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Listennn... the Album
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| Listennn... the Album | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | June 6, 2006 | |||
| Recorded | May 2005 – May 2006 | |||
| Studio | North Miami, Florida, Dade, Carol City, Atlanta | |||
| Genre | Hip-hop | |||
| Length | 66:31 | |||
| Label | ||||
| Producer |
| |||
| DJ Khaled chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Singles from Listennn... The Album | ||||
| ||||
Listennn... the Album is the debut studio album by American disc jockey and record producer DJ Khaled. It was released on June 6, 2006, by Terror Squad Entertainment and Koch Records. The album also features guest appearances from Fat Joe, Young Jeezy, Kanye West, Bun B, Trick Daddy, Brisco, Rick Ross, Lil Wayne, Birdman, Juelz Santana, Slim Thug, Krayzie Bone, Chamillionaire, Trina, Twista, Freeway, T.I., John Legend, Akon, Jadakiss, Beanie Sigel, Styles P, Cool & Dre, Paul Wall, Pitbull, and Lil Scrappy, among others. Reviews for the record were generally positive, but divided over the production, lyrical content and Khaled as an artist. Listennn... the Album debuted at number 12 on the Billboard 200, selling 44,000 copies in its first week in the United States. The album was supported by three singles: "Holla at Me" (featuring Lil Wayne, Paul Wall, Fat Joe, Rick Ross, and Pitbull), "Grammy Family" (featuring Kanye West, John Legend, and Consequence), and "Born-N-Raised" (featuring Pitbull, Trick Daddy, and Rick Ross).
Singles
[edit]The album's lead single, called "Holla at Me" was released on February 28, 2006. The song features guest appearances from Lil Wayne, Paul Wall, Fat Joe, Rick Ross, and Pitbull, with the production by Cool & Dre. The song peaked at number 59 on the US Billboard Hot 100.[1]
The album's second single, "Grammy Family" was released on July 1, 2006. The song features guest appearances from both American rappers Kanye West and Consequence, alongside American singer-songwriter John Legend, while West himself also produced the track as well, alongside Jon Brion.
The album's third single, "Born-N-Raised" was released on September 24, 2006. The song features guest appearances from Pitbull and Rick Ross (whom both previously featured on "Holla at Me"), alongside fellow American rapper Trick Daddy, with the production by The Runners. The song also included on Pitbull's second studio album, El Mariel (2006).
Reception
[edit]Critical reception
[edit]| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic | |
| HipHopDX | |
| PopMatters | |
| RapReviews | 6/10[5] |
| Vibe | |
| XXL | |
Upon its release, the album received a generally positive reception from music critics. AllMusic's David Jeffries praised Khaled for crafting an album that's diverse in its production geography-wise and for bringing out great performances from his artists.[2] A.L. Friedman of PopMatters also praised Khaled for bringing in an all-star cast of artists and producers, signaling out "Born-N-Raised" and "Gangsta Shit" as the album's highlights.[4] Vibe contributor Damien Scott felt that Khaled "masterfully balances hometown pride with outer regional influences", highlighting "Holla at Me", "Problem" and "Candy Paint" for their production and lyricism, concluding that "[T]his compilation makes a solid sonic case for why it deserves to be heard."[6] Steve 'Flash' Juon of RapReviews gave a mixed review of the record, saying it was competent and has a few standout tracks but that it didn't reveal much about Khaled besides the fact that he has many connections and shows pride in representing Miami.[5] Andres Tardio of HipHopDX gave credit to the catchy production, but felt it was let down by the weak lyricism delivered by almost every artist throughout the record, concluding that "If nothing else, this album shows off Khaled's connections, but it does little justice to Khaled's talent."[3]
