"Don't Worry" is a song by American rapper
Chingy
Howard Earl Bailey Jr. (born March 9, 1980), known professionally as Chingy, is an American rapper. Chingy grew up in St. Louis, Missouri, and began rapping in his late teens. He toured as an opening act with Nelly in the summer of 2002 and the ...
with guest vocals from singer
Janet Jackson
Janet Damita Jo Jackson (born May 16, 1966) is an American singer, songwriter, actress, and dancer. She is noted for her innovative, socially conscious and sexually provocative records, as well as elaborate stage shows. Her sound and choreog ...
, released as the second
promotional single from his second album ''
Powerballin'
''Powerballin is the second studio album by the rapper Chingy, released on November 16, 2004, through Capitol Records and Chingy's Slot-A-Lot label. The album entered the ''Billboard'' 200 at number 172 with first week sales of 7,000 copies in th ...
'', which sold over two million copies worldwide and served as the follow-up to his debut album ''
Jackpot
Jackpot or Jackpot! may refer to:
* A prize, such as a progressive jackpot
* Gardena jackpots, a poker variant
* Jackpot, Nevada, a community on the Nevada–Idaho state border
Comics
* Jackpot (comics), several comic book characters
* ''Jack ...
''. A music video was not filmed.
The song was produced by
Grammy Award
The Grammy Awards (stylized as GRAMMY), or simply known as the Grammys, are awards presented by the Recording Academy of the United States to recognize "outstanding" achievements in the music industry. They are regarded by many as the most pre ...
-winning producers
The Trak Starz
The Trak Starz are an American hip hop songwriting and record production duo from St. Louis, composed of Alonzo "Zo" Lee Jr. and Shamar "Sham" Daugherty.
Biography
Credited with helping establish St. Louis in the hip-hop community, the Trak Star ...
, who also worked with
Britney Spears
Britney Jean Spears (born December 2, 1981) is an American singer. Often referred to as the "Princess of Pop", she is credited with influencing the revival of teen pop during the late 1990s and early 2000s. After appearing in stage productio ...
,
Usher
Usher may refer to:
Several jobs which originally involved directing people and ensuring people are in the correct place:
* Usher (occupation)
** Church usher
** Wedding usher, one of the male attendants to the groom in a wedding ceremony
** Fie ...
, and
Ludacris
Christopher Brian Bridges (born September 11, 1977), known professionally as Ludacris (, homophonous with 'ludicrous' in American English), is an American rapper, actor, record producer and record executive.
Born in Champaign, Illinois, Ludac ...
, and also produced Chingy's prior chart-topping hits "
Right Thurr
"Right Thurr" is a song by American rapper Chingy. It was co-written and produced by St. Louis production team The Trak Starz. It was released on April 14, 2003, by Capitol Records, Priority Records, and Disturbing tha Peace as the debut single f ...
", "
Holidae In
"Holidae In" is a song by American rapper Chingy featuring Ludacris and Snoop Dogg. It was released on August 25, 2003, by Capitol Records and Ludacris's Disturbing tha Peace record label as the second single off his debut album ''Jackpot'' ( ...
", and "
One Call Away".
Song information
Jackson rarely collaborates with other artists and initially refused to provide guest vocals on "Don't Worry", as well as denying a request to appear on Chingy's then-rival
Nelly
Cornell Iral Haynes Jr. (born November 2, 1974), better known by his stage name Nelly, is an American rapper, singer, actor and entrepreneur. He embarked on his music career with the hip hop group St. Lunatics in 1993 and signed to Universal R ...
's "
Tilt Ya Head Back
"Tilt Ya Head Back" is a song by American recording artists Nelly and Christina Aguilera, taken from Nelly's album ''Sweat'' (2004). The song was released to US radio stations on September 15, 2004, as the second single from the album. Written ...
" (although she would later collaborate with him on her single "
Call on Me"). After Chingy, the song's producers
The Trak Starz
The Trak Starz are an American hip hop songwriting and record production duo from St. Louis, composed of Alonzo "Zo" Lee Jr. and Shamar "Sham" Daugherty.
Biography
Credited with helping establish St. Louis in the hip-hop community, the Trak Star ...
, and their manager
Larry Rudolph
Larry Rudolph (born July 24, 1963) is an American talent manager and former entertainment lawyer. He is best known as the former manager of Britney Spears from 1998 until 2021.
Career
Rudolph was born in The Bronx, New York. He graduated from H ...
persisted her over a period of several months, she eventually agreed to lend her vocals to the song.
"Don't Worry" was released as the second single from Chingy's second album "
Powerballin'
''Powerballin is the second studio album by the rapper Chingy, released on November 16, 2004, through Capitol Records and Chingy's Slot-A-Lot label. The album entered the ''Billboard'' 200 at number 172 with first week sales of 7,000 copies in th ...
", which sold over two million copies worldwide and served as the follow-up to his debut ''
Jackpot
Jackpot or Jackpot! may refer to:
* A prize, such as a progressive jackpot
* Gardena jackpots, a poker variant
* Jackpot, Nevada, a community on the Nevada–Idaho state border
Comics
* Jackpot (comics), several comic book characters
* ''Jack ...
