Fantasy Ride
Encyclopedia
Fantasy Ride is the third studio album
by American R&B
singer Ciara
. It was released on May 3, 2009 in the UK by RCA Records
and May 5 in the United States on LaFace Records
. The album combines R&B
and hip hop
sound from her previous albums along with a new pop
and dance
direction.
The album received generally mixed to positive reviews from most music critics. In the US Chart
it debut and peaked at number 3. Internationally, the album charted in the top 10 in the UK & Ireland, and the top twenty in Switzerland and Belgium amongst others.
The album has so far spawened three commercial singles, the US R&B top ten "Never Ever
" with Young Jeezy, worldwide hit "Love Sex Magic
" with Justin Timberlake and "Work
" with Missy Elliott which only reached top 60 on international charts. It also spawned one US-radio single "Like A Surgeon
", a compilation album titled Fantasy Ride: The Mini Collection, a MTV VMA Nomination
and one grammy nomination at the 52nd Grammy Awards
(2010).
, and The-Dream
. In an interview from a concert, Ciara stated that she worked on two tracks with Justin Timberlake
and his production team The Y's
which will appear on the album. Spike Stent was involved in mixing tracks for the album which Ciara recorded at Chalice Studios.
magazine initially reported that the album be released across three discs each representing a different theme and featuring stylistically similar songs. Danja executively produced the Crunktown and Kingdom of Dance cuts while the Groove City offerings were overseen by Tricky Stewart and Jasper Cameron
. The Groove City recordings were intended to remind fans of the Evolution
era. The first single "Never Ever
" (featuring Young Jeezy
) falls under this theme and is similar to previous single "Promise
". Crunktown tracks are remincent of single "Goodies
" and the trademark genre that Ciara is associated with. "High Price" (featuring Ludacris
) was the original lead single and an example of what Ciara had created under the crunk theme. The final recordings where up-tempo pop-tinged, house
, and freestyle
cuts under the theme Kingdom of Dance which can be heard on the album's second single "Love Sex Magic
" (featuring Justin Timberlake
).
However in April during an interview the editor of Vibe magazine Ciara confirmed that along with changing management she had dropped the three disc idea. The editor previewed six of the songs recorded for the album. Music retailers such as Amazon
, Target
and HMV
went on to list a single-disc standard edition and 2-disc deluxe edition (with DVD) of the album confirming that the album would no longer feature three discs.
" music video.
DC Comics
artist Bernard Chang
helped Ciara create the character for the album artwork. Ciara said she worked on the artwork about nine months to a year. On April 5, her official website posted the new album covers (purple Super C for the standard edition, red Super C for the deluxe edition). Speaking on the images, Ciara stated, "Super C" is my super hero name. It's who I am. It's the inner strength and drive that enables me to overcome any obstacles and who I have to be in order to accomplish my dreams and survive in this tough world." Her official website confirmed that in North America the album will feature the super hero covers whereas international markets will receive the human cover featuring Ciara on a faded white background.
's Six Flags Over Georgia
amusement park
, with her parents and fans in attendance. For the day, the roller coaster
Goliath
was renamed Fantasy Ride. Ciara also met fans and signed autographs. She also released a promo single for the album, titled "Go Girl
", which featured T-Pain
on September 30, 2008. Ciara made her first stage appearance performing at Media WildJam '08, where she previewed a few unreleased tracks from the upcoming album, as well as performed past hits. Performances included new songs "I'm On", "Go Girl", "Ciara To The Stage", and "High Price". For a limited period of time UK and European customers at Foot Locker
were given the chance to download an exclusive remix of "Go Girl" and had the opportunity to win a meeting with Ciara in person. Ciara announced that she would release a Fantasy Ride mixtape in anticipation for the album. However only two tracks were made available, "Slow Down", featuring rapper 50 Cent
and a cover of "Diva
" by Beyoncé
On Monday, February 23, 2009, Ciara made an appearance on BET
's 106 & Park
. There, she promoted the album, the new singles, and answered selected online fan questions. Ciara spoke about the controversy surrounding the track "Turntables" featuring Chris Brown, saying that it will be on the album, but that it might sound different in a good way. On Tuesday, February 24, 2009, Ciara was a special guest on Snoop Dogg
's MTV show, "Dogg After Dark" although she did not formerly promote the album. Ciara confirmed on April 2, 2009 that she has many promotions coming up for the album including performances live in the UK and US including appearing on Good Morning America
and Jimmy Kimmel Live!. On April 25, 2009 during the UK promotions, Ciara performed "Love Sex Magic", "Never Ever", "Goodies
" and "1 2 Step" at London
's G-A-Y
nightclub .
Ciara appeared on BET's "106 & Park" on May 6, 2009 where she formally promoted her album, displayed some of her album artwork and co-hosted . On May 9, 2009, during an edition of Saturday Night Live
hosted by Justin Timberlake
and Jessica Beil, Ciara performed a special rendition of "Love Sex Magic" (featuring a James Brown
interlude) with Timberlake and later appeared solo to perform "Never Ever". During the week of the albums release, Ciara promoted the album on numerous shows, including Good Morning America
and Ellen
.
Ciara was the support act for Britney Spears
for the eight London concerts of The Circus Starring Britney Spears tour in support of Fantasy Ride. The shows took place in June 2009 at the city's prestigious The O2 (London)
. On August 14, 2009 Jive Records
released a press release about the then upcoming second-leg of the Circus Tour which revealed that fellow label mate Jordin Sparks
was replacing Ciara as the opening act along with newcomer Kristinia DeBarge
. In September 2009 it was revealed that Ciara had been in the studio recording her next album with Tricky Stewart and The-Dream
during time which she would have been on tour.
Jay-Z & Ciara Live
It was later confirmed that Ciara will be going on a 6-date tour in support of Fantasy Ride, titled Jay-Z & Ciara Live
with Jay-Z
during the summer. Six tour-dates were announced on Ciara's official website, so far. The tour began on July 2, and had two dates in Las Vegas
, at the "The Pearl & The Palms". Ciara's setlist included old hits like "Goodies
" and "Like a Boy
", and other hits including "Love Sex Magic
" and "Never Ever
".
World Tour
She would later go to announce plans for her own world tour at towards the middle or end of 2009 in support of the album. However with the production of the fourth album
underway from Summer 2009, rumors were put to rest.
, Fantasy Ride received a score of 61 out of 100, indicating "generally favorable reviews".
BBC Music
states: "When listing great pop stars of the 2000s, it's more than likely that Ciara will be unfairly forgotten. It's just as exciting to hear the slow jams as the club tracks, thanks to the detailed and often strange sounding backing tracks. She uses her silky vocals on softer tracks such as the Ne-Yo produced "I Don't Remember" or the delicate "Never Ever" to great effect. Only "Like a Surgeon" with its somewhat bizarre sex/hospital metaphors may leave you at a loss for words. Overall it is a record that manages to make you dance as much as retreat to the bedroom, Fantasy Ride is an album which could take Ciara to the much deserved next level. BBC Music Fantasy Ride Review. Slant Magazine
also gave the album a positive review ending the review by calling the album "Ciara
's smoothest ride ever".
