Romeo Must Die (soundtrack)

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Romeo Must Die: The Album
Soundtrack album by
various artists
ReleasedMarch 14, 2000 (2000-03-14)
Recorded1999–2000
Genre
Length74:25
Label
Producer
Singles from Romeo Must Die: The Album
  1. "Try Again"
    Released: March 21, 2000
  2. "Come Back in One Piece"
    Released: June 6, 2000
  3. "We at It Again"
    Released: June 20, 2000
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[1]
Entertainment WeeklyA−[2]
Mixmag[3]
Q[4]
RapReviews3/10[5]
Soundtrack.Net2/5[6]
The Village VoiceA−[7]

Romeo Must Die: The Album is the soundtrack to Andrzej Bartkowiak's 2000 action film Romeo Must Die, composed of hip hop and R&B music. It was released on March 28, 2000 through Blackground Records and Virgin Records in association with Warner Bros. Records (who helped co-financed the soundtrack). Recording sessions took time between May 1999 and January 2000.

Production was handled by several record producers, including Irv Gotti, Rapture Stewart, Ant Banks, Eric Seats, Mannie Fresh, J Dub, and Timbaland, who also served as executive producer along with Barry and Jomo Hankerson, and the film star Aaliyah.

It features contributions from Aaliyah, who appears on fours songs, as well as B.G., Chanté Moore, Dave Hollister, Destiny's Child, Ginuwine, Joe, Lil' Mo, Mack 10, Playa, Stanley Clarke, The Comrads and more.

Three singles and music videos were released from the album: Aaliyah's number one pop hit "Try Again" (directed by Wayne Isham), Aaliyah and her co-star DMX duet "Come Back in One Piece" (directed by Little X), and Timbaland & Magoo's "We At It Again" (directed by Chris Robinson), which introduced Timbaland's younger brother, rapper Sebastian, to audiences. Q magazine included the soundtrack album in their list of the '5 Best Compilations of 2000'.[8][9]

In August 2021, it was reported that Aaliyah's recorded work for Blackground (since rebranded as Blackground Records 2.0) would be re-released on physical, digital, and, for the first time ever, streaming services in a deal between the label and Empire Distribution.[10] Romeo Must Die: The Album was re-released on September 3, 2021.[11]

Commercial performance[edit]

In the United States, the soundtrack debuted at number 3 on the Billboard 200 and topped the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart selling 203,000 in its first week.[12] It was certified Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America on May 2, 2000 for selling a million copies. The album sold 1.3 million copies by the end of 2000.[13] By 2001 the album sold 1.5 million copies domestically and over 2 million copies internationally.[14][15]

In Canada, the soundtrack peaked at number 4 and was certified Platinum by Music Canada. The album reached number 6 in Germany and lasted at number 76 in the year-ending. In 2013, it also was certified Silver by the British Phonographic Industry.

Track listing[edit]

No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Try Again" (performed by Aaliyah)Timbaland4:45
2."Come Back in One Piece" (performed by Aaliyah and DMX)
4:19
3."Rose in a Concrete World (J Dub Remix)" (performed by Joe)
  • Joe
  • Joshua Thompson
4:50
4."Rollin' Raw" (performed by B.G.)Mannie Fresh4:00
5."We at It Again" (performed by Timbaland & Magoo)Timbaland4:45
6."Are You Feelin' Me?" (performed by Aaliyah)Timbaland3:11
7."Perfect Man" (performed by Destiny's Child)
  • Eric Seats
  • Rapture Stewart
3:47
8."Simply Irresistible" (performed by Ginuwine)
  • Garrett
  • T. Mosley
  • Brian Kidd
  • Timbaland
  • Brian Kidd (co.)
4:01
9."It Really Don't Matter" (performed by Confidential)
  • Edward Ruiz
  • Franchesco Ferraro
  • Juan Enrique Figueroa
  • Louis M. Vizzo
  • Robert Scalere Jr.
  • Jeffery Walker
J Dub4:08
10."Thugz" (performed by Mack 10 and Tha Comrads)Ant Banks4:13
11."I Don't Wanna" (performed by Aaliyah)
  • Donnie Scantz
  • Kevin Hicks
4:16
12."Somebody's Gonna Die Tonight" (performed by Dave Bing and Lil' Mo)
  • Irv Gotti
  • Lil' Rob
4:36
13."Woozy" (performed by Playa)
  • Garrett
  • Benjamin Bush
  • Jawaan Peacock
  • Matthew Brown
4:10
14."Pump the Brakes" (performed by Dave Hollister)
  • Bush
  • Seats
  • Stewart
  • Eric Seats
  • Rapture Stewart
4:27
15."This Is a Test" (performed by Chanté Moore)
  • Eric Seats
  • Rapture Stewart
3:20
16."Revival" (performed by Non-A-Miss)
  • K. Dang
  • M. Calaguas
  • Walker
J Dub4:57
17."Come On" (performed by Sonja Blade)
  • Sonja Holder
  • Anthony Moody
D-Moet3:50
18."Swung On" (performed by Stanley Clarke and Politix)
Stanley Clarke3:16
Total length:1:14:25
Notes
  • Tracks 8, 13, 14, 16, 17 and 18 did not appear in the film

