Number One Spot

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"Number One Spot"
Single by Ludacris
from the album The Red Light District
ReleasedFebruary 15, 2005
Recorded2004
GenreComedy hip hop
Length4:32
LabelDTP, Def Jam
Songwriter(s)C. Bridges, J. D'Agostino, Q. Jones
Producer(s)DJ Green Lantern
Ludacris singles chronology
"Sugar (Gimme Some)"
(2005)
"Number One Spot"
(2005)
"Oh"
(2005)

"Number One Spot" is the second single from rapper Ludacris' 2004 album The Red Light District. The song heavily samples "Soul Bossa Nova" by Quincy Jones, which was used as the theme tune of the Mike Myers James Bond parody film series Austin Powers; the films' references play a major part in "Number One Spot" and its video.

In the song's first verse, Ludacris says, "Respected highly, hi, Mr. O'Reilly/Hope all is well, kiss the plaintiff and the wifey." This line is a response to commentator Bill O'Reilly's criticism of Pepsi for featuring Ludacris in a 2002 commercial; it is a reference to a 2004 sexual harassment lawsuit brought against O'Reilly by a former employee.

The song reached #19 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and #30 in UK. "Number One Spot" was nominated for Best Rap Solo Performance at the Grammy Awards of 2006, but it lost to Kanye West's "Gold Digger".

A remix to the song features Kardinal Offishall.

Music video[edit]

The music video features spoofs of scenes from the Austin Powers films, with Ludacris taking the roles of Austin Powers, Fat Bastard, Goldmember and Dr. Evil. The video also features LisaRaye and Verne Troyer, who plays Mini-Me in the film franchise. Quincy Jones, Slick Rick, Katt Williams and DJ Green Lantern also make appearances in the music video. The subsequent single entitled "The Potion" was the conclusion to the music video (lasting approximately 45 seconds). The video won the MTV Video Music Award for Best Rap Video in 2005.

Track listing[edit]

CD Single
  1. "Number One Spot" (clean version) – 4:34
  2. "Number One Spot" (explicit version) – 4:34
12" single
  1. "Number One Spot" (explicit version) – 4:34
  2. "The Potion" (explicit version) – 3:54
  3. "Get Back" (explicit version) – 4:30
  4. "Get Back" (Sum 41 rock remix) – 4:11

Charts[edit]

Certifications[edit]

Region Certification Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA)[9] Gold 500,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Release history[edit]

Region Date Format(s) Label Ref.
United States February 14, 2005 Rhythmic contemporary radio Def Jam South, IDJMG [10]
Urban contemporary radio

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Ludacris: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company.
  2. ^ "Ludacris Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.
  3. ^ "Ludacris Chart History (Digital Song Sales)". Billboard.
  4. ^ "Ludacris Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard.
  5. ^ "Ludacris Chart History (Hot Rap Songs)". Billboard.
  6. ^ "Ludacris Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard.
  7. ^ "Billboard Top 100 – 2005". billboardtop100of.com. Retrieved May 16, 2020.
  8. ^ "Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs – Year-End 2005". Billboard. Retrieved May 16, 2020.
  9. ^ "American single certifications – Ludacris – Number One Spot". Recording Industry Association of America.
  10. ^ "Going for Adds" (PDF). Radio & Records. No. 1593. February 11, 2005. p. 27. Retrieved December 9, 2023.

External links[edit]