Back of My Lac' is the debut studio album from American R&B singer J. Holiday that was released in the United States on October 2, 2007, by Music Line Group and Capitol Records. Production for this album was handled by Los Da Mystro, Darkchild, The-Dream, The Platinum Brothers, Donnie Scantz, Travis Cherry, J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League, Sean Garrett and Oak Felder
Back of My Lac' | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Studio album by | ||||
Released | October 2, 2007 | |||
Recorded | 2006–2007 | |||
Studio | Studio 13 (Washington D.C.), Signature Sound Studio, Music Line Studio, Triangle Sound Studio, The Red Room, J. Que's Crib, Phonix Ave Studio, DARP Studios (Atlanta, Georgia), The Gin House, (Hollywood, California), Dark Child Studios (Pleasantville, New Jersey) | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 57:17 | |||
Label |
| |||
Producer |
| |||
J. Holiday chronology | ||||
| ||||
Deluxe edition cover | ||||
Singles from Back of My Lac' | ||||
|
The album was supported by three singles, "Be with Me", "Bed" and "Suffocate".
Upon its release, Back of My Lac' received generally mixed reviews from music critics. The album debuted at number five on the US Billboard 200, selling 105,000 copies in its first week. The album was nominated for Best Contemporary R&B Album at the 51st Grammy Awards, but lost to Mary J. Blige's Growing Pains.
Background
editIn early 2000s, he met Corey Green whom he found was in the same direction with him. Soon both formed a duo called 295 that experienced mild popularity. All the while Corey would hook them up with music executives that come to Washington just to watch their performances. They soon got frustrated for not getting discovered and eventually disbanded in 2003 while remaining friends until Holiday's solo career. Holiday would soon secure a record deal with Jazze Pha's Sho'nuff Records.[1]
The album was originally meant to be released by the end of 2006, however it was pushed back to early 2007 and then pushed to its final release of October 2. J. Holiday worked with Ne-Yo on three songs between December 2005 and January 2006 that did not make the album.
Singles
editThe album's lead single, "Be with Me", was released on October 31, 2006. The song was produced by Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins. The song did not fare well commercially, failing to chart on the Billboard Hot 100 and has since peaked at #83 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs.[2]
The second single, "Bed", was released on June 19, 2007, it peaked at number 5 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and number one on Hot R&B/Hip Hop Songs for five weeks total and was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).[2]
The third single, "Suffocate" was released on October 2, 2007, the song has peaked at #2 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs Chart and #18 on the Billboard Hot 100.[2] The video for the single was shot in Paris, France and debuted on BET's 106 & Park on November 7, 2007.[3]
"City Boy" featuring 8 Ball & MJG was released as a promotional single, the song was not included in the US version of the album, but is featured on the album only as a bonus track in several countries.
"Come Here" was released as a single but was ultimately canceled.
Critical reception
editReview scores | |
---|---|
Source | Rating |
About.com | [4] |
AllMusic | [5] |
Entertainment Weekly | B−[6] |
The Guardian | [7] |
Rolling Stone | [8] |
Back of My Lac' received mixed reviews from critics. Mark Edward Nero from About.com reviewed the album favorably, saying: "It's rare that young artist puts out such a well-rounded album, one that young men can totally relate to and that young women will be swept off their feet by, but Back of My Lac', is just such an album. It's charming, gritty, sensual, original and most of all-real. Ladies and gentlemen, J. Holiday has arrived. And he definitely is that dude."[4]
Fan reviews remain highly favorable for the album, praising its overall consistency and well roundness. "Fatal", "Bed","Thank You" and "Suffocate" have been frequently referenced as favorites.
Commercial performance
editThe album debuted on the U.S. Billboard 200 chart at number 5, selling 105,000 copies in its first week.[9] It debuted at #1 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums. The album debuted in the Top 20 R&B/Hip Hop albums in Canada and charted within the Top 100 albums in Canada.[citation needed] It became a Top 10 R&B/Hip Hop album in the UK and a Top 40 UK album entry peaking at #32.[citation needed] In the U.S it also made it to #8 on the Tastemakers chart and #5 on the Top Digital Albums and Billboard Comprehensive Albums Chart.
