fourth solo album musician released august little indian records recorded locations spain iceland united_states production began filming dancer dark characterized conflict singer director von self titled coffee table book containing photographs singer career released simultaneously album sound reflected newly found interest music artists console enlisted producers wanted album intimate domestic sound previous studio album rising popularity music downloads decided use instruments sound compromised downloaded played computer include strings custom music boxes assisted duo created household sounds cards ice cracked lyrically revolves sex love explicitly inspired singer new relationship matthew lyrical sources include poem play collaborator harmony widely acclaimed critics praise centred erotic intimate mood sonic experimentation record featured publications lists best albums best albums decade considered best album date album peaked number billboard number albums_chart singles released hidden place pagan poetry record certified gold canada france singer enlisted choir women embark world tour background development july published poem titled techno prayer details magazine later lyrics neon like featured thematic ideas thread weaving later explore released previous studio album album highly acclaimed initial release differed previous releases described emotionally dramatic starred von dancer dark composed soundtrack filming process von believes problem fold dictator products unable separate character acting wrote destroy female leads filming declared movie performance praised film awarded cannes film festival received best actress award march attended academy_awards seen nominated best original song wearing swan dress designed caused media widely criticized worked film began producing album writing new music teaming new collaborators said day job hobby earliest sessions took place spain programmer jake davies new relationship artist matthew tension filming dancer dark referred major forces shaped process filming demanded new music creating way escape commissioned relocate studio equipment iceland denmark dancer dark filmed living copenhagen contacted electronic musician thomas known having enjoyed album objects ideal home musical taste shifted techno characterized grew tired big beats set making record domestic mood featuring everyday moods everyday noises translating melodies beats working title began use write music referred album string music box arrangements software iceland programmers jake davies joined writing session laying tracks addition mixed set camp summer new_york_city began work composed crafted edited called sessions tracks recorded slave spanish sessions wanted write songs music boxes contacted music box company requesting transparent boxes wanted sound hard possible like frozen decided use instruments sound compromised downloaded sites explained use micro beats lot vocals think sound amazing downloaded secrecy medium acoustic instruments use sound good downloaded music box sounds strings ended textures background little house strings like white mountains outside track built loud beat wanted thirty beats interacting recorded noises house beats songs finished contacted duo considered field sent songs work added beats noise crushing ice cards documentary explained process consisted taking tiny big intending convey sensation told secret present relationship influenced lyrics intimate detailed revealing opposed past works particular example sexually explicit eventual title change record reveals changing nature writer critic mark notes focus magic everyday life suggested creation magic powerful forces fine style set write album making ended album making love existing instrumental track titled electronic musician console album rocket pocket contacted console early met london added vocals written week session january recorded vocals minimalist rhythmic backbone months later added choir string section produced songs written album melody came sudden rush contacted took chance minimal track similar releases original treatment appeared relatively intact final version worked song track follow direction record subsequently included album interview pitchfork review expressed frustration lack recognition work albums said beats took years work album like huge piece came weeks added percussion songs didn main parts credited having album drew daniel close friend single interview corrected don listen strange composition stated wanted album sound like modern chamber music referring times ideal music situation home people play argued popularity festivals like situation opposite advent internet music dvd come circle ideal musical situation home considers opposite previous studio album quiet winter record loud dramatic summer record writer critic mark writes appetite techno temporarily desire stark melodies minimalist production generally considered electronica album loosely defined umbrella term releases difficult critics classify musical genre album body work general considered art pop orlando weekly wrote album took modernist art pop abstract music journalists noted experimental nature record according joseph tiny mix tapes music finally good dubious trip hop label described combination psychedelic techno chamber music constructions like emotions music considered dallas morning news american critic jim david rolling_stone wrote closest pop vocal album come new minimalist techno described album electronic folk music jason paste referred album gem music ambient pop art rock incorporates elements art dance music example instrumentation choir strings suggestive romantic art music keyboard effects complex sounds elements characteristic dance based pop according way classical dance based elements sit alongside texture relationship spiritual sensual shown compatible suggesting sensual spiritual facilitate grant access world characterized obsession sonic traces analog technology use loops static white noise despite obviously digital orientation century electronics unlike previous albums like debut post electronic sounds norm acoustic sounds voice supplement complex electronic textures vocals appear recorded close microphone little treatment sung unstable conveying sense close proximity reduced space suitable intimate lyrics songs album opens hidden place features soprano section strings warm intimate melody michael musicomh felt track reminiscent hunter focused beats nme called progressive folk drowned sound wrote electro sings people create paradise uniting close tears close simply calling simply suggesting hidden place based bassline beats sound like skin discussing nature track said technology use areas breaks faulty entering mystery zone control lyrically revolving making love song metaphors like known boy like entered lightly restoring explicit lines inside half awake half asleep inside according michael guardian song best represents album sense heavy post sings near cracking falsetto track described ballad song lifts album upward michael billboard described track melancholy lyrics love unknown devices perfect days pleas find beauty unlikely places lyrics assure meant strife meant struggle biographer mark writes held hand reminder happen let pain suggests hint voice climbing strings rising choir pagan poetry song concerns love track builds slowly swelling keyboard minute mark music drops away leaving utterly exposed sings love love love love love love song features flotilla music boxes asian touch instrumental interlude described metallic sound stems music box creating intimate fairy tale like effect fades aurora warm sound heard samples snow work appropriated song subtly shifting beat aurora described appeals child like imagination having magical quality lyrics addresses nature goddess sings literally pleasure pure color northern lights compositions echo stain choir line features unresolved ominous tension writing style song lyrics speak directly incidents sarah kane dark themed play titled minute sun mouth adaptation poem wade till burning flowers emphasis vocal accompaniment provided string orchestra soft electronica track lyrics considered startling allusion positioned fantasy like imagery burning flowers sea girls darkness sun track album general message sexual liberation resistance socially constructed categories gender generated analysis essay manifesto sounds like vintage organ decorated inverted analog keyboards song lyrics tell story recurring dream art singing glowing lights sings night work sky right bed film director harmony wrote harm lyrics slate album review noted minimalist nature track pointing lack hook beat melody slow song closing track contains refrain directly inspired experience dancer dark healthy self humor evoked counter balance brings beats strings final manages incorporate little jungle imagery music videos album finished wrote manifesto describing fictional character character sent paris nick knight directed music videos hidden place pagan poetry respectively directorial debut said album character sic universe inside person time wanted sure scenery songs like mountain city outside inside internal guess videos internal sort communicate world intimate personal way music video hidden place directed van directed paris shot london days february originally planned song felt project appropriate video consists close shots face flow facial paris explained concept video wanted close felt portrayed real beautiful woman taboo observe pop star makeup distance half inch idea liquid works possible emotions circulating busy brain loop idea main point trying extend usual time frame pop video super fast editing irritating like burning fireplace nick knight previously shot cover art directed music video pagan poetry woman preparing marriage lover wedding dress skin asked video love life knight gave asked shoot private scenes shots skin pierced recorded camera people pierced women pierced ear thirds video contains great deal post production peter gave image abstract like effect shots alexander wedding dress filmed super format main idea music video moving image mirror happening musically music video received critics highly controversial banned mtv music video directed shot april new_york_city avant garde music videos plays minimalist white costume treating makeup extends entire nude body red threads emerge breasts nose finally actually wore close fitting body suit controversial pagan poetry music video banned mtv music videos included dvds plus greatest_hits artwork album ethereal artwork mirrors romance cover art shot van los_angeles california black white photograph lying patterned ground swimming pool covering eyes sun wearing swan dress caused stir academy_awards duo paris known applying integrating work photographs called image drawings picture illustrated cover featuring swan album title feathers thought embodied music describing white sort winter bird romantic came booklet paris artwork michael musicomh commented positively writing spine entirely white