Ghetto Supastar (That Is What You Are)

"Ghetto Superstar (That Is What You Are)"
Single by Pras Michel featuring Ol' Dirty Bastard and Mýa
from the album Ghetto Superstar and Bulworth O.S.T.
Released June 6, 1998 (1998-06-06)
Format CD single, cassette single
Recorded 1997
Genre Hip hop, R&B
Length 4:26
Label Interscope
Songwriter(s) Barry Gibb, Maurice Gibb, Robin Gibb, Wyclef Jean, Russell Jones, Pras
Producer(s) Jerry 'Wonda' Duplessis, Wyclef Jean
Pras Michel singles chronology
"Avenues"
(1997)		 "Ghetto Superstar (That Is What You Are)"
(1998)		 "Blue Angels"
(1998)
Mýa singles chronology
"It's All About Me"
(1998) It's All About Me1998		 "Ghetto Supastar"
(1998) Ghetto Supastar1998		 "Movin' On"
(1998) Movin' On1998
Ol' Dirty Bastard singles chronology
"Come Over To My Place"
(1998) Come Over To My Place1998		 "Ghetto Supastar"
(1998) Ghetto Supastar1998		 "Got's Like Come On Thru"
(1999) Got's Like Come On Thru1999

"Ghetto Superstar (That Is What You Are)" is a song by American rapper Pras, featuring rapper Ol' Dirty Bastard and R&B singer Mýa. It was released on June 6, 1998. The track samples Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton's 1983 single "Islands in the Stream" and was produced by Wyclef Jean and Jerry 'Wonda" Duplessis for Pras' debut solo studio album, Ghetto Superstar. It was also featured on the soundtrack for the 1998 film Bulworth.

Background

The song's writers are Prakazrel Michel, Wyclef Jean, Russell Jones, Barry Gibb, Robin Gibb, and Maurice Gibb.

The song was released on the 6th June, 1998 in the United States. The single was a commercial success; it peaked at number fifteen for 5 consecutive weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 and number eight on Billboard's Hot R&B/Hip Hop Songs. The single was certified platinum in the United States by Recording Industry Association of America. "Ghetto Superstar" was a critical and commercial success worldwide, peaking at number two in the UK, Sweden, and Australia, number four in Spain, number nine in Canada, as well as topping the charts in eight countries. In 1999, the song received a nomination for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group at the 41st Grammy Awards. There was a non-album remix version of the song that was performed live many times with Canibus.

According to Pras, the song was originally intended to be a collaboration only between himself and Mya. Ol' Dirty Bastard was in the same building, recording with Sunz of Man and mistakenly burst into the studio where Pras and Mya were setting up. Ol' Dirty Bastard heard the song and asked to be part of it, to which Pras agreed.

Music video

Francis Lawrence directed the video, which features actress Halle Berry and actors Warren Beatty, Oliver Platt, and Joshua Malina. In a play on the theme of the film, which is a prominent white politician acting like a Black American, Bulworth in the music video begins to stretch his mouth, revealing himself to be Pras in a mask, who has just become the first African-American U.S. president. Shortly after Pras gets pushed in an elevator, he takes off his suit and performs. Wyclef Jean also appears on the set playing the bass guitar riff at the end of the song. It was nominated for an MTV Video Music Award for Best Rap Video and Best Video from a Film. Another three nominations on the 1998 Billboard Video Music Awards for Best New Artist Clip (Pop), Best New Artist Clip (Rap), and Best New Artist Clip (R&B). It won an 8th Annual MVPA Award in 1999.

Bee Gees' recorded version

The Bee Gees recorded a version of "Islands in the Stream" with the chorus of "Ghetto Supastar" replacing the final chorus for their retrospective 2001 compilation Their Greatest Hits: The Record. It also appeared on their 2004 Number Ones and on the 2010 Mythology box set.[1]

Cover versions

"Weird Al" Yankovic included the song in his polka medley "Polka Power!" from his 1999 album Running with Scissors.

