Universal Mind Control

Last updated
Universal Mind Control
Universal Mind Control.png
Studio album by
Common
ReleasedDecember 9, 2008
Recorded2008
Genre Hip hop
Length38:00
Label
Producer
Common chronology
Finding Forever
(2007)		Universal Mind Control
(2008)		 The Dreamer/The Believer
(2011)
Singles from Universal Mind Control
  1. "Universal Mind Control"
    Released: July 1, 2008
  2. "Announcement"
    Released: July 1, 2008

Universal Mind Control is the eighth studio album by American rapper Common. Originally scheduled to be released on June 24, 2008 under the name Invincible Summer, the release date was pushed back to September 30, 2008 due to Common's acting gig in the film Wanted . [1] However, on September 10, 2008, it was announced that the title would be changed to Universal Mind Control and the release date was set for November 11, 2008. Later, the release was pushed back to December 9, 2008. [2]

Contents

The album's first single, titled "Universal Mind Control", was officially released on July 1, 2008 via the US iTunes Store as part of the Announcement EP (sold as "Universal Mind Control-EP" in the UK). The Announcement EP included an additional track titled "Announcement". The album features executive production and extensive creative involvement from The Neptunes, namely Pharrell Williams. The album is Common's third and final project released under Geffen Records and Kanye West's record label GOOD Music, as well as his final album to feature any involvement from West.

The video for "Universal Mind Control" was filmed in September by director Hype Williams. [2] The album was sold for 79 points (roughly $.99) on Zune Marketplace to help promote the album. In 2010, the album was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Rap Album but lost to the Eminem album Relapse.

Reception

Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
Metacritic 53/100 [3]
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [4]
Entertainment Weekly C [5]
The Guardian Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [6]
Los Angeles Times Star full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svgStar empty.svg [7]
Pitchfork 2.8/10 [8]
PopMatters 3/10 [9]
RapReviews5.5/10 [10]
Rolling Stone Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [11]
Sputnikmusic1.5/5 [12]
Vibe Star full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [3] [13]

Billboard magazine has described the sound as "electro-tinged" and "techno-inspired." [1] The album has largely divided critics and fans, with Pitchfork awarding just 2.8 out of 10, yet The Guardian gave it 4 stars of out 5; USA Today gave it three-and-a-half out of four stars; [14] Spin gave it seven out of ten; [15] and XXL gave it three out of five stars. [16] Metacritic, the score aggregator, calculated a score of 53 out of 100, indicating "mixed or average reviews". [3]

Uncut gave it a score of four out of five stars and said, "Tough and determinedly sexed-up, here you'll find talk of beefs, booty and bitches, rather than brotherhood. Producers Neptunes and OutKast's Mr DJ oversee this exercise in alluringly modern hip hop." [3] The A.V. Club gave it a C+ and said, "Common stops trying to save the world and uplift the human spirit, and gets in touch with his inner freak, with results that are often more bewildering than sexy." [17] Paste gave it a score of 5.3 out of 10 and said, "Common's inability to sound sincere about a man he spent two years championing is the most telling part of this consciously shallow caricature of hip-hop's dregs." [18] Slant Magazine gave it a score of two stars out of five and said that although the album "represents a serious step backward from the successes of his recent projects with Kanye, it would be remiss to say the album is the death knell for Common's career or that he has fallen off in any significant way." [19] Canadian magazine Now also gave it a score of two out of five and said it had "no shortage of sick beats, but Common’s decision to dumb down his rhymes to a rude and rudimentary level comes off horribly crass at best and at worst downright embarrassing." [20]

Commercial performance

In its first week, Universal Mind Control sold 81,663 in the United States. As of December 31, 2008, the album has sold 211,781. [21]

Track listing

No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Intro / Universal Mind Control" (featuring Pharrell)
 The Neptunes 3:34
2."Punch Drunk Love (The Eye)" (featuring Kanye West)
The Neptunes4:15
3."Make My Day" (featuring Cee-Lo Green)
 Mr. DJ 3:59
4."Sex 4 Suga"
  • Lynn
  • Williams
  • Hugo
The Neptunes4:03
5."Announcement" (featuring Pharrell)
  • Lynn
  • Williams
  • Hugo
The Neptunes3:46
6."Gladiator" (featuring Pharrell)
  • Lynn
  • Williams
  • Hugo
The Neptunes4:07
7."Changes" (featuring Muhsinah and Omoye Assata Lynn)
  • Lynn
  • Sheats
  • Bowden
Mr. DJ3:58
8."Inhale"
  • Lynn
  • Williams
  • Hugo
The Neptunes3:12
9."What a World" (featuring Chester French)
  • Lynn
  • Williams
  • Hugo
The Neptunes3:58
10."Everywhere" (featuring Martina Topley-Bird)
Mr. DJ3:15
iTunes bonus track
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
11."Break My Heart" (Live)
  • Lynn
  • West
 Kanye West 3:26
UK bonus track
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
11."Punch Drunk Love" (Booty Shake Remix) (featuring Pharrell)
  • Lynn
  • Williams
  • Hugo
The Neptunes4:33

