# Boy You Knock Me Out

"Boy You Knock Me Out" is a song by American actress and singer Tatyana Ali from her only studio album, Kiss the Sky (1998). Written by Kelly Price, StoneBridge, and Nick Nice, the track samples "Summer Madness" by Kool & the Gang and "What You Won't Do for Love" by Bobby Caldwell. Released via MJJ Music and Epic Records on February 1, 1999, the song reached number three on the UK Singles Chart and entered the top 40 of the charts in France, Iceland, Ireland, and New Zealand. The single version of the song, known as the "Big Willie Style" edit, features Will Smith performing a rap.

## Background

Tatyana Ali was recruited by her co-star on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Will Smith, to launch her own music career, and she postponed attending Harvard University so she could record Kiss the Sky. "Boy You Knock Me Out" was written by Kelly Price, Nick Nice, and StoneBridge, who also produced the song. The track samples elements from Kool & the Gang's 1974 instrumental "Summer Madness"—written by the band, Alton Taylor, and Robert Mickens—and interpolates Bobby Caldwell's 1978 song "What You Won't Do for Love"—written by Caldwell and Alfons Kettner. Ali recorded the track at StoneBridge Productions in Stockholm, Sweden, and at Titan Recording Studio in Sherman Oaks, Los Angeles. Smith performs a rap verse on the "Big Willie Style" single version.

## Release and reception

Although MJJ Music and Work Group serviced "Boy You Knock Me Out" to US radio in October 1998, it did not chart on the Billboard Hot 100 like its predecessor, "Daydreamin'". The single did appear on the Billboard Hot R&B Singles & Tracks and Rhythmic Top 40 charts, stalling at numbers 68 and 40, respectively, in January 1999. On February 1, 1999, the single was released in the United Kingdom and became Ali's highest-charting song, debuting and peaking at number three on the UK Singles Chart six days after its release. In Ireland, the single reached number 19. The song entered the top 10 in Iceland, peaking at number six in March 1999. That same month, the single peaked at number 12 in New Zealand and number 32 in France. "Boy You Knock Me Out" was certified gold in New Zealand (5,000 sales) and silver in the UK (200,000 shipments).

## Credits and personnel

Credits are taken from the Kiss the Sky album booklet.
Studios
* Recorded at StoneBridge Productions (Stockholm, Sweden) and Titan Recording Studio (Sherman Oaks, Los Angeles)
* Mixed at Enterprise II Studio (Burbank, California)
Personnel

## Charts

| Chart (1999) | Peak position |
| Belgium (Ultratip Bubbling Under Flanders) | 6 |
| Europe (Eurochart Hot 100) | 14 |
| France (SNEP) | 32 |
| Iceland (Íslenski Listinn Topp 40) | 6 |
| Ireland (IRMA) | 19 |
| Netherlands (Dutch Top 40 Tipparade) | 21 |
| Netherlands (Single Top 100) | 77 |
| New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ) | 12 |
| Scotland (OCC) | 10 |
| UK Singles (OCC) | 3 |
| UK Hip Hop/R&B (OCC) | 1 |
| US Hot R&B Singles & Tracks (Billboard) | 68 |
| US Rhythmic Top 40 (Billboard) | 40 |

## Certifications

| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
| New Zealand (RMNZ) | Gold | 5,000$^*$ |
| United Kingdom (BPI) | Silver | 200,000$^^$ |
| $^*$ Sales figures based on certification alone. $^^$ Shipments figures based on certification alone. |||

## Release history

| Region | Date | Format(s) | Label(s) |
| United States | October 26, 1998 | Urban radio | MJJ MusicWork |
| United States | November 3, 1998 | Rhythmic contemporary radio | MJJ MusicWork |
| United Kingdom | February 1, 1999 | CDcassette | MJJ MusicEpic |
| United States | February 2, 1999 | Contemporary hit radio | MJJ MusicWork |