Not Tonight (song)

"Not Tonight" is a song performed by the American rapper Lil' Kim featuring Jermaine Dupri for her debut studio album Hard Core (1996). A remix was released the following year featuring female rappers Da Brat, Missy "Misdeameanor" Elliott, Angie Martinez, and Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes for the Nothing to Lose soundtrack. It was released on June 24, 1997, by Atlantic Records.^[1]

"Not Tonight"
Single by Lil' Kim featuring Da Brat, Left Eye, Missy "Misdeameanor" Elliott and Angie Martinez
from the album Hard Core and Nothing to Lose (soundtrack)
B-side	"Drugs", "Crush on You"
Released	June 24, 1997 (1997-06-24)
Recorded	1997
Studio	Master Sound (Virginia Beach, Virginia)
Genre	Hip hop R&B
Length	4:31
Label	Atlantic Tommy Boy
Songwriter(s)	Kimberly Jones Lisa Lopes Shawntae Harris Angela Martinez Melissa Elliott
Producer(s)	Armando Colon Rashad "Ringo" Smith
Lil' Kim singles chronology
"I Can Love You" (1997) "Not Tonight" (1997) "Call Me" (1997)
Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes singles chronology
"Freedom" (1995) "Not Tonight" (1997) "U Know What's Up" (1999)
Da Brat singles chronology
"Ghetto Love" (1997) "Not Tonight" (1997) "Sock It 2 Me" (1997)
Missy "Misdemeanor" Elliott singles chronology
"The Rain (Supa Dupa Fly)" (1997) "Not Tonight" (1997) "Up Jumps da Boogie" (1997)
Angie Martinez singles chronology
"Not Tonight" (1997) "Mi Amor" (2000)
Music video
"Not Tonight" on YouTube

The remix became a hit in the U.S., peaking at number six on the Billboard Hot 100 and number two on the Rap Songs chart, and was nominated for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group at the 40th Annual Grammy Awards. Internationally, "Not Tonight" peaked at number four in New Zealand and entered the top 20 on the UK Singles Chart, reaching number 11.

Background

The original version of "Not Tonight" was featured on Lil' Kim's first album Hard Core. It was produced by Jermaine Dupri, who was also featured on the song. This version samples "Turn Your Love Around" by George Benson. The song is about Lil' Kim feeling blasé about traditional vaginal intercourse and preferring a man perform cunnilingus on her, presumably at least for that evening.

The remix, known as "Not Tonight (Ladies Night Remix)", was released as a single and was performed by Lil' Kim, Da Brat, Missy Elliott, Angie Martinez and Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes". It was featured on the Nothing to Lose soundtrack. This version samples "Ladies' Night" by Kool & the Gang. The remix became a top 40 hit in the US, the UK, Canada, New Zealand and the Netherlands. It was produced by Rashad "Ringo" Smith.

Music video

The video was shot in West Palm Beach, Florida, from June 27 to 28, 1997. The video starts showing the girls on a boat and eventually in a jungle setting. The music video shows clips from the movie Nothing to Lose. It also features guest appearances from other female celebrities including Mary J. Blige, T-Boz, Queen Latifah, SWV, Xscape, Blaque, Changing Faces, Total, Leslie Segar and Maia Campbell.

Formats and track listings

• U.S. CD/cassette single^[2]

1. "Not Tonight" (Remix)
2. "Not Tonight" (Instrumental)

• U.S. maxi-single^[3]

1. "Not Tonight" (Remix)
2. "Crush On You" (Remix)
3. "Drugs"
4. "Not Tonight"
5. "Crush On You"
6. "Not Tonight" (Remix instrumental)
7. "Drugs" (Instrumental)
8. "Not Tonight" (Original instrumental)

• U.S. 12" vinyl

1. "Not Tonight" (Remix)
2. "Not Tonight" (Instrumental remix)
3. "Drugs"
4. "Crush on You" (Remix)
5. "Crush on You" (Remix instrumental)
6. "Drugs" (Instrumental)

• Europe CD single^[4]

1. "Not Tonight" (Remix)
2. "Not Tonight" (Remix Instrumental)
3. "Drugs" (Album Version)
4. "Drugs" (Instrumental)

• UK cassette single^[5]

1. "Not Tonight" (Remix)
2. "Drugs" (Album Version)

Credits and personnel

Credits from "Not Tonight" are taken from the single's liner notes.^[6]

Recording

• Recorded at Sound-On-Sound, The Hit Factory & Capitol Recording Studio
• Recorded by Ed Raso, Andy Cardenas & Bill Smith

