Buddy (De La Soul song)
"Buddy" | ||||
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Single by De La Soul featuring Q-Tip, Phife Dawg, Queen Latifah, Monie Love and Jungle Brothers | ||||
from the album 3 Feet High and Rising | ||||
A-side | "The Magic Number" | |||
Released | December 11, 1989 | |||
Recorded |
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Genre | Alternative hip hop | |||
Length |
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Label | Tommy Boy | |||
Songwriter(s) | P. Huston, K. Mercer, D. Jolicoeur, V. Mason | |||
Producer(s) | Prince Paul, De La Soul | |||
De La Soul singles chronology | ||||
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Q-Tip singles chronology | ||||
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Queen Latifah singles chronology | ||||
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Monie Love singles chronology | ||||
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Jungle Brothers singles chronology | ||||
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"Buddy" is the third single released by De La Soul from their album 3 Feet High and Rising.
The song is often cited as an example of an effective remix; one that includes a change of song lyrics or beat. In this case, both the original song's lyrics and the musical bed received a makeover. With its sample of the bassline from Taana Gardner's 1981 song "Heartbeat", the 7 minute 12" version was clearly tailor-made for dancefloor and provided a striking contrast to the laid back album version.
The song was also famous for featuring the major members of the Native Tongues posse, including Q-Tip of A Tribe Called Quest, Jungle Brothers, Queen Latifah and Monie Love. While Phife Dawg appears in the video itself and is heard in the extended mix, the mix in the video eliminates his entire verse.
In 2015 an unauthorized song was released digitally with the name "Buddy (Remix)" provided by Ingrooves to De La Soul, but it was not the song or the remix, it was Kool Keith's song "Lyrical Magic".
In 2023, Billboard and Stereogum ranked the song number one and number three, respectively, on their lists of the 10 greatest De La Soul songs.[1][2]
Music video
[edit]The music video for "Buddy" is introduced by Prince Paul who explains, "'Buddy' doesn't mean 'girl' or 'sex' for that matter, 'buddy' simply means 'body', bodies of all kind." While the majority of the video consists of the members of the Native Tongues posse performing straight to camera, this is interspersed with brief segments of black-and-white footage, one of which featuring a speech balloon that remarks "this video makes no sense!"
Along with those who appeared in the song, the video also featured a cameo from rapper Chi-Ali.
Track listing
[edit]- "Buddy (Native Tongue Decision)" - 7:17
- Guest Appearances: Q-Tip, Phife Dawg, Jungle Brothers, Queen Latifah, Monie Love
- "Buddy (Native Tongue Decision Instrumental)" - 5:50
- "Ghetto Thang (Vocal)" - 3:45
- "Ghetto Thang (Ghetto Ximer)" - 3:55
- "Buddy (Vocal)" - 4:58
- Guest Appearances: Q-Tip, Jungle Brothers
- "Ghetto Thang (Ghetto Ximer Instrumental)" - 3:47
Charts
[edit]Chart (1989-1990) | Peak Position |
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U.S. Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs | 181 |
U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Club Play | 271 |
U.S. Billboard Hot Rap Singles | 2 |
U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Music/Maxi-Singles Sales | 11 |
UK Singles Chart | 7 |
References
[edit]- ^ Hart, Ron (March 3, 2023). "De La Soul's 10 Best Songs". Billboard. Retrieved August 15, 2023.
- ^ Patrin, Nate (March 7, 2023). "The 10 Best De La Soul Songs". Stereogum. Retrieved August 15, 2023.