Brass Knuckles (album)
Encyclopedia
Brass Knuckles is the fifth studio album
by American recording artist Nelly
, released on September 16, 2008 after several delays.
produced tracks for the upcoming album. On March 30, Nelly told HipHopDX.com that "the album would feature a handful of new producers." Nelly was unable to collaborate with Springsteen but he is still hopeful to collaborate with him on a future album, or even a repackage of Brass Knuckles. Dupri gave a look into the two collaborations, one being Nelly, Carey and Jackson all appearing on the same track, in which he stated Nelly has laid the following blueprint.
Jermaine Dupri
also stated possibilities of hopeful collaborations with Bruce Springsteen
, Mariah Carey
and Janet Jackson
. Nelly went on to speak about the possibility of the Springsteen collaboration and that two of his own tracks will appear on the album.
and Sean P of YoungBloodZ
, but was later confirmed to be "Wadsyaname
", which was released digitally on August 21, 2007. However, because of the pushed release dates from October 16, 2007 and on, the first official single was changed to "Party People
", which features Fergie. It was released on March 18, 2008 and peaked at number forty on the US Billboard Hot 100
and number fourteen on the UK Singles Chart
. The album's second single "Stepped on My J'z
", which features Ciara
and Jermaine Dupri
was released on June 11, 2008. It peaked at number ninety on the US Billboard Hot 100. "Body on Me
", which features Akon
and Ashanti, was released as the third single from the album on June 9, 2008. It peaked at number forty-two on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number three on the UK Singles Chart. The album's fourth single "One and Only", was released on November 18, 2008, but it failed to chart on the US Billboard Hot 100, a remix of the song did peak at number one on the Japan Hot 100.
, selling 83,717 copies in its first week in the United States. The album dropped off the Billboard 200' eight weeks later, but in early March 21, 2009 it re-appeared at number one hundred fifty-two. On December 12, 2008, it was certified Gold by the RIAA for shipping over 500,000 copies. As of September 2010, the album has sold over 223,000 copies in the United States.
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 recording artist Nelly
Nelly
Cornell Iral Haynes, Jr. , better known by his stage name Nelly, is an Grammy Award winning American rapper and actor. He has performed with the rap group St. Lunatics since 1993 and signed to Universal Records in 1999. Under Universal, Nelly began his solo career in 2000 with his debut album...
, released on September 16, 2008 after several delays.
Background
Production will come from Bryan-Michael Cox, Neff-U and Pharrell, among others. Nelly mentioned in an interview that producer Polow da DonPolow Da Don
Polow-Freache Jamal Fincher Jones , better known by known by professional name Polow da Don or Awesome Jones, is an American record producer, songwriter, rapper, and singer. His cousin is Atlanta singer Monica. He has produced for a variety of artists including Usher, Nelly, Christina Aguilera, T.I...
produced tracks for the upcoming album. On March 30, Nelly told HipHopDX.com that "the album would feature a handful of new producers." Nelly was unable to collaborate with Springsteen but he is still hopeful to collaborate with him on a future album, or even a repackage of Brass Knuckles. Dupri gave a look into the two collaborations, one being Nelly, Carey and Jackson all appearing on the same track, in which he stated Nelly has laid the following blueprint.
Nelly's got a crazy collaboration he's trying to put together, which is him, Janet and Mariah Carey all on one song...That's what he wants. If he could convince them to do it, it would be crazy. [He] wants [Janet] to rap a 16-bar verse, he wants [Mariah] to sing the hook and he's gonna do two verses. [He] has it all planned out. You ask him about it! This is what he wants; he's 100-percent deadlocked into it.
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 :...
also stated possibilities of hopeful collaborations with Bruce Springsteen
Bruce Springsteen
Bruce Frederick Joseph Springsteen , nicknamed "The Boss," is an American singer-songwriter who records and tours with the E Street Band...
, Mariah Carey
Mariah Carey
Mariah Carey is an American singer-songwriter, record producer, and actress. She made her recording debut with the release of her eponymous studio album in 1990, under the guidance of Columbia Records executive Tommy Mottola, whom she later married in 1993...
and 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...
. Nelly went on to speak about the possibility of the Springsteen collaboration and that two of his own tracks will appear on the album.
I think he's doing a record with Bruce Springsteen. You know he always has to do one of those! My two records [that J.D. has produced for Nelly so far], he's gonna have some people on them—I won't tell it yet. I don't want to jinx the record.
