Bittersweet (album)
Encyclopedia
Bittersweet is the second studio album
by American R&B
singer-songwriter Blu Cantrell
, released in the United States on June 24, 2003 by Arista Records
. It debuted at number thirty-seven on the U.S. Billboard 200
chart selling 29,000 units in its opening week and spawned the international hit single "Breathe
". The album did not share the domestic success of So Blu
, selling only 228,000 copies in the U.S. and remaining so far uncertified by the Recording Industry Association of America
. However, unlike Cantrell's debut album, Bittersweet managed to reach international markets, performing modestly in certain European nations.
European, Australian, and Japanese edition
Limited-edition bonus DVD
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 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...
singer-songwriter Blu Cantrell
Blu Cantrell
Blu Cantrell is an American R&B and soul singer-songwriter.-Biography:Tiffany Cobb was born in Providence, Rhode Island in 1976. Her father was a Narragansett Native American and Cape Verdean, and played in the National Basketball Association...
, released in the United States on June 24, 2003 by 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...
. It debuted at number thirty-seven on the U.S. 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 selling 29,000 units in its opening week and spawned the international hit single "Breathe
Breathe (Blu Cantrell song)
"Breathe" is a song by American recording artist Blu Cantrell from her second studio album, Bittersweet . A remixed version featuring Sean Paul was released as a single in 2003.-Song information:...
". The album did not share the domestic success of So Blu
So Blu
So Blu is the debut album by American R&B-soul singer-songwriter Blu Cantrell, released in the United States on July 31, 2001 by Arista Records. The album was primarily produced by Chris "Tricky" Stewart, with additional production from Dallas Austin, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, Jason Rome, Don...
, selling only 228,000 copies in the U.S. and remaining so far uncertified by the Recording Industry Association of America
Recording Industry Association of America
The Recording Industry Association of America is a trade organization that represents the recording industry distributors in the United States...
. However, unlike Cantrell's debut album, Bittersweet managed to reach international markets, performing modestly in certain European nations.
Track listing
- "I Love You" (Blu Cantrell, Kevin Briggs) – 3:48
- "Sleep in the Middle" (Shep Crawford) – 4:34
- "Unhappy" (Chris "Tricky" StewartChristopher Stewart (music producer)Christopher "Tricky" Stewart is an American songwriter, music producer, music publisher, executive producer, recording industry executive and recording studio owner. In a career spanning 16 years, Stewart, at the helm of his company RedZone Entertainment, is responsible for over 25 million...
, Ebony Burks, Tab) – 4:08 - "Impatient" (featuring Lil' KimLil' KimKimberly Denise Jones , better known by her stage name Lil' Kim, is an American rapper and actress who was a member of the group Junior M.A.F.I.A.....
and Fat JoeFat JoeJoseph Antonio Cartagena , better known by his stage name Fat Joe, is an American rapper, CEO of Terror Squad Entertainment, and member of musical groups D.I.T.C. and Terror Squad....
) (Larry Gates, Michelle Bell) – 5:01 - "BreatheBreathe (Blu Cantrell song)"Breathe" is a song by American recording artist Blu Cantrell from her second studio album, Bittersweet . A remixed version featuring Sean Paul was released as a single in 2003.-Song information:...
" (Rap Version featuring Sean PaulSean PaulSean Paul Ryan Francis Henriques , who performs under stage name Sean Paul, is a Jamaican pop rap and reggae singer.-1973–1996: Early life:...
) (Andrea MartinAndrea Martin (musician)Andrea Monica Martin is an American R&B singer, songwriter and producer.She is primarily known for writing hit songs for artists like Toni Braxton , Monica , Angie Stone , En Vogue , SWV , and Leona Lewis Andrea Monica Martin is an American R&B singer, songwriter and producer.She is primarily...
, Ivan Matias, Richard Bembery, Melvin BradfordMel-ManMelvin Breeden, better known as Mel-Man, is a producer from Norfolk, Virginia. He is the President/CEO of Big Cat Records.-Early life:...