''.
Chingy's official biography mentions the song, reading "Then, on the romantic,
Janet Jackson
Janet Damita Jo Jackson (born May 16, 1966) is an American singer, songwriter, actress, and dancer. She is noted for her innovative, socially conscious and sexually provocative records, as well as elaborate stage shows. Her sound and choreog ...
duet "Don't Worry," Chingy expresses his love for and dedication to the lady in his life over a smooth sound bed from
The Trak Starz
The Trak Starz are an American hip hop songwriting and record production duo from St. Louis, composed of Alonzo "Zo" Lee Jr. and Shamar "Sham" Daugherty.
Biography
Credited with helping establish St. Louis in the hip-hop community, the Trak Star ...
, who also delivered ''
Jackpot's'' third smash single, "
One Call Away." "I like your style, your grace/Your beautiful face, your essence," Chingy raps with a gentle touch."
"Don't Worry" contains an interpolation of
Tony! Toni! Toné!
Tony! Toni! Toné! was an American Soul music, soul/Contemporary R&B, R&B band (music), band from Oakland, California, popular during the late 1980s and early to mid-1990s. During the band's heyday, it was composed of D'wayne Wiggins on lead voc ...
's "
Just Me and You", which appeared on the ''
Boyz n the Hood
''Boyz n the Hood'' is a 1991 American coming-of-age hood drama film written and directed by John Singleton in his feature directorial debut. It stars Cuba Gooding Jr., Morris Chestnut, Ice Cube, Laurence Fishburne, Nia Long, Regina King, ...
'' soundtrack.
Critical reception
"Don't Worry" received positive reviews from critics, who mainly praised Jackson's high-profile guest appearance as adding an important element to the song and also gave acclaim to Chingy for attempting a slower tempo, more
ballad
A ballad is a form of verse, often a narrative set to music. Ballads derive from the medieval French ''chanson balladée'' or '' ballade'', which were originally "dance songs". Ballads were particularly characteristic of the popular poetry and ...
-driven and heartfelt style.
''
USA Today
''USA Today'' (stylized in all uppercase) is an American daily middle-market newspaper and news broadcasting company. Founded by Al Neuharth on September 15, 1982, the newspaper operates from Gannett's corporate headquarters in Tysons, Virg ...
'' exclaimed the rapper's biggest career achievement to be convincing Jackson to feature on the song: "His biggest coup is landing
Janet Jackson
Janet Damita Jo Jackson (born May 16, 1966) is an American singer, songwriter, actress, and dancer. She is noted for her innovative, socially conscious and sexually provocative records, as well as elaborate stage shows. Her sound and choreog ...
to coo the hook on the
ballad
A ballad is a form of verse, often a narrative set to music. Ballads derive from the medieval French ''chanson balladée'' or '' ballade'', which were originally "dance songs". Ballads were particularly characteristic of the popular poetry and ...
Don't Worry. With that, he's found just the ticket for staying in the rotation at radio."
''
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 advertis ...
'' described it as a "feel-good,
R&B groove" enhanced by Jackson's "trademark" vocals, adding the song "finds the young rapper discoursing on relationship highs and lows. In Chingy's worldview, there is no need to worry, because in the end, he will still be together with his beloved.
Janet Jackson
Janet Damita Jo Jackson (born May 16, 1966) is an American singer, songwriter, actress, and dancer. She is noted for her innovative, socially conscious and sexually provocative records, as well as elaborate stage shows. Her sound and choreog ...
underscores the message with her trademark sexual whisper", reciting the song's chorus ("Just me and you/Ooh Chingy/It don't matter what we go through/Just me and you/Ooh Chingy/I'll always be down for you/So don't worry about a damn thing").
''
Vibe
''Vibe'' is an American music and entertainment magazine founded by producers David Salzman and Quincy Jones. The publication predominantly features R&B and hip hop music artists, actors and other entertainers. After shutting down production ...
'' called Janet's vocals "dreamy", saying "he concedes bling is nothing without someone to share it with on the
ballad
A ballad is a form of verse, often a narrative set to music. Ballads derive from the medieval French ''chanson balladée'' or '' ballade'', which were originally "dance songs". Ballads were particularly characteristic of the popular poetry and ...
"Don't Worry," which features
Janet Jackson
Janet Damita Jo Jackson (born May 16, 1966) is an American singer, songwriter, actress, and dancer. She is noted for her innovative, socially conscious and sexually provocative records, as well as elaborate stage shows. Her sound and choreog ...
's dreamy vocals". The magazine also praised Jackson for her contribution and addition of her trademark "sex-and-shock appeal", ultimately concluding Jackson's appearance as sounding "sweet". ''Contemporary Musicians: Profiles of the People in Music, Volume 53'' author Angela Pilchak praised Chingy for attempting a new style, exclaiming the song "tested the
R&B waters", calling "Don't Worry" a "
ballad
A ballad is a form of verse, often a narrative set to music. Ballads derive from the medieval French ''chanson balladée'' or '' ballade'', which were originally "dance songs". Ballads were particularly characteristic of the popular poetry and ...