The Guardian
said "despite the usual collaborators, it is Ciara's presence that is stamped firmly on the album. Evidence that she is an under-rated balladeer comes in the form of "Keep Dancin' on Me", a shimmering slow jam, and the morning-after existential haze of "I Don't Remember", but a terpsichorean swagger remains at the heart of Ciara's world. Few artists go as hard as she does on her club jams, whether inviting the world to 'kiss my swag' over kinetic freestyle beats on "Pucker Up", combining outraged soprano braggadocio with thunderous crunk baselines on the broiling "High Price" or gliding smoothly through the delectable, sun-kissed "Echo". At her best, her pace is furious, and keeping up is exhilarating" (4 out of 5 stars). Digital Spy
commented that "Fantasy Ride features much the same cast of producers as countless other R&B albums from the last couple of years, but these A-list knob-twiddlers rarely try anything risky or inventive here. However, this isn't to say that Fantasy Ride is a bad album. It actually offers a consistently sexy listen with enough minor triumphs - "Love Sex Magic", "Turntables" and the electro-scuzzy "Pucker Up" - to hold your attention. Ciara, meanwhile, is on a seductive form throughout. Ciara's Fantasy Ride deserves the benefit of the doubt" (overall 3 out of 5 stars).
on May 10, 2009, becoming Ciara's first top ten album there. The album also made it to number two on the UK R&B Albums Chart
. "Turntables" (featuring Chris Brown) charted in the UK at number 80 on the UK singles chart
for just one week, it then dropped out. The song has received much airplay on UK radio station BBC Radio 1Xtra
.
On May 14, 2009, the album debuted at number 3 on the US Billboard 200
, with sales of 81,000. This made it Ciara's third consecutive album to debut within the top three on that chart, making her only the fourth female artist to do so during this decade. The following week the album remained in the top ten, selling 26,000 copies. Although the song "Go Girl
" was initially planned to be released as the first worldwide single, after a disappointing chart performance, it eventually received just a promotional release. The song charted in the US at number 78 on the Billboard Hot 100
, 26 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs
chart and 88 on the Billboard Pop 100
. "Ciara to the Stage" charted at number 4 on the US Bubbling Under Hot 100 during the week the album was released. Ciara also obtained her first top ten album in Canada where the album peaked at number two resulting in the song "I'm On", a deluxe edition track, to chart on the Canadian Hot 100
at number 79. , the album has sold 195,000 copies in the US failing to match the success of previous albums Goodies (2.7 Million copies) and Ciara: The Evolution
(1.3 Million copies).
Despite the album's failure to chart in Japan, the song "Go Girl" reached number 1 on Billboard Japan's Hot 100 chart, even with its limited promotional release.
Additionally, the album reached top 10 in Argentina, and Ireland, where it debuted at number 9 and 10 respectively. Ciara also obtained her highest peak in Belgium, France, and Switzerland. As a whole the album peaked at number 20 in Europe. It debuted at number 69 in Italy.
DVD with exclusive video content.
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 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...
. It was released on May 3, 2009 in the UK by RCA Records
RCA Records
RCA Records is one of the flagship labels of Sony Music Entertainment. The RCA initials stand for Radio Corporation of America , which was the parent corporation from 1929 to 1985 and a partner from 1985 to 1986.RCA's Canadian unit is Sony's oldest label...
and May 5 in the United States on LaFace Records
LaFace Records
LaFace Records is an American record label, owned and operated by Sony Music Entertainment.-Company history:LaFace was formed in 1989 as a joint venture between the producing duo Antonio "L.A." Reid & Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds, and Arista Records. The combined nicknames of the duo's successful...
. The album combines 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...
and hip hop
Hip hop music
Hip hop music, also called hip-hop, rap music or hip-hop music, is a musical genre consisting of a stylized rhythmic music that commonly accompanies rapping, a rhythmic and rhyming speech that is chanted...
sound from her previous albums along with a new pop
Pop music
Pop music is usually understood to be commercially recorded music, often oriented toward a youth market, usually consisting of relatively short, simple songs utilizing technological innovations to produce new variations on existing themes.- Definitions :David Hatch and Stephen Millward define pop...
and dance
Dance music
Dance music is music composed specifically to facilitate or accompany dancing. It can be either a whole musical piece or part of a larger musical arrangement...
direction.
The album received generally mixed to positive reviews from most music critics. In the US Chart
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...
it debut and peaked at number 3. Internationally, the album charted in the top 10 in the UK & Ireland, and the top twenty in Switzerland and Belgium amongst others.
The album has so far spawened three commercial singles, the US R&B top ten "Never Ever
Never Ever (Ciara song)
"Never Ever" is a song performed by R&B singer Ciara. It is the first official single from her third studio album, Fantasy Ride. The song features rapper Young Jeezy, was produced by Polow da Don, and was co-written by Ciara and Elvis “BlacElvis” Williams, who both produced and co-wrote Ciara's...
" with Young Jeezy, worldwide hit "Love Sex Magic
Love Sex Magic
"Love Sex Magic" is a song performed by American recording artist Ciara, taken from her third studio album, Fantasy Ride. Featuring fellow American recording artist Justin Timberlake, the song was written by Timberlake and his production team The Y's, as well as Ciara and Mike Elizondo. The Y's and...
" with Justin Timberlake and "Work
Work (Ciara song)
"Work" is a song performed by American recording artist Ciara, from her third studio album, Fantasy Ride . It was co-written by Ciara, Nate "Danja" Hills, Marcella Araica and Missy Elliott and produced by Danja with additional production by Araica. The song was released on July 24, 2009, by LaFace...
" with Missy Elliott which only reached top 60 on international charts. It also spawned one US-radio single "Like A Surgeon
Like a Surgeon (Ciara song)
"Like a Surgeon" is a song by American recording artist Ciara, taken from her third studio album, Fantasy Ride. The dark and aggressive mid-tempo R&B song written by The-Dream and co-written/produced by Tricky Stewart. It was sent to radio as the album's third single, exclusively in the United...
", a compilation album titled Fantasy Ride: The Mini Collection, a MTV VMA Nomination
MTV Video Music Awards
An MTV Video Music Award , is an award presented by the cable channel MTV to honor the best in music videos...
and one grammy nomination at the 52nd Grammy Awards
52nd Grammy Awards
The 52nd Annual Grammy Awards took place on January 31, 2010, at Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. Neil Young was honored as the 2010 MusiCares Person of the Year on January 29, two days prior to the Grammy telecast. Only ten of the 109 awards were received during the broadcast...
(2010).
