"Here Comes the Hotstepper"
Standard artwork
Single by Ini Kamoze
from the album Here Comes the Hotstepper
Released18 August 1994
Genre
Length4:13
LabelColumbia
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Salaam Remi
Ini Kamoze singles chronology
"Hill and Gully Ride"
(1992)		 "Here Comes the Hotstepper"
(1994)		 "Listen Me Tic (Woyoi)"
(1995)

"Here Comes the Hotstepper" is a song co-written and recorded by Jamaican dancehall artist Ini Kamoze. It was released as the lead single from his 1995 album of the same name as well as the soundtrack to the film Prêt-à-Porter. It is known for its "naaaa na na na naaaa..." chorus inspired by the Cannibal and the Headhunters version of "Land of 1000 Dances".

The song was Kamoze's only song to reach the top 40 on the US Billboard Hot 100, peaking atop the chart on 17 December 1994 and remaining there for two weeks. It also became a number-one hit in Denmark, New Zealand, and Zimbabwe and a top-10 hit in 13 other countries. Irish DJ John Gibbons made a remix of the song in 2018.

Usages of music sampling

"Here Comes the Hotstepper" contains several samples, including vocals from "The Champ" by The Mohawks, "Hot Pants" by Bobby Byrd, and "La Di Da Di" by Doug E. Fresh and Slick Rick. The song's instrumental samples the drums and bass from "Heartbeat" by Taana Gardner and guitar notes from "Hung Up on My Baby" by Isaac Hayes. The song uses the "na na na na na..." chorus from the Cannibal and the Headhunters version of "Land of a Thousand Dances," and the verse vocal melody is reminiscent of The Beatles' "Come Together", which was inspired by Chuck Berry's "You Can't Catch Me".

Critical reception

Stephen Thomas Erlewine from AllMusic noted that the song "lifts a line from "Land of 1000 Dances", and places it on an infectious dancehall beat – it's a great single that deserved to be a huge hit."[1] Larry Flick from Billboard wrote, "Reggae-splashed pop/hip-hopper is fueled by a prominent sample of Taana Gardner's disco chestnut "Heartbeat". Already getting active attention, infectious party jam percolates with innocuous but appealing rapping and familiar chants. Don't be surprised if this sleeper soars past the expected hits to the top of the Hot 100."[2] In his weekly UK chart commentary, James Masterton stated that the "infectious dance track owes much of its success to the 'Na Na Na Na Na' hook".[3] A reviewer from Music & Media commented, "Let's go "funkin' for Jamaica" again. Included on the OST Prêt-à-Porter, the veteran reggae man unexpectedly sees himself in the US top 10 with a chunk of '80s fatback funk."[4]

British magazine Music Week's RM Dance Update complimented the song as a "catchy funk anthem doing the business in the US".[5] An editor, James Hamilton, described it as a "lyrical gangster's madly infectious US smash reggae jiggler using the 'naa na-na-naa' chant from 'Land of a 1000 Dances'".[6] Charles Aaron from Spin viewed it as a "seamless, nonsensical string of ragamuffin hip-hop clichés." He added further, "Rivaling Joey Gardner's sample constructions for K7 [with "Come Baby Come"], producer Salaam Remi drops in the bass line from Taana Gardner's 1981 club classic [...], and next thing you know, you're humming "murderer" against your will. Kamoze is a Kingston native, a vet of four supposedly respectable albums, an author and playwright, but on this Top Ten hit, he could be Jah Blatt from down the block. Deeply disposable."[7] Steve Pick from St. Louis Post-Dispatch wrote, "With this cut, he's distilled most of the stylistic variants of his competitors, sweetened them with some goof hooks and come up with a breakthrough pop record that threatens to keep folks dancing for the next several years. I'm not sure what's "Heartical" about this version, but this is the mix you want."[8]

Chart performance

"Here Comes the Hotstepper" remains Kamoze's biggest hit to date. It went to number one on the US Billboard Hot 100 and on the Canadian RPM Dance/Urban chart,[9][10] while peaking at number two at the US Cash Box Top 100. In Europe, it peaked at number one in Denmark as well as on the Eurochart Hot 100.[11][12] The single climbed into the top 10 in Austria, Belgium (Flanders and Wallonia), Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.[13][14][15][16][17] In the latter nation, it peaked at number four during its third week on the UK Singles Chart, on 15 January 1995, and spent four weeks at that position, topping the UK R&B Chart in the process.[18][19] Elsewhere, "Here Comes the Hotstepper" topped the charts in New Zealand and Zimbabwe and peaked at number two in Australia.[13][20] The single was awarded with a gold record in France and Germany and a platinum record in Australia, New Zealand, the UK, and the US.[21][22][23][24][25][26]

Music video

Two music videos were made to accompany the song. The remix version used various scenes from the film Prêt-à-Porter.

