The Rest Is History
Encyclopedia
The Rest Is History is Jin's debut album. It was released on October 18, 2004.
During the year-long delay, Jin released three different mixtapes. The first was called History In The Making, the second Definition Of History, and the third Lost History.
A promotional track, Chinatown featuring fellow Chinese American
rapper L.S. was thought to be the first single. The first official single, "Learn Chinese
", came out in late 2003. "Get Your Handz Off ", another promotional single (second overall) was released online and impacted radio on June 29, 2004. The second single for the album was slated to be "I Got A Love", but Roc-A-Fella Records blocked the decision, fearing too many singles would over-expose Kanye West
.
Kanye West included an extra verse in "I Got a Love (Remix)", which was later used in his song "I Wonder" on his album, Graduation
. Due to the decision of the executives at Roc-A-Fella,"Señorita" and "So Afraid" were the second and third singles respectively, both released on August 31, 2004.
and spent 3 weeks on the charts debuting at #54. The album also spent 7 week on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums
debuting at #12. It also spent two weeks at the Billboard Top Rap Albums debuting at #8. The album to date has sold over 100,000 units in the U.S. and over 250,000 worldwide.
"I Got a Love"
"Learn Chinese"
"Senorita"
"Love Story"
"C'mon"
Background
Originally titled Almost Famous, the album was delayed for over a year. Originally slated for a Summer 2003 release it was pushed back to an October 2003 date. After plans did not materialize, the album's release date was pushed back once more to March 2004. However, the release date got pushed back twice more, to August 24, 2004, until it finally arrived, with a completely new title, on October 19, 2004. "But still claimed by most a well worth wait" said Nestor Sanchez.During the year-long delay, Jin released three different mixtapes. The first was called History In The Making, the second Definition Of History, and the third Lost History.
A promotional track, Chinatown featuring fellow Chinese American
Chinese American
Chinese Americans represent Americans of Chinese descent. Chinese Americans constitute one group of overseas Chinese and also a subgroup of East Asian Americans, which is further a subgroup of Asian Americans...
rapper L.S. was thought to be the first single. The first official single, "Learn Chinese
Learn Chinese (song)
"Learn Chinese" is the first single released from Jin's debut album The Rest Is History. The song features Wyclef Jean, who produced and co-wrote the track. At the first, the song was a buzz song. But, later, it turned into the first single for Jin's debut album due to its success. This single has...
", came out in late 2003. "Get Your Handz Off ", another promotional single (second overall) was released online and impacted radio on June 29, 2004. The second single for the album was slated to be "I Got A Love", but Roc-A-Fella Records blocked the decision, fearing too many singles would over-expose Kanye West
Kanye West
Kanye Omari West is an American rapper, singer, and record producer. West first rose to fame as a producer for Roc-A-Fella Records, where he eventually achieved recognition for his work on Jay-Z's album The Blueprint, as well as hit singles for musical artists including Alicia Keys, Ludacris, and...
.
Kanye West included an extra verse in "I Got a Love (Remix)", which was later used in his song "I Wonder" on his album, Graduation
Graduation (album)
Graduation is the third studio album by American hip hop artist Kanye West, released September 11, 2007 on Roc-A-Fella Records. Recording sessions for the album took place during 2005 to 2007 at Chung King Studios and Sony Music Studios in New York City and at Chalice Studios and The Record Plant...
. Due to the decision of the executives at Roc-A-Fella,"Señorita" and "So Afraid" were the second and third singles respectively, both released on August 31, 2004.
Promotional singles
- Chinatown was released on the first and only promo single. It was rumored to be the first single from the album. It features Jin's close friend and fellow Chinese American rapper, L.S.
Miscellaneous
- The tracks "A Little Hungry" and "Check the Clock" were omitted from the North American release.
- There is an alternate version of "Thank You", however, it did not make the final cut.
- "C'Mon" contains a sample from EminemEminemMarshall Bruce Mathers III , better known by his stage name Eminem or his alter ego Slim Shady, is an American rapper, record producer, songwriter and actor. Eminem's popularity brought his group project, D12, to mainstream recognition...