Charts

Release history

CountryDate
United StatesDecember 9, 2008
Canada
United KingdomMarch 6, 2009
Poland
MexicoDecember 24, 2008
SpainApril 7, 2009
BrazilMay 12, 2009
ChinaDecember 10, 2008
Russia
JapanJanuary 6, 2009
New ZealandNovember 17, 2008
Europe
Australia

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Common (rapper)</span> American rapper and actor (born 1972)

Lonnie Rashid Lynn, known professionally as Common, is an American rapper and actor. He is the recipient of three Grammy Awards, an Academy Award, a Primetime Emmy Award, and a Golden Globe Award. At the age of 20, he signed with the independent label Relativity Records to release his debut studio album Can I Borrow a Dollar? (1992), which was met with critical acclaim along with its follow-ups, Resurrection (1994) and One Day It'll All Make Sense (1997). He maintained an underground following into the late 1990s, and achieved mainstream success through his work with the Black music collective, Soulquarians.

<i>Be</i> (Common album) 2005 studio album by Common

Be is the sixth studio album by American rapper Common. It was released on May 24, 2005, by Geffen Records and GOOD Music. The album is Common's first album under Geffen, following the mediocre performance of 2002's Electric Circus and the July 2003 merger of preceding label MCA Records, which, like Geffen and its sister label Interscope Records, was a division of Universal Music Group.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kardinal Offishall</span> Canadian rapper and record producer (born 1976)

Jason Drew Harrow, better known by his stage name Kardinal Offishall, is a Canadian rapper and record producer. Often credited as Canada's "hip hop ambassador", he has been regarded as one of the country's most prominent hip hop producers during the 2000s and is distinctive for his reggae and dancehall-influenced style of hip hop.

<i>Electric Circus</i> (album) 2002 studio album by Common

Electric Circus is the fifth studio album by American rapper Common, released on December 10, 2002, on the now-defunct MCA Records. The album was highly anticipated and praised by many critics for its ambitious vision. However, it was not as commercially successful as his previous album, Like Water for Chocolate, selling under 300,000 copies. An eclectic album, Electric Circus features fusions of several genres such as hip hop, pop, rock, electronic, and neo soul. "I wasn't feeling hip hop," the rapper remarked. "So my motivation for that album were other genres of music, like Pink Floyd and Jimi Hendrix. It wasn't hip hop." This was Common's second and last album for MCA, as well as the final album released under the label, which would soon be merged into Geffen Records a year later.

<i>Tha Carter III</i> 2008 studio album by Lil Wayne

Tha Carter III is the sixth studio album by American rapper Lil Wayne, released on June 10, 2008, by Cash Money, Universal Motown and Young Money Entertainment. It follows a string of mixtape releases and guest appearances on other hip hop and R&B artists' albums. The album features appearances from Jay-Z, T-Pain, Fabolous, Robin Thicke, Busta Rhymes, Juelz Santana, Babyface, Bobby V, and Kanye West, among others. It also features Static Major, who is credited posthumously following his death in February of that year.

<i>Finding Forever</i> 2007 studio album by Common

Finding Forever is the seventh studio album by Common, released on July 31, 2007, on GOOD Music and Geffen Records. Like Common's previous album, Be (2005), Finding Forever is primarily produced by Kanye West. The album debuted at the number one on the Billboard 200, selling 155,000 units in the first week, becoming Common's first chart-topper. Selling over 500,000 units in the US, it has been certified Gold. Finding Forever was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Rap Album, losing to West's Graduation at the 50th Grammy Awards.

<i>Year of the Dog... Again</i> 2006 studio album by DMX

Year of the Dog... Again is the sixth studio album by American rapper DMX. It was released on August 1, 2006 by Ruff Ryders Entertainment, Sony Urban Music and Columbia Records. The album was mostly produced by Swizz Beatz, Scott Storch, with additional production by others. It features guest appearances from Busta Rhymes, Styles P, Amerie, and Jadakiss.

