Released November 25, 2006 Recorded 2006 Label J | Format Digital download Genre R&B, hip hop soul | |
Writer(s) Johnta Austin, Frank DeVol, Holland-Dozier-Holland, Anthony McIntyre, Antwan Patton | ||
"Hood Boy" is a song by American recording artist Fantasia Barrino. The uptempo contemporary R&B record was written by Johnta Austin, Anthony McIntyre, and Antwan Patton for her second studio album, Fantasia (2006), with Tone Mason producing the song and Big Boi from OutKast having featured vocals. It is built around a sample of The Supremes' tenth number-one hit "The Happening", originally written by Motown songwriting team Holland-Dozier-Holland and film/TV composer Frank DeVol for the 1967 film of the same name.
Contents
Released received considerable praise from music critics as the album's lead single, "Hood Boy" peaked at number 21 on Billboard's Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs but failed to enter the Billboard Hot 100 chart, reaching number three of the Bubbling Under Hot 100 chart only. An accompanying music video, directed by Ray Kay premiered on BET in November 2006 and depicts Barrino and Big Boi at various settings.
Reception
The song received considerable praise from music critics. Rolling Stone called the song "a thrilling burst of Motown...to which Fantasia adds an amped-up ode to around-the-way boys". Allmusic's Stephen Erlewine stated that (it is) "a dynamite single built on a blaring Supremes sample...It's inspired in concept and delivery, as Barrino pours her all into it and it works: with this one track, she sheds her AmIdol past and remakes herself into a vibrant, vital diva". Entertainment Weekly called the song "one of the best R&B numbers of the year."
Music video
A video for "Hood Boy", directed by Ray Kay, premiered on BET in November 2006. It features Fantasia in various locations, first in a barber shop as she attracts many men, then driving on a motorcycle as she carresses a boy sitting in front of her. She arrives at a party, where she dances and Big Boi appears and raps.