He Wasn't Man Enough Explained

He Wasn't Man Enough
Cover:Hewasntmanenough.jpg
Type:single
Artist:Toni Braxton
Album:The Heat
Recorded:January–February 2000
Studio:Larrabee North (Universal City, California)
Genre:R&B
Length:4:21
Label:
Producer:Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins
Prev Title:How Could an Angel Break My Heart
Prev Year:1997
Next Title:Just Be a Man About It
Next Year:2000

"He Wasn't Man Enough" is a song by American singer Toni Braxton. It was written by Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins, Fred Jerkins III, LaShawn Daniels, and Harvey Mason, Jr. for her third studio album, The Heat (2000), while production was helmed by the former. "He Wasn't Man Enough" is an uptempo R&B song that differs from Braxton's previous ballads. The song was released by LaFace Records on February 29, 2000, as the lead single from the album.

The song received generally positive reviews from music critics, many of whom praised it as one of Braxton's best works.[1] "He Wasn't Man Enough" had international success and became one of Braxton's signature songs, peaking at number two on the Billboard Hot 100, where the single stood for several weeks, and number one on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs for four weeks. As of 2024, this song is her last solo top 10 appearance on the Billboard Hot 100. An accompanying music video was released for the single. The song earned Braxton her fourth Grammy Award for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance and was nominated for Best R&B Song in 2001. In 2022, Nigerian singer Burna Boy sampled the song's instrumental introduction for his hit song "Last Last".[2]

Background and composition

"He Wasn't Man Enough" was released as the lead single from Toni Braxton's third studio album, The Heat. The song was written by Rodney Jerkins, Fred Jerkins III, LaShawn Daniels, and Harvey Mason, Jr., while it was produced by Jerkins. The song was recorded in the United States during the production of Braxton's third studio album, between January and February 2000.[3] [4] During its production, L.A. Reid said "It's very strong, and very personal to her".[5]

All instruments on "He Wasn't Man Enough" are played by Jerkins and the background vocals are sung by Braxton, Nora Payne, Sharlotte Gibson, and Jerkins.[6] The song was recorded in a key signature of E minor. Popmatters praised Braxton, saying "the track seems to be an attempt to make some headway within the lucrative urban R&B market."[7]

The song earned Braxton her sixth Grammy Award for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance in 2001.[8] According to Billboard.com, this song is her last Top 10 appearance on the Billboard Hot 100 to date.

Critical reception

"He Wasn't Man Enough" was widely acclaimed by contemporary music critics. Stephen Thomas Erlewine from AllMusic highlighted the track along with "Gimme Some" as having a "skimmering beat".[1] David Browne from Entertainment Weekly gave it a positive review, certificating it with a B rating. He said "From producer Rodney Jerkins' cushiony pulse to its premise (one woman warning another about her ex-beau), the amenable single "He Wasn't Man Enough" sounds mightily familiar. But it's still no "Scrubs", largely thanks to Braxton's husky, mumbly delivery."[9] NME gave it a positive review, saying that for the track, "Braxton can probably claim the best set of tonsils in soul-pop".[10]

Chart performance

"He Wasn't Man Enough" peaked at number two on the Billboard Hot 100 the week of May 6, 2000, becoming Braxton's sixth and last top-10 single. It was blocked from the top spot by "Maria Maria" by Santana featuring the Product G&B. The song spent 37 weeks on the chart. The song also peaked at number one on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs for four weeks. The song debuted at number five on the UK Singles Chart on its issue date of April 29, 2000. The song debuted at number six on the Australian Singles Chart and peaked at number five in that country. The song debuted at number 36 on the New Zealand Singles Chart and later rose to number five after seven weeks on the charts. The song received platinum by the Recording Industry Association of New Zealand (RIANZ), selling over 15,000 copies there.[11] The song debuted at number 99 on the French Singles Chart before falling out, then re-entering at number 74 on the charts and eventually peaked at number fifteen, becoming the biggest jump of the issue date of July 1, 2000. The song debuted at number 21 on the Single Top 100, peaked at number five and stayed on the charts for seventeen weeks.[12]

