Phenomenon (LL Cool J song)

"Phenomenon" is the first single by American rapper LL Cool J from his seventh studio album of the same name. It samples the Creative Source cover of "Who Is He (And What Is He to You)?" by Bill Withers and interpolates bits of Liquid Liquid's song "Cavern". The lyrics "Something Like a Phenomenon" and the beat are taken from the song "White Lines (Don't Don't Do It)" by Melle Mel. "Phenomenon" was released on September 23, 1997.^{[citation needed]} The single peaked at number 55 on the US Billboard Hot 100, reached number nine on the UK Singles Chart, and charted within the top 20 in the Netherlands and New Zealand.

"Phenomenon"
Single by LL Cool J
from the album Phenomenon
B-side	"Hot Hot Hot"
Released	September 23, 1997 (1997-09-23)
Length	4:12
Label	Def Jam
Songwriter(s)	James Todd Smith Ron Amen-Ra Lawrence Sean "Puffy" Combs Bill Withers Stanley McKenney
Producer(s)	Sean "Puffy" Combs Ron Amen-Ra Lawrence
LL Cool J singles chronology
"Hit 'Em High (The Monstars' Anthem)" (1997) "Phenomenon" (1997) "4, 3, 2, 1" (1997)

Track listings

US 12-inch single^[1]

A1. "Phenomenon" (radio edit)

A2. "Phenomenon" (LP version)

A3. "Phenomenon" (instrumental)

B1. "Hot Hot Hot" (radio edit)

B2. "Hot Hot Hot" (LP version)

B3. "Hot Hot Hot" (instrumental)

UK and European CD single^[2]

1. "Phenomenon" (radio edit) – 3:06
2. "Wanna Get Paid" (featuring the Lost Boyz) – 4:10
3. "Mama Said Knock You Out" – 4:48
4. "Phenomenon" (LP version) – 4:12

Australasian CD single^[3]

1. "Phenomenon" (radio edit) – 3:06
2. "Phenomenon" (LP version) – 4:12
3. "Phenomenon" (instrumental) – 4:12
4. "Phenomenon" (TV) – 4:03

Charts

Weekly charts Weekly chart performance for "Phenomenon" Chart (1997–1998) Peak position Australia (ARIA)[4] 29 Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[5] 31 Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia)[6] 34 Canada Top Singles (RPM)[7] 27 Canada Dance/Urban (RPM)[8] 1 Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[9] 42 Germany (GfK)[10] 43 Iceland (Íslenski Listinn Topp 40)[11] 25 Ireland (IRMA)[12] 28 Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[13] 16 Netherlands (Single Top 100)[14] 21 New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[15] 11 Scotland (OCC)[16] 25 Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[17] 29 Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[18] 22 UK Singles (OCC)[19] 9 UK Dance (OCC)[20] 9 UK Hip Hop/R&B (OCC)[21] 1 US Billboard Hot 100[22] 55 US Dance Singles Sales (Billboard)[23] 7 US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[24] 16 US Hot Rap Songs (Billboard)[25] 14 US Rhythmic (Billboard)[26] 12

Year-end charts Year-end chart performance for "Phenomenon" Chart (1997) Position Canada Dance/Urban (RPM)[27] 41 UK Singles (OCC)[28] 198 UK Urban (Music Week)[29] 31