<i>Rotten Apple</i> (album) 2006 studio album by Lloyd Banks

Rotten Apple is the second studio album by American rapper Lloyd Banks, released October 10, 2006 via G-Unit and Interscope. The title of the album is a play on the New York City nickname, "The Big Apple". 50 Cent's song "Rotten Apple" is on his mixtape Guess Who's Back? (2002) and should not be confused with Banks' song of the same name on this album. Rotten Apple Entertainment is also the name of Banks' former label owned by 50 Cent in the past. The album cover also resembles the cover of the film, King of New York.

<i>Eardrum</i> (album) 2007 studio album by Talib Kweli

Eardrum is the third studio album by American hip hop artist Talib Kweli. The album was released on August 21, 2007, by Blacksmith Records and Warner Bros. Records. The album features guest appearances from Res, Jean Grae, UGK, Raheem DeVaughn, Roy Ayers, Kanye West, Norah Jones, Coi Mattison, Lyfe Jennings, will.i.am, Sa-Ra, KRS-One, Musiq Soulchild, Strong Arm Steady, Sizzla, Justin Timberlake and Marsha Ambrosius.

<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">Untitled Nas album</span> 2008 studio album by Nas

The untitled ninth studio album by American rapper Nas, commonly referred to eponymously as Nas, or simply Untitled, was released on July 15, 2008 by The Jones Experience, Columbia Records and The Island Def Jam Music Group. Its original title Nigger was omitted due to controversy surrounding the racial epithet. The album is distinguished for its political content, diverse sources of production, and provocative subject matter. The album features guest appearances from Chris Brown, Keri Hilson, Busta Rhymes, and The Game, among others.

<i>The Recession</i> 2008 studio album by Young Jeezy

The Recession is the fifth studio album by American rapper Young Jeezy. It was released on September 2, 2008, by Corporate Thugz Entertainment and Def Jam Recordings. The album was supported by five singles: "Put On" featuring Kanye West, "Vacation", "Crazy World", "My President" featuring Nas, and "Who Dat". The Recession 2, the album's sequel was released in 2020.

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

Til the Casket Drops is the fourth studio album by the American hip hop duo Clipse, released in the United States on November 10, 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.

<i>Slaughterhouse</i> (Slaughterhouse album) 2009 studio album by Slaughterhouse

Slaughterhouse is the self-titled debut studio album by hip hop supergroup, Slaughterhouse, consisting of members Crooked I, Joe Budden, Joell Ortiz and Royce da 5'9". The album was released on August 11, 2009 on E1 Music and sold 18,600 copies in its first week.

<i>We the Best Forever</i> 2011 studio album by DJ Khaled

We the Best Forever is the fifth studio album by American disc jockey and record producer DJ Khaled. It was released on July 19, 2011, by We the Best Music Group, Cash Money Records and Universal Motown Records. It is his first album to be released on a major label, his first four albums being released on the independent label Koch Records, which later changed its name to E1 Music.

<i>The Dreamer/The Believer</i> 2011 studio album by Common

The Dreamer/The Believer is the ninth studio album by American rapper Common. It was released in the UK on December 19, 2011 and in the US on December 20 through Warner Bros. Records alongside Common's newly launched Think Common Music Inc. Common's longtime friend and frequent collaborator No I.D. handled the album's production entirely himself.

<i>Legends Never Die</i> (R.A. the Rugged Man album) 2013 studio album by R.A. the Rugged Man

Legends Never Die is the second studio album from New York City hip hop artist R.A. the Rugged Man. The album was released on April 30, 2013, by Nature Sounds. It is the follow-up to 2004's Die, Rugged Man, Die. The album features guest appearances from Talib Kweli, Krizz Kaliko, Masta Ace, Brother Ali, Tech N9ne, Hopsin, Vinnie Paz, Eamon, Sadat X among others. The album's production was handled by Buckwild, Ayatollah, Apathy and Marco Polo among others.

<i>Reincarnated</i> (album) 2013 studio album by Snoop Lion

Reincarnated is the twelfth studio album by American rapper Snoop Dogg, his sole release using the reggae persona Snoop Lion. Berhane Sound System and RCA Records released the album April 23, 2013.

