"Square Biz" is a 1981 song by American R&B singer,
Teena Marie
Mary Christine Brockert (March 5, 1956 – December 26, 2010), known professionally as Teena Marie, was an American singer-songwriter, musician, composer, arranger, and producer. She was known by her childhood nickname Tina before taking the sta ...
. Bass player and frequent collaborator Allen McGrier is credited as the co-writer along with Marie. The song was released as a single from the album ''
It Must Be Magic
''It Must Be Magic'' is the fourth studio album by Teena Marie, released on May 14, 1981. It was her last album for Motown and the highest-selling of Marie's tenure with Motown. The album peaked at No. 2 on the US Black Albums chart and No. 23 on ...
'', and became one of Marie's signature songs. The song includes a rap break, an unusual feature at the time.
Cover versions and appearances in media
In 2002, a new version of this song, titled "Hollywood Square Biz", was used as the theme to the popular
game show
A game show is a genre of broadcast viewing entertainment (radio, television, internet, stage or other) where contestants compete for a reward. These programs can either be participatory or demonstrative and are typically directed by a host, ...
''
Hollywood Squares
''Hollywood Squares'' (originally ''The Hollywood Squares'') is an American game show in which two contestants compete in a game of tic-tac-toe to win cash and prizes. The show Television pilot, piloted on NBC in 1965 and the regular series debut ...
'' when it was known as ''H2'' at the time from 2002 to 2004.
Playlist Eleven of Teena Marie
''mlive.com/entertainment/detroit
In 2000 "Crip Hop" (Tha Eastsidaz
Tha Eastsidaz is a hip hop trio consisting of Snoop Dogg, Tray Deee and Goldie Loc. Their first appearance was on Tommy Boy Records' ''The Ride: Music from Dimension'' with Crooked Eye Q on a Battlecat-produced song called "Feels So Good" in 19 ...
featuring Snoop Dogg). Baby Boy soundtrack containing hip-hop and R&B music was released by Universal Records
Universal Music Group N.V. (often abbreviated as UMG and referred to as just Universal Music) is a Dutch–American multinational music corporation under Dutch law. UMG's corporate headquarters are located in Hilversum, Netherlands and its ...
on June 19, 2001
In 2002, En Vogue
En Vogue is an American vocal girl group whose original lineup consisted of singers Terry Ellis, Dawn Robinson, Cindy Herron, and Maxine Jones. Formed in Oakland, California, in 1989, En Vogue reached No. 2 on the US Hot 100 with the single ...
performed a cover of the song on their concert DVD, ''Live in the USA''.
Missy Elliott uses an interpolation of a verse from Square Biz in Ciara
Ciara Princess Wilson ( ; Harris; born October 25, 1985) is an American singer, songwriter, actress, model and entrepreneur. She released her debut studio album, '' Goodies'' in 2004, which spawned four singles: " Goodies" (featuring Petey Pa ...
's 2004 hit single, "1, 2 Step
"1, 2 Step" is a song by American singer Ciara featuring hip-hop rapper Missy Elliott for Ciara's debut album, '' Goodies''. Written by Ciara and Missy Elliott and produced by Jazze Pha, it was released as the album's second single on November 1 ...
".[The relevant verse in "1, 2 Step" begins with "Because I'm 5 foot 2..." whereas the verse in "Square Biz" begins with "I'm less than five foot one....".]
The Firm's "Firm Biz
"Firm Biz" is the first and only single by the hip hop supergroup The Firm from their singular collaborative LP '' The Album''. The song was produced by L.E.S, who based the song's track on a sample of Teena Marie's 1981 hit " Square Biz". "Firm ...
" contains a sample based on the song featuring Dawn Robinson
Dawn Sherrese Robinson (born November 24, 1966 or 1968) is an American singer best known as a founding member of the R&B/pop group En Vogue, one of the world's best-selling girl groups of all time. Following her departure from En Vogue, Robinson ...
from their first and only album '' The Album'' in 1997.
" Real Love" by Master P
Percy Robert Miller Sr. (born April 29, 1967), known by his stage name Master P, is an American rapper, record executive, record producer, actor, and entrepreneur. He is the founder of the record label No Limit Records, which was relaunched as ...
featuring Sera-Lynn, 2002
Chart performance
The song managed to peak at #3 on Billboard's R&B Charts
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 ...
, becoming Marie's highest peak on the chart at the time. The song managed to peak at #12 on Billboard's Club Play Singles, while performing moderately on Billboard's Pop Singles, peaking only at #50, becoming her second single to chart on the Pop Singles chart.
Charts
Chart positions
References
1981 singles
Teena Marie songs
1981 songs
Gordy Records singles
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