Released June 19, 2007 Genre R&B
hip hop Label Imani
Geffen | Format Download
CD single Length 3:58 | |
Writer(s) Keyshia Cole
Kimberly Jones
Melissa Elliott
Jack Knight
Cainon Lamb
James Mtume | ||
"Let It Go" is a song by American R&B recording artist Keyshia Cole. It was written by Cole, Jack Knight, Cainon Lamb, Lil' Kim, and Melissa Elliott her second album Just Like You (2007) and samples "Juicy Fruit" by Mtume, and "Don't Stop the Music" by Yarbrough and Peoples, while also interpolating "Juicy" by The Notorious B.I.G., who also sampled "Juicy Fruit." Production was handled by Elliott and Lamb, with Lil' Kim and Elliott also appearing as featured vocalists on the track.
Contents
Released as the album's lead single, it debuted at number 74 on the Billboard Hot 100 on the issue date of July 7, 2007, and peaked at number 7, becoming Cole's third top ten hit single altogether and first top ten Billboard Hot 100 single as a lead artist. It also became Cole's first number 1 hit on the R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. It was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration at the 50th annual ceremony, held in February 2008. Let It Go" was ranked 59th on Rolling Stone's list of the 100 Best Songs of 2007. The single sold over two million copies in the US and was certified 2x platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).
Background
"Let It Go" is about female empowerment and failed relationships. It is about "letting go" of a relationship if one partner is not there for the other, and is not interested in showing love or respect. The song "Let It Go" was originally intended for Fantasia for her self-titled album, but she had too many songs on that album, and Cole wanted it after Elliott played it for her. According to 50 Cent in a Hot 97 interview the song was also offered to G-Unit artist Oliva who picked another Missy Elliott track instead. Lil' Kim appears on the record to pay homage to Biggie, as the song is similar to his hit "Juicy".
The official "Let It Go" remix—featuring T.I., Missy Elliott and Young Dro—is included on the Just Like You as the final track. An alternate remix featuring Busta Rhymes and extended verses by Lil' Kim remained unreleased till its Internet leak in 2011.
Commercial performance
The song has become Cole's most successful song to date as a lead artist (her most successful song would be (When You Gonna) Give It Up To Me with Sean Paul), peaking at number 7 on the Billboard Hot 100 and reaching number one on Billboard's Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.