R&B Singer Case Almost Passed on His Biggest Hit Because It “Felt Too Pop”

Before it became one of the most emotional and recognizable R&B songs of the late 1990s, “Missing You” wasn’t even a record Case believed in. In fact, the R&B singer initially didn’t like the song at all, feeling that it leaned too far into pop territory and away from the soulful sound he was known for.

At the time, Case was building his reputation as a heartfelt R&B vocalist with raw emotion and street-rooted soul. When “Missing You” was presented to him, he reportedly felt it didn’t reflect his core identity as an artist. The record’s softer, more mainstream structure made him hesitant, and he worried it wouldn’t connect with his core R&B audience.

Everything changed once the song found its true purpose.

“Missing You” was selected for the soundtrack to The Nutty Professor (1996) and took on new meaning when it became associated with themes of love, loss, and remembrance. Once Case recorded the track and felt the emotional weight behind the lyrics, his perspective shifted. The song wasn’t just pop—it was universal.

When released, “Missing You” became a massive success, reaching the top of the charts and earning Case his first Grammy nomination. It resonated deeply with listeners who were grieving lost loved ones, turning the song into an anthem played at memorials, funerals, and moments of reflection around the world.

Ironically, the very thing Case feared—the song’s broad appeal—became its greatest strength. “Missing You” transcended genre boundaries and solidified Case’s place in R&B history, proving that sometimes the records artists doubt the most end up defining their legacy.

Today, the song stands as a powerful reminder that stepping outside your comfort zone can lead to timeless impact, and that emotion—not genre—ultimately connects music to the soul.