The Best of Me

The Best of Me is the first single from Mya's sophomore album "Fear of Flying." The song featured rapper Jadakiss.

The single was released on March 6, 2000. The song was written by Teron Bell, Jimmy Cozier, Kasseem Dean, Mya, Jason Phillips and Mashonda Tifrere & produced by Swizz Beatz.

The lyrics speak of a woman holding off being intimate or physical with a guy.

Even though the song received generally positive reviews from contemporary music critics, it underperformed on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking & spending two non-consecutive weeks at number fifty.

It fared better on ´the component Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks chart peaking within the top 20 at number fourteen.

Internationally, the song peaked within the top 40 in Germany, peaking at number twenty-six.

Song Background
The song was originally expected to be recorded by rapper DMX in a Miami recording session with Swizz, the instrumental of the song was left unsued until the producer returned to New York City to start work on Mya's album at The Hit Factory.

Upon accidentally pushing a button in the studio, Mya's management reportedly "jumped up and said 'That's it, that's it'."

An eleventh hour addition, the record was among the last tracks that were recorded for the "Fear of Flying" album.

Jadakiss, (who was then a member of the Ruff Ryders Entertainment's group The LOX) came aboard as a result of label connections with Interscope Records.

Best of Me (Part II)
In 2000, a remix version of "The Best of Me" was released, featuring new vocals by Mýa and rapper Jay-Z.

Significantly different from the original version (both musically and lyrically), "Best of Me Part II" served as the first single from DJ Clue’s 2000 album "Backstage: A Hard Knock Life" which was the soundtrack to the 2000 documentary film "Backstage."

The remix version was written and composed by Mya, Teron Beal, Shawn Carter, Larry Gates, Marcel Hall, Trackmasters duo Samuel Barnes and Jean Claude-Oliver & Marlon Williams

It samples an interpolation of the 1987 Biz Markie song "Make the Music with Your Mouth, Biz."

Remix Version Background
During the recording process though, tension rose between Mya and Jay-Z, however, eventually the conflict was resolved and the two of them were able to put their differences aside and find a mutual respect for each other.

After dissolving their conflict, Jay-Z agreed to record his vocals on the track.

Speaking of its creation, Tone of Trackmasters said:

"Steve Stoute was head of black music over at Interscope and at the time we were still his guys. He wanted a remix so we went in and knocked the remix out. I remember Mýa couldn’t cut the vocals properly and it took forever. When it was done, we wanted Jay-Z on it.

''So Jay came to the studio that night at The Hit Factory. He got it right away he understood what it was but he didn’t like Mya’s vibe in the room. He looked at her like she was a spoiled brat because she was. He looked at her like, ‘I'm about to rap on your record, you're about to have a hit, and I don’t think you really appreciate it.''

''She was like this new artist on Interscope, she didn’t even really understand what was going on. So he didn’t do the record when he got there. Once again, he gave a preview of what it was gonna sound like, but he didn’t do the record because he didn’t feel like it.''

''So he left and we had to tell Mýa like, ‘Yo Mýa, Jay wants to do the record but he feels like you’re not even giving him any love, like no thank you or none of that.’ But that’s just her personality. So we went to L.A. for some music awards were around that time and we had one more shot at getting Jay to come to the studio.'''

''And obviously Jay came in and Mýa was more cordial towards Jay. He laid the rhyme down, Steve asked for a shoutout, and that’s basically it. That’s a good record and Jay-Z charged her through the nose for it.''"

Music Video
On March 6, 2000, the song’s accompanying music video was filmed by Chris Robinson and serviced to video outlets.

Mya's love interest was portrayed by Sisqo’s cousin.

The music video for the remix version was shot in Malibu, California.

Mya can be seen strutting along the beach and behind a white screen wearing a jersey dress.

Commercial Performance
In the United States, "The Best of Me" made its debuted at number eighty-five on Billboard Hot 100 issue dated week of April 15, 2000.

It reached its peak at number fifty issue dated week of May 20, 2000. In total, the song spent 17 consecutive weeks on the chart.

It was Mya's first single to miss the coveted pop Top 40. The song performed better on Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks chart debuting at number seventy issue dated week of April 1, 2000.

It ascended from 70-40 in its second week issue dated week of April 8, 2000

The song continued to soar up the chart ascending from 40-27 issue dated week of April 15, 2000.

It reached its peak at number fourteen issue dated week of May 20, 2000. It became Mya's fourth consecutive Top 40 (solo) hit on that chart.

"The Best of Me" crossed-over onto international markets.

In Netherlands, it debuted and peaked at number seventy-five during the week of August 29, 2001.

It debuted and peaked at number sixty-four during the week of July 23, 2000 on Switzerland’s Top 75 Singles chart.

It spent a total of 8 consecutive weeks on that chart. It reached the Top 40 in Germany, peaking at number twenty-six.

While "Best of Me Part II" failed to chart on the Billboard Hot 100, it performed modestly on Billboard's Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks chart, debuting and peaking at number fifty-five.

Personnel

 * Produced by: Swizz Beatz
 * Mixed by: Tony Maserati
 * Additional Vocal Production by: Jimmy Cozier & Teron Beal
 * Recording Engineers: Kiran Wagner & Kevin Crouse