Harlem: Diary of a Summer

Last updated
Harlem: Diary of a Summer
Diary of a summer.jpg
Studio album by
ReleasedAugust 23, 2005
Genre East Coast hip hop
Length56:49
Label
Producer
  • Antwan "Amadeus" Thompson
  • Pete Rock
  • Treblemakers
  • Zurc
  • Mayor
  • Knoxville
  • Zukhan Bey
  • Develop
  • Duke Productions
  • Jones Family Productions
  • Beat Firm
  • Hannon Lane
  • Jimmy the Greek
  • Shiest Bubz
  • Tuneheadz
Jim Jones chronology
On My Way to Church
(2004)
Harlem: Diary of a Summer
(2005)
Hustler's P.O.M.E. (Product of My Environment)
(2006)
Singles from Harlem: Diary of a Summer
  1. "Baby Girl"
    Released: July 2, 2005
  2. "Summer Wit Miami"
    Released: August 10, 2005
  3. "What You Been Drankin' On"
    Released: September 29, 2005

Harlem: Diary of a Summer is the second studio album by American rapper Jim Jones. The album was released on August 23, 2005 through Diplomat Records and Koch Records. [1] The production on the album was handled by various producers including Pete Rock, Antwan "Amadeus" Thompson, Develop, and Tuneheadz including more. The album also features guest appearances by Juelz Santana, Trey Songz, P. Diddy, and Max B among others.

Contents

Harlem: Diary of a Summer was supported by three singles: "Baby Girl", "Summer Wit Miami", and "What You Been Drankin' On". The album received generally positive reviews from music critics and was a commercial success. It debuted at number five on the US Billboard 200 chart, selling 74,000 copies in its first week. [2]

Singles

Harlem: Diary of a Summer was supported by three singles. The first single, "Baby Girl" was released on July 2, 2005. The single features a guest appearance by Max B. The single didn't chart on the Billboard Hot 100, but it did manage to peak at number 58 on the US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks chart. The second single, "Summer Wit Miami" was released on August 10, 2005. The single features a guest appearance by Trey Songz. It peaked at number 78 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks. The third single, "What You Been Drankin' On" was released on September 29, 2005. The single features guest appearances by P. Diddy, Jha Jha and Paul Wall. It did not enter the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks.

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svgStar empty.svg [3]
HipHopDX Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svgStar empty.svg [4]
Pitchfork 8.1/10 [5]
RapReviews7.5/10 [6]
Vibe Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [7]

Harlem: Diary of a Summer received generally positive reviews from music critics. AllMusic noted the difference between this album and Jones's previous, stating that "is a bit disarming in its hooky brightness" in comparison to Jones's first album, where he "built a darkly surreal world befitting a man whose name and religious references recall a maniacal 1970s mass murderer". The site referenced the title track and praised his approach, referring to "its breezy jazz hook and friendly spirit". Ultimately AllMusic gave the album 3 and a half stars. [3] Albert M. of HipHopDX stated that the album takes the listener on what he calls "A tour of the hype and feel to be a balla ala' Harlem". He also felt that Jones played to his strengths and that "Unlike the last disk from Jim, this one has some bite and substance", giving the album a 3.5 of 5 rating. [4]

A retrospective 2023 review from Pitchfork 's Paul A. Thompson wrote that on the album, Jones's "childhood memories turned oddly urgent, its concessions to emerging styles bent back toward post-9/11 Manhattan. Through that process Jones, the least-discussed core member of the group he co-founded, emerges as an auteur of the ordinary, his unfussy writing and uncanny vocals rendering a world just a few degrees off from the one the rest of us inhabit". [5]

Commercial performance

Harlem: Diary of a Summer debuted at number five on the US Billboard 200 chart, selling 74,000 copies in its first week. [2] This became Jones' first US top-ten debut and his highest charting album to date. [2] The album also debuted at number one on the US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums [8] and the US Independent Albums charts. [9] This became Jones' first number one album on both charts, also spending two weeks at number one on the latter. [8] [9]

