Jermaine Dupri has finally delivered the star-studded single he’s been teasing with Nelly, Ashanti, and Juicy J, a reimagining of a 90s R&B favorite.
Released on Friday (February 9), “This Lil’ Game We Play” flips a subdued and seductive sample from Subway and 702’s classic Motown single of the same name from 1994.
While the original iteration of the track relies more on mesmerizing downtempo R&B, Jermaine Dupri’s version adds breakbeats, jolting hi-hats, and bass kicks that make you bounce to your feet.
Less than a week away from Valentine’s Day, the Atlanta mogul-produced rework is tinged with romance and lust, and finds both Nelly and Ashanti singing, going back and forth as they trade enamored bars.
Capturing the adrenaline pumping in the breakbeats, the former Three 6 Mafia member’s verse is electric, stupefied by the woman in front of him, leaving him speechless aside from a whirlwind of yearning lyrics.
Check out the new version of “This Lil’ Game We Play” below.
Dupri has been teasing “This Lil’ Game We Play” since November 28. In a since-deleted Instagram post, he alluded, “Although we talking bout double Dutch,this a NEW RECORD ALERT !!” He continued, “I got @nelly @ashanti & @juicyj on the way !!”
A snippet of the new song was leaked once again last month, with a video surfacing of Nelly, Juicy J, Ashanti, and Jermaine Dupri, all in the studio together on January 3.
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This new release on So So Def Recordings and Mass Appeal arrives within days of the R&B producer inking a deal with Create Music Group.
Dupri will be stepping down as CEO of So So Def and will move into the role of Chairman and Founder, while also stepping up as the Creative Director of Create Music.
The new deal between the two companies will transfer So So Def Recordings’ publishing, recording, and back catalog to Create Music Group.
The move was done by the Life In 1472 rapper in order to continue managing artists, finding new talent, and producing more singles – as shown with his fiery new record, “This Lil’ Game We Play.”