Thug Lovin'

"Thug Lovin'" is a song by American rapper Ja Rule featuring singer Bobby Brown, released on November 4, 2002, as the first single from Ja Rule's fourth studio album, The Last Temptation (2002). The song was produced by Irv Gotti. Bobby Brown's sung portion is an interpolation of part of the chorus of the Stevie Wonder song "Knocks Me Off My Feet".

"Thug Lovin'"
Single by Ja Rule featuring Bobby Brown
from the album The Last Temptation
B-side	"Connected"
Released	November 4, 2002 (2002-11-04)
Length	4:54
Label	Def Jam Murder Inc.
Songwriter(s)	Jeffrey Atkins Andre Parker Irving Lorenzo Stevie Wonder
Producer(s)	Irv Gotti, Chink Santana
Ja Rule singles chronology
"Down Ass Bitch" (2002) "Thug Lovin'" (2002) "Mesmerize" (2002)
Bobby Brown singles chronology
"Feelin' Inside" (1997) "Thug Lovin'" (2002) "Damaged" (2009)

The music video for the song, directed by Irv Gotti, features scenes of Ja Rule and Bobby Brown in a helicopter, on a helipad on top of a skyscraper which has the Murder Inc. logo on it, the two artists driving in a Bentley, and the two going to a party. The video premiered on BET's Access Granted in 2002.

Track listings

US 12-inch single^[1]

A1. "Thug Lovin'" (radio)

A2. "Thug Lovin'" (street)

B1. "Thug Lovin'" (instrumental)

B2. "Thug Lovin'" (acapella)

Canadian and European CD single^[2][3]

1. "Thug Lovin'" (radio edit)
2. "Connected" (featuring Crooked I and Eastwood)

UK CD single^[4]

1. "Thug Lovin'" (radio edit) – 4:31
2. "Thug Lovin'" (album version) – 4:54
3. "Thug Lovin'" (The Pledge remix—album version) – 5:13
4. "Thug Lovin'" (video) – 4:36

UK 12-inch single^[5]

A1. "Thug Lovin'" (album version) – 4:54

A2. "Thug Lovin'" (radio edit) – 4:31

B1. "Thug Lovin'" (The Pledge remix—album version) – 5:13

UK cassette single^[6]

1. "Thug Lovin'" (album version) – 4:54
2. "Thug Lovin'" (The Pledge remix—album version) – 5:13

Australian CD single^[7]

1. "Thug Lovin'" (radio edit)
2. "Between Me and You" (featuring Christina Milian)
3. "Put It on Me" (featuring Vita)
4. "Thug Lovin'" (instrumental)
5. "Thug Lovin'" (acapella)

Charts

Weekly charts Weekly chart performance for "Thug Lovin'" Chart (2002–2003) Peak position Australia (ARIA)[8] 7 Australian Urban (ARIA)[9] 5 Belgium (Ultratip Bubbling Under Flanders)[10] 11 Belgium (Ultratip Bubbling Under Wallonia)[11] 5 Canada (Nielsen SoundScan)[12] 10 Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[13] 26 Germany (GfK)[14] 36 Ireland (IRMA)[15] 26 Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[16] 36 Netherlands (Single Top 100)[17] 21 New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[18] 23 Scotland (OCC)[19] 29 Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[20] 89 UK Singles (OCC)[21] 15 UK Hip Hop/R&B (OCC)[22] 2 US Billboard Hot 100[23] 42 US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[24] 16 US Hot Rap Songs (Billboard)[25] 10 US Rhythmic (Billboard)[26] 24

Year-end charts Year-end chart performance for "Thug Lovin'" Chart (2002) Position Canada (Nielsen SoundScan)[27] 65 UK Urban (Music Week)[28] 40 Chart (2003) Position Australia (ARIA)[29] 47

Certifications

Certificatios and sales for "Thug Lovin'"

Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[30]	Gold	35,000^
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Release history

Release dates and formats for "Thug Lovin'"

Region	Date	Format(s)	Label(s)	Ref.
United States	November 4, 2002	Rhythmic contemporary urban radio	Murder Inc. Def Jam	[31]
Australia	December 2, 2002	CD	Murder Inc.	[32]
Belgium	December 4, 2002		Def Jam	[33]
United Kingdom	December 9, 2002	12-inch vinyl CD cassette	Murder Inc. Def Jam	[34]
New Zealand	December 16, 2002	CD	Murder Inc.	[35]