"Just Be a Man About It" is a song by American singer

Toni Braxton Toni Michele Braxton (born October 7, 1967) is an American Contemporary R&B, R&B singer, songwriter, actress and television personality. She has sold over 70 million records worldwide and is one of the best-selling female artists in history. ...

from her third studio album, '' The Heat'' (2000). It was released on June 20, 2000, as the album's second single.

Background

"Just Be a Man About It" is a telephone breakup song, where Braxton questions the status of a partner's manhood and

Dr. Dre Andre Romelle Young (born February 18, 1965), known professionally as Dr. Dre, is an American rapper and record producer. He is the founder and CEO of Aftermath Entertainment and Beats Electronics, and previously co-founded, co-owned, and ...

plays the wayward lover breaking the news to her. According to producer Teddy Bishop,

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and

Will Smith Willard Carroll Smith II (born September 25, 1968), also known by his stage name The Fresh Prince, is an American actor and rapper. He began his Will Smith filmography, acting career starring as Will Smith (The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air), a ...

were originally considered to perform the speaking parts of the song. However, due to scheduling conflicts, it never happened. Dr. Dre was asked to appear on the song due to being in the studio next door while the song was being recorded.

Critical reception

The song received mostly positive reviews from music critics.

Stephen Thomas Erlewine Stephen Thomas Erlewine (; born June 18, 1973) is an American music critic and senior editor for the online music database AllMusic. He is the author of many artist biographies and record reviews for AllMusic, as well as a freelance writer, occ ...

from

AllMusic AllMusic (previously known as All Music Guide and AMG) is an American online music database. It catalogs more than three million album entries and 30 million tracks, as well as information on musicians and bands. Initiated in 1991, the databas ...

called it "an instant classic" and picked it one of the best songs of the album, alongside "

He Wasn't Man Enough "He Wasn't Man Enough" is a song by American R&B singer and songwriter Toni Braxton. It was written by Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins, Fred Jerkins III, LaShawn Daniels, and Harvey Mason, Jr. for her third studio album, '' The Heat'' (2000), while p ...

" and " Spanish Guitar".

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wrote that " en

's guest appearance on 'Just Be a Man About It' nods to the sensual recitatives and bedside manners of '70s love men like

Barry White Barry Eugene Carter (September 12, 1944 – July 4, 2003), better known by his stage name Barry White, was an American singer and songwriter. A two-time Grammy Award winner known for his bass voice and romantic image, his greatest success came ...

." Bog Roget wrote for

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that Braxton "delivers a tough take on reality with 'Just Be a Man About It,' which pits her against Dr. Dre in a breakup scenario that carries much more force than weightless trifles".

Music video

The music video for "Just Be a Man About It", directed by

Bille Woodruff Bille Woodruff is a director of film, television and music videos, noted for directing many videos for a number of R&B and hip-hop artists since the mid-1990s. These artists include Joe (singer), Joe, for whom Woodruff has directed 9 music video ...

, opens with Braxton's boyfriend (played by rapper

, who also provides additional vocals to the track) leaving a

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, strip club named Bare Elegance, accompanied by a woman. He stops at a payphone to call up Braxton, who is in their apartment. She looks happy at first, but as he tells her not to wait up for him that night alleging he needs space, her facial expression suddenly changes. The following scenes show Braxton wandering about the apartment, talking on the phone, standing next to the balcony, lying on a couch, and throwing objects such as vases and a picture frame containing a photo of Dre. At one point, Dre hangs up on Braxton, which infuriates her. Toward the end of the video, a man ( Q-Tip) shows up to visit Braxton; they hug each other and proceed to cuddle on the couch, much to Dre's annoyance by the time he arrives home. When Dre questions Braxton about the man, she remains indifferent, causing him to give her

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and leave.

Track listing

*DVD single #"Just Be a Man About It" (music video) #" Spanish Guitar" (music video)

Charts

Weekly charts

Year-end charts

Release history

References

{{authority control 2000 singles 2000 songs 2000s ballads Arista Records singles Contemporary R&B ballads LaFace Records singles Music videos directed by Bille Woodruff Songs written by Bryan-Michael Cox Songs written by Johntá Austin Songs written by Toni Braxton Toni Braxton songs Songs about telephone calls