Lord Willin'

Last updated
Lord Willin'
LordWillin'.jpg
Studio album by
Clipse
ReleasedAugust 20, 2002
Recorded2001–2002
Genre East Coast Hip Hop
Length60:48
Label
Producer The Neptunes
Clipse chronology
Exclusive Audio Footage
(1999)		Lord Willin'
(2002)		 Hell Hath No Fury
(2006)
Singles from Lord Willin'
  1. "Grindin'"
    Released: May 14, 2002
  2. "When the Last Time"
    Released: July 30, 2002
  3. "Ma, I Don't Love Her"
    Released: December 3, 2002
  4. "Cot Damn"
    Released: April 29, 2003

Lord Willin' is the major label debut and second studio album by hip hop duo Clipse. The album was released on August 20, 2002 in the United States by Star Trak and Arista. Recording sessions took place over a year, beginning in 2001. Production was handled by The Neptunes.

Contents

Following the shelving of their original debut studio album Exclusive Audio Footage by Elektra Records, long-time friends and collaborators The Neptunes signed the duo onto their record label Star Trak Entertainment. The Neptunes would go on to handle the production on Lord Willin', with Pharrell Williams featuring on 6 different tracks, including the hit singles "Grindin'" and "When the Last Time". Additional features include Ab Liva, Roscoe P. Goldchain, Faith Evans, Fabolous, Jadakiss and Styles P. The deluxe edition of the album contained 2 more tracks which were remixes of "Grindin'".

The album debuted at number four on the Billboard 200 and number one on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, selling 122,000 units in its first week of release. [1] The album was well received by critics, and is considered one of the best hip hop albums of the 2000s. [2] [3] [4]

The album was ranked 12 on Rolling Stone's 100 Best Debut Albums of All-Time list. [5]

Background

After the duo formed in 1992, Clipse had trouble securing a record label contract. Childhood friend and producer Pharrell Williams helped them secure a deal with Elektra Records in 1996. With help from Williams' production duo The Neptunes, Clipse began recording material for their debut studio album Exclusive Audio Footage . They released their first single "The Funeral", which helped gain fan interest but failed to make a significant commercial or chart impact. With "The Funeral" being considered a commercial failure, Elektra Records shelved the album and the duo was dropped from the label. [6]

In early 2001, Williams signed the duo to Arista Records through his recently established Star Trak imprint. With the backing of The Neptunes and the record label, Clipse proceeded to begin recording material for Lord Willin'. [6]

Singles

Two singles were released prior to the album. The lead single, "Grindin'", was released on May 14, 2002. The song became a summer Top 40 hit, reaching number 30 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.[ citation needed ] It has since been regarded by numerous publications as one of the best songs of the 2000s. [7] [8] It was ranked at number 23 on BBC's Greatest Hip Hop Songs of All-Time list. [9] The second single, "When the Last Time", was released on July 30. It is the duo's highest and longest charting song to date, peaking at number 19 on the Hot 100, and staying on the chart for 21 weeks. [10]

After the release of the album, two more singles were released off the album. "Ma, I Don't Love Her" was released on December 3, 2002 and was a modest hit, peaking at number 86 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.[ citation needed ] The fourth and final single from the album, "Hot Damn", was released on April 29, 2003. It is titled as "Cot Damn" on the album, and was also released as a promotional single for The Neptunes' 2003 compilation album Clones . It peaked at number 58 on Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs. [11]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [12]
Blender Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [13]
The Boston Phoenix Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [14]
Entertainment Weekly B+ [15]
Los Angeles Times Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [16]
HipHopDX Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svgStar empty.svg [17]
Rolling Stone Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [18]
The Rolling Stone Album Guide Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [19]
USA Today Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svg [20]

Lord Willin' was met with positive reviews from music critics. M.F. DiBella of AllMusic, who gave it a 4 star rating out of 5 said "While the two MCs' presence is invariably formidable on virtually all of the tracks, the Neptunes' pop-ish turn in their beatwork doesn't always do justice to the depths that the Clipse MCs wish to plunder". [21] Raymond Fiore of Entertainment Weekly stated "On Lord Willin’, brothers Malice and Pusha T seize the moment with hustlers’ tales culled from Virginia's mean streets, a raw complement to the music's artsy, unrepentant grime." [22] Los Angeles Times gave the album a 3 star out of 4 rating, stating that "The results are blissful, as the body-rocking, futuristic beats mesh magically with the clever, straightforward rapping of the two MCs, who inject sly humor and hard-core boasting into nearly every lyric." USA Today also had a similar approach, awarding the album a 3.5 star rating out of 4.

