| "Steelo" | ||||
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| Single by702 featuringMissy Elliott | ||||
| from the albumNo Doubt | ||||
| Released | August 27, 1996 | |||
| Recorded | May 1996 | |||
| Studio | The Record Plant (Los Angeles) | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 4:17 | |||
| Label | [Biv 10 | |||
| Songwriters |
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| Producers |
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| 702 singles chronology | ||||
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| Missy Elliott singles chronology | ||||
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"Steelo" is a song by American group702 from their first studio albumNo Doubt (1996). It was written and producedChad Elliott,Missy Elliott, and George Pearson, with production overseen by Chad Elliott and Pearson. The song contains a prominentsample fromThe Police's song "Voices Inside My Head", for which English musicianSting is also given songwriter credits for the use of the sample.
Released as the first single fromNo Doubt on August 27, 1996, byBiv 10 Records,[2] "Steelo" became a commercial success. It reached number 32 on the USBillboard Hot 100 and peaked within the top 20 on bothBillboard'sHot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart andDance Singles Saleschart. A remix of the song was used as the theme song of American children'ssitcomCousin Skeeter.
"Steelo" was written byChad Elliott,Missy Elliott, and George Pearson,[3] while its procution was overseen by Chad Elliott and Pearson.[3] Recording took place atThe Record Plant, inLos Angeles.[3] The song contains asample fromThe Police's song "Voices Inside My Head" (1980). English musicianSting, who wrote "Voices Inside My Head", was also credited as a songwriter for "Steelo."[3]
The term "steelo" was defined as "a person's style."[4] Although the term "steelo" had already been used by hip hop duoMobb Deep in their song "Hit It from the Back" (1993),[5] the popularity of "Steelo" caused the slang word to become widespread, being added to various online dictionaries under the definition "[a person's] unique style".[4] Group member Meelah Williams admitted during 702'sUnsung episode that she didn't understand the meaning of the word and that she would often forward people to Missy Elliott for the definition of "steelo".[6]
Larry Flick fromBillboard praised the song's production, calling it "infectious."[1] He also felt that lead singer "Kameelah Williams shows signs of becoming a major diva over time."[1] Ultimately, he noted that R&B programmers "are already nibbling on this potential smash" and that it will likely draw the attention of "top 40 tastemakers within moments."[1]
"Steelo" peaked at thirty-two on the U.Billboard Hot 100 and reached the twelfth spot on theHot R&B/Hip-Hop singles chart.[7] The song sold over 514,000 copies in the United States,[8] earning a Gold certification from theRecording Industry Association of America (RIAA).[9]
A music video for "Steelo" was directed by Brian Luvar.[10] Set inBoston, MA, it features choreography heavy group dance scenes, interspersed with community basketball games.Missy Elliott is featured on the song as well as in the video.[11] Former 702 memberTiffany Villarreal, who sings background vocals on the song, also made a cameo appearance in video. The visuals were serviced to music television networksBET amdMTV on the week ending September 15, 1996.[12]
702 performed "Steelo" on Americansketch comedy showAll That in 1996. In the same year, the group closed out aShowtime at the Apollo show with the song. The group also performed the song on Americantalk showTeen Summit, which aired onBlack Entertainment Television (BET) in October 1996, and again in 1999.
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Credits lifted from the liner notes of702.[3]
Weekly charts[edit]
| Year-end charts[edit]
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| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| United States (RIAA)[21] | Gold | 500,000^ |
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. | ||
| Region | Date | Format(s) | Label(s) | Ref(s). |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | August 20, 1996 | Rhythmic contemporary radio | Motown | [22] |
| August 27, 1996 | CD | [23] | ||
| United Kingdom | November 25, 1996 | [24] |
Given the vocal prowess and natural charisma displayed on this pop-soaked, jeep-soul shuffler....
{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)