"Lil L.O.V.E." is a song by hip hop group Bone Thugs-n-Harmony for their studio album '' Strength & Loyalty'' (2007). It features American singer

Mariah Carey Mariah Carey (; born March 27, 1969) is an American singer, songwriter, actress, and record producer. Referred to as the " Songbird Supreme", she is noted for her five-octave vocal range, melismatic singing style and signature use of the whi ...

and rapper Bow Wow and was released as the second single from the album in 2007. The artists co-wrote the song with Shante Harris, James Phillips, and

Jermaine Dupri Jermaine Dupri Mauldin (born September 23, 1972) is an American rapper, songwriter, record producer, record executive, entrepreneur, and DJ. Early life Jermaine Dupri Mauldin was born on September 23, 1972, the son of Tina (Mosley) and Michael ...

; the latter is also the producer. In the chorus, Carey expresses her need for a 'Lil L.O.V.E' and 'T.I.M.E' from her suspected lover. In the United States, "Lil’ L.O.V.E." was released as a digital download on May 8, 2007. The song was officially released as a single in the U.S. on June 5, 2007.

Reviews

"Lil L.O.V.E." has received very positive reviews from important industrial magazines and websites. Cinema Blend expresses, "

and Bow Wow join the cause for "Lil L.O.V.E." Mariah reveals she's still plenty relevant and is not vanishing anytime soon. Bow Wow sounds pleased with himself in the song's background, so good for him." According to ''

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 ...

'', “… “Lil L.O.V.E.," featuring a melodious and round duet with Mariah Carey, is their 2007 version of the 1998 hit "

Breakdown Breakdown may refer to: Breaking down *Breakdown (vehicle), failure of a motor vehicle in such a way that it cannot be operated *Chemical decomposition, also called chemical breakdown, the breakdown of a substance into simpler components *Decompo ...

" …" Additionally, SoundBytes - News4Jax praises Carey, calling her the main focus of the song. "The group can also show a softer side without stooping to syrupy-ness. Mariah Carey's sensual crooning is the first voice you hear on "Lil L.O.V.E." and before listeners know it, they're hooked and drawn into the midst of a seductive club jam. Dupri, who specializes in such designer dance floor material, helms the song's dense, layered keyboard noodling and synthetic bass pattern that while completely formulaic, could've been a contender on the R&B charts if Carey was its sole focus. Instead, the song's potential is blocked by the Thugs' and Bow Wow's loquaciousness on the mic."

Music video

The video was directed by Chris Robinson who last directed Carey in the video for her single "

I Know What You Want "I Know What You Want" is a song written by American rapper Busta Rhymes, and produced by Rick Rock for Rhymes' sixth album '' It Ain't Safe No More...'', released on November 26, 2002. The song is a duet with American singer Mariah Carey, and was ...

" with

Busta Rhymes Trevor George Smith Jr. (born May 20, 1972), known professionally as Busta Rhymes, is an American rapper, singer, songwriter, record producer and actor. Chuck D of Public Enemy gave him the moniker Busta Rhymes, after NFL and CFL wide receiver ...

. In the video are guest appearance of

Swizz Beatz Kasseem Daoud Dean (born September 13, 1978), known professionally as Swizz Beatz, is an American record producer, rapper, disc jockey (DJ) and songwriter. Born and raised in New York City, Dean embarked on his musical career as a DJ. At the ag ...

and

. The video premiered in

BET Black Entertainment Television (acronym BET) is an American basic cable channel targeting African-American audiences. It is owned by the CBS Entertainment Group unit of Paramount Global via BET Networks and has offices in New York City, Los A ...

's ''

106 & Park ''106 & Park'' is an American hip hop and R&B music video show, set up in a countdown format, that was broadcast on weekdays at 6:00 pm ET/5:00 pm CT on BET; it aired on a one-day delay on BET International. It was the network's highest- rated ...

'' on July 5, 2007.

Charts

References

{{authority control 2007 singles Bone Thugs-n-Harmony songs Mariah Carey songs Bow Wow (rapper) songs Music videos directed by Chris Robinson (director) Songs written by Mariah Carey Songs written by Jermaine Dupri Songs written by Layzie Bone Songs written by Wish Bone Songs written by Krayzie Bone Song recordings produced by Jermaine Dupri 2007 songs Interscope Records singles