Ex-Factor

"Ex-Factor"
A woman crouching down with the white short-skirted dress, bracelets, and necklaces.
One of UK cover arts
Single by Lauryn Hill
from the album The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill
Released December 8, 1998
Format CD single
Recorded December 1997
Studio RPM Studios, Chung King Studios
(New York City)
Marley Music, Inc.
(Kingston)
Genre
Length
  • 5:27 (album version)
  • 4:38 (radio edit)
Label
Songwriter(s) Lauryn Hill
Producer(s) Lauryn Hill
Lauryn Hill singles chronology
"Doo Wop (That Thing)"
(1998)		 "Ex-Factor"
(1998)		 "Everything Is Everything"
(1999)

"Doo Wop (That Thing)"
(1998)		 "Ex-Factor"
(1998)		 "Everything Is Everything"
(1999)

"Ex-Factor" is the second single from American recording artist Lauryn Hill from her debut solo album, The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill (1998). The song incorporates elements of R&B, neo soul and hip hop soul. Released by Ruffhouse and Columbia Records, the song features a sample of "Can It Be All So Simple" by Wu-Tang Clan.[1]

The song also raised some controversy surrounding claims that it was about former groupmate Wyclef Jean of The Fugees.[2]

Background

"Ex-Factor" was written and produced by Lauryn Hill and it features replayed elements of "Can It Be All So Simple" by Wu-Tang Clan,[3] which itself samples Gladys Knight & the Pips' cover of "The Way We Were".[4]

Samples

In 2018, rappers Drake and Cardi B sampled it in their songs "Nice for What" and "Be Careful", respectively.[4]

Chart performance

Although not as successful as her previous single "Doo Wop (That Thing)", the song still entered several international charts. It spent 22 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 and peaked at 21 on the week of April 10, 1999. It also charted on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, spending 31 weeks and peaking number 7 on March 13, 1999.[5] It reached number 4 on the UK Singles Chart and spent 16 weeks on the chart, it remains Hill's biggest hit in the UK.

Track listing

  • UK CD1'
  1. "Ex-Factor" [Album Version] – 5:27
  2. "Ex-Factor" [Part II Remix] – 4:38
  3. "Ex-Factor" [A Simple Mix] – 4:37
  • UK CD2
  1. "Ex-Factor" [Radio Edit] – 4:38
  2. "Ex-Factor" [A Simple Breakdown] – 4:10
  3. "Lost Ones" [Remix] – 4:17
  • Australian single
  1. "Ex-Factor" [Radio Edit] – 4:38
  2. "Ex-Factor" [Album Version] – 5:27
  3. "Ex-Factor" [Instrumental] – 5:27
  4. "Ex-Factor" [Callout Hook #1] – 0:10
  5. "Ex-Factor" [Callout Hook #2] – 0:05

Credits and personnel

Adapted from The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill liner notes.[3]

Charts

Chart (1999) Peak
position
Belgium (Ultratip Flanders)[6] 8
France (SNEP)[7] 51
Germany (Official German Charts)[8] 52
Ireland (IRMA)[9] 19
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[10] 40
Scotland (Official Charts Company)[11] 11
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[12] 46
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[13] 22
UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[14] 4
UK R&B (Official Charts Company)[15] 1
U.S. Billboard Hot 100[5] 21
U.S. Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs[5] 7

References

  1. ↑ Tardio, Andres (April 3, 2018). "5 Takeaways From Cardi B's New Single 'Be Careful'". Billboard. Retrieved April 8, 2018.
  2. ↑ Rush, George; Molly, Joanna; Ogunnake, Lola (2000-07-26). "Wyclef Says 'Ex' Marks His Spot". Daily News. Retrieved 2011-10-19.
  3. 1 2 (1998) Album notes for The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill by Lauryn Hill [liner notes]. Ruffhouse Records (Columbia Records).
  4. 1 2 Peters, Mitchell (April 7, 2018). "The 'Ex-Factor': How Drake, Cardi B & More Sampled Lauryn Hill's 'Miseducation' Single". Billboard. Retrieved April 8, 2018.
  5. 1 2 3 "Ex-Factor – Lauryn Hill". Billboard.com. Retrieved 2010-08-30.
  6. ↑ "Ultratop.be – Lauryn Hill – Ex-Factor" (in Dutch). Ultratip.
  7. ↑ "Lescharts.com – Lauryn Hill – Ex-Factor" (in French). Les classement single.
  8. ↑ "Musicline.de – Lauryn Hill Single-Chartverfolgung" (in German). Media Control Charts. PhonoNet GmbH.
  9. ↑ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Ex-Factor". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved April 19, 2018.
  10. ↑ "Dutchcharts.nl – Lauryn Hill – Ex-Factor" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
  11. ↑ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
  12. ↑ "Swedishcharts.com – Lauryn Hill – Ex-Factor". Singles Top 100.
  13. ↑ "Swisscharts.com – Lauryn Hill – Ex-Factor". Swiss Singles Chart.
  14. ↑ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
  15. ↑ "Official R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company.
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