rest sleeve features innovative photography artwork preparing listener hear album special jason paste wrote swan eye past white feathers recalling warmth feathers white evoke purity fallen snow ground outside coffee fire hands warm finish academic likened artwork promotion representations greek myth swan erotic overtones stated cover art explores theme personal identity visual means featured black white eyes lips slightly parted erotic pose time context meet viewer gaze directly instead superimposed image swan provides protective shield viewer photograph subsequent appearances promotional events dressed swan evokes figure particularly familiar legend exchanges husband king god approaches disguised form visual representations myth bodies swan permit representation erotic intimacy prove unacceptable realised literal fashion release promotion released later little indian records intended originally album release scheduled march august enable work album promotion premiered songs new album intimate concert riverside church new_york_city accompanied august hidden place released album lead single music video having premiered july released cds dvd featuring sides generous foot soldier mother heroic released august double record coincide release album released titled coffee table book created edited designed paris second single pagan poetry released november cds dvd featuring remix matthew remix aurora music video directed nick knight end released dvd audio album single released march music video premiered february single released separate cds dvd pagan poetry sun mouth sides new_york based independent marketing firm drill team created syndicate group plus websites exclusive access non album tracks music videos concert rehearsal footage promote album appeared magazines including pulse usa_today vibe index new music monthly spin magazines confused les featured special issue texts photographs different cds issued randomly different song album times issued special featuring videos music photographs competition perform singer appeared shows including donnell tonight jay_leno space ghost coast coast david_letterman charlie rose early august confirmed set dates world tour place opera houses theatres small venues favourable concerts enlisted choir girls greenland conductor simon lee tour opened grand paris august paris held press conference discuss album gave individual interviews saying music talk france received national order merit ministry national education paris press conference held barcelona november touring spain december performance royal opera house london released dvd live royal opera house dvd release featuring scenes look tour titled released end live live album consisting songs recorded world tour included box set live box includes live version love song commercial reception september album reached number billboard spot electronic albums_chart little indian head declaring album sold million copies europe month album number album charts iceland sweden denmark france norway spain european albums_chart addition charted canada italy germany japan united_kingdom finland belgium switzerland sweden austria australia album certified gold canada france switzerland united_kingdom lead single hidden place reached spot singles charts spain charting united_kingdom canada italy denmark norway finland belgium france following release pagan poetry performed spain entering french chart chart performed poorly charting france united_kingdom critical reception release received universal acclaim music critics metacritic assigns normalized rating reviews mainstream critics album received average score based reviews heather allmusic called album singing praises peace quiet praising proving intimacy compelling emotions anthony gave album highest rating said possibly best album considered album self aware digital realm recorded music early 2000s noting product brave new non world wholly informed club keith found album timeless moment avant garde electronic pop exploration classic themes david rolling_stone felt sound sentiment woman power possibility gift finally figured grow growing old later review new rolling_stone album guide douglas described album banquet hall personal stated stuff radio hits music spectacular enthusiastic review came wire felt end commits magic daring places obvious human expected calling impressive cohesive albums year tiny mix tapes found effective use studio instrument writer popmatters believed album masterpiece stating challenged predominant theories rock music gender particularly statement simon joy press acclaimed book sex revolts gender rebellion rock roll women seized rock roll expressive purposes radical rock chris smith stylus magazine praised album describing sonic palette breath fresh air noting showed mature singer musicomh michael wrote sounds like grown pity fascinating loves music legend time billboard michael applauded positive feeling tracks strength bring tears joy pain eyes praised album stating quietly proves cutting edge production human contact aren mutually exclusive american music journalist robert_christgau enjoyed album central theme sex wrote gets soprano ass accuse spirituality lukewarm review came pitchfork_media ryan felt undeniably beautiful fails electronic music forward push received preceding albums david entertainment_weekly said lyrics occasionally dive deep end voice times stiff wrote comes electronica collaborators create moving cool wrote question raised album simply lush nice levels fails reviews named best album date including club rolling_stone popmatters accolades nominated music prize award went search year album received grammy award nomination best alternative album losing addition nominated best international female solo artist brit awards best international female artist italian music awards nominated album year music awards critics lists information lists including adapted acclaimed music noted track listing samples deck oval album personnel credits adapted liner notes charts certifications


der album der eponymous debut studio album canadian alternative rock musician der released february capitol records following career bassist hole smashing der recorded album course years studios united_states canada producer chris songs featured der written year period time hole smashing der features number guest musicians collaborators including james queens stone age frontman mark white john album sound significantly der previous work features experimental progressive sound release der received generally favourable reviews moderate commercial success selling copies worldwide following successful tour europe united_kingdom prior album release album singles followed waves real lie charted singles chart subsequent tour north_america tour united_kingdom led album chart united_states billboard album chart number number respectively background following departure hole november der recruited replacement bassist smashing early der toured band sacred tour support machines god appeared music videos accompanying release smashing disbanded der plans continue music career interview jam der said reasons took didn know going music maybe going play cover band rest life relationship music army oriented soldier hard worker got satisfaction music didn know going record late der discovered old demos residence realized entire album worth material sitting years demos real lie song written frequent collaborator steve released single duo band der said decision record album happened naturally recording album recorded studios united_states canada including street studios los_angeles sound new_york_city tree california place studios burbank california sound factory hollywood sound city studios kevin residence van california french kiss studios canada recording sessions began october initially intended record chicago illinois plans later abandoned session individual engineers der chris primary producers project der financed recording sessions signed record label time self financed sessions secure creative control wanted foundation pure describing recording process der said section record ethereal stuff dark rock stuff actually main route muscle record recorded canada chicago recording songs james chris mid pop mid tempo mid volume sides heavy feminine moves play bass kind masculine heavy viking thing picture fields horses dream girl writes diary sing choir want life good evil man woman want embrace completion recording sessions der budget ran funds mix album signed capitol records soon musicians collaborated recording der james performed guitar skin receiver respectively mark provided additional vocals taste queens stone age frontman played guitar songs backing vocals skin receiver speaking contributions der said lucky talented friends hard find musicians available play happens generous people best willing play earlier stages recording duet considered release der released worldwide february united_states june canada album distributed internationally capitol emi managed distribution album canada initial promotion american release der appeared late night conan brien june tonight jay_leno july singles album lifted lead single followed waves released february accompany worldwide release charted billboard modern rock tracks united_states singles chart peaking number number respectively real lie released accompany american release album song charted united_kingdom peaking number album final single taste released september peaked number united_kingdom singles accompanying music videos available download der official web site windows media video formats tour der promoted album constant tour europe united_kingdom north_america seven leg tour commenced january concluded december date tour included support perfect circle living things offspring von matthew good tour der performed summer festivals including united_states belgium festival netherlands reading festival leeds festival united_kingdom day festival italy entire tour der published photography shows official web site following tour capitol records taken emi material recorded der including demos rehearsal recordings seized emi red tape following months negotiations der won rights recordings subsequently dropped capitol emi reflecting experience der said gross feeling merge heart corporate structure der took experience consideration considering labels release der follow minds self released reception der entered billboard chart number remained weeks peaked number billboard album sold copies united_states according nielsen_soundscan album sold additional copies worldwide bringing total sales der generally received music critics metacritic assigns rating reviews mainstream critics album received average score based reviews indicating generally favorable reviews allmusic reviewer stephen_thomas_erlewine awarded album stars noting album certain nostalgic appeal little polished previous work added album themes little embarrassing juvenile alternative press awarded album stars adding disc bread butter der smoking riffs keith club said der bad bit distinctive called billy inspired arena scale guitar driven introspective review review bbc matt described album excellent like prime compared der female contemporaries harvey blender gave positive review awarding album stars criticized der vocals stating big guitars thin voice occasionally sounds tom edwards drowned sound noted opening trio tracks convincing album debut record great songs collected years bedroom road seven review entertainment_weekly gave album grade reviewer david describing album professional commercial rock takes flight intermittently sound feels dated summarised der perfect released late adam guardian described album songs powerful finely crafted adding multi layered awarded album stars nme awarded album said mix personal lyrics heavy music draws production massive physical music fills space comes contact referred album revelation awarding stars track listing songs written composed der noted canadian bonus track need want contains hidden track der grandmother singing personnel personnel credits adapted album liner notes chart positions singles


