Down Low (Nobody Has to Know)

"Down Low (Nobody Has to Know)"
"Down Low (Nobody Has to Know)"
Single by R. Kelly featuring The Isley Brothers
from the album R. Kelly
Released	December 11, 1995
Recorded	1995
Genre	R&B
Length	4:49
Label	Jive
Songwriter(s)	Robert Kelly
Producer(s)	R. Kelly
R. Kelly singles chronology
The Isley Brothers singles chronology

"Down Low (Nobody Has to Know)" is an R&B song about infidelity by R. Kelly, featuring The Isley Brothers, released on Kelly's self-titled album in 1995, and as a single. The song was a hit, peaking at number four on the Billboard Hot 100 and reaching number one on the R&B Singles Chart for seven weeks, making it Kelly's fifth single to do so on the latter.

The music video was directed by Hype Williams and R. Kelly.^[1] The lyrics are from the perspective of a man who has an affair with another man's woman and tells her to keep their relationship a closely guarded secret.

Music video[]

Mr. Biggs (Ronald Isley) is a mob boss who sends for his employee Kelly (R. Kelly), telling him he is going on a business trip and wants Kelly to take care of his wife Lila (Garcelle Beauvais), but warns him never to touch her. The two are then seen having an affair. When the two are together in Kelly's bed, Mr. Biggs enters the apartment with his bodyguards who beat up Kelly and drive him out to the desert, where he is abandoned. The next scene shows Kelly wheelchair-bound in the hospital, where he finds Lila on life support. He tearfully declares his love for her and she dies from her wounds.

Reception and Legacy[]

The song went to number-four pop and number-one R&B, giving the Isley Brothers their first Top 40 pop record since 1980's "Don't Say Goodnight (It's Time For Love)". It was Kelly's third top 5 pop record.

Ronald Isley would continue to use "Mr. Biggs" as his moniker, e.g. in 1998 on Kelly Price's song "Friend of Mine", and in 2001 on his group's song "Contagious", which serves as a sequel to this song.^[2]

R&B singer The Weeknd called the song the reason he's in the business of making music^[3] and covered it in 2017.^[4] Chris Brown and Trey Songz both sampled this song on "Songs on 12 Play" from Brown's sixth album X.

Pop culture references[]

The song appeared in the eleventh episode of the first season of the sitcom Moesha and the 2003 film "Old School".

This video is loosely based on the 1946 noir classic Gilda and the Kevin Costner film Revenge.

The Isley Brothers and R. Kelly released a follow-up to "Down Low" in 2001 entitled "Contagious". In both the song and music video, Mr. Biggs returns home to find his new girlfriend (played by Chante Moore) having an affair with Kelly. Once again Mr. Biggs bodyguards come in the room to do some damage, but this time R. Kelly's bodyguards come in the room as well, and no harm is done.

Personnel[]

R. Kelly: Co-lead vocals, instruments, producer, writer, arranger, composer
Ronald Isley: Co-lead and backing vocals
Ernie Isley: Guitars, backing vocals

Charts[]

Weekly charts[]

Chart (1996)	Peak position
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)^[5]	23
UK Singles (OCC)^[6]	23
US Billboard Hot 100^[7]	4
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)^[8]	1
US Rhythmic (Billboard)^[9]	6

Year-end charts[]

Chart (1996)	Position
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)^[10]	4

Certifications[]


Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA)^[12]	Platinum	1,100,000^[11]

References[]

^ "R. Kelly: The R. In R&B - the Video Collection (Video 2003)".
^ "The Isley Brothers Featuring Ronald Isley aka Mr. Biggs: Eternal".
^ http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fvrAU97fI9A/TtmrHACs0aI/AAAAAAAAAO4/eVWIXNHU_VA/s1600/rkellyyy.png
^ "The Weekend Debuts New R. Kelly Remake on OVO Sound Radio".
^ "Charts.nz – R. Kelly feat. Isley Brothers – Down Low (Nobody Has to Know)". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved June 29, 2021.
^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved June 29, 2021.
^ "R. Kelly Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved June 29, 2021.
^ "R. Kelly Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved June 29, 2021.
^ "R. Kelly Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard. Retrieved June 29, 2021.
^ "1996 The Year in Music". Billboard. Vol. 108 no. 52. December 28, 1996. p. YE-40. Retrieved June 29, 2021.
^ "Best-Selling Records of 1996". Billboard. BPI Communications Inc. 109 (3): 61. January 18, 1997. ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved May 7, 2015.
^ "American single certifications – Kelly, R. (feat. R. Isley) – Down Low (Nobody Has to Know)". Recording Industry Association of America.

