Lady Love (LeToya album)
Encyclopedia
Lady Love is the second studio album by American
R&B
recording artist LeToya
originally scheduled for release several times in 2008. After corporate restructuring at Capitol Records
the album was released on August 25, 2009 in the United States.
Luckett worked with a wide variety of collborators for the album, including; Ne-Yo
, Chris Brown and Bryan-Michael Cox. Featured guests include Ludacris
, Estelle
and Mims
whilst some versions of the album will also have a bonus track which also features Bun B
, Killa Kyleon, and Slim Thug
. Described as "showcasing a more laid back and comfortable LeToya", Lady Love differs stylistically from its predecessor in that it incorporates less elements of hip-hop and hip-hop soul music, instead adopting a more polished, electronic sound, though it is still very much a R&B
album.
Lady Love debuted and peaked at number twelve on the US Billboard 200
Chart and number one on the US Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Albums
chart.
and Virgin Records
, funding for many artists was frozen until the completion of the merger, affecting not only the release of Lady Love but also the release of "Obvious
", the third single from Luckett's self-titled debut album
. In early 2009, the release date for Lady Love was announced to be May 19, 2009, however it was later pushed back to June 16, 2009, before finally being set to August 24, 2009.
composition "Not Anymore", which "tells a story about a young lady who decides enough is enough and tells her no good womanizing partner to leave" and the "break-up anthem" "Over". "Regret", featuring rapper Ludacris
, has been repeatedly likened to the Mary Mary
hit single "God in Me
", with its "rat-a-tat snares" and "alternately gliding and prodding vocal attack", while LeToya's "breathy" vocal performance on the "steamy" and "sensual" "I Need a U" - complete with a "burning" electric guitar
solo - has been likened to the style of Janet Jackson
. On the "supremely smooth" "Take Away Love" (featuring Estelle
), LeToya plays the part of a lover who is having difficulty getting her lover to realise that she "doesn't want a relationship with him" because she is "still in love" with her "ex" and he "doesn't understand that". While on the "densely layered" "Good To Me" which has been described as "serious and sexy at the same time" and likened to some of the material on Usher
's Confessions
album, LeToya names and describes the qualities she wants in her ideal man, emphasising that he must be "good to [her]". The tempo of the album "slows down towards the end" with the songs "Drained", "Tears" and the Marsha Ambrosius
-penned "Matter". Shortly before closing the album, LeToya "shows off her upper vocal register" on "Don't Need You" which has been herladed as "LeToya's best recording to-date" by Timothy Michael Carson of About.com
.
" and 1 minute 30 second snippets of "Regret
", "She Ain't Got...
", "Lady Love" and "Matter". The album was released on physically and digitally
on August 25, 2009 in the US
and worldwide a day earlier. An explicit version of the album is also available and bears a Parental Advisory
label. To celebrate the album's release, LeToya hosted an album release party at Cain in New York
on August 27, 2009.
described the album as "very diverse", listing "Take Away Love" as "One of the gems on Lady Love" and praised "LeToya's ability to think out the box and to bring to R&B music something different than the vast majority". Meanwhile, Timothy Michael Carson of About.com
praised LeToya's "versatility" and "soft soprano
vocals", but wrote that "many of the songs tend to sound alike" and so "Lady Love can quickly become a tiresome listen". Carson commented that "LeToya's vocals are what kept [him] replaying the album over", lending particularly praise to the tracks "I Need a U" and "Don't Need U" - which he named "LeToya's best recording to-date" - before describing the album as a "great listen". Nathan S. of DJBooth.net also gave a particularly favorable review of "I Need a U", which he described as a "breathy and burning track that should set the sheets on fire". Nathan also lended praise to LeToya's "fierce personality" on the "remarkable" "She Ain't Got...". However, he noted that "Lady Love isn’t a perfect album" and "at times it feels uninspired and overly deliberate" but wrote that "it’s clearly the work of a woman coming into her own as an artist" and so promised that he is "not going to attach a “formerly of Destiny’s Child” onto LeToya Luckett’s name. She will finally be, simply, LeToya. She’s earned it". Andy Kellman of Allmusic gave a more mixed review however, describing the album as being "just as scattered and uneven as LeToya's self-titled debut", but noted that there are no "shortage of high points", listing; "Regret", the "pummeling, startlingly brash" "She Ain't Got..." and "the melancholy" "Take Away Love" as particular stand-outs. On the contrary, Diana Ayok of SoulCulture rated the album 3.5 out of 5, noting it as "better and stronger than [LeToya's] first self titled album" and heralded it as "a genuinely impressive album" that she "would recommend" "to any R&B lover".
chart, replacing Ledisi
's Turn Me Loose
, on September 12, 2009, where it spent a total of thirty-two weeks and number twelve on the Billboard 200
, where it spent a total of twelve weeks. Though fairly successful commercially, the album failed to match or better the sales or chart performance of its predecessor and did not chart outside of the United States
. As of April 2010, the album has sold 132,000 copies to date.