album second studio album american recording artist released january virgin records recording sessions album took place electric lady studios new_york_city featuring extensive line musicians associated musical collective produced primarily features loose groove based funk sound serves departure conventional song structure debut album brown sugar album features lyrical themes spirituality love sexuality growth amid heavy promotion anticipated release album released commercial critical success debuted number billboard selling copies week spent weeks chart promoted singles including hit single untitled feel music video garnered mainstream attention controversy release received general acclaim music critics earned accolades named year best albums numerous publications promoted international supporting tour late successful early tour plagued concert personal regarded music writers creative milestone neo soul genre apex sold million copies united_states certified platinum recording_industry_association_of_america riaa background debut writer block following success debut album brown sugar went half year absence music scene releasing solo work debut album presented musical fusion traditional soul influences hip hop vocal production elements serving fundamental elements neo soul sound single oriented success brown sugar earned considerable sales success defied contemporary producer driven sound time earning popularity mature audiences growing hip hop generation prior release neo soul major artist musical work developing early 1990s work artists tony shell album earned recognition producing commercial breakthrough genre giving notice neo soul artists including hill spending years tour promoting brown sugar found stuck writer block setback later stated thing writer block want write king bad songs don come way come life got live write time generally released cover versions remakes including cover collaboration duet song precious love soundtrack high school high covered prince hair scream soundtrack ohio players heaven like delta soundtrack appeared duet matters hill debut solo album hill spent time lifting weights smoking making music inspiration inspired write music birth child michael fellow singer girlfriend stone traveled south spending time south_carolina hometown richmond virginia african american musical history originally inspired shortly son birth release live album live jazz cafe emi records began preparation recording songs interviews release cited son birth inspirational source creative muse dedication son michael daughter included album liner notes written writer musician williams press video accompanying release suggested attempting create new sound transition february interview music journalist discussed album elaborated events preceded release explaining initial plan follow discussed attempt focus original inspiration produce music stating sound feel music going affected visit south_carolina stated went gospel blues lot old soul old james brown early early sly family stone lot learned lot music want musically interview cited deaths rappers notorious having great effect period interview said lost enthusiasm brown sugar reception business purpose returning stated place reason love music conception dissatisfied direction soul music album interview jet said term doesn mean mean pop new word found contemporary joke adding funny thing people making shit dead stuff making sad turned black music club thing liner notes williams examined album concept echoes dissatisfaction mainstream direction contemporary soul hip hop noting lack artistic integrity music genres interview said role influences consider respectful masters came ways feel responsibility continue cue musically vibe want want time generation album said like funk album natural progression soul step soul funk producer drummer thompson issued essay discussed album creation analyzed songs described project fantasy new direction soul test reveal personality addressed inspiration saying love dead state black music love idols taught hope enjoy open mind new shit discussed expectations reaction music listeners concept saying interview entertainment_weekly album release knew album hard swallow people want play love god fantasies wearing suits singing sweet ear conscious effort shake people chance middle ground record going love hate interview usa_today said album title meaning influences found traced blues deeper history songs sung religious ceremonies interview jet magazine stated intentions recording album express power music artistic respect theme illustrated liner photography depicts participating ceremony press release discussed concept stating lyrically offers personal reflection touching subjects like spirituality sexuality growth particular father musically puts definitely groove based said inspiration farther level push work grain deeper sound hearing thing looking beginning developing growing listening sound hear inside head step recording electric lady sessions beginning evolved nearly years sessions featured extensive roster hip hop jazz musicians recording technicians drummer producer thompson roots pilot session crew studied classic artists james brown soul train electric lady studios manhattan based recording studio built watching tape played certain artist album catalog jam recorded inspiration rolling_stone observed night played prince parade flowed new groove africa occasions listened sly family stone riot influential production crew recorded numerous hours unreleased original material covers material collectively referred included soul artist green funk artist george clinton artist initial recording sessions worked personal trainer mark hired help shape recounted money definitely overweight got drill sergeant physical trainer mark guy didn shit running central park push ups weight room day hours wouldn shit following birth son composed album song send recording studio virginia shortly felt ready begin recording wrote material electric lady studios opposed method composing outside studio brown sugar recording sessions ended album began continued sessions environment wrote started follow platinum debut brown sugar years study soul university complete classes gossip equal amounts discipline compared environment school music writer examined initial recording approach stating endless sessions record spent hours trying elusive vibe necessary provoke album creation included listening hours black music escaped strict classification found played ways guests production album conducted generally informal manner took place electric lady studios simultaneously recording mama gun common like water chocolate led impromptu collaborations distinctive sound featured albums frequent visits studio fellow neo soul hip hop recording artists associated collective tip james sessions visitors associated project including record producer comedian chris rock rock musician previewed songs found impressive produced songs common like water chocolate tip originally intended contribute verse song left right replaced rappers method man recording creative differences stated general opinion song cool feeling tip verse according man harris manager thought tip verse members roots including black thought gray visited recording sessions band recording album things fall apart electric lady studios album featured contributions common musical powerhouse projects late 1990s early 2000s including things fall apart interview told critic jim role recording stating tried power bring people bring common electric lady record record artists come studio room don know session common today come order food sit watch movie let play wants track want want referred recording experience studio left center black music renaissance scrapped tracks according duet track hill feel like love planned tapes sent collaboration aborted song instead recorded later said duet failed middle men don think talked face face mistakenly critics reviewed final track assumed hill vocals present recording final days recording spent time recording version water enemy melodic protest song album expensive shit intended composition minimalist soul ballad hill contribute vocals hill declined track ended place holder rough mix album version song recorded guest artists charity album red hot riot production engineering audio engineer russell recorded mixed mama gun common like water chocolate old school recording techniques vintage mixing gear albums order achieve distinct sounds found classic recorded works mainstream recording techniques time involved use tech digital equipment employed use analog equipment plug ins blend live instrumentation notable production exception untitled feel recorded live instrumentation contrast contemporary production time sessions appropriated instruments album songs contributing drums electric guitar keyboards percussion recording employed rhodes keyboards organ originally musician wonder talking book recording board originally recording atmosphere stated believe folks believe blessed project composed bass lines welsh bassist met asked duet king time earlier sessions asked learn bass arrangements model bass root spanish joint guitarist charlie hunter simultaneously played guitar bass sections custom string guitar bass combo lower bass upper guitar strings separate set strings separate order adjust production wise hunter intricate playing separate hunter guitar connected separate bass guitar said separation manage adequate sound spite slight bleeding close proximity grooves beats supporting personnel constructed songs grooves album sit far time directly time pressing time making loose style helped design sparse funk soul hip hop beats generally groove based record later interviews discussed incorporated distinctive rhythms detroit hip hop producer village member affiliate known jay musical collective served frequent collaborator theirs album