" which "gave him respect". ''
The LA Times
The ''Los Angeles Times'' (abbreviated as ''LA Times'') is a daily newspaper that started publishing in Los Angeles in 1881. Based in the LA-adjacent suburb of El Segundo since 2018, it is the sixth-largest newspaper by circulation in the ...
'' considered "Don't Worry" to be "touching", aided by Janet's "breathy" guest vocals, as well as describing it as more satisfying than his previous singles, writing "Chingy improves on and refines his successful sonic and thematic formula in an album more consistent and satisfying than its predecessor. The touching "Don't Worry," featuring breathy guest vocals from
Janet Jackson
Janet Damita Jo Jackson (born May 16, 1966) is an American singer, songwriter, actress, and dancer. She is noted for her innovative, socially conscious and sexually provocative records, as well as elaborate stage shows. Her sound and choreog ...
, shows Chingy's sensitive and romantic sides".
''
People Magazine
''People'' is an American weekly magazine that specializes in celebrity news and human-interest stories. It is published by Dotdash Meredith, a subsidiary of IAC. With a readership of 46.6 million adults in 2009, ''People'' had the l ...
'' declared the collaboration to be a "Sexy slow jam" and gave acclaim to Janet's vocals, proclaiming "
Janet Jackson
Janet Damita Jo Jackson (born May 16, 1966) is an American singer, songwriter, actress, and dancer. She is noted for her innovative, socially conscious and sexually provocative records, as well as elaborate stage shows. Her sound and choreog ...
turns up on the sexy slow jam "Don't Worry", and the way she coos "Oh, Chingy" should have the singer's
hen
Hen commonly refers to a female animal: a female chicken, other galliformes, gallinaceous bird, any type of bird in general, or a lobster. It is also a slang term for a woman.
Hen or Hens may also refer to:
Places Norway
*Hen, Buskerud, a villa ...
boyfriend, music producer
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 ...
, worried." ''
BBC UK #REDIRECT BBC
Here i going to introduce about the best teacher of my life b BALAJI sir. He is the precious gift that I got befor 2yrs . How has helped and thought all the concept and made my success in the 10th board exam. ...
'' gave a similar analysis of Janet's vocals as "choral seduction", also giving the rapper acclaim for landing a guest spot by Jackson, saying "The rapper even caught the attention of the sultry
Janet Jackson
Janet Damita Jo Jackson (born May 16, 1966) is an American singer, songwriter, actress, and dancer. She is noted for her innovative, socially conscious and sexually provocative records, as well as elaborate stage shows. Her sound and choreog ...
, who provides her choral seduction on the decent
rap
Rapping (also rhyming, spitting, emceeing or MCing) is a musical form of vocal delivery that incorporates "rhyme, rhythmic speech, and street vernacular". It is performed or chanted, usually over a backing beat or musical accompaniment. The ...
ballad
A ballad is a form of verse, often a narrative set to music. Ballads derive from the medieval French ''chanson balladée'' or '' ballade'', which were originally "dance songs". Ballads were particularly characteristic of the popular poetry and ...
“Don’t Worry”.
''
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 dat ...
'' considered the song "naughty" with a "sleepwalking" appearance.
In another critique, ''
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 advertis ...
'' noted "Don't Worry" to be a contrast from Chingy's previous releases, certifying it as "more
R&B-influenced fare" which is "equally effective" as his prior hits. ''
Entertainment Weekly
''Entertainment Weekly'' (sometimes abbreviated as ''EW'') is an American digital-only entertainment magazine based in New York City, published by Dotdash Meredith, that covers film, television, music, Broadway theatre, books, and popular cult ...
'' gave the song overall praise and considered the single as competition for then-rival
Nelly
Cornell Iral Haynes Jr. (born November 2, 1974), better known by his stage name Nelly, is an American rapper, singer, actor and entrepreneur. He embarked on his music career with the hip hop group St. Lunatics in 1993 and signed to Universal R ...
's string of chart-topping hits, questioning if Chingy's "slick, articulate boogie rap" would "get Nelly to wondering if
the Lou is big enough for the both of them."
Track listings
Promo single
(DPRO 7087 6 19110 2 2)
#"Don't Worry" (Album Version) – 4:28
#"Don't Worry" (Instrumental) – 4:25
UK vinyl
(Y 7243 8 72520 1 1)Chingy - Don't Worry (Vinyl) at Discogs
/ref>
:A1. "Don't Worry" (Album Version) – 4:28
:A2. "Don't Worry" (Instrumental) – 4:25
:B1. "Make That Thang Talk" (Radio Edit – Extra Clean)
:B2. "Make That Ass Talk" (Radio Edit)
:B3. "Make That Ass Talk" (Instrumental)
Charts
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Don't Worry (Chingy Song)
2004 songs
2005 singles
Chingy songs
Capitol Records singles
Contemporary R&B ballads
Janet Jackson songs
Song recordings produced by the Trak Starz
Songs written by Chingy
Songs written by Raphael Saadiq