I Used To Love Her: 30 Songs Dedicated To Famous Exes

February 8, 2013 - 10:15 pm by Jasmina Cuevas

Cupid’s cold shoulder doesn’t discriminate: Superstar musicians and average Joes are equally immune to heartbreak. Except usually when your favorite crooner has to let it burn, s/he goes running for some 808s to let the song cry. We’ve watched some of our favorite couples—from Usher and Chilii to Diddy and J. Lo—crumble before our eyes before opening up about the split in song. VIBE rounds up 30 musical dedications to lost loves from their significant exes. Whether scorned, remorseful or just-plain-over-it, these records are now sincerely yours. —Jasmina Cuevas

Usher - "U Got it Bad" (To Chili) Remember when Usher cheated on Chili and then broke her heart by telling the whole world about it via music video? The R&B superstar made a terrible mistake, but the aftermath was obviously more than he could handle. [videoembed size="full_width" alignment="center"][/videoembed]

Bow Wow - "Outta My System" (To Ciara) Were not quite sure how Bow Wow was able to get with Ciara but we do know that he royally screwed up when he let her go. The rapper cheated on CIci and realized very quickly that there was no chance of getting her back, so he had to detox. [videoembed size="full_width" alignment="center"][/videoembed]

Ciara - "Sorry" (To 50 Cent) 50 Cent needed some love in his life and Ciara needed someone to treat her better than Bow Wow. We were rooting for them! (Remember the ~~rumored~~ photos of Fif' and Cici in his Curtis album artwork?). Unfortunately, the relationship fell apart, apparently because 50 wouldn't say he was sorry. [videoembed size="full_width" alignment="center"][/videoembed]

Kanye West - "Blame Game" (To Amber Rose) Kanye is not one to hold back on his feelings. When he and Amber Rose split, the whole world felt Yeezy's pain. While they blame each other, the breakup ending up working out for the best: Kimye and Wizber were created. [videoembed size="full_width" alignment="center"][/videoembed]

Rihanna - "Rehab" (To Chris Brown) The unfortunate back story to Rihanna and Chris Brown's relationship has caused a domino effect of drama. It's been a tumultuous on-and-off relationship that seems like it will never end. Rihanna might actually need to check into rehab to let him go for good. [videoembed size="full_width" alignment="center"][/videoembed]

Chris Brown - "Deuces" (To Rihanna) Rihanna wasn't the only one who was salty about the breakup. After apologizing so many times, Chris Brown decided to (temporarily) chuck the deuces. [videoembed size="full_width" alignment="center"][/videoembed]

Justin Timberlake - "Cry Me a River" (To Britney Spears) Justin Timberlake isn't a tit-for-tat kinda guy. At least not in his relationship with fellow former Mickey Mouse Club kid Britney Spears. Britney allegedly cheated on JT, but instead of returning the favor, he aired out her dirty laundry and moved on. Britney went a bit nutty and Justin became an international pop sensation. [videoembed size="full_width" alignment="center"][/videoembed]

No Doubt - "Don't Speak" (Gwen to Tony Kanal) Gwen Stefani and Tony Kanal were together for seven years and when they broke up, fans were worried that No Doubt would follow suit. But the group pushed through and even after the eventual solo pursuits, the band reunited in 2012 to release their fifth studio album. [videoembed size="full_width" alignment="center"][/videoembed]

Drake - "Fireworks" (To Rihanna) Drake aired out his dating encounters with Rihanna on this intro to his debut album, Thank Me Later, poppin' off on the perfect July 4 anthem. The Bajan queen left him dazed and confused, yet they'd reunite in the future, both romantically and musically ("What's My Name," "Take Care"). [videoembed size="full_width" alignment="center"][/videoembed]

Travie McCoy - "Don't Pretend" (To Katy Perry) Travie McCoy and Katy Perry were together before either one of their careers sky rocketed, so no one thought fame wouldn't affect them. But when Katy blew up faster than Travie, he turned to drugs to cope with the awkward transition. Katy knew that his image wouldn't help hers so she kicked him to the curb... via email. (Ouch!) But karma kicked back when Katy moved on to Russell Brand and got a divorce. [videoembed size="full_width" alignment="center"][/videoembed]

Outkast - "Ms. Jackson" (To Erykah Badu) Erykah Badu is quite the character. Andre 3000 and her were together for a few years before having their first child in 1997. A little while after that, they broke up and Erykah moved on to Common, then D.O.C. and then Jay Electronica. But Andre 3000 became one of the most influential rappers in the game and used his platform for this dedication. [videoembed size="full_width" alignment="center"][/videoembed]

Rihanna - "Cold Case Love" (To Chris Brown) Rihanna doesn't let things go easily. She has constantly reminded Chris Brown that he messed up, but with such a hateful love towards him, we all assumed that she would have let him go by now. Guess love really does conquer all. [videoembed size="full_width" alignment="center"][/videoembed]

Pink - "So What" (To Carey Hart) "So What," by Pink is hilarious: Carey Hart broke up with her but she didn't care and wrote a whole song about it. They got back together and had a child but the record still became an anthem for angry women everywhere. [videoembed size="full_width" alignment="center"][/videoembed]

Adele - "Someone Like You" (To Alex Sturrock) Most people cry and eat ice cream after a breakup; Adele writes a Grammy Award-sweeping album about it. Her fans got their favorite cathartic songs out of that LP and she got earned worldwide recognition and a new life. Plus, she's got a son now with her new boo: fiancé Simon Konecki. [videoembed size="full_width" alignment="center"][/videoembed]

