Fly or Die

Last updated
Fly or Die
NERD Fly or Die.jpg
Studio album by
N.E.R.D.
ReleasedMarch 23, 2004
Recorded2003
Genre
Length61:01
Label
Producer The Neptunes
N.E.R.D. chronology
In Search of...
(2001)		Fly or Die
(2004)		 Seeing Sounds
(2008)
Singles from Fly or Die
  1. "She Wants to Move"
    Released: March 9, 2004
  2. "Maybe"
    Released: June 14, 2004

Fly or Die is the second studio album by American rap rock band N.E.R.D. It was released on March 23, 2004.

Contents

Production

The band recorded its second album Fly or Die during 2003. The band actually learned the instruments needed to play the tunes, so they could perform live. As Chad Hugo told MTV News on December 8, 2003, "We're the ones playing the instruments live this time. I just started playing guitar last year so I'm learning as we go. Pharrell's playing drums. Last time, (on In Search of... ) we didn't have time to learn certain instruments so we got Spymob to help us out." [2]

The band also recruited some assistance to record the album with Lenny Kravitz and Questlove playing on the track "Maybe." Several of tracks concern issues of particular concern to adolescents including "Thrasher" about bullies, "Drill Sergeant" about rebellion and conscription, and first love on "Backseat Love".[ citation needed ] Considered an eclectic album of art rock, Fly or Die features songs that have been compared to XTC and 10cc. [1]

Reception

Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
Metacritic 68/100 [3]
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svgStar empty.svg [4]
Entertainment Weekly A− [5]
The Guardian Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [6]
NME 8/10 [7]
Pitchfork 3.1/10 [8]
PopMatters 8/10 [3] [9]
Rolling Stone Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [10]
Slant Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [11]
The Times Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [12]
Uncut Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svg [3]

Fly or Die went on sale on March 23, 2004. The lead single "She Wants to Move" went into the Top 5 in U.K, top 10 in New Zealand, top 20 in Norway, Italy, Ireland and Denmark and top 40 in Australia and the Netherlands as of March 2004. Fly or Die sold 412,000 copies in the United States, but shipped at least 500,000 units making it qualify for RIAA's Gold Certification. [13] [14] [15]

Rolling Stone (4/15/04, p. 147) - 3 stars out of 5 - "It's fascinating to hear these rap geniuses go undercover as a bar band you might hear rocking Journey covers in a bowling alley."[ citation needed ]

Entertainment Weekly (4/2/04, p. 62) - "Fly or Die is craftier and more multilayered than its predecessor....[A] set of clever, complex, studio-crafted pop--complete with musicianly, smooth-jazz licks--that doesn't owe allegiance to any one genre." - Rating: A-[ citation needed ]

Uncut (p. 91) - 5 stars out of 5 - "N*E*R*D can replicate machine hypersyncopation at the drop of a hi-hat. Prog-pop album of year."[ citation needed ]

Uncut (p. 74) - Ranked #18 in Uncut's "Best Albums of 2004" - "[A]n object lesson in eclectic art-rock....[T]his prog-pop classic reveal further depths of detail with every repeated play."[ citation needed ]

Mojo (p. 106) - 4 stars out of 5 - "This is an enthusiastic hymn to the terminally uncool, an un-ironic celebration of nerd-culture....They make a party you want to be invited to."[ citation needed ]

It was included in the book 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die . [16]

Track listing

All tracks are written by Pharrell Williams and Chad Hugo; produced by The Neptunes

No.TitleLength
1."Don't Worry About It"3:41
2."Fly or Die"3:30
3."Jump" (featuring Joel Madden and Benji Madden)3:55
4."Backseat Love"2:48
5."She Wants to Move"3:33
6."Breakout"3:47
7."Wonderful Place" / "Waiting for You"7:09
8."Drill Sergeant" / "Preservation"6:54
9."Thrasher"2:51
10."Maybe"4:22
11."The Way She Dances"4:05
12."Chariot of Fire" / "Find My Way"8:15

