R. Kelly’s ‘Bump n’ Grind’ Was Originally for ‘Menace II Society’ – Allen Hughes

Director Allen Hughes, known for his co-direction of the iconic 1993 film “Menace II Society,” recently unveiled the behind-the-scenes story of how R. Kelly’s chart-topping hit “Bump N’ Grind” was initially intended for the movie’s soundtrack but ultimately didn’t make the cut.

During a guest appearance on the Rap Radar podcast, Hughes shared intriguing details about the film’s production, including its soundtrack. Hughes served as an executive producer for the film and had a central role in overseeing the music selection.

He began by recounting how a deal was struck with Jive Records to secure an original track from R. Kelly for the “Menace II Society” soundtrack, which he and his brother Albert co-directed. Hughes flew to Chicago to discuss the project with R. Kelly, providing him with a VHS tape of the movie.

Upon returning, R. Kelly presented Hughes with a song he had composed specifically for “Menace II Society.” Hughes was impressed, recognizing the potential of the track, and called Barry Weiss of Jive Records to share the exciting news.

Hughes recalled the moment, stating, “And he goes, ‘Oh shit, I can’t wait to hear it!’ A week later he calls me and goes, ‘I got good news and bad news. The good news is you’re right; this is going to be his first No. 1 record. The bad news is it’s not going on the soundtrack.’ It was ‘Bump ‘N Grind.'”

He delved further into the connection between the song and the film, revealing that R. Kelly’s lyrics at the beginning of “Bump ‘N Grind” were a subtle reference to characters from “Menace II Society.” In particular, he highlighted how the lyrics, “My mind’s tellin’ me no, but my body’s tellin’ me yes,” related to the characters Caine, Ronnie, and Pernell.

This revelation adds an intriguing layer to the song’s history, as it was originally intended to be part of the film’s soundtrack.

This recent disclosure by Allen Hughes provides fans with new insights into the creative process and the significant contributions made by artists such as R. Kelly during the making of the “Menace II Society” film and its accompanying soundtrack.