No Time for It

"No Time for It"
The word Fantasia is written in a large font in the center of the image with the words "No Time for It" written in a smaller, cursive font below. The words are presented on a blurred image of colors and lights.
Single by Fantasia
from the album The Definition Of...
Released January 7, 2016
Format Digital download
Recorded 2014–15 at Kennedy Compound (Hollywood) and Faircraft Studios (Brentwood)
Genre
Length 3:15
Label
Writer(s)
Producer(s) Brian Kennedy
Fantasia singles chronology
"Side Effects of You"
(2013)
"No Time for It"
(2016)
"Sleeping with the One I Love"
(2016)

"No Time for It" is a song recorded by the American singer Fantasia for her fifth studio album, The Definition Of... (2016). It was released on January 7, 2016, as the album's lead single. American Singer, Songwriter Paris Jones wrote the song and it was produced by American producer Brian Kennedy and Lance Eric Shipp. With a synths, snares and organ backing, the mid-tempo song's lyrics center on blocking out drama and negativity in favor of professional and financial success. Fantasia described it as a continuation of the "rock soul" sound she introduced on her previous album, Side Effects of You (2013).

Critical response to "No Time for It" was mixed. Some critics praised its sound and composition; others criticized the single as too safe, its production as resembling album filler and Fantasia's vocal as subdued and restrained compared with her live performances. The song peaked at number six on the United States Billboard Adult R&B Songs chart. To promote it, Fantasia released a lyric video on February 4, 2016 and included it on the set list for Fantasia & Anthony Hamilton: Live in Concert.

Although a music video was filmed for the song's original version, Fantasia cancelled its release when she was dissatisfied with the final product. "No Time for It" was chosen by her label as the album's first single, despite the singer pushing for "Sleeping with the One I Love". On March 24, Fantasia released an acoustic version of the song, in which she is accompanied by a guitar and xylophone, as a black-and-white music video. Critics praised the arrangement of the acoustic version and the simplicity of its video.

Concept and development

"No Time for It" was written by Lance Eric Shipp and Paris (PJ) Jones in collaboration with producer Brian Kennedy.[1] Fantasia explained its conception served to expand on the "rock soul" sound she introduced on her previous album Side Effects of You. She defined "rock soul" as encompassing multiple genres, explaining it as an attempt to combine her soulful childhood singing in church with "a certain side of [her] that wants to tap into that whole rock world".[2]

She explained on Instagram that the song's title and lyrics were influenced by her beliefs: "There are some things in life that I simply have 'No Time for It'".[3] In an interview with Essence, she followed this up by saying: "No time for family drama. If you’re gonna be my friend, come in and be strong. I can’t cater to you, I can’t always let you borrow, borrow, borrow if you can’t give me nothing [laughs]!"[4]

The instrumental parts of "No Time for It" were recorded by Thomas Carillo at the Kennedy Compound in Hollywood. Fantasia's vocals, produced and arranged by Ron Fair, were engineered by Fair and Pat Thrall at Faircraft Studios in Brentwood, California. Shipp provided additional vocal production, with keyboards and programming by Kennedy and Greg Davis.[5] Fantasia described the recording process for the single, and the album as a whole, as entailing a large amount of personal sacrifice and serving as her opportunity to "open the door to a new chapter of life".[3]

Composition and lyrics

Fantasia – "No Time for It"
A 21-second sample of the song. Music critics noted that Fantasia's vocals were restrained in comparison to her other singles and live performances.

Problems playing this file? See media help.