Accolades

Pitchfork placed Lord Willin' at number 155 on their list of top 200 albums of the 2000s. [23] Slant Magazine placed the album on their list of best albums of the 2000s at number 98. [24] Complex included Lord Willin' in their list of The 100 Best Albums of the 2000s. [25]

Commercial performance

In its first week of release, Lord Willin' sold 122,000 units, debuting at number four on the Billboard 200 and number one on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. [1] It was certified Gold by the RIAA on October 1, 2002. The album continued to gradually sell after that, and as of December 2009, it has sold 960,000 copies according to Nielsen Soundscan. [26]

Track listing

Credits adapted from Tidal. [27]
All tracks produced by The Neptunes.

No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Intro"
2:16
2."Young Boy"
  • T. Thornton
  • G. Thornton
  • Williams
  • Hugo
4:25
3."Virginia"
  • T. Thornton
  • G. Thornton
  • Williams
  • Hugo
3:57
4."Grindin'"
  • T. Thornton
  • G. Thornton
  • Williams
  • Hugo
4:24
5."Cot Damn" (featuring Ab-Liva, Pharrell Williams and Roscoe P. Coldchain)
  • T. Thornton
  • G. Thornton
  • Williams
  • Hugo
  • Rennard East
  • Amin Porter
5:01
6."Ma, I Don't Love Her" (featuring Faith Evans )
  • T. Thornton
  • G. Thornton
  • Williams
  • Hugo
4:17
7."FamLay Freestyle" (performed by Fam-Lay )
  • Williams
  • Hugo
  • Nathaniel Johnson
1:57
8."When the Last Time"
  • T. Thornton
  • G. Thornton
  • Williams
  • Hugo
4:14
9."Ego"
  • T. Thornton
  • G. Thornton
  • Williams
  • Hugo
2:48
10."Comedy Central" (featuring Fabolous )
  • T. Thornton
  • G. Thornton
  • Williams
  • Hugo
  • John David Jackson
4:33
11."Let's Talk About It" (performed by Jermaine Dupri; featuring Clipse)
  • T. Thornton
  • G. Thornton
  • Williams
  • Hugo
  • Jermaine Dupri Mauldin
5:10
12."Gangsta Lean"
  • T. Thornton
  • G. Thornton
  • Williams
  • Hugo
5:20
13."I'm Not You" (featuring Jadakiss, Styles P & Roscoe P. Coldchain)
  • T. Thornton
  • G. Thornton
  • Williams
  • Hugo
  • Johnson
  • Jason Phillips
  • David Styles
4:19
Total length:52:41
Bonus tracks
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
14."Grindin' (Remix)" (featuring Birdman, Lil Wayne & N.O.R.E. )
  • T. Thornton
  • G. Thornton
  • P. Williams
  • Hugo
  • Bryan Williams
  • Dwayne Carter, Jr.
4:20
15."Grindin' (Selector Remix)" (featuring Sean Paul, Bless, and Kardinal Offishall )
  • T. Thornton
  • G. Thornton
  • Williams
  • Hugo
  • Sean Paul Henriques
  • Bless
  • Jason D. Harrow
3:47
Total length:60:48

Charts

Certifications

RegionCertification Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA) [35] Gold500,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Neptunes</span> American record production duo

The Neptunes are an American songwriting and production duo composed of Pharrell Williams and Chad Hugo, formed in Virginia Beach, Virginia, in 1992. Williams often provides additional vocals on records and appears in the duo's music videos, while Hugo tends to stay behind the scenes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pharrell Williams</span> American record producer, singer, songwriter, rapper, and fashion designer (born 1973)

Pharrell Lanscilo Williams, often known mononymously as Pharrell, is an American record producer, singer, songwriter, rapper, and fashion designer. He first became known as one half of the hip hop and R&B production duo the Neptunes, which he formed in 1992 with Chad Hugo. They produced 15 singles which peaked within the top ten of the Billboard Hot 100, including four songs that peaked atop the chart. He also formed the alternative band N.E.R.D. with Hugo and drummer Shay Haley in 1999, for which Williams serves as lead vocalist. He has been considered one of the most influential music producers of the 21st century for his impact on popular music.