Background and production
At the start of 2008, Ciara began working on her third album. She became executive producer of the album, with LaFace Records A&R coordinator Mark Pitts. The first recording sessions saw her working with producers Tricky Stewart, Danja, Jasper CameronJasper Cameron
Jasper Cameron is an American songwriter/producer from Atlanta, Georgia. He is currently signed to Universal Music Publishing Group. He started producing his own music while in a R&B group in high school. He was soon signed to a deal with Dallas Austin Darp recordings through Joyce Irby, who at the...
, and The-Dream
The-Dream
Terius Youngdell Nash , better known by his stage name The-Dream, is an American singer-songwriter and record producer. He is known for co-writing "Umbrella" for Rihanna and "Single Ladies " for Beyoncé, as well as for his three solo albums, Love Hate, Love vs...
. In an interview from a concert, Ciara stated that she worked on two tracks with Justin Timberlake
Justin Timberlake
Justin Randall Timberlake is an American pop musician and actor. He achieved early fame when he appeared as a contestant on Star Search, and went on to star in the Disney Channel television series The New Mickey Mouse Club, where he met future bandmate JC Chasez...
and his production team The Y's
The Y's
The Y's is a R&B/pop production group consisting of Justin Timberlake, James Fauntleroy, and Rob Knox In 2008 Rob Knox and James Fauntleroy ended their associations with production group The Underdogs to start new production group The Y's together with Justin Timberlake.The production group...
which will appear on the album. Spike Stent was involved in mixing tracks for the album which Ciara recorded at Chalice Studios.
Themes and concept
Ciara stated in 2008 that she wanted her third album "to take fans on a musical journey". BillboardBillboard (magazine)
Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis...
magazine initially reported that the album be released across three discs each representing a different theme and featuring stylistically similar songs. Danja executively produced the Crunktown and Kingdom of Dance cuts while the Groove City offerings were overseen by Tricky Stewart and Jasper Cameron
Jasper Cameron
Jasper Cameron is an American songwriter/producer from Atlanta, Georgia. He is currently signed to Universal Music Publishing Group. He started producing his own music while in a R&B group in high school. He was soon signed to a deal with Dallas Austin Darp recordings through Joyce Irby, who at the...
. The Groove City recordings were intended to remind fans of the Evolution
Ciara: The Evolution
Ciara: The Evolution is the second studio album by American recording artist Ciara. It was released on December 5, 2006, by LaFace Records. The album is separated into five sections, with each showcasing a different side of Ciara's artistry...
era. The first single "Never Ever
Never Ever
"Never Ever" is a song by All Saints, released as the second single from their debut album, All Saints. It became a very successful worldwide hit and was the first of five #1 singles in the UK for the group. . The single was released in the United States on July 7, 1998, with a new music video. It...
" (featuring Young Jeezy
Young Jeezy
Jay Wayne Jenkins , better known by his stage name Young Jeezy, is an American rapper. He is the member of the hip hop group United Streets Dopeboyz of America and a former member of BMF...
) falls under this theme and is similar to previous single "Promise
Promise (Ciara song)
"Promise" is a R&B song recorded by American singer-songwriter Ciara. Written by Ciara, Jasper Cameron, Jamal Jones, and Elvis Williams, it is the official lead single and second release in the North America from Ciara's second studio album, Ciara: The Evolution...
". Crunktown tracks are remincent of single "Goodies
Goodies (song)
"Goodies" is the debut single by American recording artist Ciara. Written by herself, Sean Garrett, LeMarquis Jefferson, and Craig Love, the song is produced by Lil Jon and features label-mate Petey Pablo. It was released worldwide from June 2004 as the lead single from her debut album of the same...
" and the trademark genre that Ciara is associated with. "High Price" (featuring Ludacris
Ludacris
Christopher Brian Bridges , better known by his stage name Ludacris, is an American rapper and actor. Along with his manager, Chaka Zulu, Ludacris is the co-founder of Disturbing tha Peace, an imprint distributed by Def Jam Recordings...
) was the original lead single and an example of what Ciara had created under the crunk theme. The final recordings where up-tempo pop-tinged, house
House music
House music is a genre of electronic dance music that originated in Chicago, Illinois, United States in the early 1980s. It was initially popularized in mid-1980s discothèques catering to the African-American, Latino American, and gay communities; first in Chicago circa 1984, then in other...
, and freestyle
Freestyle music
Freestyle or Latin freestyle, sometimes referred to as Latin hip hop, is a form of electronic dance music that emerged in the early 1980s. Mostly popular during the mid 80s to the early 90s...
cuts under the theme Kingdom of Dance which can be heard on the album's second single "Love Sex Magic
Love Sex Magic
"Love Sex Magic" is a song performed by American recording artist Ciara, taken from her third studio album, Fantasy Ride. Featuring fellow American recording artist Justin Timberlake, the song was written by Timberlake and his production team The Y's, as well as Ciara and Mike Elizondo. The Y's and...
" (featuring Justin Timberlake
Justin Timberlake
Justin Randall Timberlake is an American pop musician and actor. He achieved early fame when he appeared as a contestant on Star Search, and went on to star in the Disney Channel television series The New Mickey Mouse Club, where he met future bandmate JC Chasez...
).
However in April during an interview the editor of Vibe magazine Ciara confirmed that along with changing management she had dropped the three disc idea. The editor previewed six of the songs recorded for the album. Music retailers such as Amazon
Amazon.com
Amazon.com, Inc. is a multinational electronic commerce company headquartered in Seattle, Washington, United States. It is the world's largest online retailer. Amazon has separate websites for the following countries: United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Japan, and...
, Target
Target Corporation
Target Corporation, doing business as Target, is an American retailing company headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota. It is the second-largest discount retailer in the United States, behind Walmart. The company is ranked at number 33 on the Fortune 500 and is a component of the Standard & Poor's...
and HMV
HMV
His Master's Voice is a trademark in the music business, and for many years was the name of a large record label. The name was coined in 1899 as the title of a painting of the dog Nipper listening to a wind-up gramophone...
went on to list a single-disc standard edition and 2-disc deluxe edition (with DVD) of the album confirming that the album would no longer feature three discs.
Super C
Fantasy Ride also introduces Ciara's comic book character, "Super C". Ciara said that Super C is her "inner strength and aggressive persona". The Super C character is set to become a major factor in Fantasy Ride promotion. She is a futuristic, superhero-esque Ciara, loosely based on the robotic character Ciara portrayed in the "Go GirlGo Girl (Ciara song)
"Go Girl" is a song co-written and performed by American R&B singer Ciara. The song was released as the lead single, for her third studio album Fantasy Ride, however it was only included on the Japan version of the album...
" music video.