The three-minute, 26-second pop, R&B and soul song was written in common time in the key of D-flat major with a slow tempo of 135 beats per minute.[6] According to Latoya Cross of Jet, the song has a "smooth tempo" and is a continuation of Fantasia's "rock soul" vibe.[7] Its instrumentation is "a polished, percolating mix of synths and trappy snares",[8] including an organ.[6] Matthew Scott Donnelly of PopCrush wrote that the song's instrumental backing was provided by "zippy, untiring drums and sunshiny effects";[9] Elias Leight of Vogue described it as an "iconoclast" with a "de rigueur quiver of programmed hi-hats" and a "wormy synth melody and bass line" which could appeal to listeners of hip hop music.[10] Time's Maura Johnston described the song as "slinky" and "lighter-than-air",[11] and Jay Cridlin of the Tampa Bay Times called it "sleek" and "poppy".[12]

In "No Time for It", Fantasia sings about blocking out drama and negativity. Samantha Callender of The Source wrote that its lyrics are a list of "all the things Fantasia has no time for (basically everything except money)".[13] In the chorus, "You wanna tell me how it is, but there’s no time for it / You wanna tell me how you feel, but there's no time for it"; Fantasia sings in "a cool collected manner", contrasting with her biting lyrics.[8] Idolator's Mike Wass described the song as a "catchy mid-tempo anthem" and its lyrics, such as "Bitch, no time for the haters tripping", as exemplifying that "Fantasia has always been the realest".[14] Her vocal delivery was described as "a combination acid-rosewater solution" and the lyrics "Do you thing, get your change / By the way you don't think I'ma care cause I'm not" classified as "a slow jam with a score to settle", with Fantasia "warn[ing] a clueless second party that bad behavior will no longer be tolerated".[15] According to Johnston, the song's lyrics are a "kiss-off" and "a salvo aimed right at any gossipmongers who fill their hours with loose talk".[11] Ariana Gordon wrote on the Music Times website that the lyrics reflected Fantasia's attempt to move beyond her past struggles (her attempted suicide, an affair with a married man, a home foreclosure and toxic relationships with family members) and piece together her personal and professional lives.[16]

Release and promotion

On January 6, 2016, Fantasia announced on Instagram that "No Time for It" would be the lead single from The Definition Of... and unveiled its cover: "This month my new single will be born and I’m speaking nothing but the truth".[17] The following day, the song premiered on Fantasia’s Vevo channel,[18] and explicit and clean versions were digitally released at the iTunes Store.[19] It was Fantasia's first release after joining Primary Wave Music.[20] According to the singer, "No Time for It" was chosen by her label as the album's first single. She was initially hesitant about releasing the song ("At first I was thinking, 'Is that a record to come back with?'"), but she later said that it "set the atmosphere" for her future singles.[10] Fantasia was critical of the single, describing it as a "very cute record", but felt connected to its message. She had favored "Sleeping with the One I Love" as the album's first single.[21] According to the singer, she would not record anything without feeling a personal connection and the album's recording process was all about "artistic fulfillment".[22] Jourdan Miller of BreatheHeavy called the single's release "perfectly timed seeing how the singing reality competition is on its way out, cause we all have no time for it".[3]

On February 4, Fantasia released a lyric video for the song.[23] Although a music video was filmed to promote the single, she was dissatisfied with the final product and refused to release it.[24] On March 24, Fantasia released a music video of an acoustic version of "No Time for It" on her Vevo channel;[25] the following day, it was released at the iTunes Store.[26] The black-and-white video features Fantasia in "a short, black leather dress and backed by only a guitar and xylophone". Elle Breezy of Singersroom wrote, "She doesn’t take it all the way there like we know she can, but it’s still a nice, subdued performance".[27] A Rap-Up review praised the version as "a stirring acoustic rendition of her empowering song", and Fantasia "breaks it all the way down" in the video.[28] B. Cakes of Soulbounce.com called the video personal and intimate, "a candid woman-to-woman (or woman-to-man) talk with one of her detractors", and praised the acoustic remix as keeping the focus on its lyrics.[29] The original version of "No Time for It" was included on the set list for the Fantasia & Anthony Hamilton: Live in Concert tour,[30] and Fantasia performed it as part of a medley with "Free Yourself" during a July 28 concert broadcast on BET,[31] (the first in a series of live concerts on the cable channel).[32]

Reception

Critical response

An image of a woman with black hair and wearing a black and gray top. She is smiling in the direction of the camera.
One music critic felt that Fantasia was channeling Kelly Rowland on the track,[15] and another believed that Rowland should be added as a part of a remix.[33]