<i>R&G (Rhythm & Gangsta): The Masterpiece</i> 2004 studio album by Snoop Dogg

R&G : The Masterpiece is the seventh studio album by American rapper Snoop Dogg. It was released on November 16, 2004, by Doggystyle Records, making its first on Star Trak Entertainment and Geffen Records. Recording sessions took place from November 2003 to September 2004 in each of several recording studios. The album's production was handled from The Neptunes, The Alchemist, Lil Jon, Hi-Tek, Warryn Campbell, and L.T. Hutton, among others.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chad Hugo</span> American record producer

Charles Edward Hugo is an American record producer. Alongside close colleague Pharrell Williams, he formed the hip hop and R&B production duo the Neptunes in 1992, with whom he's produced numerous hit records for various artists. He is also a member of the band N.E.R.D., alongside Williams and Shay Haley, and co-founded the record label Star Trak Entertainment with Williams in 2001. In contrast to Williams, Hugo typically does not perform on records.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Clipse</span> American hip hop duo

Clipse, also known as The Clipse, is an American hip hop duo, chiefly active from 1994 to 2010. It consists of brothers Gene "No Malice" and Terrence "Pusha T" Thornton. Pusha T was known as Terrar during the group's early years, while No Malice was originally known as Malicious, then changed his stage name to Malice soon after the group's formation, before changing it again to No Malice in 2012 following a conversion to Christianity. The duo were based in Virginia Beach, Virginia, and were heavily affiliated with producer and fellow Virginia Beach native, Pharrell Williams, who convinced the two in 1992 to be a rap duo instead of solo artists. Williams would go on to serve as their label head, main producer and frequent guest artist through most of their career. The duo frequently rapped about the drug dealing they had done in their youth. Clipse was integral in establishing Virginia as one of the East Coast's strongholds in hip hop.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Star Trak Entertainment</span> American record label

Star Trak was an American record label, founded by the Neptunes and Rob Walker in 2001. It operated as a division of Interscope Geffen A&M, a subsidiary of Universal Music Group. Its name is a reference to the 1960s TV program Star Trek.

<i>Clones</i> (album) 2003 compilation album by The Neptunes

The Neptunes Present... Clones is a compilation album produced and released by American production and songwriting duo The Neptunes. It was released on August 19, 2003 and has been certified Gold by the RIAA. The album featured six singles; "Frontin'" by Pharrell Williams, "Popular Thug" by Kelis, "Light Your Ass on Fire" by Busta Rhymes, “Rock ‘n’ Roll” by Fam-Lay, "Hot Damn" by Clipse and "It Blows My Mind" by Snoop Dogg.

<i>Exclusive Audio Footage</i> 1999 studio album by Clipse

Exclusive Audio Footage is the debut studio album from Virginia hip hop duo Clipse. The album spawned one single and music video "The Funeral", which hit airwaves in 1999. Promotional CD and vinyl copies exist and the LP has been leaked online on several occasions. In 2004, counterfeit vinyl pressings of the album were released. The album artwork is taken from the 2002 Lord Willin' photo shoot because of the promo CDs and vinyl of the album not containing any visible artwork, over time and through other bootleg copies the image was used as the album's default cover.

<i>Hell Hath No Fury</i> (Clipse album) 2006 studio album by Clipse

Hell Hath No Fury is the third studio album by hip hop duo Clipse. The album was released on November 28, 2006 in the United States by Re-Up, Star Trak and Jive. Recording sessions for the album took place over a period of several years, and suffered numerous delays prior to release. Production was handled by The Neptunes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pusha T</span> American rapper (born 1977)

Terrence LeVarr Thornton, better known by his stage name Pusha T, is an American rapper. He rose to prominence as one-half of the Virginia-based hip hop duo Clipse, which he formed with his older brother No Malice. Mainly active from 1994 to 2010, the duo were discovered by fellow Virginia-based act Pharrell Williams and signed with his record label Star Trak Entertainment, an imprint of Arista Records to release three studio albums—Lord Willin' (2002), Hell Hath No Fury (2006) and Til the Casket Drops (2009)—to mild commercial success. The former spawned the Billboard Hot 100-top 40 singles "Grindin'" and "When the Last Time", for which they became best known.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Grindin'</span> 2002 single by Clipse