DC Comics
DC Comics
DC Comics, Inc. is one of the largest and most successful companies operating in the market for American comic books and related media. It is the publishing unit of DC Entertainment a company of Warner Bros. Entertainment, which itself is owned by Time Warner...
artist Bernard Chang
Bernard Chang
Bernard Chang is an Asian American artist/designer best known for his work in the comic book industry and entertainment design.-Career:...
helped Ciara create the character for the album artwork. Ciara said she worked on the artwork about nine months to a year. On April 5, her official website posted the new album covers (purple Super C for the standard edition, red Super C for the deluxe edition). Speaking on the images, Ciara stated, "Super C" is my super hero name. It's who I am. It's the inner strength and drive that enables me to overcome any obstacles and who I have to be in order to accomplish my dreams and survive in this tough world." Her official website confirmed that in North America the album will feature the super hero covers whereas international markets will receive the human cover featuring Ciara on a faded white background.
Promotion
In September 2008, Ciara promoted the forthcoming release of the album at AustellAustell, Georgia
Austell is a city in Cobb County in the U.S. state of Georgia. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 6,581.-History:Austell used to be known as Salt Springs, and was frequented by hunters who would trap and hunt game on their way to the salt licks. Some enterprising hunters claimed...
's Six Flags Over Georgia
Six Flags Over Georgia
Six Flags Over Georgia is a theme park located west of Atlanta, in unincorporated Cobb County. Opened in 1967, it is the second park in the Six Flags chain, after the original opening in 1961 in Texas....
amusement park
Amusement park
thumb|Cinderella Castle in [[Magic Kingdom]], [[Disney World]]Amusement and theme parks are terms for a group of entertainment attractions and rides and other events in a location for the enjoyment of large numbers of people...
, with her parents and fans in attendance. For the day, the roller coaster
Roller coaster
The roller coaster is a popular amusement ride developed for amusement parks and modern theme parks. LaMarcus Adna Thompson patented the first coasters on January 20, 1885...
Goliath
Goliath (Six Flags Over Georgia)
Goliath is a hyper coaster at Six Flags Over Georgia. Designed by Bolliger & Mabillard and opened in April 2006, Goliath reaches a height of , and a top speed of . Its of track is spread out over an site...
was renamed Fantasy Ride. Ciara also met fans and signed autographs. She also released a promo single for the album, titled "Go Girl
Go Girl (Ciara song)
"Go Girl" is a song co-written and performed by American R&B singer Ciara. The song was released as the lead single, for her third studio album Fantasy Ride, however it was only included on the Japan version of the album...
", which featured T-Pain
T-Pain
Faheem Rasheed Najm , better known by his stage name T-Pain, is an American singer-songwriter, rapper, record producer, and actor, currently signed to Young Money Entertainment. His debut album, Rappa Ternt Sanga, was released in 2005. In 2007, T-Pain released his second studio album Epiphany,...
on September 30, 2008. Ciara made her first stage appearance performing at Media WildJam '08, where she previewed a few unreleased tracks from the upcoming album, as well as performed past hits. Performances included new songs "I'm On", "Go Girl", "Ciara To The Stage", and "High Price". For a limited period of time UK and European customers at Foot Locker
Foot Locker
Foot Locker, Inc. is an American sportswear and footwear retailer, with its headquarters in Midtown Manhattan, New York City, and operating in approximately 20 countries worldwide. Formerly known as Venator Group, Inc., it is the successor corporation to the F.W. Woolworth Company , and many of...
were given the chance to download an exclusive remix of "Go Girl" and had the opportunity to win a meeting with Ciara in person. Ciara announced that she would release a Fantasy Ride mixtape in anticipation for the album. However only two tracks were made available, "Slow Down", featuring rapper 50 Cent
50 Cent
Curtis James Jackson III , better known by his stage name 50 Cent, is an American rapper, entrepreneur, investor, record producer, and actor. He rose to fame with the release of his albums Get Rich or Die Tryin and The Massacre . Get Rich or Die Tryin has been certified eight times platinum by...
and a cover of "Diva
Diva (Beyoncé Knowles song)
"Diva" is a song by American R&B singer Beyoncé Knowles. The song was written and produced by Shondrae "Bangladesh" Crawford, Sean Garrett, and Knowles for her third studio album, I Am... Sasha Fierce . It was released as the album's third overall single in the United States alongside the third...
" by Beyoncé
Beyoncé Knowles
Beyoncé Giselle Knowles , often known simply as Beyoncé, is an American singer, songwriter, record producer, and actress. Born and raised in Houston, Texas, she enrolled in various performing arts schools and was first exposed to singing and dancing competitions as a child...
On Monday, February 23, 2009, Ciara made an appearance on BET
Bet
Bet or BET may refer to:* A wager in gambling* Basic Economics Test * Bet , the second letter in many Semitic alphabets, including Aramaic, Hebrew, Phoenician and Syriac* Brunauer-Emmett-Teller isotherm. See BET_theory...
's 106 & Park
106 & Park
106 & Park is a Top Ten Hip-Hop and R&B music video show, set up in a countdown format, that airs weekdays at 6:00 PM on BET . Since its inception, it was the network's #1 rated show...
. There, she promoted the album, the new singles, and answered selected online fan questions. Ciara spoke about the controversy surrounding the track "Turntables" featuring Chris Brown, saying that it will be on the album, but that it might sound different in a good way. On Tuesday, February 24, 2009, Ciara was a special guest on Snoop Dogg
Snoop Dogg
Calvin Cordozar Broadus, Jr. , better known by his stage name Snoop Dogg, is an American rapper, record producer, and actor. Snoop is best known as a rapper in the West Coast hip hop scene, and for being one of Dr. Dre's most notable protégés. Snoop Dogg was a Crip gang member while in high school...
's MTV show, "Dogg After Dark" although she did not formerly promote the album. Ciara confirmed on April 2, 2009 that she has many promotions coming up for the album including performances live in the UK and US including appearing on Good Morning America
Good Morning America
Good Morning America is an American morning news and talk show that is broadcast on the ABC television network; it debuted on November 3, 1975. The weekday program airs for two hours; a third hour aired between 2007 and 2008 exclusively on ABC News Now...
and Jimmy Kimmel Live!. On April 25, 2009 during the UK promotions, Ciara performed "Love Sex Magic", "Never Ever", "Goodies
Goodies (song)
"Goodies" is the debut single by American recording artist Ciara. Written by herself, Sean Garrett, LeMarquis Jefferson, and Craig Love, the song is produced by Lil Jon and features label-mate Petey Pablo. It was released worldwide from June 2004 as the lead single from her debut album of the same...
" and "1 2 Step" at London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
's G-A-Y
G-A-Y
G-A-Y is a gay nightclub in London. It operated from the London Astoria music venue for 15 years until July 2008. The Boston Globe described it as "London's largest gay-themed club night", NME reported that it "attracts 6,000 clubbers each week", and The Independent described it as "the one London...
nightclub .
