"(Always Be My) Sunshine" is a hip hop song by American rapper

Jay-Z Shawn Corey Carter (born December 4, 1969), known professionally as Jay-Z, is an American rapper, record producer, entrepreneur, and founder of Manhattan-based conglomerate talent and entertainment agency Roc Nation. He is regarded as one of ...

with guest vocals from fellow femcee Foxy Brown and R&B singer-songwriter Babyface who performs the song's chorus. It serves as the first single from his second album ''

In My Lifetime, Vol. 1 ''In My Lifetime, Vol. 1'' is the second studio album by American rapper Jay-Z. It was released on November 4, 1997, by Roc-A-Fella Records and Def Jam Recordings. The album debuted at number three on the US Billboard 200 chart and was certified ...

'' (1997). The track features production by Daven "Prestige" Vanderpool. Vanderpool samples MC Lyte's " Cha Cha Cha", Alexander O'Neal's "Sunshine",

Kraftwerk Kraftwerk (, "power station") is a German band formed in Düsseldorf in 1970 by Ralf Hütter and Florian Schneider. Widely considered innovators and pioneers of electronic music, Kraftwerk were among the first successful acts to popularize the ...

's "The Man-Machine" and The Fearless Four's "Rockin' It" for the track's beat. In addition, George Fonenette plays

keyboards Keyboard may refer to: Text input * Keyboard, part of a typewriter * Computer keyboard ** Keyboard layout, the software control of computer keyboards and their mapping ** Keyboard technology, computer keyboard hardware and firmware Music * Musi ...

on this song. The song's lyrics helped indicate Jay-Z's change from his Mafioso rap style to a more commercial " shiny suit" style. Steve Juon of RapReviews.com supports the song claiming that it is a less

gangsta Gangsta may refer to: Urban culture * Gangsta rap, a subgenre of hip hop music that evolved from hardcore hip hop and purports to reflect urban crime and the violent lifestyles of inner-city youths * Gangster, a member of a gang * Hip hop fashi ...

version of

The Notorious B.I.G. Christopher George Latore Wallace (May 21, 1972 – March 9, 1997), better known by his stage names the Notorious B.I.G., Biggie Smalls, or simply Biggie, was an American rapper. Rooted in East Coast hip hop and particularly gangsta ...

's "Me & My Bitch", a well-received track. Jay-Z cites this song as "what killed

the album The Album may refer to: * '' ABBA: The Album'', released in 1977 * ''The Album'' (Caravan album), 1980 * ''The Album'' (Mantronix album), 1985 * ''The Album'' (Cliff Richard album), 1993 * ''The Album'' (Haddaway album), 1993 * ''The Album'' ( ...

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Music video

The music video was directed by Hype Williams. Jay-Z is featured in the video rapping in a room resembling a Rubik's Cube & having a carnival theme to it with Foxy Brown rapping alongside of him. Jay-Z & co-founder of Roc-A-Fella,

Damon Dash Damon Anthony Dash (born May 3, 1971) is an American entrepreneur and record executive. Dash is best known as co-founder of Roc-A-Fella along with Jay-Z and Kareem Burke. Early life Born in New York City, Dash swept the floors of a local barbe ...

later regretted doing the video citing that the video wasn't their style.

Formats and track listings

CD

# "Sunshine (Radio Edit)" (3:15) # "Sunshine (Album Version)" (4:11) # "Sunshine (Clean Version)" (4:12) # "Sunshine ( TV track)" (4:12) # "Sunshine (Acappella)" (3:49)

Vinyl

A-side

# "Sunshine (Album Version)" # "Sunshine (TV Track)" # "Sunshine (Radio Edit)"

B-side

# "Sunshine (Clean Version)" # "Sunshine (Instrumental)" # "Sunshine (Acappella)"

Charts

References

1997 singles Jay-Z songs Babyface (musician) songs Foxy Brown (rapper) songs Songs written by Jay-Z Songs written by Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis Roc-A-Fella Records singles Music videos directed by Hype Williams 1997 songs {{1990s-hiphop-song-stub