Track listing
editNo. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. | "Back of My Lac" |
| Quincy Lowe | 4:49 |
2. | "Ghetto" |
| Donnie Scantz | 4:11 |
3. | "Thug Commandments" |
|
| 3:29 |
4. | "Bed" |
| 4:35 | |
5. | "Betcha Never Had" |
| 3:01 | |
6. | "Laa Laa" |
| The Platinum Brothers | 4:31 |
7. | "Come Here" |
| The Platinum Brothers, co-produced by Travis Cherry | 3:30 |
8. | "Be with Me" |
| Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins | 3:58 |
9. | "Suffocate" |
| Christopher 'Tricky' Stewart | 3:40 |
10. | "Fatal" |
|
| 5:16 |
11. | "Without You" |
|
| 3:47 |
12. | "Pimp In Me" | Jasper Carmon | Jasper Cameron | 4:25 |
13. | "Thank You" |
| Adonis Shropshire | 4:23 |
14. | "Fallin'" |
| J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League | 3:42 |
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|
15. | "Sooner You Get to Love" |
| Donnie Scantz | 3:56 |
16. | "I Know Love" |
| The Platinum Brothers | 3:49 |
17. | "When You Get Home" |
| The Platinum Brothers, co-produced by Travis Cherry | 3:52 |
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|
15. | "City Boy" (featuring 8Ball & MJG) |
| J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League | 3:42 |
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|
15. | "Good for Each Other" |
| J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League | 3:33 |
Charts
edit
Weekly chartsedit
|
Year-end chartsedit
|
Release history
editRegion | Date | Version | Format(s) | Label |
---|---|---|---|---|
United States | October 2, 2007 | Standard Edition[21] | CD, digital download | Music Line, Capitol |
February 5, 2008 | Deluxe Edition |
Certifications and sales
editRegion | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
United States (RIAA)[22] | Gold | 500,000^ |
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. |
References
edit- ^ Where Is J. Holiday Now After He Gave Us Mega Hits “Bed” & "Suffocate" | #FindingBET. YouTube. Archived from the original on 2021-12-11.
- ^ a b c https://www.billboard.com/artist/j.-holiday/chart-history/
- ^ Video: J. Holiday - Suffocate Pop-Junkie.com (November 7, 2007). Accessed November 7, 2007.
- ^ a b Nero, Mark Edward. "Album Review: J. Holiday - "Back of My 'Lac". About.com. Archived from the original on October 13, 2007. Retrieved July 10, 2011.
- ^ Kellman, Andy. "Back of My Lac' - J. Holiday". AllMusic. Retrieved July 10, 2011.
- ^ Vozick-Levinson, Simon (September 28, 2007). "Back of My Lac'". Entertainment Weekly. Time Inc. Retrieved March 18, 2016.
- ^ Macpherson, Alex (December 7, 2007). "Review: J Holiday, Back of My Lac'". The Guardian. Retrieved July 10, 2011.
- ^ Hoard, Christian (October 4, 2007). "Back Of My Lac L J. Holiday". Rolling Stone. Wenner Media. Archived from the original on April 1, 2008. Retrieved July 10, 2011.
- ^ Katie Hasty, "Springsteen Is Boss Of Album Chart With 'Magic'", Billboard.com, October 10, 2007.
- ^ "Back of My Lac' (Bonus Tack Version) by J. Holiday". iTunes. January 2008.
- ^ "J. Holiday – Back of My Lac' (2007, CD)". Discogs. 7 November 2007.
- ^ "J.holiday Back of My Lac Black Funk Pop Regaee Cd Lacrado - R$ 44,99".
- ^ "Official R&B Albums Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved July 30, 2023.
- ^ Billboard 200 – Week of October 20, 2007. Billboard. Archived from the original on November 6, 2023. Retrieved March 18, 2024.
- ^ "J. Holiday Chart History (Digital Albums)".[dead link ] Billboard. Retrieved February 2015.
- ^ Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums – Week of October 20, 2007. Billboard. Archived from the original on April 23, 2023. Retrieved March 18, 2024.
- ^ Top Tastemaker Albums – Week of October 20, 2007. Billboard. Archived from the original on March 18, 2024. Retrieved March 18, 2024.
- ^ "Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums – Year-End 2007". Billboard. Retrieved October 7, 2020.
- ^ "Top Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 2008". Billboard. Retrieved October 7, 2020.
- ^ "Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums – Year-End 2008". Billboard. Retrieved October 7, 2020.
- ^ "Back of My Lac' by J. Holiday". iTunes Store (US). Apple. 2 October 2007. Retrieved September 12, 2014.
- ^ "American album certifications – J. Holiday – Back of My Lac". Recording Industry Association of America.
External links
edit- J. Holiday's Official Site
- J. Holiday's Myspace Page
- J. Holiday Fan Site
- J. Holiday Live Rooftop Show
- J. Holiday Releases Third Single "Suffocate"
- Back Of My 'Lac Cover, Tracklisting, and Chocolate City MixTape
- Exclusive Interview with J. Holiday
- J. Holiday - Suffocate Video
- Video Stills of Suffocate Video
- City Boy - Unreleased Track