"Let Me Blow Ya Mind" is a song by American rapper Eve featuring American singer Gwen Stefani of No Doubt. It was released on April 2, 2001, as the second and final single from the former's second album, Scorpion. It became Eve's highest-charting single on the US Billboard Hot 100 (later tied with 2002's "Gangsta Lovin'"), peaking at number two on the week of August 18, 2001. Worldwide, the song reached number 29 in Canada, number four in Australia and the United Kingdom, and number one in Belgium (Flanders and Wallonia), Ireland, Norway, and Switzerland.

"Let Me Blow Ya Mind"
Single by Eve featuring Gwen Stefani
from the album Scorpion
B-side
  • "Got It All"
  • "Ain't Got No Dough"
  • "Gotta Man"
ReleasedApril 2, 2001 (2001-04-02)
Genre
Length3:51
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
Eve singles chronology
"Who's That Girl?"
(2001)
"Let Me Blow Ya Mind"
(2001)
"Caramel"
(2001)
Gwen Stefani singles chronology
"South Side"
(2000)
"Let Me Blow Ya Mind"
(2001)
"What You Waiting For?"
(2004)

The song was listed at number seven on the 2001 Pazz & Jop list, a survey of several hundred music critics conducted by Robert Christgau.[2] It won a Grammy Award in 2002 for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration, which was a new category at the time.[3] The music video won the 2001 MTV Video Music Award for Best Female Video.

Composition and lyrics

edit

"Let Me Blow Ya Mind" was written completely by Eve and produced by Dr. Dre and Scott Storch. Eve had previously been signed by Dr. Dre, but had then been dropped from his Aftermath label for lack of direction. After her second deal with Ruff Ryders, she was able to reconnect with Dr. Dre.[4][5] The lyrics address those who doubted Eve's ability to maintain mainstream popularity.[6] Eve was told that the song was "never going to work"; however, her chemistry with Gwen Stefani was strong.[7][8] The song is performed in the key of G minor with a tempo of 90 beats per minute.[9][10]

Music video

edit

In the video, Gwen Stefani and Eve are shown stopping at a red light. Eve brings in a gang of party crashers, and she tells Gwen to tag along. Gwen gets out of her car and gets onto a all-terrain vehicle. They crash a formal party (whose attendees include actor Udo Kier) with their loud music and rowdiness and are subsequently arrested. A Leona Helmsley lookalike appears in the video. She tells police officers about the disturbance as Stefani and Eve disrupt the party. Rapper/producer Dr. Dre also makes an appearance at the end of the video when he comes to jail and pays the bail for Eve and Stefani. Fellow Ruff Ryders Jadakiss and Styles P appear in a scene in which Eve acts as a bartender.

The video won the 2001 MTV Video Music Award for Best Female Video, and it was also nominated for Best Hip-Hop Video, losing to Outkast's "Ms. Jackson".[11]

Track listings

edit

All versions of "Let Me Blow Ya Mind" feature Gwen Stefani.

Charts

edit

Certifications

edit
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[70] Platinum 70,000^
Belgium (BEA)[71] Platinum 50,000*
Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[72] Gold 45,000
France (SNEP)[73] Silver 125,000*
Germany (BVMI)[74] Gold 250,000
New Zealand (RMNZ)[75] Gold 5,000*
Norway (IFPI Norway)[76] Platinum  
Sweden (GLF)[77] Gold 15,000^
Switzerland (IFPI Switzerland)[78] Gold 20,000^
United Kingdom (BPI)[80] Platinum 628,000[79]

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.
Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

edit
Region Date Format(s) Label(s) Ref(s).
United States April 2, 2001
  • Interscope
  • Ruff Ryders
[81]
United Kingdom August 13, 2001
  • CD
  • cassette
[82][83]
Netherlands CD [82]
Europe August 20, 2001 [82]
Australia [84]