's song, "Sing For The MomentSing for the Moment"Sing for the Moment" is a song by American rapper Eminem from the album The Eminem Show, released in 2002. It was released as a music single in 2003.-Song information:Eminem samples the song "Dream On" by rock group Aerosmith...
", which in turn samples the AerosmithAerosmithAerosmith is an American rock band, sometimes referred to as "The Bad Boys from Boston" and "America's Greatest Rock and Roll Band". Their style, which is rooted in blues-based hard rock, has come to also incorporate elements of pop, heavy metal, and rhythm and blues, and has inspired many...
song, Dream OnDream On (Aerosmith song)"Dream On" is the first single by Aerosmith from their 1973 debut album, Aerosmith. Written by lead singer Steven Tyler, this blues-influenced power ballad became their first major hit and classic rock radio staple...
.
Reception
The album had favorable to mixed reviews. Allmusic.com has stated "The Rest Is History showcases Jin's talents at length, but its stilted moments are as plentiful as its impressive ones, if not more so, perhaps explaining why it took the album a year to see the light of day." RapReviews.com has stated "Thankfully, these tracks are exceptions as opposed to the rule, so The Rest is History works quite well as a whole. Above all else Jin has proved that his Freestyle Friday victories and his signing to Ruff Ryders was not a joke - and if anything is the best thing to happen to that crew in a long time. So what ultimately is history here? All of the haters who are swinging on Jin's nuts."Chart performance
The album debuted at the #54 on the Billboard 200Billboard 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...
and spent 3 weeks on the charts debuting at #54. The album also spent 7 week on the 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...
debuting at #12. It also spent two weeks at the Billboard Top Rap Albums debuting at #8. The album to date has sold over 100,000 units in the U.S. and over 250,000 worldwide.
Track listing
Samples & Interpolations
"Get Your Handz Off"- contains a sample from "Children Of The Sun" by MandrillMandrillThe mandrill is a primate of the Old World monkey family, closely related to the baboons and even more closely to the drill. Both the mandrill and the drill were once classified as baboons in genus Papio, but recent research has determined they should be separated into their own genus, Mandrillus...
"I Got a Love"
- contains a sample from Lenny WilliamsLenny WilliamsLeonard Charles "Lenny" Williams is an American singer known for his work in the R&B and soul music genres. During the 1970s, he was the lead vocalist for Tower of Power...
's "Cause I Love You"
"Learn Chinese"
- contains samples from Das EFXDas EFXDas EFX is an American hip hop duo. It consists of emcees Skoob and Dray...
's "They Want EFX" and James BrownJames BrownJames Joseph Brown was an American singer, songwriter, musician, and recording artist. He is the originator of Funk and is recognized as a major figure in the 20th century popular music for both his vocals and dancing. He has been referred to as "The Godfather of Soul," "Mr...
's "Blind Man Can See It" - contains added vocals by Ayeesha.
"Senorita"
- contains replayed elements from the composition "Give Up Your Guns" written by Gerald Florio and Rupert Holmes
"Love Story"
- contains interpolation from "Groove With You" by Isley Brothers
"C'mon"
- contains a sample from EminemEminemMarshall Bruce Mathers III , better known by his stage name Eminem or his alter ego Slim Shady, is an American rapper, record producer, songwriter and actor. Eminem's popularity brought his group project, D12, to mainstream recognition...
's song, "Sing For The MomentSing for the Moment"Sing for the Moment" is a song by American rapper Eminem from the album The Eminem Show, released in 2002. It was released as a music single in 2003.-Song information:Eminem samples the song "Dream On" by rock group Aerosmith...
", which in turn samples the AerosmithAerosmithAerosmith is an American rock band, sometimes referred to as "The Bad Boys from Boston" and "America's Greatest Rock and Roll Band". Their style, which is rooted in blues-based hard rock, has come to also incorporate elements of pop, heavy metal, and rhythm and blues, and has inspired many...
song, Dream OnDream On (Aerosmith song)"Dream On" is the first single by Aerosmith from their 1973 debut album, Aerosmith. Written by lead singer Steven Tyler, this blues-influenced power ballad became their first major hit and classic rock radio staple...
Album chart positions
| Year | Album | Chart positions | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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... |
Top R&B/Hip Hop Albums | ||
| 2004 | The Rest Is History | 54 | 12 |