"I'm Real" is the name of two songs recorded by American actress and singer Jennifer Lopez, both primarily for her second studio album J.Lo (2001). The original song was released as the album's fourth single; Ja Rule of Murder Inc. Records wrote and was featured on a newly-written song with completely different lyrics and production titled "I'm Real (Murder Remix)", which was featured on a re-issue of J.Lo in July 2001, on Lopez's remix album J to tha L–O! The Remixes (2002), and on Ja Rule's third studio album Pain Is Love (2001).
The original album track was well received by music critics, who complimented the 1980s-esque style and composition, while the "Murder Remix" received mixed reviews for its lyrics. However, both songs have been appreciated for the use of the samples.
The "Murder Remix" topped the Billboard Hot 100 for five non-consecutive weeks, beginning September 8, 2001, and also topped the Hot 100 Airplay chart. Considerable controversy followed the song after its release, and was the cause of a rule change to the Billboard charts. Two music videos were made for the tracks, with the first depicting Lopez driving a motorcycle throughout the highway and featuring a dance break, while the second video features Ja Rule and Irv Gotti.
The original version of "I'm Real" was recorded by Lopez for her second studio album, J.Lo (2001) which had 14 other tracks.[1] Released on January 23, 2001, J.Lo became a commercial success, debuting at the summit of the Billboard 200.[2] Describing J.Lo as a "reflection of who I am, my own experiences",[3] Lopez said: "My fans call me J.Lo. Giving the album this title is my way of telling them that this is for them in appreciation of their support."[4] Prior to its release, she knew how important it was to "stay fresh", and decided to tweak her public image by dying her hair and changing her stage name to J.Lo.[5] Lopez felt that she had more "creative control" on J.Lo than her debut album On the 6 (1999).[6] The album was reissued on July 24, 2001 (Lopez's thirty-second birthday), now containing the remix version of "I'm Real" featuring Ja Rule.[7]
The original version of "I'm Real" was written by Jennifer Lopez, Troy Oliver, Cory Rooney and Leshan David Lewis, with production being handled by Oliver and Rooney.[9] Lyrically, the singer offers voluptuous good times as long as her lover "don't ask me where I've been." While she brags that she's made him fall in love, a male voice chants, "She's a bad, bad bitch."[10] Oliver developed the song's concept while Lewis suggested the use of a loop from the song "Firecracker" (1978) by Japanese band Yellow Magic Orchestra from their self-titled album. After hearing the instrumental track, Lopez and Rooney wrote "I'm Real", which she said "was the first time I ever wrote a melody. I just love the hook of the song. I wrote it, so it’s kind of personal."[8] Lopez recorded the song that day, and called in her boyfriend at the time Sean Combs to record the lyric, "She's a bad, bad bitch." Rooney revealed: "She wrote that and she had him stop what he was doing, leave his studio, come across town and just go in the vocal booth and say that one part. Then she said, 'OK, now you can leave.'"[8]