External links[]

"Down Low (Nobody Has To Know)" music video on YouTube

[1] "R. Kelly: The R. In R&B - the Video Collection (Video 2003)".

[2] "The Isley Brothers Featuring Ronald Isley aka Mr. Biggs: Eternal".

[3] ttp://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fvrAU97fI9A/TtmrHACs0aI/AAAAAAAAAO4/eVWIXNHU_VA/s1600/rkellyyy.png

[4] "The Weekend Debuts New R. Kelly Remake on OVO Sound Radio".

[sc_New_Zealand_R._Kelly_feat._Isley_Brothers-5] "Charts.nz – R. Kelly feat. Isley Brothers – Down Low (Nobody Has to Know)". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved June 29, 2021.

[sc_UK_-6] "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved June 29, 2021.

[sc_Billboardhot100_R._Kelly-7] "R. Kelly Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved June 29, 2021.

[sc_Billboardrandbhiphop_R._Kelly-8] "R. Kelly Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved June 29, 2021.

[sc_Billboardrhythmic_R._Kelly-9] "R. Kelly Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard. Retrieved June 29, 2021.

[10] "1996 The Year in Music". Billboard. Vol. 108 no. 52. December 28, 1996. p. YE-40. Retrieved June 29, 2021.

[11] "Best-Selling Records of 1996". Billboard. BPI Communications Inc. 109 (3): 61. January 18, 1997. ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved May 7, 2015.

[United_StatesKelly,_R._(feat._R._Isley)Down_Low_(Nobody_Has_to_Know)singleCertRef-12] "American single certifications – Kelly, R. (feat. R. Isley) – Down Low (Nobody Has to Know)". Recording Industry Association of America.

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show v t R. Kelly singles
Discography Production Discography Videography Awards and nominations
Born into the 90's	"She's Got That Vibe" "Honey Love" "Slow Dance (Hey Mr. DJ)" "Dedicated" "Hey Love (Can I Have a Word)"
12 Play	"Sex Me (Parts I and II)" "Bump N' Grind" "Your Body's Callin'" "Summer Bunnies" "It Seems Like You're Ready"
R. Kelly	"You Remind Me of Something" "Down Low (Nobody Has to Know)" "Thank God It's Friday" "I Can't Sleep Baby (If I)"
R.	"I Believe I Can Fly" "Gotham City" "Half on a Baby" "Home Alone" "I'm Your Angel" "When a Woman's Fed Up" "Did You Ever Think" "If I Could Turn Back the Hands of Time" "Only the Loot Can Make Me Happy"
TP-2.com	"I Wish" "The Storm Is Over Now" "Fiesta (Remix)" "Feelin' on Yo Booty" "A Woman's Threat"
Chocolate Factory	"The World's Greatest" "Ignition (Remix)" "Snake" "Step in the Name of Love (Remix)"
The R. in R&B Collection, Vol. 1	"Thoia Thoing"
Happy People/U Saved Me	"Happy People" "U Saved Me"
TP.3 Reloaded	"In the Kitchen" "Trapped in the Closet (Chapter 1)" "Playa's Only" "Slow Wind" "Burn It Up"
Double Up	"I'm a Flirt (Remix)" "Same Girl" "Double Up" "Rock Star"
Untitled	"Supaman High" "Number One" "Religious" "Echo"
Love Letter	"When a Woman Loves"
Write Me Back	"Share My Love" "Feelin' Single" "When a Man Lies"
Black Panties	"My Story" "Genius" "Cookie" "Legs Shakin'"
The Buffet	"Backyard Party" "Switch Up"
Other singles	"Soldier's Heart" "Honey" "Big Chips" "Hair Braider" "I Believe" "Sign of a Victory" "Platinum" "I Look to You" "Bump & Grind 2014" "Ignition (Viceroy Remix)"
Featured singles	"Down with the Clique" "Street Dreams (Remix)" "Be Careful" "Friend of Mine (Remix)" "Satisfy You" "Contagious" "We Thuggin'" "Gigolo" "Hotel" "Gangsta Girl" "Till the World Ends" "So Sexy" "So Sexy Chapter II (Like This)" "Wonderful" "That's That Shit" "Go Getta" "Speedin'" "Out of This Club" "All the Above" "Ms. Chocolate" "We Been On" "Do What U Want" "PYD" "Make The World Go Round" "It's Your World"
Soundtrack singles	"I Believe I Can Fly" "Gotham City" "Bad Man" "The World's Greatest" "I Believe" "Christmas, I'll Be Steppin'"
Other songs	"It Seems Like You're Ready" "Sadie" "Heaven I Need a Hug" "I Need an Angel" "Real Talk" "You Are Not Alone" "Shut Up" "Betcha Gon' Know" "Marching Band" "Wake Up Everybody" "I Admit"
Category:R. Kelly songs Category:Songs written by R. Kelly

