Number One Spot Explained

Number One Spot
Cover:Number1Spot.jpg
Type:single
Artist:Ludacris
Album:The Red Light District
Released:February 15, 2005
Recorded:2004
Genre:Hip hop
Length:4:32
Label:DTP, Def Jam
Producer:DJ Green Lantern
Prev Title:Sugar (Gimme Some)
Prev Year:2005
Next Title:Oh
Next Year:2005

"Number One Spot" is a song by American rapper Ludacris from his fifth studio album The Red Light District. The song heavily samples Quincy Jones' "Soul Bossa Nova", which was later used as the theme tune to the Mike Myers James Bond parody film series Austin Powers; the films' references play a major part in the song and its music video.

In the song's first verse, Ludacris says, "Respected highly, hi, Mr. O'Reilly/Hope all is well, kiss the plaintiff and the wifey". This line is a response to Bill O'Reilly's criticism of Pepsi for featuring Ludacris in a TV commercial in 2002; it is a reference to a sexual harassment lawsuit brought against O'Reilly by a former employee in 2004.

The song reached #19 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and #30 in UK. "Number One Spot" was nominated for Best Rap Solo Performance at the Grammy Awards of 2006, but it lost to Kanye West's "Gold Digger". A remix to the song features Kardinal Offishall.

Music video

The music video features spoofs of scenes from the Austin Powers films, with Ludacris taking the roles of Austin Powers, Fat Bastard, Goldmember and Dr. Evil. The video also features LisaRaye and Verne Troyer, who plays Mini-Me in the film franchise. Quincy Jones, Slick Rick, Katt Williams and DJ Green Lantern also make appearances in the music video. The subsequent single entitled "The Potion" was the conclusion to the music video (lasting approximately 45 seconds). The video won the MTV Video Music Award for Best Rap Video in 2005.

Track listing

CD Single
  1. "Number One Spot" (clean version) – 4:34
  2. "Number One Spot" (explicit version) – 4:34
12" single
  1. "Number One Spot" (explicit version) – 4:34
  2. "The Potion" (explicit version) – 3:54
  3. "Get Back" (explicit version) – 4:30
  4. "Get Back" (Sum 41 rock remix) – 4:11

Charts

Year-end charts

Chart (2005)Position
US Billboard Hot 100[1] 99
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[2] 45

Release history

RegionDateFormat(s)Label
United StatesFebruary 14, 2005Rhythmic contemporary radioDef Jam South, IDJMG[3]
Urban contemporary radio

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Billboard Top 100 – 2005. billboardtop100of.com. May 16, 2020.
  2. Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs – Year-End 2005. Billboard. May 16, 2020.
  3. Going for Adds . . 1593 . 27 . February 11, 2005 . December 9, 2023.