Music video

The music video, directed by Bille Woodruff from February 25–26, 2000,[13] begins with Braxton as an animated superhero who unzips her shirt to ward off villains. Next, she is shown dancing in a red cylinder-like hallway. The shot turns to a club where her ex (portrayed by Braxton's former husband Keri Lewis of R&B group Mint Condition) and his current wife (portrayed by Robin Givens) walk in. Givens looks Braxton up and down and flashes her wedding ring at her. Braxton scoffs as she knows of his infidelity.

The video flashes between Braxton dancing in the hallway and the club scene. At one point, the two women are in the club's bathroom, and Braxton informs the new wife why she dumped her husband. They set up an act, wherein Braxton goes into a private room with him and gets him to drop his pants; all the while he is on camera, and everyone at the club, including his current wife, is watching. At the end, Givens busts in and throws the ring at him, and the two women give each other a high five.

The video also features cameo appearances by Rodney Chester and Braxton's sister Tamar. Originally cast to play the husband, actor Michael Jai White ended up dropping out before the video shoot because Givens allegedly took issue with White resembling her former husband Mike Tyson, whom White played in the HBO film Tyson five years earlier.[13] [14] He would appear in the video for Braxton's "Hands Tied" a decade later.

Track listings

US CD and cassette single[15] [16]

  1. "He Wasn't Man Enough" (album version) – 4:21
  2. "He Wasn't Man Enough" (instrumental) – 4:19

US and Japanese DVD single[17] [18]

  1. "He Wasn't Man Enough" (video)
  2. "Un-Break My Heart" (video)
  3. Special feature: Interview with Toni

European CD single[19]

  1. "He Wasn't Man Enough" (radio edit) – 3:58
  2. "He Wasn't Man Enough" (extended version) – 5:35

UK and Australian CD single[20] [21]

  1. "He Wasn't Man Enough" (radio edit) – 3:58
  2. "You're Makin' Me High" (classic edit) – 3:45
  3. "He Wasn't Man Enough" (extended version) – 5:35
  4. "He Wasn't Man Enough" (video version) – 4:38

UK cassette single[22]

  1. "He Wasn't Man Enough" (radio edit) – 3:58
  2. "You're Makin' Me High" (classic edit) – 3:45
  3. "He Wasn't Man Enough" (extended version) – 5:35

Credits and personnel

Credits are lifted from The Heat album booklet.[6]

Studios

Personnel

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (2000)Peak
position
Canada (Nielsen SoundScan)[23] 1
Croatia (HRT)[24] 1
Denmark (IFPI)[25] 5
Europe (European Hot 100 Singles)[26] 5
Iceland (Íslenski Listinn Topp 40)[27] 5
Poland (Music & Media)[28] 1
Poland (Polish Airplay Charts)[29] 1
Romania (Romanian Top 100)[30] 5

Year-end charts

Chart (2000)Position
Australia (ARIA)[31] 72
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[32] 62
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia)[33] 22
Europe (European Hot 100 Singles)[34] 44
France (SNEP)[35] 83
Iceland (Íslenski Listinn Topp 40)[36] 15
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[37] 25
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[38] 42
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[39] 9
Romania (Romanian Top 100)42
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[40] 99
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[41] 33
UK Singles (OCC)[42] 80
UK Urban (Music Week)[43] 5
US Billboard Hot 100[44] 10
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks (Billboard)[45] 16
US Mainstream Top 40 (Billboard)[46] 29
US Rhythmic Top 40 (Billboard)[47] 29

