Did You Ever Think

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"Did You Ever Think"
Single by R. Kelly featuring Nas and Tone
from the album R.
Released	May 25, 1999 (1999-05-25)
Genre	R&B hip-hop Latin
Length	4:32 (original) 4:03 (remix)
Label	Jive
Songwriters	Robert Kelly Curtis Mayfield Jean-Claude Olivier Samuel Barnes
Producers	R. Kelly Poke & Tone
R. Kelly singles chronology
"When a Woman's Fed Up" (1999) "Did You Ever Think" (1999) "If I Could Turn Back the Hands of Time" (1999)
Nas singles chronology
"Hate Me Now" (1999) "Did You Ever Think" (1999) "It's Mine" (1999)

"Did You Ever Think" is a single by American musician R. Kelly, on his third solo studio album titled R. It was the seventh single on that album and charted at the top 40 on the Billboard Hot 100, at number 27.^[1] The remix features rapper Nas and a video has been made for the remix, but not the original. It charted at number eight on the R&B/Hip Hop chart and at number 20 on the UK Singles Chart.^[2]

Background

"Did You Ever Think"was produced by production duo Poke and Tone, consisting of Samuel Barnes and Jean-Claude Olivier, for R. Kelly's third solo studio album titled R. (1998). The collaboration developed from the producers' prior touring experience with Kelly, which established a working relationship.^[3] According to Barnes, the project began after label executive Barry Weiss suggested they work together to create an uptempo track, an idea that both parties embraced and which ultimately led to the production of the song.^[3]

The recording process, according to Olivier, was lengthy and unpredictable.^[3] Kelly would frequently leave the studio for extended periods and then return unexpectedly. On one occasion, the producers were considering scrapping a nearly completed beat after several hours without seeing him. Just before abandoning the track, Kelly returned, sang over the beat, and declared it the record's "anthem."^[3] His enthusiasm energized the producers, prompting them to continue with the session. Kelly then worked in the booth to write the hook and record his vocals, cementing the final version of the song.^[3]

Music video

The music video is directed by R. Kelly and Bille Woodruff. The video is for the remix and it features rapper Nas.

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (1999)	Peak position
Germany (GfK)[4]	26
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[5]	28
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[6]	24
Scotland Singles (OCC)[7]	54
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[8]	98
UK Singles (OCC)[9]	20
UK Dance (OCC)[10]	16
UK Hip Hop/R&B (OCC)[11]	4
UK Indie (OCC)[12]	2
US Billboard Hot 100[13]	27
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[14]	8
US Rhythmic Airplay (Billboard)[15]	27

Year-end charts

Chart (1999)	Position
UK Urban (Music Week)[16]	12
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[17]	155
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[18]	34

Later samples

• "How to Rob" by 50 Cent featuring The Madd Rapper from the album Power of the Dollar and In Too Deep (soundtrack)
• "Streets Love Me" by Foxy Brown from the album Ill Na Na 2: The Fever
• "The Quan" by Foxy Brown from the album Brooklyn's Don Diva
• "Perdono" by Tiziano Ferro from the album Rosso relativo

Covers

• Palestinian rap group DAM covered "Did You Ever Think".

References

1. "R. Kelly". Billboard.
2. "R. Kelly feat. Nas - Did You Ever Think". YouTube. Retrieved August 2, 2013.
3. Ahmed, Insanul (September 4, 2012). "Trackmasters Tell All: The Stories Behind Their Classic Records (Part 2)". Complex. Retrieved February 23, 2026.
4. "Offizielle Deutsche Charts" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. To see the peak chart position, click 'TITEL VON', followed by the artist's name. Retrieved April 22, 2021.
5. "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 40, 1999" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved April 22, 2021.
6. "R. Kelly – Did You Ever Think" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved April 22, 2021.
7. "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart on 25/7/1999 – Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved August 6, 2023.
8. "R. Kelly – Did You Ever Think". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved April 22, 2021.
9. "Search results for "R. Kelly" | Official Chart". Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 22, 2021.
10. "Official Dance Singles Chart on 25/7/1999 – Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved August 6, 2023.
11. "Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart on 25/7/1999 – Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved August 6, 2023.
12. "Official Independent Singles Chart on 25/7/1999 – Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved August 6, 2023.
13. "R. Kelly Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved April 22, 2021.
14. "R. Kelly Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved April 22, 2021.
15. "R. Kelly Chart History (Rhythmic Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved April 22, 2021.
16. "Urban Top 20 Tracks Of 1999" (PDF). Music Week. January 22, 2000. p. 32. Retrieved August 6, 2023.
17. "Jaarlijsten 1999" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved May 11, 2022.
18. "Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs – Year-End 1999". Billboard. Retrieved April 22, 2021.