"Just Kickin' It" is a song by American R&B group Xscape. Written by

Jermaine Dupri Jermaine Dupri Mauldin (born September 23, 1972) is an American rapper and record producer. Raised in Atlanta, Georgia as the son of Columbia Records executive Michael Mauldin, he began his career in music at the age of nine. He discovered th ...

and

Manuel Seal Manuel Lonnie Seal, Jr. (born September 26, 1960) is an American multi-instrumentalist, record producer, composer, singer, songwriter, vocal coach, and arranger. He has been credited, often in tandem with Jermaine Dupri, on releases by Mariah Ca ...

, It was released in August 1993, by

So So Def So So Def Recordings is an American record label based in Atlanta, Georgia, founded by producer Jermaine Dupri in 1993. Specializing in Southern hip hop, R&B, and bass music, the label has signed musical acts such as Bow Wow, Kris Kross, Xsca ...

and

Columbia Records Columbia Records is an American reco ...

, as Xscape's first single from the group's debut album, ''

Hummin' Comin' at 'Cha ''Hummin' Comin' at 'Cha'' is the debut studio album by American R&B group Xscape. Released on October 12, 1993, by So So Def Recordings (as the label's inaugural release) and Columbia Records, the album produced the singles " Just Kickin' It" ...

'' (1993). The single became the group's most commercially successful hit, peaking at number one on the US ''Cash Box'' Top 100, number two on the US ''Billboard'' Hot 100, and number one on the ''

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 ...

Hot R&B Singles 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 po ...

chart. Its accompanying music video was nominated for Best New Artist Clip of the Year in the category for R&B/Urban at the 1994 ''Billboard'' Music Video Awards.

Composition

"Just Kickin' It" is an urban ballad in which vocals are the focus, and the instrumental foundation is otherwise sparse. Jermaine Dupri, who according to his father,

Columbia Records Columbia Records is an American reco ...

executive Michael Mauldin, wanted Xscape to be "the ghetto

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 singl ...

," originally wrote the song as a summary of what men wanted from women. The lyrics were considered controversial by some female fans who believed the song's message was sexist. Former group member LaTocha Scott, however, dismissed the critics. "I've heard some females say that the song is unreal and that they can tell it was written by a man, but I don't think it makes it sexist. Shoot, everybody knows a man wants a woman who can cook."

Release and reception

Released on August 13, 1993, "Just Kickin' It" entered the US ''Billboard'' Hot 100 chart at number 90 and reached the top 10 in four weeks. The song peaked at number two in October, spending a total of 17 weeks in the top 40. The single reached number one on the

chart, where it spent four weeks at the top. In November, the single was certified platinum in the United States and has since been certified double-platinum in March 2023. "Just Kickin' It" also peaked at number three in Canada, number 22 in New Zealand, and number 49 in the United Kingdom. The song earned the group a

Soul Train Music Awards The Soul Train Music Awards is an annual music awards ceremony which honors the best in African-American culture, music and entertainment. It is produced by the production company of '' Soul Train'', the program from which it takes its name, and ...

nomination in 1994 but lost to H-Town's " Knockin' Da Boots" in the Best R&B New Artist category.

Track listings

* US 12-inch single :A1. "Just Kickin' It" (extended remix) – 5:36 :A2. "Just Kickin' It" (remix instrumental) – 3:35 :B1. "Just Kickin' It" (radio edit) – 3:25 :B2. "W.S.S. Deez Nuts" – 0:44 :B3. "Just Kickin' It" (radio edit instrumental) – 3:26 * US cassette single :A1. "Just Kickin' It" (radio edit) :A2. "W.S.S. Deez Nuts" :B1. "Just Kickin' It" (radio edit) :B2. "

Understanding Understanding is a cognitive process related to an abstract or physical object, such as a person, situation, or message whereby one is able to use concepts to model that object. Understanding is a relation between the knower and an object of u ...

" :B3. " Is My Living in Vain" :B4. "Let Me Know" :B5. "Tonight" * UK CD single # "Just Kickin' It" (radio version) – 3:34 # "Just Kickin' It" (alternative radio version) – 3:24 # "Just Kickin' It" (extended remix) – 5:35 # "Just Kickin' It" (remix instrumental) – 3:35 # "Just Kickin' It" (radio edit instrumental) – 3:26 * UK 12-inch single :A1. "Just Kickin' It" (extended remix) – 5:35 :A2. "Just Kickin' It" (remix instrumental) – 3:35 :B1. "Just Kickin' It" (alternative radio version) – 3:24 :B2. "Just Kickin' It" (radio version) – 3:34 :B3. "Just Kickin' It" (radio edit instrumental) – 3:26 * European CD single # "Just Kickin' It" (radio edit) – 3:25 # "Just Kickin' It" (extended remix) – 5:36 * Australian CD single # "Just Kickin' It" (radio edit) # "W.S.S. Deez Nuts" # "Understanding" # "Is My Living in Vain" # "Let Me Know" # "Tonight" # "Just Kickin' It" (extended remix)

Charts

Weekly charts

Year-end charts

Certifications

References

External links

"Just Kickin' It" lyrics
{{Authority control 1993 debut singles 1993 songs Columbia Records singles So So Def Recordings singles Song recordings produced by Jermaine Dupri Songs written by Jermaine Dupri Songs written by Manuel Seal Xscape (group) songs