"Break Up" is a song by American singer Mario from his fourth studio album D.N.A. (2009). It features and was co-written by Gucci Mane and Sean Garrett, with production and additional writing from Shondrae "Bangladesh" Crawford.[3] Released by J Records on April 28, 2009 as the album's lead single, it was first premiered on the radio station V-103 at March 30, 2009 with Greg Street.[4]
The song earned largely positive reviews from music critics, some of whom compared Bangladesh's productions to Beyoncé's "Diva" (2009) and Lil Wayne's "A Milli" (2008).[5] A major success, "Break Up" reached number 14 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and peaked at number two on the US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, becoming Mario's fourth top five hit on the chart as well as his biggest hit since "Let Me Love You" (2004), eventually reaching Platinum status in the US. At the 2009 Soul Train Music Awards, it was nominated in the Best Collaboration category.[6]
Background
"Break Up" was written by Sean Garrett and Shondrae "Bangladesh" Crawford, with additional writing from Gucci Mane.[7] Initially written for a different artist,[8] Mario commented on the track in a 2009 interview: "It’s a club record and every man has experienced this situation before. It's like why would you want to break up with me when you gon' get the same thing with the next man. But, he ain't gon do it as fly as I can. I can't wait to perform it. It's going to be a movie. Look for the movie! We're not calling this a single or a video, we're calling it a movie."[3] He further told Singersroom the same year: "It’s written in a very different way than I would usually sing or perform a situation like that. It’s written from a male perspective [..] more like "why," like" why break up when you’re going to have to do the same thing with somebody else (and) start all over again." So it’s definitely a true story."[9]
Critical reception
The song earned largely positive reviews from music critics, although some noted that the drums are simplistic and resemble Bangladesh's previous productions such as Beyoncé's "Diva" (2009) and Lil Wayne's "A Milli" (2008).[5] In his review of parent album D.N.A.AllMusic editor Andy Kellmann noted that song was turning "out to be his fourth album's greatest deviation from the back catalog, carrying a laggard and sparse pulse to back Mario's whiny swagger."[10]Now's Andrew Rennie remarked that the "Bangladesh-produced "Break Up," with Gucci Mane and Sean Garrett, lends the album street cred."[11] DjBooth.net remarkd that "while Gucci Mane's guest verse [..] might seem unnecessary to some, Sean Garrett's writing and background vocals, together with Bangladesh's repetitive, percussion-heavy beat add up to what could be one of the most widely-spun singles of spring/summer '09!."[5]
The music video for "Break Up" was filmed in various locations throughout Baltimore, Maryland.[16]
A music video for "Break Up," directed by Chris Robinson, was shot in the second week of June 2009 in Baltimore, Maryland.[17] Large portions of the visuals were filmed in a new complex on the Inner Harbor.[16] Audra Simmons of R&B girl group RichGirl plays the role of Mario's girlfriend, who wants to break up with him. In the video, it is shown that they argue and he is not a trustworthy boyfriend, as he is seen flirting with another girl in a club. He still tries to look for her, however, remarking in the song that although he cheats, he loves her.[18] Fellow RichGirl member Christina "Brave" Williams also makes a short appearance in which she and Simmons are shown catching Mario in the act with another girl.[18] Model Rosa Acosta also makes an appearance.[18]
On July 2, Mario announced on his Twitter that he would be on BET's video countdown show 106 & Park to premiere the music video,[19][20] However, on July 7, it was announced on his website that the video would world premiere exclusively on WorldStarHipHop on July 9.[18] The video quickly rose on 106 & Park: It debuted at number 10,[21] eventully moving to number 7. On July 22, it moved up to number 3 on the countdown. By the end of the week, the video reached number 1.[22] Due its success, "Break Up" was placed at number 7 on BET's Notarized: Top 100 Videos of 2009 countdown.[23]
Other versions
Various unofficial remixes were made with Mario, Gucci Mane and Sean Garrett still included: one with Bow Wow, another with Nicki Minaj and the last featuring Rick Ross and Young Breed. American rapper Tyga made a freestyle of the song. R&B singer Trey Songz released a version called "Wake Up" with changed lyrics.
Lil Wayne also did a remix on his No Ceilings mixtape.