Commercial performance
[edit]The album debuted at number 12 on the US Billboard 200, selling 44,000 copies in its first week.[8] To date, the album has since sold 230,000 copies in the United States.[9]
Track listing
[edit]Credits adapted from BMI and ASCAP.[10][11]
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Intro" | Khaled | 1:59 | |
| 2. | "Born-N-Raised" (featuring Pitbull, Trick Daddy, and Rick Ross) | 4:16 | ||
| 3. | "Gangsta Shit" (featuring Young Jeezy, Bun B, Slick Pulla, and Bloodraw) |
|
| 4:59 |
| 4. | "Grammy Family" (featuring Kanye West, Consequence, and John Legend) | 3:24 | ||
| 5. | "Problem" (featuring Beanie Sigel and Jadakiss) | Khaled | 3:36 | |
| 6. | "Holla at Me" (featuring Lil Wayne, Paul Wall, Fat Joe, Rick Ross, and Pitbull) |
|
| 4:27 |
| 7. | "Addicted" (featuring Juelz Santana) |
|
| 3:45 |
| 8. | "Watch Out" (featuring Akon, Styles P, Fat Joe, and Rick Ross) |
| 3:45 | |
| 9. | "Destroy You" (featuring Twista and Bone Thugs-n-Harmony) |
| 4:27 | |
| 10. | "Never Be Nothing Like Me" (featurting Lil Scrappy and Homeboy) |
| 4:22 | |
| 11. | "Candy Paint" (featuring Slim Thug, Chamillionaire, and Trina) |
|
| 4:10 |
| 12. | "MIA" (featuring Lil Wayne) | DVLP | 3:45 | |
| 13. | "Where You At" (featuring Freeway and Clipse) | Khaled | 3:52 | |
| 14. | "Still Fly" (featuring Birdman and CHOPS) |
|
| 5:10 |
| 15. | "Dip Slide Ride Out" (featuring T.I., Young Dro, and Big Kuntry) | Khaled | Keith McMasters | 5:00 |
| 16. | "Movement" (featuring Dre) |
|
| 3:42 |
| 17. | "The Future of Dade" (featuring Brisco, Dirt E Red, Dela, Lunch Money, Co, Hennessy, and P.M.) |
|
| 5:37 |
| Total length: | 66:31 | |||
Personnel
[edit]- DJ Khaled – production (all tracks)
- DJ Nasty & LVM – production (track 3)
- Cool & Dre – production (tracks 8, 11, 16)
- Diaz Brothers – production (track 17)
Charts
[edit]| Chart (2006) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| US Billboard 200[12] | 12 |
| US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard)[13] | 3 |
References
[edit]- ^ Hasty, Katie (June 15, 2006). "Shakira's 'Hips' Still Shaking At No. 1". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Archived from the original on April 24, 2023. Retrieved April 16, 2020.
- ^ a b Jeffires, David. "Listennn... the Album – DJ Khaled". AllMusic. Archived from the original on March 11, 2015. Retrieved July 26, 2011.
- ^ a b Tardio, Andres (June 4, 2006). "Terror Squad Presents DJ Khaled – Listennn". HipHopDX. Cheri Media Group. Archived from the original on October 8, 2023. Retrieved July 26, 2011.
- ^ a b Friedman, A. L. (September 7, 2006). "DJ Khaled: Listennn... the Album". PopMatters. Archived from the original on March 30, 2023. Retrieved July 18, 2024.
- ^ a b Juon, Steve 'Flash' (June 13, 2006). "DJ Khaled :: Listennn – The Album :: Terror Squad/Koch Records". RapReviews. Archived from the original on October 8, 2023. Retrieved July 26, 2011.
- ^ a b Scott, Damien (June 13, 2006). "DJ Khaled - Listennn...The Album (Terror Squad/Koch)". Vibe. Vibe Media. Archived from the original on September 25, 2006. Retrieved September 22, 2024.
- ^ Golianopolous, Thomas (June 2, 2006). "DJ Khaled Listennn... The Album". XXL. Townsquare Media. Archived from the original on December 23, 2015. Retrieved October 7, 2018.
- ^ Hasty, Katie (June 14, 2006). "AFI Burns Brightly With No. 1 Debut". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved July 8, 2018.
- ^ Diep, Eric (October 21, 2013). "DJ Khaled's Complete Discography By The Numbers – Page 2 of 8 – XXL". XXL. Townsquare Media. Retrieved June 17, 2015.
- ^ "BMI | Repertoire Search". repertoire.bmi.com. Retrieved June 2, 2019.
- ^ "ACE Repertory". www.ascap.com. Retrieved June 2, 2019.
- ^ "DJ Khaled Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard.
- ^ "DJ Khaled Chart History (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)". Billboard.
