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Fantasy Ride
Fantasy Ride
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Fantasy Ride
Studio album by
ReleasedMay 3, 2009 (2009-05-03)
Recorded2007–2009
Genre
Length50:46
Label
Producer
Ciara chronology
Ciara: The Evolution
(2006)
Fantasy Ride
(2009)
Basic Instinct
(2010)
International cover
Singles from Fantasy Ride
  1. "Never Ever"
    Released: January 19, 2009
  2. "Love Sex Magic"
    Released: March 3, 2009
  3. "Work"
    Released: July 24, 2009

Fantasy Ride is the third studio album by American singer Ciara, first released on May 3, 2009, by Jive Records, LaFace Records and Sony Music Entertainment. The album was recorded between 2007 and 2009. Ciara was executive producer on the album along with co-executive Mark Pitts and, Ciara worked with several record producers, including Blac Elvis, Benny Blanco, Blade, Jasper Cameron, The Clutch, Darkchild, Danja, Dr. Luke, Jason Nevins, Jim Beanz, Los da Maestro, Ne-Yo, Osinachi Nwaneri, Polow da Don, The-Dream, Tricky Stewart, Justin Timberlake, T-Pain. The album featured several guest vocalists, including Justin Timberlake, Ludacris, Chris Brown, Young Jeezy, The-Dream, Missy Elliott.

The album combines R&B and hip hop sounds from her previous albums along with a new pop and dance direction. Fantasy Ride received generally mixed reviews from music critics, who complimented its slow jams and the club tracks, and Ciara's vocal performances, with some critics calling it "a consistently sexy listen" with other critics calling it "Ciara's smoothest ride ever". However, some critics found the album to be a "dud" and others saying "Ciara seems to go almost unnoticed". The album debuted at number three on US Billboard 200. Fantasy Ride became 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 that decade.

The album was supported by three 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 reached the top 60 on international charts. A compilation EP titled Fantasy Ride: The Mini Collection was also released internationally in late July, the album also garnered numerous accolades including one nomination at the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards, and one nomination at the 52nd Grammy Awards.

Production

[edit]

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 Cameron, and The-Dream.[4] In an interview from a concert, Ciara stated that she worked on two tracks with Justin Timberlake[5] and his production team The Y's which will appear on the album.[6] Spike Stent was involved in mixing tracks for the album which Ciara recorded at Chalice Studios.[7]

Ciara stated in 2008 that she wanted her third album "to take fans on a musical journey".[8] Billboard magazine initially reported that the album would be released across three discs, each representing a different theme and featuring stylistically similar songs.[4] Danja consecutively produced the Crunktown and Kingdom of Dance cuts while the Groove City offerings were overseen by Tricky Stewart and Jasper Cameron.[4] 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 reminiscent 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, during an interview the editor of Vibe in April, 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.[9]

Concept

[edit]

"Super C is a character that people will learn more about on this record. That is my alter ego. Super C doesn't hold back. She is definitely aggressive. She goes hard. Super C can do some magical and funky things. She works hard. She dances to the 10th power. She does everything to the 10th power."

— Ciara, speaking on her alter ego Super C.[10]

Fantasy Ride also introduces Ciara's comic book character, "Super C". Ciara said that Super C is her "inner strength and aggressive persona". She is a futuristic, superhero-esque Ciara, loosely based on the robotic character Ciara portrayed in the "Go Girl" 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.[11] 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

[edit]

In September 2008, Ciara promoted the forthcoming release of the album at Austell'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.[12] 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",[13] "Go Girl",[14] "Ciara to The Stage", and "High Price".[15] 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.[16] 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.[17]

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.[18] On Tuesday, February 24, 2009, Ciara was a special guest on Snoop Dogg's MTV show, "Dogg After Dark"[19] although she did not formally 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!.[20] 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.[21]

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.[22] On May 9, 2009, during an edition of Saturday Night Live hosted by Justin Timberlake and Jessica Biel, Ciara performed a special rendition of "Love Sex Magic" (featuring a James Brown interlude) with Timberlake and later appeared solo to perform "Never Ever".[23] During the week of the album's release, Ciara promoted the album on numerous shows, including Good Morning America and The Ellen DeGeneres Show.

Singles

[edit]

"Go Girl", which features T-Pain, was originally released as the album's lead single. 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. A music video was made for this song and released in October 2008.

"Never Ever", which features Young Jeezy, was released as the first single in the United States on January 19, 2009, and reached number sixty-six on the Hot 100, but had more success on the R&B chart, where it reached number nine, becoming Ciara's 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 Magic", which features Justin Timberlake, 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 was nominated at the 52nd Grammy Awards for "Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals".

"Work", which features Missy Elliott, was released as the second international single on July 24, 2009, and reached the top forty in Ireland and top fifty in Sweden.

"Like a Surgeon" was planned to be released as the third US single, but its release was cancelled.[24] Despite this, it peaked at number fifty-nine on the US R&B chart.

