LeToya - Torn

What this video is

Released in 2006 as the lead single from LeToya Luckett's self-titled debut album on Capitol Records, 'Torn' arrived at a pivotal cultural moment for post-Destiny's Child solo identity-building. LeToya Luckett had been a founding member of Destiny's Child before being ousted in 2000, and this debut represented a high-stakes assertion of independent artistry. The song samples The Stylistics' 1971 classic 'You Are…

Why it matters

'Torn' is a landmark in mid-2000s contemporary R&B, demonstrating how classic soul sampling (The Stylistics' 1971 catalog) could anchor a commercially successful, emotionally resonant debut single. Its chart performance — peaking at number two on the US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and reaching…

The director

Chris Robinson is an American film, television, and music video director from Baltimore, Maryland. He launched Robot Film Company in 2000 and rose to prominence directing R&B and hip-hop videos. He won the 2007 MTV Video Music Award for Best Direction for…