Ayo! (Mýa song)

"Ayo!"
"Ayo!" cover
Promotional single by Mýa featuring DJ Kool
Released	September 26, 2006
Format	Digital download, CD Single. 12" Single
Genre	R&B, go-go, hip hop
Length	3:50
Label	Universal Motown
Writer	Chris M. Henderson, Mýa Harrison, J. Bowman Jr, Charlie Smalls
Producer	Chris Henderson

"Ayo!" is a song by American recording artist Mýa. It served as a promotional single for her fourth studio album Liberation (2007) and featured Washington D.C. native DJ Kool. Initially, released as the first intended single from Liberation however though the single failed to pick up as Harrison was going through transitioning from former label Interscope to her current label Universal Motown.^[1] The song was written and composed by Harrison, Christopher “Deep” Henderson and Charlie Smalls. It sampled an interpolation from the composition He’s the Wizard written by Charlie Smalls.

The song received generally positive reviews from contemporary music critics comparing the song’s production to TLC’s classic ‘90s album "CrazySexyCool". Ayo! became a minor hit on Billboard’s Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart peaking at number seventy. No music video was released for the song due to it not being picked up as a single.

Background

Ayo! samples an interpolation of He's The Wizard by Thelma Carpenter from the soundtrack to The Wiz. The Wiz is an adaptation of L. Frank Baum's The Wonderful Wizard of Oz which features an entire African American cast. The film starred Diana Ross and Michael Jackson as well as Thelma Carpenter playing the role of Miss One, the Good Witch of the North. The song is sung by Carpenter and The Munchkins when Dorothy Gale (Ross) and Toto arrives in Oz. The song was originally written by Charlie Smalls for the musical and film, so therefore he is credited for the sample recording.^[2]

Reception

Billboard magazine gave the song a positive review: "Mýa has become the new captain of sexy, single ladies as she struts her way back into the spotlight. New single, "AYO" (pronounced "ee-yo"), featuring hip-hop veteran DJ Kool, is a party anthem that finds the sultry singer just "tryin' to enjoy herself," while hating on the men who can't keep her interest, satisfy or keep it real day-to-da. From the start, the beat takes charge, complemented by loud brassy horns and tight percussion; the hook is fresh, catchy and simplistic. "AYO" brings back a bit of old school, reminiscent of TLC's classic 1990s "CrazySexyCool," and leads independent women straight to the doors of the party. Look for her fourth full-length set, "Liberation" Nov. 14."^[3]

Track listing & formats

European CD Single & Promo Single[4] Ayo! (Radio Edit) Rap Featuring DJ Kool – 3:50 Ayo! (W/O DJ Kool Radio Edit) – 3:28 U.S. 12" Single[5] A1 Ayo! (Radio Edit) A2 Ayo! (Instrumental) A3 Ayo! (Acappella) B1 Ayo! (Main) B2 Ayo! (Dj Kool Radio Edit) Netherlands CDr Single & Promo Single[6] Ayo! (Radio Edit) Rap Featuring DJ Kool – 3:50 Ayo! (W/O DJ Kool Radio Edit) – 3:28 Chart Weekly charts Chart (2006) Peak position US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[7] 70 Release history Region Date Format Label United States August 21, 2006 Rhythmic/Crossover[8] Universal Motown August 28, 2006 Rhythmic/Crossover[8][9] September 26, 2006 Digital download[10] References "New Music: Mya - "Ayo"". About.com. Retrieved 2012-04-19. "Creators:Charlie Smalls". thewizthemusical.com. Retrieved 2011-02-24. "Ayo". EBSCO Publishing. Retrieved 2013-01-21. "Mȳa* Featuring DJ Kool – Ayo!(CD)". Discogs. Retrieved 2012-02-26. "Mȳa* Featuring DJ Kool – Ayo!(Vinyl)". Discogs. Retrieved 2012-02-26. "Mȳa* Featuring DJ Kool – Ayo!(CDr)". Discogs. Retrieved 2012-02-26. "Mýa – Chart history" Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs for Mýa. Retrieved 2011-05-05. "Available For Airplay". FMQB. Archived from the original on 20 July 2011. Retrieved 2011-08-09. "Going For Adds". AllBusiness. Retrieved 2011-07-03. "Ayo (Featuring DJ Kool) - Single". iTunes. Retrieved 2011-07-03.