Other charted songs

[edit]

"Ciara to the Stage" charted on the US Bubbling Under Hot 100 at number four the week following the album's 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 Hindi song "Kehna Hi Kya", from A. R. Rahman's soundtrack to the 1995 film Bombay. "I'm On", a deluxe edition bonus track, charted in Canada at number seventy-nine, due to strong digital sales.

Touring

[edit]

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.[25] The shows took place in June 2009 at the city's prestigious The O2 (London).[26] 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.[27] Ciara went on a 6-date tour in support of Fantasy Ride, titled Jay-Z & Ciara Live with Jay-Z during the summer.[28] The dates were announced on Ciara's official website.[29] 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.[30] However, with the production of the fourth album underway from Summer 2009, rumors were put to rest.[31]

Critical reception

[edit]
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusicStarStarStar[32]
Entertainment WeeklyB[33]
The GuardianStarStarStarStar[34]
Los Angeles TimesStarStarHalf star[35]
NewsdayB[3]
Pitchfork4.4/10[36]
PopMattersStarStarStarStarStarStar[37]
Rolling StoneStarStarHalf star[2]
Slant MagazineStarStarStar[38]
Yahoo! Music UKStarStarStarStarStar[39]

On Metacritic, Fantasy Ride received a score of 60 out of 100, indicating "mixed or average reviews".[40] 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.[1] 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."[34] Digital Spy gave it three out of five stars and 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."[41] However, Billboard gave it an average review, stating, "On 'High Price,' where she takes her vocals to an opera-like pitch, and her collaboration with the-Dream, 'Lover's Things,' whose faint tenor would seem like an ideal match, Ciara seems to go almost unnoticed. Thankfully, 'Work,' featuring Missy Elliott, has Ciara showing fly-girl antics over a house-like, clap-laden production, and the breakup song 'Never Ever,' featuring Young Jeezy, which samples 'If You Don't Know Me by Now,' pick up the slack."[42] In his Consumer Guide, however, Robert Christgau gave the album a "dud" score ((dud)).[43]

Commercial performance

[edit]

On May 10, 2009, the album made its first appearance at number nine on the UK Albums Chart, 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.[44] The song has received much airplay on UK radio station BBC Radio 1Xtra.

On the issue dated May 23, 2009, Fantasy Ride debuted at number three on the US Billboard 200 chart. 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. 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 US 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 four on the US Bubbling Under Hot 100 during the week the album was released.[45] As of June 2013, the album has sold 206,000 copies in the US,[46] failing to match the success of previous albums Goodies (2.7 million copies) and Ciara: The Evolution (1.3 million copies).[47]

In Canada, the album debuted at number twenty-two on the Canadian Albums Chart. This happened due to the song "I'm On", a deluxe edition track, to chart on the Canadian Hot 100 at number 79.[48]

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.

