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Urban Legend (album)

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Untitled

Urban Legend is the third studio album by American rapper T.I., released on November 30, 2004, through Grand Hustle Records and Atlantic Records. The album debuted at number seven on the Billboard 200, selling 193,000 copies in its first week of release, it charted at number one on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, and at number one on the Top Rap Albums chart.[1]

The album's official lead single, "Bring Em Out", was released on October 19, 2004 and became his first top ten hit, peaking at number nine on the US Billboard Hot 100, while the second single "U Don't Know Me" peaked at number twenty-three on the Billboard Hot 100. His third single "ASAP" reached number 75 on the U.S. charts,[2] number 18 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs charts[2] and number 14 on the Hot Rap Tracks.[2] T.I. created a video for "ASAP"/"Motivation". However, "Motivation" only made it to number 62 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.[2]

The album features production provided by longtime collaborating producers DJ Toomp, Jazze Pha, Lil Jon, The Neptunes, Nick "Fury" Loftin, David Banner and Sanchez Holmes. New producers contributing to the album include Daz Dillinger, Kevin "Khao" Cates, KLC, Mannie Fresh, Scott Storch and Swizz Beatz. Featured guests on the album include Trick Daddy, Nelly, Lil Jon, B.G., Mannie Fresh, Daz Dillinger, Lil Wayne, Pharrell Williams, P$C, Jazze Pha and Lil' Kim.

Upon its release, Urban Legend received generally favorable reviews from most music critics.

The Recording Industry Association of America has certified the album platinum, with over 1,000,000 copies shipped in the United States alone.[3]

Background

In March 2004, a warrant was issued for T.I.'s arrest after a violation of probation that resulted from a 1997 arrest on cocaine distribution and the manufacturing and distribution of a controlled substance.[4] He was sentenced to three years in prison.[5] While imprisoned in Cobb County, Georgia, he filmed an unauthorized music video.[6]

Recording

After T.I. received his sentence, he was granted a work release program that allowed him to continue making music and proceeded to record several albums worth of material.[7] Recording sessions took place at P.S. West Studios, Silent Sounds Studios, and at Stankonia Studios, all located in T.I.'s native Atlanta, Georgia. One recording session took place at The Orange Grove Studios in Los Angeles, California.[8]

Release and promotion

Singles

"Bring Em Out" was the first official single to be released from Urban Legend. The single entered the Billboard Hot 100 at number 9, it charted at number 6 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, and at number 4 on the Hot Rap Tracks chart. In the United Kingdom the single entered the UK Singles Chart at number 59.[9] "Bring Em Out" became T.I.'s first top 10 single to enter the Billboard Hot 100.

"U Don't Know Me" was the second official single from the album. The single entered the Billboard Hot 100 at number 23, it charted at number 6 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, it charted at number 4 on the Hot Rap Tracks chart, and at number 65 on the Pop 100 chart.[10] The song was nominated on several awards such as "Best Rap Solo Performance" on the Grammy Awards, "Best Rap Video" on the MTV Video Music Awards and "Street Anthem of the Year" on the Vibe Awards.[11] The Recording Industry Association of America certified the single Platinum.

"ASAP" was the third and final official single from the album. The single entered the Billboard Hot 100 at Number 75. It charted at Number 18 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart and at Number 14 on the Hot Rap Tracks chart.[12] The official remix features Big Kuntry King and Mac Boney of P$C. The Recording Industry Association of America certified the single Gold.[13] On the B-side of the single the song "Motivation" appeared and it charted at number 62 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.[12]

Reception

Commercial performance

Urban Legend debuted at number seven on the Billboard 200, selling over 193,000 copies in its first week of release, it charted at number one on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, and at number one on the Top Rap Albums chart.[1] The album has been certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America, for shipments of one million copies in the United States.[14]

Critical response

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Allmusic[15]
Baltimore City Paper(mixed)[16]
Entertainment WeeklyB+[17]
Prefix(7/10)[18]
RapReviews(8/10)[19]
Rolling Stone[20]

Upon its release, Urban Legend received generally favorable reviews from most music critics. Allmusic writer Andy Kellman opined that, "With all that chaos surrounding T.I., it's disappointing to hear him retracing his steps, rewriting old lines, developing with little progress. Perhaps it's asking too much to expect T.I. to show as much growth here as he did on Trap Muzik, but -- as is the case with Jadakiss -- remaining patient for that classic album (and you know he has one in him) is getting tough."[15] 'Chuck Mindehall of Entertainment Weekly, in his review of the album, opined that, "when [T.I.] declares "I'm the King," you just about believe him."[17] Tom Breihan of the Baltimore City Paper stated that although, "T.I.’s flow is more focused and confident than it was on his 2003 breakthrough, Trap Muzik [...] the new album feels like a thrown-together collection instead of a unified work."[16] Steve 'Flash' Juon of RapReviews stated that "If [T.I.] can stay clean and out of prison [...] there seems to be no limit to how far he can go."[19]

