Nothin' (song)

This article is about the N.O.R.E. song. For the Jacksons song, see Nothin' (That Compares 2 U). For other songs with similar titles, see Nothing (disambiguation) § Music.

"Nothin'" is the lead single from American rapper N.O.R.E.'s third studio album, God's Favorite (2002). The song was produced by the Neptunes and features Neptunes member Pharrell Williams performing the song's hook. "Nothin'" reached No. 10 on the Billboard Hot 100, surpassing his 1998 hit "Superthug" (also produced by the Neptunes) as his biggest solo hit. At the end of 2002, "Nothin'" was ranked No. 37 on the Billboard Year-End Hot 100 singles of 2002. Ja Rule, Mike Epps, Capone, comedian Alex Thomas, and video model Liza Rivera make cameo appearances.

"Nothin'"
Single by N.O.R.E. featuring Pharrell Williams
from the album God's Favorite
Released	June 3, 2002 (2002-06-03)
Length	4:24 (album version) 3:57 (radio edit)
Label	Def Jam
Songwriter(s)	Victor Santiago Pharrell Williams Chad Hugo Greg Camp
Producer(s)	The Neptunes
N.O.R.E. featuring Pharrell Williams singles chronology
"Live My Life" (2001) "Nothin'" (2002) "Full Mode" (2002)

Composition

Produced by the Neptunes, "Nothin'" was recorded by N.O.R.E. for his third studio album God's Favorite (2002), with songwriting being credited to N.O.R.E. and Neptunes members Pharrell Williams and Chad Hugo.^[1] Williams performs the song's hook.^[2] The lyrics contain a nod to Smash Mouth's 1999 song "All Star";^[2] the song's writer, Smash Mouth guitarist Greg Camp, was later credited as an additional songwriter on "Nothin'".^[3]

Remix

The official remix was later released and features Pharrell Williams, P. Diddy, Foxy Brown, Capone, Final Chapter, & Musaliny-N-Maze.

Legacy

In 2022, Spin listed "Nothin'" as the 44th best song of 2002.^[2] The same year, it was sampled on rapper Armani White's song "Billie Eilish" from his EP Road to Casablanco.^[2] White and N.O.R.E. performed a medley of both songs at the 2022 edition of the BET Hip Hop Awards.^[4]

Track listing

A-side

1. "Nothin'" (album version)
2. "Nahmeanuheard" (remix) (featuring Cam'ron, Capone, Cassidy and Fat Joe)

B-side

1. "Nothin'" (instrumental)
2. "Nahmeanuheard" (remix instrumental)

Charts

Weekly charts Chart (2002) Peak position Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[5] 50 Scotland (OCC)[6] 35 UK Singles (OCC)[7] 11 UK Hip Hop/R&B (OCC)[8] 1 US Billboard Hot 100[9] 10 US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[10] 2 US Hot Rap Songs (Billboard)[11] 3 US Rhythmic (Billboard)[12] 6

Year-end charts Chart (2002) Position UK Urban (Music Week)[13] 11 US Billboard Hot 100[14] 37 US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[15] 10

Release history

Region	Date	Format(s)	Label(s)	Ref.
United States	June 3, 2002	Rhythmic contemporary urban radio	Def Jam	[16]
	September 3, 2002	Contemporary hit radio		[17]
United Kingdom	September 9, 2002	12-inch vinyl CD cassette		[18]