Track listing

[edit]
Fantasy Ride track listing
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Ciara to the Stage"
  • Ciara Harris
  • Christopher Stewart
  • Rodney Richard
  • Brandon Bowles
  • Jasper Cameron
3:46
2."Love Sex Magic" (featuring Justin Timberlake)The Y's3:40
3."High Price" (featuring Ludacris)
  • Stewart
  • Terius Nash
  • Chris Bridges
4:03
4."Turntables" (featuring Chris Brown)Danja4:32
5."Like a Surgeon"
  • Stewart
  • Nash
  • Tricky Stewart
  • The-Dream
4:27
6."Never Ever" (featuring Young Jeezy)
4:33
7."Lover's Thing" (featuring The-Dream)Los da Mystro3:28
8."Work" (featuring Missy Elliott)
  • Danja
  • The Incredible Lago[b]
4:06
9."Pucker Up"
  • Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins
  • Osinachi Nwaneri
3:52
10."G Is for Girl (A–Z)"
  • Harris
  • Timberlake
  • Rob Knox
  • Elizondo
  • Fauntleroy II
The Y's3:37
11."Keep Dancin' on Me"
  • Stewart
  • Nash
  • Tricky Stewart
  • The-Dream
3:33
12."Tell Me What Your Name Is"
  • Lukasz Gottwald
  • Benjamin Levin
  • Ronnie Jackson
3:38
13."I Don't Remember"
Polow da Don3:48
Total length:50:46
US iTunes Store pre-order bonus track
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
14."When I"
Dreshan "Champ Champ" Smith4:03
Total length:54:49
International bonus track[49]
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
14."Echo"
  • Harris
  • Aracia
  • Hills
  • Patrick Smith
Danja3:38
Total length:54:24
International iTunes Store bonus track[50][51][52]
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
15."Never Ever" (Mike D Radio Remix)
  • Harris
  • Jones
  • Williams
  • Dean
  • Jenkins
  • Gamble
  • Huff
  • Dean
  • Polow da Don
  • Williams
  • Mike D[c]
4:03
Total length:58:27
International Amazon MP3 bonus track[53]
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
16."When I"
Dreshan "Champ Champ" Smith4:03
Total length:62:30
Japanese bonus tracks[54]
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
15."Go Girl" (featuring T-Pain)
  • T-Pain
  • Cameron
4:30
16."Never Ever" (Mirk Radio Mix)
  • Harris
  • Jones
  • Williams
  • Dean
  • Jenkins
  • Gamble
  • Huff
  • Dean
  • Polow da Don
  • Williams
  • Mirk[c]
5:01
Total length:63:55
Deluxe edition bonus track[55]
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
15."I'm On"
  • Chris Grayson
  • Khatneeb Muhammad
3:56
Total length:58:20
US iTunes Store deluxe edition bonus videos[56]
No.TitleLength
16."Behind the Scenes in the Studio"6:37
17."Behind the Scenes at Rehearsal"4:18
18."Behind the Scenes at the Photo Shoot & with the Illustrator"6:22
19."Making of: Go Girl"5:54
20."Making of: Never Ever"3:53
21."Making of: Love Sex Magic"10:37
Total length:56:09
International streaming deluxe edition bonus track[57]
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
16."Love Sex Magic" (Versatile Radio Mix)
  • Timberlake
  • Elizondo
  • Knox
  • Fauntleroy II
4:07
Total length:62:27
International digital store deluxe edition bonus track[58]
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
16."Never Ever" (Mike D Radio Remix)
  • Harris
  • Jones
  • Williams
  • Dean
  • Jenkins
  • Gamble
  • Huff
  • Dean
  • Polow da Don
  • Williams
  • Mike D[c]
4:03
International Amazon MP3 deluxe edition bonus tracks[59]
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
17."When I"
  • Barthe
  • Gibson
Dreshan "Champ Champ" Smith4:03
Japanese deluxe edition bonus tracks[60]
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
16."Go Girl" (featuring T-Pain)
  • Najm
  • Balfour
  • Cameron
  • Harris
  • T-Pain
  • Cameron
4:30
17."Never Ever" (Mirk Radio Mix)
  • Harris
  • Jones
  • Williams
  • Dean
  • Jenkins
  • Gamble
  • Huff
  • Dean
  • Polow da Don
  • Williams
  • Mirk[c]
5:01
18."Love Sex Magic" (Electric Bounce Remix)
  • Timberlake
  • Elizondo
  • Knox
  • Fauntleroy II
3:12
Total length:71:11
Latin American Amazon MP3 and international iTunes Store deluxe edition[61][62]
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
16."Fit of Love"
  • Frankie Storm
  • Harris
Reggie "Syience" Perry3:18
17."Never Ever" (Mike D Radio Remix)
  • Harris
  • Jones
  • Williams
  • Dean
  • Jenkins
  • Gamble
  • Huff
  • Dean
  • Polow da Don
  • Williams
  • Mike D[c]
4:03
18."When I"
  • Barthe
  • Gibson
Dreshan "Champ Champ" Smith4:03
Total length:69:52
International iTunes Store extended version[63]
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
16."Never Ever" (Mike D Radio Remix)
  • Harris
  • Jones
  • Williams
  • Dean
  • Jenkins
  • Gamble
  • Huff
  • Dean
  • Polow da Don
  • Williams
  • Mike D[c]
4:03
17."Behind the Scenes in the Studio"  6:37
18."Behind the Scenes at Rehearsal"  4:18
19."Behind the Scenes at the Photo Shoot & with the Illustrator"  6:22
20."Making of: Go Girl"  5:54
21."Making of: Never Ever"  3:53
22."Making of: Love Sex Magic"  10:37
Total length:1:00:12
Deluxe edition – Inside the Fantasy DVD[64]
No.TitleContent typeLength
1."The Photoshoot"behind the scenes footage6:23
2."In the Studio"behind the scenes footage6:38
3."At Rehearsal"behind the scenes footage4:19
4."The Making of Love Sex Magic"behind the scenes footage10:38
5."Love Sex Magic" (featuring Justin Timberlake)music video3:41
6."The Making of Never Ever"behind the scenes footage3:54
7."Never Ever" (featuring Young Jeezy)music video5:10
8."The Making of Go Girl"behind the scenes footage5:55
9."Go Girl" (featuring T-Pain)music video4:05
Total length:50:43
Fantasy Ride – The Mini Collection (EP)[65][66]
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Love Sex Magic" (featuring Justin Timberlake)
  • Timberlake
  • Elizondo
  • Knox
  • Fauntleroy II
The Y's3:40
2."Work" (featuring Missy Elliott)
  • Harris
  • Hills
  • Araica
  • Elliott
  • Danja
  • The Incredible Lago[b]
4:05
3."Work" (Pokerface club edit)
  • Harris
  • Hills
  • Araica
  • Elliott
  • Danja
  • The Incredible Lago[b]
4:08
4."Goodies" (Remix featuring T.I. and Jazze Pha)
4:21
5."1, 2 Step" (featuring Missy Elliott)
  • Jazze Pha
  • Pierre Medore
3:22
6."Like a Boy"
  • Bulewa Muhammad
  • Charles Kenon
  • Candice Nelson
  • Harris
  • Ezekiel Lewis
  • J. Que
Calvo Da Gr83:56
Total length:23:42