Track listing

Harlem: Diary of a Summer track listing
No.TitleProducer(s)Length
1."My Diary" (featuring Denise Weeks)Amadeus4:27
2."Zeke (Interlude)" 1:15
3."G's Up" (featuring Max B) Pete Rock 4:29
4."J.I.M.M.Y."Treblemakers3:44
5."What Is This"
  • Mayor
  • Zurc
3:27
6."Honey Dip" (featuring Juelz Santana, J.R. Writer, and Latif)Zukhan Bey4:24
7."Ride 'Wit Me" (featuring Juelz Santana)Develop2:40
8."Penitentiary Chances" (featuring Hell Rell)
  • Duke Productions
  • Jones Family Productions
3:25
9."We Just Ballin'" (featuring T.K.)Beat Firm3:22
10."What You Been Drankin On?" (featuring Jha Jha, P. Diddy, and Paul Wall)Hannon Lane3:38
11."Harlem"
  • Jimmy The Greek
  • Shiest Bub
3:51
12."Confront Ya Babe" (featuring Max B and Cardan)Tuneheadz4:48
13."Summer wit Miami" (featuring Trey Songz)Knoxville3:26
14."I'm in Love with a Thug" (featuring Denise Weeks)Jones Family Productions3:13
15."Tupac Joint" (featuring Hussein Fatal and 40 Cal)
  • Duke Productions
  • Jones Family Productions
3:28
16."Baby Girl" (featuring Max B)Zukhan Bey3:12
Total length:56:49

Sample credits [10]

Charts

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mario Winans</span> American singer, songwriter, and record producer

Mario Mendell Winans is an American singer, songwriter, and record producer from South Carolina, and an extended member of the musical family The Winans. He is best known for his 2004 song "I Don't Wanna Know", which peaked at number two on the Billboard Hot 100, and topped the charts in Germany and the United Kingdom. Winans also co-wrote CeCe Winans's song "Pray" in 2005, which won a Grammy Award for Best Gospel Performance.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jim Jones (rapper)</span> American rapper (born 1976)

Joseph Guillermo Jones II, better known by his stage name Jim Jones, is an American rapper and record executive. He is a founding member of the hip hop collective the Diplomats alongside longtime friend and fellow Harlem native Cam'ron.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Trey Songz</span> American R&B singer (born 1984)

Tremaine Aldon Neverson, known professionally as Trey Songz, is an American R&B singer and actor. Upon being discovered by record producer Troy Taylor, he signed to Atlantic Records in 2005 and released his debut studio album, I Gotta Make It in July of that year. His follow-up album, Trey Day (2007), spawned his first top 20 single, "Can't Help but Wait". Neverson released his third album, Ready, in 2009 and a single from the album, "Say Aah", peaked at number nine on the Billboard Hot 100. Ready was nominated for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance at the 2008 Grammy Awards. The following year saw Neverson release his highest-charting song to date, "Bottoms Up", which preceded his fourth album, Passion, Pain & Pleasure (2010).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dreams (The Game song)</span> 2005 single by the Game

"Dreams" is a song by American rapper the Game, from his debut album, The Documentary. It was released as the fifth official single from the album in all territories except France, which saw "Higher" released there first. The song was produced by Kanye West and features a sample of "No Money Down" by soul music singer Jerry Butler. The song is dedicated to Yetunde Price, who was shot dead on September 14, 2003; the Williams' also came from the Game's hometown of Compton, California. The lyrics cite the Dr. Dre album 2001 being released "in 2001", when it was actually released in 1999. The song was placed 5th on About.com's Best Hip-Hop Songs of 2005.

<i>I Gotta Make It</i> 2005 studio album by Trey Songz

I Gotta Make It is the debut studio album by American R&B recording artist Trey Songz. It was released on July 26, 2005, by Atlantic Records. Recording sessions for the album took place from 2004 to 2005, with Songz' then mentor Troy Taylor overseeing most of the production. Additional producers include Warryn Campbell, Scott Storch, J.R. Rotem, Bei Maejor, and Organized Noize. Guest vocalists include American rappers Twista, Juvenile and T.I. as well as R&B singer Aretha Franklin.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gotta Make It</span> 2005 single by Trey Songz featuring Twista

"Gotta Make It" is the debut single by singer Trey Songz from his debut album I Gotta Make It. The song features rapper Twista and reached number 87 on the US Billboard Hot 100.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Oh Boy (Cam'ron song)</span> 2002 single by Camron featuring Juelz Santana

"Oh Boy" is a 2002 Grammy-nominated hip hop single by Cam'ron from his album Come Home with Me, and features Juelz Santana. The single was released through Jay-Z's Roc-A-Fella Records and Cam'ron's Diplomats Records. "Boy" is an obscure slang term for heroin.

