Released August 31, 2009 Genre R&B, hip hop | Recorded 2009 Label Def Jam | |
Format Digital download, CD single Length 3:30 (main version)
3:57 (main w/rap featuring Lil Wayne) | ||
"Heard 'em All" is a single by American R&B recording artist Amerie from her fourth studio album, In Love & War, released in September 2009. In U.S., the song served as the second single from the album, following "Why R U". The official radio edit of the song features rapper Lil Wayne, with both versions being featured on the album. Its release was confirmed by Def Jam's official site. It was released in the UK on April 5, 2010.
Contents
Music video
The music video for "Heard 'em All" was shot in the Santa Clarita desert in California in August 2009. The video was directed by Anthony Mandler. The video is Mad Max-themed with a huge budget and pyrotechnics involved.
Critical reception
Pitchfork Media gave the song a rating of 4/10, commenting that: "So now we still want to root for her, and her still-vibrant voice. So why is she aiming for this sub-Beyoncé swagger? For a song with a bunch of great elements, 'Heard 'em All' insists you recognize its greatness, while not really having any greatness at its center to appreciate—all the interesting textures and timbres surround nothing. Where's the casual elegance, the sweetness that didn't so self-consciously assert its importance? Well, it gets a few seconds in the bridge. But in the end, Amerie does her own reputation a disservice, urging us to forget that she'd heard us all talk about how much we wanted her."
Remixes
In August 2009, the song leaked featuring only Amerie on vocals. Later that month, an amended version surfaced featuring rapper Lil Wayne. In September 2009, a rock remix of the song, sampling AC/DC's "Back in Black" and featuring labelmate Kain, was released for promo.
A remix of the track is featured on the Asian edition of In Love & War. Amerie collaborated with Korean girl group 4Minute and rapper Jun Hyung of Korean boy band BEAST.