Notes

  • ^[a] signifies a co-producer
  • ^[b] signifies a vocal producer
  • ^[c] signifies an additional production for remix

Personnel

[edit]
  • Marcella "Ms. Lago" Araicaaudio mixing (tracks 4, 6, 8), additional production (8), recording engineer (4, 8)
  • Chris Athens – mastering
  • Jim Beanz – vocal arrangement (track 4)
  • Benjamin "Benny Blanco" Levin – drums, keyboards, programming, producer (track 12)
  • Derek Blanks – photographer
  • Brandon "Blade" Bowles – music producer (track 1)
  • Chris Brown – vocals, vocal arrangement (track 4)
  • Bernard Chang – illustrations
  • Aubry Delane – assistant recording engineer (track 13)
  • Carlos "Los da Mystro" McKinney – music producer (track 7)
  • Mike Donaldson – recording engineer, audio mixing (track 9)
  • Mike Elizondo – instrumentation (tracks 2, 10)
  • Paul Foley – recording engineer (tracks 2, 10)
  • Yolonda Frederick – make-up
  • Serban Ghenea – audio mixing (track 12)
  • Lukasz "Dr. Luke" Gottwald – guitar, drums, keyboards, music programming, production (track 12)
  • Tatiana Gottwald – assistant recording engineer (track 12)
  • Matty Green – audio mixing assistant (tracks 2, 10)
  • Mariel Haenn – stylist
  • Christy Hall – production assistant (tracks 1, 3, 5, 11)
  • John Hanes – additional Pro-Tools recording engineer (track 12)
  • Kuk Harrell – vocal producer (tracks 3, 5, 7, 11), vocal recording engineer (3, 5, 7, 11), mixing technician
  • Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins – music producer, audio mixing, vocal producer (track 9)
  • Rob Knox – instrumentation (tracks 2, 10)
  • Giancarlo Lino – audio mixing assistant (tracks 1, 5, 11)
  • Carlton Lynn – recording engineer (tracks 6, 13)
  • Andile Majozi – assistant
  • Terius "The-Dream" Nash – songwriter (tracks 3, 5, 7, 11), co-producer (3, 5, 11), vocals (7), vocal arrangement
  • Candice Nelson – songwriter, vocal arrangement (track 4)
  • Jared Newcomb – audio mixing assistant (tracks 4, 6, 8)
  • Osinachi Nwaneri – music producer (track 9)
  • Carlos Oyanedel – audio mixing assistant (tracks 9, 13)
  • Dave Pensado – audio mixing (tracks 1, 3, 5, 7, 11)
  • Mark Pitts – executive producer
  • Jamal "Polow da Don" Jones – producer (tracks 6, 13)
  • Ramon Rivas – assistant recording engineer (track 12)
  • Tim Roberts – assistant Pro-Tools recording engineer (track 12)
  • Todd Rubenstein – assistant recording engineer (track 12)
  • Becky Scott – production coordination (track 12)
  • Kelly "Becky 4 Real" Sheehan – instrumental recording engineer (tracks 1, 3, 5, 11)
  • Vanessa Silberma – production coordination (track 12)
  • Gary "G" Silver – production coordination (track 12)
  • Spike Stent – audio mixing (tracks 2, 10)
  • Christopher "Tricky" Stewart – music producer (tracks 1, 3, 5, 11)
  • Phil Tan – audio mixing (tracks 9, 13)
  • Faheem "T-Pain" Najm – producer ("Go Girl")
  • Brian "B Luv" Thomas – instrumental recording engineer (tracks 3, 5)
  • Pat Thrall – instrumental recording engineer (tracks 1, 3)
  • Randy Urbanski – audio mixing assistant (tracks 1, 3)
  • Courtney Walter – art direction, design
  • Elvis "Blac Elvis" Williams – producer (track 6)
  • Emily Wright – recording engineer, vocal editing (track 12)
  • Kiyah Wright – hair stylist
  • Andrew Wuepper – audio mixing assistant (tracks 3, 5, 7, 11)

Charts

[edit]

Release history

[edit]
Release history for Fantasy Ride
Region Edition Date Label
United Kingdom Standard (download + bonus tracks) May 3, 2009[89][90] RCA
Standard (Single disc + bonus track) May 4, 2009[91]
Extended (CD + DVD content) May 5, 2009
United States[92] Standard (single disc)
Limited (CD + DVD content)
LaFace
Canada[93] Standard (single disc)
Limited (CD+DVD content)
Sony Music
Japan[94] Standard (single disc) May 13, 2009 Sony Music Japan
Brazil[95] May 15, 2009 Sony Music
Japan[96] Limited (CD + DVD content) May 27, 2009 Sony Music Japan
Germany[97][98] Standard (single disc)
Limited (CD + DVD content)
June 5, 2009 Sony Music
United Kingdom[99] The Mini Collection July 27, 2009 RCA

