Fifth on the track list of Clipse’s 2002 debut Lord Willin’, “Cot Damn” is the song where the Thornton brothers handed the microphone to their Virginia associates Ab-Liva and Roscoe P. Coldchain. Ab-Liva’s real name is Rennard East. He later became a member of the Re-Up Gang alongside Pusha T and Malice.
Gene Thornton and Terrence Thornton wrote the song with Pharrell Williams and Chad Hugo, the pair who make up The Neptunes. The Neptunes produced it, and Phil Tan mixed it. Most of Lord Willin’ was recorded in Virginia Beach, but “Cot Damn” was cut at Silent Sound Studios in Atlanta.
Where Clipse stood in 2002
Clipse had struggled to land a deal. Their first planned album, Exclusive Audio Footage, was shelved by Elektra Records. The Neptunes then signed the duo to their own label, Star Trak Entertainment. Star Trak and Arista released Lord Willin’ in the United States on August 20, 2002.
The album came out alongside a run of singles. “Grindin'” arrived on May 14, 2002, and “When the Last Time” followed on July 30, 2002. “Ma, I Don’t Love Her” came out on December 3, 2002 and reached number 86 on the Billboard Hot 100. Lord Willin’ sold 122,000 units in its first week. It debuted at number four on the Billboard 200 and at number one on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. The RIAA certified it Gold on October 1, 2002.
From album track to single
“Cot Damn” became the album’s fourth and final single on April 29, 2003, under the cleaner title “Hot Damn.” The same track was also used as a promotional single for Clones, The Neptunes’ 2003 compilation. “Hot Damn” peaked at number 58 on Billboard’s Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart in 2003.
Where it stands now
Pitchfork ranked Lord Willin’ at number 155 on its list of the top 200 albums of the 2000s. Complex included it in its list of the 100 best albums of that decade. Clipse’s next album, Hell Hath No Fury, followed in 2006.
FAQ
– Who is featured on Cot Damn by Clipse?
The guest rappers are Ab-Liva (Rennard East) and Roscoe P. Coldchain. Pharrell Williams shares the writing credit and co-produced the track as half of The Neptunes.
– Is Hot Damn the same song as Cot Damn?
Yes. “Cot Damn” is the title on Lord Willin’, and “Hot Damn” is the name it was released under as a single on April 29, 2003.