www.songfacts.com. Retrieved August 26, 2020.
  13. ^ Paoletta, Michael, ed. (November 4, 2000). "Reviews & Previews: Albums". Billboard. Vol. 112, no. 45. p. 25.
  14. ^ Kenon, Marci (September 23, 2000). "OutKast Breaks Hip-Hop's Mold". Billboard. Vol. 112, no. 39. p. 38.
  15. ^ Kenon, Marci; Kwaku (December 30, 2000). "Hip-Hop Heard Throughout the World". Billboard. Vol. 112, no. 53. p. 40.
  16. ^ "The Ringer's 50 Best Outkast Songs, Ranked". The Ringer. October 29, 2020. Retrieved March 28, 2022.
  17. ^ Petridis, Alexis (August 20, 2021). "Outkast's 20 greatest songs – ranked!". The Guardian. Retrieved March 28, 2022.
  18. ^ a b Ms. Jackson (US DVD single liner notes). Outkast. LaFace Records, Arista Records. 2000. 73008-24516-9.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  19. ^ "OutKast - Ms. Jackson (Official Video) - YouTube". November 14, 2009. Retrieved August 26, 2020 – via YouTube.
  20. ^ Pietroluongo, Silvio (December 9, 2000). "Hot 100 Spotlight". Billboard. Vol. 112, no. 50. p. 105.
  21. ^ a b c "Outkast – Ms. Jackson". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved July 21, 2016.
  22. ^ Ms. Jackson (US maxi-CD single liner notes). Outkast. LaFace Records, Arista Records. 2001. 73008-24525-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  23. ^ Ms. Jackson (US 12-inch single sleeve). Outkast. LaFace Records, Arista Records. 2001. 73008-24525-1.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  24. ^ Ms. Jackson (European CD single liner notes). Outkast. LaFace Records, Arista Records. 2001. 74321 82252 2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  25. ^ a b Ms. Jackson (UK CD single liner notes). Outkast. LaFace Records, Arista Records. 2001. 74321 836822.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  26. ^ Ms. Jackson (UK 12-inch single vinyl disc). Outkast. LaFace Records, Arista Records. 2001. 74321 83682 1.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  27. ^ Ms. Jackson (UK cassette single sleeve). Outkast. LaFace Records, Arista Records. 2001. 74321 836824.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  28. ^ "Issue 578" ARIA Top 40 Urban Singles. National Library of Australia. Retrieved September 21, 2020.
  29. ^ "Outkast – Ms. Jackson" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved July 21, 2016.
  30. ^ "Outkast – Ms. Jackson" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved July 21, 2016.
  31. ^ "Outkast – Ms. Jackson" (in French). Ultratop 50. Retrieved July 21, 2016.
  32. ^ "Outkast Chart History (Canadian Digital Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved January 24, 2020.
  33. ^ "Canadian Top 20 in 2002" (PDF). Cross Canada Countdown. Archived from the original (PDF) on April 7, 2005. Retrieved November 13, 2023.
  34. ^ "HR Top 20 Lista". Croatian Radiotelevision. Archived from the original on March 22, 2001. Retrieved February 14, 2024.
  35. ^ "Outkast – Ms. Jackson". Tracklisten. Retrieved July 21, 2016.
  36. ^ "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 18, no. 10. March 3, 2001. p. 9. Retrieved February 9, 2020.
  37. ^ "Outkast: Ms. Jackson" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat. Retrieved July 21, 2016.
  38. ^ "Outkast – Ms. Jackson" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved July 21, 2016.
  39. ^ "Outkast – Ms. Jackson" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved July 21, 2016.
  40. ^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Ms Jackson". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved January 24, 2020.
  41. ^ "Outkast – Ms. Jackson". Top Digital Download. Retrieved July 21, 2016.
  42. ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 5, 2001" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved July 21, 2016.
  43. ^ "Outkast – Ms. Jackson" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved May 21, 2018.
  44. ^ "Outkast – Ms. Jackson". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved July 21, 2016.
  45. ^ "Outkast – Ms. Jackson". VG-lista. Retrieved July 21, 2016.
  46. ^ "Major Market Airplay – Week 14/2001" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 18, no. 14. March 31, 2001. p. 31. Retrieved February 16, 2023.
  47. ^ a b "Top of the Year 2001" (in Romanian). Romanian Top 100. Archived from the original on December 9, 2008. Retrieved May 3, 2020.
  48. ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved May 21, 2018.
  49. ^ "Outkast – Ms. Jackson". Singles Top 100. Retrieved July 21, 2016.
  50. ^ "Outkast – Ms. Jackson". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved July 21, 2016.
  51. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved July 21, 2016.
  52. ^ "Official Dance Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved May 5, 2017.
  53. ^ "Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved May 5, 2017.
  54. ^ "OutKast Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved July 21, 2016.
  55. ^ "OutKast Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved July 21, 2016.
  56. ^ "Outkast Chart History (Hot Rap Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved January 5, 2022.
  57. ^ "OutKast Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved July 21, 2016.
  58. ^ "OutKast Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard. Retrieved February 9, 2020.