References

edit
  1. ^ "Eve, Usher, and More—Tracks That Take You Back To Summer of 2001". Billboard. August 23, 2017. Retrieved July 26, 2023.
  2. ^ "Jazz & Pop 2001: Critics' List". The Village Voice. February 12, 2002. Retrieved August 15, 2007.
  3. ^ "2001 Grammy Winners". Grammy Awards. Retrieved October 19, 2020.
  4. ^ "Eve, "Let Me Blow Ya Mind" (2002)". Rolling Stone Australia. January 26, 2022. Retrieved October 30, 2022.
  5. ^ Markman, Rob (November 29, 2012). "Eve On Dr. Dre: I Didn't 'Like Being Told What To Do' - News". MTV. Archived from the original on October 12, 2022. Retrieved October 30, 2022.
  6. ^ Taylor, Chuck (April 14, 2001). "Reviews & Previes – Singles" (PDF). Billboard. Vol. 113, no. 15. p. 31. Retrieved September 29, 2020.
  7. ^ Gray, Arielle (October 21, 2021). "Eve Was Told 'Let Me Blow Ya Mind' Would 'Never Work.' She Made It Anyway". Glamour. Retrieved October 30, 2022.
  8. ^ Crowder, Khaaliq (December 18, 2018). "Eve Says Her Record Label Had Trepidation About 2001 Gwen Stefani Collaboration". VIBE.com. Retrieved October 30, 2022.
  9. ^ "Spot on Track – The Spotify Tracker". www.spotontrack.com. Retrieved January 27, 2018.
  10. ^ "Eve featuring Gwen Stefani: Let Me Blow Ya Mind Digital Sheet Music by Eve featuring Gwen Stefani". www.sheetmusicdirect.com. Retrieved January 27, 2018.
  11. ^ "MTV Video Music Awards | 2001 – Winners". MTV. Archived from the original on May 18, 2016. Retrieved October 19, 2020.
  12. ^ a b c "Eve feat. Gwen Stefani – Let Me Blow Ya Mind". ARIA Top 50 Singles.
  13. ^ Let Me Blow Ya Mind (Australasian CD single liner notes). Eve. Interscope Records, Ruff Ryders Entertainment. 2001. 497 562-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  14. ^ Let Me Blow Ya Mind (European CD single liner notes). Eve. Interscope Records, Ruff Ryders Entertainment. 2001. 497 590-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  15. ^ Let Me Blow Ya Mind (European enhanced CD single liner notes). Eve. Interscope Records, Ruff Ryders Entertainment. 2001. 497 605-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  16. ^ Let Me Blow Ya Mind (UK CD single liner notes). Eve. Interscope Records, Ruff Ryders Entertainment. 2001. 497 593 2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  17. ^ Let Me Blow Ya Mind (UK 12-inch single vinyl disc). Eve. Interscope Records, Ruff Ryders Entertainment. 2001. 4975931.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  18. ^ Let Me Blow Ya Mind (UK cassette single sleeve). Eve. Interscope Records, Ruff Ryders Entertainment. 2001. 497 593 4.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  19. ^ "Issue 605" ARIA Top 40 Urban Singles. National Library of Australia. Retrieved September 21, 2020.
  20. ^ "Eve feat. Gwen Stefani – Let Me Blow Ya Mind" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40.
  21. ^ "Eve feat. Gwen Stefani – Let Me Blow Ya Mind" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved August 14, 2013.
  22. ^ "Eve feat. Gwen Stefani – Let Me Blow Ya Mind" (in French). Ultratop 50. Retrieved August 24, 2013.
  23. ^ "Eve Chart History (Canadian Digital Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved March 16, 2020.
  24. ^ "Eve feat. Gwen Stefani – Let Me Blow Ya Mind". Tracklisten.
  25. ^ Bob The Builder Mambos To U.K. No. 1
  26. ^ "Eve feat. Gwen Stefani: Let Me Blow Ya Mind" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat.
  27. ^ "Eve feat. Gwen Stefani – Let Me Blow Ya Mind" (in French). Les classement single.
  28. ^ "Eve feat. Gwen Stefani – Let Me Blow Ya Mind" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts.
  29. ^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Let Me Blow Ya Mind". Irish Singles Chart.
  30. ^ "Eve feat. Gwen Stefani – Let Me Blow Ya Mind". Top Digital Download.
  31. ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 35, 2001" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40.
  32. ^ "Eve feat. Gwen Stefani – Let Me Blow Ya Mind" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
  33. ^ "Eve feat. Gwen Stefani – Let Me Blow Ya Mind". Top 40 Singles.
  34. ^ "Eve feat. Gwen Stefani – Let Me Blow Ya Mind". VG-lista.
  35. ^ "Top National Sellers" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 20, no. 7. February 9, 2002. p. 15. Retrieved March 16, 2020.
  36. ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
  37. ^ "Eve feat. Gwen Stefani – Let Me Blow Ya Mind". Singles Top 100.
  38. ^ "Eve feat. Gwen Stefani – Let Me Blow Ya Mind". Swiss Singles Chart.
  39. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved December 16, 2018.
  40. ^ "Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved March 19, 2021.
  41. ^ "Eve Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved December 2, 2018.
  42. ^ "Eve Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved December 2, 2018.
  43. ^ "Eve Chart History (Hot Rap Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved December 25, 2023.