Track listing

No.TitleProducer(s)Length
1."Tha King"Nick "Fury" Loftin3:24
2."Motivation"DJ Toomp3:34
3."U Don't Know Me"DJ Toomp4:03
4."ASAP"Sanchez Holmes4:44
5."Prayin for Help"Sanchez Holmes4:22
6."Why U Mad at Me"Kevin "Khao" Cates3:53
7."Get Loose" (featuring Nelly)Jazze Pha4:12
8."What They Do" (featuring B.G.)KLC3:48
9."The Greatest" (featuring Mannie Fresh)Mannie Fresh4:22
10."Get Ya Sh*t Together" (featuring Lil' Kim)Scott Storch4:05
11."Freak Though" (featuring Pharrell)The Neptunes3:43
12."Countdown"David Banner4:55
13."Bring Em Out"Swizz Beatz3:36
14."Limelight" (featuring P$C)Khao5:03
15."Chillin with My B*tch" (featuring Jazze Pha)Scott Storch3:56
16."Stand Up" (featuring Lil Jon, Trick Daddy & Lil Wayne)DJ Toomp4:42
17."My Life" (featuring Daz Dillinger)Daz Dillinger5:13
iTunes deluxe edition bonus tracks[21]
No.TitleLength
18."Drug Related"3:39
19."Hustlin' " (featuring Governor)3:21
20."Bring Em Out" (video)3:19
21."U Don't Know Me" (video)4:04
22."ASAP" (video) (edited version)4:17

Samples

"Tha King"

  • "King Of Rock" and "Hit It Run" by Run-DMC

"Prayin for Help"

"Why U Mad at Me"

"Bring Em Out"

  • "What More Can I Say" by Jay-Z

"Limelight"

  • "I'll Never Let You Go" by Leon Sylvers

Personnel

Credits for Urban Legend adapted from Allmusic.[22]

Charts and certifications

References

  1. ^ a b Hasty, Katie. "T.I. Rules As 'King' of Album Chart". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media. Retrieved 2009-10-22.
  2. ^ a b c d "Artist Chart History – T.I." on Billboard.com, Neilsen Business Media, Inc., 2008.
  3. ^ "RIAA - Gold & Platinum". RIAA. Retrieved 2009-03-01.
  4. ^ Patel, Joseph (2004-04-19). "T.I. Hasn't Been Hiding Out Lately — He's Been in Jail". MTV News. Retrieved 2009-10-22.
  5. ^ Patel, Joseph (2004-04-21). "'Rubber Band Man' Rapper T.I. Gets Three Years in Prison". MTV News. Retrieved 2009-10-22.
  6. ^ Patel, Joseph (2004-07-09). "T.I. Video Fallout Continues as Control of Jail Is Wrested from Sheriff". MTV News. Retrieved 2009-10-22.
  7. ^ "For the Record: Quick News on Justin Timberlake and Usher, T.I., Britney Spears, Paris Hilton, The Vines & More". MTV News. 2004-05-28. Retrieved 2009-10-22.
  8. ^ "T I - Urban Legend CD Album". Cduniverse.com. 2004-11-30. Retrieved 2012-03-13.
  9. ^ Allmusic - T.I.Allmusic. Accessed on August 4, 2008
  10. ^ allmusic ((( T.I. > Charts & Awards > Billboard Singles )))
  11. ^ 'U Don't Know Me' - AwardsBillboard. Accessed October 21, 2008
  12. ^ a b allmusic ((( T.I. > Charts & Awards > Billboard Singles )))
  13. ^ RIAA T.I. gold & platinum dataRIAA. Accessed October 11.
  14. ^ a b "RIAA - Gold & Platinum". RIAA. Retrieved 2011-01-14.
  15. ^ a b Kellman, Andy. Review: Urban Legend. Allmusic. Retrieved on 2010-12-12.
  16. ^ a b Breihan, Tom (December 29, 2004). "T.I. / Urban Legend | Record Review". Baltimore City Paper. Times-Shamrock Communications. Retrieved 2011-08-19.
  17. ^ a b Mindenhall, Chuck. Review: Urban Legend. Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved on 2010-12-12.
  18. ^ Martinez, Rafael. Review: Urban Legend. Prefix Magazine. Retrieved on 2010-12-12.
  19. ^ a b Juon, Steve. Review: Urban Legend. RapReviews. Retrieved on 2010-12-12.
  20. ^ Rolling Stone, Rolling Stone. Review: Urban Legend at the Wayback Machine (archived May 2, 2009). Rolling Stone. Retrieved on 2010-12-12.
  21. ^ https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/urban-legend-deluxe-edition/id289693717
  22. ^ Credits: Urban Legend. Allmusic. Retrieved on 2010-12-12.
  23. ^ "Urban Legend – Oricon". Oricon (in Japanese). Retrieved 2010-07-05.
  24. ^ a b c "T.I. Album & Song Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved 2010-12-16.
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