tracks left right devil pie help bring claim light officially credited production contributed significantly overall sound specifically rhythm percussion characteristics drumming style implemented recording album adherence human timing tracks programmed recording resulting album intentional later interview discussed intention purpose including album sound stating wanted play perfectly deliberately insert little makes sound idea sound disciplined total human feel acknowledged influence recording sessions said unique programming method sessions makes programmed stuff real tell programmed program bars absolutely tip tribe called quest played stuff said drums time wrong song record supposed play said play drum pattern like supposed way music incorporates musical elements jazz funk hip hop blues soul ambient music musical layer shaped guitar based funk features vintage influences structure contrasts conventional song structure brown sugar music writer greg_kot considered album production calling radical fine records conceived collective members interview new_orleans times attributed album experimental jam like atmosphere fact recorded live eclectic conceptual style commented brilliance musical living dead crafting album complex intricate collection songs like simultaneously secular spiritual sensual sacred ethereal recording engineer russell analog mixing old school production techniques contributed album jazz element vintage sound jazz influence stated lot album cut live free playing hard jazz direction musical compositions rely tension release produced factors soft verses loud choruses gradual buildup subtle tension verses course bridge tension chords provides space improvisation arrangements tension songs moments according music critic steve concept results linear way measure far things slide pull measured beats beats meaningful way lack word entirely feel type serves center conventional method departure center according new_york_daily_news music journalist jim_farber order counter modern album updated adventurous song structures grooves 70s works like curtis hot soul let album features aggressive multi tracking voice technique similar production sly family stone riot let multi tracking significantly affected clarity vocals liner notes williams wrote heavy use multi tracking stating respond lyrics understand half shit saying sounds like bobby right drawn figure saying vocal music writers noted production style sound reminiscent sound funk connection disco soul record want miles davis jazz fusion works silent way crew utilized hip hop production style subordinates song structure stable foundation rapper delivery flow familiar original recordings rap demos subsequently songs performed definitive structure settling mid tempo groove minimal verse chorus bridge progression resulted emphasis texture structure hooks new_york writer smith noted occurrence stating songs aren songs traditional sense predominant album tracks incorporate sampling production influenced hip hop producer input influence stated hip hop jay helped bring album dirty sound encouraged false starts sound record songs tracks opening track features basketball metaphors gospel overtones accompany track slow funk jazz vibe bass playing song recalled thinking wonder choruses funk verses rob jazz called song uplifting soul ride stated evokes image musical train seen far distance slowly getting bigger gets closer compared track style jam sound pink floyd wrote surrounds deep thick infectious groove shadows senses way equal bits hypnotic close eyes transported dimension song lyrics critic wrote neo soul singing bring drama got devil pie funk hip hop lyrical theme concerning hip hop excess accompanied funk style harmonies low key singing bass driven track produced premier contributes hip hop texture song theme incorporates religious imagery message social strife stated devil pie written address issues money hungry state world left right funky party jam featuring rappers method man exchange verses sings song verses chorus entertainment_weekly matt calls method man lyrics adding sensual vibe introspective track line spiritual sound lyrics dealing unnamed according critic status hang left fall god facing revolver loaded talent self confidence gon finger trigger gon pull gon deal real music critic robert_christgau interpreted lyrics young black man lays reasons ready die leaving listener wonder fuck think andy viewed price fame lost lover sparse funk song chicken lyrics advising acting features referencing line know got soul song contains ambiguous harmony bass evokes playing style james spontaneously improvised variations theme parts sit pocket track originally intended common like water chocolate offered common song heaven trade chicken named technical term musician prince guitarist play 9th minor chord playing 16th notes song contains background voices writer described party people going chile written girlfriend singer stone send contains lyrics concerning themes honesty faith love features jazz roy horn titled southern terms time mid tempo ballad narrator lover introductory sound consisting soft organ work dim percussion evokes sound damn contains strong jazz overtones prominent drum rhythm played incorporates delta blues style bass keyboard driven verses melodic hook song introduced lead bass adds musical texture sparse composition 10th notes shapes according seattle weekly song music new sensibility old school soul tracks according root spanish joint serve record featuring intricate technical arrangements charlie hunter playing electric bass guitar root mid tempo heartbreak song bass line guitar solo played simultaneously hunter string guitar woman effect narrator love hope took shield sword pit knows floor like rain dirt vine wine alpha creation end time miles marshall lewis writes song subject matter actually emotionally felt sadly rare hot written roy spanish joint infused high tempo track incorporates rhythmic brazilian guitar hunter funky horn arrangements latin grooves fusion instrumentation similar wonder don worry bout thing feel like love cover hit low key quiet storm sound features double placed beat written untitled feel tribute primary influences prince evokes early controversy period similarity music prince addressed williams liner notes stated pay prince face album described song finding line parody honesty era cover song prince song taboo second best thing follows signature features electric guitar reminiscent guitar style brain sound song contains drum pattern uniform dynamic vocals overdubbed times produce sound choir singing harmonies choruses sung song sexually explicit lyrics describe narrator plea lover sex exemplified second verse love wet cause love comes inside excited baby cited critics album best song philosophical album closer africa celebrates heritage contemporary mission life cited favorite song album theme africa concerns finding spiritual home amid geographical displacement passing sense belonging children africa originally written honor son michael archer ended dedication history africa god opening song contains drum interpretation prince wonder parade utilized roots track return innocence lost things fall apart discussed producing opening sounds africa stating took cover rhodes critic described edward guitar work africa backward guitar solos sound backward critic described song gorgeous closer prayer sorts coda consists track run backwards plays song conclusion release promotion album release preceded delays primarily caused folding label emi records legal troubles management originally scheduled release november released following year january virgin imprint label sound united_states january canada february united_kingdom emi awaiting eager anticipation fans critics issued parental advisory label sexually explicit lyrics present tracks devil pie left right clean edited version alternate cover double release available emi originally presented virgin records executives prior release mixed opinions formulated favored commercially project heavily financed label return production budget virgin executives expected record potential radio oriented success unconventional sound proved difficult translate singles suited contemporary radio success contrast accessible brown sugar album release date singles released devil pie left right untitled feel making significant commercial impact limited success singles lukewarm opinions label executives led promotional efforts public response management issuing statement cited musical equivalent art rock band acclaimed studio album computer records feature experimental edge terms sound lyrical themes english indie rock scene belonged album oriented opposed contemporary scene united_states single oriented time prior release virgin launched extensive multi layered campaign album setup promotional performances including guest performance season premiere chris rock september new_york key club national black programmers coalition meeting new_orleans november san_francisco house soul december holiday december following commitments label album distribution continental europe australia new_zealand appeared london music black origin awards october promotional events included store appearances shopping venues virgin mall new_york_city attracted considerable number female fans remix album soul issued virgin press release issued january discussing album experimental edge anticipation release called earth create literally record universal soul nation video send included footage supporting tour music video left right created director producer rich ford anticipated fans mtv network executives planned special promotions world premiere clip concept concert video paid tribute funk shows past expended virgin budget resulted missed deadline mtv premiere punishment network refused final edit music video rotation eventually world premiered bet thanksgiving day release controversial untitled feel music video prior album release cited having greatest promotional impact directed paul hunter video features filmed waist lip nude according writer keith harris portrayed play video gained significant airplay bet mtv networks increased mainstream notice release exposing sex icon newer generation fans proved contribute significantly album commercial success music video untitled feel viewed promotional party thrown celebration album release took place january fly nightclub manhattan douglas century new_york_times wrote club appearance packed soul music time warp multiple video screens playing images curtis vintage soul train episodes dancers day bell bottoms commercial performance album debuted number billboard chart selling copies week entered billboard february remained chart consecutive weeks debut replaced supernatural number spot chart sold copies months release album charted weeks billboard charted international album charts including united_kingdom switzerland france netherlands sweden norway new_zealand february certified gold sales canadian recording industry association