"U Make Me Wanna" is a hip hop and R&B-flavored song by New York rapper Jadakiss, released as the third and final single from his second studio album, Kiss of Death. The song features vocals by fellow New York singer-songwriter Mariah Carey, and was produced by Scott Storch. The song features an interesting Middle Eastern/Indian-inspired beat, with synthesized flutes, sitar, orchestral strings and percussion. The lyrics tell a story detailing a man's daily effort of acquiring and selling substances (such as cannabis or cocaine), and how he perseveres each day knowing that he has a beautiful, loving woman waiting on him at home each night, a woman who supports his work and even assists him. Carey's vocal range in the song reaches up to her sixth octave (whistle register).
Billboard called the duet a highlight on the album.[1]HipHopDX editor J-23 wrote: "it had disaster written all over it, but it is actually some really slick shit with a killer flute loop."[2] Jon Caramanica of Rolling Stone wrote: "When he's (Jadakiss) undone, it's by tinkertoy production on tracks such as the insipid Mariah Carey vehicle 'U Make Me Wanna'".[3]The Situation's Samantha Watson wrote: "Fans of Mariah Carey will like the track 'U Make Me Wanna', the distinctive Mariah vocals with Jadakiss laying down lyrics, the track plays on an Egyptian like sound with added synthesised beats, not one of the best singles but it is one you can listen to."[4]USA Today's Steve Jones called the song a "thug love anthem".[5] Aqua Boogie of Vibe wrote that love themed "U Make Me Wanna" shows that Jada has more to offer than body counts and gun talk."[6] Reviewing the album, RapReviews was favorable: "He even shows love for the ladies on the Mariah Carey-blessed 'U Make Me Wanna'.[7] In 2020, Billboard ranked it as the 97th greatest song of Carey's career.[8]
^"Kiss of Death". Billboard. Archived from the original on August 13, 2004. Retrieved June 14, 2015.{{cite magazine}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
