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.
"Ex-Factor" is a soul number which serves as a painful dissection of a failing relationship.[10][11] The accompaniment is driven by two-chord progressions all throughout its melodicvariations.[10] Its refrain contains soaring harmonies.[12]
Commercial performance
"Ex-Factor", although not as successful as Hill's previous single "Doo Wop (That Thing)", still entered several international charts. It spent 22 weeks on the US Billboard Hot 100, peaking at number 21 on the chart dated April 10, 1999. The song peaked atop the US R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay.[13] It also charted on the US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, spending 31 weeks and peaking at number seven on March 13, 1999. It reached number four on the UK Singles Chart and spent 16 weeks on the chart, remaining Hill's biggest hit in the United Kingdom to date.
Cultural Impact
Cover versions and samples
Over the years, the song has been sampled in rapper Lil B's "Money Over Suckas" (2012), singer Kehlani's "Till the Morning" (2014), and Omarion's "Show Me" (2014) featuring Jeremih. In 2018, "Ex-Factor" gained renewed interest when Drake sampled it on his chart topping single "Nice for What". Cardi B also interpolated the song's lyrics for her single "Be Careful", which reached number one on the BillboardRhythmic Songs chart, that same year.[8]
The song has been performed in live covers by artists including Kelly Clarkson,[14]John Legend,[15] and H.E.R.[16]Beyoncé has frequently included the song in her concert setlists, particularly during her On the Run II Tour.[17] Comedian Dave Chappelle criticized the music industry's handling of Hill's catalog, expressing disappointment that Hill herself could not legally perform in the same arrangement as Beyoncé’s version.[18] Hill publicly praised the singer's rendition in a Twitter post.
The song has been selected for numerous curated playlists. In a 2009 appearance on BBC Radio 2's Tracks of My Years, Beyoncé selected "Ex-Factor" as one of her all-time favorite songs, describing it as "so passionate" and "infectious", adding "I could listen to it over and over again".[26] Adele also included the song at the top of her ITunes playlist, writing, "I love the lyrics in this song, and I think her voice is incredible! The Miseducation album is my favourite album ever".[27]
Christina Aguilera included it in her Women's History Month playlist honoring female artists.[28]Jay-Z named it as one of the songs that inspired his 2017 album 4:44.[29]Khalid included "Ex-Factor" in a playlist for Billboard highlighting Black music innovators who influenced his career.[30]Alicia Keys selected the song for her Teen Vogue "Playlist of My Life", describing it as a formative influence and commented "Ex-Factor has super, super good memories for me… I feel like Lauryn really was a mentor to me, and a woman who was just in her power".[31] Rapper Tierra Whack recalled hearing "Ex-Factor" in her youth and being introduced to the word "reciprocity".[32]
In 2018, Hill collaborated with American clothing brand Woolrich on a capsule collection. Hill was featured in a promotional video performing "Ex-Factor" at the Apollo Theater while wearing outerwear printed with her image.[38] She also performed "Ex-Factor" during the Louis Vuitton Spring-Summer 2021 menswear show. The song was included in a set that was pre-recorded and directed by Naima Ramos-Chapman.[39]
In 2021, make-up artist AJ Crimson launched a lipstick line inspired by the 1990s, and named one of the deepest brown shades after "Ex-Factor". In an interview with Essence, Crimson credited Lauryn Hill with popularizing rich brown lipstick, calling her a "trendsetter" who made the shade "sexy, neutral and empowering".[40]
^Original liner notes of The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill credit solely Hill.[7] Songwriters of sampled recordings would later be credited on the album's digital editions.[9]
^Ex-Factor (UK CD1 liner notes). Lauryn Hill. Ruffhouse Records, Columbia Records. 1999. 666945 2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^Ex-Factor (UK CD2 liner notes). Lauryn Hill. Ruffhouse Records, Columbia Records. 1999. 666945 5.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^Ex-Factor (UK cassette single sleeve). Lauryn Hill. Ruffhouse Records, Columbia Records. 1999. 666945 4.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^Ex-Factor (European CD1 liner notes). Lauryn Hill. Ruffhouse Records, Columbia Records. 1999. COL 666797 1.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^Ex-Factor (European CD2 liner notes). Lauryn Hill. Ruffhouse Records, Columbia Records. 1999. COL 666797 2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^Ex-Factor (Japanese CD single liner notes). Lauryn Hill. Ruffhouse Records, Columbia Records. 1999. SRCS 8805.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
