The Senior

Last updated
The Senior
Thesenior.jpg
Studio album by
Ginuwine
ReleasedApril 8, 2003
Length72:09
Label Epic
Producer
Ginuwine chronology
The Life
(2001)		The Senior
(2003)		 Back II da Basics
(2005)
Singles from The Senior
  1. "Hell Yeah"
    Released: January 14, 2003
  2. "In Those Jeans"
    Released: May 2003
  3. "Love You More"
    Released: March 24, 2004

The Senior is the fourth studio album by American singer Ginuwine. It was released by Epic Records on April 8, 2003 in the United States. The singer reteamed with Troy Oliver to work on material for the album. He also consulted a number of new collaborators, including Scott Storch, Bryan-Michael Cox, R. Kelly, Brandon Howard and Joe Little III, the former of which – like Taylor – contributed three songs to the album. Ginuwine's 2002 single "Stingy" from the Barbershop soundtrack also appears on The Senior.

Contents

The album earned generally positive reviews from music, though some felt that it was inconsistent. The Senior debuted at number six on the US Billboard 200, with first-week sales of 122,000 copies, also becoming his first album to reach the top of the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums. It was eventually certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). The Senior was supported with the release of three singles, with all of them appearing on the Billboard Hot 100, including lead single "Hell Yeah" and follow-up "In Those Jeans," which peaked at number 17 and number eight, respectively.

Background

Ginuwine described The Senior as "edgier." He further ealborated: "I wasn't trying to do what I did on my first or second album. As you grow, you learn and talk about different things. On every album you can see my growth." [1] Schedulding conflicts prevented him from working with previous collaborator Timbaland. [1] During an interview with 106 & Park , Ginuwine stated that Missy Elliott and Tweet were among the producers that worked on the album, however their contributions didn't make the final cut. [2]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
Metacritic 60/100 [3]
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [4]
Blender Star full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [3]
Drowned in Sound 7/10 [5]
Entertainment Weekly C [6]
Robert Christgau Scissors icon black.svg [7]
Rolling Stone Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [8]
Vibe Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svgStar empty.svg [9]

The Senior received generally favorable reviews from music critics, averaging a 60 out of a 100 among averaged reviews on Metacritic. [3] AllMusic editor John Bush wrote the album "finds the R&B jack-of-all-trades attempting to get in on the game with tracks that mine urban lingo for potential hit combinations [...] As before, Ginuwine rises above most of his dozens of imitators in the contemporary R&B realm, with a set of productions that fit his voice perfectly and rate as slightly edgier than the norm." [4] Entertainment Weekly 's Craig Seymour found that "on the finest tracks of his fourth set, R&B balladeer Ginuwine delivers cliched slow jams with convincing emotion. But too much of the album skews toward the dance floor rather than the bedroom, with Ginuwine’s vocals lost in a routine groove. He calls this The Senior, but it’s sophomoric, at best." [6] Vibe magazine remarked that "not much has changed for Ginuwine since his debut. He's still racing R. Kelly to see who can sing the ladies out of their panties first." [9]

People editors Ralph Novak and Chuck Arnold found that "there are too many moments on Ginuwine's latest, The Senior, that are juvenile [...] Despite those missteps, the R&B; star still delivers some bright moments on this spotty disc [...] but in the end you're left wondering: Will the real Ginuwine please stand up?" [10] Dan Leory, writing for Yahoo! LAUNCH, felt noted that The Senior "often sounds like he went straight to the graduation party instead. Finally over the grief of his parents' passing, which colored the mellow soul of 2001's The Life deep blue, Ginuwine is once again a randy R&B; stud, offering pony rides to all female comers. And even without Timbaland, who filled G's first two outings with some of his finest future funk, Ginuwine has a game plan as solid as his abs." [11]

Commercial performance

The Senior debuted and peaked at number six on the US Billboard 200, selling 122,000 copies in its first week, a little shy of the 152,000 copies Ginuwine's 2001 album The Life had debuted with. [12] On Billboard's component charts, it became his first album to top the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. [12] The Senior was eventually certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for the shipment of over 500,000 copies in the United States. [12] By November 2005, the album had sold over 863,000 units, according to Nielsen Soundscan. [12]

