Ultimate Victory
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Ultimate Victory is southern rapper Chamillionaire's second album. It was released on September 18 2007 and as of May 1, 2008 has sold 215,666 copies in the U.S.
History
Guests on the album are Krayzie Bone, Lil Wayne, Pimp C, Slick Rick, KC, Tony Henry, Bun B, Lloyd, Famous, and Devin The Dude. Chamillionaire announced that his first official single off Ultimate Victory is "Hip Hop Police" featuring Slick Rick and produced by J. R. Rotem. The next single is "The Evening News" which was the second part of the "Hip Hop Police" video. Chamillionaire will release music videos in sequential order to make it seem like a mini movie.[1] The first video, "Hip Hop Police", premiered in full, along with "Evening News", on July 26 on BET Access Granted.
The song "The Bill Collecta" featuring Bone Thugs-N-Harmony member Krayzie Bone, was serviced to radio on September 18 2007. It was going to be made into a video, but was turned into a street single instead.
The song titled "Industry Groupie" from the album heavily samples the song "The Final Countdown" by Europe. The song used the same beat with a hip hop twist. like "The Bill Collecta" it was going to become a video, but became a street single.
Chamillionaire kept the album clean (no swearing, no explicit sexual references, no violence) and 'n-word free. Chamillionaire says that he made this decision after hearing white fans rap to his "n-words" in his previous album.[2] He said that he wasn't gonna make a big deal of not cursing and release the album with other rappers cursing, but then said he had to make a "political desicion" to keep the album clean. Also while on Larry King Live on December 4, 2007 he said that it was a "moral desicion" to not say the n-word on Ultimate Victory. There was a Explicit Version leaked onto the internet but the track "Pimp Mode" was left censored but unlike the retail version of the album it was censored by a gunshot.
Explicit versions of "Rock Star" featuring Lil Wayne and "You Must Be Crazy" featuring Famous have been released on Chamilitary's MySpace page.
On September 14 2007, Chamillionaire, Famous and Slick Rick appeared on The Late Show with David Letterman and performed "Hip Hop Police." On September 18 2007, Chamillionaire, Famous, and Slick Rick appeared on Total Request Live and performed "Hip Hop Police". On September 19, 2007, Chamillionaire along with Famous & Slick Rick performed "Hip Hop Police" on BET's 106 & Park. Later in October he made an exclusive visit for the first time to India, and performed live rapping at Bottles & Chimneys, Hyderabad to the beats of DJ Shaun (Shaun Ryder).
Critical reception
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Ultimate Victory was very well-received by many critics. Rolling Stone praised the title track stating, "“The Ultimate Victory”—on which Cham expresses sympathy for media-dogged celebrities like Eminem and Britney Spears and admits, "I'm still filled with doubt"—might be the most personally reflective hip-hop track since Slim Shady himself stepped to the mic." Allmusic said that it is "a positive outlook for the future of the genre." Allhiphop.com praised his lyricism, stating, "Chamillionaire's flow and lyricism is rampant through each track on Ultimate Victory." Sputnikmusic acknowledged that the album was a "cohesive and complete album in the world of Southern rap." Sixshot declared "“The Ultimate Victory” is the biggest thing to come out of Texas since the space shuttle." Hip Hop DX stated, "Chamillionaire effortlessly transitions from one subject to the next without coming off too overbearing or preachy. Blending his trademark, butter-smooth melodies with hard-hitting beats and intricate punch lines, The Ultimate Victory is an interesting blend of braggadocio, thought-provoking, political undertones and bravado, something rarely seen from today’s mainstream emcee."
Track listing
| # | Title | Producer(s) | Feature guest(s) | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "The Morning News" | Kane Beatz | 3:58 | |
| 2 | "Hip Hop Police" | J.R. Rotem | Slick Rick | 4:11 |
| 3 | "Standing Ovation" | Kane Beatz | 4:27 | |
| 4 | "Won't Let You Down" | Kane Beatz | KC | 4:37 |
| 5 | "Industry Groupie" | J.R. Rotem | 3:32 | |
| 6 | "Pimp Mode" | Happy Perez | Bun B | 5:22 |
| 7 | "Rock Star" | The Beat Bullies | Lil Wayne | 5:00 |
| 8 | "(Skit)" | Spanky Hayes | 3:04 | |
| 9 | "The Bill Collecta" | Play-N-Skillz | Krayzie Bone | 3:51 |
| 10 | "The Ultimate Vacation" | The Beat Bullies | 4:05 | |
| 11 | "Come Back to the Streets" | The Runners | 4:52 | |
| 12 | "I Think I Love You" | The Beat Bullies | 4:43 | |
| 13 | "The Evening News" | Kane Beatz | 4:08 | |
| 14 | "Welcome to the South" | Kane Beatz | Pimp C | 4:12 |
| 15 | "You Must Be Crazy" | Dave M.G. | Famous | 4:54 |
| 16 | "We Breakin Up" | CHOPS | 4:40 | |
| 17 | "Stuck in the Ghetto (Skit)" | Tony Henry | 1:45 | |
| 18 | "Rocky Road" | Happy Perez | Devin the Dude | 4:59 |
| 19 | "The Ultimate Victory" | Happy Perez | 4:26 | |
| 21 | "Keep It on the Hush" (Best Buy bonus track) | Rick Rock & Matty P | Lloyd | 4:01 |
| 22 | "Still Countin' My Cash" (iTunes bonus track) | TrakTwinz | 4:25 |
Chart position
| Chart (2007) | Peak Position |
|---|---|
| U.S. Billboard Hot 200 | 8 |
| U.S. Billboard Top Rap Albums | 3 |
| U.S. Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums | 3 |
| U.S. Billboard Top Digital Albums | 8 |
| U.S. Billboard Billboard Comprehensive Albums | 8 |
| U.S. Billboard Tastemakers | 4 |
Bonus DVD
Chamillionaire released his Bonus DVD to Ultimate Victory. This DVD is only in exclusive double-pack in BET Edition available at Wal-Mart.
DVD features are:[3]
- ACCESS GRANTED: "Turn It Up", "Grown & Sexy", "Hip-Hop Police"/"Evening News"
- 106 & PARK: Chamillionaire Inverview
- BET Spring Bling 2007 Performance
- BET Black Collage Tour
- Fly Rydes
Music Videos:
- "Turn It Up"
- "Ridin''"
- "Grown and Sexy"
- "Hip-Hop Police"
- "The Evening News"