Nothin' (song) explained

Nothin
Cover:	Nothin.jpg
Type:	single
Artist:	N.O.R.E. featuring Pharrell Williams
Album:	God's Favorite
Length:	4:24 (album version) 3:57 (radio edit)
Label:	Def Jam
Producer:	The Neptunes
Prev Title:	Live My Life
Prev Year:	2001
Next Title:	Full Mode
Next Year:	2002

"Nothin" is the lead single from American rapper N.O.R.E.'s third studio album, God's Favorite (2002). The song was produced by the Neptunes and features Neptunes member Pharrell Williams performing the song's hook. "Nothin" reached 10 on the Billboard Hot 100, surpassing his 1998 hit "Superthug" (also produced by the Neptunes) as his biggest solo hit. At the end of 2002, "Nothin" was ranked No. 37 on the Billboard Year-End Hot 100 singles of 2002.

Composition

Produced by the Neptunes, "Nothin" was recorded by N.O.R.E. for his third studio album God's Favorite (2002), with songwriting being credited to N.O.R.E. and Neptunes members Pharrell Williams and Chad Hugo.^[1] Williams performs the song's hook.^[2] The lyrics contain a nod to Smash Mouth's 1999 song "All Star";^[2] the song's writer, Smash Mouth guitarist Greg Camp, was later credited as an additional songwriter on "Nothin".^[3]

Remix

The official remix was later released and features Pharrell Williams, P. Diddy, Foxy Brown, Capone, Final Chapter, & Musaliny-N-Maze.

Legacy

In 2022, Spin listed "Nothin" as the 44th best song of 2002.^[2] The same year, it was sampled on rapper Armani White's song "Billie Eilish".^[2] White and N.O.R.E. performed a medley of both songs at the 2022 edition of the BET Hip Hop Awards.^[4]

Track listing

A-side

1. "Nothin" (album version)
2. "Nahmeanuheard" (remix) (featuring Cam'ron, Capone, Cassidy and Fat Joe)

B-side

1. "Nothin" (instrumental)
2. "Nahmeanuheard" (remix instrumental)

Charts

Year-end charts

Chart (2002)	Position
UK Urban (Music Week)^[6]	11
US Billboard Hot 100^[7]	37
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)^[8]	10

Release history

Region	Date	Format(s)	Label(s)
United States	June 3, 2002		Def Jam	^[9]
	September 3, 2002	Contemporary hit radio		^[10]
United Kingdom	September 9, 2002			^[11]

Notes and References

1. God's Favorite . God's Favorite (album) . . . 2002 . 314 586 502-2 . liner notes.
2. Web site: The 50 Best Songs of 2002 . . November 1, 2022 . February 7, 2023.
3. Web site: Nothin . . February 7, 2023.
4. Web site: Hip Hop Awards 2022: N.O.R.E Surprises Fans, Performs 'Nothin' . . October 4, 2022 . February 7, 2023.
5. Eurochart Hot 100 Singles. Music & Media. 20. 40. 11. September 28, 2002. June 7, 2021.
6. Top 40 Urban Tracks Of 2002. Music Week. 32. January 18, 2003. August 4, 2023.
7. Web site: Billboard Top 100 – 2002. December 24, 2010. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20090412103316/http://longboredsurfer.com/charts.php?year=2002. April 12, 2009.
8. Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs – Year-End 2002. Billboard. October 8, 2021.
9. Going for Adds. Radio & Records. 1455. 26. May 31, 2002. June 7, 2021.
10. Going for Adds. Radio & Records. 1468. 28. August 30, 2002. June 7, 2021.
11. New Releases – For Week Starting 9 September 2002: Singles. Music Week. 23. September 7, 2002. August 28, 2021.