Urban Legend (album)

2004 studio album by T.I.

Urban Legend

Studio album by

T.I.

Released| November 30, 2004
Recorded| 2003–2004
Genre|

* Southern hip hop
* trap
* gangsta rap

Length| 71:35
Label|

* Atlantic
* Grand Hustle

Producer|

* DJ Toomp
* Daz Dillinger
* Jazze Pha
* Lil Jon
* Kevin "Khao" Cates
* KLC
* Mannie Fresh
* The Neptunes
* Nick "Fury" Loftin
* Sanchez Holmes
* Scott Storch
* Swizz Beatz
* David Banner

T.I. chronology
| Trap Muzik
(2003)  | Urban Legend
(2004)  | King
(2006)

|
|

Singles from  Urban Legend

1. "Bring Em Out"
Released: October 19, 2004
2. "U Don't Know Me"
Released: January 11, 2005
3. "ASAP"
Released: May 24, 2005

Urban Legend is the third studio album by American rapper T.I., released on November 30, 2004, through Atlantic Records and his own label, Grand Hustle Records. The album debuted at number seven on the US Billboard 200, selling 193,000 copies in its first week of release. It also debuted atop the magazine's Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums and Top Rap Albums charts.[1]

The album's official lead single, "Bring Em Out", was released on October 19, 2004 and became T.I. first's top 10 hit, peaking at number nine on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, while the second single, "U Don't Know Me", peaked at number 23 on the chart. The third single, "ASAP", reached number 75 on the chart,[2] number 18 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs[2] and number 14 on the Hot Rap Tracks charts.[2] T.I. created a video for "ASAP"/"Motivation". However, "Motivation" only made it to number 62 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart music chart.[2]

The album features production provided by longtime collaborating producers DJ Toomp, Jazze Pha, Lil Jon, The Neptunes, Nick "Fury" Loftin, David Banner and Sanchez Holmes. New producers contributing to the album include Daz Dillinger, Kevin "Khao" Cates, KLC, Mannie Fresh, Scott Storch and Swizz Beatz. Featured guests on the album include Trick Daddy, Nelly, Lil Jon, B.G., Mannie Fresh, Daz Dillinger, Lil Wayne, Pharrell Williams, P$C, Jazze Pha and Lil' Kim.

## Background

[edit]

In March 2004, a warrant was issued for T.I.'s arrest after a violation of probation that resulted from a 1997 arrest on cocaine distribution and the manufacturing and distribution of a controlled substance.[3] He was sentenced to three years in prison.[4] While imprisoned in Cobb County, Georgia, he filmed an unauthorized music video.[5]

## Recording

[edit]

After T.I. received his sentence, he was granted a work release program that allowed him to continue making music and proceeded to record several albums' worth of material.[6] Recording sessions took place at P.S. West Studios, Silent Sounds Studios, and Stankonia Studios, all located in T.I.'s native Atlanta, Georgia. One recording session took place at the Orange Grove Studios in Los Angeles, California.[7]

## Release and promotion

[edit]

### Singles

[edit]

"Bring Em Out" was the first official single to be released from Urban Legend. The single entered the US Billboard Hot 100 chart at number nine, it also charted at number six on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, and at number four on the Hot Rap Tracks music chart. In the United Kingdom the single entered the UK Singles Chart music chart at number 59.[8] "Bring Em Out" became T.I.'s first top-ten single to enter the Billboard Hot 100 chart. "Bring Em Out" was certified gold by the RIAA for sales of over 500,000 copies in the US.

"U Don't Know Me" was the second official single from the album. It entered the US Billboard Hot 100 chart at number 23. It charted at number six on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, number four on the Hot Rap Tracks chart, and number 65 on the Pop 100 music chart.[9] The song was nominated for Best Rap Solo Performance at the Grammy Awards, Best Rap Video at the MTV Video Music Awards and Street Anthem of the Year at the Vibe Awards.[10] It was certified platinum by the RIAA for selling over a million copies in the US.

