(Always Be My) Sunshine

"(Always Be My) Sunshine" is a hip hop song by American rapper Jay-Z with guest vocals from fellow femcee Foxy Brown and R&B singer-songwriter Babyface who performs the song's chorus. It serves as the first single from his second album In My Lifetime, Vol. 1 (1997). The track features production by Daven "Prestige" Vanderpool. Vanderpool samples MC Lyte's "Cha Cha Cha", Alexander O'Neal's "Sunshine", Kraftwerk's "The Man-Machine" and The Fearless Four's "Rockin' It" for the track's beat. In addition, George Fonenette plays keyboards on this song. The song's lyrics helped indicate Jay-Z's change from his Mafioso rap style to a more commercial "shiny suit" style. Steve Juon of RapReviews.com supports the song claiming that it is a less gangsta version of The Notorious B.I.G.'s "Me & My Bitch", a well-received track.[1] Jay-Z cites this song as "what killed the album."[2]

"(Always Be My) Sunshine"
Single by Jay-Z featuring Foxy Brown and Babyface
from the album In My Lifetime, Vol. 1
ReleasedOctober 14, 1997
Recorded1997
GenreEast Coast hip hop
Length4:43
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Daven "Prestige" Vanderpool
Jay-Z singles chronology
"Who You Wit"
(1997)		 "(Always Be My) Sunshine"
(1997)		 "The City Is Mine"
(1998)
Babyface singles chronology
"How Come, How Long"
(1997)		 "(Always Be My) Sunshine"
(1997)		 "Fire"
(1998)
Foxy Brown singles chronology
"Firm Biz"
(1997)		 "(Always Be My) Sunshine"
(1997)		 "Hot Spot"
(1998)
Music video
"(Always Be My) Sunshine" on YouTube

Music video

The music video was directed by Hype Williams. Jay-Z is featured in the video rapping in a room resembling a Rubik's Cube & having a carnival theme to it with Foxy Brown rapping alongside of him. Jay-Z & co-founder of Roc-A-Fella, Damon Dash later regretted doing the video citing that the video wasn't their style.

Formats and track listings

CD
  1. "Sunshine (Radio Edit)" (3:15)
  2. "Sunshine (Album Version)" (4:11)
  3. "Sunshine (Clean Version)" (4:12)
  4. "Sunshine (TV track)" (4:12)
  5. "Sunshine (Acappella)" (3:49)

A-side
  1. "Sunshine (Album Version)"
  2. "Sunshine (TV Track)"
  3. "Sunshine (Radio Edit)"

B-side
  1. "Sunshine (Clean Version)"
  2. "Sunshine (Instrumental)"
  3. "Sunshine (Acappella)"

Charts
Chart (1997) Peak
position
Germany (Official German Charts)[3] 18
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40 Tipparade)[4] 9
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[5] 66
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[6] 22
Scotland (OCC)[7] 69
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[8] 47
UK Hip Hop/R&B (OCC)[9] 3
UK Singles (OCC)[10] 25
US Billboard Hot 100[11] 95
US Dance Singles Sales (Billboard)[12] 21
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[13] 37
US Hot Rap Songs (Billboard)[14] 16

See also

References
  1. Juon, Steve. "In My Lifetime, Vol. 1 Review at RapReviews.com". Archived from the original on 3 August 2007. Retrieved July 9, 2007.
  2. The Scoreboard | Life+Times
  3. "Jay-Z feat. Foxy Brown & Babyface – Sunshine" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved June 16, 2022.
  4. "Tipparade-lijst van week 3, 1998" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved March 19, 2023.
  5. "Jay-Z feat. Foxy Brown & Babyface – Sunshine" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved June 16, 2022.
  6. "Jay-Z feat. Foxy Brown & Babyface – Sunshine". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved June 16, 2022.
  7. "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved June 16, 2022.
  8. "Jay-Z feat. Foxy Brown & Babyface – Sunshine". Singles Top 100. Retrieved June 16, 2022.
  9. "Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved June 16, 2022.
  10. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved June 16, 2022.
  11. "Jay-Z Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved June 16, 2022.
  12. "Jay-Z Chart History (Dance Singles Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved June 16, 2022.
  13. "Jay-Z Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved June 16, 2022.
  14. "Jay-Z Chart History (Hot Rap Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved June 16, 2022.



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