Wild Wild West (hip hop song)

"Wild Wild West" is a 1988 hip hop single by Kool Moe Dee that deals with the differences in gangs dealing with violence. A song under the same name by Will Smith was recorded in 1999 as the theme song for Smith's film Wild Wild West. Smith's song became a number-one pop hit on the Billboard Hot 100, and its extended music video, directed by Paul Hunter, was a hit on MTV.

Related Topics:
1988 - Hip hop - Kool Moe Dee - Will Smith - 1999 - Wild Wild West - Billboard Hot 100 - Music video - Paul Hunter - MTV

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Will Smith's "Wild Wild West" single samples Stevie Wonder's song "I Wish", with parts of the chorus from Kool Moe Dee's song as well. Kool Moe Dee actually re-performs that chorus for the song, with additional guest vocals from R&B group Dru Hill. The single hit #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the summer of 1999.

Related Topics:
Samples - Stevie Wonder - I Wish - R&B - Dru Hill - Billboard Hot 100

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The high-profile music video for the single, running seven minutes and including several dialog sequences, featured Smith, Kool Moe Dee, Dru Hill, and guest appearances from Stevie Wonder, and, as their Wild Wild West characters, Salma Hayek and Kenneth Branagh.

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Music video - Salma Hayek - Kenneth Branagh

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The "Wild Wild West" video notably was a star-making vehicle for Dru Hill lead singer Sisqó, while relegating the other three members of the quartet to the background. Dru Hill member James "Woody" Green quit the group on the set of the video, feeling a need to return to his gospel music roots.

Related Topics:
Sisqó - James "Woody" Green - Gospel music

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Despite its pop success, the song was criticized for both sampling Wonder's song and for its incongruity with the western it serves as the theme as. It won the Golden Raspberry Award for Worst "Original" Song of 1999. In an episode of South Park, Eric Cartman sings a parody of "Wild Wild West".

Related Topics:
Western - Golden Raspberry Award - 1999 - South Park - Eric Cartman

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