Charts

Certifications

RegionCertification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA) [46] Gold35,000^
United States (RIAA) [47] Gold500,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">N.E.R.D.</span> American rock and hip-hop band

N.E.R.D. was an American rock and hip-hop band, formed in Virginia Beach, Virginia, in 1994. Pharrell Williams and Chad Hugo were signed by Teddy Riley to Virgin. After producing songs for several artists throughout the late 1990s, Williams and Hugo formed the band with Shay Haley as a side project band of the Neptunes in 1994. N.E.R.D.'s debut album, In Search of..., sold 603,000 copies in the United States and was certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). It was also awarded the second annual Shortlist Music Prize. The band's second album, Fly or Die, sold 412,000 copies in the United States, but shipped at least 500,000 units, certifying it Gold.

<i>Justified</i> (album) 2002 studio album by Justin Timberlake

Justified is the debut solo studio album by American singer-songwriter Justin Timberlake. It was released on November 5, 2002, by Jive Records. The album was written and recorded in a six-week period as Timberlake's boy band NSYNC was on hiatus. For his solo album, he began to adopt a more mature image as an R&B artist opposed to the previous pop music recorded by the group. The majority of the album was produced by the Neptunes and Timbaland, and features guest appearances by Janet Jackson, Clipse, and Bubba Sparxxx. It primarily is an R&B album that also contains influences of dance-pop, funk, and soul music.

<i>Greatest Hits</i> (Tupac Shakur album) 1998 greatest hits album by 2Pac

Greatest Hits is a posthumous double-disc greatest hits album by American rapper 2Pac, released by Amaru Entertainment, Death Row Records, Interscope Records, and Jive Records on November 24, 1998.

<i>To the 5 Boroughs</i> 2004 studio album by Beastie Boys

To the 5 Boroughs is the sixth studio album by the American hip-hop group Beastie Boys. The album was released on June 14, 2004 internationally, and a day later in the United States. The album debuted at number one on the Billboard 200, becoming the group's third consecutive album to do so, with 360,000 copies sold in its first week and is certified Platinum by the RIAA for sales of over 1,000,000 in the U.S. It was the group's first major release after the September 11 attacks on New York City and reflects on the after-effects.

<i>Musicology</i> (album) 2004 studio album by Prince

Musicology is the twenty-eighth studio album by American recording artist Prince. The album was given to concertgoers at his Musicology Tour, from March 27 to September 9, 2004, in North America. A digital release followed two days after his tour started on March 29, 2004. The physical retail version was released on April 19, 2004 (Europe) and April 20, 2004 (US) by NPG Records and distributed by Columbia Records. Musicology was the first album in five years that Prince released through a major label and, being partially recorded in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, was his first to be recorded outside Minneapolis in many years. Musicology is R&B-themed.

<i>Tupac: Resurrection</i> (soundtrack) 2003 soundtrack album by 2Pac

Tupac: Resurrection is a soundtrack album for the Academy Award-nominated documentary of the same name. It was released on November 11, 2003, by Amaru Entertainment and Interscope Records.

<i>Loyal to the Game</i> 2004 studio album by 2Pac

Loyal to the Game is the ninth studio album and fifth posthumous studio album by American rapper Tupac Shakur. The album was produced by Eminem and consists of remixes of previously unreleased music recorded by Tupac before his death in 1996. Released in the United States on December 14, 2004, Loyal to the Game debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200 chart. It was later certified Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).

<i>Until the End of Time</i> (Tupac Shakur album) 2001 studio album by 2Pac

Until the End of Time is the seventh studio album and third posthumous album by American rapper 2Pac.

<i>Under Construction</i> (album) 2002 studio album by Missy Elliott

Under Construction is the fourth studio album by American rapper Missy Elliott, released by The Goldmind Inc. and Elektra Records on November 12, 2002, in the United States. The album was primarily produced by Timbaland, with additional production by Craig Brockman, Nisan Stewart, Errol "Poppi" McCalla and Elliott herself.

