What We Do (song)

"What We Do"
Single by Freeway featuring Jay-Z and Beanie Sigel
from the album Philadelphia Freeway
ReleasedSeptember 3, 2002
RecordedJuly 2002
StudioBaseline Studios
Genre
Length3:49
LabelRoc-A-Fella, Def Jam
Songwriters
ProducerJust Blaze
Freeway singles chronology
"Roc the Mic"
(2002)		 "What We Do"
(2002)		 "One for Peedi Crakk"
(2002)
Jay-Z singles chronology
"Guess Who's Back"
(2002)		 "What We Do"
(2002)		 "'03 Bonnie & Clyde"
(2002)
Beanie Sigel singles chronology
"Guess Who's Back"
(2002)		 "What We Do"
(2002)		 "One for Peedi Crakk"
(2002)
Music video
"What We Do" on YouTube

"What We Do" is a song by American rapper Freeway. It was released on September 3, 2002, as the lead single from his debut studio album Philadelphia Freeway (2003). The song features American rappers Jay-Z and Beanie Sigel. It was produced by Just Blaze and contains a sample of "I Just Can't See Myself Without You" by Creative Source.

Background

In the song, the rappers rap about committing acts that they know are illegal but still doing them in order to survive.[1] In an interview, Freeway stated the song is "talkin' about all the things that we do in the streets is wrong but, of course, there are reasons why we're doing the wrong things that we do".[2]

According to Just Blaze, "What We Do" was one of the first songs recorded for the album. Freeway originally planned for the track to be a solo and for Jay-Z to only have an ad-lib on it. Jay came to check on Freeway in the beginning of the album and on the end of the album. He made two visits to the studio. The first time he came to hear the album, Freeway played him "What We Do", and Jay said, "I gotta jump on it." After he did, Beanie Sigel recorded a verse for the song as well.[3]

Music video

The music video was filmed in the Brooklyn Navy Yard and directed by Nzingha Stewart. It is based on the television series The Wire and features cameos from Michael K. Williams, Hassan Johnson, Andre Royo, and J.D. Williams,[4] as well as appearances from Damon Dash, Memphis Bleek, Cousin Ervan (Cousin E), Peedi Crakk, Young Gunz,[1] and Beanie Sigel's mother.[4]

Charts

Chart (2002–2003) Peak
position
US Billboard Hot 100[5]97
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[6]47

Certifications

Region CertificationCertified units/sales
United States (RIAA)[7] Gold 500,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

Region Date Format(s) Label(s) Ref.
United States November 11, 2002 Rhythmic contemporary · urban contemporary radio Def Jam [8]

References

  1. 1 2 Reid, Shaheem (November 22, 2002). "Jay-Z, Beans, Dame Dash Withstand Fire, Rain On Freeway Video Set". MTV News. Archived from the original on October 19, 2015.
  2. ↑ "Freeway - The Music Group Agency". The Music Group Agency. Archived from the original on April 10, 2021.
  3. ↑ Markman, Rob (September 22, 2011). "Jay-Z Wasn't Always On Freeway's 'What We Do'". MTV News. Archived from the original on August 5, 2020.
  4. 1 2 "The Best Music Videos of the 2000s". Complex. October 25, 2017. Retrieved October 16, 2022.
  5. ↑ "Freeway Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.
  6. ↑ "Freeway Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard.
  7. ↑ "American single certifications – Freeway – What We Do". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved February 5, 2024.
  8. ↑ "Going for Adds" (PDF). Radio & Records. No. 1478. November 8, 2002. p. 34. Retrieved July 10, 2022.
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