, Stefan Harris, Alvin JoinerXzibitAlvin Nathaniel Joiner , better known by his stage name Xzibit , is an American rapper, actor, and television host. He is known as the host of the MTV show Pimp My Ride, which brought him mainstream success...
, Marshall MathersEminemMarshall 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...
, Charles AznavourCharles AznavourCharles Aznavour, OC is an Armenian-French singer, songwriter, actor, public activist and diplomat. Besides being one of France's most popular and enduring singers, he is also one of the best-known singers in the world...
) – 3:48- Contains excerpts from Dr. DreDr. DreAndre Romelle Young , primarily known by his stage name Dr. Dre, is an American record producer, rapper, record executive, entrepreneur, and occasional actor. He is the founder and current CEO of Aftermath Entertainment and a former co-owner and artist of Death Row Records...
's "What's the Difference" featuring Eminem and Xzibit (Richard Bembery, Melvin Bradford, Stefan Harris, Alvin Joiner, Marshall Mathers, Charles Aznavour)
- Contains excerpts from Dr. Dre
- "Risk It All" (Charmelle Cofield, Troy OliverTroy OliverTroy Oliver is a multi-instrumentalist, producer, and songwriter who presided over some of the most successful pop recordings of the late '90s and early 2000s. He wrote and produced "Jenny from the Block" and “I’m Real" with Jennifer Lopez, as well as “Differences” with Ginuwine...
) – 4:59 - "Don't Wanna Say Goodbye" (Carsten Schack, Kenneth KarlinSoulshock & KarlinSoulshock & 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"...
, Mischke Butler, Stevie WonderStevie WonderStevland Hardaway Morris , better known by his stage name Stevie Wonder, is an American singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, record producer and activist...
) – 4:01 - "Happily Ever After" (Eritza Laues, Kevin Veney, Loren Hill, Rich Shelton) – 3:49
- "Holding on to Love" (Cantrell, Stewart, Tab, Wirlie Morris) – 3:47
- "Let Her Go" (Cantrell, Stewart, Tab) – 3:25
- "Make Me Wanna ScreamMake Me Wanna Scream"Make Me Wanna Scream" is the second and final single from American R&B singer Blu Cantrell's second studio album, Bittersweet . The song features reggae artist Ian Lewis from the group Inner Circle...
" (featuring Ian Lewis of Inner Circle) (Rodney Richard, Cantrell, Kandi BurrussKandi BurrussKandi Burruss , better known by her stage names Kandi or Kandi Girl, is an American R&B singer-songwriter and record producer. She is also a former member of the group Xscape from Atlanta.-Early life:...
) – 3:28 - "No Place Like Home" (Mike CityMike CityMike City is an American singer-songwriter and record producer. Flowers is also the founder and CEO of Unsung Entertainment, Inc. He's currently working on his personal album titledMike City a.k.a...
) – 3:44
European, Australian, and Japanese edition
- "I Love You" – 3:48
- "Sleep in the Middle" – 4:34
- "Unhappy" – 4:08
- "Impatient" (featuring Lil' KimLil' KimKimberly Denise Jones , better known by her stage name Lil' Kim, is an American rapper and actress who was a member of the group Junior M.A.F.I.A.....
and Fat Joe) – 5:00 - "Breathe" (Rap Version featuring Sean Paul) – 3:48
- "Hit 'em Up Style (Oops!)Hit 'Em Up Style (Oops!)"Hit 'em Up Style " is the debut single by American R&B singer Blu Cantrell, written and produced by Dallas Austin and featured on Cantrell's debut album, So Blu . The lyrics propose that women should take revenge on cheating spouses by draining them of their available assets, both monetary assets...
" (Dallas AustinDallas AustinDallas 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...
