"Lock U Down"
Single by Mýa featuring Lil Wayne
from the album Liberation
ReleasedMarch 27, 2007
Length3:34
LabelUniversal Motown
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Scott Storch
Mýa singles chronology
"Ayo!"
(2006)		 "Lock U Down"
(2007)		 "Ridin'"
(2007)
Lil Wayne singles chronology
"You Ain't Know"
(2007)		 "Lock U Down"
(2007)		 "Speaker/9mm"
(2007)

"Lock U Down" is a song by American singer Mýa on her fourth studio album Liberation (2007). It was written by Harrison along with Jason Boyd, Dwayne Carter, and Scott Storch, with production handled by the latter, and featured Young Money rapper Lil Wayne. The song was released as the album's official leading single after "Ayo!" failed to find success on the charts or at radio and eventually deemed a promotional single only.[1] The lyrics of the R&B-collaboration speak of a woman locking her man down when she has found the right one.

The song received generally mixed reviews from contemporary music critics, who found that "Lock U Down" sounded dated and a poor choice as a single. The song was a commercial disappointment, it failed to chart on Billboard's Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart; peaking below the chart at number one hundred and number one on the Bubbling Under R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart only. The song's accompanying music video was filmed by director Benny Boom. It featured Harrison and Lil Wayne in abandon warehouse. The video made its world premiere on BET’s 106 & Park on April 25, 2007.[2]

Background

Co-written by Mýa and produced by Scott Storch, "Lock U Down" featuring Lil' Wayne mixes a prominent Eastern harp sample with a guitar riff. A street-but-sweet hip-hop soul jam,[3] it exposes what kind of man a woman wants and needs.[4] Following the commercial disappointment of "Ayo!," Universal Motown delayed Liberation's release. Initially, "Lock U Down" leaked in late December 2006.[5]

Critical reception

Lil Wayne (pictured) is featured on the single.

Upon release "Lock U Down" garnered "mixed" reviews from music critics. Previewed by back in July 2006, the Miami Herald praised "Lock U Down," and described the song as "genius" while commenting,"a rippling rhythm that shows off the rich tones of the underrated singer's voice, with a Middle Eastern counter melody."[6] Writing for Sentinel, editor Brandon Brooks gave "Lock U Down" a favorable review. Brooks deemed "Lock U Down" a sure fire hit; while complimenting on Harrison's vocal performance noting, "She has grown up over the years and sound rejuvenated than ever before."[7] The Guardian's Rosie Swash dismissed Lock U Down as a "basic but generally likeable song."[8]

Music video

On April 24, 2007, a day prior to the video's official release, Universal Motown uploaded a 27-minute video teaser.[9] The Benny Boom-directed music video for the track was premiered on 106 & Park on April 25, 2007.[2] The heavy dance-laid video includes Mýa dancing in a seemingly abandoned warehouse. Mýa performs a dance routine with a few back-up dancers during the video. Lil Wayne stands next to Mýa when rapping his verses, and Mýa is sometimes seen mouthing the words to his rap. Towards the end of the video, Mýa is seen partying with a couple of friends.[10]

Track listing

US 12" single[11]
No.TitleLength
1."Lock U Down" (Clean)3:34
2."Lock U Down" (Instrumental)3:34
3."Lock U Down" (Main)3:34
4."Lock U Down" (A cappella)3:28

Credits and personnel

Credits lifted from the liner notes of Liberation.[12]

Charts

Release history

Release dates and formats for "Lock U Down"
Region Date Format Label Ref.
United States March 6, 2007 Rhythmic contemporary radio Universal Motown [15]
March 27, 2007 Digital download [16]

References

  1. ↑ "New Music: Mya feat. Lil Wayne - "Lock U Down"". About.com. Retrieved 2012-04-19.
  2. 1 2 "Mya Video Walk-On - 106 & Park: Top 10". TV Guide. Retrieved 2012-04-19.
  3. ↑ Arnold, Chuck; Novak, Ralph (2007-04-30). "Picks and Pans Review: Hot Downloads". People. Retrieved 2015-12-19.
  4. ↑ "Mya Album Preview: Liberation". Rap-Up. 2007-04-26. Retrieved 2015-12-19.
  5. ↑ "New Music: Mya f/ Lil' Wayne". Rap-Up. Retrieved 2019-05-23.
  6. ↑ "Scott Storch Previews New Music". Miami Herald. Retrieved 2019-05-23.
  7. ↑ "Bump It Or Dump It". HighBeam Research. Archived from the original on 2017-10-01. Retrieved 2012-10-14.
  8. ↑ "What's a girl to do with Bat For Lashes' new single? Play it". The Guardian. Retrieved 2017-07-13.
  9. ↑ "VIDEO: MYA – "LOCK U DOWN" TEASER". Rap-Up. Retrieved 2017-07-13.
  10. ↑ "Director Videography". MVD Base. Retrieved 2009-04-10.
  11. ↑ "Mýa* Feat. Lil Wayne – Lock U Down(Vinyl)". Discogs. Retrieved 2012-02-26.
  12. ↑ Liberation (booklet). Mýa. Universal Motown Records. 2007.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  13. 1 2 "DIE JAHRESCHARTS 2007". djcharts.de. Retrieved 2017-06-25.
  14. ↑ "Bubbling Under R&B/Hip-Hop Singles (2007-05-12)". Billboard. Retrieved 2009-04-11.
  15. ↑ "Available For Airplay". FMQB. Retrieved 2011-08-09.
  16. ↑ "Lock U Down (feat. Lil Wayne) – Single". iTunes. Retrieved 2011-08-09.
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