Caramel (City High song)

"Caramel" is a song American hip hop trio City High, released as the second single from their self-titled debut album (2001). The single, released on September 11, 2001, features American rapper Eve. "Caramel" is the group's second-most-successful single, peaking at number 18 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number nine on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks chart in January 2002. The track interpolates the song "Silent Treatment" by the Roots.^[1]

"Caramel"
Single by City High featuring Eve
from the album City High
Released	September 11, 2001 (2001-09-11)
Studio	Trackhouse, Booga Basement (New Jersey, US) The Hit Factory (New York City)
Length	3:32
Label	Interscope Booga Basement
Songwriter(s)	Ryan Toby Giscard Xavier Jerry Duplessis Robby Pardlo Tarik Collins Leonard Hubbard Scott Storch Ahmir Thompson
Producer(s)	Jerry "Wonda" Duplessis Ryan Toby Jee Eye Zee
City High singles chronology
"What Would You Do?" (2001) "Caramel" (2001) "City High Anthem" (2002)
Eve singles chronology
"Let Me Blow Ya Mind" (2001) "Caramel" (2001) "4 My People" (2002)
Music video
"Caramel" on YouTube

Music video

A music video was produced for the song that begins with the original version and transitions into the Trackmasters remix version. It begins with a shot of Ryan Toby and Robbie Pardlo on a computer that shows the words "Dream Girl 2001". It then cuts to a shot of Ortiz singing the first verse, and then the trio is dancing at a party as Ortiz sings. The video continues switching from Ortiz singing on a couch, the trio at the party, and Ortiz boxing Zab Judah. As the third verse, the first not sung by Ortiz, begins, it features the guys in a car. The video switches to Eve on a motorcycle and starting her rap. The video ends with Toby and Pardlo still in front of the computer, watching the video.

Track listings

US 12-inch single[2] A1. "Caramel" (LP version featuring Eve) – 3:47 A2. "Caramel" (LP version featuring Eve acappella) – 3:22 A3. "Caramel" (LP version instrumental) – 3:55 B1. "Caramel" (Trackmasters Joint) – 3:46 B2. "Caramel" (Trackmasters Joint instrumental) – 3:46 B3. "Caramel" (LP version) – 3:55 UK CD single[3] "Caramel" (video version) "Caramel" (Trackmasters Joint) "Caramel" (LP version) "Caramel" (Saqib remix) "Caramel" (CD-ROM video featuring Eve)

UK 12-inch single[4] A1. "Caramel" (video version) – 3:33 A2. "Caramel" (Trackmasters Joint) – 3:40 B1. "Caramel" (LP version) – 3:30 B2. "Caramel" (Saqib remix) – 4:31 European CD single[5] "Caramel" (LP version) – 3:34 Excerpts from City High – 8:49 Australian CD single[6] "Caramel" (LP version featuring Eve) – 3:34 "Caramel" (Trackmasters Joint) – 3:41 "Caramel" (Saqib remix) – 4:32 Excerpts from City High – 8:49 "Caramel" (video)

Credits and personnel

Credits are taken from the City High liner notes and the UK CD single.^[1][3]

Studios

• Recorded at Trackhouse Recording Studios and Booga Basement Studio (New Jersey, US)
• Single version recorded at The Hit Factory (New York City)
• Mixed and mastered at The Hit Factory (New York City)

Personnel

• Ryan Toby – writing, production, vocal arrangement and production
• Giscard Xavier – writing
• Jerry "Wonda" Duplessis – writing (as Jerry Duplessis), production
• Robby Pardlo – writing, production (single version)
• Tarik Collins – writing (single version)
• Leonard Hubbard – writing (single version)
• Scott Storch – writing (single version)
• Ahmir Thompson – writing (single version)
• Eve – featured vocals
• Jee Eye Zee – production
• Andy Grassi – mixing, engineering
• Joe Yannece – mastering

Charts

Weekly charts Chart (2001–2002) Peak position Australia (ARIA)[7] 47 Australian Urban (ARIA)[8] 10 Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[9] 47 Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[10] 50 Germany (GfK)[11] 70 Ireland (IRMA)[12] 21 Netherlands (Dutch Top 40 Tipparade)[13] 5 Netherlands (Single Top 100)[14] 53 Scotland (OCC)[15] 16 Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[16] 72 UK Singles (OCC)[17] 9 UK Hip Hop/R&B (OCC)[18] 1 US Billboard Hot 100[19] 18 US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks (Billboard)[20] 9 US Mainstream Top 40 (Billboard)[21] 12 US Rhythmic Top 40 (Billboard)[22] 3