Track listings

  • Jamaican 7-inch single[27]
US cassette single[28]
European CD single[29]
  1. "Here Comes the Hotstepper" (Heartical mix)
  2. "Here Comes the Hotstepper" (Allaam mix)
  • US 12-inch and maxi-cassette single[30][31]
UK CD and 12-inch single[32][33]
Australian CD and cassette single[34][35]
  1. "Here Comes the Hotstepper" (Heartical mix) – 3:51
  2. "Here Comes the Hotstepper" (Heartipella) – 4:12
  3. "Here Comes the Hotstepper" (Heartimental) – 4:11
  4. "Here Comes the Hotstepper" (Allaam mix) – 4:34
  5. "Here Comes the Hotstepper" (Allaamental) – 4:34
  6. "Here Comes the Hotstepper" (LP version) – 4:09
  • UK cassette single[36]
  1. "Here Comes the Hotstepper" (Heartical mix)
  2. "Here Comes the Hotstepper" (Heartimental)

Charts

Certifications

Region CertificationCertified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[23] Platinum 70,000^
France (SNEP)[21] Gold 250,000*
Germany (BVMI)[22] Gold 250,000^
New Zealand (RMNZ)[24] Platinum 10,000*
United Kingdom (BPI)[25] Platinum 600,000‡
United States (RIAA)[26] Platinum 1,000,000[77]

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

Impact, legacy and cover versions

Blender listed the song at number 492 in their ranking of "The 500 Greatest Songs Since You Were Born" in 2005.[78] BuzzFeed listed it at number 46 in their list of "The 101 Greatest Dance Songs Of the '90s" in 2017.[79] Billboard placed "Here Comes the Hotstepper" at number 126 in their ranking of "Billboard's Top Songs of the '90s" in 2019.[80]

John Gibbons covered the song in 2019 as "Hotstepper". The song charted at no. 67 on the Irish Singles Chart.[81]

In 2020, American singer Nicky Jam and Puerto Rican rapper Daddy Yankee interpolated the song's hook for the single "Muévelo", from the Bad Boys for Life soundtrack,[82] as did Israeli musical duo Static & Ben El for their single "Further Up (Na, Na, Na, Na, Na)" alongside American rapper Pitbull.[83] That same year, Parquet Courts frontman and artist A. Savage designed a t-shirt, Excuse Me Mister Officer (Murderer), named for a line in the song's pre-chorus, to honor victims of police brutality, the proceeds from which he donated to various US- and New York-based anti-prison organizations.[84]

In 2021, Philadelphia-based musician and social media personality Pat Finnerty enlisted Dr. Dog to cover the track for the "Hey, Soul Sister" episode of his YouTube series, What Makes This Song Stink.[85]

The song was featured in the second episode of the twelfth season of the sitcom It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia.

The song was included in the 2022 film, Sonic the Hedgehog 2, and plays during a scene where the titular character is left home alone.[86]

The song was performed by Peter Griffin and his terminator clone in Season 19 Episode 13 of the cartoon Family Guy.

It was included in the launch trailer for the video game Yakuza: Like a Dragon.[87]