In August 2011, Taylor Swift covered "Ghetto Supastar" during the North American leg of her Speak Now World Tour. In each city, she chose to pay tribute to a homegrown artist. In Washington, D.C., she performed an acoustic version of "Ghetto Supastar", given that Mýa is from Washington, D.C. Swift referred to the song as her "seventh grade anthem".[2][3][4]

In 2017, singer/actress Vanessa Hudgens posted a video of herself singing "Ghetto Supastar" a capella on Instagram.[5]

Track listing

  • German CD single[6]
    1. "Ghetto Supastar" (Main Version) - 4:26
    2. "Ghetto Supastar" (Instrumental) - 4:26
    3. "Ghetto Supastar" (Acapella) - 4:08
    4. "Don't Be Afraid" (performed by Mýa) - 4:48
  • UK CD single[7]
    1. "Ghetto Supastar" (Main Version) - 4:26
    2. "Ghetto Supastar" (Instrumental) - 4:26
    3. "Don't Be Afraid" (performed by Mýa) - 4:48
  • 12" vinyl[8]
    1. "Ghetto Supastar" (Main Version) - 4:26
    2. "Ghetto Supastar" (TV Mix) - 4:26
    3. "Ghetto Supastar" (Instrumental) - 4:26
    4. "Ghetto Supastar" (Acapella) - 4:08

Personnel

  • Written by P. Michel, W. Jean, B. Gibb, M. Gibb, R. Gibb, J. Brown, B. Byrd, R. Lenhoff
  • Contains a sample from "The Dream Shatterer" by Big Punisher
  • Contains an interpolation of "Islands In The Stream" by the Bee Gees and samples "Get Up, Get Into It, Get Involved" by James Brown
  • Taken from the soundtrack of Bulworth
  • Engineered by Chris Theis and Phil Blackman
  • Soundtrack executive producer: Karyn Rachtman
  • Original sound recordings owned by Interscope Records
  • Universal Music (UK) Ltd. are exclusive licensees for the United Kingdom
  • Distributed by BMG Records (UK) Ltd.
  • Pras appears courtesy of Refugee Camp Entertainment / RuffHouse / Columbia Records
  • ODB appears courtesy of Elektra Entertainment Group
  • Mýa appears courtesy of University Music Entertainment / Interscope

Charts

Certifications

Region CertificationCertified units/Sales
Australia (ARIA)[41] Platinum 70,000^
Austria (IFPI Austria)[42] Platinum 50,000*
Belgium (BEA)[43] Platinum 50,000*
France (SNEP)[44] Gold 250,000*
Germany (BVMI)[45] Platinum 500,000^
Netherlands (NVPI)[46] Gold 50,000^
New Zealand (RMNZ)[47] Platinum 10,000*
Norway (IFPI Norway)[48] Platinum 10,000*
Sweden (GLF)[49] Platinum 30,000^
United Kingdom (BPI)[50] Platinum 600,000^

*sales figures based on certification alone
^shipments figures based on certification alone
double-daggersales+streaming figures based on certification alone