Other songs[edit]

  • These songs did appear in the film but were not released on the soundtrack:

Charts[edit]

Certifications[edit]

Region Certification Certified units/sales
Canada (Music Canada)[41] Platinum 100,000^
United Kingdom (BPI)[42] Silver 60,000^
United States (RIAA)[43] Platinum 1,000,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Release history[edit]

Release history and formats for Romeo Must Die: The Album
Region Date Edition(s) Format(s) Label(s) Ref.
Canada March 14, 2000 Standard CD Virgin [44]
United States March 21, 2000 [45]
Japan May 10, 2000 EMI Music Japan [46]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Mathis, Derrick. "Romeo Must Die - Original Soundtrack | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved November 29, 2020.
  2. ^ Seymour, Craig (March 27, 2000). "Romeo Must Die Soundtrack". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved November 29, 2020.
  3. ^ "Review: Romeo Must Die". Mixmag. London: 177. October 2000. Archived from the original on December 25, 2012. Retrieved December 25, 2012.
  4. ^ "Review: Romeo Must Die". Q. London: 119. November 2000. Archived from the original on December 25, 2012. Retrieved December 25, 2012.
  5. ^ Juon, Steve 'Flash' (April 19, 2000). "Various Artists :: Romeo Must Die Soundtrack – RapReviews". www.rapreviews.com. Retrieved November 29, 2020.
  6. ^ Sheby, Matthew (December 2, 2004). "Romeo Must Die Soundtrack (2000)". Soundtrack.Net. Retrieved November 29, 2020.
  7. ^ Christgau, Robert (May 30, 2000). "Consumer Guide". The Village Voice. Retrieved November 29, 2020 – via www.robertchristgau.com.
  8. ^ "5 Best Compilations of 2000". Q. London: 95. January 2001. Archived from the original on December 25, 2012. Retrieved December 25, 2012.
  9. ^ "Rocklist.net...Q End Of Year Lists". www.rocklistmusic.co.uk. Retrieved November 30, 2020.
  10. ^ McIntyre, Hugh (August 5, 2021). "20 Years After Her Passing, Aaliyah's Music Is Finally Coming To Streaming Services". Forbes. Archived from the original on August 23, 2023. Retrieved August 23, 2023.
  11. ^ Darville, Jordan (August 19, 2021). "Streaming release dates for Aaliyah's catalogue revealed, with One in a Million available tonight". The Fader. Archived from the original on August 7, 2023. Retrieved September 5, 2023.
  12. ^ Mancini, Robert (April 5, 2000). "MTV.com - News - 'NSYNC On Top Again As Aaliyah, Drag-On Hit Chart". MTV. Archived from the original on June 5, 2002. Retrieved November 29, 2020 – via Wayback Machine.
  13. ^ Christman, Ed (February 10, 2001). "Best Selling Records of 2000". Billboard. Retrieved November 29, 2020.
  14. ^ Hall, Rashaun (July 21, 2001). "Blackground Readying Aaliyah's Return". Billboard. Retrieved November 29, 2020.
  15. ^ "Congratulate Aaliyah". Billboard. 27 January 2001. Retrieved 2018-04-12.
  16. ^ "Australiancharts.com – Soundtrack – Romeo Must Die". Hung Medien. Retrieved November 29, 2020.
  17. ^ "Austriancharts.at – Soundtrack – Romeo Must Die" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved November 29, 2020.
  18. ^ "Ultratop.be – Soundtrack – Romeo Must Die" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved November 29, 2020.
  19. ^ "Ultratop.be – Soundtrack – Romeo Must Die" (in French). Hung Medien. Retrieved November 29, 2020.
  20. ^ "Hits of the World". Billboard. Vol. 112, no. 16. April 15, 2000. p. 56. Retrieved April 19, 2023.
  21. ^ "R&B : Top 50". Jam!. May 22, 2000. Archived from the original on May 23, 2000. Retrieved January 27, 2023.
