Christina Milian, known for her hit song “AM to PM,” is an avid admirer of Jennifer Lopez. In an exclusive interview with Page Six, Milian expresses her love for J.Lo, even though her own song, “Play,” was included on Lopez’s sophomore album. Despite recording “Play” for her own LP, Milian acknowledges Lopez’s talent and recognizes that she “killed it” with her rendition. Milian, who co-wrote the song at the age of 19, is proud to have contributed to Lopez’s success.
A Joke Turned Hit Song
The creation of “Play” was a stroke of luck for Milian. After a night of partying, she woke up the next morning and had to go to the studio without any lyrics prepared. However, as soon as she played the track, the melody came to her effortlessly, and she completed the song within 15 minutes. Despite her initial preference for “AM to PM,” Milian recognized the potential of “Play.”
Milian’s label at the time, Def Soul, hesitated to include both “Play” and “AM to PM” on her self-titled record. However, Tommy Mottola, the former Chairman and CEO of Sony Music Entertainment, heard “Play” and immediately claimed it for Jennifer Lopez, who was signed to Epic Records. Milian was brought in to assist with rewriting some parts of the song, solidifying her contribution to the final version.
In 2023, rumors of a feud between Milian and Lopez regarding the inclusion of Milian’s vocals without a featured credit on “Play” still persist. However, Milian dismisses these claims, stating that having background singers on a song is a common practice in the music industry. She compares her involvement to the use of background singers by artists like Michael Jackson and Britney Spears. Milian is content with her behind-the-scenes role in helping Lopez and does not need a feature credit to validate her contribution.
Ultimately, Milian believes that collaboration and the blending of voices make songs better. She appreciates being part of the creative process and is credited as a writer and for singing background vocals on “Play.” Milian’s relationship with Jennifer Lopez showcases the power of collaboration in the music industry.
Christina Milian’s experience with Jennifer Lopez exemplifies the spirit of collaboration in the music industry. Despite initially recording “Play” for her own album, Milian recognizes and appreciates Lopez’s talent and the success she brought to the song. Through this collaboration, Milian has left an indelible mark on the music world, showcasing her talent as a songwriter and vocalist. The story of their partnership serves as a reminder that collaboration and mutual respect can result in extraordinary musical endeavors.