Lil L.O.V.E.
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“Lil' L.O.V.E.”
Single by Bone Thugs-n-Harmony featuring Mariah Carey & Bow Wow from the album Strength & Loyalty
Released	July 1, 2007 (U.S.)
Format	Digital download, CD single
Genre	R&B Hip-Hop
Length	3:55
Label	Full Surface, Interscope
Writer(s)	Mariah Carey, Jermaine Dupri, Shante Harris, A. Henderson, S. Howse, James Phillips, C. Struggs
Producer	Jermaine Dupri
Bone Thugs-n-Harmony singles chronology
"I Tried" (2007)	"Lil' L.O.V.E." (2007)	"Wildin" (2007)
Bow Wow singles chronology
"Outta My System" (2007)	"Lil' L.O.V.E." (2007)	"Hydrolics" (2007)
Mariah Carey singles chronology
"Mine Again" (2006)	"Lil' L.O.V.E." (2007)	"Touch My Body" (2008)

"Lil' L.O.V.E." is a song written by American singer Mariah Carey and James Phillips for Bone Thugs-N-Harmony’s studio album Strength & Loyalty (2007). It was released as the second single from the album in 2007 (see 2007 in music). The song's protagonist, Carey, expresses her need for a 'Lil L.O.V.E' and 'T.I.M.E' from her suspected lover in the chorus.

Reviews

"Lil' L.O.V.E." has received a decent amount of positive feedback from important industrial magazines and websites.

Cinema Blend expresses, “Mariah Carey and Bow Wow (who, remember, axed the preceding "Lil" some time ago) join the cause for "Lil L.O.V.E." Mariah reveals she's still plenty relevant and is not vanishing anytime soon. Bow Wow sounds pleased with himself in the song's background, so good for him.”

According to Billboard, “… “Lil L.O.V.E.," featuring a melodious and round duet with Mariah Carey, is their 2007 version of the 1998 hit "Breakdown" …" "Breakdown" is a duet from Carey’s 1997 album Butterfly.

Additionally, SoundBytes - News4Jax praises Carey, calling her the main focus of the song. "The group can also show a softer side without stooping to syrupy-ness. Mariah Carey's sensual crooning is the first voice you hear on "Lil' L.O.V.E." and before listeners know it, they're hooked and drawn into the midst of a seductive club jam. Dupri, who specializes in such designer dance floor material, helms the song's dense, layered keyboard noodling and synthetic bass pattern that while completely formulaic, could've been a contender on the R&B charts if Carey was its sole focus. Instead, the song's potential is blocked by the Thugs' and Bow Wow's loquaciousness on the mic."

Video

Carey made a special guest appearance in the video for the latest Bone Thugs-N-Harmony track Lil L.O.V.E. The video was directed by Chris Robinson who last directed Carey in the video for her single "I Know What You Want" with Busta Rhymes.

In the video are guest appearance of Swizz Beatz and Jermaine Dupri.

The video premiered in BET's 106 & Park on July 5th

Official Mixes

There are currently three variations to the song. The first version that leaked onto the internet did not contain Carey’s intro verse, or her whistle register notes at the ending. The other two versions are the explicit version and the clean, radio version.

1. Lil Love (Clean)
2. Lil Love (Explicit)
3. Lil Love (Edit)
4. Lil Love (Instrumental)

Releases

In the United States, "Lil’ L.O.V.E." was released to iTunes as a digital download on May 8, 2007. The song was officially released as a single in the U.S. on June 5, 2007.

Chart performance

"Lil’ L.O.V.E." has peaked at #17 on Billboard’s Bubbling Under Chart. This chart represents singles which have not yet achieved enough points to chart in the Hot 100. As of now, the track has not had much success in the United States, which came to a surprise considering the positive feedback from critics and fans, as well as being referred to as a "potential summer smash".

References

External links

• Hear the song at Bone Thugs-N-Harmony’s official site

• Lil' L.O.V.E. Music Video