Wifey (song) explained

"Wifey" is a song by American R&B trio Next. The song was written by Eddie Berkeley, Keir Gist, band member Robert "RL" Huggar, and singer Lil' Mo for the group's second studio album, Welcome II Nextasy (2000). The song was released as the album's lead single on May 8, 2000. "Wifey" peaked at number one on the US Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks chart while reaching number seven on the Billboard Hot 100. It also entered the top 20 in New Zealand and the United Kingdom. In 2001, the song won an AWARD Rhythm & Soul Award for in the Award-Winning R&B/Hip-Hop Songs category.^[1]

Music video

Directed by Jeff Richter, the video shows imagery of the band members treating their significant women with care as the video cuts to a stage where the guys along with three female dancers appear and perform on the stage. It then shows each member of the group attracting a woman ranging from velvet ropes outside a club, the bedroom and in the bathroom when the woman soaks in the bathtub. RJ’s “Wifey” is actress Natashia Williams.

Track listings

US and European CD single^{[2] [3]}

1. "Wifey" (radio mix) – 4:05
2. "Wifey" (instrumental) – 4:05

US maxi-CD single^[4]

1. "Wifey" (radio mix) – 4:05
2. "Wifey" (instrumental) – 4:05
3. "Jerk" (club mix featuring 50 Cent) – 3:47
4. "Jerk" (TV track featuring 50 Cent) – 3:47
5. "Wifey" (a cappella) – 3:40

US 12-inch single^[5]

A1. "Wifey" (album mix) – 4:05

A2. "Wifey" (instrumental) – 4:05

A3. "Wifey" (a cappella) – 3:45

B1. "Jerk" (club mix featuring 50 Cent) – 3:46

B2. "Jerk" (radio mix featuring 50 Cent) – 3:46

B3. "Jerk" (TV track featuring 50 Cent) – 3:46UK CD single^[6]

1. "Wifey" – 4:03
2. "Wifey (DYNK vocal mix featuring Easy) – 5:22
3. "Wifey (DYNK 4 dub) – 5:22

UK 12-inch single^[7]

A1. "Wifey" – 4:02

A2. "Wifey (DYNK vocal mix) – 5:30

B1. "Wifey (DYNK vocal mix featuring Easy) – 5:22

B2. "Wifey (DYNK 4 dub) – 5:09

German CD single^[8]

1. "Wifey" (radio mix) – 4:10
2. "Jerk" (featuring 50 Cent) – 3:46
3. "Wifey" (instrumental) – 4:07
4. "Too Close" – 4:19

Personnel

Personnel are adapted from the liner notes of Welcome II Nextasy.^[9]

• Eddie Berkeley – writing, production
• Raphael "Tweety" Brown – vocals
• Terry "T-Low" Brown – vocals
• Robert "R.L." Huggar – writing, vocals
• KayGee – mixing, production, writing
• Adam Kudzin – mixing
• Lil' Mo – writing, additional vocals
• Shane Stoneback – engineering assistance

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (2000)	Peak position
Australia (ARIA)[10]	64
Europe (European Hot 100 Singles)[11]	56
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40 Tipparade)[12]	1

Year-end charts

Chart (2000)	Position
UK Urban (Music Week)[13]	3
US Billboard Hot 100[14]	53
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks (Billboard)[15]	14
US Rhythmic Top 40 (Billboard)[16]	19

Release history

Region	Date	Format(s)	Label(s)
United States	May 8, 2000	Urban radio	Arista	[17]
	May 9, 2000	Rhythmic contemporary radio		[18]
	June 20, 2000	Contemporary hit radio		[19]
United Kingdom	September 4, 2000			[20]

Notes and References

1. Rhythm & Soul: ASCAP Congratulates Our 2001 Rhythm and Soul Award Honorees. Billboard. 113. 24. 2–3. June 16, 2001. 0006-2510.
2. Wifey. Next. 2000. US CD single liner notes. Arista Records. 07822-13881-2.
3. Wifey. Next. 2000. European CD single liner notes. Arista Records. 74321 77670-2.
4. Wifey. Next. 2000. US maxi-CD single liner notes. Arista Records. 07822-15098-2.
5. Wifey. Next. 2000. US 12-inch single vinyl disc. Arista Records. 07822-13856-1.
6. Wifey. Next. 2000. UK CD single liner notes. Arista Records. 74321 790912.
7. Wifey. Next. 2000. UK 12-inch single vinyl disc. Arista Records. 74321 79091 1.
8. Wifey. Next. 2000. German CD single liner notes. Arista Records. 74321 77671 2.
9. Welcome II Nextasy. Welcome II Nextasy. Next. 2000. US CD album liner notes. Arista Records. 07822-14643-2.
10. 202.
11. Eurochart Hot 100. Music & Media. 17. 39. 15. September 23, 2000. May 6, 2022.
12. Web site: Tipparade-lijst van week 41, 2000. dutch. Dutch Top 40. March 17, 2023.
13. Top 40 Urban Tracks Of 2000. Music Week. 20. January 13, 2001. August 4, 2023.
14. Web site: Billboard Top 100 – 2000. August 31, 2010.
15. The Year in Music 2000: Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks. Billboard. 112. 53. YE-54. December 30, 2000.
16. Most Played Rhythmic Top 40 Songs of 2000. Airplay Monitor. 8. 51. 56. December 22, 2000.
17. AddVance Notice. Radio & Records. 1349. 96. May 5, 2000. May 27, 2021.
18. Gavin Top 40/Rhythm Crossover: Impact Dates. Gavin Report. 2303. 9. May 5, 2000.
19. Gavin Top 40/Rhythm Crossover: Impact Dates. Gavin Report. 2309. 10. June 16, 2000.
20. New Releases – For Week Starting September 4, 2000: Singles. Music Week. 29. September 2, 2000. August 4, 2021.