) – 4:12 - "Risk It All" – 4:59
- "Don't Wanna Say Goodbye" – 4:01
- "All You Had to Say" (Cantrell, DiAndre Davis, Orenthal Harper, Tab) – 4:24
- "Happily Ever After" – 3:49
- "Holding on to Love" – 3:47
- "Swingin'" (Austin, James Wright, James Harris III, Terry LewisJimmy Jam and Terry LewisJames Samuel "Jimmy Jam" Harris III and Terry Steven Lewis are an American R&B and pop-music songwriting and record production team...
) – 3:59 - "Let Her Go" – 3:25
- "Round UpRound Up----"Round Up" is a song by American rapper Lady May, featuring American R&B singer Blu Cantrell. Released as a single in June 2002, the song was supposed to be the lead single from May's debut album, May Day, but the album has never been released. The single performed moderately in the U.S...
" (Lady MayLady MayLady May is an American rapper from New York City's suburbs.May was born in the 1980s and grew up listening to Elton John, Duran Duran and Michael Jackson...
featuring Blu Cantrell) (Jason Boyd, Kym HollandKwaméKwamé Holland is an American emcee who enjoyed brief popularity in the late-1980s and early-1990s. He is currently a music producer sometimes credited as K-1 Million or K1 Mil.-Biography:...
, Ron Lawrence, Rhonda Robinson, Arthur Smith) – 4:14 - "Make Me Wanna Scream" (featuring Ian Lewis of Inner Circle) – 3:28
- "No Place Like Home" – 3:44
Limited-edition bonus DVD
- Exclusive Tell-All Interview with Wendy Williams
- "Hit 'em Up Style (Oops!)" (Video)
- Behind-the-Scenes Footage
Charts
| Chart (2003) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australian Urban Albums Chart ARIA Charts The ARIA charts are the main Australian music sales charts, issued weekly by the Australian Recording Industry Association. The charts are a record of the highest selling singles and albums in various genres in Australia. ARIA commenced compiling its own charts in-house from the week ending 26 June... |
23 |
| Australian Hitseekers ARIA Charts The ARIA charts are the main Australian music sales charts, issued weekly by the Australian Recording Industry Association. The charts are a record of the highest selling singles and albums in various genres in Australia. ARIA commenced compiling its own charts in-house from the week ending 26 June... |
14 |
| Dutch Albums Chart MegaCharts MegaCharts is responsible for the composition and exploitation of a broad collection of official charts in the Netherlands, of which the Mega Top 50 and the Mega Album Top 100 are the most known ones. Mega Charts also provides information to the Stichting Nederlandse Top 40, of which the Dutch Top... |
71 |
| French Albums Chart Syndicat National de l'Edition Phonographique The Syndicat national de l'édition phonographique is the inter-professional organization which protects the interests of the French record industry... |
91 |
| Irish Albums Chart Irish Albums Chart The Irish Albums Chart is the Irish music industry standard albums popularity chart issued weekly by the Irish Recorded Music Association and compiled on its behalf by Chart-Track. Chart rankings are based on sales, which are compiled through over-the-counter retail data captured electronically... |
73 |
| Swiss Albums Chart Swiss Music Charts The Swiss Music Charts are Switzerland's main music sales charts. The charts are a record of the highest-selling singles and albums in various genres in Switzerland.The Swiss Charts include:* Singles Top 75... |
82 |
| UK Albums Chart UK Albums Chart The UK Albums Chart is a list of albums ranked by physical and digital sales in the United Kingdom. It is compiled every week by The Official Charts Company and broadcast on a Sunday on BBC Radio 1 , and published in Music Week magazine and on the OCC website .To qualify for the UK albums chart... |
20 |
| U.S. 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... |
37 |
| U.S. 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... |
8 |
Release history
| Country | Date | Label |
|---|---|---|
| United States | June 24, 2003 | Arista 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... |
| Germany | July 21, 2003 | BMG |
| Japan | July 23, 2003 | |
| United Kingdom | July 28, 2003 | Arista |