Singer. Actress. Entertainer.
After more than two decades in the industry, this year saw Jennifer Lopez add to her potent portfolio by slipping on her stilettos to scorch in Las Vegas.
Today, we celebrate the diva’s ability to diversify her craft. This week’s From The Vault is a special one as it pays homage to not one but two singles: ‘I’m Real’ – the original Pop version and its ‘Murder Remix.’
Following the success of the ‘J.LO’ album’s launching single ‘Love Don’t Cost A Thing,’ second swing of the bat ‘Play’ didn’t fare as well commercially. It was time to shake things up. Cue ‘I’m Real.’
The 80’s-kissed incarnation of the song was serviced to radio first. Produced by frequent collaborator Cory Rooney, it lyrically leaned on the “independent woman” theme which was all the rage in the early 00’s.
*************
What really established ‘Real’ as a blockbuster hit, though, was its Urban remix, which saw Lopez link up with rapper Ja Rule for the first time (of many times). With its sonically summer sound, the track reached the top spot of the US Billboard Hot 100, where it shone brightly for five non-consecutive weeks.
It’s important to stress that although the two songs don’t sound anything alike, their airplay counted towards the very same chart position – a policy which has since been changed following arguments of unfairness.
Elsewhere, ‘Real’ peaked at #3 in both Australia and France but also at the 4th position of the UK Singles Charts.
*****************
For both versions of the song, Dave Meyers was brought in to bring to fruition two dynamically different visuals.
While the Pop take saw the singer assume the role of a homecoming star in town for a show, the ‘Murder’ mix (which nabbed an MTV VMA) re-affirmed her Bronx rooting. It crucially introduced the masses to the “Jenny From The Block” aesthetic; one that would become a staple in her career and one she would later revisit with louder volume on 2014’s ‘AKA.’
*****************
Fifteen years after this release, La Lopez is still making major waves in the entertainment world. For she and her team have ensured she is omnipresent in the media scape. Indeed, this year alone, one need not look further than her Vegas residency, American Idol, and her new show ‘Shades Of Blue’ – which has just been renewed for a second season.
Though her “Jack Of All Trades” trait may be unappealing to some, it’s the exact reason we’ll always respect her.
As of now, we’re not totally sure where Jen will go next… but that’s precisely why we can’t wait to find out.
Queen
You CANT BE SERIOUS ????
Ashanti sang 90,% of this record; Jlo is a FRAUD
Shay you are right. Ashanti also sang a large part of Ain’t It Funny but neither artist are great vocalists so most people can’t tell them apart.
Ashanti sung the chorus basically on “Ain’t It Funny” Remix never heard nor heard her on “I’m Real” Remix though. And not here for the vocal hate ^ above commenter.
I work in the Industry. It is a KNOWN fact that ASHANTI sang the vocals on AINT IT FUNNY REMIX and I’m Real Remix. They blended both vocals and put Ashanti on Top and the record label paid her because she was gonna sue.
ASHANTI sang those records not Jlo. I agree JENNIFER LOPEZ IS A FRAUD
Amazing songS! I used to not care for the original but it is a good pop song and it grew on me in the last few years. Plus I love the Diddy line “she’s a bad bad b****!”
Both are classics from my childhood but the Murder Inc remix owned back then and you all know it.
Classic legendary ?
Smooth Bops!!! Wish I could rewind to the 90s + early 00’s.
You mean the song Tommy Mattola + J. Lo stole from Mariah Carey? Lol
A song that Mariah tried to steal from Rick James.
Demon, she SAMPLED the song from Rick James… The theme for Glitter was 80s… duhh… Tommy stole the beat & song from MC & gave it too J ho.
Save it. They didn’t “steal” anything, else lawsuits would have flew. JLo simply acted quicker than Mariah and was able to secure for herself what Mariah had her eye on. Oh well. Nature of the business. Mariah stans kill me with this “JLo stole what Mariah planned to steal first” BS.
Exactly.
Lls this happened and then came Beyonce!
Irv Gotti already admitted that he stole this melody from Mariah as directed by Tommy Matolla. Either way,I hated this song then and I still hate it now. Radio played the hell out of this song tho.
“Show me, teach me how to see clearly, live in the spirit and truth. We’d be able to show LOVE THE WAY THAT YOU LOVE US…if we had your eyes, if we had your I-I-I-I-I-I-EYES!!!!! If we had your eyes we’d see things right. If we could just see from your point of view most things won’t be as they seem…if we had your eyes, if we had your eyes.”
Oh so thats why Mariah “don’t know her,” J.LO and Tommy responsible for Glitter! lol
I miss when she made urban music. Her songs was the best when she was doing urban pop and R&B
The remix is amazing song
The remix is so nostalgic. J. Lo has given the music video world some truly memorable looks. The pink velour tracksuit with the short shorts is so early 2000s, lol. I know there’s controversy surrounding how this song fell into Jenny’s lap but it’s a Pop classic to me.
Last friday tgey put it in the club . Such a jam. What a queen .
Queen JLO
She´s so basic. To think this was her best… lmao
The fact that Sam shades Rihanna but praise Jlo is weird. Jlo cant sing or dance. Her background singers, auto tune, pitch correction, and blended vocals are a fraud. Yall bashing ashanti vocals but at least ashanti has a sweet trained tone unlike jlo who just talks. Jlo was wack on fly girls. Ask any real dancer in the biz..she got yall fooled bc she is a quick learner. Her dancing is off beat and sloppy. She has nothing but her looks saving her. Ashanti sung this song. Jlo was flat as some tires. Ole letoya jackson tricks.
No JLo fan but dances so much better than Rihanna, are you blind or what? At least she´s got that, Rihanna has got nothing.
J.Lo is a true queen. Longevity is her second name and haters WILL deal.