Clive Davis cuts it from Tyrese's own record first. ▤

The song is the title track of Tyrese Gibson's own 2000 album — until Clive Davis cuts it, calling it “too futuristic” and inconsistent with the rest of the record. Then a call comes from ⌜Teddy Riley.

“Oh my God, I want it.” ⚠︎

Per Tyrese: Riley played the song for Jackson during a session, and Jackson immediately said he wanted it. Riley pointed out it was Tyrese's song; Jackson said he loved it too much to let it go. The account is sourced through a narrated clip video, not a direct on-camera interview — slightly weaker footing than a first-person sit-down.

INTERCEPT ┤ N-02 — TYRESE, ON LOSING THE SONG

> JACKSON, per Tyrese: “Oh my God, I want it.” — and, when reminded whose song it was: “I love it so much, I want it.”
> TYRESE, on the whole affair: “All Clive Davis said no, Michael Jackson said yes. Hallelujah.”

REPORTED SPEECH, NOT VERBATIM · via narrated clip, not direct interview · ⚠︎ weaker sourcing format

Buxer's own song list includes it — though the credit reads Riley. ▤

⌜Brad Buxer lists “2000 Watts” among his own work — even though the production credit goes to ⌜Teddy Riley — indicating uncredited work. Corroborated across two of his own interviews.

Rolling Stone found it generic. ■

Rolling Stone's James Hunter (Dec 6, 2001) criticized the track as generic, alongside “♪Heartbreaker.” The song Clive Davis found too futuristic, the paper found ordinary — the two verdicts don't sit easily together.