Brand New (Salt-n-Pepa album)

Last updated
Brand New
Salt-N-Pepa - Brand New.png
Studio album by
ReleasedOctober 21, 1997 (1997-10-21)
Studio
Length57:27
Label London
Producer
Salt-N-Pepa chronology
Very Necessary
(1993)
Brand New
(1997)
The Best of Salt-N-Pepa
(1999)
Singles from Brand New
  1. "R U Ready"
    Released: August 29, 1997
  2. "Gitty Up"
    Released: December 7, 1997

Brand New is the fifth studio album by American hip hop group Salt-N-Pepa, released on October 21, 1997, by London Records. The group's international label at the time, Red Ant Entertainment, filed for bankruptcy before the album was officially released; aside from a brief tour and some TV and print ads, almost no promotion was available to boost the record. Brand New spawned two singles: "R U Ready" and "Gitty Up". The album was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) on November 25, 1997, a sharp decline from the group's previous efforts.

Contents

Production

Brand New was the first Salt-N-Pepa album released after the group parted ways with longtime producer, writer, and manager Hurby "Luv Bug" Azor. [1] Instead, Salt took the lead in co-writing and co-produced the album. [2]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [3]
Robert Christgau Scissors icon black.svg [4]
The Encyclopedia of Popular Music Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [5]
Entertainment Weekly B− [6]
Music Week Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [7]
Rolling Stone Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [8]
The Source Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [9]

Natasha Stovall of Rolling Stone praised the "richer piano-, guitar- and vocal-filled sound, emphasizing gritty soul and sweet, unadulterated funk." [8] Jon Pareles of The New York Times wrote that the group "still juxtapose catchy come-ons ... and determinedly positive messages." [10] Connie Johnson of the Los Angeles Times wrote that "while it's commendable that they're stretching out in a more uplifting, spiritually motivated arena, the group's forte is still worldly, raunchy, of-the-flesh fare." [11] In a review for The Source , Raquel Cepeda described the album as "[m]elodically heavy, but lacking in the lyrical department". [9]

Track listing

No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."R U Ready"
3:58
2."Good Life"
  • C. James
  • Maurice Scott
  • Richard Evans
  • Bernard Grobman
  • Gavin Wray
  • C. James
  • Elliott [a]
3:54
3."Do Me Right"
  • C. James
  • David Blake
  • Robert Bacon
  • George Archie
  • Wilbert Milow
  • D.J. Walker
  • C. James
  • Josef Powell
4:36
4."Friends" (featuring Queen Latifah and Mad Lion)
  • Powell
  • Sandra "Pepa" Denton
4:42
5."Say Ooh"
  • Elliott
  • C. James [b]
4:09
6."Imagine" (featuring Sheryl Crow)
  • C. James
  • Powell
  • C. James
  • Powell [a]
5:26
7."Knock Knock"
  • Denton
  • Powell
  • Earnest Hairston Jr.
  • David Wynn
  • Powell
  • Denton
  • David "D.J." Wynn
4:32
8."Gitty Up"
  • Elliott
  • West
4:00
9."Boy Toy"
  • Elliott
  • West
  • Denton [b]
4:24
10."Brand New"
  • C. James
  • Sean "The Mystro" Mather
  • Esmail
  • Powell [a]
4:05
11."Silly of You"
  • C. James
  • Keef James
C. James3:52
12."The Clock Is Tickin'"C. JamesC. James4:51
13."Hold On" (featuring Kirk Franklin and Sounds of Blackness)
  • C. James
  • Powell
  • C. James
  • Powell [a]
5:06

Notes

Samples

Personnel

Charts

Chart performance for Brand New
Chart (1997)Peak
position
Australian Albums (ARIA) [12] 186
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100) [13] 64
Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade) [14] 23
US Billboard 200 [15] 37
US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard) [16] 16

Certifications

Certifications for Brand New
RegionCertification Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA) [17] Gold500,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Notes

