"Luv U Better" is a song by

LL Cool J James Todd Smith (born January 14, 1968), known professionally as LL Cool J (short for Ladies Love Cool James), is an American rapper and actor. He is one of the earliest rappers to achieve commercial success, alongside fellow new school hip ho ...

, released as the

lead single A lead single (or first single) is the first single to be released from a studio album by an artist or a band, usually before the album itself is released and also occasionally on the same day of the album's release date. A similar term, "debut ...

from his ninth studio album, '' 10'' (2002). Released on August 13, 2002, by

Def Jam Recordings Def Jam Recordings (also simply known as Def Jam) is an American multinational record label owned by Universal Music Group. It is based in Manhattan, New York City, specializing predominantly in hip hop, contemporary R&B, soul and pop. The l ...

, it was produced by

The Neptunes The Neptunes were an American record production duo composed of Pharrell Williams and Chad Hugo, formed in Virginia Beach, Virginia, in 1992. Williams often provided backing vocals and music video appearances on the duo's productions, while H ...

and features additional vocals from

Marc Dorsey Marc-Dewaine Hample Dorsey (born 1971) is an American R&B singer. He is best known for his guest appearance on LL Cool J's 2002 single "Luv U Better", which peaked within the top five of the ''Billboard'' Hot 100 and was nominated for Best Rap/S ...

. "Luv U Better" was a huge success in the

United States The United States of America (USA), also known as the United States (U.S.) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It is a federal republic of 50 U.S. state, states and a federal capital district, Washington, D.C. The 48 ...

, reaching the top five of three major ''Billboard'' charts: it peaked at number four on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100, number two on the

Hot Rap Tracks Hot Rap Songs (formerly known as Hot Rap Tracks and Hot Rap Singles) is a chart released weekly by '' Billboard'' in the United States. It lists the 25 most popular hip-hop/rap songs, calculated weekly by airplay on rhythmic and urban radio stat ...

, and number one the

Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs The Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart ranks the most popular R&B and hip hop songs in the United States and is published weekly by '' Billboard''. Rankings are based on a measure of radio airplay, sales data, and streaming activity. The chart had 100 ...

Music video

The video (directed by

Benny Boom Benny Douglas (born July 22, 1971), professionally known as Benny Boom, is an American director who has worked in music, television, and film. His most commercially successful film was the 2017 Tupac Shakur biopic '' All Eyez on Me''. Career Do ...

) was shot on Veteran Avenue in Los Angeles, CA. The video was inspired by the 1990 American romantic comedy film ''

Pretty Woman ''Pretty Woman'' is a 1990 American romantic comedy film directed by Garry Marshall and written by J. F. Lawton. The film stars Richard Gere and Julia Roberts, and features Héctor Elizondo, Ralph Bellamy (in his final performance), ...

''. The leading lady in the video was ''Playboy'' Playmate and American model

Nicole Narain Nicole Narain (born July 28, 1974) is an American model, actress and Playboy Playmate. Career She was chosen as ''Playboy''s Playmate of the Month in January 2002 and has appeared in numerous ''Playboy'' videos. She has appeared in multiple mu ...

Track listing

;U.S. 12" single *Side A: #"Luv U Better" (Radio Edit) – 4:47 #"Luv U Better" (LP Version) – 4:47 #"Luv U Better" (Instrumental) – 4:47 *Side B: #"Fa Ha" (Radio Edit) – 4:55 #"Fa Ha" (LP Version) – 4:55 #"Fa Ha"(Instrumental) – 4:55

Charts

Weekly charts

Year-end charts

References

2002 singles LL Cool J songs Music videos directed by Benny Boom Song recordings produced by the Neptunes Songs written by Pharrell Williams Songs written by Chad Hugo Songs written by LL Cool J {{2000s-R&B-song-stub