"We Up" is a song by American hip hop artist 50 Cent. It was released as the third single from his shelved studio album, Street King Immortal, and his last to be released under Shady/Aftermath.[1] It was officially released to public on March 22, 2013, on Interscope Records' SoundCloud account, and made available for purchase on March 25, 2013.[2][3] The song features American rapper and Aftermath labelmate Kendrick Lamar, and production from Roc Nation producer Davaughn. It uses a sample from "Something About Us" by Daft Punk, who received a songwriting credit.[4] The song was released to Rhythmic contemporary radio on May 28, 2013.

"We Up"
Single by 50 Cent featuring Kendrick Lamar
from the album Street King Immortal (shelved)
ReleasedMarch 25, 2013 (2013-03-25)
Genre
Length3:18
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
  • Davaughn
50 Cent singles chronology
"Major Distribution"
(2013)
"We Up"
(2013)
"Don't Worry 'Bout It"
(2014)
Kendrick Lamar singles chronology
"Bitch, Don't Kill My Vibe"
(2013)
"We Up"
(2013)
"Memories Back Then"
(2013)

Background

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A different version of the song came out as a preview in January featuring 50 Cent's two verses and one by Kidd Kidd, which was later removed from the final version of the song. It was also intended to be a song of Kidd Kidd's mixtape, but ended up being 50 Cent's song.[5] The full version of it, featuring Kidd Kidd, Kendrick Lamar and only one verse by 50 Cent, was released on February 15, 2013.[6]

The single version of 'We Up' was released on March 22, 2013, with Kidd Kidd removed from the track. A verse by 50 previewed in January, which wasn't on its full version, was re-added to it.[2] It was made available for purchase on digital retailers, such as Amazon.com and iTunes Store, on March 25, 2013.[3]

Music video

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Two music videos were shot, for different versions of the song. The first one released, called "video before the video", didn't include appearances from Kendrick Lamar though his verse was still played. It had 50 Cent and Kidd Kidd in it, holding bottles and wearing suits while singing their parts as it was already shown in the song's preview.[7]

The video for song's single version was shot in Los Angeles.[8] A behind-the-scenes video was featured in VH1's series Behind the Music mastered episode of 50 Cent aired in March.[9] It came out on March 25, 2013, on 50 Cent's VEVO channel.[10] Both videos were directed by fellow video director Eif Rivera.

The music video on YouTube has received over 60 million views as of April 2024.[11]

Live performances

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While performing at Roseland Ballroom in New York City on February 27, 2013, Kendrick Lamar brought out 50 Cent for We Up's performance, along with G-Unit rapper Tony Yayo.[12]

Track listing

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Digital download[13]
  1. "We Up" (featuring Kendrick Lamar) - 3:18

Credits and personnel

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Chart performance

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Weekly charts

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Chart (2013) Peak
position
Belgium (Ultratop Flanders Urban)[14] 32
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[15] 85
France (SNEP)[16] 135
South Korea (GAON)[17] 25
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[18] 50

Release history

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Country Date Format Label Ref
Worldwide March 25, 2013 Digital download [3]
United States May 28, 2013 Rhythmic contemporary radio [19]

References

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  1. ^ "50 Cent: "I get high off being right"". Digital Spy. 4 June 2014.
  2. ^ a b "50 Cent - We Up (feat. Kendrick Lamar)". ThisIs50.com. Retrieved 22 March 2013.
  3. ^ a b c "We Up [Explicit]: 50 Cent: Official Music". Amazon.com. Amazon.com, Inc. Retrieved 21 March 2013.
  4. ^ ASCAP Work ID 885236810; ISWC T9100378958
  5. ^ "50 Cent x Kidd Kidd x Kendrick Lamar - We Up (Preview) - TI50". ThisIs50.com. Retrieved 22 March 2013.
  6. ^ "50 Cent Ft Kendrick Lamar & Kidd Kidd – We Up". Xclusives Zone. Retrieved 22 March 2013.
  7. ^ "50 Cent – We Up f. Kendrick Lamar & Kidd Kidd (Video)". 2dopeboyz. Retrieved 22 March 2013.
  8. ^ "50 Cent – "We Up" ft. Kendrick Lamar (Behind The Scenes)". Diverse Hip Hop. Retrieved 21 March 2013.
  9. ^ "Watch VH1's Remastered "Behind The Music" Featuring 50 Cent". XXL. Harris Publications, Inc. 21 March 2013. Retrieved 22 March 2013.
  10. ^ "Video: 50 Cent f/ Kendrick Lamar – 'We Up'". Rap-Up.com. Retrieved 25 March 2013.
  11. ^ 50 Cent - We Up (Explicit) ft. Kendrick Lamar.YouTube
  12. ^ "Kendrick Lamar & 50 Cent Perform "We Up" In NYC". Diverse Hip Hop. Retrieved 22 March 2013.
  13. ^ "We Up (feat. Kendrick Lamar) - Single by 50 Cent". iTunes Store. Apple Inc. January 2013. Retrieved November 11, 2013.
  14. ^ ultratop.be - 50 Cen feat. Kendrick Lamar - We Up (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved January 30, 2014.
  15. ^ "50 Cent Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved April 13, 2013.
  16. ^ "50 Cent feat. Kendrick Lamar – We Up" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved April 13, 2013.
  17. ^ "South Korea Gaon International Chart (Gaon Chart". Gaon Chart. Retrieved March 31, 2013.
  18. ^ "50 Cent Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved April 13, 2013.
  19. ^ "Top 40 Rhythmic Future Releases". AllAccess. AllAccess Music Group. Archived from the original on May 2, 2013. Retrieved May 23, 2013.
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