"Just Kickin' It" is a song by American R&B group Xscape. Written by Jermaine Dupri and Manuel Seal,[2] the song was released in August 1993 by So So Def and Columbia as Xscape's first single from the group's debut album, Hummin' Comin' at 'Cha (1993). The single became the group's most commercially successful hit, peaking at number one on the US Cash Box Top 100, number two on the Billboard Hot 100, and spending four weeks at number one on the Hot R&B Singles chart.
| "Just Kickin' It" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single by Xscape | ||||
| from the album Hummin' Comin' at 'Cha | ||||
| B-side | "W.S.S. Deez Nuts" | |||
| Released | August 13, 1993[1] | |||
| Length | 3:24 | |||
| Label | ||||
| Songwriter(s) | ||||
| Producer(s) | Jermaine Dupri | |||
| Xscape singles chronology | ||||
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| Music video | ||||
| "Just Kickin' It" on YouTube | ||||
Composition
"Just Kickin' It" is an urban ballad in which vocals are the focus, and the instrumental foundation is otherwise sparse.[3] Jermaine Dupri, who according to his father, Columbia Records executive Michael Mauldin, wanted Xscape to be "the ghetto En Vogue,"[4] originally wrote the song as a summary of what men wanted from women.[4] The lyrics were considered controversial by some female fans who believed the song's message was sexist.[4] Former group member LaTocha Scott, however, dismissed the critics. "I've heard some females say that the song is unreal and that they can tell it was written by a man, but I don't think it makes it sexist. Shoot, everybody knows a man wants a woman who can cook."[4]
Release and reception
Released on August 13, 1993,[1] "Just Kickin' It" entered the Billboard Hot 100 chart at number 90 and reached the top 10 in four weeks.[4] The song peaked at number two in October, spending a total of 17 weeks in the top 40.[5] The single reached number one on the Hot R&B Singles chart, where it spent four weeks at the top.[6] In November, the single was certified platinum in the United States and has since been certified double-platinum in March 2023.[1] "Just Kickin' It" also peaked at number three in Canada, number 22 in New Zealand, and number 49 in the United Kingdom.[7][8][9] The song earned the group a Soul Train Music Awards nomination in 1994 but lost to H-Town's "Knockin' Da Boots" in the Best R&B New Artist category.[10]
Track listings
Charts
Certifications
| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| United States (RIAA)[1] | 2× Platinum | 2,000,000‡ |
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. | ||