Released February 15, 2005 Recorded 2004 Length 4:32 | Format CD single, 12" Genre Comedy rap Label DTP, Def Jam | |
"Number One Spot" is the second single from rapper Ludacris' 2004 album The Red Light District. The song heavily samples "Soul Bossa Nova" by Quincy Jones, which was used as the theme in the Austin Powers film series; Austin Powers references play major parts in "Number One Spot" and its video.
Contents
In the song's first verse, Ludacris says, "Respected highly, hi, Mr. O'Reilly/Hope all is well, kiss the plaintiff and the wifey." This line is a response to commentator Bill O'Reilly's criticism of Pepsi for featuring Ludacris in a 2002 commercial; it is a reference to a 2004 sexual harassment lawsuit brought against O'Reilly by a former employee.
The song reached #19 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and #30 in UK. "Number One Spot" was nominated for Best Rap Solo Performance at the Grammy Awards of 2006, but it lost to Kanye West's "Gold Digger".
A remix to the song features Kardinal Offishall.
Music video
The music video features spoofs of scenes from the Austin Powers films, with Ludacris taking the roles of Austin Powers, Fat Bastard, Goldmember and Dr. Evil. The video also features LisaRaye and Verne Troyer, who plays Mini-Me in the film franchise. Quincy Jones and Slick Rick also make appearances in the music video. The subsequent single entitled "The Potion" was the conclusion to the music video (lasting approximately 45 seconds). The video won the MTV Video Music Award for Best Rap Video in 2005.
Track listing
- "Number One Spot" (clean version) – 4:34
- "Number One Spot" (explicit version) – 4:34
- "Number One Spot" (explicit version) – 4:34
- "The Potion" (explicit version) – 3:54
- "Get Back" (explicit version) – 4:30
- "Get Back" (Sum 41 rock remix) – 4:11