The Way You Move
"The Way You Move" is a hip-hop and soul song by the American hip hop duo OutKast, performed by its member Big Boi. The song features OutKast mentor Sleepy Brown on guest vocals. Along with "Hey Ya!", recorded by OutKast's other member André 3000, "The Way You Move" is one of the two lead singles from Speakerboxxx/The Love Below, OutKast's double album project that includes a solo album from each member.
This article is about the song by Outkast. For the song by Ne-Yo, see The Way You Move (Ne-Yo song). For the song by Bodyrockers, see I Like the Way (BodyRockers song). For the song by Tanita Tikaram, see The Way You Move (Tanita Tikaram song)."The Way You Move"
Released from Big Boi's Speakerboxxx half of the double album by LaFace and Arista Records on August 25, 2003, "The Way You Move" peaked at number one on the US Billboard Hot 100 the following year, becoming OutKast's third number-one pop single, and the 900th for Billboard. In 2009, it was named the 22nd most successful song of the 2000s on the Billboard Hot 100 Songs of the Decade.[3]
Song information[edit]
"The Way You Move" is credited to Big Boi, Sleepy Brown, and the song's producer, Carlton Mahone; Big Boi also does some co-production. Combining elements of bass music, Atlanta-style southern hip hop, and 1970s soul music, "The Way You Move" is Big Boi's light-hearted dedication to women.
The song's instrumental track is punctuated with the prominent live horn section "Hornz Unlimited" of Atlanta reminiscent of Earth, Wind and Fire, which features Sleepy Brown singing in style inspired by the work of Motown star Marvin Gaye.
Music video[edit]
The song's music video, directed by Bryan Barber, features Big Boi as the proprietor of a rim shop. The video's performance shots eventually gravitate to other locations during the video's running time, featuring several young women who Big Boi, dressed in a pimp's suit, attempts to pick up.
The video features an appearance from Fonzworth Bentley and another from actress Ki Toy Johnson. "The Way You Move" music video was designed to be shown in tandem with the video for André 3000's "Hey Ya!". A long-form "The Way You Move/Hey Ya!" video combines both clips with a bridging sequence. The music video opens with Big Boi and Sleepy Brown pulling into a garage that specializes in automotive audio systems.[4]
Chart performance[edit]
"The Way You Move" debuted at number 83 on the week ending September 27, 2003, a month after its release.[5] It would later reach number two for eight consecutive weeks behind the group's other lead single "Hey Ya!".
It finally replaced "Hey Ya!" at number one on February 14, 2004, where it stayed for one week, which was the sixth time a recording act has replaced itself on the Billboard pop chart.[6] "The Way You Move" was ranked number five on the 2004 Billboard Year-End Chart. On the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks chart, "The Way You Move" peaked at number two (seven positions higher than "Hey Ya!"), and topped the Hot Rap Tracks chart.