Jennifer Lopez - Jenny From The Block

About "Jenny From The Block"

"Jenny from the Block" is a song by American singer Jennifer Lopez, which features American rappers Jadakiss and Styles P, both members of the Lox. It was released by Epic Records on September 26, 2002, as the lead single from her third studio album, This Is Me... Then (2002). The song, first leaked online, was written by Lopez, Troy Oliver, Mr. Deyo, Samuel Barnes, and Jean Claude Olivier. Cory Rooney, Olivier, Barnes, and Oliver produced the song. Another version of the track features solely Lopez, which was part of the Brazilian edition of the album.

"Jenny from the Block" is an R&B and old school hip hop song, which lyrically is about Lopez's desire, despite her level of fame and fortune, to remain humble and true to her roots in The Bronx. The song was noted by critics for using a large amount of music samples from songs such as 20th Century Steel Band's "Heaven and Hell Is on Earth" (1975), Boogie Down Productions' "South Bronx" (1987), and "Hi-Jack" by Enoch Light.

While some critics praised the song and theme, others disregarded the lyrics as "silly" and "laughable". Despite this, the song became a commercial success, topping the charts in Canada, reaching number three on the US Billboard Hot 100 and charting within the top ten of several major music markets. The song's music video also caused controversy. It featured Lopez and her boyfriend at the time, Ben Affleck, who later credited the video with nearly "ruining his career", in several raunchy scenes through the paparazzi's point of view. The song has been referenced in popular culture and since its release, Lopez has been referred to as "Jenny from the Block" in the media. In 2024, Lopez sampled the song on "Hearts and Flowers", a song from her album This Is Me... Now which was recorded after reuniting with Affleck and their subsequent marriage.