<i>This Is Not a Test!</i> 2003 studio album by Missy Elliott

This Is Not a Test! is the fifth studio album by American rapper Missy Elliott, released by The Goldmind Inc. and Elektra Records on November 25, 2003, in the United States. It was primarily produced by Timbaland, with additional production from Craig Brockman, Nisan Stewart and Elliott herself.

<i>Man vs. Machine</i> 2002 studio album by Xzibit

Man vs. Machine is the fourth studio album by American rapper Xzibit. It was released on October 1, 2002. Special guests include Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Eminem, M.O.P, and Nate Dogg. Producers on the album include Rick Rock, Bink, Rockwilder, Erick Sermon, DJ Premier, and Dr. Dre. The album debuted at number three on the Billboard 200 with over 156,000 copies sold in its first week. Since then album was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). It was the last album released by Loud Records before it went defunct the same year.

<i>Hot Shot</i> (Shaggy album) 2000 studio album by Shaggy

Hot Shot is the fifth studio album released by Jamaican-American singer Shaggy. The album was first released on 8 August 2000, in the United States, before being issued in the United Kingdom on 9 October 2000, with a revised track listing. The revised UK edition was also released in Europe, but without the song "Why You Mad at Me?". The album was reissued in the UK on 26 March 2001. Hot Shot went on to be certified six times platinum in the United States by the RIAA, and was the second best-selling album of 2001 in that country. The album has sold over nine million copies worldwide. A remix album, entitled Hot Shot Ultramix, was released in June 2002. Four singles were released from the album: "It Wasn't Me", "Angel", "Luv Me, Luv Me" and the double A-side single "Dance & Shout / Hope".

<i>Suit</i> (album) 2004 studio album by Nelly

Suit is the fourth studio album by American rapper Nelly. It was intended to be released on August 17, 2004, before being delayed and released on September 13, 2004, by Universal Records. Production for the album was handled by several producers, including the Neptunes, Jazze Pha, Doe, AHM, Jayson "Koko" Bridges, Kuya Productions, Soulshock and Karlin, Ryan Bowser, Big Boi and Beat Bullies. Released in conjunction with Sweat, Nelly intended to release a single album before conceptualizing and releasing two albums simultaneously, both of which would contrast each other's themes. Nelly characterized Sweat as "more up-tempo" and "energetic" while describing Suit as more of "a grown-up and sexy vibe [...] it's more melodic".

<i>Happy People/U Saved Me</i> 2004 studio album by R. Kelly

Happy People/U Saved Me is the sixth studio album and the second double album by American R&B singer R. Kelly, where he mixed feel-good danceable soul records with gospel anthems. Released in 2004, it peaked at No. 2 on the pop albums chart and went on to be certified three times Platinum. The album contained the hit single "Happy People", and the minor hit "U Saved Me". On "Red Carpet ," Kelly sampled the song "Step in the Name of Love" on his previous album, which was released a year earlier.

<i>Sweat</i> (Nelly album) 2004 studio album by Nelly

Sweat is the third studio album by American rapper Nelly. It was intended to be released on August 17, 2004, before being delayed and released on September 13, 2004, by Universal Records. Production was handled by several producers, including Jason "Jay E" Epperson, Midi Mafia, The Neptunes, Trife, Jazze Pha, Doe and the Alchemist. Released in conjunction with Suit, Nelly intended to release a single album before conceptualizing and releasing two albums simultaneously, both which would contrast each other's themes. Nelly characterized Sweat as "more up-tempo" and "energetic" while describing Suit as more of "a grown-up and sexy vibe [...] it's more melodic".

<i>In Search of...</i> (N.E.R.D. album) 2001 American studio album

In Search of... is the debut studio album by American funk rock band N.E.R.D. The group originally released the album on August 6, 2001 in Europe, where Kelis' Wanderland—produced by The Neptunes, consisting of N.E.R.D members Pharrell Williams and Chad Hugo—was better received. Similarly to Kelis' early work, the original version of In Search of... juxtaposes hip hop and rock influences and styles. The album is named after the TV series In Search of..., hosted by Leonard Nimoy.

