Let the Beat Hit 'Em


"Let the Beat Hit 'Em" is the title of a number-one R&B single by Lisa Lisa and Cult Jam from their 1991 album Straight Outta Hell's Kitchen. The song spent one week at number-one on the US R&B chart the week of September 14, 1991, reaching No. 37 on the Billboard Hot 100. On the US dance charts, the song was the third and final number one for the group.

Samples

On "Let the Beat Hit 'Em", Lisa Lisa and Cult Jam sampled "Ghetto Heaven" by The Family Stand, The Emotions' 1977 single "Best of My Love" and "Set It Off" by Strafe.
"Let the Beat Hit 'Em" was also sampled by Kylie Minogue on the track "Too Much of a Good Thing" off her 1991 album Let's Get To It.

Critical reception

from Billboard wrote that the trio "ends a two-year recording silence with an insinuating pop/hip-hopper. Trademark production style of Robert Clivilles and David Cole is a fine complement to Lisa's appealing vocals. Pumped house version has already begun to jam in the clubs, while top 40 and urban radio should be joining the party any second now." Music & Media commented that the song is "produced by the hottest team around lately, Robert Clivilles and David Cole of C&C Music Factory fame, for whom nothing can stop these beats anymore. Just like on C&C's records, the main line of the chorus will remain in the listener's head for weeks." In 2012, Porcys listed the song at number 68 in their ranking of "100 Singles 1990-1999". Al Walentis from Reading Eagle said the song "serves up the trio's most irresistible hook since "Head to Toe"." Stewart Walker from Toledo Blade noted that "Let The Beat Hit 'Em" exemplified the "high-energy club feel" of the first half of the Straight Outta Hell's Kitchen album".

Music video

The music video was directed by Marcus Nispel and is in black/white.

Track listings

  1. "Let the Beat Hit 'Em" — 4:38
  2. "Let the Beat Hit 'Em" — 5:02
  1. "Let the Beat Hit 'Em" - 7:28
  2. "Let the Beat Hit 'Em" - 4:38
  3. "Let the Beat Hit 'Em" - 5:02
  1. "Let the Beat Hit 'Em" - 7:03
  2. "Let The Beat Hit 'Em" - 5:02
  3. "Let The Beat Hit 'Em" - 4:00

    Charts

Popular culture

There is also an unrelated song with the same title which has appeared in Konami's various Bemani music games.