"No Time for It" received a mixed response from music critics upon its release. Jeff Benjamin of Fuse called it a "lush kiss-off track".[8] Benjamin described it as embodying the "same feisty attitude we know and love Tasia for" and felt it showed promise for the parent album.[34] Matthew Scott Donnelly commended the song as "setting a brand new era into motion", calling it "breezy-yet-declarative" and "a here-I-am declaration".[9] "No Time for It" was identified as a sign of an R&B revival by the Omaha World-Herald and Essence.[35][36] The Omaha World-Hearld concluded by praising Fantasia for her "powerful, soulful vocals".[35]Time's Maura Johnston included the song on her "Best Songs of 2016 So Far" list.[11] Reviewing for PopCrush, Matthew Scott Donnelly compared the single favorably to the music of Kelly Rowland, calling it "sunny but playfully sinister".[15] Reviewing the album for the Knoxville News Sentinel, Chuck Campbell praised "No Time for It" as "smoothly arranged and spiked with her vocals" and suggested it as an answer for listeners "tired of all life's drama".[37]

Negative reviews criticized the song's production and Fantasia's vocals. On the nationally-syndicated Rickey Smiley Morning Show, Rickey Smiley criticized it as "more of a filler record that you have on while you're cleaning the house or washing dishes". He said that the singer lacked the vocal acrobatics of her performance of "Superwoman" at the 2015 Soul Train Music Awards.[38] According to Mike Wass, "No Time for It" did not command attention on the first hearing and lacked the pop hooks of "Ugly".[39] Kevin Apaza of DirectLyrics criticized the song as safe and predictable, called its production dated, and felt that Fantasia was "sleeping on her laurels". Apaza suggested that Fantasia or RCA release a remix with Kelly Rowland or another female R&B singer to "prevent this single [from] fall[ing] quick into oblivion".[33] In Entertainment Weekly, Chuck Arnold criticized "No Time for It" for "gloss[ing] over the grit of Fantasia's voice" and cited it as an example of the album's uneven sound.[40]

Chart performance

"No Time for It" achieved little success after its release. During the week of January 30, 2010, the song debuted on the United States' Adult R&B Songs Billboard chart at number 24.[41] It peaked at number six the week of April 16, after eight weeks on the chart,[42] and remained in the top twenty until the week of July 9.[43] It was Fantasia 10th top-ten entry,[44] and the first of the album's two top-twenty singles; "Sleeping with the One I Love" was the second.[45]

Track listings

Digital download[19]
No. Title Length
1. "No Time for It"   3:15
Digital download[26]
No. Title Length
1. "No Time for It (Acoustic Version)" (Music Video) 3:40

Credits and personnel

Credits adapted from the liner notes of The Definition Of... , 19 Recordings, RCA.[5]

Management

  • ASCAP/Artist Publishing Group West
  • ASCAP/BMG Gold Songs

  • ASCAP/Golden Waffles
  • ASCAP/Kennedy Klassiks Music

Recording locations
Personnel

  • Songwriting – Brian Kennedy, Lance Eric Shipp, Paris (PJ) Jones
  • Production – Brian Kennedy
  • Vocal production and arrangement – Ron Fair
  • Additional production – Lance Eric Shipp

  • Keyboards and programming – Brian Kennedy and Greg Davis
  • Music recording – Thomas Carillo
  • Vocal engineering – Ron Fair and Pat Thrall

Charts

Chart (2016) Peak
position
US Adult R&B Songs (Billboard)[46] 6

Release history

Region Format Date Label
Austria Digital download[47] January 7, 2016
Canada
Finland
France
Germany
Ireland
Italy
Netherlands
Norway
Spain
Sweden
United Kingdom
United States