References

  1. ↑ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Ini Kamoze – Here Comes the Hotstepper". AllMusic. Retrieved 10 November 2020.
  2. ↑ Flick, Larry (15 October 1994). "Single Reviews" (PDF). Billboard. p. 75. Retrieved 21 March 2021.
  3. ↑ Masterton, James (1 January 1995). "Week Ending January 7th 1995". Chart Watch UK. Retrieved 16 September 2021.
  4. ↑ "New Releases: Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. 3 December 1994. p. 8. Retrieved 16 March 2021.
  5. ↑ "Cool Cuts" (PDF). Music Week, in Record Mirror (Dance Update Supplemental Insert). 17 December 1994. p. 6. Retrieved 23 April 2021.
  6. ↑ Hamilton, James (17 December 1994). "Dj directory" (PDF). Music Week, in Record Mirror (Dance Update Supplemental Insert). p. 7. Retrieved 23 April 2021.
  7. ↑ Aaron, Charles (February 1995). "Singles". Spin. p. 80. Retrieved 28 January 2023.
  8. ↑ Pick, Steve (6 January 1995). "Steve Pick". St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
  9. 1 2 "Ini Kamoze Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.
  10. 1 2 "Top RPM Dance/Urban: Issue 2711." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 2 February 2020.
  11. 1 2 "Hits of the World: Denmark". Billboard. Vol. 107, no. 12. 25 March 1995. p. 49. Retrieved 1 December 2010.
  12. 1 2 "Billboard". 18 March 1995 – via Google Books.
  13. 1 2 3 "Ini Kamoze – Here Comes the Hotstepper". ARIA Top 50 Singles.
  14. 1 2 "Hits of the World: Finland". Billboard. Vol. 107, no. 9. 4 March 1995. p. 53 – via Google Books.
  15. 1 2 "Íslenski Listinn Topp 40 (15.–21.12 '94)". Dagblaðið Vísir (in Icelandic). 15 December 1994. p. 22. Retrieved 16 July 2020.
  16. 1 2 "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Here Comes the Hotstepper". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 2 February 2020.
  17. 1 2 "Hits of the World: Spain". Billboard. Vol. 107, no. 13. 1 April 1995. p. 48 – via Internet Archive.
  18. 1 2 "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 2 February 2020.
  19. 1 2 "Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 2 February 2020.
  20. 1 2
    • Zimbabwe. Kimberley, C. Zimbabwe: singles chart book. Harare: C. Kimberley, 2000
  21. 1 2 "French single certifications – Ini Kamoze – Here Comes the Hotstepper" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique.
  22. 1 2 "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Ini Kamoze; 'Here Comes the Hotstepper')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie.
  23. 1 2 3 "1995 ARIA Singles Chart". ARIA. Retrieved 2 February 2020.
  24. 1 2 "New Zealand single certifications – Ini Kamoze – Here Comes the Hotstepper". Recorded Music NZ.
  25. 1 2 "British single certifications – Ini Kamoze – Here Comes the Hotstepper". British Phonographic Industry.
  26. 1 2 "American single certifications – Ini Kamoze – Here Comes the Hotstepper". Recording Industry Association of America.
  27. ↑ Here Comes the Hotstepper (Jamaican 7-inch single vinyl disc). Ini Kamoze. Columbia Records. 1994. 38-77614.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  28. ↑ Here Comes the Hotstepper (US cassette single sleeve). Ini Kamoze. Columbia Records. 1994. 38T 77614.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  29. ↑ Here Comes the Hotstepper (European CD single liner notes). Ini Kamoze. Columbia Records. 1994. COL 661047 1.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  30. ↑ Here Comes the Hotstepper (US 12-inch single vinyl disc). Ini Kamoze. Columbia Records. 1994. 44 77602.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  31. ↑ Here Comes the Hotstepper (US maxi-cassette single sleeve). Ini Kamoze. Columbia Records. 1994. 44T77602.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  32. ↑ Here Comes the Hotstepper (UK CD single liner notes). Ini Kamoze. Columbia Records. 1994. 661047 2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  33. ↑ Here Comes the Hotstepper (UK 12-inch single vinyl disc). Ini Kamoze. Columbia Records. 1994. 661047 6.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  34. ↑ Here Comes the Hotstepper (Australian CD single liner notes). Ini Kamoze. Columbia Records. 1994. 660973 2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  35. ↑ Here Comes the Hotstepper (Australian cassette single sleeve). Ini Kamoze. Columbia Records. 1994. 660973 8.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  36. ↑ Here Comes the Hotstepper (UK cassette single sleeve). Ini Kamoze. Columbia Records. 1994. 661047 4.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  37. ↑ "Ini Kamoze – Here Comes the Hotstepper" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40.
  38. ↑ "Ini Kamoze – Here Comes the Hotstepper" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50.
  39. ↑ "Ini Kamoze – Here Comes the Hotstepper" (in French). Ultratop 50.
  40. ↑ VRT Top 30 peak Archived 9 April 2012 at the Wayback Machine
  41. ↑ "Top RPM Singles: Issue 2722." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 2 February 2020.