Track listing

The Senior track listing
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Mike Tyson" (Intro)  0:12
2."Get Ready" (featuring Snoop Dogg & The Rook)
Oliver4:35
3."Chedda Brings" (featuring Jose Cenquentez)
  • Lumpkin
  • Oliver
  • Andre Deyo
  • Antonio McLendon
  • Joseph Harris Bennett II
Oliver3:36
4."Hell Yeah"/"In Those Jeans (Interlude)" (featuring Baby)
  • Kelly
  • Ginuwine [a]
5:38
5."In Those Jeans"
  • Lumpkin
  • Hester
  • Jerry "Juke" Vines
  • Ginuwine [b]
  • Hester [b]
4:03
6."Stingy"
4:19
7."Love You More"
  • Casino Joe
  • Smith [a]
  • Howard [a]
4:01
8."Bedda to Have Loved"
  • Lumpkin
  • Taylor
  • Darius Good
  • Luke Paterna
  • The Formula
  • Ginuwine
  • Taylor
11:31
9."Locked Down"
Storch5:03
10."On My Way"/"Sex" (Interlude)
  • Lumpkin
  • Taylor
  • Taylor
  • Ginuwine [a]
4:56
11."Sex" (featuring Solé)
Storch3:50
12."Bedda Man"
  • Lumpkin
  • Storch
Storch3:45
13."Our First Born"
  • Lumpkin
  • Taylor
Taylor4:15
14."Big Plans" (featuring Method Man)
Oliver3:27
15."Hell Yeah (Remix)" (featuring R. Kelly, Baby & Clipse)
  • Kelly
  • Williams
Kelly4:28
16."Tigger & the Gizzle"
4:28
Total length:72:09

Notes

Charts

Certifications

Certifications and sales for The Senior
RegionCertification Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA) [21] Gold863,000 [22]

Related Research Articles

<i>Word of Mouf</i> 2001 studio album by Ludacris

Word of Mouf is the third studio album by American rapper Ludacris. It was released on November 27, 2001, through Disturbing tha Peace and Def Jam South.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ginuwine</span> American singer (born 1970)

Elgin Baylor Lumpkin, better known by his stage name Ginuwine, is an American R&B singer. He began his career as a member of the musical collective Swing Mob in the early 1990s. As a solo act, he signed with Epic Records to release his 1996 debut single, "Pony". The song peaked at number six on the Billboard Hot 100 and preceded the release of his debut studio album, Ginuwine...The Bachelor (1996), which received double platinum certification by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). His second and third albums, 100% Ginuwine (1999) and The Life (2001), both peaked within the top five of the Billboard 200, while the latter spawned the single "Differences", which peaked at number four on the Billboard Hot 100 and remains his highest-charting song.

<i>The Red Light District</i> 2004 studio album by Ludacris

The Red Light District is the fifth studio album by American rapper Ludacris. It was released on December 7, 2004, through Disturbing tha Peace/Def Jam South. The album's title refers to an urban tourist district where the standard industry is prostitution. The CD is accompanied by a 41-minute DVD made by Decon of Ludacris visiting the red-light district, a cannabis grow-room, an adult 'cam-house' and the recording of the Red Light District CD/DVD promo concert in Amsterdam, Netherlands.

<i>Back for the First Time</i> 2000 studio album by Ludacris

Back for the First Time is the second studio album by American rapper Ludacris. It was released on October 17, 2000, via Disturbing tha Peace and Def Jam South, marking his major label debut.

<i>Tha Last Meal</i> 2000 studio album by Snoop Dogg

Tha Last Meal is the fifth studio album by American rapper Snoop Dogg. It was released through No Limit, Doggy Style, and Priority Records on December 19, 2000. It was his third and final studio album released on No Limit, marking this record his first album on his newly founded label, called Doggy Style, alongside Priority in the United States. The album title makes reference to being the last record partially owned by his former label, Death Row Records. The album was produced by Dr. Dre, Timbaland, and Soopafly, among others. The album includes four official singles: "Snoop Dogg ", "Lay Low", "Loosen' Control", and "Wrong Idea". The album was generally met with positive reception.

<i>I Care 4 U</i> 2002 compilation album by Aaliyah

I Care 4 U is a posthumous compilation album by American singer Aaliyah. It was released on December 10, 2002, by Blackground Records and Universal Records. Following Aaliyah's death on August 25, 2001, Blackground decided to release a posthumous record in collaboration with Universal Music Group. The album compiles eight of Aaliyah's previously released songs alongside six previously unreleased recordings which were discarded from sessions for her eponymous third and final studio album (2001).