following sales excess copies canada months release certified platinum march recording_industry_association_of_america album platinum certification coincided commencement supporting tour album reached sales million copies united_states album sold million copies according nielsen_soundscan despite success achieve debut album sales performance generate single oriented success label envisioned singles devil pie left right peaked number number billboard hot chart commercially aimed hip hop oriented radio stations prominence rappers method man track according rich ford producer left right music video single video went commercially unnoticed mtv refusal place song video rotation serving punishment missing deadline initial premiere fifth single feel like love successful reaching number hot hip hop singles tracks send album fourth single achieved moderate chart success peaking number billboard pop singles chart album single untitled feel greatest chart success peaking number hot singles number singles chart infamous music video untitled feel helped song appeal billboard wrote video pure sexuality cut shot naked shown prompt slow burning desire woman sees video song biggest coming year earned nominations mtv_video_music_awards including video year best video best male video critical reception received rave reviews contemporary music critics dubbed masterpiece greatest work village_voice called deeply brave record signifies like cross lesser tricky sly riot wrote leads strength tune hook feel bass nme praised diverse sound commented album represents african american music crossroads simply work neo classic soul corporate ignore elements jazz memphis horns blues funk bass grooves mention hip hop slip haunted songs christopher john time called richly imagined mark anthony popmatters called working blueprint post soul black pop club commented album recalls bits sly stone later works missed prime prince stated mellow strategy frequently pays brave current pop hip hop trends despite heavy handed emphasis groove melody self song miles marshall lewis village_voice viewed album progression compared prince acclaimed sign times noting album initially perceived critics uneven vibe dubbed daring song oriented album mainstream artist generation steve jones usa_today wrote artist today acute understanding comes willing risks exploring heading austin chronicle christopher gray commented brain inner freak like especially harry rob jazz gave stars called record let essence subsequent found tradition classic jazz albums wrote musical significance stating critics found inconsistent music journalist peter criticized loose playing bohemian self stating drifted map rolling_stone james hunter disapproved experimental loose sounding structure viewed attain potential stating long stretches real expense thing result superb smoke smoke nonetheless jon wrote rolling_stone album guide singers decades experience training achieve vital presence demands attention accolades won grammy award best album 43rd grammy awards awarded recording engineer russell song untitled feel won best male vocal performance nominated best song song ranked number village_voice critics poll number rolling_stone_magazine end year critics readers poll singles year proved critically praised awarded albums year topping critics publications end year lists including number spot village_voice critics poll rolling_stone spin magazine ranked number albums year lists time magazine named number album named albums new_york_times staff writers including ben number number ann powers number jon number rolling_stone ranked album number list greatest albums time ranked number revised list pitchfork_media ranked number list albums 2000s decade calling triumph hands real time old school soul citing vocals maybe singing disc decade rolling_stone placed album number list best albums decade stating decade magnificent record inventive far ahead time sounds radical allmusic editor andy_kellman cited brown sugar excellent singular albums past years tour aftermath following release embarked second international tour support album tour tour sponsored clothing company featured promoting end gun violence signing initiative june hamilton high school west los_angeles collect million signatures november support common sense solutions end gun violence anti gun violence organization agreed sponsor tour tour set feature wall composed available fans sign support anti gun violence backed group session personnel musicians assembled directed called group village opened dates singer anthony hamilton sang backup occasion wardrobe tour included tank tops black leather pants boots rolling_stone commented begin black requirement looks completely distinct man long cape ski cap says fbi feather leather coats mighty flair look contrast performing keyboard promoting brown sugar performances lively tour manager leeds headed james brown late 1960s early 1970s prince purple rain tour mid-1980s cited tour memorable gig ticket prices ranging tour attended shows tour began march house blues los_angeles venues included paris academy jazz festival essence jazz festival new_orleans july tour half sold city tour lasted nearly months performances went hours night tour taken internationally notable performances free jazz festival brazil music video untitled feel portrayed sex symbol mainstream music audiences repercussions tour second half tour female fans clothes tossed clothes stage roy recounted couldn song women start scream wasn music wanted clothes led frustration onstage breaking stage equipment later said angry start breaking shit audience thinking fuck art wanna ass angry cancelled throat infection tour mid march dates shows cancelled personal emotional problems chose occasions perform scheduled dates delayed physical like stomach according weeks worth concert dates cancelled including weeks worth shows japan elaborated experience interview believer saying interview said fully compensated work stating didn rest check peers noted commercial impact untitled feel music video tour contributing factors extended period absence music scene track listing personnel credits adapted album booklet liner notes charts certifications


piracy funds terrorism piracy funds terrorism volume usually referred simply piracy funds terrorism produced british recording artist american featuring vocal tracks intended debut album samples recordings produced artists home studio philadelphia pennsylvania officially released distributed live shows internet promote release delayed debut album despite unofficial status music publications included listings best albums recording recording sessions debut album took place album originally scheduled released september legal issues relating use samples delayed release december recording process met expressed interest working track album initial recording sessions proved fruitless conceived idea existing vocal tracks recorded album produce promote delayed length album extended stay united_states artists produced home studio music artwork includes early mixes vocals intended samples tracks including walk like egyptian big jay-z push salt tunes baby dead cool ranks included necessary legal clearance use samples obtained result sold record shops distributed word mouth addition pop hip hop global music styles included mix track incorporates elements tracks consist brazilian funk cover features photograph wearing shirt slogan complaints department placed picture hand grenade arranged title series smaller pictures depicting dancers riot police according pressing handled little house producing release reception initial pressing copies produced given record label label began sending copies promotional recordings prompting ask remaining copies returned distribute shows clubs felt appropriate method distribution stated copies recording produced total review village_voice robert_christgau said interested hearing original music find fascination pleasure variety instance funk walk like egyptian isn deny find good things funk walk like egyptian stylus magazine called piracy funds terrorism genre bending adventure shattered club killing beats said based strength official album lot live village_voice critic tom later expressed relief aesthetic debut album input piracy funds terrorism voted 23rd best album annual poll american critics nationwide published village_voice pitchfork_media ranked number year end albums list later number decade end list albums 2000s track listing pressing piracy funds terrorism incorrect track listing fixed second pressing track listing follows pressing tracks featuring beats created replaced new material legal issues personnel credits cover follows executive production maya executive mash robinson worldwide


maybe christmas maybe christmas holiday compilation album released october records featuring contemporary musicians performing classic original christmas songs compilation served sequel maybe christmas preceded maybe christmas tree portion proceeds album went toys charity supported united_states marine_corps critical reception compilation failed chart nation mixed background composition maybe christmas sequel compilation album maybe christmas reached peak position number thirty billboard holiday albums_chart maybe christmas tree released installment series portion proceeds albums went toys charity supported united_states marine_corps maybe christmas features fourteen tracks recorded artists associated record label release tracks recorded specifically compilation album served album executive producer served project manager mastering compilation donated august mtv reported possible holiday lips winter wonderland winter ended final release album opens spotlight christmas acoustic based original track recorded exclusively set spotlight christmas written produced guests song features thompson martha backing vocals bells thompson electric guitar winter song written arranged produced members holy night based poem composed adam translated john sullivan dwight song performed produced track silent night performed lisa originally recorded rice studio album song minutes length features original lyrics band contributed cake song originally written group members lewis blake track produced mixed mike features guitar chords piano led feel address poverty conflict santa spanish santa performed band produced recorded mixed peter track contains bouncing rhythm silky backing vocals song red originally written version appearing compilation album arranged performed good instrumentation included guitar organ piano percussion string guitar christmas song written dave performed dave band organ tinged gospel rendition tell mountain originally written john work traditional music arranged given additional lyrics known ladies green christmas song credited page experiencing christmas location snow falls originally recorded soundtrack film stole christmas acoustic studio version appeared maybe christmas differed soundtrack version version appearing band studio album