Jump to content

Steelo

Add links
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
"Steelo"
Single by 702 featuring Missy Elliott
from the album No Doubt
ReleasedAugust 27, 1996
RecordedMay 1996
StudioThe Record Plant (Los Angeles)
Genre
Length4:17
Label[Biv 10
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
702 singles chronology
"This Lil' Game We Play"
(1994) 		"Steelo"
(1996) 		"Get It Together"
(1997)
Missy Elliott singles chronology
"The Things That You Do"
(1996) 		"Steelo"
(1996) 		"Do Thangz"
(1996)

"Steelo" is a song recorded by American group 702 for their first studio album No Doubt (1996). It was written and produced Chad Elliott, Missy Elliott, and George Pearson, with production overseen by Chad Elliott and Pearson. The song contains a prominent sample from The Police's song "Voices Inside My Head", for which English musician Sting is also given songwriter credits for the use of the sample.

Released as the first single from No Doubt on August 27, 1996, by Biv 10 Records,[2] "Steelo" became a commercial success. It reached number 32 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and peaked within the top 20 on both Billboard's Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart and Dance Singles Saleschart. A remix of the song was used as the theme song of American children's sitcom Cousin Skeeter.

Writing and production

[edit]

"Steelo" was written by Chad Elliott, Missy Elliott, and George Pearson,[3] while its procution was overseen by Chad Elliott and Pearson.[3] Recording took place at The Record Plant, in Los Angeles.[3] The song contains a sample from The Police's song "Voices Inside My Head" (1980). English musician Sting, who wrote "Voices Inside My Head", was also credited as a songwriter for "Steelo."[3]

The term "steelo" was defined as "a person's style."[4] Although the term "steelo" had already been used by hip hop duo Mobb Deep in their song "Hit It from the Back" (1993),[5] the popularity of "Steelo" caused the slang word to become widespread, being added to various online dictionaries under the definition "[a person's] unique style".[4] Group member Meelah Williams admitted during 702's Unsung episode that she didn't understand the meaning of the word and that she would often forward people to Missy Elliott for the definition of "steelo".[6]

Critical reception

[edit]

Larry Flick from Billboard praised the song's production, calling it "infectious."[1] He also felt that lead singer "Kameelah Williams shows signs of becoming a major diva over time."[1] Ultimately, he noted that R&B programmers "are already nibbling on this potential smash" and that it will likely draw the attention of "top 40 tastemakers within moments."[1]

Commercial performance

[edit]

"Steelo" peaked at thirty-two on the U. Billboard Hot 100 and reached the twelfth spot on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop singles chart.[7] The song sold over 514,000 copies in the United States,[8] earning a Gold certification from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).[9]

Music video

[edit]

A music video for "Steelo" was directed by Brian Luvar.[10] Set in Boston, MA, it features choreography heavy group dance scenes, interspersed with community basketball games. Missy Elliott is featured on the song as well as in the video.[11] Former 702 member Tiffany Villarreal, who sings background vocals on the song, also made a cameo appearance in video. The visuals were serviced to music television networks BET amd MTV on the week ending September 15, 1996.[12]

Live performances

[edit]

702 performed "Steelo" on American sketch comedy show All That in 1996. In the same year, the group closed out a Showtime at the Apollo show with the song. The group also performed the song on American talk show Teen Summit, which aired on Black Entertainment Television (BET) in October 1996, and again in 1999.

Track listing

[edit]

Credits and personnel

[edit]

Credits lifted from the liner notes of 702.[3]

  • Chad "Dr. Ceuss" Elliott – producer, writer
  • Missy Elliott – guest vocalist, writer
  • George Pearson – producer, writer
  • Rashad Smith – producer, remixing
  • Gordon "Sting" Sumners – writer

Charts

[edit]

Certifications

[edit]
Certifications for "Steelo"
Region Certification Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA)[21] Gold 500,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Release history

[edit]
"Steelo" released history
Region Date Format(s) Label(s) Ref(s).
United States August 20, 1996 Rhythmic contemporary radio Motown [22]
August 27, 1996 CD [23]
United Kingdom November 25, 1996
[24]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d e Flick, Larry (October 26, 1996). "Reviews & Previews - New & Noteworthy". Billboard. Vol. 108, no. 43. p. 80. Retrieved June 26, 2022. Given the vocal prowess and natural charisma displayed on this pop-soaked, jeep-soul shuffler....
  2. ^ Steelo CD 1 - 702. AllMusic. Retrieved on April 11, 2024
  3. ^ a b c d e No Doubt (booklet). 702. Biv 10 Records, Motown Records. 1996.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  4. ^ a b Johnson Publishing Company (August 2, 1999). Destiny's Child among the hottest new female groups. Jet, Volume 96: No. 9, Page 26. Retrieved from https://books.google.com
  5. ^ Steelo. The Right Rhymes. Retrieved on April 11, 2024
  6. ^ Unsung: Missy Elliott FINALLY Confirms What 702’s Hit Song ‘Steelo’ Really Means!. TV One. Retrieved on April 11, 2024
  7. ^ "allmusic ((( No Doubt > Charts & Awards > Billboard Singles )))". Allmusic. Retrieved January 18, 2011.
  8. ^ King, Aliya S. (June 5, 1999). "Motown's 702 Shows Musical Growth With Its Second Release". Billboard. Vol. 111, no. 23. p. 65. ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved October 8, 2022.
  9. ^ "Gold & Platinum". Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). Retrieved July 13, 2018.
  10. ^ Garcia, Alex S. "mvdbase.com - 702 - "Steelo"". Music Video DataBase. Archived from the original on 2005-11-27. Retrieved September 5, 2015.
  11. ^ "701- Steelo". YouTube. 16 June 2009.
  12. ^ "Video Monitor". Billboard. September 28, 1996. p. 97. Retrieved September 18, 2023.
  13. ^ "702 – Steelo". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved August 18, 2011.
  14. ^ "702: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved December 3, 2017.
  15. ^ "Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved December 3, 2017.
  16. ^ "702 Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Archived from the original on November 18, 2021. Retrieved April 16, 2023.
  17. ^ "702 Chart History (Dance Singles Sales)". Billboard. Archived from the original on May 9, 2022. Retrieved April 16, 2023.
  18. ^ "702 Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Archived from the original on November 18, 2021. Retrieved April 16, 2023.
  19. ^ "Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs – Year-End 1996". Billboard. Retrieved July 18, 2021.
  20. ^ "Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs – Year-End 1997". Billboard. Retrieved October 20, 2021.
  21. ^ "American single certifications – 702 – Steelo". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved June 26, 2025.
  22. ^ "CHR/Rhythmic: Selected New Releases" (PDF). Radio & Records. August 16, 1996. p. 76. Retrieved September 5, 2023.
  23. ^ "702 - Steelo". Amazon. Retrieved September 5, 2023.
  24. ^ "New Releases – Singles: Releases For 25 Nov-1 Dec 1996" (PDF). Music Week. November 23, 1996. p. 29. Retrieved September 5, 2023.
[edit]

"Steelo" Music video on YouTube

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Steelo&oldid=1300787250"