  42. ↑ "European Dance Radio" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 11, no. 6. 11 February 1995. p. 16. Retrieved 28 September 2022.
  43. ↑ "Ini Kamoze – Here Comes the Hotstepper" (in French). Les classement single.
  44. ↑ "Ini Kamoze – Here Comes the Hotstepper" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved 2 February 2020.
  45. ↑ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 1, 1995" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 2 February 2020.
  46. ↑ "Ini Kamoze – Here Comes the Hotstepper" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 2 February 2020.
  47. ↑ "Ini Kamoze – Here Comes the Hotstepper". Top 40 Singles.
  48. ↑ "Ini Kamoze – Here Comes the Hotstepper". VG-lista.
  49. ↑ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 2 February 2020.
  50. ↑ "Ini Kamoze – Here Comes the Hotstepper". Singles Top 100.
  51. ↑ "Ini Kamoze – Here Comes the Hotstepper". Swiss Singles Chart.
  52. ↑ "Official Dance Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 2 February 2020.
  53. ↑ "The RM Club Chart" (PDF). Music Week, in Record Mirror (Dance Update Supplemental Insert). 17 December 1994. p. 4. Retrieved 20 May 2023.
  54. ↑ "The RM on a Pop Tip Club Chart" (PDF). Music Week, in Record Mirror (Dance Update Supplemental Insert). 18 February 1995. p. 8. Retrieved 2 September 2021.
  55. ↑ "Ini Kamoze Chart History (Dance Club Songs)". Billboard.
  56. ↑ "Ini Kamoze Chart History (Dance Singles Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved 29 November 2021.
  57. ↑ "Ini Kamoze Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard.
  58. ↑ "Ini Kamoze Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard.
  59. ↑ "Ini Kamoze Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard.
  60. ↑ "Cash Box Top 100 Singles: November 26, 1994". Cash Box. Retrieved 21 March 2021.
  61. ↑ "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Single (track) Top 40 lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége.
  62. ↑ "Billboard Top 100 – 1994". Archived from the original on 1 March 2009. Retrieved 27 August 2010.
  63. ↑ "Cash Box Year-End Awards — Top 50 Urban Singles" (PDF). Cash Box. Vol. LVIII, no. 18. 31 December 1994. p. 16. Retrieved 22 March 2022.
  64. ↑ "Jahreshitparade Singles 1995" (in German). Retrieved 2 February 2020.
  65. ↑ "Jaaroverzichten 1995" (in Dutch). Ultratop. Retrieved 2 February 2020.
  66. ↑ "Rapports annuels 1995" (in French). Ultratop. Retrieved 2 February 2020.
  67. ↑ "RPM Top 50 Dance Tracks of 1995". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 2 February 2020.
  68. ↑ "1995 in Review – Year End Sales Charts" (PDF). Music & Media. 23 December 1995. p. 14. Retrieved 2 February 2020.
  69. ↑ "Tops de L'année | Top Singles 1995" (in French). SNEP. Retrieved 29 September 2020.
  70. ↑ "Top 100 Singles–Jahrescharts 1995" (in German). GfK Entertainment. Retrieved 2 February 2020.
  71. ↑ "End of Year Charts 1995". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved 2 February 2020.
  72. ↑ "Årslista Singlar, 1995" (in Swedish). Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved 29 September 2020.
  73. ↑ "Swiss Year-End Charts 1995" (in German). Retrieved 2 February 2020.
  74. ↑ "Top 100 Singles 1995". Music Week. 13 January 1996. p. 9.
  75. ↑ "Billboard Top 100 – 1995". Archived from the original on 15 August 2009. Retrieved 27 August 2010.
  76. ↑ "Hot 100 Singles of the '90s". Billboard. Vol. 111, no. 52. 25 December 1999. p. YE-20. Retrieved 13 March 2023.
  77. ↑ "Best-Selling Records of 1994". Billboard. Vol. 107, no. 3. BPI Communications. 21 January 1995. p. 57. ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved 5 May 2015.
  78. ↑ "The 500 Greatest Songs Since You Were Born". Blender. October 2005. Archived from the original on 16 March 2008. Retrieved 29 July 2020.
  79. ↑ Stopera, Matt; Galindo, Brian (11 March 2017). "The 101 Greatest Dance Songs of the '90s". BuzzFeed. Retrieved 31 March 2020.
  80. ↑ "Greatest of All Time: Billboard's Top Songs of the '90s". Billboard. 2019. Retrieved 22 April 2022.
  81. ↑ "irishcharts.com – Discography John Gibbons". irish-charts.com. Retrieved 28 May 2023.
  82. ↑ "Daddy Yankee's Nicky Jam Collaboration "Muévelo" Is His Latest Flip Of A '90s Hit". Genius. Retrieved 1 August 2021.
  83. ↑ Saval, Malina (10 January 2020). "Static & Ben El Drop 'Further Up' Featuring Pitbull: 'We're Ready to Conquer the World' (Watch)". Variety. Retrieved 1 August 2021.
  84. ↑ "A. Savage –– Excuse Me Mister Officer (Murderer)". Retrieved 14 August 2021.
  85. ↑ What Makes This Song Stink Ep. 4 – "Hey Soul Sister: The Movie" featuring Dr. Dog, archived from the original on 19 December 2021, retrieved 30 August 2021
  86. ↑ Weston, Christopher (1 April 2022). "RELIVE SONIC THE HEDGEHOG 2 WITH THE FULL SOUNDTRACK TRACKLIST". HITC. Retrieved 1 May 2022.
  87. ↑ "Yakuza: Like a Dragon – Launch Trailer PS4". YouTube. Retrieved 29 January 2023.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.