Snake (song)

For other songs, see Snake (disambiguation).

"Snake"
Single by R. Kelly featuring Big Tigger
from the album Chocolate Factory
Released	February 25, 2003 (2003-02-25)
Genre	Dancehall
Length	4:51
Label	Jive
Songwriter(s)	Robert Kelly Darian Morgan
Producer(s)	R. Kelly
R. Kelly singles chronology
"Ignition (Remix)" (2002) "Snake" (2003) "Thoia Thoing" (2003)

"Snake" is a song by the American recording artist R. Kelly, featuring Big Tigger, from his fifth studio album, Chocolate Factory. The remix features Cam'ron. It was released on February 25, 2003, by Jive Records as the second single from the album. The R&B song with Latin music inspiration was written and produced by R. Kelly, and co-written by Darian Morgan, as a tribute to Stevie Wonder's musical experimentation. The song also inspired the dancehall reggae riddim called Baghdad.

"Snake" achieved moderate success, reaching number sixteen at the US Billboard Hot 100. A special double-A-side edition with "Thoia Thoing" was also released. The maxi-single charted at number ten in the Netherlands, number thirty in France, number sixteen in Australia and at number eighteen in Switzerland. A remix with actor and musician Cam'ron was also released.

Background and composition

"Snake" was written and produced by R. Kelly, and co-written by Darian Morgan.[1] It is an R&B song with Latin music inspiration,[2] and elements of urban pop and new jack swing.[1] "Snake" is four minutes and fifty-one seconds long. It is composed in the key of A♭ major and is set in time signature of common time with a tempo of 92 beats per minute. R. Kelly vocal range spans from C♯₄ to F♯₅.[1] Andrew McGregor of the BBC revealed that "Snake" was written in "tribute to Stevie [Wonder]'s musical experimentation".[2] Robert Christgau describes the song as an "Orientalist sex fantasy".[3]

Promotion

R. Kelly and Big Tigger performed the song together during many live performances (including at Madison Square Garden in New York on the penultimate concert) during his 2003 tour[4] and during the 2003 BET Awards. "Snake" received a special double A-side edition with "Thoia Thoing". The maxi-single charted at number ten in the Netherlands, number thirty in France, number sixteen in Australia and at number eighteen in Switzerland.[5] A remix with Cam'ron was also released.

Remix controversy

Cam'ron took R. Kelly to court in 2005 claiming that he did not receive proper credit for his work on a remix of the song. Cam'ron filed a federal lawsuit in New York. He had apparently written the introduction to the remix, as well as a part of the third verse but his songwriting contribution was not mentioned in the copyright when the song was included on The R. in R&B Collection, Vol. 1, a greatest-hits album.[6]

Music video

The music videos for both the original and the remix were directed by Little X.[7]

Track listing

• European CD single[8]

1. "Snake" (Radio Edit) – 4:20
2. "Snake" (Remix Featuring Big Tigger and Cam'ron) – 4:40
3. "Dream Girl" – 3:57
4. "Snake" (Music Video) – 4:14

• 12" Vinyl[9]

1. "Snake" (Radio Edit) – 4:20
2. "Dream Girl" – 3:57
3. "Snake" (Remix Featuring Big Tigger and Cam'ron) – 4:40

• CD single[10]

1. "Snake" (Radio Edit) – 4:20
2. "Snake" (Radio Edit Without Rap) – 3:34
3. "Snake" (Instrumental) – 4:52

Credits and personnel

Credits adapted from CD single liner notes.[11]

R. Kelly – vocals, audio mixing, producer, songwriter Big Tigger – vocals Darian Morgan – songwriter Donnie Lyle – instruments Rodney East – instruments Abel Garibaldi – programming Andy Gallas – programming Ian Mereness – programming

Jason Mlodzinski – programming Nathan Wheeler – programming Steve Bearsley – programming Larry Phillabaum – engineering Tim Roberts – engineering John Hanes – engineering Serban Ghenea – audio mixing Swizz Beatz – audio mixing

Charts

Weekly charts Weekly chart performance for "Snake" Chart (2003) Peak position UK Singles (OCC)[12] 10 US Billboard Hot 100[13] 16 US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[14] 9 US Rhythmic (Billboard)[15] 10

Year-end charts Year-end chart performance for "Snake" Chart (2003) Position UK Urban (Music Week)[16] 7 US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[17] 57

References

1. "R. Kelly Snake – Digital Sheet Music". Music Notes. Universal Music Publishing Group. October 20, 2003. Retrieved February 6, 2010.
2. McGregor, Andrew (March 7, 2003). "Review of R. Kelly—Chocolate Factory". BBC Music. British Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved March 23, 2009.
3. Christgau, Robert (January 27, 2004). "Good Morning Little School Girl". The Village Voice. Retrieved June 6, 2021 – via robertchristgau.com.
4. "R. Kelly plays Madison Square Garden". MTV News. MTV. August 25, 2003. Archived from the original on February 23, 2004. Retrieved May 23, 2009.
5. "R. Kelly – Thoia Thoing". Hung Medien. Retrieved May 23, 2009.
6. Vineyard, Jennifer (September 29, 2005). "Cam'ron takes R. Kelly to court". MTV News. MTV. Archived from the original on February 8, 2006. Retrieved May 23, 2009.
7. "Little X | Videography".
8. "Amazon.com: Snake: R. Kelly, Single, Import: Music". Jive. January 27, 2004. Retrieved February 28, 2011.
9. Snake (12" Vinyl liner notes). R. Kelly. Jive Records. 2003. 82876547231.
10. "Amazon.com: Snake: R. Kelly, Featuring Big Tigger: Music". Jive. December 15, 2003. Retrieved February 28, 2011.
11. Snake (Liner Notes [CD, Single]). R. Kelly. Jive Records. 2003. JDJ-40115-2.
12. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved February 9, 2024.
13. "R. Kelly Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved February 9, 2024.
14. "R. Kelly Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved February 9, 2024.
15. "R. Kelly Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard. Retrieved February 9, 2024.
16. "2003 Urban top 30" (PDF). Music Week. January 17, 2004. p. 18. Retrieved August 4, 2023.
17. "The Billboard Hot R&B/Hip Hop Singles & Tracks – 2003 Year End Charts". Billboard. December 27, 2003. Archived from the original on September 29, 2012. Retrieved February 9, 2024.