Off the Hook (Xscape album)

Last updated
Off the Hook
Off the Hook (Xscape album) coverart.jpg
Studio album by
ReleasedJuly 11, 1995
Length44:37
Label
Producer
Xscape chronology
Hummin' Comin' at 'Cha
(1993)
Off the Hook
(1995)
Traces of My Lipstick
(1998)
Singles from Off The Hook
  1. "Feels So Good"
    Released: June 6, 1995
  2. "Who Can I Run To"
    Released: October 3, 1995
  3. "Do You Want To/Can't Hang"
    Released: February 2, 1996

Off the Hook is the second studio album by American R&B group Xscape. It was released on July 11, 1995, through So So Def Recordings and Sony Music Entertainment. [1] The album was produced by Jermaine Dupri, Organized Noize, and Daryl Simmons and features a guest appearance by MC Lyte. Off the Hook was preceded by the release of four singles — "Feels So Good", "Who Can I Run To" and "Can't Hang/Do You Want To".

Contents

The album debuted at number twenty-three on the US Billboard 200 and number three on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. [2] [3] It was eventually certified Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) on November 16, 1995 [4] and won the 1996 Soul Train Music Award for R&B/Soul Album of the Year – Group, Band or Duo.

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Allmusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svg [5]
Entertainment Weekly C+ [6]
The Source (favorable) [7]
Vibe (positive) [7]

In his review for Allmusic, senior editor Stephen Thomas Erlewine called the album "an improvement on their first record, demonstrating gains both in terms of music and lyrics [...] While they are still sexual on their second album, Off the Hook, it doesn't overwhelm the music as it did on their debut. Recording with producers Dupri, Daryl Simmons, and Organized Noize on various tracks, the group has developed into impressive musicians, with a thorough grasp of slow, seductive soul and slick funk. Off the Hook may run a little long – the 12 songs clock in at well over an hour – but the record proves that Xscape has staying power." [5]

Track listing

Off the Hook Standard edition
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Do Your Thang"Isaac Hayes Jermaine Dupri 1:51
2."Feels So Good"
  • Dupri
  • Carl So-Lowe
  • Dupri
  • So-Lowe [a]
3:32
3."Hard to Say Goodbye"
Dupri3:45
4."Can't Hang" (featuring MC Lyte)
Dupri3:46
5."Who Can I Run To"
  • Charles Simmons
  • Frank Alstin, Jr.
  • Richard Roebuck
Dupri3:37
6."Hip Hop Barber Shop Request Line"
  • Eddie Weathers
  • Dupri
  • Clifford Smith
  • Robert Riggs
Dupri0:49
7."Do You Want to" Daryl Simmons Simmons5:42
8."What Can I Do"
Dupri3:05
9."Do Like Lovers Do"
  • Xscape
  • Dupri
  • Lowe
  • Dupri
  • So-Lowe [a]
3:46
10."Work Me Slow"Simmons
  • Simmons
  • Dupri [a]
4:12
11."Love's a Funny Thing"Kevin Kendricks
  • Dupri
  • So-Lowe [a]
5:27
12."Keep It on the Real"
Organized Noize4:23

Notes

Credits and personnel

Musicians

Production

Charts

Certifications

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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  4. "American album certifications – Xscape". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved November 28, 2017. If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Album, then click SEARCH
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  6. Entertainment Weekly review
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