"911" is a duet between rap singer Wyclef Jean and soul music singer Mary J. Blige. It was released on 5 September 2000 as the third single from Jean's second studio album, The Ecleftic: 2 Sides II a Book (2000), and was later included on Blige's compilation Reflections (A Retrospective) (2006). The song peaked at number 38 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and had success worldwide, particularly in Scandinavian countries.

"911"
Single by Wyclef Jean featuring Mary J. Blige
from the album The Ecleftic: 2 Sides II a Book
Released	5 September 2000 (2000-09-05)
Genre	R&B soul
Length	4:19
Label	Columbia
Songwriter(s)	James Brown John Starks Mary Brown Wyclef Jean Jerry 'Wonder' Duplessis Katia Cadet
Producer(s)	Jerry Duplessis Wyclef Jean
Wyclef Jean singles chronology
"It Doesn't Matter" (2000) "911" (2000) "Perfect Gentleman" (2001)
Mary J. Blige singles chronology
"Your Child" (2000) "911" (2000) "Family Affair" (2001)

Music and video

The song depicted two star-crossed lovers in a web of drama with the male narrator running from police while the female narrator worries forlornly over him. The relationship is apparently under external pressures, as Jean sings "messing around with you is gonna get (the man) life", and later reflecting "it's worth the sacrifice".

It samples Edie Brickell & The New Bohemians' "What I Am", and some excerpts can be found in the mix versions from James Brown's "The Payback".^{[citation needed]}

Chart performances and awards

"911" was a hit for the two singers as it reached No. 38 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song was very successful in Sweden and in Norway where it reached number-one for almost two months. It earned a Platinum disc in Norway. It was also a top ten hit in Ireland, UK, Switzerland, Denmark, the Netherlands and Finland.

It was nominated for a Grammy for Best R&B Vocal Performance by a duo or group in 2001.

Track listings

These are the formats and track listings of major single releases of "911".[1]

Personnel

• Recorded and mixed at the Hit Factory (NYC)
• Co-producer – Sedeck
• Engineer – Andy Grassi, Michael McCoy
• Mixing – Andy Grassi
• Producer – Jerry Duplessis, Wyclef Jean
• Vocals – Mary J. Blige
• Backing vocals – MB
• Video director – Marcus Raboy
• Video editing – Bruce Ashley

Charts and sales

Weekly charts Chart (2000–2001) Peak position Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[2] 21 Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[3] 16 Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia)[4] 11 Canada (Nielsen SoundScan)[5] 27 Denmark (Tracklisten)[6] 9 Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[7] 6 Finland (Suomen virallinen lista)[8] 4 France (SNEP)[9] 11 Germany (Official German Charts)[10] 12 Ireland (IRMA)[11] 10 Italy (FIMI)[12] 34 Norway (VG-lista)[13] 1 Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[14] 5 Netherlands (Single Top 100)[15] 8 Portugal (AFP)[16] 10 Scotland (OCC)[17] 12 Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[18] 1 Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[19] 9 UK Singles (OCC)[20] 9 UK Hip Hop/R&B (OCC)[21] 3 US Billboard Hot 100[22] 38 US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[23] 6

Year-end charts Chart (2000) Position Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[24] 4 US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[25] 73 Chart (2001) Position Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[26] 99 Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia)[27] 57 Canada (Nielsen SoundScan)[28] 152 Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[29] 28 France (SNEP)[30] 54 Germany (Official German Charts)[31] 72 Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[32] 99 Netherlands (Single Top 100)[33] 86 Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[34] 62 US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[35] 81 Certifications Region Certification Certified units/sales France (SNEP)[36] Gold 250,000* Norway (IFPI Norway)[37] Platinum   Sweden (GLF)[38] Gold 15,000^ United Kingdom (BPI)[39] Silver 200,000 * Sales figures based on certification alone. ^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

References