Anything

"Anything (To Find You)"
Single by Monica featuring Rick Ross
from the album New Life (Deluxe Edition)
Released	August 2, 2011 (See release history)
Format	Digital download
Recorded	2011
Genre	R&B, hip hop soul, rap, indie hip hop
Length	3:42
Label	J
Writer(s)	Melissa Elliott, Cainon Lamb, Jazmine Sullivan
Producer	Missy Elliott[1]
Monica singles chronology "Here I Am" (2010) "Anything (To Find You)" (2011) "Until It's Gone" (2011) Rick Ross singles chronology "I'm on One" (2010) "Anything (To Find You)" (2011) "Fly Together" (2011)

"Anything (To Find You)" is a song by American recording artist Monica taken from her seventh studio album, New Life (2011). It features additional vocals from American rapper Rick Ross, and was written and produced by longtime contributors Missy Elliott and Cainon Lamb with additional penning from fellow R&B singer Jazmine Sullivan. The song samples 1995's "Who Shot Ya?" performed by The Notorious B.I.G. and Diddy, and uses interpolation of Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell's 1968 hit, "You're All I Need to Get By."

The song's initial version also featured American rapper Lil Kim and was lined up for a release to urban radios in July 2011. However, by the time of its official digital release as the album's leading single, Kim's vocals had been removed entirely from the track due to contractual issues surrounding B.I.G.'s estate, head by his mother. Released on August 2, 2011, the single version of "Anything" peaked at number twenty-five on the US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.

An R&B-up-tempo song, which exhibits elements of the early- to mid 1990s hip hop soul music, "Anything (To Find You)" was well received by music critics, who praised its retro theme and noted it a much-welcomed break from the europop-dominated influence on contemporary R&B by the time of its release. An accompanying music video for the track was shot in Los Angeles and was directed by Chris Robinson.

Background and release

"Anything (To Find You)" was written and produced by Missy Elliott.^[1] On July 7, 2011, the full song was leaked onto the internet, featuring guest vocals by both rappers Lil Kim and Rick Ross.^[1] Having initially recorded sixteen additional bars to the eight bars that appeared on the track, Kim's part was reportedly cut to make room for a second guest part, contributed by Ross.^[2] When the song made its debut on the Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart in the week of July 14, 2011, Kim’s name was not listed however. In a statement, J Records later confirmed that they were forced to remove her vocals from the official version at the last minute due to contractual issues as the sample that she used in her part — an excerpt of The Notorious B.I.G.'s controversial 1995 song "Who Shot Ya?" – was revoked by his mother Volleta Wallace, the head of B.I.G's estate.^[3] Addressing the issue on Twitter, Monica wrote:

"I am just finding out what has happened to my single and myself and Missy are beyond hurt that Lil Kim was removed. She’s our friend, a legend, and Lil Kim will get the respect she deserves at all cost. The clearance was revoked and I’m fighting to get it reinstated by the Biggie Estate [...] I am as thorough as they come and I Love Lil Kim, bottom line is Ms Wallace has the final say and she said No. If we put it out we get sued."^[4]

The original version of the song, featuring all sixteen bars recorded by Lil Kim, was leaked on July 30, 2011.^[5] The full track also uses an interpolation of Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell's 1968 hit, "You're All I Need to Get By."

Critical reception

The single has been generally well received by critics. Rap-Up favored the track stating that "Monica takes listeners back to R&B’s glory days with her soulful voice, Rozay channels Biggie, and the Queen Bee delivers a short, yet stinging verse."^[1] ThatGrapeJuice noted that the song "will be sure to entice Urban disc-jockeys everywhere this summer," and further added, "what many will find to be a much needed breath of fresh air in europop centric world, Monica has once again proven why she is the kind of artist whose creativity and skill is firmly based in her ability to deliver enjoyable music."^[6] Billboard called the track "a throwback to '90s hip-hop," adding: "Monica arrives with lyrics that combine attitude and vulnerability [...] With "Anything (To Find You)", she das issued another soft jam to secure her status as an R&B queen in the company of Mary J. Blige."^[7]

Music video

Background

One of the fashionable light-tinged scenes from the video, where Monica sings dancing.

The music video for "Anything (To Find You)" was directed by frequent collaborator Chris Robinson. As reported by herself on Twitter, Monica and rapper Rick Ross filmed the clip in Los Angeles, California, on August 18, 2011. Based on a concept developed by the singer and Robinson, the video shoot called for multiple flashy 1990s fashions, boomboxes, colorfully-dressed dancers, and jewelery by designer Simone I. Smith.^[8] Monica summed the retro-themed video as being about "paying homage to the era that made [her] – 90's baby."^[9]

The full music video exclusively-premiered through the Vevo network on September 11, 2011, a day earlier than planned, on Monica's Vevo account. It made its television debut on September 12, 2011 during an episode of BET's format 106 & Park, where it eventually reached the top spot on the show's music video countdown.^[10]

Synopsis

Summed up by Essence magazine, "Monica channels the '90s in her latest video [for] "Anything (To Find You)", [presenting] a heavy influence from Mary J. Blige."^[10] The video opens in a lit warehouse, with Brown walking in the passage way before it cuts to her standing with her arms folded. She then knee down and began to sing the into verse of the song. The clip then shows Rick Ross in his own scene rapping his verse to the song. Monica goes into her first verse, doing three girls choreographed routines with an 80's vibe. Doing the first run of the hook, Monica is seen singing on a bed and sitting on a curb with gold lights in the background. The video then continues with another scene of Monica singing behind a gold background with a black tank top and with a white jumpsuit. After the scenes quickly jumped from another, the video then ends with Monica 2-stepping and singing her final lines from the song.

Chart performance

Before being released as a digital download and rhythmic radio, "Anything (To Find You)" instantly debuted at number 71 on the US Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart on July 14, 2011 based on airplay alone.^[11] Afterwards it jumped from number fifty-seven to fifty-one on that particular chart, before eventually entering the top 30. Reaching its peak position of number 25, it became Monica's least successful lead single since 2002's "All Eyez on Me."^[12]. However, the song became Monica's sixteenth top forty entry on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Tracks chart, and due to digital downloads debuted and peaked at number 19 in the Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles.

Track listing

• Digital download

1. "Anything (To Find You)" (featuring Rick Ross) – 3:42

Charts

Release history

Purchasable release

References

External links

• Monica's Official Website