  1. Tracks 1, 4, 10 and 11
  2. Track 1
  3. Tracks 1, 5 and 8
  4. Tracks 2, 11 and 13
  5. Tracks 2, 3, 5–7 and 10–13
  6. Tracks 3, 4, 6 and 7
  7. Track 4
  8. Track 6
  9. Tracks 6 and 12
  10. Track 9
  11. Tracks 10 and 12
  12. Track 13

Related Research Articles

<i>All Hail the Queen</i> 1989 studio album by Queen Latifah

All Hail the Queen is the debut studio album by American rapper Queen Latifah. The album was released on November 7, 1989, through Tommy Boy Records. The feminist anthem "Ladies First", featuring Monie Love, remains one of Latifah's signature songs.

<i>Wyclef Jean Presents The Carnival</i> 1997 studio album by Wyclef Jean

Wyclef Jean Presents The Carnival, also known simply as The Carnival, is the debut studio album released by Haitian hip hop musician Wyclef Jean. The album was released on 24 June 1997. Wyclef Jean also served as the album's executive producer. The album features guest appearances from Celia Cruz and The Neville Brothers and multiple appearances from Jean's former Fugees bandmates, Lauryn Hill and Pras.

<i>Better Dayz</i> 2002 studio album by 2Pac

Better Dayz is the eighth studio album and fourth posthumous album by the late American rapper 2Pac. It is his last double-album.

<i>My Way</i> (Usher album) 1997 studio album by Usher

My Way is the second studio album by American singer Usher. It was released on September 16, 1997, by LaFace Records in North America. The album features guest appearances from Monica, Jermaine Dupri, and Lil' Kim. The album was supported by three singles, all multi platinum-selling: "Nice & Slow", "My Way", and "You Make Me Wanna...".

<i>Turning Point</i> (Mario album) 2004 studio album by Mario

Turning Point is the second studio album by American recording artist Mario, released by J Records on December 7, 2004 in the United States. A R&B record with heavy elements of soul and hip hop music, it involves a diverse roster of collaborators including Scott Storch, Lil Jon, The Underdogs, Carvin & Ivan, and Sean Garrett. The album guests include Cassidy, Juvenile, Jadakiss, T.I. and Baby Cham.

<i>Born into the 90s</i> 1992 studio album by R. Kelly and Public Announcement

Born into the 90's [sic] is R. Kelly's collaboration album with his group Public Announcement. Released in January 1992, the album became an R&B hit with the success of singles such as "She's Got That Vibe", "Dedicated," and Kelly's first two No. 1 R&B hits: "Honey Love," and "Slow Dance ." Honey Love topped the Billboard R&B Singles chart for 2 weeks, while "She's Got That Vibe" and "Slow Dance " hit the Top 40 respectively. By June 1992, Born into the 90's was eventually certified platinum and picked up an American Music Award nomination for Favorite Soul/R&B Single. R. Kelly separated from the group before he began recording his next album.

<i>Dance with My Father</i> (album) 2003 studio album by Luther Vandross

Dance with My Father is the thirteenth and final studio album by American singer Luther Vandross. It was released by J Records on June 10, 2003 in the United States and served as the follow-up to his self-titled studio album (2001). The album, especially its title track, was dedicated to Vandross's late father Luther Vandross, Sr. and features production credits from Nat Adderley Jr., Shep Crawford, and Marcus Miller as well as guest appearances by singer Beyoncé, R&B trio Next, and rappers Foxy Brown, Queen Latifah, and Busta Rhymes.