<i>Wu Block</i> 2012 studio album by Ghostface Killah and Sheek Louch

Wu Block is a collaborative studio album by American rappers Ghostface Killah and Sheek Louch. Louch announced the album in 2011, in an interview. The album was released on November 27, 2012, by E1 Music. The album features guest appearances from Raekwon, Jadakiss, Cappadonna, Method Man, Styles P, Masta Killa, GZA, Erykah Badu and Inspectah Deck.

<i>Prisoner of Conscious</i> 2013 studio album by Talib Kweli

Prisoner of Conscious is the fifth solo studio album by American rapper Talib Kweli. The album was released on May 7, 2013. The album features guest appearances from Nelly, Miguel, Currensy, Kendrick Lamar, Marsha Ambrosius, Busta Rhymes and Ryan Leslie along with production by RZA, Boi-1da, Harry Fraud, S1, Terrace Martin, Oh No, and J. Cole among others.

References

  1. 1 2 Common Readies "Universal Mind Control" For July Release | Hip Hop News > HipHopDX.com
  2. 1 2 "Common Changes Album Title, Shoots Video With Hype Williams". DJBooth.net. 2008-09-10. Retrieved 2008-09-17.
  3. 1 2 3 4 "Critic Reviews for Universal Mind Control". Metacritic . Retrieved January 20, 2013.
  4. ↑ Kellman, Andy. "Universal Mind Control - Common". Allmusic .
  5. ↑ Compton, Josette (December 12, 2008). "Universal Mind Control Review". Entertainment Weekly . Archived from the original on December 7, 2008. Retrieved December 6, 2008.
  6. ↑ Batey, Angus (December 4, 2008). "Common: Universal Mind Control". The Guardian . London.
  7. ↑ Wappler, Margaret (December 8, 2008). "Album review: Common's 'Universal Mind Control'". Los Angeles Times .
  8. ↑ Howe, Brian (December 10, 2008). "Common: Universal Mind Control". Pitchfork Media.
  9. ↑ Hauner, Thomas (December 16, 2008). "Common: Universal Mind Control". PopMatters .
  10. ↑ Padania, Jesal "Jay Soul" (December 9, 2008). "RapReviews.com Feature for December 9, 2008 - Common's 'Universal Mind Control'". RapReviews. Retrieved January 20, 2013.
  11. ↑ Hermes, Will (December 11, 2008). "Universal Mind Control". Rolling Stone . Retrieved January 30, 2013.
  12. ↑ Munro, Tyler (December 12, 2008). "Review: Common - Universal Mind Control". Sputnikmusic. Retrieved January 20, 2013.
  13. ↑ O'Neal, Eavvon (December 9, 2008). "Common: Universal Mind Control". Vibe . Archived from the original on December 10, 2008. Retrieved January 20, 2013.
  14. ↑ Jones, Steve (December 9, 2008). "Common's 'Universal Mind Control' is anything but". USA Today .
  15. ↑ Gonzales, Michael (December 4, 2008). "Common, 'Universal Mind Control' (G.O.O.D. Music / Geffen)". Spin .
  16. ↑ Kennedy, John (January 22, 2009). "Common: Universal Mind Control". XXL . Retrieved January 20, 2013.
  17. ↑ Rabin, Nathan (December 17, 2008). "Common: Universal Mind Control". The A.V. Club . Archived from the original on January 16, 2010. Retrieved January 20, 2013.
  18. ↑ Saba, Michael (December 8, 2008). "Common: Universal Mind Control :: Music :: Reviews". Paste . Retrieved January 20, 2013.
  19. ↑ McBee, Wilson (December 8, 2008). "Common: Universal Mind Control". Slant Magazine . Retrieved January 20, 2013.
  20. ↑ Perlich, Tim (December 10–17, 2008). "Common: Universal Mind Control". Now . Retrieved January 20, 2013.
  21. ↑ Paine, Jake (2009-01-07). "Hip Hop Album Sales: The Week Ending 1/4/09 | Get The Latest Hip Hop News, Rap News & Hip Hop Album Sales". HipHop DX. Retrieved 2012-03-13.
  22. ↑ "Common Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved December 30, 2020.
  23. ↑ "Common Chart History (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved December 30, 2020.
  24. ↑ "Common Chart History (Top Rap Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved December 30, 2020.
  25. ↑ "Top Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 2009". Billboard. Retrieved December 30, 2020.
  26. ↑ "Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums – Year-End 2009". Billboard. Retrieved December 30, 2020.
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.