  59. ^ "ARIA Top 100 Singles for 2001". ARIA. Retrieved September 21, 2020.
  60. ^ "ARIA Charts – End of Year Charts – Urban Singles 2001". ARIA. Archived from the original on April 15, 2020. Retrieved September 21, 2020.
  61. ^ "Jahreshitparade Singles 2001" (in German). Retrieved December 16, 2018.
  62. ^ "Jaaroverzichten 2001" (in Dutch). Ultratop. Retrieved May 21, 2018.
  63. ^ "Rapports annuels 2001" (in French). Ultratop. Retrieved May 21, 2018.
  64. ^ "Year in Focus – Eurochart Hot 100 Singles 2001" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 18, no. 52. December 22, 2001. p. 14. Retrieved February 9, 2020.
  65. ^ "Tops de L'année | Top Singles 2001" (in French). SNEP. Retrieved September 21, 2020.
  66. ^ "Top 100 Single–Jahrescharts 2001" (in German). GfK Entertainment. Retrieved May 21, 2018.
  67. ^ "Ireland – Top Singles for 2001". Allchart. Archived from the original on May 5, 2016. Retrieved December 16, 2018.
  68. ^ "Top 100–Jaaroverzicht van 2001". Dutch Top 40. Retrieved February 8, 2020.
  69. ^ "Jaaroverzichten – Single 2001" (in Dutch). Retrieved May 21, 2018.
  70. ^ "Årslista Singlar, 2001" (in Swedish). Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved May 3, 2020.
  71. ^ "Schweizer Jahreshitparade 2001" (in German). Retrieved May 21, 2018.
  72. ^ "The Official UK Singles Chart 2001" (PDF). UKChartsPlus. Retrieved May 21, 2018.
  73. ^ "Top 40 Urban Tracks of 2001" (PDF). Music Week. January 19, 2002. p. 26. Retrieved August 4, 2023.
  74. ^ "Billboard Top 100 – 2001". Billboardtop100of.com. Retrieved September 21, 2020.
  75. ^ "The Year in Music 2001: Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks". Billboard. Vol. 113, no. 52. December 29, 2001. p. YE-44.
  76. ^ "The Year in Music 2001: Hot Rap Singles". Billboard. Vol. 113, no. 52. December 29, 2001. p. YE-46.
  77. ^ "Most-Played Mainstream Top 40 Songs of 2001". Airplay Monitor. Vol. 9, no. 51. December 21, 2001. p. 60.
  78. ^ "Most-Played Rhythmic Top 40 Songs of 2001". Airplay Monitor. Vol. 9, no. 51. December 21, 2001. p. 48.
  79. ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2020 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved April 24, 2021.
  80. ^ "Ultratop − Goud en Platina – singles 2001". Ultratop. Hung Medien. Retrieved July 1, 2019.
  81. ^ "Danish single certifications – Outkast – Ms. Jackson". IFPI Danmark. Retrieved May 25, 2021.
  82. ^ "French single certifications – Outkast – Ms Jackson" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Retrieved July 1, 2019.
  83. ^ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Outkast; 'Miss Jackson')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved January 26, 2024.
  84. ^ "Italian single certifications – Outkast – Ms Jackson" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved October 4, 2021.
  85. ^ "New Zealand single certifications – Outkast – Ms. Jackson". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved November 20, 2024.
  86. ^ "IFPI Norsk platebransje Trofeer 1993–2011" (in Norwegian). IFPI Norway. Retrieved November 3, 2018.
  87. ^ "Spanish single certifications – Outkast – Ms. Jackson". El portal de Música. Productores de Música de España. Retrieved September 6, 2024.
  88. ^ "Guld- och Platinacertifikat − År 2001" (PDF) (in Swedish). IFPI Sweden. Archived from the original (PDF) on May 17, 2011. Retrieved July 1, 2019.
  89. ^ "The Official Swiss Charts and Music Community: Awards ('Ms. Jackson')". IFPI Switzerland. Hung Medien. Retrieved July 1, 2019.
  90. ^ "British single certifications – Outkast – Ms Jackson". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved September 6, 2024.
  91. ^ "American single certifications – Outkast – Ms. Jackson". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved December 13, 2024.
  92. ^ "Going for Adds / AddVance Notice" (PDF). Radio & Records. No. 1373. October 20, 2000. pp. 57, 64. Retrieved April 18, 2021.
  93. ^ "CHR/Pop: Going for Adds" (PDF). Radio & Records. No. 1380. December 8, 2000. p. 41. Retrieved May 31, 2021.
  94. ^ "Outkast: Ms. Jackson". click2music.se (in Swedish). Archived from the original on February 26, 2005. Retrieved November 29, 2023.
  95. ^ "New Releases – For Week Starting February 19, 2001: Singles" (PDF). Music Week. February 17, 2001. p. 35. Retrieved August 9, 2021.
  96. ^ "The ARIA Report: ARIA New Releases Singles – Week Commencing 26th February 2001" (PDF). ARIA. February 26, 2001. p. 23. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 20, 2002. Retrieved April 18, 2021.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Ms._Jackson&oldid=1264077828"