"Need U Bad" | |||||||||||
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Single by Jazmine Sullivan featuring Missy Elliott | |||||||||||
from the album Fearless | |||||||||||
Released | May 13, 2008 | ||||||||||
Format | CD single, digital download, 7", 12" | ||||||||||
Recorded | 2008; Gold Mine Studios (New York City, New York) |
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Genre | R&B, reggae fusion, soul | ||||||||||
Length | 4:17 | ||||||||||
Label | J, Arista | ||||||||||
Writer(s) | Jazmine Sullivan, Missy Elliott, Cainon Lamb, Taurian Osbourne, Nicholas Taylor Stanton, Tapper Zukie | ||||||||||
Producer(s) | Missy Elliott, Cainon Lamb | ||||||||||
Jazmine Sullivan singles chronology | |||||||||||
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"Need U Bad" is a song performed by American recording artist Jazmine Sullivan from her debut album, Fearless (2008). The song features rapper Missy Elliott, as well as Pepa speaking a Jamaican chant. "Need U Bad" is Sullivan's debut single and the lead single from Fearless. It was first released on May 13, 2008 in the United States by J and Arista Records. The song was co-written by Sullivan in collaboration with Elliott, Cainon Lamb, and Taurian Osbourne. It was produced by Elliott and Lamb. The song uses a sample from Nicolas Taylor Stanton's "Higher Meditation Riddim Version", and Tapper Zukie's "Papa Big Shirt".
"Need U Bad" was one of two songs on Fearless where Sullivan collaborated with Elliott and Lamb. Musically, the song was inspired to be different from typical mainstream singles. Featuring prominent elements of reggae, R&B and soul music characteristics, the track was composed in a different style to co-relate with the title of its parent album, Fearless. Lyrically, "Need U Bad" takes reference to a situation when one develops a strong need for one's lover.
"Need U Bad" garnered a positive response from contemporary music critics. The single also achieved R&B chart success; peaking at number one on U.S. Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, and at number thirty-seven on the Billboard Hot 100. It is Sullivan's most successful single on Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs to-date.
"Need U Bad" was accompanied by a music video which was directed by Jonathan Mannion and released on July 8, 2008. The old school styled video features Sullivan singing and dancing with Missy Elliott and other reggae musicians in a recording studio. Sullivan performed "Need U Bad" on 106 & Park, The Ellen DeGeneres Show and The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. "Need U Bad" was nominated in the 'Best Female R&B Vocal Performance' category at the 51st Grammy Awards.