Snake (song)

For other songs, see Snake (disambiguation).
"Snake"
Single by R. Kelly featuring Big Tigger
from the album Chocolate Factory
Released December 15, 2002
Format CD single, 12"
Recorded 2002
Genre R&B, dancehall
Length 4:51
Label Jive
Writer(s) R. Kelly, Darian Morgan
Producer(s) R. Kelly
R. Kelly singles chronology
"Ignition (Remix)"
(2003)		 "Snake"
(2003)		 "Step in the Name of Love (Remix)"
(2003)
Chocolate Factory track listing

"Snake" is a song by American recording artist R. Kelly, featuring Big Tigger, from his fifth studio album, Chocolate Factory. The remix features Cam'ron. It was released on December 15, 2002, by Jive Records as the second single from the album. The R&B song with Latin music inspiration was written and produced by R. Kelly, and co-written by Darian Morgan, as a tribute to Stevie Wonder's musical experimentation. The song also inspired the dancehall reggae riddim called Baghdad.

"Snake" achieved moderate success, reaching number sixteen at the United States' Hot 100, and the tenth position on the United Kingdom. A special double-A-side edition with "Thoia Thoing" was also released. The maxi-single charted at number ten in the Netherlands, number thirty in France, number sixteen in Australia and at number eighteen in Switzerland. A remix with actor and musician Cam'ron was also released.

Background and composition
"Snake"
A 22-second sample of the song's chorus, which features R. Kelly singing over a latin-inspired melody.
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"Snake" was written and produced by R. Kelly, and co-written by Darian Morgan.[1] It is a R&B song with Latin music inspiration,[2] and elements of urban pop and new jack swing.[1] "Snake" is four minutes and fifty-one seconds long. The song is composed in the key of A♭ major and is set in time signature of common time with a tempo of 92 beats per minute. R. Kelly vocal range spans from C♯4 to F♯5.[1] Andrew McGregor of BBC revealed that "Snake" was written in "tribute to Stevie [Wonder]'s musical experimentation".[2]

Music video

The music video for both the original and the remix is directed by Little X.[3]

Promotion

R. Kelly and Big Tigger performed the song together during many live performances (including at Madison Square Garden in New York on the penultimate concert) during his 2003 tour[4] and during the 2003 BET Awards. "Snake" received a special double A-side edition with "Thoia Thoing". The maxi-single charted at number ten in the Netherlands, number thirty in France, number sixteen in Australia and at number eighteen in Switzerland.[5] A remix with Cam'ron was also released.

Remix controversy

Cam'ron took R. Kelly to court in 2005 due to claims that he did not receive proper credit for his work on a remix of the song. Cam'ron filed a federal lawsuit in New York. He had apparently written the introduction to the remix, as well as a part of the third verse but his songwriting contribution was not mentioned in the copyright when the song was featured on The R. in R&B Collection, Vol. 1, a greatest-hits album.[6]

Track listing

  1. "Snake" (Radio Edit) – 4:20
  2. "Snake" (Remix Featuring Big Tigger and Cam'ron) – 4:40
  3. "Dream Girl" – 3:57
  4. "Snake" (Music Video) – 4:14
  1. "Snake" (Radio Edit) – 4:20
  2. "Dream Girl" – 3:57
  3. "Snake" (Remix Featuring Big Tigger and Cam'ron) – 4:40
  1. "Snake" (Radio Edit) – 4:20
  2. "Snake" (Radio Edit Without Rap) – 3:34
  3. "Snake" (Instrumental) – 4:52

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (2003) Peak
position
Canadian Singles Chart 23
Irish Singles Chart 18
UK Singles Chart[10] 10
US Billboard Hot 100[11] 16
US Rhythmic Top 40 10
US Top 40 Tracks 37
US Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs[11] 9

Year-end charts

Chart (2003) Position
US Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs[12] 57

Credits and personnel

  • R. Kelly – vocals, audio mixing, producer, songwriter
  • Big Tigger – vocals
  • Darian Morgan – songwriter
  • Donnie Lyle – instruments
  • Rodney East – instruments
  • Abel Garibaldi – programming
  • Andy Gallas – programming
  • Ian Mereness – programming
  • Jason Mlodzinski – programming
  • Nathan Wheeler – programming
  • Steve Bearsley – programming
  • Larry Phillabaum – engineering
  • Tim Roberts – engineering
  • John Hanes – engineering
  • Serban Ghenea – audio mixing
  • Swizz Beatz – audio mixing

Credits adapted from CD single liner notes.[13]

References

  1. 1 2 3 "R. Kelly Snake – Digital Sheet Music". Music Notes. Universal Music Publishing Group. Retrieved February 6, 2010.
  2. 1 2 McGregor, Andrew (March 7, 2003). "Review of R. Kelly—Chocolate Factory". BBC Music. British Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved March 23, 2009.
  3. ↑ http://www.oocities.org/hypepaul/lxvideos.html
  4. ↑ "R. Kelly plays Madison Square Garden". MTV News. MTV. August 25, 2003. Retrieved May 23, 2009.
  5. ↑ "R. Kelly – Thoia Thoing". Hung Medien. Retrieved May 23, 2009.
  6. ↑ Vineyard, Jennifer (September 29, 2005). "Cam'ron takes R. Kelly to court". MTV News. MTV. Retrieved May 23, 2009.
  7. ↑ "Amazon.com: Snake: R. Kelly, Single, Import: Music". Jive. January 27, 2004. Retrieved February 28, 2011.
  8. ↑ Snake (12" Vinyl liner notes). R. Kelly. Jive Records. 2003. 82876547231.
  9. ↑ "Amazon.com: Snake: R. Kelly, Featuring Big Tigger: Music". Jive. December 15, 2003. Retrieved February 28, 2011.
  10. ↑ "R Kelly featuring Big Tigger – Snake". Chart Stats. Retrieved May 23, 2009.
  11. 1 2 "Artist Chart History—R. Kelly". Billboard.com. Billboard. Retrieved May 23, 2009.
  12. ↑ http://www.soulsystem.it/yend.asp?date=31/12/2003
  13. ↑ Snake (Liner Notes [CD, Single]). R. Kelly. Jive Records. 2003. JDJ-40115-2.
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