References

[edit]
[edit]
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Fantasy Ride is the third studio album by American singer and songwriter , released on May 5, 2009, by in the United States and in the . The project, recorded between 2007 and 2009 at various studios in , , and , features as executive producer alongside , with contributions from a roster of prominent producers including Danja, , , , , and . Conceived as a conceptual "musical journey" divided into rock, pop, and urban sections—originally planned as a triple-disc set but released as a single 14-track —the record blends , , and hip-hop elements, emphasizing Ciara's and dance-oriented sound. Notable tracks include the "Never Ever" featuring Young Jeezy, a that peaked at number 9 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, and the international top-ten hit "" featuring , which reached number 10 on the Hot 100. Other singles like "Work" featuring showcase the album's mix of s and uptempo tracks. Upon release, Fantasy Ride debuted at number 3 on the , selling 81,000 copies in its first week and marking Ciara's third consecutive top-three debut, while topping the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. Despite commercial success with its singles, the album received mixed , praised for its production and Ciara's performances on tracks like "High Price" and "Turntables" but critiqued for inconsistency and a perceived lack of cohesive identity amid the pursuit of hit singles. It has since been reevaluated as an underrated work in Ciara's discography, influencing her evolution toward more mature R&B sounds in subsequent releases.

Background and development

Conception

Ciara began conceptualizing her third studio album, Fantasy Ride, following the release of her sophomore effort Ciara in 2004, aiming to evolve her sound by blending her established R&B and influences with and elements. She envisioned the project as a "musical journey" that would showcase multiple facets of her artistry, reflecting her growth as a performer and allowing listeners to explore different emotional and stylistic territories. The original structure was ambitious, planned as a triple-disc set divided into three distinct thematic sections to represent varied moods and genres. The first disc, titled "Groove City," was intended to feature sensual, mid-tempo R&B tracks emphasizing intimacy and romance, drawing from producers like Tricky Stewart and The-Dream. The second, "Crunk Town," nodded to Ciara's roots in energetic "crunk" music, incorporating high-energy hip-hop and urban beats overseen by Danja, with tracks like the originally intended lead single "High Price" (featuring Ludacris) exemplifying this vibe. The third disc, "Kingdom of Dance," was designed for upbeat, club-oriented pop-dance songs to highlight her dynamic performance style and appeal to a broader audience. This multi-disc format stemmed from Ciara's desire to create an immersive experience, akin to navigating different "worlds" within her music, while collaborating with a roster of producers to ensure sonic diversity. Although the final release in 2009 consolidated the material into a single disc, the conception underscored her intent to push creative boundaries beyond conventional album formats.

Production

The production of Fantasy Ride spanned from 2007 to 2009, during which served as alongside . Initially conceived as a triple-disc project to take listeners on a "musical journey" across distinct sonic landscapes—pop, urban, and a hybrid of both—the album was ultimately consolidated into a single disc to maintain coherence and streamline the release. was hands-on throughout, co-writing several tracks and contributing to creative decisions in studios primarily in , , and . The album featured contributions from a diverse roster of producers, including C. "Tricky" Stewart and Terius "The-Dream" Nash, who handled multiple tracks such as "High Price", "Like a Surgeon", and "Keep Dancin' on Me"; Danja on "Work", "Turntables", and "Echo"; Polow da Don for "Never Ever" and "I Don't Remember"; Rodney Jerkins on "Pucker Up"; The Y's for "Love Sex Magic" and "G Is for Girl (A-Z)"; Los da Mystro for "Lover's Thing"; and Dr. Luke with Benny Blanco for "Tell Me What Your Name Is". Recording engineers like Pat Thrall, Brian "B-Luv" Thomas, and The Incredible Lago captured the sessions, with mixing by professionals including Spike Stent and Phil Tan; the project was mastered at Sterling Sound in New York. Production faced significant challenges, including multiple release delays stemming from underperforming lead singles like "Go Girl" featuring , which failed to resonate commercially. Ciara expressed a commitment to perfection amid the setbacks, stating, "I was definitely anxious to release it, but I wanted to release it the right way at the right time... I just wanted it to be perfection for my fans, so that’s a part of the reason why we pushed it back." These adjustments allowed for refinements, culminating in the album's release on May 5, 2009, via LaFace and .