<i>Konvicted</i> 2006 studio album by Akon

Konvicted is the second studio album by Senegalese-American singer-songwriter Akon. It was released on November 14, 2006. The album features collaborations with Eminem, Snoop Dogg, Styles P and T-Pain.

<i>The Real Thing: Words and Sounds Vol. 3</i> 2007 studio album by Jill Scott

The Real Thing: Words and Sounds Vol. 3 is the third studio album by American singer Jill Scott, released on September 25, 2007, by Hidden Beach Recordings. It received positive reviews from music critics.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Creedence Clearwater Revival discography</span>

The discography of American rock band Creedence Clearwater Revival, who released their first album and singles in July 1968, includes 7 studio albums, 5 live albums, 43 compilation albums, and 29 singles. The group, although only active for 4 years, has sold more than 45 million albums and singles in the United States alone, and has charted in multiple countries throughout the world.

<i>The Singles Collection 2001–2011</i> 2011 compilation album by Gorillaz

The Singles Collection 2001–2011 is a compilation album released by British virtual band Gorillaz on 28 November 2011. The album is a collection of the group's singles released between 2001 and 2011, except The Fall. The album is available in four different editions: standard, deluxe, 12" vinyl and 7" single box set.

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Second album from ubiquitous production unit The Neptunes". Uncut. June 1, 2004. Retrieved December 29, 2024.
  2. ↑ Patel, Joseph (8 December 2003). "N.E.R.D. Step Up Their Game On Fly Or Die, Reminisce About Teen Years". MTV News. Archived from the original on 4 July 2017. Retrieved 2 July 2021.
  3. 1 2 3 "Fly Or Die by N.E.R.D. [The Neptunes]". Metacritic . Archived from the original on 2016-03-06. Retrieved 2020-04-21.
  4. ↑ Allmusic review
  5. ↑ "Fly or Die". Entertainment Weekly . April 2, 2004. Archived from the original on October 7, 2012. Retrieved April 21, 2020.
  6. ↑ Petridis, Alexis (March 19, 2004). "N*E*R*D, Fly or Die". The Guardian. Archived from the original on April 23, 2017. Retrieved December 14, 2016.
  7. ↑ NME review Archived February 9, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
  8. ↑ DiCrescenzo, Brent (March 25, 2004). "N.E.R.D.: Fly or Die Album Review". Pitchfork. Retrieved December 29, 2024.
  9. ↑ "N.E.R.D.: Fly or Die". Archived from the original on 2013-05-23. Retrieved 2020-04-21.
  10. ↑ "Rolling Stone review". Rolling Stone . Archived from the original on October 1, 2007. Retrieved January 28, 2009.{{cite magazine}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  11. ↑ "N.E.R.D. Fly Or Die - Album Review - Slant Magazine". Slant Magazine . 20 March 2004. Archived from the original on 2021-07-02. Retrieved 2020-04-21.
  12. ↑ The Times review Archived June 16, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
  13. ↑ "Recording Industry Association of America". RIAA. Archived from the original on January 19, 2012. Retrieved March 2, 2012.
  14. ↑ "Recording Industry Association of America". RIAA. Archived from the original on October 19, 2015. Retrieved March 2, 2012.
  15. ↑ "RIAA AND GR&F CERTIFICATION AUDIT REQUIREMENTS RIAA ALBUM AWARD" (PDF). Recording Industry Association of America. March 2021. Archived (PDF) from the original on 26 April 2021. Retrieved 2 July 2021.
  16. ↑ 1001 albums you must hear before you die. Robert Dimery (Revised and updated ed.). New York, NY. 2010. ISBN   978-0-7893-2074-2. OCLC   558738692. Archived from the original on 2021-07-02. Retrieved 2021-07-02.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link) CS1 maint: others (link)