Personnel

• Vocals – Lil' Kim, Da Brat, Missy Elliott, Angie Martinez, and Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes
• Songwriting – K. Jones, M. Elliott, L. Lopes, S. Harris, A. Martinez, R. Bell, G. Brown, M. Muhammed, C. Smith, J. Taylor, D. Thomas, E. Toon
• Producer – Armando Colon, Rashad Smith
• Mixing – Rick Travali and L. Lopes

Charts

Weekly charts

Charts (1997)	Peak position
Canada (Nielsen SoundScan)^[7]	10
Canada Dance/Urban (RPM)^[8]	4
Europe (European Hot 100 Singles)^[9]	76
Germany (Official German Charts)^[10]	99
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)^[11]	30
Netherlands (Single Top 100)^[12]	31
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)^[13]	4
Scotland (OCC)^[14]	36
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)^[15]	52
UK Singles (OCC)^[16]	11
UK Dance (OCC)^[17]	2
UK Hip Hop/R&B (OCC)^[18]	5
US Billboard Hot 100^[19]	6
US Dance Singles Sales (Billboard)^[20] With "Crush on you"	2
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)^[21]	3
US Hot Rap Songs (Billboard)^[22]	2
US Rhythmic (Billboard)^[23]	15

Year-end charts

Chart (1997)	Position
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)^[24]	27
UK Urban (Music Week)^[25]	25
US Billboard Hot 100^[26]	46
US Billboard Hot R&B Singles Sales^[26]	21
US Billboard Hot R&B Airplay^[26]	31
US Billboard Hot Rap Singles^[26]	8
US Billboard Hot Dance Maxi-Singles Sales^[26]	11

Certifications

Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA)^[28]	Platinum	900,000^[27]

References

1. . January 16, 2005. Archived from the original on January 16, 2005. Retrieved August 12, 2019.
2. Discogs. "Lil' Kim Not Tonight US cd single". Retrieved June 30, 2012.
3. Discogs. "Lil' Kim Not Tonight US maxi single". Retrieved June 30, 2012.
4. Discogs. "Lil' Kim Not Tonight Europe CD single". Retrieved June 30, 2012.
5. Discogs. "Lil' Kim Not Tonight UK cassette single". Retrieved June 30, 2012.
6. "Not Tonight credits". Discogs. Retrieved July 1, 2012.
7. "Lil' Kim Chart History (Canadian Digital Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved April 9, 2022.
8. "Top RPM Dance/Urban: Issue 3337." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved April 9, 2022.
9. "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 14, no. 34. August 23, 1997. p. 12. Retrieved April 9, 2022.
10. "Lil' Kim Feat. Da Brat, Left Eye, Missy "Misdemeanor" Elliott And Angie Martinez – Not Tonight" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved April 9, 2022.
11. "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 39, 1997" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved April 9, 2022.
12. "Lil' Kim feat. Da Brat, Left Eye, Missy "Misdeameanor" Elliott and Angie Martinez". Single Top 100. Retrieved April 9, 2022.
13. "Lil' Kim feat. Da Brat, Left Eye, Missy "Misdeameanor" Elliott and Angie Martinez". Top 40 singles. Retrieved April 9, 2022.
14. "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 9, 2022.
15. "Lil' Kim feat. Da Brat, Left Eye, Missy "Misdeameanor" Elliott and Angie Martinez". Singles Top 100. Retrieved April 9, 2022.
16. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 9, 2022.
17. "Official Dance Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 9, 2022.
18. "Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 9, 2022.
19. "Lil Kim Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved April 9, 2022.
20. "Lil Kim Chart History (Dance Singles Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved April 9, 2022.
21. "Lil Kim Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved April 9, 2022.
22. "Lil Kim Chart History (Hot Rap Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved April 9, 2022.
23. "Lil Kim Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard. Retrieved April 9, 2022.
24. "End of Year Charts 1997". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved December 4, 2017.
25. "The Urban Top 40 Tracks Of 1997" (PDF). Music Week. January 10, 1998. p. 6. Retrieved August 6, 2023.
26. Billboard (December 27, 1997). Billboard – 1997 The Year In Music. Billboard Magazine. Retrieved May 8, 2014.
27. "Best-Selling Records of 1997". Billboard. 110 (5). BPI Communications Inc.: 76 January 31, 1998. ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved May 31, 2015.
28. "American single certifications – Lil' Kim – Not Tonight". Recording Industry Association of America.