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Already Platinum

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Already Platinum is the debut studio album by American rapper Slim Thug. It was released through the Neptunes's Star Trak Entertainment, an imprint of Geffen Records (part of the Interscope Geffen A&M corporate unit) on July 12, 2005. Its original release date was scheduled for February 2005, but heavy bootlegging and numerous delays held the album back, forcing a vast majority of its original track listing to be replaced. The original track listing included a version of the track "I Ain't Heard of That" which featured Jay-Z.

Already Platinum
Studio album by
Slim Thug
ReleasedJuly 12, 2005
Recorded2004–2005
Genre
Length62:26
Label
Producer
Slim Thug chronology
Already Platinum
(2005) 		Boss of All Bosses
(2009)
Singles from Already Platinum
  1. "Like a Boss"
    Released: November 9, 2004
  2. "3 Kings"
    Released: February 18, 2005
  3. "I Ain't Heard of That"
    Released: March 6, 2005
  4. "Diamonds (Remix)"
    Released: August 30, 2005
  5. "Incredible Feelin'"
    Released: January 17, 2006

In an interview with XXL, the rapper explained the album title does not suggest he will go platinum, but that his lifestyle (before he got a record deal) was already similar to that of rappers who had reached the platinum status. In an interview on The Tyra Banks Show, mentor Pharrell revealed that he was a millionaire before the two met, and he especially liked that about him. He continued to say that he was "already platinum," the album name was just in confirmation of this.[citation needed]

The album debuted at number two on the US Billboard 200, with 130,000 copies sold in the first week.[1] Ironically, the album has only sold 500,000 copies in the United States, signifying gold certification by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).[2][3][4]

Background

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In a 2016 interview with Slim Thug, he claims to have met the album's executive producer, Pharrell Williams, in Houston prior to career a mentorship arranged by Jimmy Iovine, as both acts were signed to the Interscope Geffen A&M Records umbrella at the time. Slim Thug also claims to have recorded a bulk of album in Los Angeles; Williams played him a then-unreleased remix to Jay-Z's 2003 single "Change Clothes"—one of Williams' productions—which was later reworked and became a song on the album, "I Ain't Heard of That". The song was also supposed to keep a verse performed by Jay-Z as a guest feature, however once the song became heavily bootlegged, the guest slot was replaced by fellow Houston rapper Bun B. Jay-Z received a formal songwriting credit on the song, although Slim Thug claims that Williams wrote the chorus.[5]

Critical reception

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Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic     [6]
Robert ChristgauC[7]
Entertainment WeeklyB[8]
Okayplayer     [9]
Pitchfork7.5/10[10]
Rolling Stone     [11]
Spin     [12]
Stylus MagazineB+[13]
USA Today    [14]
Vibe     [15]

Already Platinum garnered a positive reception from music critics who praised Slim's vocal delivery and the Southern production. AllMusic's Andy Kellman praised Slim's delivery for being more charismatic than Lil' Flip and Mike Jones, and the production work from both Mr. Lee and The Neptunes, concluding that "Already Platinum is one of 2005's best rap albums."[6] Evan McGarvey of Stylus Magazine praised the Neptunes' production for evolving with Slim's Southern drawl and delivery, concluding that "After years of singles that people called "infectious" and "club-ready," they take Slim Thug and his dashing uniqueness and carve diamonds. This [album] isn't a musical highlight reel, it's watching artists shuck off personal curses and step into their own skins."[13] Vibe contributor Rondell Conway wrote that, "Slim's worldly sensibilities make the pensive moments on the album both heartfelt ("Dedicate") and heady ("The Interview"). All the while, he keeps his Teflon status intact–without telling any tall tales."[15] Rolling Stone's Christian Hoard called the record "a popwise bastardization of the Houston rap scene's round-the-way charm", praising Slim's "down-home brassiness" delivering "brawny boasts and mesmerizing refrains", and the Neptunes' "arty minimalism" being better than on previous outings.[11]

Entertainment Weekly writer Michael Endelman gave note of Slim having a "steady, linebacker-strong flow and [a] baritone" throughout the album but gave credit to the Neptunes for giving him "spacious and stark beats that are equal parts frightening and funky".[8] Steve Jones of USA Today said that big names like T.I. and Jazze Pha didn't turn the attention away from the main artist, saying that "Slim [Thug]'s confident, laid-back deliveries keep him from being overshadowed."[14] Chris Ryan of Spin commended Slim for lending his voice to the Neptunes' atmospheric production, saying they "contribute some of their most adventurous work yet."[12] Tom Breihan of Pitchfork was critical of most of the tracks by the Neptunes, saying they "lost the gleaming, clattering swagger they once had, relying instead on bloodless synth lines and itchy, nattering drums" and that Slim's performance on them suffered. But said that the tracks by Mr. Lee ("Diamonds" and "3 Kings") were the highlights, concluding that, "On tracks like this, Slim sounds prehistoric, like he's always existed, like this voice has been echoing over canyons and through caves since before time began."[10]