  44. ^ "Eve Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved December 2, 2018.
  45. ^ "Eve Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard. Retrieved December 2, 2018.
  46. ^ "Official Dance Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved March 19, 2021.
  47. ^ "ARIA Top 100 Singles for 2001". ARIA. Retrieved September 21, 2020.
  48. ^ "ARIA Charts – End of Year Charts – Urban Singles 2001". ARIA. Archived from the original on April 15, 2020. Retrieved September 21, 2020.
  49. ^ "Jahreshitparade Singles 2001" (in German). Retrieved December 16, 2018.
  50. ^ "Jaaroverzichten 2001" (in Dutch). Ultratop. Retrieved May 24, 2018.
  51. ^ "Rapports annuels 2001" (in French). Ultratop. Retrieved May 24, 2018.
  52. ^ "BDS CHART : Top 100 of 200". Jam!. Archived from the original on July 26, 2002. Retrieved March 26, 2022.
  53. ^ "Year in Focus – Eurochart Hot 100 Singles 2001" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 18, no. 52. December 22, 2001. p. 14. Retrieved February 9, 2020.
  54. ^ "Tops de L'année | Top Singles 2001" (in French). SNEP. Retrieved September 21, 2020.
  55. ^ "Top 100 Single–Jahrescharts 2001" (in German). GfK Entertainment. Retrieved May 24, 2018.
  56. ^ "Ireland – Top Singles for 2001". Allcharts. Archived from the original on May 5, 2012. Retrieved December 16, 2018.
  57. ^ "Top 100–Jaaroverzicht van 2001". Dutch Top 40. Retrieved February 8, 2020.
  58. ^ "Jaaroverzichten – Single 2001" (in Dutch). MegaCharts. Retrieved May 24, 2018.
  59. ^ "End of Year Charts 2001". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved February 9, 2020.
  60. ^ "Årslista Singlar, 2001" (in Swedish). Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved June 8, 2020.
  61. ^ "Swiss Year-End Charts 2001" (in German). Retrieved May 24, 2018.
  62. ^ "The Official UK Singles Chart 2001" (PDF). UKChartsPlus. Retrieved May 24, 2018.
  63. ^ "Top 40 Urban Tracks Of 2001" (PDF). Music Week. January 19, 2002. p. 26. Retrieved August 4, 2023.
  64. ^ "Billboard Top 100 – 2001". Retrieved August 31, 2010.
  65. ^ "The Year in Music 2001: Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks". Billboard. Vol. 113, no. 52. December 29, 2001. p. YE-44. Retrieved December 17, 2023.
  66. ^ "Most-Played Mainstream Top 40 Songs of 2001". Airplay Monitor. Vol. 9, no. 51. December 21, 2001. p. 60.
  67. ^ "Most-Played Rhythmic Top 40 Songs of 2001". Airplay Monitor. Vol. 9, no. 51. December 21, 2001. p. 48.
  68. ^ "Decennium Charts – Singles 2000–2009" (in Dutch). MegaCharts. Retrieved May 3, 2022.
  69. ^ "The Billboard Hot 100 Singles & Tracks – Decade Year End Charts". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Archived from the original on March 26, 2011. Retrieved April 18, 2011.
  70. ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2001 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved May 24, 2018.
  71. ^ "Ultratop − Goud en Platina – singles 2001". Ultratop. Hung Medien. Retrieved December 16, 2018.
  72. ^ "Danish single certifications – Eve, Gwen Stefani & Stevie J – Let Me Blow Ya Mind". IFPI Danmark. Retrieved August 10, 2024.
  73. ^ "French single certifications – Eve – Let Me Blow Ya Mind" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Archived from the original on September 24, 2012. Retrieved April 21, 2022.
  74. ^ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Eve feat. Gwen Stefani; 'Let Me Blow Ya Mind')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved May 24, 2023.
  75. ^ "New Zealand single certifications – Eve & Gwen Stefani – Let Me Blow Ya Mind". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved November 20, 2024.
  76. ^ "IFPI Norsk platebransje Trofeer 1993–2011" (in Norwegian). IFPI Norway. Retrieved March 27, 2019.
  77. ^ "Guld- och Platinacertifikat − År 2001" (PDF) (in Swedish). IFPI Sweden. Archived from the original (PDF) on May 17, 2011. Retrieved July 3, 2019.
  78. ^ "The Official Swiss Charts and Music Community: Awards ('Let Me Blow Ya Mind')". IFPI Switzerland. Hung Medien. Retrieved December 16, 2018.
  79. ^ Griffiths, George (December 8, 2020). "Gwen Stefani's Top 10 biggest singles on the Official Chart". Official Charts Company. Retrieved December 8, 2020.
  80. ^ "British single certifications – Eve ft Gwen Stefani – Let Me Blow Ya Mind". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved June 12, 2020.
  81. ^ "'Let Me Blow Ya Mind'" (PDF). Radio & Records. No. 1395. March 30, 2001. p. 5. Retrieved April 23, 2021.
  82. ^ a b c Stavenes Dove, Siri (September 1, 2001). "Airborne" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 19, no. 36. p. 14. Retrieved September 29, 2020.
  83. ^ "New Releases – For Week Starting August 13, 2001: Singles" (PDF). Music Week. August 11, 2001. p. 23. Retrieved August 16, 2021.
  84. ^ "The ARIA Report: ARIA New Releases Singles – Week Commencing 20th August 2001" (PDF). ARIA. August 20, 2001. p. 24. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 20, 2002. Retrieved April 23, 2021.