21 The song was recorded at The Hit Factory Criteria, in Miami, during the sessions for Brown's self-titled first studio album.

On July 19, 2005, Jive and Zomba Records serviced the song to rhythmic crossover radio in the United States, with Juelz Santana being added as a featuring artist to it.

[4] "Run It" was written and produced by Scott Storch and Sean Garrett, and features vocals by Juelz Santana.

The track is composed in the key of C♯ Phrygian as a Crunk&B song, that was described for having "slinky synth beats", a "catchy chorus", and an "ominous, creepy background".

by Usher, stating that it features a "mix of smooth seduction and cunning come-ons in Brown's baby-mack vocals.

as a "prelude to what Brown would continue to do for the next decade: relentlessly disrupt the constructs of rhythm and blues", noting that with the song "the young singer began an evolution of the genre.

a four-star rating, commending the song's backing music, Brown's voice, and chorus, but called it "another cookie cutter Scott Storch production.

"[8] Andy Kellman of AllMusic noted it as one of the album's top tracks, commenting that the song's "way of tempering Brown's small-town innocence with hard-edged backing and a guest spot from an MC of ill repute is clearly a strategy to make the singer appeal to more than tween girls.

among the singer's best singles, stating that it "laid the foundation for his future hits, establishing him as a fresh and dynamic force in the music industry".

[11] After eight weeks on the chart, the song entered the top ten at number eight on October 22, 2005, receiving the airplay gainer title.

[17] It earned a gold certification from the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA), denoting shipments of 35,000 copies.

At the end, Brown and his love interest are about to kiss before the security guards arrive, and the whole gym is evacuated, with both of them pulled in separate directions.