Daydreamin'

"Daydreamin'" is a song by American actress and singer Tatyana Ali, written by Rodney Jerkins, LaShawn Daniels, Fred Jerkins, Peter Pankey, and Sean Hamilton. Featuring a sample of the Steely Dan song "Black Cow", the song includes an uncredited rap from Pankey and Hamilton, also known as Lord Tariq and Peter Gunz. "Daydreamin'" was released through Work Group and Michael Jackson's MJJ Music label on July 21, 1998, as the lead single from Ali's only studio album, Kiss the Sky (1998). The song peaked at number six in both the United States and United Kingdom while becoming a top-five hit in Canada and New Zealand. The single was certified gold in New Zealand and the US. Background Following the conclusion of American sitcom The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, lead actor Will Smith persuaded co-star Tatyana Ali, who played the character of Ashley Banks on the program, to embark on a music career. "Daydreamin'" was written by Rodney Jerkins, LaShawn Daniels, and Fred Jerkins, as well as Peter Pankey and Sean Hamilton of Lord Tariq and Peter Gunz, who perform an uncredited rap verse on the song. The track includes a sample of the Steely Dan song "Black Cow", so band members Donald Fagen and Walter Becker are given writing credits. Ali recorded the track at Enterprise II and Pacifique Studios in Los Angeles. The song became a US hit shortly after Ali had enrolled in Harvard University, but she decided to stay in school since she had taken a year off from education to record Kiss the Sky, choosing to promote her music during the weekends. Release MJJ Records and Work Group first tested the song's commercial appeal by providing Los Angeles radio station KPWR with a copy of the song. Following positive reception, KYLD in San Francisco picked up the track, and airplay subsequently spread further. According to KKBT music director Dorsey Fuller, the song was a radio hit because of its jovial tone, lack of references to violence and sex, and compatible rap from a hip hop artist. Mix shows also helped the song gain popularity. "Daydreamin'" was officially serviced to US rhythmic contemporary and urban radio on June 30, 1998, and it was released to retail on July 21, 1998. On August 25, the track was sent to contemporary hit radio.