Managerial
Performance credits
Visuals and Imagery
Instruments
Technical and Production
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
R&B
Contemporary R&B
Contemporary R&B is a music genre that combines elements of hip hop, soul, R&B and funk.Although the abbreviation “R&B” originates from traditional rhythm and blues music, today the term R&B is most often used to describe a style of African American music originating after the demise of disco in...
recording artist LeToya
LeToya Luckett
LeToya Nicole Luckett , known professionally as LeToya, is an American R&B singer-songwriter and actress. She was a member of the R&B group Destiny's Child, with whom she won two Grammy Awards and released many successful commercial recordings.After signing a record deal with Capitol Records, she's...
originally scheduled for release several times in 2008. After corporate restructuring at Capitol Records
Capitol Records
Capitol Records is a major United States based record label, formerly located in Los Angeles, but operating in New York City as part of Capitol Music Group. Its former headquarters building, the Capitol Tower, is a major landmark near the corner of Hollywood and Vine...
the album was released on August 25, 2009 in the United States.
Luckett worked with a wide variety of collborators for the album, including; Ne-Yo
Ne-Yo
Shaffer Chimere Smith, Jr. , better known by his stage name Ne-Yo, is an American pop and R&B singer-songwriter, record producer, dancer and actor. Beginning his career as a songwriter, Ne-Yo penned the hit "Let Me Love You" for singer Mario...
, Chris Brown and Bryan-Michael Cox. Featured guests include Ludacris
Ludacris
Christopher Brian Bridges , better known by his stage name Ludacris, is an American rapper and actor. Along with his manager, Chaka Zulu, Ludacris is the co-founder of Disturbing tha Peace, an imprint distributed by Def Jam Recordings...
, Estelle
Estelle (musician)
Estelle Fanta Swaray commonly known as Estelle, and formerly as Est'elle, is an English R&B singer-songwriter, rapper and record producer.-Early Life:Estelle was born 18 January 1980 in Hammersmith, London, England...
and Mims
Mims (rapper)
-Career:Mims graduated from Westbury High School and was born in Westbury Ny enrolled at Nassau Community College. He left the institution after two months of classes to pursue a career in rap music. He began spending time in Harlem with Cam'ron as an acquaintance...
whilst some versions of the album will also have a bonus track which also features Bun B
Bun B
Bernard Freeman better known by his stage name Bun B, is an American rapper and was one half of the southern hip hop duo UGK . He is also a guest lecturer at Rice University located in Houston, Texas...
, Killa Kyleon, and Slim Thug
Slim Thug
Stayve Jerome Thomas , better known as Slim Thug, Boss Hogg or Thug Boss, is an American rapper. He gained mainstream attention for his contribution to the popular single from rapper Mike Jones, "Still Tippin'"....
. Described as "showcasing a more laid back and comfortable LeToya", Lady Love differs stylistically from its predecessor in that it incorporates less elements of hip-hop and hip-hop soul music, instead adopting a more polished, electronic sound, though it is still very much a R&B
Contemporary R&B
Contemporary R&B is a music genre that combines elements of hip hop, soul, R&B and funk.Although the abbreviation “R&B” originates from traditional rhythm and blues music, today the term R&B is most often used to describe a style of African American music originating after the demise of disco in...
album.
Lady Love debuted and peaked at number twelve on the US Billboard 200
Billboard 200
The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists...
Chart and number one on the US Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Albums
Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums
Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums is a chart published by Billboard magazine that ranks R&B and hip hop albums based on sales compiled by Nielsen SoundScan. The name of the chart was changed from Top R&B Albums in 1999...
chart.
Background
Production for Lady Love originally began in 2007, with a release scheduled several times in 2008. However, due to the fusing of Capitol RecordsCapitol Records
Capitol Records is a major United States based record label, formerly located in Los Angeles, but operating in New York City as part of Capitol Music Group. Its former headquarters building, the Capitol Tower, is a major landmark near the corner of Hollywood and Vine...
and Virgin Records
Virgin Records
Virgin Records is a British record label founded by English entrepreneur Richard Branson, Simon Draper, and Nik Powell in 1972. The company grew to be a worldwide music phenomenon, with platinum performers such as Roy Orbison, Devo, Genesis, Keith Richards, Janet Jackson, Culture Club, Lenny...
, funding for many artists was frozen until the completion of the merger, affecting not only the release of Lady Love but also the release of "Obvious
Obvious (LeToya song)
"Obvious" is the third single to be released from the American R&B singer LeToya's debut album LeToya. According to Billboard, due to LeToya's popularity and feedback from radio, the single had a 96% chance of becoming a hit, but due to the fusing of Capitol Records and Virgin Records, all funding...
", the third single from Luckett's self-titled debut album
LeToya (album)
LeToya is the debut studio album by American R&B singer LeToya Luckett, released by Capitol Records on July 25, 2006 in the United States. The album spawned three singles: "Torn", "She Don't" and "Obvious". Besides the officially released singles, LeToya's debut album also includes the promo...
. In early 2009, the release date for Lady Love was announced to be May 19, 2009, however it was later pushed back to June 16, 2009, before finally being set to August 24, 2009.