<i>Destinys Child</i> (album) 1998 studio album by Destinys Child

Destiny's Child is the debut studio album by American R&B group of the same name, released by Ruffhouse, Columbia Records and Music World Entertainment on February 17, 1998. It features the singles "No, No, No" and "With Me", both of which preceded the album. "Killing Time" was also featured in "Men in Black: The Album" and released as a promotional single in 1997. Prior to release, the album was set to be called "Bridges". The album spent twenty six weeks on the US Billboard 200 chart and peaked at number sixty-seven. To date the album has sold a total of 831,000 copies in America. In the United Kingdom, it reached the top fifty, peaking at number forty-five. It was re-packaged and re-released in several countries after the success of the follow-up album, The Writing's on the Wall (1999). The album was met with generally favorable reviews from music critics, including AllMusic and Rolling Stone, and won a Soul Train Lady of Soul Award for Best R&B/Soul Album of the Year.

<i>Elton John and Tim Rices Aida</i> 1999 soundtrack album by various artists

Elton John and Tim Rice's Aida is a 1999 concept album that contains songs with music by Elton John and lyrics by Tim Rice from the 2000 musical Aida.

<i>Soulful</i> (Ruben Studdard album) 2003 studio album by Ruben Studdard

Soulful is the debut studio album from second-season American Idol winner Ruben Studdard, released on December 9, 2003 by J Records. The record received mixed reviews from critics divided over the quality of the track listing and Ruben's vocal performance. Soulful debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 and spawned two singles: "Sorry 2004" and "What If".

<i>Playlist</i> (Babyface album) 2007 studio album by Babyface

Playlist is the seventh studio album by American singer Babyface. It was released by Mercury Records on September 18, 2007 in the United States. His debut with the then-newly re-launched label, Playlist consists of eight covers of folk and soft rock songs and two original compositions. The album reached the top ten on the US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums. Its lead single, the James Taylor cover "Fire and Rain," became a hit on the US Adult Contemporary chart.

<i>Lisa Stansfield</i> (album) 1997 studio album by Lisa Stansfield

Lisa Stansfield is the fourth solo studio album by British singer Lisa Stansfield, released by Arista Records on 21 March 1997. It was her first new studio album since 1993's So Natural. Stansfield co-wrote most songs for the album with her husband Ian Devaney. The tracks were produced by Devaney and Peter Mokran. Lisa Stansfield garnered favourable reviews from music critics and was commercially successful, reaching number two in the United Kingdom and receiving Gold certification. In the United States, it spawned four number-one singles on Billboard's Hot Dance Club Songs. Lisa Stansfield was rereleased as a deluxe 2CD + DVD set in Europe in November 2014.

<i>Bringing Back the Funk</i> 2008 studio album by Brian Culbertson

Bringing Back the Funk is a studio album by Brian Culbertson released in 2008 on GRP Records. The album reached No. 3 on the Billboard Jazz Albums chart and No. 15 on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip Hop Albums chart.

<i>Sunshine, Moonlight</i> 1995 studio album by Toshinobu Kubota

Sunshine Moonlight is the eighth studio album of Japanese singer Toshinobu Kubota, released on September 5, 1995. The album credited under the name, Toshi Kubota. This was also Kubota's first English-language album. The album's musical style ranges from 1980s–90s R&B and pop to funk elements such go-go. Synth instrumentation was not employed in recording most of the song as the album contains live instrumentation.

<i>The Sweetest Days</i> 1994 studio album by Vanessa Williams

The Sweetest Days is the third studio album by American singer and actress Vanessa Williams. It was released on December 6, 1994, by Wing Records and Mercury Records. The album peaked at number 57 on the US Billboard 200 and at number 25 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, and has been certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).

<i>Always</i> (Pebbles album) 1990 studio album by Pebbles

Always is the second studio album by American recording artist Pebbles. It was released on September 11, 1990, by MCA Records and spawned two Top 20 hits on the U.S. Hot 100, which also hit #1 on the R&B chart: "Giving You the Benefit" and "Love Makes Things Happen", as well as the top-five R&B hit "Backyard", and the top 20 R&B hit "Always".