Joe Budden - "Ordinary Love" (To Esther Baxter) We could never tell who was actually telling the truth about Joe Budden and Esther Baxter's breakup. Fist fights, drama and broken hearts was all that came out of this relationship. This was definitely no ordinary love, word to Sade. [videoembed size="full_width" alignment="center"][/videoembed]

Taylor Swift - "Forever and Always" (To Joe Jonas) Like most normal, young women, Taylor Swift went through her share of breakups. But unlike most normal, young women, Taylor Swift puts all her breakups into songs and makes hits out of them. Then it's on to the next one. [videoembed size="full_width" alignment="center"][/videoembed]

Eminem - "Bagpipes from Baghad" (To Mariah Carey) Most were not aware that Eminem and Mariah Carey were an item until they no longer were. Such an odd couple to picture together, we couldn't imagine that their breakup would be so nasty. Mariah's response record turned the heat up even higher (Spoiler: the real Slim Shady does not stand up). [videoembed size="full_width" alignment="center"][/videoembed]

Mariah Carey - "Obsessed" (To Eminem) Mariah Carey doesn't take well to shade. Here, she chin-checks Eminem for spreading their business, claiming they never were together and he was just obsessed. Didn't stop her from playing him like a Nintendo DS in the song's video, with Marshall Mathers lookalikes. [videoembed size="full_width" alignment="center"][/videoembed]

Eminem - "The Warning" (To Mariah Carey) Eminem tore Mariah and her husband Nick Cannon to shreds in this loosie. Going in about their sexual relationships and secret getaways, Em may not have proven that they were actually together but the song must have scared Mariah enough: We didn't hear a peep from her afterwards. [videoembed size="full_width" alignment="center"][/videoembed]

Lenny Kravitz - "It Ain't Over Till It's Over" (To Lisa Bonet) This song is a true classic. And even though it came from a breakup between Lenny Kravitz and Lisa Bonet, it became one of his biggest hits. Years later, Lenny and Lisa are still raising their child without any drama. They're actually good friends, too. [videoembed size="full_width" alignment="center"][/videoembed]

Nas - Bye Baby (To Kelis) Nas left it all on the track: The initial pursuit, run-ins with Miami police, infidelity, child support payments. His breakup with Kelis was painful, but in the end, both sides have a beautiful boy, Knight, to raise together. [videoembed size="full_width" alignment="center"][/videoembed]

Christina Milian -"Gonna Tell Everybody" (To Nick Cannon) Christina Milian and Nick Cannon were another one of those odd couples that happened (and collapsed) unexpectedly. Christina sang her broken heart out and Nick eventually apologized for his part in the couples undoing. Now they are both focusing on their careers and their children with their significant others. [videoembed size="full_width" alignment="center"][/videoembed]

Keyshia Cole - "I Remember" (To Young Jeezy) Keyshia Cole and Young Jeezy were never truly together... or at least that's what Young Jeezy lead us to believe. Eventually Keyshia came moved on and Jeezy admitted that he wasn't ready for love. [videoembed size="full_width" alignment="center"][/videoembed]

Monica - "You Should've Know Better" (To C-Murder) Monica held C-Murder down throughout his bid. But her loyalty wasn't enough and he questioned her motives. Monica got fed up and moved on to marry basketball player Shannon Brown. See, some breakups do have good outcomes (at least for Monica). [videoembed size="full_width" alignment="center"][/videoembed]

The-Dream - "Ghetto" (To Christina Milian) This isn't really a heartbreak song, more of "you know you want me back," song. The-Dream sings that anybody Christina dates after him is irrelevant. Eventually she fired back by accusing The-Dream of being a bad father. In the end they both apologized. [videoembed size="full_width" alignment="center"][/videoembed]

Jhene Aiko - "Popular" (To O'Ryan) Jhene Aiko and O'Ryan (Omarion's brother) had a puppy love thing going on and even had a baby together. But once the small amount of fame got to O'Ryan's head, he forgot who Jhene Aiko was and started noticing all the other girls. So Jhene moved on and upward with her career as O'Ryan's tapered off. [videoembed size="full_width" alignment="center"][/videoembed]

Mary J. Blige - "Enough Crying" (To KC) This song is the ultimate anthem for anyone going through a heartbreak. The song speaks so much volume and it's also great to jam to. [videoembed size="full_width" alignment="center"][/videoembed]

P. Diddy - "I Need a Girl" (To J. Lo) J.Lo and Diddy were everyone's favorite hip-hop couple. But J.Lo wanted no parts of Puff's street ties. So she scrammed, and in response, he released this anthem with fellow brokenhearted bro Usher. Now that Diddy has Cassie, his wishes have finally been answered. [videoembed size="full_width" alignment="center"][/videoembed]

Fabolous - "Want You Back" (To Emily B) Over the same sample Just Blaze flipped for Usher's "Throwback," Fabolous raps about repeatedly taking back a lover despite his friends' wishes and the karma that comes with double-crossing a good guy. Check the clever Derrick Rose wordplay. [videoembed size="full_width" alignment="center"][/videoembed]

Kanye West - "Heartless" (To Alexis Phifer) Before there was Amber Rose and Kim Kardashian, Kanye West was with Alexis Phifer, the first love of his life. Alexis was there for Kanye when he was producing in his one room apartment and before he became the Kanye we all know and love (or hate). The fame got to Kanye's head and it became too much for Alexis so she decided to move on. [videoembed size="full_width" alignment="center"][/videoembed]