Composition
"Lady Love is more of a mid-tempo R&B album than a hip-hop hybrid" that is "directed toward the pop market" and thus is "heavier on gleaming synthesizers and in-your-face production." "The album begins with" the "conceited but confident up-tempo" "Lady Love" which is followed by the "startingly brash", "electronically soaked" "She Ain't Got..." on which LeToya displays a "fierce personality" through her vocals and the lyrics, one line reading "Bout to put my foot down on homegirl’s neck, to make her see that, she ain't got s*** on me". From this point on, the album slows into more mid-tempos and ballads, such as the Ne-YoNe-Yo
Shaffer Chimere Smith, Jr. , better known by his stage name Ne-Yo, is an American pop and R&B singer-songwriter, record producer, dancer and actor. Beginning his career as a songwriter, Ne-Yo penned the hit "Let Me Love You" for singer Mario...
composition "Not Anymore", which "tells a story about a young lady who decides enough is enough and tells her no good womanizing partner to leave" and the "break-up anthem" "Over". "Regret", featuring rapper Ludacris
Ludacris
Christopher Brian Bridges , better known by his stage name Ludacris, is an American rapper and actor. Along with his manager, Chaka Zulu, Ludacris is the co-founder of Disturbing tha Peace, an imprint distributed by Def Jam Recordings...
, has been repeatedly likened to the Mary Mary
Mary Mary
Mary Mary is an American gospel music duo, consisting of sisters Erica Atkins-Campbell and Tina Atkins-Campbell . The duo are often credited along with Kirk Franklin for broadening the fan base of urban contemporary gospel in the 2000s by introducing elements of soul music, hip hop, funk and jazz...
hit single "God in Me
God In Me
"God in Me" is the second single released for Grammy Award-winning contemporary gospel group Mary Mary's fourth studio album The Sound, and featured Kierra Sheard. The single was written and produced by both Mary Mary and producer Warryn Campbell, husband of member Erica Campbell...
", with its "rat-a-tat snares" and "alternately gliding and prodding vocal attack", while LeToya's "breathy" vocal performance on the "steamy" and "sensual" "I Need a U" - complete with a "burning" electric guitar
Electric guitar
An electric guitar is a guitar that uses the principle of direct electromagnetic induction to convert vibrations of its metal strings into electric audio signals. The signal generated by an electric guitar is too weak to drive a loudspeaker, so it is amplified before sending it to a loudspeaker...
solo - has been likened to the style of Janet Jackson
Janet Jackson
Janet Damita Jo Jackson is an American recording artist and actress. Known for a series of sonically innovative, socially conscious and sexually provocative records, as well as elaborate stage shows, television and film roles, she has been a prominent figure in popular culture for over 25 years...
. On the "supremely smooth" "Take Away Love" (featuring Estelle
Estelle (singer)
Estelle Fanta Swaray commonly known as Estelle, and formerly as Est'elle, is an English R&B singer-songwriter, rapper and record producer.-Early Life:Estelle was born 18 January 1980 in Hammersmith, London, England...
), LeToya plays the part of a lover who is having difficulty getting her lover to realise that she "doesn't want a relationship with him" because she is "still in love" with her "ex" and he "doesn't understand that". While on the "densely layered" "Good To Me" which has been described as "serious and sexy at the same time" and likened to some of the material on Usher
Usher (entertainer)
Usher Terry Raymond IV , who performs under the mononym Usher, is an American singer-songwriter, and actor. He is considered around the world to be the reigning King of R&B. Usher rose to fame in the late 1990s with the release of his second album My Way, which spawned his first Billboard Hot 100...
's Confessions
Confessions (Usher album)
Confessions is the fourth studio album by American R&B recording artist Usher, released March 23, 2004, on Arista-imprint label LaFace Records. Recording sessions for the album took place during 2003 to 2004 with production by Jermaine Dupri, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, and Lil Jon...
album, LeToya names and describes the qualities she wants in her ideal man, emphasising that he must be "good to [her]". The tempo of the album "slows down towards the end" with the songs "Drained", "Tears" and the Marsha Ambrosius
Marsha Ambrosius
Marsha Ambrosius or Marsha is an English singer/songwriter. A former member of the English Soul/R&B duo Floetry, she released her first solo album Late Nights & Early Mornings on March 1, 2011.-Early career with Floetry:...
-penned "Matter". Shortly before closing the album, LeToya "shows off her upper vocal register" on "Don't Need You" which has been herladed as "LeToya's best recording to-date" by Timothy Michael Carson of About.com
About.com
About.com is an online source for original information and advice. It is written in English, and is aimed primarily at North Americans. It is owned by The New York Times Company....
.
Release and promotion
Amidst much anticipation for the album release, Luckett released a five-track sampler on May 19, 2009. The sampler features first single "Not AnymoreNot Anymore
"Not Anymore" is the first single from LeToya Luckett's second solo album, Lady Love . It was written by Ne-Yo and produced by Bei Maejor. It was digitally released on February 3, 2009.-Music video:...
" and 1 minute 30 second snippets of "Regret
Regret (LeToya Luckett song)
"Regret" is the third single from LeToya Luckett's sophomore solo album, Lady Love , and features rapper Ludacris. Although a music video was not initially released to promote the single, it quickly moved up the Billboard's Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart peaking at #8, becoming her fourth top twenty...