<i>Trey Day</i> 2007 studio album by Trey Songz

Trey Day is the second studio album by American R&B recording artist Trey Songz. It was released on October 1, 2007, by Atlantic Records. Recording for the album began in mid-2006, with Songz again reteaming with longtime collaborator Troy Taylor. With the singer aiming for the album to be more mainstream-oriented than his debut album I Gotta Make It (2005), he also consulted a wider ranger of adodtional producers to work with him, including Bryan-Michael Cox, Danja, Stargate and R. Kelly.

<i>On My Way to Church</i> 2004 studio album by Jim Jones

On My Way to Church is the debut studio album by American rapper and record executive Jim Jones. The album was released on August 24, 2004, through Diplomat Records and Koch Records. The production on the album was handled by various producers including Chad Hamilton, Boola, Ryan Press, Heatmakerz and Jones himself among others. The album also features guest appearances by T.I., Cam'ron, Bun B, Juelz Santana and more.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jim Jones discography</span> Hip hop recording artist discography

American rapper Jim Jones has released seven studio albums, five collaborative albums, three compilation albums, two extended plays (EPs), nineteen mixtapes and 47 singles. Jones is perhaps best known for being a member of East Coast hip hop group The Diplomats, with whom he recorded several mixtapes with before releasing their debut album Diplomatic Immunity, in 2003. In August 2004, Jones released his solo debut album On My Way to Church, under Diplomat Records and E1 Music. The album was preceded by the release of the singles "Certified Gangstas" and "Crunk Muzik", the latter of which features his Dipset-cohorts Juelz Santana and Cam'ron, and also supported the release of Dipset's second album Diplomatic Immunity 2 (2004).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Trey Songz discography</span>

American R&B singer Trey Songz has released nine studio albums, two extended plays (EPs), seven mixtapes and fifty-nine singles. His music has sold an overall 25 million records worldwide in singles and albums.

<i>Harlems American Gangster</i> 2008 mixtape by Jim Jones

Harlem's American Gangster is the sixth mixtape by American hip hop rapper Jim Jones released to digital retailers on February 19, 2008 under Koch Records. The album peaked at number three on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart and number one on the Top Rap Albums chart. The Koch CD was remixed and remastered from a limited edition release that came out the previous November. There was also a change in the track list, with some tracks added and others omitted. The mixtape is hosted by Dame Dash and features the entire ByrdGang crew. "Love Me No More" was released as a single but didn't reach any major Billboard charts.

<i>The Darkside Vol. 1</i> 2010 studio album by Fat Joe

The Darkside Vol. 1 is the tenth studio album by American rapper Fat Joe. The album was released July 27, 2010 by Terror Squad Entertainment and E1 Music. The album's production was handled by Cool & Dre, Streetrunner, DJ Infamous, Just Blaze, Scram Jones, DJ Premier, Raw Uncut, and Scoop DeVille, among others. The album also featured guest appearances came from Trey Songz, Too Short, R. Kelly, Cam'ron, Clipse, Lil Wayne and Young Jeezy.

<i>Passion, Pain & Pleasure</i> 2010 studio album by Trey Songz

Passion, Pain & Pleasure is the fourth studio album by American R&B recording artist Trey Songz; it was released on September 14, 2010. The album serves as a follow-up to his commercial breakthrough Ready (2009). Production for the album took place from March 2010 to July 2010 and was handled by several record producers, including his mentor Troy Taylor, Bryan-Michael Cox, Stargate and Mario Winans, among others.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Can't Be Friends</span> 2010 single by Trey Songz

"Can't Be Friends" is an R&B song by American recording artist Trey Songz. It was officially sent to U.S. urban radio on September 28, 2010 as the second single of Songz' fourth studio album, Passion, Pain & Pleasure. The song is produced by Mario Winans and written by Winans and Songz.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Unusual (song)</span> 2011 single by Trey Songz featuring Drake