Concept and music

Themes and style

Fantasy Ride is conceptualized as a musical journey through three distinct "fantasy worlds," originally planned as separate discs but integrated into a single album to represent Ciara's evolution in sound and emotion. These worlds—Groove City, Crunk Town, and Kingdom of Dance—symbolize sensual introspection, energetic hip-hop flair, and futuristic club energy, respectively, allowing the album to explore a spectrum of moods from vulnerability to empowerment. The album's style marks a departure from Ciara's earlier crunk-heavy work, incorporating a bolder pop and infusion alongside core R&B and hip-hop elements, with production from collaborators like Danja, , and emphasizing polished, rhythmic versatility. Tracks in Groove City, such as the sensual mid-tempo "Never Ever," highlight smooth, intimate grooves that evoke emotional depth and relational sensuality. In contrast, Town features uptempo, party-oriented cuts like "Ride" and "High Price," blending gritty hip-hop beats with Ciara's confident, playful delivery to female and exuberance. Kingdom of Dance brings electro-infused anthems, exemplified by the futuristic "Work" with , which fuses hooks with high-energy synths to project themes of independence and seductive allure. Overall, the themes revolve around love's complexities— from post-breakup reflection in the vulnerable "Never Ever" to bold self-assurance in " to the Stage"—while the stylistic diversity underscores Ciara's versatility as a performer navigating sensuality, resilience, and joy.

Composition

Fantasy Ride is an R&B album that incorporates elements of pop, , hip hop, and electronic music, marking a shift toward a more futuristic and club-oriented sound compared to Ciara's previous works. The album's composition draws on a variety of production styles, including crunk'n'B with aggressive bass lines and bouncing synth distortion, as well as and Euro-trance influences, to create a blend of slow jams and uptempo tracks designed for both emotional depth and dancefloor appeal. Producers such as and contribute tracks with empty spaces and hall-of-mirrors effects that highlight Ciara's breathy vocals, while and Danja add layered, genre-shifting beats. Nearly half the songs follow a slinky slow-jam template reminiscent of Ciara's 2005 hit "," emphasizing vulnerability and sensuality through minimal instrumentation and echoing production. Key tracks exemplify the album's diverse compositional approach. "Love Sex Magic," featuring Justin Timberlake, employs an elastic disco bounce with Michael Jackson-inspired grooves and catchy hooks, blending R&B seduction with pop accessibility. In contrast, "Never Ever," produced by Polow da Don and featuring Young Jeezy, delivers a dizzily upbeat structure with whooshing synths and a sample-inspired melody borrowed from Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes' "If You Don't Know Me by Now," combining heartfelt breakup lyrics with crunk energy. "High Price," with Ludacris, retools crunk-pop elements from Ciara's earlier single "Oh" through operatic vocal flourishes and stuttery rhythms, creating a dramatic, high-energy narrative. Other compositions explore electronic and retro influences, such as "I Don't Remember," co-written by , which features sweaty Euro-trance keyboards and a heartbroken tempo that stretches Ciara's over pulsing club beats. "Turntables," a collaboration with , shifts abruptly from crispy electro to EQ-heavy bloghouse drops, showcasing the album's experimental side with layered synths and rapid tempo changes. Tracks like "" and "Ciara to the Stage" opt for minimalism, using sparse production with slowed-down samples—such as a Joker-like laugh on the opener—to build atmospheric tension around Ciara's confident delivery. Overall, the album's 11 core tracks on the standard edition (with deluxe editions adding more, up to 14) prioritize rhythmic propulsion and vocal interplay, with guest features enhancing hip-hop flair without overshadowing the central R&B framework.

Promotion

Singles

The promotion for Fantasy Ride kicked off with the buzz single "Go Girl" featuring , released digitally on September 26, 2008, as an introduction to the album's dance-oriented sound. The track, produced by and Jasper Cameron, peaked at number 78 on the . "Never Ever" featuring Young Jeezy was issued as the album's on January 27, 2009, produced by with writing contributions from . The mid-tempo R&B track, emphasizing empowerment after heartbreak, achieved moderate success in the , reaching number 66 on the and number 9 on the chart. In the , it performed stronger, peaking at number 9 on the UK Singles Chart. The second single, "Love Sex Magic" featuring Justin Timberlake, was released on March 23, 2009, and marked the album's biggest commercial hit. Produced by The Y's and , the sensual pop-R&B fusion benefited from Timberlake's involvement and a provocative directed by , which debuted at number 16 on the and climbed to number 10. Internationally, it reached number 5 on the UK Singles Chart and topped charts in several European countries, solidifying Ciara's crossover appeal. "Work" featuring , released on July 24, 2009, as the third and final single, shifted toward a club-ready hip-hop vibe produced by and co-written by . Despite critical praise for its energy and the duo's chemistry, it underperformed commercially, peaking at number 78 on the US but hitting number 7 on the Hot Dance Club Songs chart; in the UK, it reached number 52 on the Singles Chart.

Other charted songs

Although not officially promoted as a single from Fantasy Ride, the bonus track "Go Girl" featuring —exclusive to the Japanese edition of the album—received airplay and debuted on the US , where it peaked at number 78 in September 2008. The song performed better on the chart, reaching number 26. Another album track, "Turntables" featuring , garnered attention in international markets and entered the UK Singles Chart at number 80 in June 2009, holding the position for one week. No other non-single tracks from Fantasy Ride achieved notable chart placements on major or rankings.