", "She Ain't Got...
She Ain't Got...
"She Ain't Got..." is the second single from LeToya Luckett's second studio album Lady Love. It was produced by Cory Bold and is the first LeToya single to carry a Parental Advisory sticker; however, the clean version of the song has also been released with the title "She Ain't Got..." and does not...
", "Lady Love" and "Matter". The album was released on physically and digitally
Music download
A music download is the transferral of music from an Internet-facing computer or website to a user's local computer. This term encompasses both legal downloads and downloads of copyright material without permission or payment...
on August 25, 2009 in the US
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and worldwide a day earlier. An explicit version of the album is also available and bears a Parental Advisory
Parental Advisory
Parental Advisory is a message affixed by the Recording Industry Association of America to audio and recordings in the United States containing excessive use of profane language and/or sexual references. Albums began to be labeled for "explicit lyrics" in 1985, after pressure from the Parents...
label. To celebrate the album's release, LeToya hosted an album release party at Cain in New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
on August 27, 2009.
Singles
- "Not AnymoreNot Anymore"Not Anymore" is the first single from LeToya Luckett's second solo album, Lady Love . It was written by Ne-Yo and produced by Bei Maejor. It was digitally released on February 3, 2009.-Music video:...
", the lead single, was produced by Bei MaejorBei MaejorBrandon Green, better known by his stage name Bei Maejor, is a Grammy nominated American recording artist, songwriter and record producer.- Life and career :...
and co-produced and written by Ne-YoNe-YoShaffer Chimere Smith, Jr. , better known by his stage name Ne-Yo, is an American pop and R&B singer-songwriter, record producer, dancer and actor. Beginning his career as a songwriter, Ne-Yo penned the hit "Let Me Love You" for singer Mario...
. Released in February 2009, it became the most added song at urban radio, debuting at number ninety-eight on the US Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop SongsHot R&B/Hip-Hop SongsHot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, is a chart released weekly by Billboard in the United States.The chart, initiated in 1942, is used to track the success of popular music songs in urban, or primarily African American, venues. Dominated over the years at various times by jazz, rhythm and blues, doo-wop, soul,...
chart before peaking at number eighteen and just missing the US Billboard Hot 100Billboard Hot 100The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
singles chart, peaking at number one-hundred-and-seven. A music video for the single was shot on February 13, 2009. Directed by Bryan BarberBryan BarberBryan Barber is a music video and motion picture director. He has directed many music videos for popular artists.-Personal:Barber graduated from Sacramento, CA Hiram Johnson High School in 1988...
, the music video is set in the 1960s1960sThe 1960s was the decade that started on January 1, 1960, and ended on December 31, 1969. It was the seventh decade of the 20th century.The 1960s term also refers to an era more often called The Sixties, denoting the complex of inter-related cultural and political trends across the globe...
and is split into 3 sections/time periods - 1961, 1964 and 1968. The sets, costumes and props change accordingly in each section to show the trends, fashions and styles of those particular years. The video was released on March 10, 2009 and peaked at number three on the 106 & Park106 & Park106 & Park is a Top Ten Hip-Hop and R&B music video show, set up in a countdown format, that airs weekdays at 6:00 PM on BET . Since its inception, it was the network's #1 rated show...
video countdown.
- "She Ain't Got...She Ain't Got..."She Ain't Got..." is the second single from LeToya Luckett's second studio album Lady Love. It was produced by Cory Bold and is the first LeToya single to carry a Parental Advisory sticker; however, the clean version of the song has also been released with the title "She Ain't Got..." and does not...
" the album's second single, was produced by Cory Bold and written by LeToya, Andre Merritt, Chris Brown and Bold. Chosen by fans, it became the first LeToya single to carry a Parental AdvisoryParental AdvisoryParental Advisory is a message affixed by the Recording Industry Association of America to audio and recordings in the United States containing excessive use of profane language and/or sexual references. Albums began to be labeled for "explicit lyrics" in 1985, after pressure from the Parents...
label, though a "clean" version was also released. It became the most added song on rhythmic radio, thus peaking at number thirty-nine on the Billboard Rhythmic Top 40 chart, while peaking at number seventy-five on the Billboard Pop 100 AirplayPop 100 AirplayThe Pop 100 Airplay was a chart created in 2005 and released weekly by Billboard in the United States. It measured mainstream radio airplay, and was one of the three component charts, along with the Hot 100 Singles Sales and Hot Digital Songs charts, that determined the chart positions of singles...
chart and number twenty on the Billboard Hot Dance Club PlayHot Dance Club PlayThe Hot Dance Club Songs chart is a weekly national survey of the songs that are most popular in U.S. dance clubs...
. However, the single was most successful in JapanJapanJapan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
where it peaked at number forty-nine on the Japan Hot 100Japan Hot 100The Japan Hot 100 is a music singles chart in Japan. It is compiled by Billboard and Hanshin Contents Link ever since February 2008. The chart is updated every Wednesday at billboard-japan.com and every Thursday at billboard.com ....
