Today, we’re journeying back to the early 00s, with one of its reigning queens.
This week’s From The Vault pick comes courtesy of Jennifer Lopez: it’s the Murder Remix of ‘Ain’t It Funny.’
After the monumental success of the ‘I’m Real’ remix, Team Lopez was ready for its next #1 single. As such, they linked back up with the very squad responsible for their previous chart-topper to cook up a totally different take on Pop song ‘Ain’t It Funny’ –which was featured on the entertainer’s sophomore effort ‘J.Lo.’
Featuring Ja Rule and Cadillac Tah, the new and improved version of the song was produced by Irv Gotti, 7 Aurelius and co-written by Ashanti – who also provides additional vocals.
The track topped the US Billboard Hot 100 in early 2002.
Based on a sample of ’Flava To Ya Ear’ by Craig Mack, it was included on Jenny’s chart-topping remix album ‘J to tha L-O! The Remixes’ and stands today as one of her signature songs.
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The legendary Herb Ritts directed the song’s glossy video. which finds Jennifer hosting a house party when an uninvited love interest interrupts the festivities.
Amongst her guests are featured rappers Ja Rule and Cadillac Tah, Murder Inc. CEO Irv Gotti as well as Miss Ashanti herself. Other shots see Lopez and the rappers performing the song in a white corridor and later on Ja and Jen singing the outro to the song against a gold backdrop.
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Say what you will, but there has never been any stopping J.Lo.
Today, though not as present at the top of those charts as then, she remains a force in entertainment. And not in a “good for a throwback” capacity. She’s a contemporary superstar. Year in year out she seems to earn more respect for her craft from the industry as a whole and it’s oh so deserved.
The last few years have seen Lopez cater to the Latin layer of her artistry and in grand fashion – case in point ‘Pa’ Ti / Lonely.’
Here’s hoping when it’s time for her Pop comeback, she comes swinging just as hard.
In the meantime, we’ll keep running ‘Ain’t It Funny’ on our playlist.