Singles
The first single was believed to be "Cut It Out" which features rappers Pimp CPimp C
Chad Lamont Butler , better known by his stage name Pimp C, was an American rapper, singer, and producer...
and Sean P of YoungBloodZ
YoungBloodZ
YoungBloodZ are an American Southern rap duo from Atlanta, Georgia, comprising members J-Bo and Sean P YoungBloodZ are an American Southern rap duo from Atlanta, Georgia, comprising members J-Bo (born Jeffrey Ray Grigsby on October 4, 1977) and Sean P YoungBloodZ are an American Southern rap duo...
, but was later confirmed to be "Wadsyaname
Wadsyaname
"Wadsyaname" was supposed to be the first official single from Nelly's fifth studio album, Brass Knuckles but Nelly later confirmed that the single will not make the album It was replaced by Party People...
", which was released digitally on August 21, 2007. However, because of the pushed release dates from October 16, 2007 and on, the first official single was changed to "Party People
Party People (Nelly song)
"Party People" is a song by American rapper Nelly, featuring American pop singer-songwriter Fergie. It is the first single recorded for Nelly's fifth studio album, Brass Knuckles, and also appears on the deluxe edition of Fergie's debut album, The Glam Dutchess Deluxe Edition...
", which features Fergie. It was released on March 18, 2008 and peaked at number forty on the US Billboard Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The 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...
and number fourteen on the UK Singles Chart
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
. The album's second single "Stepped on My J'z
Stepped on My J'z
"Stepped on My J'z" is a song by American rapper Nelly. The song features American singer Ciara and rapper Jermaine Dupri. It was recorded for Nelly's fifth studio album, Brass Knuckles. The track was produced by Jermaine Dupri, and was released as the second single from the album, but the music...
", which features Ciara
Ciara
Ciara Princess Harris , known mononymously as Ciara, is an American singer-songwriter, dancer, actress and fashion model. Born in Austin, Texas, she traveled around the world during her childhood, only to land in Atlanta, Georgia where she met music producer, Jazze Pha...
and 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 :...
was released on June 11, 2008. It peaked at number ninety on the US Billboard Hot 100. "Body on Me
Body on Me
"Body on Me" is a song by rapper Nelly and singer Ashanti featuring singer/producer Akon. It was recorded for Ashanti's fourth album The Declaration and Nelly's fifth studio album Brass Knuckles. The track is produced by Akon and Giorgio Tuinfort...
", which features Akon
Akon
Aliaune Damala Badara Thiam, better known as simply Akon , is a Senegalese American R&B recording artist and songwriter.According to Forbes, Akon grossed $21 million in 2010, $20 million in 2009 and $12 million in 2008. He rose to prominence in 2004 following the release of "Locked Up", the first...
and Ashanti, was released as the third single from the album on June 9, 2008. It peaked at number forty-two on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number three on the UK Singles Chart. The album's fourth single "One and Only", was released on November 18, 2008, but it failed to chart on the US Billboard Hot 100, a remix of the song did peak at number one on the Japan Hot 100.
Commercial performance
Brass Knuckles debuted at number three on the US 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...
, selling 83,717 copies in its first week in the United States. The album dropped off the Billboard 200' eight weeks later, but in early March 21, 2009 it re-appeared at number one hundred fifty-two. On December 12, 2008, it was certified Gold by the RIAA for shipping over 500,000 copies. As of September 2010, the album has sold over 223,000 copies in the United States.
Critical reception
Reviews for the album have been generally mixed. Pharoh Martin of Vibe stated that "Brass Knuckles is standard Nelly fare." RapReviews wrote that "underneath the materialistic veneer Nelly's got a good delivery, sharp lyrics and impeccable breath control."Track listing
Charts
| Chart (2008) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australian ARIA 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... |
15 |
| Canadian Albums Chart Canadian Albums Chart The Canadian Albums Chart is the official album sales chart in Canada. It is compiled every Wednesday by U.S.-based music sales tracking company Nielsen Soundscan, and published every Thursday by Jam! Canoe and Billboard, along with its sister charts the Canadian Singles Chart and the Canadian BDS... |
22 |
| 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... |
88 |
| 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... |
60 |
| New Zealand Albums Chart Recording Industry Association of New Zealand The Recording Industry Association of New Zealand is a non-profit trade association of record producers, distributors and recording artists who sell music in New Zealand... |
22 |
| 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... |
55 |
| 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 |
| 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... |
3 |
| US 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... |
2 |
| US Top Rap Albums Top Rap Albums Top Rap Albums is a record chart published by Billboard magazine that ranks Rap and hip-hop albums based on sales compiled by Nielsen SoundScan. The chart began publication for the week of November 13, 2004.... |
1 |