Breathe (Blu Cantrell song)

2002 single by Blu Cantrell

"Breathe" is a song by American singer Blu Cantrell from her second studio album, Bittersweet (2003). A remixed version featuring Sean Paul was released as a single in February 2003, several months after the album version was released in November 2002. The album version of this song was produced and co written by Ivan Matias and Andrea Martin. The remix featuring Sean Paul was produced by Ivan Matias, Andrea Martin, and Mark Pitts. The song peaked at 70 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and became a hit in Europe, most notably in the United Kingdom, where it topped the UK Singles Chart for four weeks in August 2003.

"Breathe" was originally recorded for the Bittersweet album without Sean Paul, but his vocals were added for the single release. The song uses a slightly altered instrumental of Dr. Dre's 1999 song "What's the Difference" featuring Eminem and Xzibit, which in turn revolved around a sample from Charles Aznavour's 1966 song "Parce Que Tu Crois". In an interview with the Metro, when asked what it was like to work with Dre, Cantrell said, "It was a remix, so I never actually got to meet him. They were his beats, but it was actually produced by another girl, Andrea Martin, and Ivan Matias. If I had to choose, I much prefer the remix to the original."

The music video was directed by Hype Williams.

+Release dates and formats for "Breathe"RegionVersionDateFormat(s)Label(s)Ref. (Reference)United StatesSoloNovember 18, 2002Rhythmic contemporary, urban radioAristaSean PaulFebruary 3, 2003Contemporary hit radioSoloMay 5, 2003AustraliaBothJuly 21, 2003CDArista, Bertelsmann Music Group, BMGUnited KingdomSean PaulJuly 28, 200312 inch vinyl, CDDenmarkBothAugust 25, 2003CD