Baby (Ashanti song) explained

Baby
Cover:	Baby Ashanti.jpg
Type:	single
Artist:	Ashanti
Album:	Ashanti
Released:	^[1]
Studio:	Crackhouse (New York City)
Length:	4:31
Producer:	Chink Santana Irv Gotti
Prev Title:	Happy
Prev Year:	2002
Next Title:	Mesmerize
Next Year:	2002

"Baby" is the third single from American R&B singer Ashanti's self-titled debut album (2002). Written by Ashanti, Chink Santana, Irv Gotti, and 7 Aurelius, the song was released as the album's third and final single on September 9, 2002. "Baby" contains an interpolation of Scarface's "Mary Jane", which was also co-produced by 7 Aurelius, so Scarface and Mike Dean are credited as writers. A remix of the song features Scarface.

"Baby" reached number 15 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number seven on the Billboard Hot R&B Songs chart, becoming Ashanti's fifth top-10 entry on the latter chart. Internationally, the song charted at numbers 48 and 89 in the Netherlands and Germany, respectively.

Music video

The music video features actress Nia Long. It is directed by CEO and founder of Murder Inc., Irv Gotti. A video was also made for a remix that features Crooked I.

Track listings

US 12-inch single^[2]

A1. "Baby" (remix featuring Crooked I—clean)

A2. "Baby" (remix featuring Crooked I—clean without rap)

A3. "Baby" (remix featuring Crooked I—instrumental)

B1. "Baby" (remix featuring Scarface—clean)

B2. "Baby" (remix featuring Scarface—instrumental)

European CD1^[3]

1. "Baby" (radio edit)
2. "Baby" (remix with Scarface)

European CD2^[4]

1. "Baby" (radio edit)
2. "Baby" (album version)
3. "Baby" (remix with Scarface)
4. "Baby" (video)

Credits and personnel

Credits are lifted from the European CD1 liner notes.^[3]

Studios

• Recorded at Crackhouse Studios (New York City)
• Mixed at Right Track Studios (New York City)

Personnel

• Ashanti – writing (as Ashanti Douglas), vocals
• Chink Santana – writing (as Andre Parker), all instruments, production
• Irv Gotti – writing (as Irving Lorenzo), production, mixing
• 7 Aurelius – writing, co-production, additional programming
• Mike Dean – "Mary Jane" writing
• Scarface – "Mary Jane" writing (as Brad Jordan)
• Milwaukee Buck – recording
• Charles "Chee" Heath – recording assistant
• Supa Engineer DURO – mixing

Charts

Year-end charts

Chart (2002)	Position
US Billboard Hot 100^[6]	81
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks (Billboard)^[7]	32
US Rhythmic Top 40 (Billboard)^[8]	68

Notes and References

1. Going for Adds. Radio & Records. 1469. 27. September 5, 2002.
2. Baby. Ashanti. 2002. US 12-inch single vinyl disc. Murder Inc Records. 440 063 851-1.
3. Baby. Ashanti. 2002. European CD1 liner notes. Murder Inc. Records. 063 783-2.
4. Baby. Ashanti. 2002. European CD2 liner notes. Murder Inc. Records. 063 784-2.
5. Web site: Week 8 (22 februari 2003). Dutch Top 40. nl. November 29, 2019.
6. Web site: Billboard Top 100 – 2002. billboardtop100of.com. May 27, 2020.
7. Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs: 2002. Billboard. subscription. November 20, 2023.
8. Most-Played Rhythmic Top 40 Songs of 2002. Airplay Monitor. 10. 51. 22. December 20, 2002.