<i>The Blueprint 2: The Gift & The Curse</i> 2002 studio album by Jay-Z

The Blueprint 2: The Gift & the Curse is the seventh studio album by American rapper Jay-Z. It was released on November 12, 2002 by Roc-A-Fella Records and Island Def Jam Music Group as a double album. It serves as a direct sequel to his previous album, The Blueprint (2001). It was supported by two singles that peaked within the top ten of the Billboard Hot 100: "'03 Bonnie and Clyde" and "Excuse Me Miss".

<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>Ginuwine... the Bachelor</i> 1996 studio album by Ginuwine

Ginuwine... the Bachelor is the debut studio album by American R&B artist Ginuwine. The second major Swing Mob album, it was chiefly produced by Timbaland and released October 8, 1996, on 550 Music. The distribution was handled through Epic Records. The album peaked at number 26 on the US Billboard 200 and reached number 14 on Billboard's R&B Albums chart. A steady seller, it was certified gold by January 1997. In March 1999, the album was certified double platinum in sales by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), after sales exceeding two million copies in the United States. Ginuwine... the Bachelor featured the singles "Pony", "When Doves Cry" and "Holler".

<i>Ghetto Fabolous</i> 2001 studio album by Fabolous

Ghetto Fabolous is the debut studio album by American rapper Fabolous. It was released on September 11, 2001 through Desert Storm Records and Elektra Records. Production was handled by DJ Clue?, Duro, Armando Colon, DJ Envy, Just Blaze, Mono, Omen, Red Spyda, Rick Rock, Rockwilder, The Neptunes and Timbaland.

<i>Romeo Must Die</i> (soundtrack) 2000 soundtrack album by various artists

Romeo Must Die: The Album is the soundtrack to Andrzej Bartkowiak's 2000 action film Romeo Must Die, composed of hip hop and R&B music. It was released on March 14, 2000 through Blackground Records and Virgin Records in association with Warner Bros. Records. Recording sessions took time between May 1999 and January 2000.

<i>Back II da Basics</i> 2005 studio album by Ginuwine

Back II da Basics is the fifth album by American recording artist Ginuwine. Released by Epic Records on November 15, 2005 in the United States, production for the album originally began in July 2003. Although Ginuwine initially revealed that he was planning to team with longtime contributor Timbaland on the entirety of the album, their collaboration failed to materialize due to scheduling conflicts. Instead, Ginuwine worked with a diverse roster of collaborators, including Danja, Jazze Pha, Troy Oliver, Trackmasters, and The Underdogs, on most of the tracks.

<i>The Life</i> (album) 2001 studio album by Ginuwine

The Life is the third studio album from American R&B singer Ginuwine. It was released by Epic Records on April 3, 2001 in the United States. Produced by a variety of collaboratirs, including Khris Kellow, Troy Oliver, Cory Rooney, Raphael Saadiq, Dan Shea, and Ric Wake, the album marked a breakaway for the singer whose previous two albums Ginuwine... the Bachelor (1996) and 100% Ginuwine (1999) had been largely produced by Timbaland, who contribued one song, "That's How I Get Down," to The Life only.

<i>The DEFinition</i> 2004 studio album by LL Cool J

The DEFinition is the tenth studio album by American rapper LL Cool J, released on August 31, 2004 by Def Jam Recordings. Largely produced by Timbaland, with several tracks produced by N.O. Joe, Teddy Riley, and 7 Aurelius, the album peaked at number 4 on the US Billboard 200 and spawned two singles: "Headsprung" and "Hush". It was certified Gold by the RIAA for selling over 500,000 copies.

<i>Street Dreams</i> (Fabolous album) 2003 album by Fabolous

Street Dreams is the second studio album by American rapper Fabolous. It was released on March 4, 2003, by Desert Storm Records and Elektra Records. Fabolous worked with a variety of producers on the album, including DJ Clue, Heavy D, Just Blaze, Rick Rock, Timbaland, Trackmasters, and Kanye West. Guest vocalists on Street Dreams include Lil' Mo, Mike Shorey, Paul Cain, Snoop Dogg, Missy Elliott, Ashanti, and Mary J. Blige as well as Styles P, Jadakiss, M.O.P., P. Diddy, and Jagged Edge.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pony (Ginuwine song)</span> 1996 single by Ginuwine

