"Heard 'Em Say" | |||||
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Single by Kanye West featuring Adam Levine | |||||
from the album Late Registration | |||||
Released | November 8, 2005 | ||||
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Recorded | 2004; Sony Music Studios (New York, New York) Grandmaster Recording Studios (Hollywood, California) |
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Length | 3:23 | ||||
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Kanye West singles chronology | |||||
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Adam Levine singles chronology | |||||
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"Heard 'Em Say" is a song by American hip-hop artist Kanye West. It was released on November 8, 2005 as the third single for his second studio album, Late Registration. The song features Maroon 5 lead singer Adam Levine, who sings the chorus and bridge. West co-produced the track with Jon Brion, and it contains excerpts from "Someone That I Used to Love" as performed by Natalie Cole. The song was met by acclaim from contemporary music critics and is often seen as one of West's best. The refrain of "Heard 'Em Say" was later recycled for the Maroon 5 song "Nothing Lasts Forever" which appears on their 2007 album It Won't Be Soon Before Long.
Kanye West and Adam Levine had first collaborated when Maroon 5 commissioned West to remix "This Love," the second single from the band's 2002 debut album Songs About Jane. The two later developed a friendship while sitting together on a flight to Rome for the 2004 MTV Europe Music Awards. While playing songs from his forthcoming sophomore effort Late Registratio on his iPod for Levine, West came across the demo for "Heard 'Em Say", the very first track recorded for the album. As Levine recalled, "He was rhyming over it, and I had just written a hook that was so perfect for it. It was one of those natural collaborations where you're so excited because it's all very pure and very easy." West himself initially hesitated slightly, as he felt the singer was a bit too popular for him, but came to be overwhelmed by the sheer prowess and quality of Levine's voice after overhearing his band rehearse backstage at the 47th Grammy Awards ceremony.