Jump to content

Theater of the Mind

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Eightjoka23 (talk | contribs) at 04:57, 31 December 2008. The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

Untitled

Theater of the Mind is the sixth studio album by Grammy Award-winning American hip-hop rapper Ludacris. It was released November 24, 2008.[1]

Background

The album was slated for release on October 21, but was pushed back to November 24. In April 2008, a song named "Let's Stay Together" appeared on xxlmag.com;[2] supposedly from the new album. It is now an iTunes bonus song on Theater of the Mind. Toomp has also worked on this album.[3] T.I. will also be appearing on a track called "Wish You Would".[4]

The first single "What Them Girls Like" was released on August 7, 2008. The single features Chris Brown and Sean Garrett. The second single "Wish You Would" was released on September 2, 2008 and features T.I. The third single "Undisputed" was released on October 14, 2008. The single features boxer Floyd Mayweather, Jr. A video for the song has been made and was first shown on the BET Network. The video features Floyd Mayweather, Jr. and 6-year old boxer Pretty Boy Bam Bam.[5] The fourth single "One More Drink" was released on October 28, 2008. The single features T-Pain. A music video has been made for the single. The video premiered on Election Day, November 4, 2008. On October 10, 2008, the song "Call Up the Homies" was leaked onto the internet. It is set to be released to iTunes on November 11, 2008. Ludacris performed the first verse off "Last of a Dying Breed" (produced by Wyldfyer) at the 2008 BET Hip-Hop awards. Theater of the Mind contains two different verses from "Last of a Dying Breed" from Ludacris that were not featured on the previewed version.

The album cover was released on October 24, 2008 at wemix.com. The album cover features 18 different moods of Ludacris. It was rumored there was 18 different moods for 18 songs but on the official tracklisting there are only 14 songs.

When asked what 2009 would look like for Ludacris he responded talking about two new albums, including a sequel to this album.[6]

In ’09, I’m definitely dropping another album. I’m working on a Battle of the Sexes album and a Theater of the Mind 2. With Battle of the Sexes, I’m trying to do some stuff with Shawnna."

Ludacris has also been talking to T.I. and Young Jeezy about a tour together.[7]

"I haven't confirmed anything yet," he explained. "It's little talks here and there. But I'll put it out there: I would love to do a tour where it's me, T.I. and [Young] Jeezy. Me, Tip and Jeezy would be outrageous. But nothing is confirmed at the moment."

Concept

Ludacris says the album is theatrical, conceptual-wise. Every song you hear sounds like a scene from a movie.[8]

Guests

Ludacris stated before the release of the album that none of the tracks "will feature any guests", instead they will be "co-starring" different singers.[4] "Co-stars" on this track include Plies, Jay-Z, Nas, T.I., Common, T-Pain, Willy Northpole, Rick Ross, Playaz Circle, Ving Rhames, Chris Rock, Spike Lee, Chris Brown, Sean Garrett, Lil Wayne, Floyd Mayweather Jr., Jamie Foxx, and The Game. [9]

The Preview

Ludacris released a "Gangsta Grillz" mixtape with DJ Drama called The Preview. The mixtape was released as a download on July 28, 2008.

Leaks

On October 24, 2008, three songs from Theater of the Mind, "Do the Right Thing", co-starring Common and Spike Lee, "I Do It for Hip Hop", co-starring Jay-Z and Nas, and "Last of a Dying Breed", co-starring Lil Wayne were leaked to the Internet. Ludacris commented on the situation:

Although I don't know where the leaks came from, the 3 songs leaked to the Internet today were unfinished tracks and premature versions of songs. I'm glad that my fans are excited about the new project, but to get the final masterpiece, the album Theater of the Mind premieres on November 24.[10]

Chart performance

The album debuted at number five on the Billboard 200, selling 214,126 copies in its first week.[11] It was his first album since 2001's Word of Mouf to not reach number one status. As of December 24, 2008, the album has sold over 380,800 units.[1]

