Released in 2001, “I’m Real (Murder Remix)” became one of Jennifer Lopez’s biggest career-defining hits. Featuring rapper Ja Rule, this reimagined version of the original J.Lo album track transformed the song into a smooth R&B and hip-hop collaboration, with a completely different beat, melody and vocal style. The remix was later included on J.Lo’s remix album, J to tha L–O! The Remixes (2002), and Ja Rule’s Pain Is Love (2001).
The collaboration became a huge commercial success, spending five non-consecutive weeks at number one on the US Billboard Hot 100 and ranking among America’s best-selling songs of 2001. It also reached the top ten in twelve other countries, cementing the musical chemistry between Jennifer and Ja Rule and helping define the sound of early-2000s pop and hip-hop.
Directed by Dave Meyers, the music video features Jennifer enjoying a winter getaway, with Ja Rule and Murder Inc. founder Irv Gotti making appearances. Despite controversy surrounding the song and its chart performance, the remix remains one of J.Lo’s most recognisable hits and a defining moment of her J.Lo era.