3LW (album)

Last updated
3LW
3LW (3LW album - cover art).jpg
Studio album by
3LW
ReleasedDecember 5, 2000 (2000-12-05)
RecordedJuly 1999 – April 2000
Genre
Length51:53
Label Epic
Producer
3LW chronology
3LW
(2000)
A Girl Can Mack
(2002)
Singles from 3LW
  1. "No More (Baby I'ma Do Right)"
    Released: October 3, 2000
  2. "Playas Gon' Play"
    Released: April 10, 2001

3LW is the debut studio album by American girl group 3LW. It was released through Epic Records on December 5, 2000. The album contains their debut single "No More (Baby I'ma Do Right)" which peaked at number 23 on the Billboard Hot 100, and their follow-up single "Playas Gon' Play". 3LW peaked at number 29 on the US Billboard 200 and was certified Platinum by Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). As of March 2003, the album has sold 1.3 million copies in the US. [1]

Contents

Background and production

In April 1999, Kiely Williams, Adrienne Bailon and Naturi Naughton met each other at an audition. [2] The following week later the trio went to a recording studio to record a 4-song demo tape. [2] Eventually they caught the attention of Sony Music Entertainment chairman/CEO Tommy Mottola and after performing for him he signed them to his label. [2] For nine months the girls recorded material for their debut album. [2] Bailon discussed the developmental experience saying, "We've become like sisters. We sing, pray, and go to church as unit". She continued," We have bunk beds, and "the bond we share is unbreakable". [2]

Release and promotion

The album was originally scheduled to be released on November 14, but was delayed to December 5, 2000. [2] [3] Beginning in May 2000, a marketing campaign was implemented to promote the group. [2] 3LW cassette tape samplers and bounce-back postcards were distributed on the 'N Sync, Sisqó, and Christina Aguilera tours. [2] 3LW were a part of Ed McMahon's mall and high school tour to promote his internet venture, "Nextbigstar.com". [2] They had sponsorships with Adidas and Jump Magazine. [2]

Following the album's release, 3LW made several televised appearances on BET, Soul Train , and Nickelodeon, and were featured in teen-oriented magazines such as Seventeen and Teen People . [3] 3LW also embarked on a European promotional tour in support of the project. [2]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [4]
Entertainment Weekly B− [5]
Rolling Stone Star full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [6]

Ed Hogan from AllMusic praised the album for having a "fresh sound that deftly mixes hip-hop/R&B and pop." [4] Overall, he felt that "The group's strong vocals and an overall adventurous vibe supplied by the album's producers and songwriters makes 3LW a pleasure." [4] Michael Paoletta from Billboard felt the album was full of "radio-ready singles", and like their contemporaries the group is targeting their peers with their material in which they succeed at doing. [7] Barry Walters from Rolling Stone felt that the group radiate prefab vibes due to their "jerky beats" and the "kewpie-doll coo of their radio-friendly crooning". [6] Ultimately, he declared 3LW "rise above the crassness behind their creation by laying low: no bombastic ballads, no embarrassing between-track skits, no strained displays of virtuoso technique and fake emotion". [6]


Track listing

3LW track listing
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."No More (Baby I'ma Do Right)"
Hall4:23
2."Is You Feelin' Me"
  • Gregg Pagani
  • Mar'Leina Kemp
Pagani4:17
3."Playas Gon' Play"
  • Hall
  • Butler
Hall4:43
4."Gettin' Too Heavy"
  • Schwartz
  • Kierulf
4:37
5."I'm Gonna Make You Miss Me"
  • Schwartz
  • Kierulf
4:36
6."Not This Time"
  • Conway
  • Priolo
3:20
7."More Than Friends (That's Right)"
  • Brian George
  • Junior Clark
  • Paul Anthony George
  • Lucien George, Jr.
  • Curt Bedeau
  • Gerry Charles
  • Charlene Cockett
  • Darryl Barksdale
  • Morgan Robinson
Full Force 3:54
8."Curious"
  • Hall
  • Butler
  • Johnathan Baker
Hall4:49
9."'Til I Say So"
  • M. Williams
  • Vito Colapietro
  • Nathan Porter
  • Neely Dinkins
  • Gregory Crapps
  • The Co-Stars
  • Ken Johnston
3:57
10."Crush On You"
  • M. Williams
  • V. Williams
  • Colapietro
  • Porter
  • Dinkins
  • Crapps
  • James Glasco
The Co-Stars3:59
11."Ocean"
Edwin "Tony" Nicholas4:44
12."I Can't Take It" (No More Remix, featuring Nas)
4:26
Walmart limited edition – bonus disc
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Never Let Go"
  • Briggs
  • Jujuan Williams
4:06
2."I Think You Should Know"
  • 3LW
  • M. Williams
  • Conya Doss
  • Phillip O'Rourke
  • Tony Nicholas
Tony Nicholas3:18
3."Dear Diary"
Elliott4:15
4."Playas Gon' Play" (Enhanced Video)   
Japanese bonus track
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
13."Dear Diary"
  • 3LW
  • M. Williams
  • Chad Elliott
Elliott4:15

Charts

Certifications

Certifications for 3LW
RegionCertification Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA) [16] Platinum1,000,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

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References

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