All Eyez on Me (Monica album)
Encyclopedia
All Eyez on Me is the third studio album
by American singer Monica. Named after its leading single
, the album was released by J Records
on October 21, 2002 (see 2002 in music
) in Japan
only, featuring production by Dallas Austin
, Bryan Michael Cox
, Jermaine Dupri
, Rodney Jerkins
, and Soulshock & Karlin
among others.
Its release was partially scrapped after its first single's failure and an early leak via the internet. The longplayer was then retooled as After the Storm in 2003, and the song "U Should've Known Better
" released as its fourth single in 2004.
, Monica eventually decided to return to the recording studio to prepare the release of her third album in fall 2001. Over the course of the sessions Clive Davis
, who had taken the singer with him from his former label, Arista Records
, to his latest venture, J Records
, emerged as Monica's new mentor, replacing producer Dallas Austin
, while longtime contributor Jermaine Dupri
served as the album's executive producer
.
Monica primarily focused on working with her usual stable of producers, which also included Austin, production team Soulshock & Karlin, Bryan Michael Cox
, and Rodney Jerkins
and his Darkchild crew. Though she "had never thought about writing much" by then, her producers encouraged the singer to intensify her work on the album and to write and contribute own lyrics and ideas to the songs. "I didn't have one concept in mind: I just thought about the situations and that they might be worth sharing." In the end Monica came up with nine songs for her third album, which she declared as "quite serious" because of its more adult subject-matter and moreover called her "'coming of age' record" with the view to "establish the kind of fans who will be with me for the next ten years and more ..."
Although the album was tentatively titled I'm Back and Monica at one time or another, the longplayer was eventually named after the album's lead single, "All Eyez on Me
."
and commercial release in Europe
. The set was initially scheduled for release in July and then pushed back to September, August, and November, but by the time it was being scheduled for American release , All Eyez on Me was widely available through Internet file-sharing services and bootleg outlets. As a result, the album was pulled from stores days after the release and Monica's label asked her to substantially reconstruct the record with a host of new producers.
Though "Ain't Gonna Cry No More" was considered to be released as a single at times, the album yielded two singles only: The album's lead single, "All Eyez on Me
", was a moderate success in the United States
where it barely made it to the top 70 of the Billboard Hot 100 chart and peaked at number 24 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs
chart, but it entered the top 30 in New Zealand
, and the top 40 in Australia
. The second single, "Too Hood", featuring Jermaine Dupri
, received a limited vinyl release only since J Records denied to produce a music video
for the song. It, however, was included on a limited edition bonus CD with re-worked After the Storm in 2003. It was also featured on the soundtrack for the EA Sports basketball game NBA Live 2003
, released in October 2002.
Studio album
A studio album is an album made up of tracks recorded in the controlled environment of a recording studio. A studio album contains newly written and recorded or previously unreleased or remixed material, distinguishing itself from a compilation or reissue album of previously recorded material, or...
by American singer Monica. Named after its leading single
All Eyez on Me (song)
"All Eyez on Me" is a dance-pop song written by American R&B singer Monica, Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins and LaShawn Daniels for her original third studio album, All Eyez on Me . It was produced by Jerkins, incorporating excerpts of Michael Jackson's 1983 hit "P.Y.T...
, the album was released by J Records
J Records
J Records was an American record label, owned and operated by Sony Music Entertainment, and was distributed through the RCA Music Group.-Company history:...
on October 21, 2002 (see 2002 in music
2002 in music
This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 2002.-Events:*February 3 – U2 perform during the halftime show for Super Bowl XXXVI...
) in Japan
Japan
Japan 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...
only, featuring production by Dallas Austin
Dallas Austin
Dallas Austin is an American songwriter, record producer, and musician, based in Atlanta, Georgia. Some of his most notable clients include Michael Jackson, TLC, Boyz II Men, Pink, Monica, Madonna, Gwen Stefani, Stacie Orrico, Another Bad Creation, Fishbone, Sugababes, Anastacia, Namie Amuro, Kim...
, Bryan Michael Cox
Bryan Michael Cox
Bryan-Michael Cox is a GRAMMY award winning American songwriter and record producer.-History:Bryan-Michael Cox was born in Miami and grew up in Houston, where he attended the High School for the Performing and Visual Arts. While in the eleventh grade he met and was mentored by Greg Curtis...
, Jermaine Dupri
Jermaine Dupri
Jermaine Dupri Mauldin , known as Jermaine Dupri or JD, is an American record producer, songwriter and rapper.- Early life and career :...
, Rodney Jerkins
Rodney Jerkins
Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins is an American songwriter, record producer, and musician. Jerkins received two Grammy nominations in 2011.-Biography:...
, and Soulshock & Karlin
Soulshock & Karlin
Soulshock & Karlin is a duo of Danish record producers and songwriters, Carsten Schack and Kenneth Karlin. They have produced a large number of successful songs, including Monica's "Before You Walk out of My Life", Whitney Houston's "Heartbreak Hotel", JoJo's "Leave ", and Fantasia's "Truth Is"...
among others.