Track listing

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No.TitleProducer(s)Length
1."The Intro"Mr. Lee2:24
2."Like a Boss"The Neptunes3:20
3."3 Kings" (featuring T.I. and Bun B)Mr. Lee4:50
4."Diamonds"Mr. Lee3:14
5."Boyz 'N' Blue" (featuring Killa Kyleon, Sir Daily, PJ, and Chris Ward)Mr. Lee3:50
6."I Ain't Heard of That (Remix)" (featuring Bun B and Pharrell)The Neptunes3:49
7."Click Clack" (featuring Pusha T)The Neptunes3:32
8."Everybody Loves a Pimp" (featuring Jazze Pha)Jazze Pha4:21
9."Already Platinum" (featuring Pharrell)The Neptunes4:47
10."Ashy to Classy"The Neptunes3:38
11."The Interview"
2:47
12."Playa You Don't Know" (featuring Pharrell)The Neptunes4:30
13."Miss Mary"Cool & Dre4:28
14."Incredible Feelin'" (featuring Jazze Pha)Jazze Pha4:35
15."This Is My Life" (featuring LeToya Luckett)The Neptunes4:10
16."Dedicate"The Neptunes4:33
Bonus CD
No.TitleProducer(s)Length
1."Welcome to Houston"Mr. Lee4:22
2."I'll Show Ya" (featuring Killa Kyleon and Chris Ward)Mr. Lee4:45
3."Represent Gangsta" (featuring Killa Kyleon and Sir Daily)Mr. Lee4:47
4."I Need A..." (featuring Killa Kyleon and Chris Ward)Mr. Lee4:18
5."Dope Man" (featuring Killa Kyleon)Mr. Lee4:08
6."3 Kings (Chopped and Screwed)" (featuring T.I. and Bun B)Mr. Rogers5:26
7."Like a Boss (Chopped and Screwed)"Mr. Rogers3:46
8."I Ain't Heard of That (Remix) (Chopped and Screwed)" (featuring Bun B and Pharrell)Mr. Rogers4:34
Sample credits

Personnel

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Credits for Already Platinum adapted from AllMusic.[20]

Charts

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Certifications

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Region Certification Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA)[25] Gold 500,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References

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  1. ^ Harris, Chris (July 20, 2005). "R. Kelly Fights Off Slim Thug And Bow Wow To Hold #1". MTV. Viacom. Archived from the original on September 3, 2012. Retrieved October 13, 2010.
  2. ^ Juon, Steve (October 12, 2010). "Slim Thug Set to Release "Tha Thug Show" on 11/30!". RapReviews. Retrieved October 13, 2010.
  3. ^ craveonline (2008-08-07). "Slim Thug and Boss Hogg Outlawz to release new album". CraveOnline. Archived from the original on 2009-12-27. Retrieved 2012-01-14.
  4. ^ "Slim Thug Serve & Collect". Hip Hop Galaxy. 2007-02-27. Archived from the original on 2012-03-08. Retrieved 2012-01-14.
  5. ^ "Bun B talks Stealing a Song from Jay Z, Getting a shot with Beyonce, Changing Houston!".
  6. ^ a b Kellman, Andy. "Already Platinum - Boss Hogg Outlawz/Slim Thug". AllMusic. Archived from the original on January 15, 2015. Retrieved July 10, 2011.
  7. ^ "CG: Slim Thug". Robert Christgau. Retrieved July 10, 2011.
  8. ^ a b Endelman, Michael (July 8, 2005). "Already Platinum". Entertainment Weekly. Time Inc. Archived from the original on October 20, 2012. Retrieved July 10, 2011.
  9. ^ Ruhi, Adrian (July 2005). "Slim Thug - Already Platinum". Okayplayer. Archived from the original on October 12, 2007. Retrieved October 4, 2016.
  10. ^ a b Breihan, Tom (July 12, 2005). "Slim Thug: Already Platinum". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on July 2, 2015. Retrieved July 10, 2011.
  11. ^ a b Hoard, Christian (July 28, 2005). "Slim Thug: Already Platinum". Rolling Stone. Wenner Media. Archived from the original on October 16, 2007. Retrieved July 10, 2011.
  12. ^ a b Ryan, Chris (July 12, 2005). "Slim Thug, 'Already Platinum' (Star Trak/Geffen)". Spin. SpinMedia. Archived from the original on July 13, 2015. Retrieved July 10, 2011.
  13. ^ a b McGarvey, Evan (July 15, 2005). "Slim Thug - Already Platinum - Review". Stylus Magazine. Archived from the original on September 14, 2007. Retrieved July 10, 2011.
  14. ^ a b Jones, Steve (July 11, 2005). "Bow Wow inspires; Nelson misfires". USA Today. Gannett. Archived from the original on January 10, 2006. Retrieved July 10, 2011.
  15. ^ a b Conway, Rondell (April 12, 2005). "Slim Thug - Already Platinum (Interscope)". Vibe. Vibe Media. Archived from the original on April 28, 2006. Retrieved September 22, 2024.
  16. ^ "Slim Thug feat. T.I. and Bun B's 3 Kings sample of Betty Wright's Secretary". WhoSampled. Retrieved July 16, 2015.
  17. ^ "Slim Thug's Diamonds sample of Pimp C's Top Notch Hoes". WhoSampled. Retrieved July 16, 2015.
  18. ^ "Slim Thug's The Interview sample of Eddie Kendricks's The Newness is Gone". WhoSampled. Retrieved July 16, 2015.
  19. ^ "Slim Thug's Miss Mary sample of George Michael's A Moment With You". WhoSampled. Retrieved July 16, 2015.
  20. ^ "Already Platinum - Boss Hogg Outlawz, Slim Thug | Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved July 15, 2015.
  21. ^ "Slim Thug Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved December 20, 2014.
  22. ^ "Slim Thug Chart History (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved December 20, 2014.
  23. ^ "2005 Year-End Charts: Billboard 200 Albums". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved July 15, 2015.
  24. ^ "2005 Year-End Charts: R&B/Hip-Hop Albums". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Archived from the original on January 8, 2016. Retrieved July 15, 2015.
  25. ^ "American album certifications – Slim Thug – Already Platinum". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 2 August 2018.
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