Release history

RegionDateFormat(s)Label(s)
United StatesFebruary 29, 2000[49] [50]
April 4, 2000Contemporary hit radio[51]
SwedenApril 10, 2000CD[52]
United KingdomApril 17, 2000[53]
JapanApril 24, 2000CD[54]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Thomas . Stephen . The Heat - Toni Braxton . AllMusic . April 25, 2000 . February 20, 2012.
  2. Burna Boy Samples Toni Braxton on New Single 'Last Last'. Rolling Stone. Zemler. Emily. 13 May 2022. 14 June 2022.
  3. 'Heat' Seeker . Entertainment Weekly . Tom . Sinclair . January 14, 2000.
  4. Nasty Girl . Entertainment Weekly . Craig . Seymour . January 5, 2000.
  5. Sinclair. Tom . The latest on Toni Braxton's new album. Entertainment Weekly. August 11, 2017. January 24, 2000.
  6. The Heat. The Heat (Toni Braxton album). Toni Braxton. 2000. US CD album booklet. LaFace Records, Arista Records. 73008-26069-2.
  7. Web site: Ross . Colin . Toni Braxton: The Heat < PopMatters . Popmatters.com . February 20, 2012.
  8. Taylor . Chuck . October 19, 2002 . Braxton is back with 'More' . Billboard . 9 . August 11, 2017.
  9. Music Review: He Wasn't Man Enough, by Toni Braxton. Entertainment Weekly . https://web.archive.org/web/20131212080054/https://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,276094,00.html. live. December 12, 2013.
  10. Web site: NME Track Reviews - He Wasn't Man Enough . Nme.Com . April 1, 2000 . February 20, 2012.
  11. Web site: The Official New Zealand Music Chart . Rianz.org.nz . February 20, 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120422181624/http://rianz.org.nz/rianz/chart.asp?chartNum=1230&chartKind=S . April 22, 2012 . dead .
  12. Web site: Toni Braxton - He Wasn't Man Enough . Dutch Charts. August 11, 2017.
  13. News: Fink . Mitchell . Rubin . Lauren . Actor Has Too Familiar A Ring For Robin Givens . . February 29, 2000 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110815042450/http://articles.nydailynews.com/2000-02-29/gossip/18133933_1_bmg-michael-dornemann-clive-davis . August 15, 2011.
  14. Web site: Farber. Jim. SOFT AND SEXY Toni Braxton has a new album, a new video and a 'cute' new man. How sad is that?. New York Daily News. April 23, 2000. March 31, 2018.
  15. He Wasn't Man Enough. Toni Braxton. 2000. US CD single liner notes. LaFace Records, Arista Records. 73008-24463-2.
  16. He Wasn't Man Enough. Toni Braxton. 2000. US cassette single sleeve. LaFace Records, Arista Records. 73008-24463-4.
  17. He Wasn't Man Enough. Toni Braxton. 2000. US DVD single liner notes. LaFace Records, Arista Records. 73008-24518-9.
  18. He Wasn't Man Enough. Toni Braxton. 2000. Japanese DVD single liner notes. LaFace Records, Arista Records, BMG. BVDA-21011.
  19. He Wasn't Man Enough. Toni Braxton. 2000. European CD single liner notes. LaFace Records, Arista Records, BMG. 74321 75146 2.
  20. He Wasn't Man Enough. Toni Braxton. 2000. UK CD single liner notes. LaFace Records, Arista Records, BMG. 74321 75785 2.
  21. He Wasn't Man Enough. Toni Braxton. 2000. Australian CD single liner notes. LaFace Records, Arista Records, BMG. 74321 75145 2.
  22. He Wasn't Man Enough. Toni Braxton. 2000. UK cassette single sleeve. LaFace Records, Arista Records, BMG. 74321 75785 4.
  23. Toni Braxton Chart History (Canadian Digital Songs). Billboard. March 26, 2018.