. A music video, directed by Bryan Barber was shot on June 3, 2009 and premiered on Yahoo Music on June 30, 2009, featuring guest star Major League Baseball players Orlando HudsonOrlando HudsonOrlando Thill Hudson is an American professional baseball second baseman with the San Diego Padres of Major League Baseball.-Early life and high school career:...
and Matt KempMatt KempMatthew Ryan "Matt" Kemp is a Major League Baseball outfielder for the Los Angeles Dodgers.Kemp was drafted by the Dodgers in the 6th round of the 2003 draft and made his major league debut in 2006...
of the Los Angeles Dodgers as well as Baseball Hall of Fame member Dave WinfieldDave WinfieldDavid Mark Winfield is an American former Major League Baseball outfielder. He is currently Executive Vice President/Senior Advisor of the San Diego Padres and an analyst for the ESPN program Baseball Tonight...
.
- "RegretRegret (LeToya Luckett song)"Regret" is the third single from LeToya Luckett's sophomore solo album, Lady Love , and features rapper Ludacris. Although a music video was not initially released to promote the single, it quickly moved up the Billboard's Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart peaking at #8, becoming her fourth top twenty...
", featuring rapper LudacrisLudacrisChristopher Brian Bridges , better known by his stage name Ludacris, is an American rapper and actor. Along with his manager, Chaka Zulu, Ludacris is the co-founder of Disturbing tha Peace, an imprint distributed by Def Jam Recordings...
, was produced by TankTank (singer)Tank is an American R&B singer, songwriter and producer.-Career:Tank was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and moved with his family as a child to the Washington, D.C. suburb of Clinton, Maryland. He was a multi-sport athlete at Crossland High School and was offered the opportunity to play college...
and Jerry "Texx" Franklin and written by Tank, LeToya, Franklin, K. Stephens, J. Valentine, R. Newt and C. Bridges. Released as the third single - based only on downloadsMusic downloadA music download is the transferral of music from an Internet-facing computer or website to a user's local computer. This term encompasses both legal downloads and downloads of copyright material without permission or payment...
and airplayAirplay* Airplay is the amount of time a song is played on the radio.It may also refer to:* AirPlay, an audio & video streaming technology from Apple Inc.* Airplay , Foster & Graydon music project from 1980* Citroën C1, Citroën C1 Airplay...
- "Regret" peaked at number eight on the US Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart and debuted at number one-hundred on the Billboard Hot 100, making it LeToya's first single since her debut; "TornTorn (LeToya Luckett song)"Torn" is the first official single from American R&B singer LeToya's debut album LeToya which was released in March 2006 and soon became a hit, having a high airplay, just missing out the top ten on the U.S. Hot 100 Airplay charts at number eleven. "Torn" became a hit on the U.S. Hot R&B/Hip-Hop...
", to enter the US Hot 100, peaking at number seventy-eight. It also peaked at number forty-two on the Billboard Radio SongsRadio SongsRadio Songs is an album of duo Robin and Linda Williams on the Red House Records label, released in 2007.Radio Songs consists of recordings made when performing on Garrison Keillor's NPR radio program A Prairie Home Companion. Although Robin and Linda first appeared on the show regularly in 1976,...
chart and was listed at number six on AOL Music's "Top R&B Songs of 2009" list. The music video for "Regret" was premiered on BETBetBet or BET may refer to:* A wager in gambling* Basic Economics Test * Bet , the second letter in many Semitic alphabets, including Aramaic, Hebrew, Phoenician and Syriac* Brunauer-Emmett-Teller isotherm. See BET_theory...
's 106 & Park106 & Park106 & Park is a Top Ten Hip-Hop and R&B music video show, set up in a countdown format, that airs weekdays at 6:00 PM on BET . Since its inception, it was the network's #1 rated show...
on November 11, 2009 before being ranked at number twenty-three on BET: Notarized: Top 100 Videos of 2009 countdown.
- "Good To MeGood to Me"Good To Me" is the viral single from LeToya Luckett's second solo album, Lady Love. Due to Capitol Records' widely known mismanagement and blatant refusal to continue supporting the "Lady Love" album, LeToya chose to release "Good To Me" because it was a fan favorite and a personal favorite from...
", produced by TankTank (singer)Tank is an American R&B singer, songwriter and producer.-Career:Tank was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and moved with his family as a child to the Washington, D.C. suburb of Clinton, Maryland. He was a multi-sport athlete at Crossland High School and was offered the opportunity to play college...
and Jerry "Texx" Franklin and written by Tank, Franklin, K. Stephens, R. Newt and J. Valentine, was released as the album's fourth and final single. Though the song failed to chart, a music video directed by makeup artist AJ Crimson and co-starring model-actor Keston Karter was released on February 11, 2010.
