LL Cool J Hey Lover Rare 1995 Def Jam Records 12" Single NM Vinyl

$

30

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"Hey Lover" Single by LL Cool J featuring Boyz II Men from the album Mr. Smith B-side "I Shot Ya" (remix) Released October 31, 1995 Studio Stone Creek (Gladwyne, Pennsylvania) Genre

• Hip hop 
• R&B

• James Todd Smith 
• Rod Temperton

"Hey Lover" is a song by American rapper and actor LL Cool J, released as the first single from his sixth album, Mr. Smith (1995). The song features vocals from American R&B group Boyz II Men. It was released on October 31, 1995, by Def Jam Recordings and was produced by The Trackmasters and LL Cool J. The song samples Michael Jackson's "The Lady in My Life" from his 1982 hit album Thriller; thus, Rod Temperton was given credit as a writer of this song. On the B-side is the "I Shot Ya" remix.

"Hey Lover" would prove to be the most successful single from the album, making it to number three on both the US Billboard Hot 100 and Hot R&B Singles charts. It sold 900,000 copies in 1995 and was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America in January 1996 for selling one million copies. It also reached number 17 on the UK Singles Chart, number six in Sweden, and number five in New Zealand.

At the 1997 Grammy Awards, the song won a Grammy Award for Best Rap Solo Performance, becoming his second Grammy in that category after 1992's "Mama Said Knock You Out".

Critical reception

Gil L. Robertson IV from Cash Box wrote, "What can I say? It's a definite number one single. After a short hiatus from the music industry to embark upon a promising film and television career, LL is back with an R&B based track which teams him with super-quartet Boyz II Men. Can you remember what 'I Need Love', did for the rap culture as a whole? Prior to that single's success a slow jam rap single was unheard of, yet LL pulled it off with a smooth style that was undeniable. This track brings to mind long days of hanging out at the malls, chasing girls. Thanks, LL, for the smooth reminiscence." In their review of Mr. Smith, Music & Media noted, "He adorns his love rap with sensual R&B vocals, especially strong on the first single 'Hey Lover'."

Music video

The accompanying music video for "Hey Lover" was directed by American music video and film director, film producer, and screenwriter Hype Williams and was released on October 23, 1995. It featured television and film actress Gillian Iliana Waters as LL Cool J's love interest.