Hey Lover

About Hey Lover

"Hey Lover" is the Grammy Award winning first single released from LL Cool J's sixth album, Mr. Smith, featuring Boyz II Men. It was released on October 31, 1995 for Def Jam Recordings and was produced by The Trackmasters and LL Cool J. Johnny Kenaya was involved in the project. The title of the song was originally "Hey Brother". The song samples Michael Jackson's "The Lady in My Life" from his 1982 hit album Thriller; thus Rod Temperton, the writer of that song, was given credit as a writer of this song. On the B-side is the "I Shot Ya" remix. "Hey Lover" would prove to be the most successful single from the album, making it to number three on both the US Billboard Hot 100 and Hot R&B Singles charts. It sold 900,000 copies domestically and was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America. It also reached number 17 on the UK Singles Chart, number six in Sweden and number five in New Zealand. At the 1997 Grammy Awards, the song won a Grammy Award for Best Rap Solo Performance, becoming his second Grammy in that category after 1992's "Mama Said Knock You Out". The music video starred television and film actress Gillian Iliana White as LL Cool J's love interest in the music video. more »