Critical reception
Lady Love received generally positive reviews from critics. Samantha Greaves of Examiner.comExaminer.com
Examiner.com is a media company based in Denver, Colorado, that operates a network of local news websites, allowing "pro–am contributors" to share their city-based knowledge on a blog-like platform, in 238 markets throughout the United States and parts of Canada with two national editions, one for...
described the album as "very diverse", listing "Take Away Love" as "One of the gems on Lady Love" and praised "LeToya's ability to think out the box and to bring to R&B music something different than the vast majority". Meanwhile, Timothy Michael Carson of About.com
About.com
About.com is an online source for original information and advice. It is written in English, and is aimed primarily at North Americans. It is owned by The New York Times Company....
praised LeToya's "versatility" and "soft soprano
Soprano
A soprano is a voice type with a vocal range from approximately middle C to "high A" in choral music, or to "soprano C" or higher in operatic music. In four-part chorale style harmony, the soprano takes the highest part, which usually encompasses the melody...
vocals", but wrote that "many of the songs tend to sound alike" and so "Lady Love can quickly become a tiresome listen". Carson commented that "LeToya's vocals are what kept [him] replaying the album over", lending particularly praise to the tracks "I Need a U" and "Don't Need U" - which he named "LeToya's best recording to-date" - before describing the album as a "great listen". Nathan S. of DJBooth.net also gave a particularly favorable review of "I Need a U", which he described as a "breathy and burning track that should set the sheets on fire". Nathan also lended praise to LeToya's "fierce personality" on the "remarkable" "She Ain't Got...". However, he noted that "Lady Love isn’t a perfect album" and "at times it feels uninspired and overly deliberate" but wrote that "it’s clearly the work of a woman coming into her own as an artist" and so promised that he is "not going to attach a “formerly of Destiny’s Child” onto LeToya Luckett’s name. She will finally be, simply, LeToya. She’s earned it". Andy Kellman of Allmusic gave a more mixed review however, describing the album as being "just as scattered and uneven as LeToya's self-titled debut", but noted that there are no "shortage of high points", listing; "Regret", the "pummeling, startlingly brash" "She Ain't Got..." and "the melancholy" "Take Away Love" as particular stand-outs. On the contrary, Diana Ayok of SoulCulture rated the album 3.5 out of 5, noting it as "better and stronger than [LeToya's] first self titled album" and heralded it as "a genuinely impressive album" that she "would recommend" "to any R&B lover".
Commercial performance
In the US, Lady Love opened with first week sales of 32,900 copies, debuting at the top of the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop AlbumsTop R&B/Hip-Hop Albums
Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums is a chart published by Billboard magazine that ranks R&B and hip hop albums based on sales compiled by Nielsen SoundScan. The name of the chart was changed from Top R&B Albums in 1999...
chart, replacing Ledisi
Ledisi
Ledisi Anibade Young is an American singer-songwriter and actress. Her first name means "to bring forth" or "to come here" in Yoruba. Ledisi is known for her jazz influenced vocals. In 1995, Ledisi formed the group known as Anibade. After unsuccessfully trying to get the group signed to a major...
's Turn Me Loose
Turn Me Loose (Ledisi album)
Turn Me Loose is the fourth studio album by American R&B and jazz singer-songwriter Ledisi, released August 18, 2009 on Verve Records. It was recorded after Ledisi's experience with writer's block, which she overcame after finding inspiration in listening to Buddy Miles's Them Changes...
, on September 12, 2009, where it spent a total of thirty-two weeks and number twelve on the Billboard 200
Billboard 200
The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists...
, where it spent a total of twelve weeks. Though fairly successful commercially, the album failed to match or better the sales or chart performance of its predecessor and did not chart outside of the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. As of April 2010, the album has sold 132,000 copies to date.
Track listing
Personnel and credits
Credits are taken from the album's linear notes and Allmusic.comManagerial
- A&RA&RArtists and repertoire is the division of a record label that is responsible for talent scouting and overseeing the artistic development of recording artists. It also acts as a liaison between artists and the record label.- Finding talent :...
– Ankur Malhotra, Leonard Brooks, Ronette Bowie - A&R direction – Darius "My Turn" Jones
- Associate producer – Damon Thompson
- Creative directorCreative DirectorA creative director is a position often found within the graphic design, film, music, fashion, advertising, media or entertainment industries, but may be useful in other creative organizations such as web development and software development firms as well....
- Nicole Frantz
- Executive producerExecutive producerAn executive producer is a producer who is not involved in any technical aspects of the film making or music process, but who is still responsible for the overall production...
– LeToya LuckettLeToya LuckettLeToya Nicole Luckett , known professionally as LeToya, is an American R&B singer-songwriter and actress. She was a member of the R&B group Destiny's Child, with whom she won two Grammy Awards and released many successful commercial recordings.After signing a record deal with Capitol Records, she's...
, Terry "TR" Ross, Chris HicksChris Hicks (record executive)Christopher Hicks is an American record industry executive, artist manager, and publisher. He has worked with a plethora of artists, songwriters and producers including Justin Bieber, Mary J Blige, Letoya Luckett, Aaliyah, Johnta Austin, Bryan-Michael Cox, The-Dream, T.I., Timbaland, Lil Wayne,... - ManagementManagementManagement in all business and organizational activities is the act of getting people together to accomplish desired goals and objectives using available resources efficiently and effectively...
– Jeff Robinson, Suzette Williams - MarketingMarketingMarketing is the process used to determine what products or services may be of interest to customers, and the strategy to use in sales, communications and business development. It generates the strategy that underlies sales techniques, business communication, and business developments...
