Ex-Factor

"Ex-Factor"
"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";
Released	December 14, 1998
Studio	RPM, Chung King (New York City); Marley Music (Kingston);
Genre	R&B; neo soul; hip hop soul;
Length	5:27 (album version); 4:38 (radio edit);
Label	Ruffhouse; Columbia;
Songwriter(s)	Lauryn Hill
Producer(s)	Lauryn Hill
Lauryn Hill singles chronology

"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.^[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.

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.

^ Tardio, Andres (April 3, 2018). "5 Takeaways From Cardi B's New Single 'Be Careful'". Billboard. Retrieved April 8, 2018.
^ Rush, George; Molly, Joanna; Ogunnake, Lola (July 26, 2000). "Wyclef Says 'Ex' Marks His Spot". Daily News. Retrieved October 19, 2011.
^ "Billboard". Billboard. December 5, 1998.
^ "TLC Wins 2 At Soul Train Awards". www.cbsnews.com. March 5, 2000. Retrieved April 12, 2021.
^ "Spin Magazine End Of Year Lists". www.rocklistmusic.co.uk. Retrieved April 12, 2021.
^ Staff, The Ringer (February 14, 2020). "The 50 Greatest Breakup Songs of All Time". The Ringer. Retrieved April 12, 2021.

[1] Tardio, Andres (April 3, 2018). "5 Takeaways From Cardi B's New Single 'Be Careful'". Billboard. Retrieved April 8, 2018.

[2] Rush, George; Molly, Joanna; Ogunnake, Lola (July 26, 2000). "Wyclef Says 'Ex' Marks His Spot". Daily News. Retrieved October 19, 2011.

[3] "Billboard". Billboard. December 5, 1998.

[4] "TLC Wins 2 At Soul Train Awards". www.cbsnews.com. March 5, 2000. Retrieved April 12, 2021.

[5] "Spin Magazine End Of Year Lists". www.rocklistmusic.co.uk. Retrieved April 12, 2021.

[6] Staff, The Ringer (February 14, 2020). "The 50 Greatest Breakup Songs of All Time". The Ringer. Retrieved April 12, 2021.

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