Readers of That Grape Juice know what avid music lovers we are – especially of hits past.
So, just as our retrospective features ‘From the Vault’ and ‘TGJ Replay’ allow us the chance to re-spin the gems and jams of yesterday of one artist, our newest feature Chart Rewind – a variation of our current Retro Rewind assay – accedes salutes to an entire era of music history.
This week we’ll highlight ‘Rain on Me’ – the second single from Ashanti’s 2003 chart-topping album, ‘Chapter 2.’ Equipped with a pronounced horn-heavy sample the famous Issac Hayes cut ‘Look of Love,’ the Irv Gotti produced cut saw the singer conquer new ground by tackling some seriously heavy subject matter: domestic violence. Tapping actor Larenz Tate to star as her abusive boyfriend in ‘Rain’s cinematic accompanying visual, the song’s content and its clip proved a potent 1-2 punch, helping it make its biggest splash this week 14 years ago.
Peaking at #7, the tune went on to nab a Grammy nod at the next year’s ceremony and earn a much deserved place among fan favorites in the singer’s prized discography. Tuck in below to see who joined her in the top 25 this week in 2003:
Hot 100 This Week in 2003
Hot 100 This Week
Click here to see the full “Chart Check” from this week’s refreshed charts.