holidays performs rendition edward george wonderful time year track produced recorded david written performed badly drawn boy features bouncy vintage rock piano berlin white christmas performed lips richer performs came midnight clear album final track song contains music richard lyrics hamilton version arranged matt produced sam taylor harris engineered mixed harris nash performs vocals features guitar pedal steel rob mitchell plays drums plays bass contributed percussion harris percussion programming reception allmusic wilson wrote maybe christmas appeal casual die hard music fans ages wilson called performance classic chamber pop warm spirit noted graphic design work album cover art brian brooks cosmic debris andrew review popmatters complimented spotlight christmas calling song clever piece class conscious commentary provides perfect example meticulous brand pop independent considered lips rendition white christmas heard strange describe holy night thought silent night incredibly potent despite short length new_york_times called white christmas wrote album brings world ambivalent joy gilbert concluded maybe christmas feels right fine job representing stellar aspects holiday like christmas club included spotlight christmas number thirty list holiday don want eyes rage track listing spotlight christmas performed winter song performed holy night adam john sullivan dwight performed silent night lisa traditional performed lisa cake lewis blake performed santa gordon rod parker george performed performed good christmas song dave performed dave band tell mountain john work traditional performed green christmas page performed ladies wonderful time year edward george performed badly drawn boy performed badly drawn boy white christmas berlin performed lips came midnight clear hamilton richard performed richer track listing song lengths adapted album liner notes personnel credits adapted allmusic album liner notes


rings world rings world fifth studio album major label debut super animals released july epic records united_kingdom album artist simultaneously released audio dvd record reached number albums_chart includes singles drawing rings world end world album singer describes ambitious project recorded april september valley studios wales studios new_york band acting producers alongside chris majority songs rings world written guitar piano keyboardist contributing touch sensitive miniature collaborating members band run christian run alternate route vulcan street sympathy paul_mccartney velvet underground member john cameo appearances album musically rings world eclectic record incorporating pop punk jungle electronica techno death metal offered explanations album lyrical content claiming record earth pollution space addresses human condition critics referred record thematically eccentric lacking overarching theme critical reception generally positive album nominated mercury music prize placing number mojo best albums feature reviews claimed best record band career nme described band worst album origins recording rings world super animals album epic records following demise previous label creation success issued band label casual singer stated band aimed laid sort wiped clean record rings interview uncut described album ambitious project stating trying blockbuster album going like eagles trying pop music progressive exciting rings originally going called text destroying pub know released double album containing minutes material stating excess point group eventually decided idea drawn technical capabilities format desire produced dvd version rings making album simultaneously released dvd dvd features surround sound mix alongside music videos remixes possible financial backing epic recording sessions began april valley studios wales producer chris engineer band moved studios new_york returning valley months later recording completed september chosen drum live rooms band felt desirable capture audio surround sound mix included dvd version album normally simply recording stereo group capabilities surround sound recorded sub bass tracks touch sensitive heard low frequency channel surround mix band recorded inch tape happy transferred results pro tools individual songs edited overdubs added according keyboardist meant band edit beats precisely like kicks end track girl happy song group transferred tape mixing took place liked tape sound wrote tracks album acoustic guitar piano brought band fully formed songs ideas group jam wrote songs touch sensitive miniature intro run christian run jam guitarist resulted rings world opening track alternate route vulcan street pair looped sample drummer playing bass drum snare recorded playing piano guitar playing bit filtered drums guitar movement finally wrote lyrics string arrangement added sean contributed second song sympathy sampling mellow acoustic guitars half create techno climactic ending sessions rings world saw band concentrating arrangements particularly vocal harmonies previous albums individual members group singing came harmonies worked encouraged producer chris rings band took time work harmonies advance group piano keyboards available starting note band members staff recording studio began trying ideas occasionally auto tune pitch existing lines different versions correctly band learning new vocal lines recording want use auto tune finished album paul_mccartney credited providing track respectable performed similar role thirty years earlier form percussion track beach boys song vegetables album smile super animals met nme awards drunk persuaded let remix beatles material resulting liverpool sound album band asked return favour appear rings world recording phone said contribution took good nature kind far figured bass singers didn need musicians figured vegetables velvet underground member john sort childhood hero makes appearance album playing piano song presidential suite super animals met cardiff acted backing band song appeared film beautiful mistake originally asked arrange strings presidential suite turned reasoning simply band melody write music musical style rings world cinematic falls super animals album easy grasp guerrilla exact opposite band combined technology simplicity featured band playing studio singer described album band cosmic rock record album blend pop punk electronica drowned sound describes similar guerrilla beach boys esque psychedelic pop techno nme called rings world expensive glossy production lush suggested reaches effect modern times sounds like 80s single reminiscent philadelphia soul music 1970s plastic music david_bowie album young americans sympathy described missing link nash young harmonies jungle hats techno dallas observer compared end world tunes sunset dennis wilson forever jack bruce theme imaginary western big issue called girl surf punk electro pop album eclectic range sounds continues trip hop touch sensitive status quo esque drawing rings world electro country rock run christian run track respectable reflects album undergoes complete personality change course minute thirty second duration rock death metal song begins acoustic guitar driven pop song shifts slower bridge section leads slower coda compared music beach boys smile album features paul_mccartney beat track ends death metal section distorted vocals screaming title phrase according song initially comprised parts recorded valley studios time group relocated studios written added section band added fourth section pro tools bass end section accident create musical backing fifth hip hop section discussed band decided reasoning going fifth bit probably sixth know concept album bits according band track time album tried achieve comedy completely went silly streak lyrical themes singer chief lyric writer given explanations lyrical themes present album claimed record earth pollution space debris originally going state planet concept album band decided stated album human condition citing tracks fragile happiness respectable examples critics referred album thematically eccentric lacking overarching theme independent claiming leaps religious modern telecommunications old hollywood star system glee contrast guerrilla featured songs self consciously happy lyrics tracks rings world according revealing track sympathy originally written film entitled followed characters lived week described song departure lyric writer claimed context appear bleak scary presidential suite united_states russian presidents bill_clinton reflective look scandal asks need know came inside mouth addresses social injustice house prices going people left super rich described lift girl initially written white bull girl fell coma years amalgamation lyrics different songs including section describes disdain extreme sports respectable simultaneously awe hurt girl town end world romantic song growing old run christian run influenced guitarist interest cult websites printed essays websites gave inspiration lyrics watching christian television shows band american tours album title track drawing rings world based idea forward girlfriend father rings communication world rings pollution goes shoot day refers shooting american singer actress day film cinematic reference song claims lyrically track people change references labour_party spin doctor peter guise victor dvd dvd rings world contains songs featured version album bonus tracks songs presented surround sound accompanied low budget music videos release includes remixes interactive featuring ambient music created band according keyboard player group worried dvd certain people dvd players systems reasoned people dvd systems home years doesn stereo version album dvd release received certificate british board film classification meaning age buy rent united_kingdom stated super animals hands making dvd initially band mainly concerned sound quality describing presentation album tracks surround sound radical like change stereo group directed surround sound mix instructing audio engineers instruments vocal parts speakers want bit sound travel centre heads finish right shoulder let main vocal middle harmony speaker soon equally interested remixes visuals interactive elements described process nice position example reject music videos weren happy band asked different directors music videos song having tried unsuccessfully film accompany album guerrilla according singer band tended videos flash artists like work directors asked visuals extreme possible effort avoid making videos looked like pop promo like mtv according work harder creating interesting limited budget available videos dvd release previous experience making films resulting fresh kind end product according band separate music videos rings world singles saw videos included dvd release album pure art needed promotional videos like songs stated super animals felt fans placed emphasis videos rings world concentrating music result band bland images dvd release album phantom power enjoyed having control project claimed felt like end glad music things dvd completion