Ciara appeared on BET's "106 & Park" on May 6, 2009 where she formally promoted her album, displayed some of her album artwork and co-hosted . On May 9, 2009, during an edition of Saturday Night Live
Saturday Night Live
Saturday Night Live is a live American late-night television sketch comedy and variety show developed by Lorne Michaels and Dick Ebersol. The show premiered on NBC on October 11, 1975, under the original title of NBC's Saturday Night.The show's sketches often parody contemporary American culture...
hosted by Justin Timberlake
Justin Timberlake
Justin Randall Timberlake is an American pop musician and actor. He achieved early fame when he appeared as a contestant on Star Search, and went on to star in the Disney Channel television series The New Mickey Mouse Club, where he met future bandmate JC Chasez...
and Jessica Beil, Ciara performed a special rendition of "Love Sex Magic" (featuring a James Brown
James Brown
James 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...
interlude) with Timberlake and later appeared solo to perform "Never Ever". During the week of the albums release, Ciara promoted the album on numerous shows, including Good Morning America
Good Morning America
Good Morning America is an American morning news and talk show that is broadcast on the ABC television network; it debuted on November 3, 1975. The weekday program airs for two hours; a third hour aired between 2007 and 2008 exclusively on ABC News Now...
and Ellen
Ellen (TV series)
Ellen is a U.S. television sitcom that ran on the ABC network from March 29, 1994 to July 22, 1998, producing 109 episodes.The theme song, "So Called Friend" is by Scottish band Texas...
.
Supporting tours
The Circus Starring Britney SpearsCiara was the support act for Britney Spears
Britney Spears
Britney Jean Spears is an American recording artist and entertainer. Born in McComb, Mississippi, and raised in Kentwood, Louisiana, Spears began performing as a child, landing acting roles in stage productions and television shows. She signed with Jive Records in 1997 and released her debut album...
for the eight London concerts of The Circus Starring Britney Spears tour in support of Fantasy Ride. The shows took place in June 2009 at the city's prestigious The O2 (London)
The O2 (London)
The O2, visually typeset in branding as The O2, is a large entertainment district on the Greenwich peninsula in South East London, England, including an indoor arena, a music club, a Cineworld cinema, an exhibition space, piazzas, bars and restaurants...
. On August 14, 2009 Jive Records
Jive Records
Jive Records was a record label based in New York City, operating under RCA Music Group. Jive was primarily known for a string of successes with hip hop artists in the 1980s, and in teen pop and boy bands in the late 1990s. The word "jive" was inspired by Township Jive, a form of South African...
released a press release about the then upcoming second-leg of the Circus Tour which revealed that fellow label mate Jordin Sparks
Jordin Sparks
Jordin Brianna Sparks is an American pop / R&B singer-songwriter and actress. She hails from Glendale, Arizona who rose to fame as the winner of the sixth season of American Idol. Sparks won when she was 17 years old, making her the youngest winner in Idol history...
was replacing Ciara as the opening act along with newcomer Kristinia DeBarge
Kristinia DeBarge
Kristinia DeBarge is an American singer-songwriter. She first appeared on national television in 2003 as a contestant on the American Idol spin-off, American Juniors. In 2009, DeBarge signed a contract with the Island Records department Sodapop, releasing her debut album Exposed in July of the...
. In September 2009 it was revealed that Ciara had been in the studio recording her next album with Tricky Stewart and The-Dream
The-Dream
Terius Youngdell Nash , better known by his stage name The-Dream, is an American singer-songwriter and record producer. He is known for co-writing "Umbrella" for Rihanna and "Single Ladies " for Beyoncé, as well as for his three solo albums, Love Hate, Love vs...
during time which she would have been on tour.
Jay-Z & Ciara Live
It was later confirmed that Ciara will be going on a 6-date tour in support of Fantasy Ride, titled Jay-Z & Ciara Live
Jay-Z & Ciara Live
Jay-Z & Ciara Live , was a 2009 summer concert tour headlined by rapper Jay-Z and R&B singer Ciara. The tour was in support of both artists' new albums, The Blueprint 3 and Fantasy Ride. The six city United States tour took place from July 2 to July 12, 2009...
with Jay-Z
Jay-Z
Shawn Corey Carter , better known by his stage name Jay-Z, is an American rapper, record producer, entrepreneur, and occasional actor. He is one of the most financially successful hip hop artists and entrepreneurs in America, having a net worth of over $450 million as of 2010...
during the summer. Six tour-dates were announced on Ciara's official website, so far. The tour began on July 2, and had two dates in Las Vegas
Las Vegas metropolitan area
The Las Vegas Valley is the heart of the Las Vegas-Paradise, NV MSA also known as the Las Vegas–Paradise–Henderson MSA which includes all of Clark County, Nevada, and is a metropolitan area in the southern part of the U.S. state of Nevada. The Valley is defined by the Las Vegas Valley landform, a ...
, at the "The Pearl & The Palms". Ciara's setlist included old hits like "Goodies
Goodies (song)
"Goodies" is the debut single by American recording artist Ciara. Written by herself, Sean Garrett, LeMarquis Jefferson, and Craig Love, the song is produced by Lil Jon and features label-mate Petey Pablo. It was released worldwide from June 2004 as the lead single from her debut album of the same...
" and "Like a Boy
Like a Boy
"Like a Boy" is a song performed by American singer Ciara for her second album Ciara: The Evolution . Written by Ciara, Candice Nelson, Balewa Muhammad, J. Que, Ezekiel Lewis, and Calvin Kenon, it is the third release in the U.S...
", and other hits including "Love Sex Magic
Love Sex Magic
"Love Sex Magic" is a song performed by American recording artist Ciara, taken from her third studio album, Fantasy Ride. Featuring fellow American recording artist Justin Timberlake, the song was written by Timberlake and his production team The Y's, as well as Ciara and Mike Elizondo. The Y's and...
" and "Never Ever
Never Ever (Ciara song)
"Never Ever" is a song performed by R&B singer Ciara. It is the first official single from her third studio album, Fantasy Ride. The song features rapper Young Jeezy, was produced by Polow da Don, and was co-written by Ciara and Elvis “BlacElvis” Williams, who both produced and co-wrote Ciara's...
".
World Tour
She would later go to announce plans for her own world tour at towards the middle or end of 2009 in support of the album. However with the production of the fourth album
Basic Instinct (album)
Basic Instinct is the fourth studio album by American recording artist Ciara, released from December 10, 2010 by LaFace Records . Executively produced by A&R agent Mark Pitts, Ciara, Tricky Stewart and The-Dream, Basic Instinct returnes Ciara to her urban roots with mid-tempo R&B cuts and...
underway from Summer 2009, rumors were put to rest.
Reception
Fantasy Ride has received mixed to positive reviews from most critics. On MetacriticMetacritic
Metacritic.com is a website that collates reviews of music albums, games, movies, TV shows and DVDs. For each product, a numerical score from each review is obtained and the total is averaged. An excerpt of each review is provided along with a hyperlink to the source. Three colour codes of Green,...
, Fantasy Ride received a score of 61 out of 100, indicating "generally favorable reviews".
