Chris Brown’s “They Don’t Know”: Preview The Aaliyah-Sampling Single

Christina Lee | May 19, 2013 11:22 am

Chris Brown has released a snippet to “They Don’t Know,” the X single that samples previously unreleased vocals from the late Aaliyah. Based on the preview, Brown doesn’t deviate far from its source material.

“They Don’t Know” borrows from Digital Black‘s “Don’t Think They Know,” from his 2008 album Memoirs of an R&B Thug. Digital Black was one of three members in ’90s R&B group Playa, whose members (Static Major especially) worked with Aaliyah in addition to Ginuwine, Missy Elliott and Jo Jo. Timbaland had also produced Playa’s 1998 debut, Cheers 2 U. Hear Brown’s take after the jump. Chris Brown, “They Don’t Know”

Brown’s preview sets Aaliyah’s original verse and previously unused chorus to a ratchet beat. He only trades verses briefly with the influential R&B singer, but what he sings — “Don’t listen to what people say / they don’t know about you and me” — is enough to hint that “They Don’t Know” may become his version of Rihanna‘s “Nobody’s Business,” featuring Brown himself.