– Leota Blacknor
Performance credits
- Lead Vocals – LeToya LuckettLeToya LuckettLeToya Nicole Luckett , known professionally as LeToya, is an American R&B singer-songwriter and actress. She was a member of the R&B group Destiny's Child, with whom she won two Grammy Awards and released many successful commercial recordings.After signing a record deal with Capitol Records, she's...
- Background Vocals – LeToya LuckettLeToya LuckettLeToya Nicole Luckett , known professionally as LeToya, is an American R&B singer-songwriter and actress. She was a member of the R&B group Destiny's Child, with whom she won two Grammy Awards and released many successful commercial recordings.After signing a record deal with Capitol Records, she's...
, Ryan LeslieRyan LeslieAnthony Ryan Leslie, known professionally as Ryan Leslie, is a Grammy nominated American record producer, multi-instrumentalist, rapper, entrepreneur, and singer. Founder of the media company NextSelection Lifestyle Group, Leslie has produced singles for a number of artists in a variety of genres...
, EstelleEstelle (singer)Estelle Fanta Swaray commonly known as Estelle, and formerly as Est'elle, is an English R&B singer-songwriter, rapper and record producer.-Early Life:Estelle was born 18 January 1980 in Hammersmith, London, England...
, Cri$tyle
Visuals and Imagery
- DesignDesignDesign as a noun informally refers to a plan or convention for the construction of an object or a system while “to design” refers to making this plan...
– Julian Peploe
- PhotographyPhotographyPhotography is the art, science and practice of creating durable images by recording light or other electromagnetic radiation, either electronically by means of an image sensor or chemically by means of a light-sensitive material such as photographic film...
– Mike Ruiz - StylistWardrobe stylistA wardrobe stylist is the job title of someone who selects the clothing for published editorial features, print or television advertising campaigns, music videos, concert performances, and any public appearances made by celebrities, models or other public figures...
– Marni Senofonte
Instruments
- GuitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
– Chris Morgan
- Other instrumentationInstrumentation (music)In music, instrumentation refers to the particular combination of musical instruments employed in a composition, and to the properties of those instruments individually...
– Cory Bold, Ryan LeslieRyan LeslieAnthony Ryan Leslie, known professionally as Ryan Leslie, is a Grammy nominated American record producer, multi-instrumentalist, rapper, entrepreneur, and singer. Founder of the media company NextSelection Lifestyle Group, Leslie has produced singles for a number of artists in a variety of genres...
Technical and Production
- ArrangementArrangementThe American Federation of Musicians defines arranging as "the art of preparing and adapting an already written composition for presentation in other than its original form. An arrangement may include reharmonization, paraphrasing, and/or development of a composition, so that it fully represents...
– Andre Merritt, Chris Brown, - Composers – A. Dixon, A. Merritt, B. Green, C. Brown, C. Bridges, C. Johnson, C. Llewellyn, D. BabbsTank (singer)Tank is an American R&B singer, songwriter and producer.-Career:Tank was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and moved with his family as a child to the Washington, D.C. suburb of Clinton, Maryland. He was a multi-sport athlete at Crossland High School and was offered the opportunity to play college...
, D. Young, E. Clark, E. Mendelson, E. SwarayEstelle (singer)Estelle Fanta Swaray commonly known as Estelle, and formerly as Est'elle, is an English R&B singer-songwriter, rapper and record producer.-Early Life:Estelle was born 18 January 1980 in Hammersmith, London, England...
, E. Williams, F. Storm, H. Lilly, J. Franklin, J. Valentine, K. Coby, K. Shelton, K. Stephens, L. LuckettLeToya LuckettLeToya Nicole Luckett , known professionally as LeToya, is an American R&B singer-songwriter and actress. She was a member of the R&B group Destiny's Child, with whom she won two Grammy Awards and released many successful commercial recordings.After signing a record deal with Capitol Records, she's...
, M. AmbrosiusMarsha AmbrosiusMarsha Ambrosius or Marsha is an English singer/songwriter. A former member of the English Soul/R&B duo Floetry, she released her first solo album Late Nights & Early Mornings on March 1, 2011.-Early career with Floetry:...
, M. Palacios, R. Feemster, R. LeslieRyan LeslieAnthony Ryan Leslie, known professionally as Ryan Leslie, is a Grammy nominated American record producer, multi-instrumentalist, rapper, entrepreneur, and singer. Founder of the media company NextSelection Lifestyle Group, Leslie has produced singles for a number of artists in a variety of genres...
, R. Newt, S. MimsMimsMims or MIMS may refer to:* Mims, D. Jeffrey, American artist, born 1954* Mims , stage name for American rapper Shawn Mims* Mims, Florida, USA* Forrest Mims, magazine columnist and author.* Mims, Leland G., Louisiana local politician...
, S. SmithNe-YoShaffer Chimere Smith, Jr. , better known by his stage name Ne-Yo, is an American pop and R&B singer-songwriter, record producer, dancer and actor. Beginning his career as a songwriter, Ne-Yo penned the hit "Let Me Love You" for singer Mario...