"Grindin'" is the debut single from Virginia Beach rap duo Clipse. The song was produced by The Neptunes, and featured on the Clipse's debut album, Lord Willin'. The song became a summer Top 40 hit, reaching number 30 on the Billboard Hot 100 on the issue dated August 10, 2002.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">When the Last Time</span> 2002 single by Clipse

"When the Last Time" is the second official single from the Clipse's album Lord Willin'. It reached #19 on the Billboard Hot 100 on the issue dated December 21, 2002—becoming the group's highest-charting single. The video features a freestyle from comedian Shawty. At the very end of the music video, the video features a very short video version of the song "Virginia". Kelis and Pharrell Williams appear uncredited.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ma, I Don't Love Her</span> 2002 single by Clipse featuring Faith Evans

"Ma, I Don't Love Her" is the third official single from the Clipse off their album Lord Willin'. It features Faith Evans and was produced by The Neptunes. The single was released through Arista Records and The Neptunes's Star Trak Entertainment.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hot Damn (song)</span> 2003 single by Clipse

"Hot Damn" is the lead single by Clipse from the Neptunes's compilation album Clones. The song also appears from their debut studio album, Lord Willin' titled as "Cot Damn".

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

This is the discography of Clipse, an American hip hop duo consisting of rappers Pusha T and No Malice.

We Got It 4 Cheap is a series of mixtapes released by Virginia hip hop duo Clipse and Philadelphia-based rappers Ab-Liva and Sandman, collectively known as the Re-Up Gang. The series produced 3 mixtapes, entitled as volumes. Volume 1 and 2 was released in 2004 and 2005 respectively, and was hosted by DJ Clinton Sparks. Volume 3 was released in 2008, and was hosted by DJ Drama. The main theme of all three mixtapes is drug trafficking, which has always been a Clipse and Re-Up Gang trademark. A compilation album, Re-Up Gang the Saga Continues was released on April 22, 2008. The album consisted of 13 best tracks from the previously released mixtapes, all remixed and remastered.

<i>We Global</i> 2008 studio album by DJ Khaled

We Global is the third studio album by Miami based mixtape DJ and Terror Squad member, DJ Khaled. The album was released on September 16, 2008. This was his third album distributed by Koch Records, and the first released on his We the Best Music Group label. The album's guest appearances from Game, T-Pain, Bun B, Rick Ross, Ace Hood, Plies, Akon, Trick Daddy, Lil Boosie, Nas, Kanye West, Fabolous, Fat Joe, Sean Paul, Busta Rhymes, Pitbull, Casely and Flo Rida among others.

<i>Til the Casket Drops</i> (Clipse album) 2009 studio album by Clipse

Til the Casket Drops is the fourth and final studio album by the American hip hop duo Clipse, released in the United States on December 8, 2009, by Re-Up, Star Trak and Columbia. It debuted on number 46 on the Billboard 200, selling 31,000 copies in its very first week of availability. The album received generally positive reviews from critics. It is their final project as Clipse, prior to their split and solo ventures.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">No Malice</span> American rapper

Gene Elliott Thornton Jr., better known by his stage name No Malice, is an American rapper from Virginia Beach, Virginia. He is best known for being one half of hip hop duo Clipse, alongside his brother and fellow rapper Pusha T. No Malice released his solo debut album Hear Ye Him, in 2013, and his second studio album, Let the Dead Bury the Dead, in 2017.

<i>Droptopwop</i> 2017 mixtape by Gucci Mane

Droptopwop is a commercial mixtape by American rapper Gucci Mane. It was released on May 26, 2017, by GUWOP Enterprises, RBC Records and Atlantic Records. The entire mixtape is produced by Metro Boomin, along with extra production from Southside, London on da Track, DJ Spinz, and Cubeatz. It features guest appearances from Offset, 2 Chainz, Young Dolph, and Rick Ross.

