"Are U Capable"
A woman wearing a white button front shirt standing in front of an orange background.
Single by Olivia
from the album Olivia
ReleasedJune 12, 2001 (2001-06-12)
StudioTallest Tree Studios (West Orange, New Jersey)
GenreR&B[1]
Length3:08
LabelJ
Songwriter(s)
  • David Conley
  • Joshua Thompson
  • Juan Peters
  • Olivia Longott
  • Quincy Patrick
Producer(s)
  • Joshua Thompson
  • Juan Peters
Olivia singles chronology
"Bizounce"
(2001)		 "Are U Capable"
(2001)		 "Candy Shop"
(2005)

"Are U Capable" is a song by American singer Olivia on her self-titled debut studio album (2001). It was written by Longott along with David Conley, Quincy Patrick, Joshua Thompson and Juan Peters, with production handled by the latter. The song was released as the album's second single, following the lead single, "Bizounce". The lyrics of the song speak of a woman questioning whether or not a partner could sexually satisfy her.

The song received generally positive reviews from contemporary music critics, who felt that the song was going to achieve similar success as its predecessor. The song was a commercial disappointment, it failed to chart on Billboard's Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart; peaking below the chart at number 24 on the Bubbling Under R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart only. A music video (directed by Marcus Raboy) was released to promote the single.

Recording and release

"Are U Capable" was written by Olivia Longott, David Conley, Joshua Thompson, Juan Peters and Quincy Patrick. The production was by handled by Joshua Thompson with Juan Peters serving as the co-producer. It was recorded in Tallest Tree Studios in West Orange, New Jersey. The track was mixed and recorded by Earl Cohen.[2] The song was sent to US rhythmic contemporary radio stations on June 12, 2001 as the second single from Olivia's self-titled debut album.[3][4] The song was made available as a 12-inch single through J.[5] It was also included on a CD with the album's lead single "Bizounce" and album track "It's On Again".[6]

"Are U Capable" was included on the compilation albums BMG Pop Promo (2001),[7] and Harlem in the Mix (2003).[8] The accompanying music video directed by Marcus Raboy and premiered on MTV on July 2, 2001.[9] The video depicted Olivia in three different sets—a sewerage (while accompanied by backup dancers), a steam room and a bedroom. It was featured on the list of the most-played clips on BET.[10]

Composition and lyrics

"Are U Capable" is an R&B and hip hop song that is composed in the key of B♭major, set in common time signature, and has a tempo of 94 beats per minute.[11] The song's instrumentation is composed of drums and a bass guitar.[2] It has a total playing time of three minutes and eight seconds (3:08).[11] The old-school hip hop-inspired song was described as "hot" and "radio-friendly".[1][12] Olivia raps and sings about whether or not a partner could sexually satisfy her.[13][14] The lyrics include: "Can you kiss below the border while I run the camcorder".[15] Richard B. Henderson of Billboard viewed Olivia rapping alongside singing on the song as a "double-duty".[14] Len Righi of The Morning Call interpreted that Olivia "blatantly questions her lover's stamina" in the song.[16]

Reception

Rashaun Hall of Billboard described "Are U Capable" as a "saucy-follow up" to her previous single and felt it "may be the song that sets her career ablaze".[4] B-Traxx from Hits praised the song, elucidating it as "an R&B joint that no one can afford to pass on" and predicting that it was going to be "a summer smash".[1] A reviewer from Contactmusic.com lauded the song, calling it a "vibrant sensation" while complimenting its lyrics and production.[12] Mark Bautz of Entertainment Weekly described its lyrics as "fresh sex talk" and noted it as one of the album's highlights.[17] Following its release as a radio single, "Are U Capable" peaked at number 24 on the Bubbling Under R&B/Hip-Hop Singles chart in July 2001.[18]

Track listing

Credits and personnel

Credits adapted from the back cover of "Are U Capable".[2]

Recording

Personnel

  • Olivia Longott – vocals, songwriting
  • David Conley – songwriting
  • Joshua Thompson – songwriting, production
  • Juan Peters – songwriting, co-production, drums, bass, keyboards
  • Doug Allen – guitar
  • Quincy Patrick – background vocals, songwriting
  • Earl Cohen – recording, mixing
  • Bingo – songwriting

Charts

Chart (2001) Peak
position
US Bubbling Under R&B/Hip-Hop Singles (Billboard)[18] 24

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Hits" (PDF). Hits. Vol. 15, no. 746. worldradiohistory.com. June 1, 2001. Archived (PDF) from the original on September 29, 2021.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Are U Capable (back cover). Olivia. J Records. 2001. J1DJ-21063-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  3. ↑ "CHR/Rhythmic: Going for Adds" (PDF). Radio & Records. No. 1405. June 8, 2001. p. 51. Retrieved April 22, 2021.
  4. 1 2 Hall, Rashaun (June 16, 2001). "Olivia Are U Capable". Billboard. Archived from the original on April 1, 2016.
  5. ↑ "Are U Capable? - Olivia". AllMusic. Retrieved May 16, 2018.
  6. ↑ Bizounce [CD-Single]. "Bizounce [CD-Single]: Olivia: Music". Amazon. Archived from the original on April 1, 2016.
  7. ↑ Artists, Various. "BMG Pop Promo CD Compilation #20". Discogs. Discogs.com. Retrieved May 16, 2018.
  8. ↑ "HARLEM in the mix by DJ Junko (CD) - CDJapan" (in Japanese). CDJapan. Retrieved May 16, 2018.
  9. ↑ "Olivia Are U Capable (HQ / Dirty)". MTV. September 2, 2010. Archived from the original on April 2, 2009.
  10. ↑ "Video Monitor". Billboard. Vol. 113. August 18, 2001. p. 84. ISSN 0006-2510. Archived from the original on September 1, 2019 – via Google Books.
  11. 1 2 "Are U Capable - Dirty Radio Edit by Olivia Key and BPM". SongData.io. Retrieved May 17, 2018.
  12. 1 2 "Are U Capable, Single Review". Contactmusic. Contactmusic.com Ltd. June 18, 2001. Retrieved May 17, 2018.
  13. ↑ Reid, Shaheem (April 6, 2001). "Olivia 'Bizounce'-s up Chart, on Debut Album". MTV News. Archived from the original on March 30, 2016.
  14. 1 2 Henderson, Richard B. (May 19, 2001). "Reviews & Previews: Olivia". Billboard. Vol. 113, no. 20. p. 18. Archived from the original on April 16, 2019 – via Google Books.
  15. ↑ Ehrlich, Dimitri (March 2001). "Olivia: Bad Girl?". Vibe. 9 (3): 116. Retrieved April 17, 2019 – via Google Books.
  16. ↑ Righi, Len (August 11, 2001). "Aaliyah and Olivia". The Morning Call. Archived from the original on April 15, 2019.
  17. ↑ "Olivia". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on April 21, 2009.
  18. 1 2 "Olivia Chart History (Bubbling Under R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved May 20, 2018.
  19. ↑ Are U Capable (back cover). Olivia. J Records. 2001. J1PV-21045-1.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
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