Year-end charts Chart (2001) Position US Rhythmic Top 40 (Billboard)[23] 77 Chart (2002) Position UK Singles (OCC)[24] 134 UK Urban (Music Week)[25] 30 US Billboard Hot 100[26] 72 US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks (Billboard)[27] 88 US Mainstream Top 40 (Billboard)[28] 49 US Rhythmic Top 40 (Billboard)[29] 34

Release history

Region	Date	Format(s)	Label(s)	Ref.
United States	September 11, 2001	Rhythmic contemporary urban radio	Interscope Booga Basement	[30]
	November 13, 2001	Contemporary hit radio		[31]
Australia	February 11, 2002	CD		[32]
United Kingdom	March 4, 2002	12-inch vinyl CD cassette		[33]

References

1. City High (US CD liner notes). City High. Interscope Records, Booga Basement. 2001. 0694908902.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
2. Caramel (US 12-inch single vinyl disc). City High. Interscope Records, Booga Basement. 2001. 069497608-1.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
3. Caramel (UK CD single liner notes). City High. Interscope Records, Booga Basement. 2002. 497 674-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
4. Caramel (UK 12-inch single sleeve). City High. Interscope Records, Booga Basement. 2002. 497 674-1.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
5. Caramel (European CD single liner notes). City High. Interscope Records, Booga Basement. 2002. 497 670-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
6. Caramel (Australian CD single liner notes). City High. Interscope Records, Booga Basement. 2002. 497 669-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
7. "City High feat. Eve – Caramel". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved November 6, 2020.
8. "Issue 633" ARIA Top 40 Urban Singles. National Library of Australia. Retrieved February 27, 2022.
9. "City High feat. Eve – Caramel" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved November 6, 2020.
10. "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 20, no. 13. March 23, 2002. p. 18. Retrieved November 6, 2020.
11. "City High feat. Eve – Caramel" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved November 6, 2020.
12. "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Caramel". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved November 6, 2020.
13. "Tipparade-lijst van week 14, 2002". Dutch Top 40. Retrieved February 3, 2023.
14. "City High feat. Eve – Caramel" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved November 6, 2020.
15. "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 6, 2020.
16. "City High feat. Eve – Caramel". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved November 6, 2020.
17. "City High: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 6, 2020.
18. "Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 6, 2020.
19. "City High Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Archived from the original on July 8, 2018. Retrieved June 27, 2023.
20. "City High Chart History (Hot R&B Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Archived from the original on April 15, 2019. Retrieved June 27, 2023.
21. "City High Chart History (Mainstream Top 40)". Billboard. Archived from the original on April 15, 2019. Retrieved June 27, 2023.
22. "City High Chart History (Rhythmic Songs)". Billboard. Archived from the original on April 23, 2019. Retrieved June 27, 2023.
23. "Most-Played Rhythmic Top 40 Songs of 2001". Airplay Monitor. Vol. 9, no. 51. December 21, 2001. p. 48.
24. "UK Year-End Charts 2002" (PDF). UKChartsPlus. Retrieved March 3, 2021.
25. "Top 40 Urban Tracks of 2002" (PDF). Music Week. January 18, 2003. p. 32. Retrieved August 4, 2023.
26. "Billboard Top 100 – 2002". Billboardtop100of.com. Retrieved March 3, 2021.
27. "Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs: 2002". Billboard. Retrieved March 3, 2021.
28. "Most-Played Mainstream Top 40 Songs of 2002". Airplay Monitor. Vol. 10, no. 51. December 20, 2002. p. 12.
29. "Most-Played Rhythmic Top 40 Songs of 2002". Airplay Monitor. Vol. 10, no. 51. December 20, 2002. p. 22.
30. "Going for Adds" (PDF). Radio & Records. No. 1418. September 7, 2001. pp. 68, 77. Retrieved April 26, 2021.
31. "CHR/Pop: Going for Adds" (PDF). Radio & Records. No. 1427. November 9, 2001. p. 40. Retrieved April 26, 2021.
32. "The ARIA Report: New Releases Singles – Week Commencing 11th February 2002" (PDF). ARIA. February 11, 2002. p. 25. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 20, 2002. Retrieved April 26, 2021.
33. "New Releases – For Week Starting 4 March 2002: Singles" (PDF). Music Week. March 2, 2002. p. 29. Retrieved August 23, 2021.