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TGJ Replay: Usher’s ‘8701’
https://www.youtube.com/w...l=84503534 Not even popping into the top 50 of the Billboard 100, the song and parent album were both ditched when reports surfaced that it had leaked in its entirety onto then-popular file sharing website Napster. The circumstance prompted him to go back to the studio to revamp and revise the ill-fated project. Unbeknownst to him at the time, the move would prove lucrative. https://www.youtube.com/w...l=84503534 With a slew of new and refreshed tunes under his belt, the once-christened ‘All About U’ was now repackaged and blessed with a new moniker –‘8701.’ Any reminder needed that Usher had all but fallen off was found via its first single, ‘U Remind Me’ (seen above). Featuring production from longtime Janet Jackson-collaborators Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, their hitmaking hands in conjunction with the song’s sleek, Urban music video that featured then-rumored girlfriend Chilli (of TLC) as a leading lady, proved itself a potent combo. Together they helped hoist the song right to #1 on the Billboard Hot 100. Two months after its release, its parent album would follow suit and skyrocket to the upper tier of the Billboard 200 (#4 peak). With over 200,000 copies sold in its first week, ‘8701’ shone as proof that the success of ‘My Way’ was by no means a fluke. Earning nods fans, critics, fellow artists, and idols Michael and Janet Jackson, the album’s commercial acclaim would only be cemented by the time its second single was lifted. Enter ‘U Got It Bad’: https://www.youtube.com/watch?x-yt-ts=1421914688&v=o3IW Tfcks4k&x-yt-cl=84503534
Talk about a monster success! Resting his oft-envied dancing shoes to put his vocals front-and-center, theJermaine Dupri-produced ballad was hailed by many as the “song of the year.” As its dramatic video put to rest any rumor that he and Chilli were not an item, the clip also pushed the tune to the perch of singles charts. Hitting #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 just a week after its release and spending six non-consecutive weeks there, the feat gave Usher his third overall chart-topper (second from ‘8701’ alone). Awe-inspiring performances like those seen at the American Music Awards didn’t hurt either: With ‘U Remind Me’ and ‘Bad’, Usher became the only solo male act that year to reach the top of the Hot 100. If critics were in need of verification that the crooner was a bonafide hitmaker, the album’s third and final U.S. single would yield it for them. Tapping The Neptunes-produced ‘U Don’t Have To Call,’ its accompanying high octane dance video would prove itself a return to form of sorts. Showcasing moves that put Usher worlds away from his competitors, the song slid right to #3 on his oft-envied heels. Despite not enjoying the radio or sales success of its predecessors, ‘Call’ still demonstrated a respectable run. https://www.youtube.com/w...1421914688 By the time the dust settled, ‘8701’ collected a multitude of accolades including: Usher’s first 2 Grammys, 2 #1 singles, and certification of nearly 5x platinum. Establishing him as Urban pop’s leading male act, the album would prove itself a launching pad to even greater heights just years later (see; ‘Confessions’). https://www.youtube.com/w...1421914688 But, we have a confession. Though his spot in line to Michael Jackson’s throne would earn challengers in the form of Sisqo, Justin Timberlake,and later Chris Brown, we still say that no one can do it quite like U. As such, we take this time to ode this modern R&B masterpiece Read more: http://thatgrapejuice.net...z3PgAt0Z9Y Follow us: @ThatGrapeJuice on Twitter | ThatGrapeJuiceOffici al on Facebook | |
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. Awesome album, one of my favourites from those days. Lots of 2ndary school memories. I had no idea that the album that 'Pop Ya Collar' was initially on was leaked through Napster. 'Pop Ya Collar' is kind of an odd duck in the pond on the album. I like the song a lot, but it's a lot more tame and mainstream-friendly than most of the other tracks on the record. . My favourite album track on it is TTP, but apparently that one didn't appear on the U.S. edition, only on the international release? So for those of you guys who may not have heard it, here it is: . . I'm kinda glad that TheGrapeJuice didn't mention 'U Turn'. That was very poor, and even featured a dance nobody cared about. . I don't want your rhythm without your rhyme | |
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Loved this album | |
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