Ayo Technology

Did You Know?

• The music video was filmed in North London and premiered by BET on August 2, 2007.
• Belgian singer Milow's acoustic cover was certified Platinum in Germany for shipping 300,000 copies.

Background

HipHopDX reported that the song was renamed three times. It was first titled "Ayo Pornography" when it leaked in May 2007, then "Ayo Technology" in June, and then "She Wants It" by July. Finally, the title was reverted to "Ayo Technology." The song features Justin Timberlake and Timbaland. In 2008, it was nominated for a Grammy for Best Rap Song. As revealed within its lyrics, "Ayo Technology" puts a strong emphasis on hot-blooded sexual fantasies, explicit body movements, and wild festivities at nightclubs. The song is believed to sample "Courtship Dating" by Crystal Castles.

Critical response

Rob Sheffield from Rolling Stone gave a mixed review: "The I-need-love pop tunes are not getting any better, even with Timbaland and Justin Timberlake in the stripper ditty 'Ayo Technology.'" Pitchfork also gave a mixed review, calling it the album's only concession to modern pop trends and noting that 50 Cent falls behind the gurgling, video-game-blipping beat while Justin nabs the spotlight. David Jeffries from AllMusic highlighted the track as an obvious single that is safe rather than bland. The A.V. Club was positive, saying it follows the sexed-up template of "Candy Shop" and "Just A Lil Bit" in providing strip clubs with a perfunctory soundtrack.

Remixes and covers

The official remix features hip hop and R&B artist Casely. An acoustic cover by Belgian singer Milow was released in a number of European countries, topping the charts in the Netherlands, Belgium, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland, and charting well in Germany, where it was certified Platinum for shipping 300,000 copies. In 2009, Katerine Avgoustakis also made a cover which became her first international single, reaching number one for one week in Poland on the country's Official Airplay Chart. British recording artist Craig David used the song to remix his own "Hot Stuff (Let's Dance)."

Chart performance

In the United States, "Ayo Technology" became 50 Cent's second highest debut on the Billboard Hot 100, entering at number 22. The following week, it rose to number 18, before falling to number 21. One week later, it rose to number 19. One week later, during the release of 50 Cent's Curtis and Kanye West's Graduation, the song skyrocketed to a peak of number 5, becoming 50 Cent's eighth top-ten single as a lead artist, and eleventh overall.

In the United Kingdom, the song debuted at number 10 on the UK Singles Chart on downloads alone, becoming his eighth top ten single on the chart. It peaked at number two, becoming 50 Cent's highest-charting single in Britain, beating out "In Da Club", which peaked at number three in March 2003. In New Zealand, the song debuted at number eight on the New Zealand Singles Chart, jumping to number one the following week where it stayed for three consecutive weeks. It stayed on the chart for 22 weeks and was certified Gold, selling over 7,500 copies.