Touring

To promote her third studio album Fantasy Ride, Ciara participated in a limited number of live performances in , focusing on high-profile opening slots rather than a full headlining tour. These appearances allowed her to showcase tracks from the album alongside her established hits, reaching audiences in intimate and arena settings. In July , served as the opening act for 's Jay-Z & Ciara Live tour, a six-date U.S. run supporting both artists' respective albums The Blueprint 3 and Fantasy Ride. The tour emphasized intimate venues with backed by a live band, and Ciara's sets highlighted her dance-oriented R&B style. The performances took place across the Southwest, Midwest, Northeast, and Southeast, drawing crowds to theaters and amphitheaters. Specific dates and venues included:
DateCityVenue
July 2, 2009Phoenix, AZDodge Theatre
July 3, 2009, NVThe Pearl at the
July 4, 2009, NVThe Pearl at the
July 7, 2009Chicago, ILCharter One Pavilion at
July 10, 2009Uncasville, CT
July 12, 2009, GAChastain Park Amphitheatre
Earlier in June 2009, opened for during the European leg of The Circus Starring Britney Spears tour, performing eight shows at London's on June 3, 4, 6, 10, 13, 17, 20, and 24. Her sets, lasting approximately 40 minutes, featured choreography-heavy renditions of Fantasy Ride singles like "" and "Never Ever," as well as earlier hits such as "." This residency provided international exposure to over 100,000 attendees, bolstering the album's visibility in the UK market amid its May release. was later replaced by for the tour's North American extension in August, citing scheduling conflicts related to her promotional commitments.

Critical reception

Initial reviews

Upon its release on May 5, 2009, Fantasy Ride received mixed reviews from music critics, who commended Ciara's improved vocal delivery and the album's polished production but often faulted its inconsistent songwriting and fragmented . Aggregating 14 reviews, the album earned a Metascore of 60 out of 100 on , signifying "mixed or average" reception. Standout tracks like "Work" featuring and "" with were frequently highlighted for their infectious energy and club appeal, while slower cuts such as "High Price" and "Never Ever" showcased Ciara's sensual side and rhythmic prowess. Pitchfork's Tom Breihan rated the album 4.4 out of 10, critiquing its "desperation" for commercial hits amid an all-star roster of producers including , Danja, and , which resulted in Ciara losing her distinctive identity despite occasional "brilliant left turns" like the eerie synths on "High Price." In contrast, Slant Magazine's Sal Cinquemani awarded it three out of five stars, calling it Ciara's "smoothest ride to date" and praising the prevalence of -style slow jams alongside crunk-pop experiments, though he noted missteps such as the "creepy metaphors" in The Guardian's Alex Macpherson offered a more upbeat assessment, describing 13 of the 14 tracks as an "unstoppable round of pumping club action" driven by Ciara's "terpsichorean swagger," with particular acclaim for the grinding beats on "Pucker Up" and Other outlets echoed the divided sentiment. The New York Times' observed that the album presents "as many Ciaras as there are songs," reflecting her versatility in Auto-Tuned falsettos and post-Timberlake pop-R&B but implying a lack of unifying vision. Similarly, the Los Angeles Times portrayed Ciara as "more agile than powerful," adept at adopting various styles like shimmery ballads and aggressive club anthems but coming across as trying on "disguises" without a core breakthrough moment. Overall, reviewers appreciated Ciara's evolution from her earlier work but felt Fantasy Ride prioritized hit-chasing over artistic coherence, contributing to its middling critical standing.

Accolades

Fantasy Ride and its singles earned several award nominations in 2009 and 2010, highlighting Ciara's continued prominence in R&B and . The "Love Sex Magic" featuring was nominated for Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals at the . The song's music video, directed by , received a nomination for Best Choreography in a Video at the . Additionally, "" garnered a nomination for Choice Music: Hook Up at the 2009 . herself was recognized with two nominations at the 2009 : Best International Act and Best R&B/Soul Act, reflecting the album's international reception during its promotional cycle. These accolades underscored the artistic impact of Fantasy Ride, particularly through its standout collaborations and visual elements, though no wins were secured in these categories.

Commercial performance

Chart performance

Fantasy Ride achieved moderate commercial success upon release, debuting at number three on the Billboard 200 with first-week sales of 81,000 copies, marking Ciara's third consecutive to enter the top three on that . It also reached number two on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums . Internationally, the performed strongest in the , where it peaked at number nine on the Albums and number two on the UK R&B Albums , spending five weeks in the top 100. In other markets, it entered the top 40 in and but had a more modest showing elsewhere.
Chart (2009)Peak position
Australian Albums (ARIA)39
Canadian Albums ()22
French Albums ()34
UK Albums (OCC)9
UK R&B Albums (OCC)2
US 3
US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums ()2

Sales figures

Fantasy Ride debuted at number three on the US Billboard 200 chart, selling 81,000 copies in its first week according to Nielsen SoundScan data. The album ultimately sold 195,000 copies in the United States, marking a decline from Ciara's previous releases. It did not receive any RIAA certifications for album sales.

