Happy (Ashanti song) explained

Happy
Cover:	Happy_Ashanti.jpg
Border:	yes
Type:	single
Artist:	Ashanti featuring Ja Rule
Album:	Ashanti
Studio:	Crackhouse (New York City)
Length:	4:22
Label:	Murder Inc.
Chronology:	Ashanti
Prev Title:	Down 4 U
Prev Year:	2002
Next Title:	Baby
Next Year:	2002

"Happy" is a song by American singer Ashanti from her self-titled debut album (2002). The track was written by Ashanti, Chink Santana, and Irv Gotti, with production overseen by the latter two, as well. The song contains a sample of Gap Band's "Outstanding" (1982), written by Raymond Calhoun. "Happy" was released as the album's second single on June 17, 2002, reaching #8 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and #6 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. Globally, the single reached the Top 10 in the Netherlands, while reaching the Top 20 in Ireland, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom.

Remix

The remix of "Happy", titled "I'm So Happy", was produced by Santana and features rapper Charli Baltimore and further integrates a sample of "Outstanding". This version was later included on the Murder Inc. remix-compilation Irv Gotti Presents: The Remixes.^[1]

Track listings

UK CD single^[2]

1. "Happy" (radio edit featuring Ja Rule) – 3:59
2. "I'm So Happy" (remix featuring Charli Baltimore) – 3:58
3. "Happy" (explicit remix featuring Ja Rule) – 3:59
4. "Happy" (DnD vocal mix featuring Ja Rule) – 4:51
5. "Happy" (video featuring Ja Rule) – 4:00

UK cassette single^[3]

1. "Happy" (radio edit featuring Ja Rule) – 3:59
2. "I'm So Happy" (remix featuring Charli Baltimore) – 3:58

European CD single^[4]

1. "Happy" (album version)
2. "Call" (album version)

Australian CD single^[5]

1. "Happy" (album version)
2. "Call" (album version)
3. "I'm So Happy" (remix featuring Charli Baltimore)
4. "Happy" (video)

Credits and personnel

Credits are adapted from the UK CD single liner notes.^[2]

Studios

• Recorded at Crackhouse Studios (New York City)
• Mixed at Sound Castle Studios (Los Angeles)
• Mastered at Sony Music Studios (London, England)

Personnel

• Raymond Calhoun – writing ("Outstanding")
• Ashanti Douglas – writing, vocals
• Chink Santana – writing (as Andre Parker), all instruments, production
• Irv Gotti – writing (as Irv Lorenzo), production, mixing, video director
• Ja Rule – featured vocals

• Darwin Johnson – bass guitar
• Milwaukee Buck – recording
• Charles "Chee" Heath – assistant recording engineer
• Brian Springer – mixing
• Naweed "Dirty" Ahmed – mastering

Charts

Year-end charts

Chart (2002)	Position
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)^[7]	80
Netherlands (Single Top 100)^[8]	93
US Billboard Hot 100^[9]	41
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks (Billboard)^[10]	40
US Mainstream Top 40 (Billboard)^[11]	68
US Rhythmic Top 40 (Billboard)^[12]	25

Release history

Region	Date	Format(s)	Label(s)
United States	June 17, 2002		Murder Inc.	^[13]
Australia	September 30, 2002	CD		^[14]
United Kingdom	November 11, 2002			^[15]

Notes and References

1. Web site: Irv Gotti Presents: The Remixes: Irv Gotti. AllMusic. July 10, 2022.
2. Happy. Ashanti. 2002. UK CD single liner notes. Murder Inc. Records. 063 824-2.
3. Happy. Ashanti. 2002. UK cassette single sleeve. Murder Inc. Records. 063 824-4.
4. Happy. Ashanti. 2002. European CD single liner notes. Murder Inc. Records. 063 927-2.
5. Happy. Ashanti. 2002. Australian CD single liner notes. Murder Inc. Records. 063 928-2.
6. Eurochart Hot 100 Singles. Music & Media. 20. 49. 11. November 30, 2002. June 3, 2018.
7. Web site: Top 100-Jaaroverzicht van 2002. Dutch Top 40. March 26, 2020.
8. Web site: Jaaroverzichten – Single 2002. MegaCharts. nl. March 26, 2020.
9. Web site: Billboard Top 100 – 2002 . November 15, 2013 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20140107063725/http://longboredsurfer.com/charts/2002.php . January 7, 2014.
10. Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs: 2002. Billboard. subscription. November 20, 2023.
11. Most-Played Mainstream Top 40 Songs of 2002. Airplay Monitor. 10. 51. 12. December 20, 2002.
12. Most-Played Rhythmic Top 40 Songs of 2002. Airplay Monitor. 10. 51. 22. December 20, 2002.
13. Going for Adds. Radio & Records. 1457. 39. June 14, 2002. May 4, 2021.
14. Web site: The ARIA Report: New Releases Singles – Week Commencing 30th September 2002. ARIA. 25. September 30, 2002. dead. https://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20021001140000/http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/23790/20021002-0000/Issue657.pdf. October 1, 2002. May 4, 2021.
15. Reviews – For Records Released on 11 November 2002: Singles. Music Week. 9. November 2, 2002. August 30, 2021.