The track is an up-tempo R&B and hip-hop anthem designed specifically for the club scene. It is characterized by its sparse, bass-heavy production and features distinctive ad-libs from Dupri and legendary hypeman .
The song cleverly samples Run-D.M.C. ’s 1984 hook "It’s Like That Y’all" from the track "Hollis Crew".
Released on January 25, 2005, "" served as the explosive lead single for Mariah Carey ’s tenth studio album, The Emancipation of Mimi . Co-produced by Carey and longtime collaborator Jermaine Dupri , the track effectively signaled a "pop culture reset," reclaiming Carey's position at the top of the charts after a period of professional and personal setbacks in the early 2000s. The Sound: Club Energy Meets R&B Mastery Mariah Carey It S Like That
"It’s Like That" was Carey's most successful single in years, helping her secure a nomination for at the 2006 Grammy Awards.
Reviewers from The Guardian praised Carey's judicious use of her three-octave range, while others noted the track's "aggressive, off-kilter joint" as a perfect re-introduction to the MTV crowd. The Iconic Music Video The track is an up-tempo R&B and hip-hop
It was a major hit abroad, reaching #4 in the United Kingdom and #9 in Australia.
One of the song's most iconic lyrics— "Them chickens is ash and I'm lotion" —was born from a joke in the studio. Carey explained it as a playful way to tell a man he needs to get rid of "ashy" rivals because she is the "antidote". Chart Performance and Critical Reception ’s 1984 hook "It’s Like That Y’all" from
The video features several high-profile appearances, including Randy Jackson , Brian McKnight , Jermaine Dupri, and Fatman Scoop. Legacy: The "Emancipation" Begins