References

  1. 1 2 "Eminem Gets on with the 'Show' at No. 1 | Billboard". Billboard . Archived from the original on 2014-09-21. Retrieved 2014-04-11.
  2. ↑ "Clipse Drop 'Lord Willin Album: Today in Hip-Hop". Xxlmag.com.
  3. ↑ "The 200 Best Albums of the 2000s - Page 3". Pitchfork .
  4. ↑ "The 100 Best Albums of the 2000s". Slantmagazine.com. 1 February 2010. Retrieved 28 December 2021.
  5. ↑ "100 Best Debut Albums of All Time". Rolling Stone . July 2022.
  6. 1 2 Reid, Shaheem (June 3, 2002). "LORD WILLIN',THE CLIPSE'S TIME HAS COME". MTV . Retrieved January 10, 2021.
  7. ↑ "The Top 500 Tracks of the 2000s". Pitchfork . Retrieved January 10, 2021.
  8. ↑ "Best Songs of 2000s". Rolling Stone . 17 June 2011. Retrieved January 10, 2021.
  9. ↑ Brown, TM (October 9, 2019). "The greatest hip-hop songs of all time". BBC . Retrieved January 10, 2021.
  10. ↑ "Clipse". Billboard .
  11. ↑ "Clipse". Billboard .
  12. ↑ DiBella, M. F. "Lord Willin' – Clipse". AllMusic . Retrieved April 6, 2016.
  13. ↑ Ex, Kris. "Clipse: Lord Willin'". Blender . Archived from the original on August 20, 2004. Retrieved July 6, 2016.
  14. ↑ Endelman, Michael (September 5–12, 2002). "Clipse: Lord Willin' (Star Trak/Arista)". The Boston Phoenix . Archived from the original on October 31, 2004. Retrieved November 25, 2017.
  15. ↑ Fiore, Raymond (September 13, 2002). "Lord Willin'". Entertainment Weekly . p. 156. Retrieved April 6, 2016.
  16. ↑ Baker, Soren (August 18, 2002). "Clipse, 'Lord Willin',' Star Trak/Arista". Los Angeles Times . Archived from the original on May 3, 2016. Retrieved April 6, 2016.
  17. ↑ "The Clipse - Lord Willin'". HipHopDX. August 23, 2002.
  18. ↑ McGuire, Kathryn (September 5, 2002). "Clipse: Lord Willin'". Rolling Stone . Archived from the original on September 30, 2007. Retrieved April 6, 2016.
  19. ↑ Matos, Michaelangelo (2004). "Clipse". In Brackett, Nathan; Hoard, Christian (eds.). The New Rolling Stone Album Guide (4th ed.). Simon & Schuster. p.  171. ISBN   0-7432-0169-8.
  20. ↑ Jones, Steve (August 20, 2002). "Clipse, Lord Willin'". USA Today .
  21. ↑ "Lord Willin' - Clipse | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic". AllMusic .
  22. ↑ "Lord Willin'". Entertainment Weekly .
  23. ↑ Pitchfork staff (September 28, 2009). "The Top 200 Albums of the 2000s: 200–151". Pitchfork . Retrieved October 1, 2009.
  24. ↑ Cataldo, Jesse (February 2010). "Best of the Aughts: Albums". Slant Magazine. Retrieved February 10, 2010.
  25. ↑ "The 100 Best Albums of the 2000s: Lord Willin'". Complex Networks .
  26. ↑ "Clipse eyes a fresh start with new label". Billboard.com.
  27. ↑ "Credits / Lord Willin' / Clipse" . Retrieved January 10, 2021– via Tidal.
  28. ↑ "Clipse Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard.
  29. ↑ "Clipse Chart History (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)". Billboard.
  30. ↑ "Canada's Top 200 R&B; albums of 2002". Jam! . Archived from the original on October 12, 2003. Retrieved March 27, 2022.
  31. ↑ "Top 100 rap albums of 2002 in Canada". Jam! . Archived from the original on October 12, 2003. Retrieved March 27, 2022.
  32. ↑ "2002 Year-End Charts – Billboard 200 Albums". Billboard . Retrieved May 8, 2016.
  33. ↑ "2002 Year-End Charts – Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Albums". Billboard . Retrieved May 8, 2016.
  34. ↑ "2003 Year-End Charts – Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Albums". Billboard . Retrieved May 8, 2016.
  35. ↑ "American album certifications – Clipse – Lord Willin'". Recording Industry Association of America.
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.