Track listing

# Title Composer(s) Featuring Length Samples
1 "Intro" The Runners 1:55
2 "Undisputed" Don Cannon Floyd "Money" Mayweather 4:33 "We'll Find a Way" by Edwin Starr
3 "Wish You Would" DJ Toomp and 8TRIX T.I. 4:47
4 "One More Drink" Trackmasters T-Pain 3:41 "I Like The Way" by Hi-Five
5 "Call Up the Homies" Clinton Sparks & Kamau Georges The Game and Willy Northpole 4:04
6 "Southern Gangsta" StreetRunner Rick Ross, Playaz Circle and Ving Rhames 4:34
7 "Everybody Hates Chris" Don Cannon Chris Rock 4:54 "It Takes a Whole Lotta Man for a Woman Like Me" by Gladys Knight & the Pips.
8 "What Them Girls Like" Darkchild (Co-Produced by Sean Garrett) Chris Brown and Sean Garrett 4:02
9 "Nasty Girl" Swizz Beatz Plies 4:32
10 "Contagious" Scott Storch Jamie Foxx 4:45
11 "Last of a Dying Breed" Wyldfyer Lil Wayne 4:10 You Don't Have to Say You Love Me" by Dusty Springfield
"Eric B. Is President" by Eric B. & Rakim.
12 "MVP" DJ Premier 3:50 "Virgo" by Nas Feat. Ludacris & Doug E. Fresh
13 "I Do It for Hip Hop" Wyldfyer Nas and Jay-Z 5:22 "Keep Their Heads Ringin" by Dr. Dre
14 "Do the Right Thang" 9th Wonder Common and Spike Lee 5:14 "Na Boca Do Sol" by Arthur Verocai
* "Let's Stay Together" (USA & UK iTunes Bonus Track) DJ Paul and Juicy J 4:18
* "Press the Start Button" (Dutch iTunes Bonus Track / Japanese bonus track) Dre & Vidal 4:00

Personnel

Charts

Chart (2008) Peak
position
Canadian Albums Chart[12] 22
Swiss Albums Chart[13] 66
U.S. Billboard 200[14] 5
U.S. Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums[15] 2
U.S. Billboard Top Rap Albums[16] 1

References

  1. ^ http://www.defjam.com/site/news.php?news_id=106604
  2. ^ Ludacris "Let's Stay Together" audio.
  3. ^ DJ Toomp: Grammy Family. Accessed July 6, 2008.
  4. ^ a b Ludacris, T.I. 'Wish You Would' Believe There's No Beef Between Them. Accessed August 8, 2008.
  5. ^ ATLien (September 8, 2008). Video ~ Ludacris vs. a 6 Year Old Straight From the A. Accessed September 8, 2008
  6. ^ Ludacris: Audio Cinematic. HiphopDX.com.
  7. ^ Ludacris In 'Talks' To Tour With T.I. And Young Jeezy, Says Theater Of The Mind Is A 'Classic'. MTV.com.
  8. ^ (July 16, 2008). Ludacris Gets Theatrical on Sixth Album Rap-Up. Accessed August 3, 2008.
  9. ^ Ludacris Interview.
  10. ^ Ludacris Speaks on Song Leaks. HipHopDX.com. Accessed October 26, 2008.
  11. ^ Hasty, Katie (2008-12-03). "Kanye Edges GNR, Ludacris For No. 1 Debut". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media. Retrieved 2008-12-04.
  12. ^ "Top Canadian Albums - Theater Of The Mind - Ludacris". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media. Retrieved 2008-12-27.
  13. ^ "Ludacris - Theater Of The Mind - Music Charts". αCharts. Retrieved 2008-12-04.
  14. ^ "The Billboard 200 - Theater Of The Mind - Ludacris". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media. Retrieved 2008-12-27.
  15. ^ "Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums - Theater Of The Mind - Ludacris". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media. Retrieved 2008-12-27.
  16. ^ "Top Rap Albums - Theater Of The Mind - Ludacris". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media. Retrieved 2008-12-27.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Theater_of_the_Mind&oldid=261031743"