"Pony" is a song by American singer Ginuwine, released as the debut single from his first album, Ginuwine...The Bachelor (1996). Ginuwine sung, co-wrote, and produced the song with Swing Mob associates Static Major, Digital Black, Smoke E. Digglera, and Timbaland; the latter made his breakthrough as a producer with the song. It peaked at number six on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number one on the Billboard Hot R&B Singles chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">So Anxious</span> 1999 single by Ginuwine

"So Anxious" is a song by R&B singer Ginuwine. It was written by Static Major, Benjamin Bush, and Timbaland for his second studio album 100% Ginuwine (1999), while production was helmed by the latter. The song describes the narrator anxiously waiting on his lover all night to return his calls so that she can meet him for romance. Released as the album's third single, "So Anxious" became Ginuwine's second top 20 pop hit. It also reached number two on the US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. The music video was directed by Chris Robinson.

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

This article contains the discography of American R&B singer Ginuwine. This includes eight studio albums, 36 singles and four compilation albums.

<i>A Mans Thoughts</i> 2009 studio album by Ginuwine

A Man's Thoughts is the sixth studio album from American R&B singer Ginuwine. It was set to be released June 2 but was pushed back to June 23, 2009. The album received average critical reception from pop critics.

<i>The Great Depression</i> (DMX album) 2001 studio album by DMX

The Great Depression is the fourth studio album by American rapper DMX. It was released on October 23, 2001 by Ruff Ryders Entertainment and Def Jam Recordings. The production on the album was handled by multiple producers including Just Blaze, Dame Grease, Black Key and DMX himself. The album also features guest appearances by Stephanie Mills, Faith Evans and Mashonda.

References

  1. 1 2 Mitchell, Gail (April 12, 2003). "Guests Bolster Ginuwine's Return". Drowned in Sound . Retrieved January 17, 2025.
  2. ↑ "Ginuwine 2003 hell yeah". YouTube. 6 July 2011. Archived from the original on 2021-12-21. Retrieved January 2, 2014.
  3. 1 2 3 Critic reviews at Metacritic
  4. 1 2 Allmusic review
  5. ↑ "Ginuwine: The Senior". Drowned in Sound . April 4, 2003. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved March 17, 2013.
  6. 1 2 Seymour, Craig (March 17, 2020). "The Senior". Entertainment Weekly . Archived from the original on September 12, 2021. Retrieved January 17, 2024.
  7. ↑ Christgau, Robert. "Consumer Guide Reviews: Ginuwine". Robert Christgau . Retrieved January 17, 2024.
  8. ↑ Album reviews at CD Universe
  9. 1 2 Vibe review
  10. ↑ Novak, Ralph; Arnold, Chuck (April 21, 2003). "Picks and Pans Review: The Senior". People . Archived from the original on September 21, 2015. Retrieved January 17, 2024.
  11. ↑ Leroy, Dan (April 21, 2003). "ALBUM REVIEW – The Senior". Yahoo! LAUNCH . Archived from the original on April 13, 2003. Retrieved January 17, 2024.
  12. 1 2 3 4 Fiasco, Lance (April 17, 2002). "Godsmack Takes 'Faceless' Straight to No. 1". Idobi.com. Retrieved September 12, 2021.
  13. ↑ "Albums : Top 100". Jam! . May 1, 2003. Archived from the original on October 26, 2004. Retrieved April 11, 2023.
  14. ↑ "R&B : Top 50". Jam! . June 26, 2003. Archived from the original on July 3, 2003. Retrieved January 29, 2023.
  15. ↑ "Lescharts.com – Ginuwine – The Senior". Hung Medien. Retrieved September 12, 2021.
  16. ↑ "Dutchcharts.nl – Ginuwine – The Senior" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved September 12, 2021.
  17. ↑ "Ginuwine Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved July 5, 2018.
  18. ↑ "Ginuwine Chart History (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved July 5, 2018.
  19. ↑ "Top Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 2003". Billboard. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  20. ↑ "R&B/Hip-Hop Albums: Year End 2003". Billboard . Retrieved July 4, 2018.
  21. ↑ "American album certifications – Ginuwine – The Senior". Recording Industry Association of America . Retrieved July 5, 2018.
  22. ↑ Mitchell, Gail (19 November 2005). "Ginuwine Grows Up". Billboard . Retrieved 13 September 2021.
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.