References

  1. "Fantasia Releases New Single "No Time For It"". RCA Records. January 7, 2016. Archived from the original on July 7, 2016. Retrieved July 7, 2016.
  2. "Fantasia Q&A: 'Still Full of Joy' Ten Years In, Fifth Album & 'After Midnight'". Billboard. June 8, 2014. Archived from the original on April 25, 2016. Retrieved January 10, 2016.
  3. 1 2 3 Miller, Jordan (January 8, 2016). "Fantasia Drops Drama Free "No Time For It"". BreatheHeavy. Archived from the original on April 25, 2016. Retrieved April 17, 2016.
  4. Davis, Rachaell (April 29, 2016). "Fantasia Slays A Capella At Essence, Talks Past Mistakes and New Album 'The Definition Of'". Essence. Archived from the original on June 10, 2016. Retrieved May 18, 2016.
  5. 1 2 The Definition Of... 19 Recordings, RCA (Inlay cover). Fantasia. July 29, 2016.
  6. 1 2 "Fantasia "No Time for It"". Primary Wave Music. January 7, 2016. Archived from the original on April 25, 2016. Retrieved April 17, 2016.
  7. Cross, Latoya (January 7, 2016). "New Music: Fantasia "No Time For It" She is back and letting go of the drama ...". Jet. Archived from the original on April 25, 2016. Retrieved April 18, 2016.
  8. 1 2 3 Benjamin, Jeff (January 7, 2016). "Fantasia Returns with "No Time for It": Hear the empowerment anthem". Fuse. Archived from the original on April 25, 2016. Retrieved January 10, 2016.
  9. 1 2 Donnelly, Matthew Scott (January 8, 2016). "Fantasia Warms up Winter With New, Beachy 'No Time For It'". PopCrush. Archived from the original on April 26, 2016. Retrieved January 10, 2016.
  10. 1 2 Leight, Elias (July 22, 2016). "Fantasia on Her New Album and Not Being Afraid to Do It Her Way". Vogue (magazine). Archived from the original on July 23, 2016. Retrieved July 8, 2016.
  11. 1 2 3 Johnston, Maura (June 30, 2016). "Here Are the Best Songs of 2016 So Far". Time. Archived from the original on July 7, 2016. Retrieved July 7, 2016.
  12. Cridlin, Jay (June 15, 2016). "Summer Heat: Anthony Hamilton and Fantasia". Tampa Bay Times. Archived from the original on July 8, 2016. Retrieved July 8, 2016.
  13. Callender, Samantha (January 11, 2016). "[New Music] Listen to Fantasia's "No Time For It"". The Source. Archived from the original on May 28, 2016. Retrieved April 18, 2016.
  14. "Fantasia Leaves the Haters Behind on New Single "No Time for It": Listen". Idolator. January 8, 2016. Archived from the original on May 28, 2016. Retrieved January 10, 2016.
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  16. Gordon, Ariana (January 9, 2016). "'American Idol' Alum Fantasia Barrino Releases New Single "No Time For It"". Idolator. Archived from the original on May 28, 2016. Retrieved April 23, 2016.
  17. "Fantasia Announces New Single "No Time For It"". Idolator. January 10, 2016. Archived from the original on May 28, 2016. Retrieved April 20, 2016.
  18. "Fantasia-No Time for It". Vevo. January 7, 2016. Archived from the original on May 28, 2016. Retrieved January 10, 2016.
  19. 1 2 "Fantasia-No Time for It-Single". iTunes. January 7, 2016. Archived from the original on July 7, 2016. Retrieved January 10, 2016.
  20. "Fantasia Signs New Management Deal and Readies Fifth Album". The Source. December 2, 2015. Archived from the original on May 28, 2016. Retrieved January 11, 2016.
  21. "Fantasia Live on AOL Build". AOL. July 28, 2016. Archived from the original on August 1, 2016. Retrieved August 1, 2016.
  22. Grant, Sarah (August 10, 2016). "How R. Kelly Inspired Fantasia's Triumphant Rock-Soul Return". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on August 10, 2016. Retrieved August 10, 2016.
  23. "Fantasia – No Time For It (Lyric Video)". Vevo. February 4, 2016. Archived from the original on May 28, 2016. Retrieved February 7, 2016.
