Don't Let Me Die

"Don't Let Me Die"
"Don't Let Me Die"
Single by Jay-Z and R. Kelly
from the album Unfinished Business
Released	October 26, 2004
Studio	The Chocolate Factory and Rock Land Studios; (Chicago); Baseline Recording Studios; (New York City)
Genre	Hip hop; R&B;
Length	4:51
Label	Roc-A-Fella; Def Jam; Rockland;
Songwriter(s)	Shawn Carter; Robert Kelly; Samuel Barnes; Jean-Claude Olivier; Alexander Mosley;
Producer(s)	Tone; R. Kelly; Spanador (co.);
Jay-Z singles chronology
R. Kelly singles chronology

"Don't Let Me Die" is a song by American rapper Jay-Z and American singer R. Kelly. It is the second single from their collaboration album Unfinished Business (2004). The song was produced by Tone of the Trackmasters and Kelly, with co-production from Alexander "Spanador" Mosley.

Critical reception

Tom Breihan of Pitchfork wrote that the song's gospel choir, which he described as "bazonkers", was one of the better aspects of the Trackmasters' "clean" sound throughout Unfinished Business.^[1] Nathan Rabin of The A.V. Club wrote the song "amplifies the disc's abundant cheese to operatic levels, complete with a choir and an unhinged Kelly vocal".^[2]

In popular culture

In the 2013 film G.I. Joe: Retaliation, Roadblock invokes Jay-Z's lyrics from the song: "Whatever deity guides my life / Dear Lord, don't let me die tonight".^[3]

Charts

Chart (2004)	Peak position
U.S. Bubbling Under Hot 100^[4]	24
U.S. Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs^[5]	58
U.S. Billboard Rhythmic Top 40^[6]	34

Release history

Region	Date	Format(s)	Label(s)	Ref.
United States	October 4, 2004 (2004-10-04)	Rhythmic contemporary · urban contemporary radio	Jive, Roc-A-Fella, IDJMG	^[7]

References

^ Breihan, Tom (October 27, 2004). "JAY-Z / R. Kelly: Unfinished Business Album Review". Pitchfork.
^ Rabin, Nathan (November 1, 2004). "R. Kelly & Jay-Z: Unfinished Business". The A.V. Club.
^ Jagernauth, Kevin (February 1, 2012). "The Rock Quotes Jay-Z In Horrible/Awesome Super Bowl Teaser For 'G.I. Joe 2: Retaliation'". IndieWire.
^ "Jay-Z Chart History (Bubbling Under Hot 100)". Billboard.
^ "R Kelly Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard.
^ "Jay-Z Chart History (Rhythmic Top 40)". Billboard.
^ "Going for Adds" (PDF). Radio & Records. No. 1575. October 1, 2004. p. 21. Retrieved July 6, 2022.

[1] Breihan, Tom (October 27, 2004). "JAY-Z / R. Kelly: Unfinished Business Album Review". Pitchfork.

[2] Rabin, Nathan (November 1, 2004). "R. Kelly & Jay-Z: Unfinished Business". The A.V. Club.

[3] Jagernauth, Kevin (February 1, 2012). "The Rock Quotes Jay-Z In Horrible/Awesome Super Bowl Teaser For 'G.I. Joe 2: Retaliation'". IndieWire.

[4] "Jay-Z Chart History (Bubbling Under Hot 100)". Billboard.

[5] "R Kelly Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard.

[6] "Jay-Z Chart History (Rhythmic Top 40)". Billboard.

[7] "Going for Adds" (PDF). Radio & Records. No. 1575. October 1, 2004. p. 21. Retrieved July 6, 2022.

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v t e R. Kelly singles
Discography Production discography Videography Awards and nominations
Born into the 90's	"She's Got That Vibe" "Honey Love" "Slow Dance (Hey Mr. DJ)" "Dedicated" "Hey Love (Can I Have a Word)"
12 Play	"Sex Me (Parts I and II)" "Bump N' Grind" "Your Body's Callin'" "Summer Bunnies" "It Seems Like You're Ready"
R. Kelly	"You Remind Me of Something" "Down Low (Nobody Has to Know)" "Thank God It's Friday" "I Can't Sleep Baby (If I)"
R.	"I Believe I Can Fly" "Gotham City" "Half on a Baby" "Home Alone" "I'm Your Angel" "When a Woman's Fed Up" "Did You Ever Think" "If I Could Turn Back the Hands of Time" "Only the Loot Can Make Me Happy"
TP-2.com	"I Wish" "The Storm Is Over Now" "Fiesta (Remix)" "Feelin' on Yo Booty" "A Woman's Threat"
Chocolate Factory	"The World's Greatest" "Ignition (Remix)" "Snake" "Step in the Name of Love (Remix)"
The R. in R&B Collection, Vol. 1	"Thoia Thoing"
Happy People/U Saved Me	"Happy People" "U Saved Me"
TP.3 Reloaded	"In the Kitchen" "Trapped in the Closet (Chapter 1)" "Playa's Only" "Slow Wind" "Burn It Up"
Double Up	"I'm a Flirt (Remix)" "Same Girl" "Double Up" "Rock Star"
Untitled	"Supaman High" "Number One" "Religious" "Echo"
Love Letter	"When a Woman Loves"
Write Me Back	"Share My Love" "Feelin' Single" "When a Man Lies"
Black Panties	"My Story"
The Buffet	"Backyard Party" "Switch Up"
Other singles	"Soldier's Heart" "Honey" "Big Chips" "Hair Braider" "I Believe" "Sign of a Victory" "Platinum" "I Look to You" "Bump & Grind 2014" "Ignition (Viceroy Remix)"
Featured singles	"Down with the Clique" "Street Dreams (Remix)" "Be Careful" "Friend of Mine (Remix)" "Satisfy You" "Contagious" "We Thuggin'" "Gigolo" "Hotel" "Gangsta Girl" "Till the World Ends" "So Sexy" "So Sexy Chapter II (Like This)" "Wonderful" "That's That Shit" "Go Getta" "Speedin'" "Out of This Club" "All the Above" "Ms. Chocolate" "We Been On" "Do What U Want" "PYD" "Make The World Go Round" "It's Your World"
Soundtrack singles	"I Believe I Can Fly" "Gotham City" "Bad Man" "The World's Greatest" "I Believe" "Christmas, I'll Be Steppin'"
Other songs	"It Seems Like You're Ready" "Sadie" "G.H.E.T.T.O.U.T." "Heaven I Need a Hug" "I Need an Angel" "Real Talk" "You Are Not Alone" "Shut Up" "Betcha Gon' Know" "To the World" "Marching Band" "Wake Up Everybody" "I Admit"
Category:R. Kelly songs Category:Songs written by R. Kelly