Upgrade U

### Writer

Beyoncé Knowles • MK • Makeba • Sean Garrett • Angela Beyincé • Shawn Carter • Willie Clarke • Clarence Reid • Solange Knowles

## Video

Original video6nr8hPnZfMU|209|252

"**Upgrade U**" is the fourth track from Beyoncé's second studio album, B'Day.

## Background

The song was produced by Swizz Beatz, Cameron Wallace, and Knowles herself. T.I. was supposed to be the original guest on the song; however, he was not able to record his verse for the song due to business reasons. Ultimately, Jay-Z was selected as the featured artist. "Upgrade U" is a hip hop song, with influences of pop, soul, and contemporary R&B. The concept of the song revolves around a woman offering luxuries to a man, to upgrade his lifestyle and reputation; similar to the concept of "Suga Mama".

## Reception

The song was released as a twelve-inch promotional single on November 27, 2006, in the United States only. "Upgrade U" received positive reviews from music critics. After the release of *B'Day*, the song entered the US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, and later the US *Billboard* Hot 100 chart at number 92. After its release as a promotional single, it reached a peak at number fifty-nine on the Hot 100 chart and a peak at number 11 on the R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. The song re-entered the "Hot 100" chart on four occasions. Although not officially released in the United Kingdom, "Upgrade U" charted for three weeks on the UK Singles Chart and peaked at number 176 on May 19, 2007.

## Lyrics

Yeah B

Talk yo' shit

(Partner let me upgrade you)

How you gon' upgrade me what's higher than number one?

You know I used to beat that block

Now I be's the block (partner let me upgrade you)

I hear you be the block, but I'm the lights that keep the streets on

Notice you the type, that like to keep them on a leash though

I'm known to walk alone, but I'm alone for a reason

Sending me a drink ain't appeasing, believe me

Come harder, this won't be easy

Don't doubt yourself trust me, you need me

This ain't no shoulder with a chip, or an ego

But what you think they all mad at me for

You need a real woman in your life (that's a good look)

Taking care, home is still fly (that's a good look)

And I'mma help you build up your account (that's a good look)

Better yet a hood look, ladies (that's a good look)

When you're in them big meetings, for the mills (that's a good look)

It take me just to complement the deals (that's a good look)

And anything you cop, I'll split the bill (that's a good look)

Better yet a hood look, believe me (ladies that's a good look)

Partner, let me upgrade you, Audemars Piguet you

Switch your neck ties to purple labels

Upgrade you, I can (up), can I (up), let me (up) grade you

Partner, let me upgrade you

Partner, let me upgrade you

Flip a new page

Introduce you to some new things, and upgrade you

I can (up), can I (up), let me, upgrade you?

Partner, let me upgrade you

I can do for you, what Martin did for the people

Ran by the men, but the women keep the tempo

It's very seldom, that you're blessed to find your equal

Still played my part and let you take the lead role, believe me

I'll follow, this could be easy

I'll be the help, whenever you need me (you need me)

I see your hustle with my hustle, I can keep you

Focused on your focus, I can feed you

You need a real woman in your life (that's a good look)

Taking care, home is still fly (that's a good look)

I can help you build up your account (that's a good look)

Better yet a hood look, believe me (ladies that's a good look)

When you're in them big meetings, for the mills (that's a good look)

You take me just to complement the deals (that's a good look)

Anything you cop, I'll split the bill (that's a good look)

Better yet a hood look, believe me I can upgrade you (ladies that's a good look)

Partner, let me upgrade you, Audemars Piguet you

Switch your neckties to purple labels (have you rocking purple labels)

Upgrade you, I can (up), can I (up), let me (up) grade you

Partner, let me upgrade you

Partner, let me upgrade you

Flip a new page, let me upgrade you

Introduce you to some new things, and (Uh!) upgrade (HOV!) you

I can (up), (Uh!) can I (up), let me, (HOV!) upgrade you?

Partner, let me upgrade you

Uh huh, I be's the d-boy, who infiltrated all the corporate dudes

They call shots, I call all-the-booze

Jacob the jeweler, baubles, Lauraine Schwartz, oughta do

It's big balling baby, when I'm courting you

I'm talking spy bags, and fly pads, and

Rooms at the Bloomberg, and rumors you on the verge

Of a new merge, 'cause that rock on ya finger, is like a tumor

You can't fit ya hand in ya new purse

It's humorous, to me they watching and we just yachting off the island hopping off the Amalfi coast

Mafioso! Oh baby, you ever seen Saturn?

No, not the car, but everywhere we are

You're sure to see stars, this is high level not eye level

My bezel, courtesy of Audemars

I order yours tomorrow, now look at the time I saved you

Mama, let me upgrade you

Just when you think we had it all

Big ends, condos, collecting cars

Picture your life elevating with me

Make you my project celebrity I keep your name hot in them streets

And it's that little glimpse of light that makes that diamond really shine

And you already is a star, but

Unless you're flawless

Then ya dynasty ain't complete without a chief, like me

Partner, let me upgrade you, Audemars Piguet you

Switch your neckties to purple labels

Upgrade you, I can (up), can I (up) let me upgrade you

Partner, let me upgrade you

Partner, let me upgrade you

Flip a new page

Introduce you to some new things, and upgrade you

I can (up), can I (up), let me, upgrade you

Partner, let me upgrade you, upgrade you

Audemars Piguet watch, dimples in ya necktie

Hermès briefcase, Cartier tie clips

Silk-lined blazers, diamond creamed facials

VVS cuff-links, six-star pent suites

Partner, let me, upgrade ya, grade ya

Partner, partner, let me, upgrade you, grade you

Let me, let me, let me, upgrade you, grade you

Partner, partner, partner, let me upgrade you