  22. ^ "Top RPM Albums: Issue 9840". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved March 24, 2023.
  23. ^ "Dutchcharts.nl – Soundtrack – Romeo Must Die" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved November 29, 2020.
  24. ^ "European Top 100 Albums" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 17, no. 30. July 22, 2000. p. 10. Retrieved January 26, 2023 – via World Radio History.
  25. ^ "Lescharts.com – Soundtrack – Romeo Must Die". Hung Medien. Retrieved November 29, 2020.
  26. ^ "Offiziellecharts.de – Soundtrack – Romeo Must Die" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved November 29, 2020.
  27. ^ "Charts.nz – Soundtrack – Romeo Must Die". Hung Medien. Retrieved November 29, 2020.
  28. ^ "Swisscharts.com – Soundtrack – Romeo Must Die". Hung Medien. Retrieved November 29, 2020.
  29. ^ "Official Compilations Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved January 21, 2023.
  30. ^ "Official R&B Albums Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 29, 2020.
  31. ^ "Billboard 200 Chart: Week of April 15, 2000". Billboard. Retrieved November 29, 2020.
  32. ^ "Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums Chart: Week of April 15, 2000". Billboard. Retrieved November 29, 2020.
  33. ^ "Official Soundtrack Albums Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved January 26, 2023.
  34. ^ "Canada's Top 200 Albums of 2000". Jam!. Archived from the original on August 12, 2004. Retrieved March 24, 2022.
  35. ^ "Top 100 Album-Jahrescharts" (in German). GfK Entertainment. Retrieved November 29, 2020.
  36. ^ "Top Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 2000". Billboard. Archived from the original on January 10, 2015. Retrieved November 15, 2021.
  37. ^ "Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums – Year-End 2000". Billboard. Archived from the original on July 24, 2015. Retrieved November 15, 2021.
  38. ^ "Canada's Top 200 R&B; albums of 2001". Jam!. January 8, 2002. Archived from the original on July 26, 2002. Retrieved January 22, 2023.
  39. ^ "Top 100 rap albums of 2001 in Canada". Jam!. January 8, 2002. Archived from the original on November 22, 2002. Retrieved January 26, 2023.
  40. ^ "Decade End Charts – R&B/Hip-Hop Albums". Billboard. 2009. Archived from the original on July 21, 2012. Retrieved January 27, 2023.
  41. ^ "Canadian album certifications – Various Artists – Romeo Must Die - Original Motion Picture Soundtrack". Music Canada.
  42. ^ "British album certifications – Original Soundtrack – Romeo Must Die - The Album". British Phonographic Industry. Select albums in the Format field. Select Silver in the Certification field. Type Romeo Must Die - The Album in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  43. ^ "American album certifications – Soundtrack – Romeo Must Die". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved November 29, 2020.
  44. ^ "Music Releases: March 2000". Jam!. March 14, 2000. Archived from the original on August 29, 2000. Retrieved March 24, 2023.
  45. ^ "Aaliyah, DMX, Ginuwine Pitch In For "Romeo" LP". MTV News. February 18, 2000. Archived from the original on March 24, 2023. Retrieved March 24, 2023. The "Romeo Must Die" soundtrack is due in stores on March 21, while the film will arrive in theaters on March 24.
  46. ^ "ロミオ・マスト・ダイ オリジナル・サウンドトラック" (in Japanese). Oricon. Archived from the original on September 24, 2023. Retrieved September 24, 2023.

External links[edit]