"I Know What You Want" is a song by American rapper Busta Rhymes and singer Mariah Carey, featuring verses from Rhymes' group Flipmode Squad: Spliff Star, Baby Sham, Rah Digga, and Rampage. Produced by Rick Rock, it was released on February 24, 2003 as the second single from Rhymes' sixth album It Ain't Safe No More..., released on November 26, 2002.
The song became an international success, peaking at number three on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and top three in various countries including Australia and the United Kingdom. The song stayed in the top 40 of the Hot 100 for 21 weeks and was ranked 17 on the Hot 100 year-end chart in 2003. It marked Rhymes' highest charting song at the time and a return to the top five for Carey following an unsuccessful period. The song was later included on Carey's first remix album The Remixes (2003) and various reissues of Carey's ninth studio album Charmbracelet (2002).
Background and release The song was released on November 26, 2002. Billboard writer Brian Garrity wrote that on "I Know What You Want," Busta Rhymes "takes an R&B turn". The song has since been sampled in the song "I Got You" by Trippie Redd, (2020) and "Where I Belong", the 2021 follow up duet by Rhymes and Carey.
Commercial performance The song charted at number three on the Billboard Hot 100, making it Rhymes' highest charting song at the time until 2005, and Carey's first top five hit since her 2001 single, "Loverboy". The song has sold 175,000 copies in the UK.Mariah Carey official top 20 biggest-selling songs in the UK MTV. retrieved: May 3, 2010.
Music video The music video was directed by Chris Robinson. It features Busta Rhymes, the Flipmode Squad, and Carey lounging around an expensive mansion. During Carey's appearance, her jewelry brand "Automatic Princess" was advertised. Meanwhile, Busta watches over the female interest of the video played by video vixen La'Shontae "Tae" Heckard, as she reads a Frank Miller-stylized graphic novel. Her husband in the video is played by martial artist and actor Michael Jai White. A brief animated sequence drawn from the graphic novel is featured. The video premiered on BET Access Granted on April 17, 2003.
The plotline for the song's music video was continued in the video for the 2021 single "Where I Belong", in which Rhymes collaborated again with Carey.
Formats and track listings Canadian CD single "I Know What You Want" (radio edit) "I Know What You Want" (instrumental radio edit)
European CD single "I Know What You Want" (album version) "Break Ya Neck"
Australian/European CD maxi-single "I Know What You Want" (album version) "Break Ya Neck" "I Know What You Want" (instrumental) "I Know What You Want" (video)
UK CD maxi-single "I Know What You Want" "Call the Ambulance" (remix featuring M.O.P. and Rah Digga) "Call the Ambulance" (featuring Rampage) "I Know What You Want" (video)
Charts
Weekly charts Chart (2003)PeakpositionAustralia Urban (ARIA)1Canada (Nielsen SoundScan)5Croatia International Airplay (Top lista)3Europe (Eurochart Hot 100 Singles)1Germany (Official German Charts)9Poland (National Airplay Chart)1Romania (Romanian Top 100)1UK Urban Club (Music Week)1UK Airplay (Music Control)5US CHR/Pop (Radio & Records)4US CHR/Rhythmic (Radio & Records)3US Top 40 Tracks (Billboard)6US Urban (Radio & Records)2 + 2025 weekly chart performance for "I Know What You Want" Chart (2025) Peakposition Moldova Airplay (TopHit) 71
Year-end charts Chart (2003)PositionAustralia (ARIA)31Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)51Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia)59Germany (Media Control GfK)89Ireland (IRMA)32Italy (FIMI)20Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)48Netherlands (Single Top 100)54New Zealand (RIANZ)31Sweden (Hitlistan)71Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)25UK Singles (OCC)38UK Urban (Music Week)2US Billboard Hot 10017US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks (Billboard)13US Hot Rap Tracks (Billboard)8US Mainstream Top 40 (Billboard)45US Rhythmic Top 40 (Billboard)16US Top 40 Tracks (Billboard)38US CHR/Pop (Radio & Records)40US CHR/Rhythmic (Radio & Records)9US Urban (Radio & Records)7 Chart (2004)PositionBrazil (Crowley)89
Certifications
Release history + Release dates and formats Region Date Format Label(s) United States February 24, 2003 Rhythmic contemporary radio Urban contemporary radio J March 31, 2003 Contemporary hit radio Belgium May 14, 2003 United Kingdom May 26, 2003 Arista Australia June 9, 2003 CD BMG
See also List of Romanian Top 100 number ones of the 2000s
Notes
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