Ex-Factor
"Ex-Factor" is the second single from American recording artist Lauryn Hill from her debut solo album, "The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill" (1998). The song incorporates elements of R&B, neo soul and hip hop soul. Released by Ruffhouse and Columbia Records, the song features a sample of "Can It Be All So Simple" by Wu-Tang Clan. The song has been claimed to be about Hill's former Fugees groupmate Wyclef Jean. Upon its release, critics praised the song's enchanting vocals and lyrics. The song peaked in the Top 40 on the US "Billboard" Hot 100, and  reached number-one on US R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay and on the UK R&B chart. It was awarded the Best R&B/Soul single - Female award at the 2000 Soul Train Awards. "Spin" named it the 3rd best single of 1999. In 2020, "The Ringer" ranked it as the 18th greatest breakup song of all time. The song has been sampled by numerous artists including Drake ("Nice for What") and Cardi B ("Be Careful"); and has been covered by Beyoncé, Kelly Clarkson, John Legend, and H.E.R. Music and lyrics. "Ex-Factor" was written and produced by Lauryn Hill and it features  replayed elements of "Can It Be All So Simple" by Wu-Tang Clan, which itself samples Gladys Knight & the Pips' cover of "The Way We Were". "Ex-Factor" is a soul number which serves as a painful dissection of a failing relationship. The accompaniment is driven by two-chord progressions all throughout its melodic variations. Its refrain contains soaring harmonies. Chart performance. Although not as successful as Hill's previous single "Doo Wop (That Thing)", the song still entered several international charts. It spent 22 weeks on the "Billboard" Hot 100 and peaked at 21 on the week of April  10, 1999. It reached number one on the R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay chart. It also charted on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, spending 31 weeks and peaking number 7 on March 13, 1999. It reached number 4 on the UK Singles Chart and spent 16 weeks on the chart, it remains Hill's biggest hit in the UK. Credits and personnel. Credits are adapted from "The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill" liner notes. Samples. In 2018, rappers Drake and Cardi B sampled it in their songs "Nice for What" and "Be Careful", respectively.