"ASAP" was the third and final official single from the album. It entered the Billboard Hot 100 chart at number 75. It charted at number 18 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart and at number 14 on the Hot Rap Tracks chart.[9] It was certified gold by the RIAA for selling over 500,000 copies in the US.[11] On the B-side of the single the song "Motivation" appeared, which charted at number 62 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs music chart.[9]

## Critical reception

[edit]

Professional ratingsReview scores

Source| Rating
Allmusic| [12]
Baltimore City Paper| (mixed)[13]
Entertainment Weekly| B+[14]
Prefix| (7/10)[15]
RapReviews| (8/10)[16]
Rolling Stone| [17]

Upon its release, Urban Legend received generally favorable reviews from most music critics. Allmusic writer Andy Kellman opined that, "With all that chaos surrounding T.I., it's disappointing to hear him retracing his steps, rewriting old lines, developing with little progress. Perhaps it's asking too much to expect T.I. to show as much growth here as he did on Trap Muzik, but -- as is the case with Jadakiss \-- remaining patient for that classic album (and you know he has one in him) is getting tough."[12] Chuck Mindehall of Entertainment Weekly, in his review of the album, wrote, "when [T.I.] declares "I'm the King," you just about believe him."[14] Tom Breihan of the Baltimore City Paper stated that although "T.I.’s flow is more focused and confident than it was on his 2003 breakthrough, Trap Muzik [...] the new album feels like a thrown-together collection instead of a unified work."[13] Steve 'Flash' Juon of RapReviews stated that "If [T.I.] can stay clean and out of prison [...] there seems to be no limit to how far he can go."[16]

## Commercial performance

[edit]

Urban Legend debuted at number seven on the US Billboard 200 chart, selling 193,000 copies in its first week.[1] This became T.I.'s second US top-ten debut and first to top the latter.[1] The album also debuted at number one on the US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart.[1] On March 3, 2005, the album was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), for sales of over a million copies in the United States.[18]

## Track listing

[edit]

No.| Title| Writer(s)| Producer(s)| Length

|
|
|
|

1.| "Tha King"|

* C. Harris
* L. Smith
* J. Simmons
* D. McDaniels
* N. Loftin

| Nick "Fury" Loftin| 3:24
2.| "Motivation"|

* Harris
* A. Davis

| DJ Toomp| 3:34
3.| "U Don't Know Me"|

* Harris
* A. Davis

| DJ Toomp| 4:03
4.| "ASAP"|

* Harris
* M. Holmes

| Sanchez Holmes| 4:44
5.| "Prayin for Help"|

* Harris
* D. Wansel
* C. Biggs
* M. Holmes

| Sanchez Holmes| 4:22
6.| "Why U Mad at Me"|

* I. Hayes
* Harris
* K. Cates

| Kevin "Khao" Cates| 3:53
7.| "Get Loose" (featuring Nelly)|

* Harris
* T. Bell
* P. Alexander
* C. Haynes
* W. Hart

| Jazze Pha| 4:12
8.| "What They Do" (featuring B.G.)|

* Harris
* C. Lawson

| KLC| 3:48
9.| "The Greatest" (featuring Mannie Fresh)|

* B. Thomas
* Harris

| Mannie Fresh| 4:22
10.| "Get Ya Sh*t Together" (featuring Lil' Kim)|

* S. Storch
* Harris
* K. Jones

| Scott Storch| 4:05
11.| "Freak Though" (featuring Pharrell)|

* Harris
* P. Williams
* C. Hugo

| The Neptunes| 3:43
12.| "Countdown"|

* Harris
* L. Crump

| David Banner| 4:55
13.| "Bring Em Out"|

* S. Carter
* K. Dean
* Harris
* K. Gamble
* R.L. Chambers
* T.R. Bell

| Swizz Beatz| 3:36
14.| "Limelight" (featuring P$C)|

* K. Cates
* A. Lawal
* L. Sylvers
* N. Josey
* S. Merritt
* C. Thomas

| Khao| 5:03
15.| "Chillin with My B*tch" (featuring Jazze Pha)|

* Harris
* P. Alexander
* S. Storch

| Scott Storch| 3:56
16.| "Stand Up" (featuring Trick Daddy, Lil Wayne & Lil Jon)|