BBC Music
BBC Music
BBC Music is a team working in the department of Audio and Music Interactive at the BBC. Responsible for the BBC Music website - the portal site to music content across the BBC website....
states: "When listing great pop stars of the 2000s, it's more than likely that Ciara will be unfairly forgotten. It's just as exciting to hear the slow jams as the club tracks, thanks to the detailed and often strange sounding backing tracks. She uses her silky vocals on softer tracks such as the Ne-Yo produced "I Don't Remember" or the delicate "Never Ever" to great effect. Only "Like a Surgeon" with its somewhat bizarre sex/hospital metaphors may leave you at a loss for words. Overall it is a record that manages to make you dance as much as retreat to the bedroom, Fantasy Ride is an album which could take Ciara to the much deserved next level. BBC Music Fantasy Ride Review. Slant Magazine
Slant Magazine
Slant Magazine is an online publication that features reviews of movies, music, TV, DVDs, theater, and video games, as well as interviews with actors, directors, and musicians. The site covers various film festivals like the New York Film Festival.- History :...
also gave the album a positive review ending the review by calling the album "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...
's smoothest ride ever".
The Guardian
The Guardian
The Guardian, formerly known as The Manchester Guardian , is a British national daily newspaper in the Berliner format...
said "despite the usual collaborators, it is Ciara's presence that is stamped firmly on the album. Evidence that she is an under-rated balladeer comes in the form of "Keep Dancin' on Me", a shimmering slow jam, and the morning-after existential haze of "I Don't Remember", but a terpsichorean swagger remains at the heart of Ciara's world. Few artists go as hard as she does on her club jams, whether inviting the world to 'kiss my swag' over kinetic freestyle beats on "Pucker Up", combining outraged soprano braggadocio with thunderous crunk baselines on the broiling "High Price" or gliding smoothly through the delectable, sun-kissed "Echo". At her best, her pace is furious, and keeping up is exhilarating" (4 out of 5 stars). Digital Spy
Digital Spy
Digital Spy is a British entertainment and media news website. According to Alexa Internet traffic statistics, as of February 2011, Digital Spy is the 93rd most popular website in the United Kingdom, with an overall Alexa ranking of 2,088....
commented that "Fantasy Ride features much the same cast of producers as countless other R&B albums from the last couple of years, but these A-list knob-twiddlers rarely try anything risky or inventive here. However, this isn't to say that Fantasy Ride is a bad album. It actually offers a consistently sexy listen with enough minor triumphs - "Love Sex Magic", "Turntables" and the electro-scuzzy "Pucker Up" - to hold your attention. Ciara, meanwhile, is on a seductive form throughout. Ciara's Fantasy Ride deserves the benefit of the doubt" (overall 3 out of 5 stars).
Commercial
The album made its first appearance at number 9 on the UK Albums ChartUK 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...
on May 10, 2009, becoming Ciara's first top ten album there. The album also made it to number two on the UK R&B Albums Chart
UK R&B Chart
The Official UK R&B Chart is a forty-position R&B/Hip-Hop chart compiled by The Official UK Charts Company. Although the chart does not receive any airplay, its compilation is viewed on BBC Radio 1's website and publications such as ChartsPlus and Music Week...
. "Turntables" (featuring Chris Brown) charted in the UK at number 80 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 ...
for just one week, it then dropped out. The song has received much airplay on UK radio station BBC Radio 1Xtra
BBC Radio 1Xtra
BBC Radio 1Xtra is a digital radio station in the United Kingdom from the BBC specialising in new black music, sometimes referred to as urban music. Launched at 18:00 on 16 August 2002, it had been codenamed Network X during the consulation period and is the sister station to BBC Radio 1...
.
On May 14, 2009, the album debuted at number 3 on the 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...
, with sales of 81,000. This made it Ciara's third consecutive album to debut within the top three on that chart, making her only the fourth female artist to do so during this decade. The following week the album remained in the top ten, selling 26,000 copies. Although the song "Go Girl
Go Girl (Ciara song)
"Go Girl" is a song co-written and performed by American R&B singer Ciara. The song was released as the lead single, for her third studio album Fantasy Ride, however it was only included on the Japan version of the album...
" was initially planned to be released as the first worldwide single, after a disappointing chart performance, it eventually received just a promotional release. The song charted in the US at number 78 on the 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...
, 26 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 and 88 on the Billboard Pop 100
Pop 100
The Pop 100 was a songs chart that debuted in February 2005 and was released weekly by Billboard magazine in the United States until its discontinuation in 2009...
. "Ciara to the Stage" charted at number 4 on the US Bubbling Under Hot 100 during the week the album was released. Ciara also obtained her first top ten album in Canada where the album peaked at number two resulting in the song "I'm On", a deluxe edition track, to chart on the Canadian Hot 100
Canadian Hot 100
The Canadian Hot 100 is a music singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine which ranks songs in Canada. The chart debuted in the Billboard issue dated June 16, 2007 and was made available for the first time via their online services on June 7, 2007...
at number 79. , the album has sold 195,000 copies in the US failing to match the success of previous albums Goodies (2.7 Million copies) and Ciara: The Evolution
Ciara: The Evolution
Ciara: The Evolution is the second studio album by American recording artist Ciara. It was released on December 5, 2006, by LaFace Records. The album is separated into five sections, with each showcasing a different side of Ciara's artistry...
(1.3 Million copies).
Despite the album's failure to chart in Japan, the song "Go Girl" reached number 1 on Billboard Japan's Hot 100 chart, even with its limited promotional release.
Additionally, the album reached top 10 in Argentina, and Ireland, where it debuted at number 9 and 10 respectively. Ciara also obtained her highest peak in Belgium, France, and Switzerland. As a whole the album peaked at number 20 in Europe. It debuted at number 69 in Italy.
Singles
- "Go GirlGo Girl (Ciara song)"Go Girl" is a song co-written and performed by American R&B singer Ciara. The song was released as the lead single, for her third studio album Fantasy Ride, however it was only included on the Japan version of the album...
", which features T-PainT-PainFaheem Rasheed Najm , better known by his stage name T-Pain, is an American singer-songwriter, rapper, record producer, and actor, currently signed to Young Money Entertainment. His debut album, Rappa Ternt Sanga, was released in 2005. In 2007, T-Pain released his second studio album Epiphany,...
, was released as the album's lead singleLead singleA lead single is usually the first single released by a musician or a band before the release of its home album.During the era of the grammophone record, all music arrived in the marketplace as what is now termed a single, one potential hit song backed by an additional song of generally less...
. However, it was only included on the album version in Japan. The single reached number seventy-eight in the United States, and charted on the US R&B chart at number twenty-six and on the US Pop chart at number eighty-eight. It achieved the most success in Japan, where it reached number four. A music video was made for this song and released in October 2008
- "Never EverNever Ever (Ciara song)"Never Ever" is a song performed by R&B singer Ciara. It is the first official single from her third studio album, Fantasy Ride. The song features rapper Young Jeezy, was produced by Polow da Don, and was co-written by Ciara and Elvis “BlacElvis” Williams, who both produced and co-wrote Ciara's...