  24. Barrino, Fantasia (July 28, 2016). "Streetz" (Interview). Interview with Mario the Mic Man.
  25. "Fantasia No Time for It (Acoustic Version)". Vevo. March 24, 2016. Archived from the original on May 28, 2016. Retrieved March 24, 2016.
  26. 1 2 "Fantasia No Time for It (Acoustic Version)". iTunes. March 24, 2016. Archived from the original on May 28, 2016. Retrieved March 24, 2016.
  27. Breezy, Elle (March 28, 2016). "Fantasia Performs Acoustic Version of Latest Single 'No Time for It'". Singersroom. Archived from the original on May 28, 2016. Retrieved March 28, 2016.
  28. "Watch Fantasia's Acoustic Video for No Time for It". Rap-Up. March 24, 2016. Archived from the original on May 28, 2016. Retrieved March 24, 2016.
  29. Cakes, B. (March 24, 2016). "Make 'Time' To Watch Fantasia's Acoustic Performance". Soulbounce.com. Archived from the original on May 28, 2016. Retrieved April 20, 2016.
  30. Carson, Dominique (May 9, 2016). "Anthony Hamilton and Fantasia Bring Heartfelt Performance To The Garden (Concert Review)". Singersroom. Archived from the original on May 28, 2016. Retrieved May 16, 2016.
  31. The Definition Of... Fantasia (TV special). United States: BET. July 28, 2016.
  32. Coppage, Wanda J (August 2, 2016). "Fantasia Performs for BET Live Concert, Talks New Album & Overcoming Suicidal Thoughts". Music Times. Archived from the original on August 3, 2016. Retrieved August 3, 2016.
  33. 1 2 Apaza, Kevin (January 8, 2016). "Fantasia Stays In Past With New Singe "No Time For It" [Audio+Review]". DirectLyrics. Archived from the original on May 28, 2016. Retrieved April 10, 2016.
  34. Benjamin, Jeff (March 24, 2016). "16 Female R&B Singers You Should Be Listening to Right Now". Fuse. Archived from the original on July 8, 2016. Retrieved July 7, 2016.
  35. 1 2 "Ranking the 'American Idol' winners". Omaha World-Herald. April 3, 2016. Retrieved April 17, 2016.
  36. Chery, Carl; Murray, Cori (July 7, 2016). "Resurgence of R&B: A Conversation Between Two Music Lovers". Essence. Archived from the original on July 7, 2016. Retrieved July 7, 2016.
  37. Campbell, Chuck (August 3, 2016). "Music review: Fantasia's 'Definition' is both classic, offbeat". Knoxville News Sentinel. Gannett Company. Archived from the original on August 3, 2016. Retrieved August 3, 2016.
  38. "Fantasia "No Time for It" [New Music]". Rickey Smiley Morning Show. January 8, 2016. Archived from the original on May 28, 2016. Retrieved January 10, 2016.
  39. Wass, Mike. "Fantasia Shares Life Advice on Powerful New Ballad "Ugly"". Idolator. Archived from the original on May 28, 2016. Retrieved April 10, 2016.
  40. Arnold, Chuck (July 27, 2016). "Fantasia's The Definition Of…: EW Review". Entertainment Weekly. Time Inc. Archived from the original on July 28, 2016. Retrieved July 28, 2016.
  41. "Adult R&B Songs". Billboard. Archived from the original on July 8, 2016. Retrieved July 7, 2016.
  42. "Adult R&B Songs". Billboard. Archived from the original on May 28, 2016. Retrieved April 22, 2016.
  43. "Adult R&B Songs". Billboard. Archived from the original on July 10, 2016. Retrieved July 10, 2016.
  44. Mendizabal, Amaya (August 11, 2016). "Fantasia's 'Definition' Debuts at No. 1 on R&B Albums Chart". Archived from the original on August 12, 2016. Retrieved August 12, 2016.
  45. Caulfield, Keith (August 7, 2016). "DJ Khaled Earns His First No. 1 Album on Billboard 200 Chart With 'Major Key'". Archived from the original on August 12, 2016. Retrieved August 12, 2016.
  46. "Fantasia – Chart history" Billboard Adult R&B Songs for Fantasia. Retrieved May 29, 2016.
  47. "No Time for It" was released as a digital download worldwide on January 7, 2016:

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