Its release was partially scrapped after its first single's failure and an early leak via the internet. The longplayer was then retooled as After the Storm in 2003, and the song "U Should've Known Better
U Should've Known Better
"U Should've Known Better" is a song by American R&B singer Monica. It was written by Monica, Jermaine Dupri and Harold Lilly and produced by Dupri for her original third studio album, All Eyez on Me , featuring additional production by Bryan Michael Cox...
" released as its fourth single in 2004.
Production and title
After dealing with more personal tribulations between the years 2000 and 2001, including the suicide of boyfriend Jarvis "Knot" Weems, an up-and-down relationship with former fiancé Corey "C-Murder" Miller, and a minor heart conditionHeart disease
Heart disease, cardiac disease or cardiopathy is an umbrella term for a variety of diseases affecting the heart. , it is the leading cause of death in the United States, England, Canada and Wales, accounting for 25.4% of the total deaths in the United States.-Types:-Coronary heart disease:Coronary...
, Monica eventually decided to return to the recording studio to prepare the release of her third album in fall 2001. Over the course of the sessions Clive Davis
Clive Davis
Clive Davis is an American record producer and music industry executive. He has won five Grammy Awards and is a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a non-performer. From 1967 to 1973 he was the President of Columbia Records. He was the founder and president of Arista Records from 1975...
, who had taken the singer with him from his former label, Arista Records
Arista Records
Arista was an American record label. It was a wholly owned subsidiary of Sony Music Entertainment and operated under the RCA Music Group. The label was founded in 1974 by Clive Davis, who formerly worked for CBS Records...
, to his latest venture, J Records
J Records
J Records was an American record label, owned and operated by Sony Music Entertainment, and was distributed through the RCA Music Group.-Company history:...
, emerged as Monica's new mentor, replacing producer Dallas Austin
Dallas Austin
Dallas Austin is an American songwriter, record producer, and musician, based in Atlanta, Georgia. Some of his most notable clients include Michael Jackson, TLC, Boyz II Men, Pink, Monica, Madonna, Gwen Stefani, Stacie Orrico, Another Bad Creation, Fishbone, Sugababes, Anastacia, Namie Amuro, Kim...
, while longtime contributor Jermaine Dupri
Jermaine Dupri
Jermaine Dupri Mauldin , known as Jermaine Dupri or JD, is an American record producer, songwriter and rapper.- Early life and career :...
served as the album's executive producer
Executive producer
An 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...
.
Monica primarily focused on working with her usual stable of producers, which also included Austin, production team Soulshock & Karlin, Bryan Michael Cox
Bryan Michael Cox
Bryan-Michael Cox is a GRAMMY award winning American songwriter and record producer.-History:Bryan-Michael Cox was born in Miami and grew up in Houston, where he attended the High School for the Performing and Visual Arts. While in the eleventh grade he met and was mentored by Greg Curtis...
, and Rodney Jerkins
Rodney Jerkins
Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins is an American songwriter, record producer, and musician. Jerkins received two Grammy nominations in 2011.-Biography:...
and his Darkchild crew. Though she "had never thought about writing much" by then, her producers encouraged the singer to intensify her work on the album and to write and contribute own lyrics and ideas to the songs. "I didn't have one concept in mind: I just thought about the situations and that they might be worth sharing." In the end Monica came up with nine songs for her third album, which she declared as "quite serious" because of its more adult subject-matter and moreover called her "'coming of age' record" with the view to "establish the kind of fans who will be with me for the next ten years and more ..."
Although the album was tentatively titled I'm Back and Monica at one time or another, the longplayer was eventually named after the album's lead single, "All Eyez on Me
All Eyez on Me (song)
"All Eyez on Me" is a dance-pop song written by American R&B singer Monica, Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins and LaShawn Daniels for her original third studio album, All Eyez on Me . It was produced by Jerkins, incorporating excerpts of Michael Jackson's 1983 hit "P.Y.T...
."
Partial delay
The album received a limited release in JapanJapan
Japan 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...
and commercial release in 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...
. The set was initially scheduled for release in July and then pushed back to September, August, and November, but by the time it was being scheduled for American release , All Eyez on Me was widely available through Internet file-sharing services and bootleg outlets. As a result, the album was pulled from stores days after the release and Monica's label asked her to substantially reconstruct the record with a host of new producers.
Though "Ain't Gonna Cry No More" was considered to be released as a single at times, the album yielded two singles only: The album's lead single, "All Eyez on Me
All Eyez on Me (song)
"All Eyez on Me" is a dance-pop song written by American R&B singer Monica, Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins and LaShawn Daniels for her original third studio album, All Eyez on Me . It was produced by Jerkins, incorporating excerpts of Michael Jackson's 1983 hit "P.Y.T...