", which features Young JeezyYoung JeezyJay Wayne Jenkins , better known by his stage name Young Jeezy, is an American rapper. He is the member of the hip hop group United Streets Dopeboyz of America and a former member of BMF...
, was released as the second single in the United States on January 19, 2009, and reached number sixty-six on the Hot 100, but garnered more success on the R&B Charts reaching number nine, becoming her eleventh top ten hit on that chart. Despite, not officially being released internationally, due to strong digital sales, it was able to chart in some countries, including Sweden and Russia, where it reached the top forty and top fifty, respectively.
- "Love Sex MagicLove Sex Magic"Love Sex Magic" is a song performed by American recording artist Ciara, taken from her third studio album, Fantasy Ride. Featuring fellow American recording artist Justin Timberlake, the song was written by Timberlake and his production team The Y's, as well as Ciara and Mike Elizondo. The Y's and...
", which features Justin TimberlakeJustin TimberlakeJustin Randall Timberlake is an American pop musician and actor. He achieved early fame when he appeared as a contestant on Star Search, and went on to star in the Disney Channel television series The New Mickey Mouse Club, where he met future bandmate JC Chasez...
, was released as the second US and first international single on March 3, 2009, and reached number ten in the United States, becoming Ciara's eight top ten single there. It became her biggest international hit to date reaching the top ten in over twenty countries, including India, Turkey, and Taiwan, where it reached number one. The song is nominated at the 52nd Grammy Awards52nd Grammy AwardsThe 52nd Annual Grammy Awards took place on January 31, 2010, at Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. Neil Young was honored as the 2010 MusiCares Person of the Year on January 29, two days prior to the Grammy telecast. Only ten of the 109 awards were received during the broadcast...
for "Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals".
- "Like a SurgeonLike a Surgeon (Ciara song)"Like a Surgeon" is a song by American recording artist Ciara, taken from her third studio album, Fantasy Ride. The dark and aggressive mid-tempo R&B song written by The-Dream and co-written/produced by Tricky Stewart. It was sent to radio as the album's third single, exclusively in the United...
" was released to US urban radio as the third US single on June 15, 2009. It peaked at number fifty-nine on the US R&B chart.
- "WorkWork (Ciara song)"Work" is a song performed by American recording artist Ciara, from her third studio album, Fantasy Ride . It was co-written by Ciara, Nate "Danja" Hills, Marcella Araica and Missy Elliott and produced by Danja with additional production by Araica. The song was released on July 24, 2009, by LaFace...
", which features Missy ElliottMissy ElliottMelissa Arnette "Missy" Elliott , is an American rapper, singer-songwriter, record producer, and actressA five-time Grammy Award winner, Elliott, with record sales of over seven million in the United States, is the only female rapper to have five albums certified platinum by the RIAA, including one...
, was released as the second international single on June 23, 2009, and reached the top forty in Ireland and top fifty in Sweden.
Other songs
- "Ciara to the Stage" charted on the US Bubbling Under Hot 100Bubbling Under Hot 100 SinglesThe Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles is a chart published weekly by Billboard magazine in the United States. It lists the top 25 singles below number 100 that have not yet charted on the Billboard Hot 100. Sometimes, however, singles halt their progress on this chart, and never appear on the Hot 100...
at number four the week following the albums release.
- "Turntables", which features Chris Brown, charted at number eighty in the United Kingdom, due to strong digital sales. The song uses a sample from the HindiHindiStandard Hindi, or more precisely Modern Standard Hindi, also known as Manak Hindi , High Hindi, Nagari Hindi, and Literary Hindi, is a standardized and sanskritized register of the Hindustani language derived from the Khariboli dialect of Delhi...
song "Kehna Hi Kya", from A. R. RahmanA. R. RahmanAllah Rakha Rahman is an Indian composer, singer-songwriter, record producer, musician, and philanthropist. Described as the world's most prominent and prolific film composer by Time, his works are notable for integrating eastern classical music with electronic music sounds, world music genres and...
's soundtrack to the 1995 film BombayBombay (film)Bombay is a critically acclaimed and national award-winning 1995 Tamil film directed by Mani Ratnam, starring Arvind Swamy and Manisha Koirala, with music composed by A. R. Rahman...
.
- "I'm On", a deluxe edition bonus track, charted in Canada at number seventy-nine, due to strong digital sales.
Track listing
Deluxe edition
Deluxe Edition DVDDVD with exclusive video content.
- i. Behind-The-Scenes Footage: Photoshoot, Rehearsals, Recording Studio
- ii. The Making of: Go Girl, Never Ever, Love Sex Magic
- ii. Music Videos: Go Girl, Never Ever, Love Sex Magic
Fantasy Ride: The Mini Collection – EP
Personnel
- Marcella "Ms. Lago" Araica – 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...
, additional production - Chris Athens – 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...
- Jim BeanzJim BeanzJames David Washington, better known under his stage name Jim Beanz, is an American vocal producer, songwriter, musician, singer and record producer from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, now working out of Philadelphia, signed to Timbaland Productions and Sunset Entertainment Group...
– vocal arrangement - Benjamin "Benny BlancoBenny BlancoBenjamin Levin , better known as Benny Blanco, is an American songwriter and producer from Reston, Virginia. He first came to the attention of Internet blogosphere producing a collaborative EP with Spank Rock. Working with producer Dr...
" Levin – drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
, 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...
, programming, producerRecord producerA record producer is an individual working within the music industry, whose job is to oversee and manage the recording of an artist's music... - Derek Blanks - photographer
- Brandon "Blade" Bowles - producer
- Chris Brown – vocal arrangement
- Jasper CameronJasper CameronJasper Cameron is an American songwriter/producer from Atlanta, Georgia. He is currently signed to Universal Music Publishing Group. He started producing his own music while in a R&B group in high school. He was soon signed to a deal with Dallas Austin Darp recordings through Joyce Irby, who at the...
– vocal arrangement, vocal producer - Bernard Chang – illustrations
- Aubry Delane – assistant
- Carlos "Los da Mystro" McKinney – producer
- Mike Donaldson – engineerEngineerAn engineer is a professional practitioner of engineering, concerned with applying scientific knowledge, mathematics and ingenuity to develop solutions for technical problems. Engineers design materials, structures, machines and systems while considering the limitations imposed by practicality,...
, mixing - Mike Elizondo – instrumentationInstrumentation (music)In music, instrumentation refers to the particular combination of musical instruments employed in a composition, and to the properties of those instruments individually...
- Paul Foley – engineer
- Yolonda Frederick – make-upCosmeticsCosmetics are substances used to enhance the appearance or odor of the human body. Cosmetics include skin-care creams, lotions, powders, perfumes, lipsticks, fingernail and toe nail polish, eye and facial makeup, towelettes, permanent waves, colored contact lenses, hair colors, hair sprays and...
- Serban Ghenea – mixing
- Lukasz "Dr. LukeDr. LukeLukasz Gottwald , better known as Dr. Luke, is an American songwriter, record producer, and remixer. Luke performed with the Saturday Night Live Band for ten seasons until 2007. He has co-written and co-produced a string of commercially successful songs...