Track listing and credits

Track listing

The standard edition of Fantasy Ride, released by LaFace Records on May 5, 2009, consists of 13 tracks.
No.TitleFeaturingLength
1."Ciara to the Stage"3:45
2."Love Sex Magic"3:40
3."High Price"4:02
4."Turntables"4:31
5."Like a Surgeon"4:27
6."Never Ever"Young Jeezy4:32
7."Lover's Thing"3:27
8."Work"4:05
9."Pucker Up"3:52
10."G Is for Girl (A–Z)"3:37
11."Keep Dancin' on Me"3:33
12."Tell Me What Your Name Is"3:38
13."I Don't Remember"3:47
All tracks are written by , with additional songwriting and production credits varying per track as detailed in the album's .

Personnel

served as for Fantasy Ride alongside , with additional executive production contributions from "Tricky" Stewart on select tracks. The album featured a diverse array of producers, reflecting its blend of R&B, pop, and hip-hop elements, including and Terius "" Nash, who produced "High Price" featuring . Danja produced tracks such as "Turntables" featuring and "Work" featuring , while handled "I Don't Remember". Other notable producers included The Y's (Justin Timberlake, James Fauntleroy, and Rob Knox) for "Love Sex Magic" featuring , Rodney Jerkins and Osinachi for "Pucker Up" and "Like a Surgeon", and Don Vito with Blade as co-producers for "Ciara to the Stage". Los da Mystro produced "Lover's Thing" featuring . Guest vocalists and featured artists included on "Love Sex Magic", on "High Price", on "Turntables", Young Jeezy on "Never Ever", on "Lover's Thing", and on "Work". Recording and mixing were overseen by a team of engineers, including Kelly Sheehan and for principal recordings, with vocal production by . Mixing credits went to professionals such as for "Never Ever," Phil Tan for "Work," and for tracks like "". The album was mastered at Sterling Sound in New York. Art direction and design were handled by Courtney Walter, with illustrations by Bernard Chang and photography by Derek Blanks.

Legacy

Reappraisal

In the years following its release, Fantasy Ride has undergone a significant reappraisal, emerging as one of Ciara's most underrated works despite its initial mixed reception and commercial challenges. Critics and music publications have increasingly highlighted the album's ambitious artistic scope, crediting it with blending futuristic R&B, urban pop, and electronic elements in a way that anticipated trends in genre fusion during the . For instance, a retrospective described the project as a "sonic rollercoaster" that showcased Ciara's evolution while maintaining her signature dance-driven energy, arguing that its eclectic sound was ahead of its time and deserving of greater acclaim. This reevaluation emphasizes the album's production quality and Ciara's vocal versatility, which were overshadowed at launch by promotion issues and label shifts. Standout tracks like "Love Sex Magic," featuring , have been retroactively praised for their infectious hooks and innovative influences, contributing to a of untapped potential. A 2024 analysis further positioned Fantasy Ride as a "highly underrated project," noting Ciara's grandiose vision to elevate her career through bold experimentation, even as it struggled to connect with mainstream audiences amid a shifting R&B . Retrospective views also contextualize the album's role in Ciara's , viewing it as a pivotal, if underappreciated, bridge between her early hits and later mature output. Ciara's and visuals—particularly in "Work"—gaining cult appreciation for their athletic precision and futuristic aesthetic. Overall, this reappraisal underscores Fantasy Ride as a resilient creative statement that has aged well, fostering renewed fan engagement and critical respect in the streaming era.

Cultural impact

The single "Love Sex Magic" featuring from Fantasy Ride marked a significant moment in Ciara's career, peaking at number 10 on the and earning a nomination for Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals at the . The track's electro-R&B sound and themes of desire blended pop accessibility with Ciara's signature dance-infused style, helping to bridge R&B and mainstream pop during the late . The music video for "Love Sex Magic," directed by , featured bold, sensual choreography and imagery that exemplified the era's trends in portraying female sexuality and empowerment in R&B visuals, with performing pole dancing and intimate scenes alongside Timberlake. Its garnered attention for pushing boundaries in artistic expression, contributing to Ciara's as a trailblazing performer in music videos. In retrospect, Fantasy Ride has been recognized as an underrated project in Ciara's catalog, valued for its ambitious experimentation with genres and production, which highlighted her vocal growth and versatility amid commercial challenges. The album's influenced Ciara's later work by encouraging bolder creative risks, solidifying her role in evolving Crunk&B into more diverse sonic territories.

Release history

RegionDateLabel(s)Format(s)Catalog No.
United KingdomMay 3, 2009RCA RecordsCD, digital download88697517952
Various (international)May 5, 2009LaFace Records, Sony MusicCD, digital download88697517952
United StatesMay 5, 2009LaFace Records, Jive RecordsCD, digital download88697-31390-2
JapanMay 27, 2009Sony Music JapanCD (deluxe edition)BVCP-24151
Australia2009LaFace RecordsCD, DVD (deluxe edition)88697-52713-2

References

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