"Luv U Better" is a song by

LL Cool J James Todd Smith (born January 14, 1968), known professionally as LL Cool J (short for Ladies Love Cool James), is an American rapper, songwriter, record producer, and actor. He is one of the earliest rappers to achieve commercial success, along ...

, released as the

lead single A lead single (also known as a debut single) is the first single to be released from a studio album by an artist or a band, usually before the album itself is released and also occasionally on the same day of the album's release date. Release s ...

from his ninth studio album, '' 10'' (2002). Released on August 13, 2002, by

Def Jam Recordings Def Jam Recordings (also simply known as Def Jam) is an American multinational record label owned by Universal Music Group. It is based in Manhattan, New York City, specializing predominantly in hip hop, contemporary R&B, soul and pop. The ...

, it was produced by

The Neptunes The Neptunes are an American songwriting and production duo composed of Pharrell Williams and Chad Hugo, formed in Virginia Beach, Virginia, in 1992. Williams often provides additional vocals on records and appears in the duo's music videos, ...

and features additional vocals from

Marc Dorsey Marc Dorsey (born 1973) is an American R&B singer. He received a nomination for Grammy Award for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration at 46th Annual Grammy Awards for the song " Luv U Better" with LL Cool J. Career In 1994, Dorsey released his first sin ...

. "Luv U Better" was a huge success in the

United States The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territorie ...

, reaching the top five of three major ''Billboard'' charts: it peaked at number four on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100, number two on the

Hot Rap Tracks Hot Rap Songs (formerly known as Hot Rap Tracks and Hot Rap Singles) is a chart released weekly by ''Billboard'' in the United States. It lists the 25 most popular hip-hop/rap songs, calculated weekly by airplay on rhythmic and urban radio statio ...

, and number one the

Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs The Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart ranks the most popular R&B and hip hop songs in the United States and is published weekly by '' Billboard''. Rankings are based on a measure of radio airplay, sales data, and streaming activity. The chart had 100 ...

Music video

The video (directed by

Benny Boom Benny Douglas (born July 22, 1971), professionally known as Benny Boom, is an American director who has worked in music, television, and film. His most commercially successful film was the 2017 Tupac Shakur biopic ''All Eyez on Me''. Career Do ...

) was shot on Veteran Avenue in Los Angeles. The video was inspired by the 1990 American romantic comedy film ''

Pretty Woman ''Pretty Woman'' is a 1990 American romantic comedy film directed by Garry Marshall, from a screenplay by J. F. Lawton. The film stars Julia Roberts and Richard Gere, and features Héctor Elizondo, Ralph Bellamy (in his final performance), La ...

''. The leading lady in the video was Playboy playmate and American model

Nicole Narain Nicole Narain (born July 28, 1974) is an American model, actress and Playboy Playmate of Afro-Caribbean descent. Career She was chosen as ''Playboy'''s Playboy Playmate, Playmate of the Month in January 2002 and has appeared in numerous List ...

Track listing

;U.S. 12" single *Side A: #"Luv U Better" (Radio Edit) – 4:47 #"Luv U Better" (LP Version) – 4:47 #"Luv U Better" (Instrumental) – 4:47 *Side B: #"Fa Ha" (Radio Edit) – 4:55 #"Fa Ha" (LP Version) – 4:55 #"Fa Ha"(Instrumental) – 4:55

Charts

Weekly charts

Year-end charts

References

2002 singles LL Cool J songs Music videos directed by Benny Boom Song recordings produced by the Neptunes Songs written by Pharrell Williams Songs written by Chad Hugo Songs written by LL Cool J {{2000s-R&B-song-stub