singer stated found involved aspects dvd release exciting particularly enjoyed working people release rings world released vinyl dvd july united_kingdom sony epic imprint world simultaneous album dvd release record reached number albums_chart america rings world released march recordings bonus featuring seven tracks appear dvd version album rings world released september japan additional tracks happiness worn pun added fragile happiness end album released single album reaching number singles chart followed drawing rings world october peaked number final single taken album end world released january reached number singles chart album certified gold united_kingdom denoting sales copies critical reception rings world received praise critics score metacritic denoting universal acclaim pitchfork_media stated album combination sun heated layered music satirical heartfelt lyrics makes timeless band best record adrian popmatters called record near perfect wrote bands willing throw got record happens uncut praised accessible adventurous nature independent opined rings world represents quantum jump previous work described year entertaining albums mojo stated rings world band truly flawless album later named best album tiny mix tapes called rings world best releases describing mixture sugar pop modern resulting near perfect album rings world later nominated mercury music prize review stylus magazine scott wrote rings world band working outside scene prototype world musical influences western playing merry smile harmony writing allmusic stephen_thomas_erlewine praised record claiming shines brightly compared dead world mainstream indie rock expressed disappointment album progress predecessor rob entertainment_weekly claimed best album recalls lost brian wilson style psychedelic marvel went state times marred forced citing heavy metal voice respectable awful rock homage examples stated songs drawing rings world shoot day presidential suite excellent album features change world nme claimed despite containing great songs band worst album robert_christgau village_voice singled choice cut indicating good song album isn worth time money accolades denotes list track listing


college college debut studio album american hip hop artist kanye_west released february records recorded period years beginning prior album release west received praise production work artists jay-z faced difficulty accepted rapper right figures music industry nonetheless intent pursuing solo career years west finally received record deal records album production handled west developed soul production style use sped pitch shifted vocal samples soul records addition west drum programming string accompaniment gospel features vocal contributions jay-z johnson artists dominant gangster persona hip hop west lyrics concern themes family self consciousness religion racism higher education album promoted singles including wire jesus walks received critical acclaim falls slow charted billboard hot charting number release college debuted number billboard chart selling copies week massive commercial success producing singles achieved chart success received universal acclaim music critics earning west accolades included grammy award best rap album 47th grammy awards west best selling album united_states domestic sales million copies worldwide sales million copies listed greatest debut albums time named time rolling_stone greatest albums time background attained success producer kanye_west rapper struggled attain record deal record companies ignored portray image prominent mainstream hip hop time series meetings capitol records west ultimately denied artist deal according capitol record joe approached west signed deal person company convinced capitol president desperate west label label head dash reluctantly signed west records jay-z west colleague later admitted initially reluctant support west rapper claiming saw producer foremost background contrasted west breakthrough came year later october driving home california recording studio working late fell asleep wheel involved near fatal car crash crash left shattered jaw wired shut surgery accident inspired west weeks admitted hospital recorded song record plant studios jaw wired shut composition wire expressed west experience accident helped lay foundation debut album according west better artists expressed going west added album medicine working record distracted pain wire available west soon released december time west announced working album called college overall theme decisions don let society tell recording college recorded record plant los_angeles california production featured record formed course years according john monopoly west friend manager business partner album didn particular start date gathering beats years producing intention rapper beats album literally saving years point west making portion production studio majority apartment newark new_jersey bedroom apartment west able set home studio rooms bedroom carrying louis filled old demos studio west crafted production minutes time recorded remainder album los_angeles recovering car accident completed album leaked months release date west decided use opportunity review album college significantly remixed remastered revised released result certain tracks originally destined album subsequently retracted dirty good bad ugly consequence west refined production adding string arrangements gospel improved drum programming new verses west led college release postponed times initial date august got delayed october january finally hitting stores february composition college diverged dominant gangster persona hip hop favor diverse subjects lyrics album west touches number different issues drawn experiences observations including organized religion family sexuality excessive self consciousness minimum wage labor institutional prejudice personal struggles music journalist wrote album west didn believe teachers record executives police officers boss gap west explained persona regular person think past week song album album musically notable west unique development soul production style soul music samples sped pitch shifted album begins featuring high school teacher asking west deliver graduation speech followed don care featuring west celebrating drug life lines like wasn supposed past joke alive criticizing influence children lyrics contain popular culture references allusions rappers song questions cent track graduation day features ben violin vocals john legend falls west wages attack song features singer johnson contains hill mystery west called johnson sing vocal portion mystery ended final mix gospel hymn elements fly away spaceship track relaxed beat containing soulful sample lyrics critical working world west flying away spaceship leave boring job guest rappers consequence add comparisons modern day retail environment slavery jesus walks west belief jesus discussing religion people media avoid songs address matters faith embracing compositions violence sex drugs jesus walks built sample walk performed arc choir observer described martial beats deep chain gang backing chants defiant children choir gospel orchestral breaks verse song told eyes drug dealer seeking help god reportedly took months west draw inspiration second verse let influenced west near death car crash song features jay-z rhymes maintaining status power given chart success west commenting racism poverty song features verses spoken word performer ivy offers comments let jay-z verse heard remix song baby high collaboration west socially conscious rappers common new plan comical song centered premise routine slow features serves tribute classic smooth soul artists slow jam songs song appeared album song school spirit west relates experience dropping school contains references known singer jones record label records words features commentary social issues features freeway harlem boys choir wire features high pitched vocal sample khan relates west real life experience car accident song provides comedic account difficult recovery features west rapping jaw wired shut accident chorus sample pitched version khan single fire family business soulful tribute collaborators album song story producer rapper album ends nearly minute autobiographical monologue follows song separate track packaging house brand design team design director independent creative director assigned artwork college west taken pictures dressed bear later work picked image sitting set got attracted loneliness supposed popular representation school image framed inside gold ornaments found book illustrations 16th century west wanted use bring sense style typically gangster led image rap artists inside cover follows college photos featured artists albums youth singles west debut single wire entered billboard hot chart number ninety peaked number february weeks remained chart weeks performed better urban contemporary charts reaching number hot hip hop singles tracks number hot rap tracks united_kingdom debuted number singles chart peaked weeks exited chart weeks track charted lower european countries reaching thirty ireland sweden netherlands belgium switzerland number germany maximum peak time countries lasted week single entered new_zealand_singles_chart number peaked number sixteen second single slow peaked number united_states west number hit falls released single entered singles chart number peaked number seven hot fourth single jesus walks earned widespread commercial success peaking number united_states west fourth hit peaking number sixteen fifth final single new plan peaked number hot hip hop singles tracks chart song official remix produced jon features guest appearances luke remix later included college video anthology planned sixth single spaceship featuring rappers consequence confirmed reported music video song released label decided album begin promoting west second album late registration june west uploaded video official blog time words featuring freeway intended released single video song filmed later uploaded west online commercial performance album debuted number billboard chart jones feels like home selling copies week remained second spot feels like home weeks units sold second week april certified recording_industry_association_of_america having shipped excess million copies united_states june album certified double platinum sales riaa following sales million copies june college west best selling album united_states domestic sales copies sold million copies worldwide critical reception college received widespread acclaim critics metacritic assigns normalized rating reviews mainstream publications album received average score based reviews new_york_times dubbed great hip hop album club praised substance social commentary anger dark humor christianity calling wonderful crossover albums appeal huge audience sacrificing integrity dave popmatters called album musically engaging writing single songs comes like genuine extension personality experiences wrote album manages