  17. ↑ "Australiancharts.com – N.E.R.D. – Fly Or Die". Hung Medien. Retrieved September 11, 2020.
  18. ↑ "ARIA Urban Chart – Week Commencing 7th March 2005" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association (784): 17. March 7, 2005. Archived from the original (PDF) on 22 February 2008. Retrieved April 16, 2023– via Pandora Archive.
  19. ↑ "Austriancharts.at – N.E.R.D. – Fly Or Die" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved September 11, 2020.
  20. ↑ "Ultratop.be – N.E.R.D. – Fly Or Die" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved September 11, 2020.
  21. ↑ "Ultratop.be – N.E.R.D. – Fly Or Die" (in French). Hung Medien. Retrieved September 11, 2020.
  22. ↑ "Albums : Top 100". Jam! . April 15, 2004. Archived from the original on December 10, 2004. Retrieved April 12, 2023.
  23. ↑ "R&B : Top 50". Jam! . April 1, 2004. Archived from the original on April 7, 2004. Retrieved January 29, 2023.
  24. ↑ "Danishcharts.dk – N.E.R.D. – Fly Or Die". Hung Medien. Retrieved September 11, 2020.
  25. ↑ "Dutchcharts.nl – N.E.R.D. – Fly Or Die" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved September 11, 2020.
  26. ↑ "N.E.R.D.: Fly Or Die" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland. Retrieved September 11, 2020.
  27. ↑ "Lescharts.com – N.E.R.D. – Fly Or Die". Hung Medien. Retrieved September 11, 2020.
  28. ↑ "Offiziellecharts.de – N.E.R.D. – Fly Or Die" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved September 11, 2020.
  29. ↑ "Irish-charts.com – Discography N.E.R.D.". Hung Medien. Retrieved September 11, 2020.
  30. ↑ "Italiancharts.com – N.E.R.D. – Fly Or Die". Hung Medien. Retrieved September 11, 2020.
  31. ↑ "Charts.nz – N.E.R.D. – Fly Or Die". Hung Medien. Retrieved September 11, 2020.
  32. ↑ "Norwegiancharts.com – N.E.R.D. – Fly Or Die". Hung Medien. Retrieved September 11, 2020.
  33. ↑ "Portuguesecharts.com – N.E.R.D. – Fly Or Die". Hung Medien. Retrieved September 11, 2020.
  34. ↑ "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved September 11, 2020.
  35. ↑ "Swedishcharts.com – N.E.R.D. – Fly Or Die". Hung Medien. Retrieved September 11, 2020.
  36. ↑ "Swisscharts.com – N.E.R.D. – Fly Or Die". Hung Medien. Retrieved September 11, 2020.
  37. ↑ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved September 11, 2020.
  38. ↑ "Official R&B Albums Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 12, 2023.
  39. ↑ "N*E*R*D Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved September 11, 2020.
  40. ↑ "N*E*R*D Chart History (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved September 11, 2020.
  41. ↑ "ARIA End of Year Albums Chart 2004". Australian Recording Industry Association. Archived from the original on July 10, 2020. Retrieved September 11, 2020.
  42. ↑ "Jaaroverzichten 2004". Ultratop. Archived from the original on September 17, 2020. Retrieved September 11, 2020.
  43. ↑ "Jaaroverzichten – Album 2004". dutchcharts.nl. Archived from the original on July 15, 2012. Retrieved September 11, 2020.
  44. ↑ "End of Year Album Chart Top 100 – 2004". Official Charts Company. Archived from the original on April 1, 2019. Retrieved September 11, 2020.
  45. ↑ "Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums – Year-End 2004". Billboard. Archived from the original on September 17, 2020. Retrieved September 11, 2020.
  46. ↑ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2004 Albums" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association . Retrieved December 27, 2021.
  47. ↑ "American album certifications – N.E.R.D. – Fly or Die". Recording Industry Association of America . Retrieved August 18, 2024.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.