", was a moderate success in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
where it barely made it to the top 70 of the Billboard Hot 100 chart and peaked at number 24 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs
Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs
Hot 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, but it entered the top 30 in New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
, and the top 40 in Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
. The second single, "Too Hood", featuring Jermaine Dupri
Jermaine Dupri
Jermaine Dupri Mauldin , known as Jermaine Dupri or JD, is an American record producer, songwriter and rapper.- Early life and career :...
, received a limited vinyl release only since J Records denied to produce a music video
Music video
A music video or song video is a short film integrating a song and imagery, produced for promotional or artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a marketing device intended to promote the sale of music recordings...
for the song. It, however, was included on a limited edition bonus CD with re-worked After the Storm in 2003. It was also featured on the soundtrack for the EA Sports basketball game NBA Live 2003
NBA Live 2003
NBA Live 2003 was the 2003 installment of the NBA Live video games series. The cover features Jason Kidd of the New Jersey Nets. The game was developed by EA Sports and released on October 7, 2002. The game included a soundtrack...
, released in October 2002.
Track listing
Some songs appear with different titles then the re-tooled release, "After the Storm".Samples
- "I'm Back" contains a sample of Herb AlpertHerb AlpertHerbert "Herb" Alpert is an American musician most associated with the group variously known as Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass, Herb Alpert's Tijuana Brass, or TJB. He is also a recording industry executive — he is the "A" of A&M Records...
' 1979 "RiseRise (Herb Alpert song)"Rise" is a song written by Andy Armer and Randy "Badazz" Alpert, and first recorded by trumpeter Herb Alpert. The instrumental track was included on Alpert's solo album Rise and released as a single in 1979. It reached number one on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 in October of that year and remained...
". - "All Eyez on Me" contains a sample of Michael JacksonMichael JacksonMichael Joseph Jackson was an American recording artist, entertainer, and businessman. Referred to as the King of Pop, or by his initials MJ, Jackson is recognized as the most successful entertainer of all time by Guinness World Records...
' 1983 "P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)"P.Y.T. " is a song by American recording artist Michael Jackson. The original demo version of the song was written by Jackson and Greg Phillinganes. It is the sixth single from Jackson's sixth solo album, Thriller . Quincy Jones passed on the song itself but liked the title and, with James Ingram,...
". - "I Wrote This Song" contains a sample of Shuggie OtisShuggie OtisShuggie Otis is an American singer-songwriter, recording artist, and multi-instrumentalist....
' 1970 "Aht Uh Mi Hed". - "U Dserve" contains a sample of TupacTupacTupac is a relatively uncommon male name. Notable people with the name include:*Túpac Inca Yupanqui , tenth Sapa Inca of the Incan Empire*Túpac Amaru , last indigenous leader of the Inca people in Peru...
' 1996 "Hail Mary". - "If U Were the Girl" contains a sample of C-Murder' 1998 "Down 4 My Niggas".
Musicians
- Montez Arnold - keyboardsKeyboard instrumentA keyboard instrument is a musical instrument which is played using a musical keyboard. The most common of these is the piano. Other widely used keyboard instruments include organs of various types as well as other mechanical, electromechanical and electronic instruments...
- Shamora Crawford - backing vocalsBacking vocalistA backing vocalist or backing singer is a singer who provides vocal harmony with the lead vocalist or other backing vocalists...
- DJ Mars - programming
- Eric Jackson - 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...
- Marc Kelly - bassBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
- New Birth Praise Team - backing vocalsBacking vocalistA backing vocalist or backing singer is a singer who provides vocal harmony with the lead vocalist or other backing vocalists...
- Tommy Martin - guitar
- William Odum - guitar
Production
- Vocal producer: LaShawn DanielsLaShawn DanielsLaShawn Ameen Daniels is an American songwriter, best known for his work with longtime colleague Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins. Daniels has written several of the Darkchild Team's hit songs, among them "The Boy Is Mine" by Brandy & Monica, "Say My Name" and "Lose My Breath" by Destiny's Child, "You...
, Harold Lilly, Rodney Jerkins - Engineers: Ralph Cacciurri, Doug Harms, Tim Lauber, Carlton Lynn, Bill Malina
- 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...
: Kevin Davis, Rodney Jerkins, Manny Marroquin, Carsten "Soulshock" Shack, Dexter Simmons, Phil Tan - Mixing assistance: John Horesco IV
- MasteringAudio masteringMastering, a form of audio post-production, is the process of preparing and transferring recorded audio from a source containing the final mix to a data storage device ; the source from which all copies will be produced...
: Tony Dawsey - 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 :...
: Larry Jackson, Keith Naftaly - Album coordinator: Melinda Dancil
- Art direction: Alexis Yraola
- Photography: Joshua Jordan
- Photos shoot production: Chris LeBeau
Charts
- These are the peak positions from chart providers.
| Chart (2002) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Swiss Albums Chart | 88 |