Back 2 Life (song)

"Back 2 Life" (titled "B2L" on the digital format of the album) is a song recorded by American singer LeToya Luckett, for her third studio album Back 2 Life (2017). The song was released on December 7, 2016, by eOne Music Entertainment.[1] The song samples “Back to Life (However Do You Want Me)” (1989) by Soul II Soul.[2]

For other songs, see Back to Life.
"Back 2 Life"
Single by LeToya Luckett
from the album Back 2 Life
ReleasedDecember 7, 2016
Recorded
  • 2014—2015
GenreR&B
Length4:01
LabeleOne Music
Songwriter(s)Curtis Troy Austin, LeToya Luckett, Joe Macklin, Dashaun Leldevonne Newby
Producer(s)Jo Blaq, Curtis Troy Austin ,Dashaun Leldevonne Newby
LeToya Luckett singles chronology
"Don't Make Me Wait"
(2014)		 "Back 2 Life"
(2016)		 "Used To"
(2017)
Music video
"Back 2 Life" on Youtube.com

Background and promotion

Following the release of the single, Luckett posted pictures of a photo shoot and the single's artwork on her Instagram account.[3][4] A teaser trailer for the music video was posted on Luckett's Instagram account on December 12, 2016.[5]

Critical reception

The song was well received by critics. Billboard stated "The end of 2016 is near, but there’s still tons of new music to look forward to before it comes to a close. LeToya Luckett will return from a musical hiatus with her long-awaited new single “Back2Life” hitting iTunes this week. The single’s exclusive artwork features Luckett sporting cropped blond hair, a black leather choker, and fierce cat-eye liner."[6] Rap-Up stated in a review "LeToya Luckett is “Back.” Following a hiatus from music, the former Destiny’s Child songstress unleashes her new single, “Back 2 Life,” off her upcoming album Until Then. Sampling Soul II Soul’s classic “Back to Life (However Do You Want Me),” LeToya sings about a failing relationship. While the muse for the track is unknown, it could be inspired by art imitating life."[7] Singersroom described the track as a "mid-tempo, laid-back groove,"[8] while SheBOPS noted that the song's "sombre R&B sounds sonically pinpoint the vulnerable realities of a painfully toxic relationship."[9]

Music video

Release

A 40-second teaser trailer for the music video was released to Luckett's YouTube account on December 14, 2016. The video features actor and former American football running back Thomas Jones. It was directed and produced by Michael Vaughn Hernandez and executive produced by Luckett.[10] The music video was released to LeToya's VEVO account on January 10, 2017.[11]

Synopsis

The music video, which is over eight minutes long, begins with LeToya in a perfect relationship. The plot twists when she suspects that her significant other is a little too friendly with his female best friend. The video ends with a heated argument between LeToya and her man, resulting in her leaving the relationship with a "to be continued...".[12]

Reception

Amber McKynzie from The Boombox wrote "It’s a new year, which means it’s time to be out with the old and in with the new; or simply take some time to focus on you. At least that’s the mindset LeToya Luckett follows in her new video, 'Back 2 Life.' LeToya Luckett recounts a love story gone wrong thanks to a good “friend” named Cynthia. First in love and floating through the honeymoon stage, Luckett discovers the man she thought she knew is nothing like the man she met after meeting his childhood friend who’s a little too close for comfort."[13] Lauren Porter from Essence commented: "Ladies, we've all been there: you're dating a great guy who wants you to meet his female friend who you suspect wants to be more than that. Well, in LeToya Luckett's new video for her song, "Back 2 Life" art truly imitates reality with a scenario we can all say we've encountered at least once or twice. With some steamy eye-candy from Being Mary Jane's former "cuddy buddy," Thomas Q. Jones, Luckett and her on-screen love serve up a true cautionary tale for what it means when he says, 'don't worry baby, she's just my friend.'"[14]

Chart performance

The song debuted at number twenty-six on the US Adult R&B Airplay chart on February 4, 2017.[15] In its second and third week the song charted at number twenty-two and number twenty respectively.[16] In its twelfth week the song peaked at number eleven.[17] In its fourteenth week the song peaked at number seven.[18]

Track listing
Digital download[1]
No.TitleLength
1."Back 2 Life"4:01

Charts
Chart (2017) Peak
position
US Adult R&B Songs (Billboard)[19] 6
US R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay (Billboard)[20] 33

Release history
Region Date Format Label Ref
Various December 7, 2016 Digital download eOne Music [1][21]

References
  1. "Back 2 Life - Single by LeToya Luckett". iTunes Store (UK). Apple Music inc. Retrieved 7 December 2016.
  2. "Letoya Luckett's New Single Back 2 Life". Toyaz World. Retrieved 8 December 2016.
  3. "LeToya Luckett on Instagram "Back To Reality"". Instagram. Retrieved 8 December 2016.
  4. "LeToya Luckett on Instagram "Hey loves!!!!! Check out my NEW single Back to Life available on iTunes NOW!!!! CLICK LINK IN MY BIO!! #Back2Life" #itunes". Instagram. Retrieved 12 December 2016.
  5. "LeToya Luckett on Instagram "LOVES!!! Check out the teaser trailer for my new single "Back 2 Life" with @thomasjonesrb !!! SINGLE AVAILABLE ON ITUNES NOW!!!!! Click link in my bio #Back2Life"". Instagram. Retrieved 12 December 2016.
  6. "LeToya Luckett Releases Artwork for Highly Anticipated Single 'Back2Life'". Billboard. Retrieved 5 December 2016.
  7. "NEW MUSIC: LETOYA LUCKETT – 'BACK 2 LIFE'". Rap-Up. Retrieved 7 December 2016.
  8. "LeToya Luckett – Back 2 Life - Singersroom". Singersroom. Retrieved 7 December 2016.
  9. "LeToya Luckett Triumphantly Comes "Back 2 Life" on First Album Since 2009". SheBOPS. 2017-05-14. Retrieved 2017-05-14.
  10. "LeToya Luckett - Back 2 Life [Trailer]". YouTube. Retrieved 14 December 2016.
  11. "LeToya Luckett - Back 2 Life". YouTube. Retrieved 10 January 2017.
  12. Hazel, Allison. "LeToya Luckett Releases New Video 'Back 2 Life': Watch". Billboard. Retrieved 11 January 2017.
  13. "LeToya Luckett Leaves Love Behind and Gets 'Back 2 Life' [VIDEO]". The Boombox. Retrieved 10 January 2017.
  14. Porter, Lauren. "LeToya Luckett's Juicy New Video Is A Cautionary Tale For Brothers Who Say She's Just A Friend". Essence. Retrieved 11 January 2017.
  15. "Chart Search Adult R&B for LeToya". Billboard. Retrieved February 7, 2017.
  16. "Billboard Chart Search Back 2 Life LeToya Luckett". Billboard. Retrieved 7 February 2017.
  17. "Billboard Adult R&B Songs Charts April 22, 2017". Billboard. Retrieved 12 April 2017.
  18. "Billboard Adult R&B Songs Charts May 6, 2017". Billboard. Retrieved 29 April 2017.
  19. "LeToya Luckett Chart History (Adult R&B Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 29 April 2017.
  20. "R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay Chart May 6, 2017". Billboard. Retrieved 29 April 2017.
  21. International releases of Back 2 Life:
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