tears sweat mojo dubbed album hip hop fans basic beats breaks fare increasingly age love stylus magazine wrote west sides hip hop divide praised trying reflect entire spectrum hip hop black experience looking salvation traditional church family brown new_york commended west emotional brand hip hop stated makes autobiography universal way hasn heard hip hop mid village_voice felt sped samples carry humble human air hear tiny traces actual people inside newspaper robert_christgau wrote west create unique role model role model dangerous arguments education market targeted rappers arguments life entertainment_weekly michael elaborated west avoidance dominant persona hip hop west delivers goods mix honesty sarcastic humor earnest big scene dominated authenticity battles middle class politically conscious post rapper ashamed commended west vulnerability signature sound rolling_stone jon felt west isn hold entire disc slant_magazine sal_cinquemani observed guest artists songs period stated chest self college laugh loud funny new plan genuinely touching family business brutally honest falls pitchfork_media rob called flawed altogether terrific album allmusic editor andy_kellman felt shows west remarkably versatile lyricist valuable graham boston_globe asserted west certainly raised bar mainstream hip hop retrospective review rolling_stone called demonstration hip hop real commercial hip hop vehicle nuanced self examination musical subtlety accolades west received grammy nominations grammy awards college nominated album year won best rap album jesus walks won best rap song nominated song year grammy award best rap sung collaboration college voted best album year rolling_stone village_voice annual poll american critics spin ranked number list best albums year comedian chris rock attested listening college writing material pitchfork_media named best albums album named time best albums time retrospective issue awarded perfect rating previously given sixteen albums july issue entertainment_weekly listed college fourth best album past years magazine later listed best album decade newsweek placed college best albums decade list number named seventh best album decade fourth best hip hop album decade rolling_stone ranked number list best albums decade stated expanded musical emotional language hip hop challenged rules dancing boundaries afraid acknowledge complex named album classic albums decade 20th best hip hop debut album year rolling_stone ranked college number list greatest albums time 19th list debut records album included book albums hear die track listing japanese special edition notes intro school spirit school spirit graduation day fly away jimmy feature vocals davis don care features vocals john legend graduation day jesus walks let feature vocals john legend fly away school spirit jimmy feature vocals davis tony williams spaceship feature vocals john legend famous tony williams high features vocals plan features vocals brown new plan features vocals john legend slow features vocals tyler sample credits don care contains samples wanna stop written ross performed jimmy bunch falls contains mystery written performed hill spaceship contains samples distant lover written gwen performed jesus walks contains samples walk performed arc choir samples don worry hell going written performed curtis let contains samples maybe power love written michael bruce performed baby remix written carter smith kenneth performed jay slow contains samples house home written david performed breathe breathe contains samples precious precious written performed moore school spirit contains samples spirit dark written performed franklin words contains samples peace love movement encounter written wilson wilson wilson performed samples written harry bill martin performed 5th dimension wire contains samples fire written david foster tom performed khan family business contains samples written terry charles performed written performed contains samples written jerry performed samples gone written kenneth performed personnel information taken college liner notes charts weekly charts year end charts certifications


diva ivy queen album diva studio album puerto rican recording artist ivy queen released august independently distributed real music group dropped sony recording followed previous studio albums commercially unsuccessful hiatus musical career beginning featured collaborations latin hip hop artists including album production handled variety musical producers tunes nelson joy enlisted adam produced majority tracks lyrically album explored female empowerment infidelity heartbreak love artistic passion culture musical styles recording alternate hip hop queen experiments pop diva spawned total seven singles released course years commercial success big hit united_states puerto_rico singles failed acquire chart success national charts highly anticipated acclaimed diva peaked number billboard latin albums_chart number billboard chart south atlantic area number billboard reggae albums number billboard tropical albums_chart eighth best selling tropical album recording helped queen eighth best selling tropical artist year album recognized door opener mainstream exposure background failed commercial success ivy queen studio albums original rude girl dropped sony label took hiatus musical career single zone duet singer jean moderate success united_states following single latino parent album overlooked consumers failed chart original rude girl critically acclaimed including editor allmusic awarded album stars listed selected allmusic pick occurred left sony stepped jean shadow queen began appearing compilation albums spawning hits like majestic queen husband signed real music independent label based miami florida established anthony appeared label album jams vol released major record labels turned benefited producing important television roof aired detailed urban music lifestyle frequently appearing performing recording production recording sessions album began ended recording studios queen recorded dark studios georgia music studios connecticut flow music studios san_juan puerto_rico music studios new_york los_angeles recording california lab studios mad jim studios production album handled variety musical producers queen principal songwriter previous albums nelson produced track tunes joy alex tony kelly contribute musical production adam produced tracks collaborations album include money making features rapper japanese remix husband bounce release promotion recording released august independently distributed real music group january diva platinum edition released remixes songs standard edition include english remix remix released united_kingdom february queen embarked worldwide tour tour support diva legs ecuador performed south american tour followed presentations atlanta brooklyn new_york_city designated puerto_rico youth god mother national puerto rican day parade june referring bitch female mare points calls female sexual agency similar metaphor black stallion queen desired album universal music latino sign title considered threatening composition diva mixture rap fusion musical styles recording alternated hip hop queen experimented pop tropical music genres lyrics feature beat happy female empowerment anthems introductory album asserts queen metaphor boxing match phrases like round uses express role queen diva making connection sport boxing male dominated arena queen alludes previous video want knock takes role female boxer referring women power attitude duet explains type man desire according new_york_times drama sets rapid fire monologue atop sublime head hip hop beat explains story woman suspects husband infidelity controversial theme prominent queen lyrical content kiss evocative theme expressing need dance floor guy like got accustomed tell okay hip hop ballads alert features rhythms horns plus synth line played android vengeance speaks women embodies queen represents musical compositions mid tempo bubble pop daddy love named album biggest hits pairs straightforward love song known reggae billboard stated showcases quickly alternately sings raps claiming distinct vocal style evokes gwen literal translation daddy love directed queen father love interest translated baby want dance incorporates liquid musical produced jamaican cross guru song lyrics warn dance partner moves partner thinks dances automatically going sexual relations reception commercial diva commercial success peaking billboard latin albums_chart billboard south atlantic chart recording peaked number diva peaked number billboard reggae albums_chart billboard tropical albums_chart diva peaked number spending weeks total weeks chart eighth best selling tropical album queen eighth best performing tropical artist billboard hot latin songs chart debuted week september hot shot debut week peaked week september billboard latin rhythm songs chart peaked number week october debuted week december peaked issue dated january billboard tropical songs chart song entered billboard tropical songs chart week march peaked week july spanish language track reach miami rhythmic american radio station based miami florida usually play spanish music explained worked hard career surprised expected places added read sony reports tell albums heard london song number got surprised look explanations singles gain significant airplay united_states heard miami rhythmic kid station commented commercial failure songs fault record label according labels singles time receiving word mouth march original version album sold units united_states puerto_rico critical album garnered mainly positive reviews critics sarah said album established queen voice women complimenting self assured delivery claimed tracks featured guest artists sense guys trading verses trying way noting platinum edition launched monster hit rachel writing categorized album urban latin music michael entertainment_weekly called album number pick crossover success united_states complimenting catchy hooks sticky grooves found album new_york_times said queen celebrates hybrid genre refusing stay claiming queen depart sharp steady shuffle explore rhythms later said album queen likely candidate crossover success didn sing spanish editor chicago_tribune selected album add collection daddy yankee writer noted included hits album handful remixes lot attitude album highly anticipated acclaimed widely regarded factor mainstream exposure studio album real daddy yankee enemy los certified platinum latin field signifying sales recording_industry_association_of_america riaa allmusic described song gets party people moving queen hits kid rhythmic power cites ivy queen release super hit selected hits golden era lasted jesus magazine album nominated album year billboard latin music awards nominated tropical airplay track year female tropical airplay track year new artist track listing standard edition samples samples album credits personnel credits taken albums liner notes technical credits charts sales certifications