<i>Raw</i> (Alyson Williams album) 1989 studio album by Alyson Williams

Raw is the debut album by American singer Alyson Williams, released in 1989 on the Def Jam Recordings record label. It contains the singles "Sleep Talk" "My Love Is So Raw" and "I Need Your Lovin'".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gitty Up (song)</span> 1997 single by Salt-n-Pepa

"Gitty Up" is a song by American hip hop girl group Salt-N-Pepa from their fifth studio album, Brand New (1997). It was released as the album's second and final single. It samples "Another Brick in the Wall Part 2" by Pink Floyd. The song also samples the bass line and the lyric "Say what?" from the song "Give It to Me Baby" by Rick James.

<i>The Best of Salt-N-Pepa</i> 1999 greatest hits album by Salt-N-Pepa

The Best of Salt 'n Pepa is a greatest hits album by American hip hop trio Salt-N-Pepa, released in November 1999. The album featured tracks from their five studio albums, Hot, Cool & Vicious, A Salt with a Deadly Pepa, Blacks' Magic, Very Necessary and Brand New. A remixed version of their 1998 song "The Brick Track Versus Gitty Up", "Gitty Up" was released as a single and charted in the top 20 in Australia and New Zealand in 2000.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rufus Blaq</span> American singer-songwriter

Rufus Blaq is an American rap artist, singer, songwriter and record producer. He has songwriting credits on records for Faith Evans, Angie Stone, Omarion, Queen Latifah, Marques Houston, and Salt-N-Pepa. He is most known for his single "Out of Sight (Yo)." He is also credited as Rufus Moore, Peekaboo, Mr. Blaq, Daddy Blaq, Electric Pretty, and Blaq The Ripper.

References

  1. Horn, Mark C. (June 18, 2015). "Salt-N-Pepa Discuss Their Career and Legacy as Hip-Hop's Matriarchs". Phoenix New Times . Archived from the original on June 23, 2015.
  2. Harrington, Richard (October 29, 1997). "Salt-N-Pepa's 'Brand New': Inspirational". The Washington Post .
  3. Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Brand New – Salt-N-Pepa". AllMusic . Retrieved January 17, 2020.
  4. Christgau, Robert. "Robert Christgau: CG: Salt-N-Pepa". robertchristgau.com. Retrieved January 7, 2023.
  5. Larkin, Colin (2006). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music. Vol. 7. Muze. p. 232.
  6. Browne, David (October 24, 1997). "Album Review: 'Brand New'". Entertainment Weekly . No. 402. p. 66. Archived from the original on November 20, 2015. Retrieved November 29, 2024.
  7. "Reviews: Albums" (PDF). Music Week . November 15, 1997. p. 10. Retrieved September 20, 2022.
  8. 1 2 Stovall, Natasha (October 30, 1997). "Bigger and Deffer". Recordings. Rolling Stone . No. 772. pp. 65–66. Archived from the original on December 24, 2001.
  9. 1 2 Cepeda, Raquel (November 1997). "Salt-N-Pepa – Are You Ready". Record Report. The Source . No. 98. New York. p. 162.
  10. Pareles, Jon (October 26, 1997). "RECORDINGS VIEW; Rapping As Good Business". The New York Times . Archived from the original on May 27, 2015.
  11. Johnson, Connie (October 19, 1997). "Album Review". Los Angeles Times .
  12. "Salt-N-Pepa ARIA chart history, received from ARIA on June 15, 2021" . Retrieved June 19, 2021 via Imgur. Note: The "High Point" number in the "NAT" column indicates the release's peak position on the national chart.
  13. "Offiziellecharts.de – Salt 'N' Pepa – Brand New" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved January 17, 2020.
  14. "Swisscharts.com – Salt 'N' Pepa – Brand New". Hung Medien. Retrieved January 17, 2020.
  15. "Salt-N-Pepa Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved January 17, 2020.
  16. "Salt-N-Pepa Chart History (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved January 17, 2020.
  17. "American album certifications – Salt 'N Pepa – Brand New". Recording Industry Association of America. November 25, 1997.