* D. Carter
* J. Smith
* Harris
* M. Young

| Lil Jon| 4:42
17.| "My Life" (featuring Daz Dillinger)|

* Harris
* D. Arnaud
* S. Jordon

| Daz Dillinger| 5:13

iTunes deluxe edition bonus tracks[19]No.| Title| Length

|
|

18.| "Drug Related"| 3:39
19.| "Hustlin' " (featuring Governor)| 3:21
20.| "Bring Em Out" (video)| 3:19
21.| "U Don't Know Me" (video)| 4:04
22.| "ASAP" (video) (edited version)| 4:17

## Samples

[edit]

"Tha King"

* "King Of Rock" and "Hit It Run" by Run-DMC

"Prayin for Help"

* "When I'm Gone" by The Jones Girls

"Why U Mad at Me"

* "Bumpy's Lament" by Isaac Hayes

Get Loose

* "Ready Or Not Here I Come (Can't Hide From Love)" by The Delfonics

"Bring Em Out"

* "What More Can I Say" by Jay-Z

"Limelight"

* "I'll Never Let You Go" by The Sylvers

## Personnel

[edit]

Credits for Urban Legend adapted from Allmusic.[20]

* Kori Anders - Mixing Assistant
* Big Kuntry King \- Performer
* Leslie Brathwaite - Engineer, Mixing
* Greg Gigendad Burke - Art Direction, Design
* Mike Caren - A&R, Engineer
* Chris Carmouche - Engineer, Mixing Assistant
* Kevin Cates - Producer
* Jeremiah Claudius - Assistant Tracking Engineer
* Andrew Coleman - Engineer
* Kevin Crouse - Mixing
* Lavell Crump - Producer
* Daz Dillinger \- Producer
* DJ Toomp \- Producer
* Mannie Fresh \- Producer
* Fury - Producer
* Brian "Big Bass" Gardener - Mastering
* Jason Geter - A&R, Assistant Engineer, Executive Producer
* Sanchez "RockHead" Holmes - Engineer, Producer
* Cameron Huff - Engineer
* Hannah Kang - A&R
* KLC \- Audio Production, Producer
* Lil Jon \- Audio Production, Producer
* James Lopez - Marketing

* Tony Love - Bass, Guitar
* Jonathan Mannion - Photography
* Josh McDonnell - Mixing Assistant
* Khary Menelik - Mixing Assistant
* The Neptunes \- Producer
* Zack Odom - Engineer
* Peaches - Stylist
* John Pirretti - Mixing Assistant
* P$C \- Performer
* Bryan Pugh - Mixing Assistant
* Ray Seay - Mixing
* Cyrus Shamir - Engineer
* Nico Solis - Mixing Assistant, Track Engineer
* Scott Storch \- Audio Production, Producer
* Storty B - Producer
* Supa Engineer - Mixing
* Swizz Beatz \- Audio Production, Producer
* T.I.P. \- Executive Producer
* Phil Tan - Mixing
* Tom Tapley - Assistant Engineer
* Chris Theis - Mixing
* Corey Williams - Engineer
* John Frye-Mixing Engineer

|

## Charts

[edit]

### Weekly charts

[edit]

| Chart (2004)  | Peak
position

|

Japanese Albums Chart[21] | 39
US Billboard 200[22] | 7
US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard)[22] | 1
US Top Rap Albums (Billboard)[22] | 1

### Year-end charts

[edit]

| Chart (2005)  | Peak
position

|

US Billboard 200[23] | 39
US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard)[24] | 10

## Certifications

[edit]