"Unusual" is a song by American recording artist Trey Songz, released as the fourth official single from his fourth studio album, Passion, Pain & Pleasure (2010). featuring Drake. It is produced by Pop & Oak, Dexter Wansel, Ezekiel Lewis and Drake.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Can't Get Enough (J. Cole song)</span> 2011 single by J. Cole featuring Trey Songz

"Can't Get Enough" is a song by American hip hop recording artist J. Cole, released as the fourth single off his debut studio album Cole World: The Sideline Story. It was released on September 2, 2011, through Roc Nation and Columbia. The song, featuring R&B singer Trey Songz, was produced by Brian Kidd and samples "Paulette" as performed by Balla et ses Balladins.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Christmas in Harlem</span> 2010 single by Kanye West featuring Teyana Taylor and Cyhi the Prynce

"Christmas in Harlem" is a song by hip-hop recording artist Kanye West. The track features rapper Cyhi the Prynce and R&B singer Teyana Taylor, both of whom are signed to West's label GOOD Music. Produced by Hit-Boy, it is a christmas hip hop song that contains samples of "Ain't Nothing Like the Real Thing" and "Mercy Mercy Me ", both by soul musician Marvin Gaye, and "Strawberry Letter 23" by singer-songwriter Shuggie Otis. The track features a holiday theme, and features various references to Christmas and customs associated with the holiday.

<i>The Bigger Artist</i> 2017 studio album by A Boogie wit da Hoodie

The Bigger Artist is the debut studio album by American rapper A Boogie wit da Hoodie. It was released on September 29, 2017, by Highbridge and Atlantic Records, serving as the second commercial release with Atlantic. The album features guest appearances from Chris Brown, Trey Songz, Kodak Black, 21 Savage, PnB Rock, YoungBoy Never Broke Again, Robin Thicke and Don Q. Meanwhile, production comes from Metro Boomin, DJ Mustard, Murda Beatz, and Cardo, among others.

<i>Chixtape 5</i> 2019 studio album by Tory Lanez

Chixtape 5 is the fourth studio album by Canadian rapper Tory Lanez. It was released on November 15, 2019, through Mad Love and Interscope Records. This is the fifth instalment of the Chixtape series which is inspired by and contains samples of "2000s-era R&B hits". The production on the album was mostly handled by Tory Lanez and Play Picasso. The album also includes guest appearances by Jagged Edge, T-Pain, Chris Brown, The-Dream, Mýa, Ashanti, Trey Songz, Lil Wayne, Fabolous and more.

References

  1. "Jim Jones: Diary of a Summer: Jim Jones: Music". Amazon. Retrieved February 20, 2012.
  2. 1 2 3 "Duff Set Remains 'Most Wanted' At No. 1". Billboard.com. Retrieved February 20, 2012.
  3. 1 2 "Jim Jones – Harlem: Diary of a Summer Review". AllMusic . Retrieved May 26, 2014.
  4. 1 2 McCluster, Albert (August 29, 2005). "Jim Jones - Diary of a Summer". HipHopDX . Retrieved May 26, 2014.
  5. 1 2 Thompson, Paul A. (October 22, 2023). "Jim Jones: Harlem: Diary of a Summer Album Review". Pitchfork . Retrieved October 22, 2023.
  6. "Jim Jones :: Harlem: Diary of a Summer :: Koch Records". Rapreviews.com. August 30, 2005. Retrieved May 26, 2014.
  7. Vibe - Google Livres. September 2005. Retrieved May 26, 2014.
  8. 1 2 "TRBHH -2005-09-10". Billboard . Retrieved March 28, 2023.
  9. 1 2 "Jim Jones Chart History - Independent Albums". Billboard . Retrieved March 28, 2023.
  10. Harlem: Diary of a Summer (liner notes). Koch Records. 2005. KOC-DU-5830.
  11. "Jim Jones Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved September 18, 2013.
  12. "Jim Jones Chart History (Independent Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved December 27, 2013.
  13. "Jim Jones Chart History (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved September 19, 2013.
  14. "Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums – Year-End 2005". Billboard. Retrieved September 19, 2020.