I Wish (R. Kelly song)

"I Wish" is an R&B song recorded by American singer-songwriter R. Kelly, from the 2000 album TP-2.com. It was released as the album's first single. It spent three weeks at number one on the U.S. Billboard R&B chart and peaked at number 14 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart.^[1] The song is dedicated to Kelly's mother Joanne as well as friends and other loved ones of his who have died. This song was originally going to feature rapper 2Pac, but he died before recording his verse.^[2] The remix, which was titled "I Wish – Remix (To the Homies That We Lost)" featured Hip Hop duo Boo & Gotti, who were then signed to his Rockland Records imprint.

"I Wish"
Standard artwork (U.S. 12-inch vinyl pictured)
Single by R. Kelly
from the album TP-2.com
Released	September 12, 2000
Recorded	2000
Genre	R&B soul gospel
Length	5:34 (Album version) 5:16 (Radio edit)
Label	Jive
Songwriter(s)	Robert Kelly
Producer(s)	R. Kelly
R. Kelly singles chronology
"Bad Man" (2000) "I Wish" (2000) "A Woman's Threat" (2001)

"I Wish - Remix (To the Homies That We Lost)"
Single by R. Kelly featuring Boo & Gotti
from the album TP-2.com
Released	November 7, 2000
Recorded	2000
Genre	R&B, soul, hip hop
Length	5:18
Label	Jive
Songwriter(s)	R. Kelly
Producer(s)	R. Kelly

Music video

The official music video for "I Wish", directed by R. Kelly and Christopher Erskin,^[3] complements the song's deeply emotional tone, which is a tribute to lost loved ones. The video features Kelly visiting a cemetery, where he mourns and reflects on the people he has lost in his life, including his mother Joanne and close friends. These visuals align with the song's lyrics, offering a personal glimpse into Kelly’s grief. In various scenes, he is seen walking through his old neighborhood in Chicago, illustrating the connection between his fame, community, and personal struggles.^[4]

The video's emotional depth is enhanced by the appearance of Kelly's daughter, Joann, symbolizing the importance of family in the midst of loss. It further reflects Kelly's personal life, grounding the viewer in the reality of his experiences, rather than a purely fictional narrative. The video also includes shots of urban life, invoking themes of remembrance, loyalty, and longing for the past.

Additionally, a remixed version of the video was produced for the track "I Wish – Remix (To the Homies That We Lost)," featuring the hip hop duo Boo & Gotti.^[5] This version included extra scenes and performances that expanded the narrative to honor fallen friends within the larger hip hop community, extending the tribute beyond Kelly's personal experiences.

Awards and nominations

• Grammy Awards
  • 2001, Best R&B Vocal Performance – Male (nominated)^[6]
• MTV Video Music Awards
  • 2001, Best R&B Video (nominated)^[7]
• NAACP Image Awards
  • 2001, Outstanding Music Video (won)^[8]
• Soul Train Music Award
  • 2001, Best R&B/Soul Single, Male (won)^[9]
• BMI Urban Awards
  • 2001, Most-Performed Song (won)

Legacy

Sampling

• "Villuminati" by J. Cole from the album Born Sinner (2013)^[10]

Charts

Weekly charts Chart (2000–2001) Peak position Australia (ARIA)[11] 77 Belgium (Ultratip Bubbling Under Flanders)[12] 7 Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia)[13] 36 Canada (Nielsen SoundScan)[14] 22 France (SNEP)[15] 40 Germany (GfK)[16] 10 Italy (FIMI)[17] 41 Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[18] 4 Netherlands (Single Top 100)[19] 6 Scotland (OCC)[20] 31 Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[21] 50 Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[22] 29 UK Singles (OCC)[23] 12 UK Hip Hop/R&B (OCC)[24] 1 US Billboard Hot 100[25] 14 US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[26] 1 US Pop Airplay (Billboard)[27] 34 US Rhythmic (Billboard)[28] 11

Year-end charts Chart (2000) Position Germany (Official German Charts)[29] 99 Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[30] 50 Netherlands (Single Top 100)[31] 52 US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[32] 52 Chart (2001) Position US Billboard Hot 100[33] 87 US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[34] 48 Certifications Territory Certifier Certification Sales United States RIAA Gold[35] 500,000