References

  1. ↑ "Gibb Songs : 2001". columbia.edu.
  2. ↑ "Videos: Taylor Swift's Coast-to-Coast Cover Songs". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2017-12-19.
  3. ↑ "Taylor Covers Pras & Mya's "Ghetto Superstar" - Taylor Swift's Most Hip-Hop Moments". Complex. Retrieved 2017-12-19.
  4. ↑ "Taylor Swift Covers TLC, Eminem, & Mya [Video]". Rap-Up. Retrieved 2017-12-19.
  5. ↑ "'Feeling Myself': Vanessa Hudgens Sings 'Ghetto Supastar' in a Purple Wig". People. Retrieved 2017-12-19.
  6. ↑ "Pras Michel Featuring ODB* & Introducing Mȳa* - Ghetto Supastar (That Is What You Are)". Discogs.
  7. ↑ "Pras Michel Featuring ODB* & Introducing Mȳa* - Ghetto Supastar (That Is What You Are)". Discogs.
  8. ↑ "Pras Michel Featuring Ol' Dirty Bastard & Introducing Mya - GhettoSupastar (That Is What You Are)". Discogs.
  9. ↑ "Australian-charts.com – PRAS MICHEL FEAT. ODB & INTR. MÝA – Ghetto Supastar (That Is What You Are)". ARIA Top 50 Singles.
  10. ↑ "Austriancharts.at – PRAS MICHEL FEAT. ODB & INTR. MÝA – Ghetto Supastar (That Is What You Are)" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40.
  11. ↑ "Ultratop.be – PRAS MICHEL FEAT. ODB & INTR. MÝA – Ghetto Supastar (That Is What You Are)" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50.
  12. ↑ "Ultratop.be – PRAS MICHEL FEAT. ODB & INTR. MÝA – Ghetto Supastar (That Is What You Are)" (in French). Ultratop 50.
  13. ↑ "Item Display - RPM - Library and Archives Canada". collectionscanada.gc.ca.
  14. ↑ "Hits Of The World". Billboard. August 22, 1998. p. 41. Retrieved March 18, 2018.
  15. ↑ "Euro Chart Hot 100" (PDF). Music & Media. 1998-08-01. p. 11. Retrieved January 7, 2018.
  16. ↑ "Lescharts.com – PRAS MICHEL FEAT. ODB & INTR. MÝA – Ghetto Supastar (That Is What You Are)" (in French). Les classement single.
  17. ↑ "PRAS MICHEL FEAT. ODB & INTR. MÝA: Ghetto Supastar (That Is What You Are)" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland.
  18. ↑ "Musicline.de – Pras Michel feat. ODB & Mya Single-Chartverfolgung" (in German). Media Control Charts. PhonoNet GmbH.
  19. ↑ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Ghetto Supastar (That Is What You Are)". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved March 18, 2018.
  20. ↑ "Hits Of The World". Billboard. September 12, 1998. p. 74. Retrieved March 18, 2018.
  21. ↑ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 27, 1998" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40 Retrieved December 8, 2017.
  22. ↑ "Dutchcharts.nl – PRAS MICHEL FEAT. ODB & INTR. MÝA – GHETTO SUPASTAR (THAT IS WHAT YOU ARE)" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 2017-12-8.
  23. ↑ "Charts.nz – PRAS MICHEL FEAT. ODB & INTR. MÝA – Ghetto Supastar (That Is What You Are)". Top 40 Singles.
  24. ↑ "Norwegiancharts.com – PRAS MICHEL FEAT. ODB & INTR. MÝA – Ghetto Supastar (That Is What You Are)". VG-lista.
  25. ↑ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
  26. ↑ "Hits Of The World". Billboard. October 24, 1998. p. 61. Retrieved March 18, 2018.
  27. ↑ "Swedishcharts.com – PRAS MICHEL FEAT. ODB & INTR. MÝA – Ghetto Supastar (That Is What You Are)". Singles Top 100.
  28. ↑ "Swisscharts.com – PRAS MICHEL FEAT. ODB & INTR. MÝA – Ghetto Supastar (That Is What You Are)". Swiss Singles Chart.
  29. ↑ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
  30. ↑ "Official Dance Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved December 3, 2017.
  31. ↑ "Official R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company.
  32. ↑ "Mya Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved December 14, 2017.
  33. ↑ "Mya Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved December 14, 2017.
  34. ↑ "Mya Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved November 30, 2017.
  35. ↑ "Mya Chart History (Hot Rap Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved December 14, 2017.
  36. ↑ "Mya Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard. Retrieved November 30, 2017.
  37. ↑ "ARIA Charts - End Of Year Charts - Top 100 Singles 1998". Australian Recording Industry Association. Archived from the original on 2016-02-29. Retrieved 2011-04-19.
  38. ↑ "Top 100 Single-Jahrescharts" (in German). GfK Entertainment. Retrieved August 7, 2015.
  39. ↑ "End of Year Charts 1998". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved December 4, 2017.
  40. ↑ "Longbored Surfer". longboredsurfer.com. Archived from the original on 2010-01-26.
  41. ↑ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 1998 Singles". ARIA Charts. Retrieved July 6, 2018.
  42. ↑ "Austrian single certifications – Pras – Ghetto Supastar" (in German). IFPI Austria. Retrieved July 6, 2018. Enter Pras in the field Interpret. Enter Ghetto Supastar in the field Titel. Select single in the field Format. Click Suchen. 
  43. ↑ "Award 1998". Belgian Entertainment Association. Retrieved July 6, 2018.
  44. ↑ "French single certifications – Pras – Ghetto Supastar" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Retrieved July 6, 2018.
  45. ↑ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Pras; 'Ghetto Supastar')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved July 6, 2018.
  46. ↑ "Dutch single certifications – Pras – Ghetto Supastar" (in Dutch). Nederlandse Vereniging van Producenten en Importeurs van beeld- en geluidsdragers. Enter Ghetto Supastar in the "Artiest of titel" box.
  47. ↑ "Top 50 Singles Chart, 22 September 1998". Recording Industry Association of New Zealand. Retrieved 2018-07-06.
  48. ↑ "IFPI Norsk platebransje Trofeer 1993–2011" (in Norwegian). IFPI Norway. Retrieved July 6, 2018.
  49. ↑ "Guld- och Platinacertifikat − År 1987−1998" (PDF) (in Swedish). IFPI Sweden. Retrieved July 6, 2018.
  50. ↑ "British single certifications – Pras – Ghetto Supastar". British Phonographic Industry. Select singles in the Format field. Select Platinum in the Certification field. Type Ghetto Supastar in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
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