show v t The Isley Brothers
Ernie Isley Marvin Isley O'Kelly Isley Jr. Ronald Isley Rudolph Isley Chris Jasper
Studio albums	Shout! (1959) Twist & Shout (1962) Twisting and Shouting (1963) This Old Heart of Mine (1966) Soul on the Rocks (1967) It's Our Thing (1969) The Brothers: Isley (1969) Get into Something (1970) Givin' It Back (1971) Brother, Brother, Brother (1972) 3 + 3 (1973) Live It Up (1974) The Heat Is On (1975) Harvest for the World (1976) Go for Your Guns (1977) Showdown (1978) Winner Takes All (1979) Go All the Way (1980) Grand Slam (1981) Inside You (1981) The Real Deal (1982) Between the Sheets (1983) Masterpiece (1985) Smooth Sailin' (1987) Spend the Night (1989) Tracks of Life (1992) Mission to Please (1996) Eternal (2001) Body Kiss (2003) Baby Makin' Music (2006) Power of Peace (with Santana) (2017)
Live albums	Live at Yankee Stadium (1969) The Isleys Live (1973) Live! (1993)
Compilation albums	Timeless (1978)
Singles	"I'm Gonna Knock on Your Door" "Shout (Part 1)" "How Deep Is the Ocean?" "Twist and Shout" "Nobody but Me" "Testify (Part 1)" "Love Is a Wonderful Thing" "This Old Heart of Mine (Is Weak for You)" "I Guess I'll Always Love You" "That's the Way Love Is" "Take Me in Your Arms (Rock Me a Little While)" "Behind a Painted Smile" "Put Yourself in My Place" "It's Your Thing" "I Turned You On" "Keep On Doin'" "Freedom" "Love the One You're With" "Spill the Wine" "Lay Lady Lay" "Lay-Away" "Pop That Thang" "Work to Do" "It's Too Late" "That Lady (Part 1)" "What It Comes Down To" "Summer Breeze" "Live It Up" "Fight the Power (Part 1)" "For the Love of You" "Harvest for the World" "The Pride" "Livin' in the Life" "Voyage to Atlantis" "Take Me to the Next Phase (Part 1)" "Groove with You" "I Wanna Be with You (Part 1)" "It's a Disco Night (Rock Don't Stop)" "Don't Say Goodnight (It's Time for Love) (Parts 1 & 2)" "Between the Sheets" "Choosey Lover" "Down Low (Nobody Has to Know)" "Contagious"
Filmography	It's Your Thing (1970)
See also	Discography T-Neck Records Isley-Jasper-Isley
Category:The Isley Brothers Portal:R&B and Soul Music