"Paradise" is a song by American rapper LL Cool J featuring American singer Amerie. The song was released on December 14,2002,as the second single from LL Cool J's ninth studio album,10 (2002). It also appears on the soundtrack to the 2003 film Deliver Us from Eva,in which LL Cool J stars alongside Gabrielle Union. "Paradise" embodies portions of Keni Burke's 1982 song "Risin' to the Top",penned by Burke,Allan Felder,and Norma Jean Wright.
"Paradise" was composed by LL Cool J,50 Cent,Amerie,and Jean-Claude Olivier and Samuel Barnes from production duo Trackmasters for the former's ninth studio album,10 (2002),with production overseen by Olivier and Barnes.[1] The song embodies portions of American singer Keni Burke's 1982 song "Risin' to the Top." Due to the sample,its songwriters,Burke,Allan Felder,and Norma Jean Wright,are also credited as songwriters on "Paradise."[1] 50 Cent contributed to writing the song's chorus,[2] which was later recorded by Amerie.[3] LL Cool J commented in August 2023:"He didn't write my rhymes [...] when that happened,I didn't even know 50 was involved. That was The Trackmasters,they got that done."[3]
Commercial performance
In the United States,where "Paradise" was released simultaneously with his collaboration with Jennifer Lopez,"All I Have," the song was commercially less successful than its predecessor,"Luv U Better," peaking at number 36 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 10 on the US Hot Rap Songs chart.[4][5] It fared better in the United Kingdom,where it opened and peaked at number 18 on the UK Singles Chart,[6] while also reaching number six on the UK Hip Hop/R&B chart.[7] "Paradise" also entered the Australian Singles Chart,peaking at number 28.[8]
Music video
A music video for "Paradise" was directed by Benny Boom and filmed in Maui,Hawaii in fall 2002.[9] Actress Gabrielle Union,LL Cool J's co-star in the romantic comedy film Deliver Us from Eva (2003),appears as his love interest in the visuals,with Amerie also appearing in the video.[9] In an interview with MTV News,LL Cool J commented on the shoot:"Doing that video was like a straight-up fantasy. We had villas on the beach with no television. It was crazy,the look of it,the vibe of it [...] Black sand beaches,waterfalls —it's a whole 'nother thing. It has a little story in it. Me and the young lady,I'm taking her all throughout paradise. It's the ultimate vacation and we're having a lot of fun."[9]
Track listings
UK CD single
"Paradise" (Album Version featuring Amerie) – 4:35
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