" Gottwald – 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...
, vocal production - Tatiana Gottwald – assistant
- Matty Green – assistant
- Mariel Haenn – stylistBarberA barber is someone whose occupation is to cut any type of hair, and to shave or trim the beards of men. The place of work of a barber is generally called a barbershop....
- Christy Hall – production assistant
- John Hanes – digital editingDigital mediaDigital media is a form of electronic media where data is stored in digital form. It can refer to the technical aspect of storage and transmission Digital media is a form of electronic media where data is stored in digital (as opposed to analog) form. It can refer to the technical aspect of...
- Kuk Harrell – vocal engineer, mixing technician
- Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins – producer, mixing, vocal producer
- Rob Knox – instrumentation
- Giancarlo Lino – mixing assistant
- Carlton Lynn – engineer
- Andile Majozi – assistant
- Terius "The-DreamThe-DreamTerius Youngdell Nash , better known by his stage name The-Dream, is an American singer-songwriter and record producer. He is known for co-writing "Umbrella" for Rihanna and "Single Ladies " for Beyoncé, as well as for his three solo albums, Love Hate, Love vs...
" Nash - writer, co-producer, vocal arrangement - Candice NelsonThe ClutchThe Clutch is an American collective of songwriters responsible for a series of successful singles including Omarion's "Ice Box", Ciara's "Like a Boy", Timbaland's "The Way I Are", Britney Spears' "Radar" and Raven-Symone's "Double Dutch Bus".-History:...
– writer, vocal arrangement - Jared Newcomb – assistant
- Osinachi Nwaneri – producer
- Carlos Oyanedel – assistant
- Dave Pensado – mixing
- Mark Pitts – executive producer, 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 :...
- Jamal "Polow da DonPolow Da DonPolow-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...
" Jones – producer - Ramon Rivas – assistant
- Tim Roberts – assistant
- Todd Rubenstein – assistant
- Becky Scott – production coordination
- Kelly "Becky 4 Real" Sheehan – engineer
- Vanessa Silberma – production coordination
- Gary "G" Silver – production coordination
- Spike Stent – mixing
- Christopher "Tricky" Stewart – producer
- Phil Tan – mixing
- Faheem "T-PainT-PainFaheem Rasheed Najm , better known by his stage name T-Pain, is an American singer-songwriter, rapper, record producer, and actor, currently signed to Young Money Entertainment. His debut album, Rappa Ternt Sanga, was released in 2005. In 2007, T-Pain released his second studio album Epiphany,...
" Najm - producer - Brian "B Luv" Thomas – engineer
- Pat Thrall – engineer
- Randy Urbanski – mixing assistant
- Courtney Walter – art direction, designGraphic designGraphic design is a creative process – most often involving a client and a designer and usually completed in conjunction with producers of form – undertaken in order to convey a specific message to a targeted audience...
- Elvis "Blac ElvisBlac ElvisElvis Williams, better known as Blac Elvis, is an award-winning American record producer, musician and song writer. He rose to fame in 1999 co-producing alongside Polow da Don. Producing hits for Ludacris, Ciara, Kelly Rowland, Fergie, Rich Boy, Kelis, Nelly, Pussycat Dolls and Mario. Recently he...
" Williams – producer - Emily Wright – engineer, vocal editing
- Kiyah Wright – hair stylist
- Andrew Wuepper – mixing assistant
Charts
| Chart | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Argentina Top 20 Albums | 9 |
| Australian ARIA Australian Recording Industry Association The Australian Recording Industry Association is a trade group representing the Australian recording industry which was established in 1983 by six major record companies, EMI, Festival, CBS, RCA, WEA and Universal replacing the Association of Australian Record Manufacturers which was formed in 1956... Albums Chart |
39 |
| Belgium Albums Chart Ultratop Ultratop is an organization which generates and publishes the official record charts in Belgium, and it is also the name of most of those charts... (Flanders) |
21 |
| Belgium Albums Chart Ultratop Ultratop is an organization which generates and publishes the official record charts in Belgium, and it is also the name of most of those charts... (Wallonia) |
36 |
| Canadian Albums Chart Billboard charts The Billboard charts tabulate the relative weekly popularity of songs or albums in the United States. The results are published in Billboard magazine... |
2 |
| European Top 100 Albums European Top 100 Albums The European Top 100 Albums chart is the European adaptation of the Billboard 200 albums chart. It was created in March 1984.The European Top 100 Albums, commonly referred to as Eurochart Top 100 Albums shows the sales of an act in 19 European countries based on IFPI data.The European Top 100... |
20 |
| 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... |
34 |
| German Albums Chart | 77 |
| Irish Albums Chart Irish Recorded Music Association Irish Recorded Music Association is the Irish record industry association. IRMA is a non-profit association set up to manage and control the music industry in the Republic of Ireland.-Goals and activities:... |
10 |
| Italian Albums Chart | 69 |
| Swiss Albums Chart | 13 |
| 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... |
9 |
| 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 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... |
2 |
Release history
| Region | Edition | Date | Label |
|---|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | Standard (download + bonus tracks) | May 3, 2009 | RCA Records RCA Records RCA Records is one of the flagship labels of Sony Music Entertainment. The RCA initials stand for Radio Corporation of America , which was the parent corporation from 1929 to 1985 and a partner from 1985 to 1986.RCA's Canadian unit is Sony's oldest label... |
| Standard (Single disc + bonus track) | May 4, 2009 | ||
| Extended (CD + DVD content) | May 5, 2009 | ||
| United States | Standard (single disc) Limited (CD + DVD content) |
LaFace Records LaFace Records LaFace Records is an American record label, owned and operated by Sony Music Entertainment.-Company history:LaFace was formed in 1989 as a joint venture between the producing duo Antonio "L.A." Reid & Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds, and Arista Records. The combined nicknames of the duo's successful... |
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| Canada | Standard (single disc) Limited (CD+DVD content) |
Sony Music | |
| Japan | Standard (single disc) | May 13, 2009 | Sony Music Japan Sony Music Entertainment Japan is Sony's music arm in Japan. SMEJ is directly owned by Sony Corporation and independent from the United States-based Sony Music Entertainment due to its strength in the Japanese music industry.... |
| Brazil | May 15, 2009 | Sony Music | |
| Japan | Limited (CD + DVD content) | May 27, 2009 | Sony Music Japan |
| Germany | Standard (single disc) Limited (CD + DVD content) |
June 5, 2009 | Sony Music |
| United Kingdom | The Mini Collection | July 27, 2009 | RCA Records |
External links
- Fantasy Ride at MetacriticMetacriticMetacritic.com is a website that collates reviews of music albums, games, movies, TV shows and DVDs. For each product, a numerical score from each review is obtained and the total is averaged. An excerpt of each review is provided along with a hyperlink to the source. Three colour codes of Green,...