"I'll Trade (A Million Bucks)" is the lead single by the R&B singer

Keith Sweat Keith Sweat (born July 22, 1961) is an American singer, songwriter, record producer, and an early figure in the new jack swing musical movement. He is known for his collection of hits including "I Want Her", " Make It Last Forever", "I'll Give A ...

featuring former label-mate

Lil' Mo Cynthia Karen Loving (born November 19, 1978), known professionally as Lil' Mo, is an American singer, songwriter, rapper, television and radio personality. She is best known for her 2001 single " Superwoman Pt. II", featuring then-unknown rapper ...

from Sweat's seventh album, ''

Didn't See Me Coming ''Didn't See Me Coming'' is the seventh studio album by American singer Keith Sweat. It was released by Elektra Records on November 14, 2000, in the United States. The album was certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RI ...

'' (2000). The song was solely written by Mo and featured production by Sweat, Barry Salter and Jules Bartholomew. An autotuned remix produced by Walter "Mucho" Scott was released to vinyl pressings and appeared on Sweat's album as an interlude in the form of a snippet. A music video for the single was directed by J. Jesses Smith and premiered on BET in late September 2000. In 2005, the song served as a sample for R&B singer

Jhené Aiko Jhené Aiko Efuru Chilombo (; born March 16, 1988) is an American singer who embarked on her music career contributing vocals and appearing in several music videos for R&B group B2K. In an effort to promote Aiko and cultivate a following for he ...

's song, "Right Here," from the

Disney Channel Disney Channel, sometimes known as simply Disney, is an American pay television channel that serves as the flagship property of Disney Branded Television, a unit of the Disney General Entertainment Content division of The Walt Disney Compan ...

soundtrack, '' The Proud Family'' (2005).

Background

Sweat confirmed in an interview with ''

Billboard A billboard (also called a hoarding in the UK and many other parts of the world) is a large outdoor advertising structure (a billing board), typically found in high-traffic areas such as alongside busy roads. Billboards present large advertise ...

'' that the concept behind the song was self-explanatory as given in the song's title.Hall, Rashaun. "Keith Sweat Goes Gritty On New Set." ''

''. October 28, 2000: 29. Print. He further explained, "I'll trade whatever I have to have somebody who's down with me for me. That person doesn't have to have a million bucks. It pertains to anybody who has just a little something." In addition, Sweat was in talks to release an international remix featuring South African songstress

Lebo Mathosa Lebogang Precious Mathosa (17 July 1977 – 23 October 2006) was a South African kwaito singer. Mathosa started her career as a founding member of the popular South African band Boom Shaka in 1994 at the age of 17, after she caught the eye of mu ...

, however it was never released. At the time of its recording, the South African press revealed that Mathosa had recorded her vocals in a Johannesburg studio and sent it off to the US for final mixing."Locals on a roll." ''Drum: A Magazine of Africa for Africa''. African Drum Publications, 2000: 116. Print.

Critical reception

The song met generally favorable reviews. Elysa Gardner from '' Vibe'' named the song a "slow-groove scorcher" and praised Lil' Mo for her capability in being a "sexy duet partner." Vinny Brown, PD of New York City's radio station WBLS-FM cited the single as being "classic Keith Sweat," and added: "Keith has proven to be a core artist... ndcontinues to give the people what they want." AllMusic editor Ed Hogan nicknamed the track a "lonely superstar duet ballad."

Track listings and formats

;Digital download # "I'll Trade (A Million Bucks)" (Radio Edit) — 4:06 ;12" vinyl # "I'll Trade (A Million Bucks)" (Remix) # "I'll Trade (A Million Bucks)" (Remix Instrumental) # "I'll Trade (A Million Bucks)" (Album Version) # "I'll Trade (A Million Bucks)" (Instrumental) # "I'll Trade (A Million Bucks)" (Acappella)

Charts

While the song went on to attain strong urban radio airplay (charting at #34 on ''Billboard'' Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay),"Billboard: Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay." ''

''. December 16, 2000: 32. Print. the song failed to make an entry on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100, making it Sweat's first lead single from an album to miss that chart.

References

{{authority control 2000 singles 2000 songs Keith Sweat songs Lil' Mo songs Songs written by Lil' Mo Elektra Records singles