The OH in Ohio

"The OH in Ohio" is a song performed by British recording artist Alesha. It was released alongside "Candy Cigarettes" on September 3, 2007, by Ensemble Entertainment, as the third single from her fourth studio album Alesha Is the Queen (2007). The song, written and produced by Alesha, was inspired by crunk music and is heavily influenced by hip-hop sounds. Like much of Alesha Is the Queen, "The OH in Ohio" has themes of fashion, luxury and narcissism.

Following the release of "Power Power," infamous for its commercial failure and controversy, Alesha targeted a new audience in an attempt to regain public support. Following a highly-regarded (yet still controversial) Urapopstar Awards 14 performance and a collaboration with high-street retailer River Island, "The OH in Ohio"/"Candy Cigarettes" entered the chart at number two and became the best-selling single from Alesha Is the Queen (2007). The single was Alesha's first to sell 300,000 copies.

The music video was based on the '80s cult classic film Heathers, starring Alesha in a role comparable to Winona Ryder's portrayal of Veronica Sawyer in the movie. The video mostly focuses on the film's fashion, rather than subject matter. Alesha has performed the song on a number of her world tours since the song's release, most notably 2007's The Queen Tour and 2008's Jesus Christ Supertour.

Background and composition
In 2006, Alesha began recording her fourth studio album Alesha Is the Queen (2007). After scrapping an album’s worth of material, Alesha began to craft a more electropop and hip-hop inspired album. "The OH in Ohio" reflects the album's more urban moments, heavly inspired by the crunk and trap sub genres. Like many of the album's songs, including singles "Fashion Kills" and "London Brat", Alesha sings about fashion and her lavish lifestyle with "a hip-hop swagger," according to Stephen Thomas Erlewine of Allmusic. Alesha was heavily criticized by some facets of the media for using the N-word in the song's rap; when "The OH in Ohio" appeared on the greatest hits album Last Judgment in 2010, the line was removed. Alesha has called the situation "regrettable" and indicative of her youth. Alesha and Shell Ruin were credited with bringing relatively new hip-hop sounds to the mainstream pop world, a move that has since been noted by social justice activists as an example of cultural appropriation.

Critical reception
Kitty Empire of The Observer praised the song's production. She wrote that "the skill and nous that have gone into songs such as 'London Brat' are unimpeachable. There hasn't been a song since the Pet Shop Boys' 'West End Girls' that captures the ugly charms of London on a Friday night, but 'London Brat' comes close." John Murphy of musicOMH said the song "sounds like the best night out you'll ever have set to a frenetic dance beat." However, alongside other songs from Alesha Is the Queen, "London Brat" received attention due to its lyrical content. It was suggested that the song "toys with Alesha’s reputation for partying a little too heartily."

Music video
The music video, directed by Hype Williams, was inspired by the visuals of the 1989 black comedy film Heathers, with Alesha taking on Winona Ryder's role as Veronica Sawyer. Distancing herself from her "Power Power" collaborators, the "Heathers" were not portrayed by any of Alesha's friends or frequent collaborators. Many suggested that the Heathers allusion was a direct attack on Buffi, Shell Ruin and Taylor Brookes. The video is filled with remakes of classic Heathers scenes, and the outfits were intended to channel the famous stylings of the movie with a slightly modern edge. "The OH in Ohio" was also shot in the same high school where Heathers was filmed. On August 18, 2007, a first look with behind-the-scenes footage for "Fancy" was uploaded on Azalea's YouTube channel, shortly before the music video premiere.

Chanel Parks of Entertainment Weekly wrote: "While it might be a little, dare we say it, sacrilegious to replicate this cult classic – we were wondering when there was going to be a music video homage to our favorite movie of all time. So props to you, Alesha." Brent Taalur Ramsey of Paste magazine praised the video, writing that "Alesha combined a quintessential 80s culture moment with her pop vibes [...] this young style icon brought it all together with some major beats and classic outfits—a sound and look that will be totally trending in the music world of 2007."

Live performances
Alesha memorably performed "The OH in Ohio" at the 14th Urapopstar Awards ceremony. Alesha rose from the stage amidst strobe lights and pyrotechnics, wearing millions of pounds in carefully placed Cartier diamonds and turquoise Christian Louboutin heels. Alesha was joined by a chorus line of midgets. Midway through the song, the performance transitions into a previously unheard and yet-to-be released new song titled "Even God Hates U" — Alesha is joined by Twist, who push five female artists on the stage in wheelchairs – Camilla Holmes, Dalisay, Ellen Fitpatrick, Lady Lou and Lavina. Alesha then "roasted" each artist. Although some critics called the performance "nasty," most agreed that it was "memorable" and argued that it did little harm to the artists in question's already mediocre careers.

Alesha performed the song on 2007's The Queen Tour and again on 2008's Jesus Christ Supertour as part of the encore. In 2009, Alesha performed the Ethiopian Ritual Chants MetroMix of the song in a medley with Amy Marshall's "Bang!" (on which Alesha features) on the Apocalypse City Live tour. Alesha performed the song in a medley with "Power Power" on 2010's The Reckoning tour, in support of the greatest hits album Last Judgment. "The OH in Ohio" was once more included in the Judgment Day set list, a live concert at Wembley Stadium billed as Alesha's "final concert" in 2010 (Alesha later returned to the industry after retiring six months earlier).

Track listing

 * CD1
 * 1) "The OH in Ohio"
 * 2) "Candy Cigarettes"
 * 3) "Burns (Candy Cigarettes Part II)"
 * 4) "The Turn" (M.I.A.)
 * 5) "Bitch in Heat" (Remix with Putanovska)
 * CD2
 * 1) "The OH in Ohio"
 * 2) "Candy Cigarettes"
 * 3) "Burns"
 * 4) "Creator" (Santigold)
 * 5) "The OH in Ohio" (Ethiopian Ritual Chants MetroMix)
 * DVD
 * 1) "Making the Videos"
 * 2) "The OH in Ohio" (music video)
 * 3) "Candy Cigarettes" (music video)
 * 4) "The OH in Ohio"/"Even God Hates U" (Live at Urapopstar Awards 14)
 * 5) "Power Power" (Live at Lollapalooza)
 * 6) "Keys to the House" (with Neyssa) (Live at Lollapalooza)
 * 7) "Spot the Cigarette Burns on Alesha's Baby" (Game)


 * Digital download
 * 1) "The OH in Ohio"
 * 2) "Candy Cigarettes"
 * 3) "Burns"
 * 4) "Morning Wood" (BBC Radio 1's Live Lounge)
 * 5) "Not For You" (BBC Radio 1's Live Lounge)

Chart performance
The song debuted on the official singles chart at number two, becoming the fourth top-five single to come from Alesha Is the Queen. After "London Brat" charted at number two and "Power Power" missed the top ten entirely due to a controversial promotional campaign, "The OH in Ohio"/"Candy Cigarettes" was regarded as a return-to-form for Alesha. It eventually became her highest-selling single at that point in her career, shifting 309,501 copies for a platinum certification.