Ex-Factor

For other uses, see The Ex-Factor (disambiguation). Not to be confused with The X Factor.

"Ex-Factor" is a song by American recording artist Lauryn Hill for her debut solo studio album The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill (1998). Written and produced by Hill herself, it incorporates elements of R&B, neo soul and hip hop soul. The song features a sample of "Can It Be All So Simple" by Wu-Tang Clan, hence its songwriters are also credited.^[1] It has been claimed to be about Hill's former Fugees groupmate Wyclef Jean.^[2] The song was released as the second single from The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill on December 14, 1998, by Ruffhouse Records and Columbia Records.

"Ex-Factor"
Single by Lauryn Hill
from the album The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill
B-side	"When It Hurts So Bad" "Lost Ones" "Can't Take My Eyes Off You"
Written	1997
Released	December 14, 1998
Recorded	1997–1998
Studio	Chung King (New York City) RPM (New York City) Tuff Gong (Kingston)
Genre	R&B neo soul hip hop soul
Length	5:27
Label	Ruffhouse Columbia
Songwriter(s)	Lauryn Hill Alan Bergman Marilyn Bergman Dennis Coles Robert Diggs Gary Grice Marvin Hamlisch Lamont Hawkins Jason Hunter Russell Jones Clifford Smith Corey Woods
Producer(s)	Lauryn Hill
Lauryn Hill singles chronology
"Doo Wop (That Thing)" (1998) "Ex-Factor" (1998) "Everything Is Everything" (1999)

Upon its release, "Ex-Factor" received widespread critical acclaim.^[3] The song peaked at number 21 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and at number seven on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs. Internationally, it peaked within the top five in Iceland and the United Kingdom. It won the Best R&B/Soul Single - Female award at the 2000 Soul Train Music Awards.^[4] Spin named it the third best single of 1999.^[5] In 2020, The Ringer ranked it as the 18th greatest breakup song of all time.^[6] Since its release, the song has been sampled and covered by numerous artists.

Music and lyrics

"Ex-Factor" was written and produced by Lauryn Hill. It features replayed elements of "Can It Be All So Simple" by Wu-Tang Clan,^[7] which itself samples Gladys Knight & the Pips' cover of Barbra Streisand's "The Way We Were", written by Alan and Marilyn Bergman and Marvin Hamlisch.^[8] Consequently, Wu-Tang Clan, the Bergmans, and Hamlisch are also credited as songwriters of "Ex-Factor".^[a]

"Ex-Factor" is a soul number which serves as a painful dissection of a failing relationship.^[10][11] The accompaniment is driven by two-chord progressions all throughout its melodic variations.^[10] Its refrain contains soaring harmonies.^[12]

Commercial performance

"Ex-Factor", although not as successful as Hill's previous single "Doo Wop (That Thing)", still entered several international charts. It spent 22 weeks on the US Billboard Hot 100, peaking at number 21 on the chart dated April 10, 1999. The song peaked atop the US R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay.^[13] It also charted on the US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, spending 31 weeks and peaking at number seven on March 13, 1999. It reached number four on the UK Singles Chart and spent 16 weeks on the chart, remaining Hill's biggest hit in the United Kingdom to date.

Legacy

Since its release, "Ex-Factor" has been sampled by numerous artists in their songs, including rapper Lil B's "Money Over Suckas" (2012), singer Kehlani's "Till the Morning" (2014), singer Omarion's "Show Me" (2014) featuring Jeremih, rapper Drake's "Nice for What" (2018), and rapper Cardi B's "Be Careful" (2018).^[8] Additionally, it has been covered by Beyoncé,^[14] Kelly Clarkson,^[15] John Legend,^[16] and H.E.R.^[17]

Track listings and formats

US 7-inch single[18] A. "Ex-Factor" (radio edit) – 4:38 B. "When It Hurts So Bad" (album version) – 5:42 UK CD1[19] "Ex-Factor" (album version) – 5:27 "Ex-Factor" (Part II remix) – 4:38 "Ex-Factor" (A Simple Mix) – 4:37 UK CD2[20] "Ex-Factor" (radio edit) – 4:38 "Ex-Factor" (A Simple Breakdown) – 4:10 "Lost Ones" (remix) – 4:17 UK cassette single[21] "Ex-Factor" "Can't Take My Eyes Off You"

European CD1[22] "Ex-Factor" (radio edit) – 4:38 "Ex-Factor" (A Simple Mix) – 4:37 European CD2[23] "Ex-Factor" (radio edit) – 4:38 "Ex-Factor" (A Simple Breakdown) – 4:10 "Lost Ones" – 4:17 "Ex-Factor" (A Simple Mix) – 4:37 Japanese CD single[24] "Ex-Factor" "Ex-Factor" (remix) "Lost Ones" (remix)

Credits and personnel

Credits are adapted from The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill liner notes.^[7]

Leads and background vocals: Lauryn Hill Additional background: Chuck Young Bass: Paul Fakhourie Piano: Tejumold Newton Wurlitzer, organ and rhodes: James Poyser Percussion: Rudy Byrd Guitar: Johari Newton Drum programming by Vada Nobles

Recorded by Commissioner Gordon Mixed by Commissioner Gordon Assistant recording engineer: Chip Verspyck Assistant mix engineer: Greg Thompson Recorded at RPM Studios, (NYC), Marley Music, Inc. (Kingston, Jamaica) and Chung King Studios (NYC) Mixed at Hit Factory Studios and Chung King Studios (NYC)

Charts

Weekly charts Chart (1999) Peak position Belgium (Ultratip Bubbling Under Flanders)[25] 8 Europe (European Hot 100 Singles)[26] 18 France (SNEP)[27] 51 Germany (GfK)[28] 52 Iceland (Íslenski Listinn Topp 40)[29] 3 Ireland (IRMA)[30] 19 Netherlands (Dutch Top 40 Tipparade)[31] 2 Netherlands (Single Top 100)[32] 40 Scotland (OCC)[33] 11 Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[34] 46 Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[35] 22 UK Singles (OCC)[36] 4 UK Hip Hop/R&B (OCC)[37] 1 US Billboard Hot 100[38] 21 US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[39] 7 US Rhythmic (Billboard)[40] 9

Year-end charts Chart (1999) Position Romania (Romanian Top 100)[41] 77 US Billboard Hot 100[42] 62 US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks (Billboard)[43] 12

Certifications

Certifications and sales for "Ex-Factor"

Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
New Zealand (RMNZ)[44]	2× Platinum	60,000‡
United Kingdom (BPI)[45]	Platinum	600,000‡
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

Release dates and formats for "Ex-Factor"

Region	Date	Format(s)	Label(s)	Ref.
United States	December 14, 1998	Urban contemporary radio	Ruffhouse Columbia	[46]
Japan	December 23, 1998	Maxi CD	Sony Music Japan	[47]
United States	January 19, 1999	7-inch vinyl	Ruffhouse Columbia	[48]
Germany	January 25, 1999	Maxi CD	Sony Music	[28]
United Kingdom	February 15, 1999	Cassette two maxi CDs	Columbia	[49]
France	March 1, 1999	12-inch vinyl	Small	[50]
	April 20, 1999	CD		[51]

Notes

1. Original liner notes of The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill credit solely Hill.^[7] Songwriters of sampled recordings would later be credited on the album's digital editions.^[9]