Holla Holla
"Holla Holla" is the debut single by American rapper Ja Rule from his debut studio album Venni Vetti Vecci. It was produced by Irv Gotti and Ty Fyffe. The music video was directed by Hype Williams and Irv Gotti.[1]
"Holla Holla" | ||||
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Single by Ja Rule | ||||
from the album Venni Vetti Vecci | ||||
Released | March 2, 1999 | |||
Recorded | 1998 | |||
Genre | ||||
Length |
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Label | ||||
Songwriter(s) | Jeffrey Atkins, Taiwan Green, Irving Lorenzo, | |||
Producer(s) | Irv Gotti, Mr Fingaz | |||
Ja Rule singles chronology | ||||
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A remix and the album's third single featured, Jay-Z, Vita, Caddillac Tah, Black Child, Memphis Bleek and Busta Rhymes, the latter of which would later feud with Ja Rule.
Background and composition
After Ja Rule finalized the recording of his debut studio album, Venni Vetti Vecci (1999), Def Jam – Ja Rule's record label – did not consider any song on the album worthy of marketing as a single.[2] Despite Ja Rule's surprise at this proclamation, admitting in an interview with Complex magazine that he "didn’t grasp the idea of making a radio record", he resumed recording sessions to compose what would become "Holla Holla": it would transpire to be the final song recorded for Venni Vetti Vecci.[2] Ja Rule's rapping on "Holla Holla" employs what he described as his "stutter flow", with the repetition of certain words to increase the volume of lyrics.[2]
Reception
Writing for the Los Angeles Times, Soren Baker felt that "Holla Holla" demonstrates Ja Rule's ability to use "his edgy voice and the spectacular instrumentation that backs him".[3]
Track listing
- "Holla Holla" (Street Version)
- "Holla Holla" (Instrumental)
- "BJ Skit"
- "It's Murda" (Street Version)
- "It's Murda" (Instrumental)
- "Kill 'Em All" (Street Version)
Charts
Chart (1999) | Peak position |
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Canada (Canadian Singles Chart)[4] | 15 |
US Billboard Hot 100[5] | 35 |
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[6] | 11 |
US Hot Rap Singles (Billboard)[4] | 2 |
Credits
- Taiwan Green– producer
- Irv Gotti – producer, mixing
- Ken Ifill – mixing
- Ja Rule – vocals, rap
- Patrick Viala – engineer
In popular culture
- The song is played in The Sopranos episode Toodle Fucking-Oo when Tony arrives at the scene of Livia's house where Meadow threw a party.
References
- Ja Rule - "Holla Holla" - Music Videos MTV. Accessed October 15, 2008.
- Gale, Alex (August 21, 2013). "Ja Rule "Holla Holla" (1999) / Ja Rule f/ Jay Z, Vita, Caddillac Tah, Memphis Bleek & Busta Rhymes "Holla Holla (Remix)" (1999) – Ja Rule Breaks Down His 25 Most Essential Songs". Complex. Complex Media. Retrieved August 25, 2013.
- Baker, Soren (May 30, 1999). "Ja Rule; "Venni Vetti Vecci"; Def Jam; ** 1/2". Los Angeles Times. Tribune Company. Retrieved August 25, 2013.
- "Ja Rule – Awards". AllMusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved August 25, 2013.
- "Ja Rule Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved August 25, 2013.
- "Ja Rule Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved August 25, 2013.