  24. Web site: HR Top 20 Lista. Croatian Radiotelevision. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20000510181149/http://www.hrt.hr/hr/top20/lista.html. May 10, 2000. March 7, 2021.
  25. Web site: Hits Of The World. Billboard. 123. May 13, 2000. June 1, 2018.
  26. Web site: Hits of the World. Billboard. 71. June 3, 2000. June 1, 2018.
  27. News: Íslenski Listinn Topp 20 (18.–25.5 2000). Dagblaðið Vísir. is. 12. May 19, 2000. October 6, 2019.
  28. Major Market Airplay – Week 22/2000. Music & Media. 17. 22. 27. May 27, 2000. January 17, 2024.
  29. Web site: Nielsen Music Control. https://web.archive.org/web/20070512114805/http://www.pifpaf.com.pl/airplay/number1_2000.html. May 12, 2007.
  30. Web site: Romanian Top 100: Top of the Year 2000. ro. Romanian Top 100. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20050122081829/http://www.rt100.ro/topul-anului-2000.html. January 22, 2005.
  31. Web site: ARIA Top 100 Singles for 2000. ARIA. May 1, 2021.
  32. Web site: Jaaroverzichten 2000. Ultratop. nl. May 27, 2019.
  33. Web site: Rapports annuels 2000. Ultratop. fr. May 27, 2019.
  34. Year in Focus – Eurochart Hot 100 Singles 2000. Music & Media. 17. 52. 9. December 23, 2000. February 8, 2020.
  35. Web site: Tops de L'année Top Singles 2000. SNEP. fr. May 1, 2021.
  36. News: Íslenski Listinn Topp 100. Dagblaðið Vísir. is. 10. January 5, 2001. February 8, 2020.
  37. Web site: Top 100–Jaaroverzicht van 2000. Dutch Top 40. February 3, 2020.
  38. Web site: Jaaroverzichten – Single 2000. MegaCharts. nl. May 27, 2019.
  39. Web site: End of Year Charts 2000. Recorded Music NZ. June 7, 2020.
  40. Web site: Årslista Singlar, 2000. Sverigetopplistan. sv. April 24, 2020.
  41. Web site: Swiss Year-End Charts 2000. de. June 7, 2020.
  42. Best Sellers of 2000: Singles Top 100. Music Week. 25. January 20, 2001.
  43. Top 40 Urban Tracks of 2000. Music Week. 20. January 13, 2001. August 4, 2023.
  44. Web site: Billboard Top 100 – 2000. August 31, 2010. March 4, 2009. https://web.archive.org/web/20090304120640/http://longboredsurfer.com/charts.php?year=2000. dead.
  45. The Year in Music 2000: Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks. Billboard. 112. 53. YE-54. December 30, 2000.
  46. Most Played Mainstream Top 40 Songs of 2000. Airplay Monitor. 8. 51. 54. December 22, 2000.
  47. Most Played Rhythmic Top 40 Songs of 2000. Airplay Monitor. 8. 51. 56. December 22, 2000.
  48. Web site: Canada's Top 200 Singles of 2001. Jam!. https://web.archive.org/web/20030126204339/http://jamshowbiz.com/JamMusicCharts/2001_singles.html. January 26, 2003. March 26, 2022.
  49. Gavin Top 40/Rhythm Crossover: Impact Dates. Gavin Report. 2293. 8. February 25, 2000.
  50. AddVance Notice / Going for Adds. Radio & Records. 1339. 84, 92. February 25, 2000. May 26, 2021.
  51. CHR/Pop: Going for Adds. Radio & Records. 1344. 37. March 21, 2000.
  52. Web site: Toni Braxton: He Wasn't Man Enough. click2music.se. sv. https://web.archive.org/web/20020423093926/http://www.click2music.se/product.asp?prd=687&art=61. April 23, 2002. November 29, 2023.
  53. New Releases – For Week Starting April 17, 2000: Singles. Music Week. 22. April 15, 2000. August 2, 2021.
  54. Web site: 新譜情報. New Information. Oricon. ja. https://web.archive.org/web/20000411091637/http://oricon.co.jp/release/release-sg.asp. April 11, 2000. August 23, 2023.