Region  | Certification | Certified units/sales

|
|

United States (RIAA)[25] | 2× Platinum  | 2,000,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b c d Hasty, Katie (April 5, 2006). "T.I. Rules As 'King' of Album Chart". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media. Archived from the original on August 17, 2016. Retrieved October 22, 2009.
2. ^ a b c d "Artist Chart History – T.I." on Billboard.com, Neilsen Business Media, Inc., 2008.
3. ^ Patel, Joseph (April 19, 2004). "T.I. Hasn't Been Hiding Out Lately — He's Been in Jail". MTV News. Archived from the original on May 3, 2004. Retrieved October 22, 2009.
4. ^ Patel, Joseph (April 21, 2004). "'Rubber Band Man' Rapper T.I. Gets Three Years in Prison". MTV News. Archived from the original on June 15, 2004. Retrieved October 22, 2009.
5. ^ Patel, Joseph (July 9, 2004). "T.I. Video Fallout Continues as Control of Jail Is Wrested from Sheriff". MTV News. Archived from the original on July 11, 2004. Retrieved October 22, 2009.
6. ^ "For the Record: Quick News on Justin Timberlake and Usher, T.I., Britney Spears, Paris Hilton, The Vines & More". MTV News. May 28, 2004. Archived from the original on June 24, 2004. Retrieved October 22, 2009.
7. ^ "T I - Urban Legend CD Album". Cduniverse.com. November 30, 2004. Retrieved March 13, 2012.
8. ^ Allmusic - T.I.Allmusic. Accessed on August 4, 2008
9. ^ a b c allmusic ((( T.I. > Charts & Awards > Billboard Singles )))
10. ^ 'U Don't Know Me' - Awards Archived April 27, 2018, at the Wayback MachineBillboard. Accessed October 21, 2008
11. ^ RIAA T.I. gold & platinum data Archived 2012-07-13 at archive.todayRIAA. Accessed October 11.
12. ^ a b Kellman, Andy. Review: Urban Legend. Allmusic. Retrieved on 2010-12-12.
13. ^ a b Breihan, Tom (December 29, 2004). "T.I. / Urban Legend | Record Review". Baltimore City Paper. Times-Shamrock Communications. Archived from the original on September 30, 2012. Retrieved August 19, 2011.
14. ^ a b Mindenhall, Chuck. Urban Legend Archived 2022-06-02 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved on 2022-06-02.
15. ^ Martinez, Rafael. Review: Urban Legend Archived September 11, 2016, at the Wayback Machine. Prefix Magazine. Retrieved on 2010-12-12.
16. ^ a b Juon, Steve. Review: Urban Legend Archived March 3, 2016, at the Wayback Machine. RapReviews. Retrieved on 2010-12-12.
17. ^ Rolling Stone, Rolling Stone. "Review: Urban Legend". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on May 2, 2009. Retrieved January 21, 2008.`{{cite magazine}}`: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link). Rolling Stone. Retrieved on 2010-12-12.
18. ^ "RIAA Certifications - T.I." Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved May 20, 2020.
19. ^ "Urban Legend (Deluxe Version) by T.I." iTunes. November 30, 2004. Archived from the original on December 20, 2009.
20. ^ Credits: Urban Legend. Allmusic. Retrieved on 2010-12-12.
21. ^ "Urban Legend – Oricon". Oricon (in Japanese). Archived from the original on October 26, 2013. Retrieved July 5, 2010.
22. ^ a b c "T.I. Album & Song Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved December 16, 2010.
23. ^ "Billboard 200 Year End 2005". Billboard. Archived from the original on October 1, 2016. Retrieved March 1, 2020.
24. ^ "Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums Year End 2005". Billboard. Archived from the original on April 20, 2019. Retrieved March 1, 2020.
25. ^ "American album certifications – T.I. – Urban Legend". Recording Industry Association of America.

## External links

[edit]

* Urban Legend at Discogs

* v
* t
* e

T.I.

* Discography
* Awards and nominations
* Videography

Studio albums|

* I'm Serious (2001)
* Trap Muzik (2003)
* Urban Legend (2004)
* King (2006)
* T.I. vs. T.I.P. (2007)
* Paper Trail (2008)
* No Mercy (2010)
* Trouble Man: Heavy Is the Head (2012)
* Paperwork (2014)
* Dime Trap (2018)
* The L.I.B.R.A. (2020)
* Kill the King (TBA)

Compilations|

* In da Streetz Vol. 4 (2006)
* G.D.O.D. (Get Dough or Die) (2013–14)
* Us or Else: Letter to the System (2016)
* We Want Smoke (2017)

EPs|

* Da' Nic (2015)
* Us or Else (2016)

Concert tours|

* Screamfest '07

Retail|

* A.K.O.O. Clothing

Television|

* T.I.'s Road to Redemption
* T.I. & Tiny: The Family Hustle
* T.I. & Tiny: Friends & Family Hustle
* The Grand Hustle
* Rhythm + Flow

Related articles|

* Grand Hustle Records
* PSC
* 25 to Life
* Bankroll Mafia
* Bankroll Mafia
* Tameka Cottle
* Kawan Prather

Authority control databases |

* MusicBrainz release group

|

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