, T. Thomas, T. Williams, W. Felder - EngineeringAudio engineeringAn audio engineer, also called audio technician, audio technologist or sound technician, is a specialist in a skilled trade that deals with the use of machinery and equipment for the recording, mixing and reproduction of sounds. The field draws on many artistic and vocational areas, including...
– Anthony Palazzole, Brian Springer, Danny Cheung, Geno Regist, John Hanes, Kevin "Trackz" Coby, Ralph Cacciurri, Richard Furch, Ryan LeslieRyan LeslieAnthony Ryan Leslie, known professionally as Ryan Leslie, is a Grammy nominated American record producer, multi-instrumentalist, rapper, entrepreneur, and singer. Founder of the media company NextSelection Lifestyle Group, Leslie has produced singles for a number of artists in a variety of genres... - Engineering assistants – Ashley Stagg, Tom Roberts
- Mastering – Chris "The Finalizer" Bellman
- MixingAudio mixing (recorded music)In audio recording, audio mixing is the process by which multiple recorded sounds are combined into one or more channels, most commonly two-channel stereo. In the process, the source signals' level, frequency content, dynamics, and panoramic position are manipulated and effects such as reverb may...
– Dave Pensado, Brian Springer, Joshua Fowler, Kevin "KD" Davis, Serban Ghenea - ProductionRecord producerA record producer is an individual working within the music industry, whose job is to oversee and manage the recording of an artist's music...
– Andre Merritt, Bei MaejorBei MaejorBrandon Green, better known by his stage name Bei Maejor, is a Grammy nominated American recording artist, songwriter and record producer.- Life and career :...
, Cory Bold, Da Internz, Elvis "BlacK Elvis" Williams, Harold Lilly, Kenneth "Soundz" Coby, Jerry "Texx" Franklin, Ne-YoNe-YoShaffer Chimere Smith, Jr. , better known by his stage name Ne-Yo, is an American pop and R&B singer-songwriter, record producer, dancer and actor. Beginning his career as a songwriter, Ne-Yo penned the hit "Let Me Love You" for singer Mario...
, Ron "Neff-U" Feemster, Ryan LeslieRyan LeslieAnthony Ryan Leslie, known professionally as Ryan Leslie, is a Grammy nominated American record producer, multi-instrumentalist, rapper, entrepreneur, and singer. Founder of the media company NextSelection Lifestyle Group, Leslie has produced singles for a number of artists in a variety of genres...
, TankTank (singer)Tank is an American R&B singer, songwriter and producer.-Career:Tank was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and moved with his family as a child to the Washington, D.C. suburb of Clinton, Maryland. He was a multi-sport athlete at Crossland High School and was offered the opportunity to play college...
, Terry "MaddScientist" Thomas, T-Minus, Warren "Oak" FelderOak (producer)Warren Okay "Oak" Felder is an Atlanta-based Turkish-American record producer. He is known as Oak and is part of a production team known as The Knightwritaz, with singers Mario, Sterling Simms, and Marsha Ambrosius of Floetry.-Production credits:... - Programming – Ryan LeslieRyan LeslieAnthony Ryan Leslie, known professionally as Ryan Leslie, is a Grammy nominated American record producer, multi-instrumentalist, rapper, entrepreneur, and singer. Founder of the media company NextSelection Lifestyle Group, Leslie has produced singles for a number of artists in a variety of genres...
- Vocal production – Andre Merritt, Chris Brown, Cri$tyle, Frankie Storm, J. Valentine, Marsha AmbrosiusMarsha AmbrosiusMarsha Ambrosius or Marsha is an English singer/songwriter. A former member of the English Soul/R&B duo Floetry, she released her first solo album Late Nights & Early Mornings on March 1, 2011.-Early career with Floetry:...
, Robert Teamer, Sauce, Warren "Oak" FelderOak (producer)Warren Okay "Oak" Felder is an Atlanta-based Turkish-American record producer. He is known as Oak and is part of a production team known as The Knightwritaz, with singers Mario, Sterling Simms, and Marsha Ambrosius of Floetry.-Production credits:...
Charts
| Chart (2009) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| US Billboard 200 Billboard 200 The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists... |
12 |
| US Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums is a chart published by Billboard magazine that ranks R&B and hip hop albums based on sales compiled by Nielsen SoundScan. The name of the chart was changed from Top R&B Albums in 1999... |
1 |
Chart procession and succession
Release history
| Region | Date | Format | Label |
|---|---|---|---|
| Europe Europe Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting... |
August 24, 2010 | CD Compact Disc The Compact Disc is an optical disc used to store digital data. It was originally developed to store and playback sound recordings exclusively, but later expanded to encompass data storage , write-once audio and data storage , rewritable media , Video Compact Discs , Super Video Compact Discs ,... , digital download Music download A music download is the transferral of music from an Internet-facing computer or website to a user's local computer. This term encompasses both legal downloads and downloads of copyright material without permission or payment... |
Capitol Records Capitol Records Capitol Records is a major United States based record label, formerly located in Los Angeles, but operating in New York City as part of Capitol Music Group. Its former headquarters building, the Capitol Tower, is a major landmark near the corner of Hollywood and Vine... |
| United States United States The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district... |
August 25, 2010 | ||