Ain't 2 Proud 2 Beg

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This article is about the song by TLC. For the song by the Temptations, see Ain't Too Proud to Beg.

"Ain't 2 Proud 2 Beg"
Single by TLC
from the album Ooooooohhh... On the TLC Tip
ReleasedNovember 22, 1991 (1991-11-22)
RecordedApril 1991[1]
Genre
Length
  • 5:37 (album version)
  • 4:10 (single edit)
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Dallas Austin
TLC singles chronology
"Word to the Badd!!"
(1991) 		"Ain't 2 Proud 2 Beg"
(1991) 		"Baby-Baby-Baby"
(1992)
Music video
"Ain't 2 Proud 2 Beg" on YouTube

"Ain't 2 Proud 2 Beg" is the debut single by American girl group TLC, from their debut album, Ooooooohhh... On the TLC Tip (1992). It was released by LaFace Records on November 22, 1991 (promo) and late January 1992 (retail). The song would ultimately peak at number six on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number two on Billboard's Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks. The single also reached the top 20 in the UK Singles Chart. The song describes the group explaining that they don't mind begging for attention from their significant others. Songwriters Dallas Austin and Lisa 'Left Eye' Lopes received a nomination for the 1993 Grammy Award for Best R&B Song. The song appeared in video games Dance Central 3 and the 2022 reboot of Saints Row.

Critical reception[edit]

In an retrospective review, Daryl McIntosh from Albumism remarked that on the song, "the fresh look and unique sound of the southern fried trio exploded with flavor that satisfied every taste bud as Chilli’s sweet soprano contrasted T-Boz’s tangy contralto, and Left Eye’s spicy lyrics and natural charisma brought all of the ingredients together." He added, "Throw in Dallas Austin’s production, and you had the perfect musical gumbo that listeners never imagined could be enjoyed in a single serving."[3] Robert Hilburn from Los Angeles Times wrote, "The title may be borrowed from a ‘60s Motown hit, but the playful, kinetic hip-hop attitude--youthful with a feminist edge--is right to the minute."[4]

Music video[edit]

The accompanying music video for "Ain't 2 Proud 2 Beg", filmed and produced in late 1991, features the girls wearing condoms, baggy clothes, and Lisa with a big hat and sunglasses. The video shows the girls singing, dancing and rapping and will occasionally have the girl's nicknames at the bottom of the screen. Some shots feature the group outside with people in the background and then them in front of a white background. In a BET interview, T-Boz and Chilli said they were trying to warm-up to the cameras in this video because it was their first one, and that Lisa was a natural because it was her "big break" and what she had "been waiting for". T-Boz also said amusedly that you can see her playing with her side-burns in the beginning, and Chilli stated it was her least favorite video they did. The end of the video shows the girls in character as hillbillies. The radio edit of the song is used instead of the album version. Their then-manager, Pebbles, also appears at the end of the video.

Track listing[edit]

Sample credits[edit]

The song uses seven samples. The most notable sample used is a sped-up sample of "School Boy Crush" by Average White Band. This same sample was used on Floetry's "Wanna B Where U R", "Microphone Fiend" by Eric B. & Rakim and Immature's "Watch Me Do My Thing". Immature, Eric B. & Rakim and Floetry also sped up their sample. The song also samples "Jungle Boogie" by Kool & the Gang, "Escapism" by James Brown, "Fly, Robin, Fly" by Silver Convention, "Get Me Back on Time, Engine Number 9, Pt. 1" by Wilson Pickett, "Take Me to the Mardi Gras" by Bob James and "I Want to Take You Higher" by Sly and the Family Stone.

Charts[edit]

Certifications[edit]

Region Certification Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA)[19] Platinum 1,000,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Release history[edit]

Region Date Format(s) Label(s) Ref.
United States November 22, 1991
  • 12-inch vinyl
  • cassette
 LaFace [20]
United Kingdom June 8, 1992
  • 7-inch vinyl
  • 12-inch vinyl
  • CD
  • cassette
[21]
Sweden June 29, 1992 CD [22]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Bronson, Fred (2003). The Billboard Book of Number One Hits. Billboard Books. ISBN 9780823076772. Archived from the original on January 3, 2014. Retrieved December 24, 2017.
  2. ^ Cinquemani, Sal (October 20, 2013). "TLC – 20". Slant Magazine. Retrieved August 4, 2016.
  3. ^ McIntosh, Daryl (February 24, 2022). "TLC's Debut Album 'Ooooooohhh... On the TLC Tip' Turns 30 — Anniversary Retrospective". Albumism. Retrieved June 15, 2022.
  4. ^ Hilburn, Robert (December 31, 1992). "Dance Energy Saves Dreary '92: Year-End Review". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved January 22, 2023.
  5. ^ "TLC – AIN'T 2 PROUD 2 BEG". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved December 5, 2017.
  6. ^ "Top RPM Dance/Urban: Issue 2140." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved February 8, 2020.
  7. ^ "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 9, no. 28. July 11, 1992. p. 11. Retrieved June 24, 2023.
  8. ^ "European Dance Radio" (PDF). Music & Media. July 4, 1992. p. 22. Retrieved October 31, 2021.
  9. ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 34, 1992" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved March 24, 2018.
  10. ^ "TLC – AIN'T 2 PROUD 2 BEG" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved December 5, 2017.
  11. ^ "TLC – AIN'T 2 PROUD 2 BEG". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved December 5, 2017.
  12. ^ "TLC: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved December 5, 2017.
  13. ^ "Top 60 Dance Singles" (PDF). Music Week. June 27, 1992. p. 22. Retrieved September 29, 2020.
  14. ^ "TLC Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved December 5, 2017.
  15. ^ "TLC Chart History (Dance Singles Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved April 11, 2022.
  16. ^ "TLC Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved December 5, 2017.
  17. ^ "Billboard Top 100 - 1992". Archived from the original on July 8, 2009. Retrieved July 30, 2010.
  18. ^ "1992 Year End Chart: R&B/Hip-Hop Songs". Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved January 27, 2012.
  19. ^ "American single certifications – TLC – Ain't 2 Proud 2 Beg". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved February 26, 2021.
  20. ^ "Classic Jam: TLC - Ain't 2 Proud 2 Beg". Univision.com. Retrieved January 30, 2018.
  21. ^ "New Releases: Singles". Music Week. June 6, 1992. p. 17.
  22. ^ "TLC: Ain't 2 Proud 2 Beg". click2music.se (in Swedish). Archived from the original on February 22, 2005. Retrieved November 30, 2023.
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