Wait a Minute (Ray J song)

"Wait a Minute"
Single by Ray J featuring Lil' Kim
from the album This Ain't a Game
Released	May 1, 2001
Recorded	November 2000
Genre	R&B hip hop
Label	Atlantic
Songwriter(s)	William Norwood Jr. Kimberly Jones Pharrell Williams Chad Hugo
Producer(s)	The Neptunes
Ray J singles chronology
"Another Day in Paradise" (2001) "Wait a Minute" (2001) "Formal Invite" (2002)
Lil' Kim singles chronology
"How Many Licks?" (2000) "Wait a Minute" (2001) "Lady Marmalade" (2001)

"Wait a Minute" is a song performed by American singer Ray J, which served as the lead single from his second studio album This Ain't a Game (2001). The song features guest vocals from then-Atlantic labelmate Lil' Kim, and production by duo the Neptunes; member Pharrell Williams performs its chorus. Ray J's first single since "Let It Go" (1997) to reach the top 40 of the Billboard charts, the song peaked at number 30 and reached number 8 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.

Music video

A music video for the single directed by Billie Woodruff, featured cameo appearances by Jackie Long, Pharrell Williams and Ray J's sister Brandy and was released in June 2001, and received heavy rotation on music channels such as BET.

Chart performance

It also scored moderate success overseas, particularly in the UK, with a number 54 placement on the UK Singles Chart. The single appeared on the charts in Germany and Switzerland.

Samples

In August 2024, rappers Dyce Payso and Fatman Scoop released the single "Let It Go", which heavily samples the instrumental to "Wait a Minute".^[1]

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (2001)	Peak position
Germany (GfK)[2]	72
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[3]	75
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[4]	80
UK Singles (OCC)[5]	54
UK Dance (OCC)[6]	15
UK Hip Hop/R&B (OCC)[7]	15
US Billboard Hot 100[8]	30
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[9]	8
US Rhythmic (Billboard)[10]	17

Year-end charts

Chart (2001)	Position
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[11]	52

References

1. "LL Cool J Comes Full Force, A$AP Rocky Spars With J. Cole, Sexyy Red Flaunts Her Clout, And Other Hip-Hop Releases". Vibe. September 6, 2024. Retrieved September 7, 2024.
2. "Ray J feat. Lil' Kim – Wait a Minute" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved May 19, 2021.
3. "Ray J feat. Lil' Kim – Wait a Minute" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved May 19, 2021.
4. "Ray J feat. Lil' Kim – Wait a Minute". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved May 19, 2021.
5. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved May 19, 2021.
6. "Official Dance Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved July 21, 2023.
7. "Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved May 19, 2021.
8. "Ray J Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved May 19, 2021.
9. "Ray J Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved May 19, 2021.
10. "Ray J Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard. Retrieved May 19, 2021.
11. "2001 The Year in Music". Billboard. Vol. 113, no. 52. December 29, 2001. p. YE-44. Retrieved May 19, 2021.