"Steelo" is the debut single by

American American(s) may refer to: * American, something of, from, or related to the United States of America, commonly known as the "United States" or "America" ** Americans, citizens and nationals of the United States of America ** American ancestry, pe ...

R&B group

702 __NOTOC__ Year 702 ( DCCII) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar) of the Julian calendar. The denomination 702 for this year has been used since the early medieval period, when the Anno Domini calendar era b ...

recorded for the group's debut album ''

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'' (1996). The song, which features hip hop artist

Missy Elliott Melissa Arnette Elliott (born July 1, 1971), better known as Missy Elliott or Missy “Misdemeanor” Elliot, is an American rapper, singer, songwriter, and record producer. She embarked on her music career with R&B girl group Sista in the earl ...

, was released as the first

single Single may refer to: Arts, entertainment, and media * Single (music), a song release Songs * "Single" (Natasha Bedingfield song), 2004 * "Single" (New Kids on the Block and Ne-Yo song), 2008 * "Single" (William Wei song), 2016 * "Single", by ...

for the album on August 27, 1996. The song peaked at number 32 on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100 chart. By February 1997 it was certified gold in sales by the

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, after sales exceeding 500,000 copies in the United States. The song contains a sample of

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's "Voices Inside My Head." An alternate version of this song serves as the intro music for the 1990s

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TV show ''

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''.

Release and commercial performance

The song peaked at thirty-two on the U.S. ''Billboard'' Hot 100 and reached the twelfth spot on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop singles chart. The single was certified gold in February 1997.

Critical reception

Larry Flick from ''

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'' praised the songs production calling it "infectious". He also felt that lead singer "kameelah Williams shows signs of becoming a major diva over time". Ultimately, he noted that R&B programmers "are already nibbling on this potential smash" and that it will likely draw the attention of "top 40 tastemakers within moments".

Music video

The official

music video A music video is a video of variable duration, that integrates a music song or a music album with imagery that is produced for promotion (marketing), promotional or musical artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a m ...

for the song was directed by Brian Luvar in 1996. Set in

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, it features choreography heavy group dance scenes, interspersed with community basketball games.

is featured on the song as well as in the video.

Track listing

;7", 12" #"Steelo" (Radio Edit) - 3:49 (feat.

) #"Steelo" (LP Version) - 4:17 (feat.

) ;7", 12" #"Steelo" (LP Version) - 4:17 (feat.

) #"Steelo" (Radio Edit) - 3:49 (feat.

) #"Steelo" (Instrumental) - 4:17 #"Steelo" (A Cappella) - 3:52 (feat.

) ;CD Single #"Steelo" (Remix) - 3:33 (feat.

) #"Steelo" (LP Version) - 4:17 (feat.

) ;CD Maxi-Single #"Steelo" (Radio Edit) - 3:59 (feat.

) #"Steelo" (Remix) - 3:33 (feat.

and Brad Dacus) #"Steelo" (LP Version) - 4:17 (feat.

) #"Steelo" (Instrumental) - 4:17 #"Steelo" (A Cappella) - 3:52 (feat.

)

Charts

Weekly charts

Year-end charts

Personnel

Information taken from

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. *production – Chad "Dr. Ceuss" Elliott, George Pearson, Rashad Smith *rapping – Missy Elliott *remixing – Rashad Smith *writing – Chad Elliott, Melissa Elliott, George Pearson, Gordon Sumners

Notes

External links

{{Authority control 1996 songs 1996 debut singles 702 (group) songs Missy Elliott songs Motown singles Music videos directed by Brian Luvar Songs written by Missy Elliott Songs written by Sting (musician)