Listennn... the Album
View on GrokipediaBackground
Development
Listennn... the Album marked DJ Khaled's transition from mixtape curator to full-length studio artist, conceived in the wake of his rising profile through early 2000s mixtape projects that showcased Southern hip-hop talent. Building on his work as a DJ and producer, including the 2005 collaborative mixtape The Suffix with Lil Wayne, Khaled envisioned the project as a platform to elevate his role beyond radio and live sets, uniting Miami-based artists under a cohesive sonic banner.[5] Khaled signed with Terror Squad Entertainment, the imprint founded by Fat Joe in 1997, where he served as the group's official DJ, securing distribution through Koch Records for wider reach. This affiliation underscored his position as a connector in the hip-hop ecosystem, emphasizing curation of regional voices from the South rather than solo performance. The deal positioned the album as a debut that highlighted Khaled's production oversight and networking prowess within Miami's vibrant scene.[6][7] Development commenced in early 2005, driven by Khaled's ambition to capture the energy of his radio gigs on WEDR 99 JAMZ, where he honed his ear for hits and built industry ties. Influenced by his longstanding DJ background at the station since the late 1990s and emerging affiliations with what would become the "We the Best" collective, the album's planning focused on assembling a roster of collaborators to reflect Miami's hip-hop momentum, including brief nods to talents like Rick Ross and Lil Wayne.[8][6]Recording
The recording of Listennn... the Album took place primarily in studios across South Florida and Georgia, reflecting DJ Khaled's Miami roots and connections in the Southern hip-hop scene. Key locations included Alburna Studios and Circle House Studios in Miami, Florida, as well as PS West Studios in Atlanta, Georgia. These venues facilitated a collaborative environment suited to the album's emphasis on posse cuts and ensemble features.[9] DJ Khaled served as executive producer, overseeing the project with a roster of prominent beatmakers who shaped its sound. Cool & Dre handled multiple tracks, including the lead single "Holla at Me Baby," which incorporates a sample from Afrika Bambaataa & the Soulsonic Force's 1983 track "Looking for the Perfect Beat." Other notable producers included The Runners on the intro and "Born-N-Raised," DJ Nasty and L.V.M. on "Florida," Kanye West on "Problems," Streetrunner on "Let It Go," Mr. Collipark on "By My Side," and Develop (DVLP) on "Addicted to Dope." This diverse production team contributed to the album's blend of hip-hop beats infused with Southern trap elements, such as heavy basslines and rhythmic percussion.[1][3][10] A major aspect of the recording process involved coordinating an extensive array of guest appearances from high-profile artists, resulting in a posse-cut-heavy album with 17 tracks. Standout examples include "Holla at Me Baby," featuring Lil Wayne, Paul Wall, Fat Joe, Rick Ross, and Pitbull, and "I'm So Hood," with T-Pain, Trick Daddy, Rick Ross, and Plies. This approach demanded meticulous scheduling across sessions, leveraging Khaled's industry relationships to capture the collaborative energy central to the project's vision.[1]Music and lyrics
Musical style
Listennn... the Album is primarily a hip-hop record rooted in Southern rap, with prominent crunk, gangsta, and pop rap styles that reflect DJ Khaled's Miami origins. The album draws heavily from the Miami bass scene, incorporating Florida's bass-heavy heritage alongside influences from Houston screw, freestyle, electro, and even Italo-disco elements, creating a versatile sound centered in the Southern hip-hop landscape. Production features contributions from Florida-based teams like Cool & Dre and The Runners, resulting in a consistent aesthetic that blends upbeat anthems with melodic hooks, often evoking the high-energy club-rap vibe of the mid-2000s.[4][11][2][12] The sonic palette emphasizes heavy bass lines designed for trunk-rattling impact, paired with buzzing synths, horror-movie pianos, and streaky keyboards reminiscent of Miami Vice. Tracks frequently nod to 1980s hip-hop through samples, such as the slowed-down use of Afrika Bambaataataa's "Looking for the Perfect Beat" in "Holla at Me," which drives über-propulsive beats with oscillating beeps. Production diversity shines in elements like giant organ swells and rowdy piano licks in "Gangsta Shit," dissonant builds in "The Future of Dade," and smooth, electro-infused backdrops in "Watch Out," all contributing to an epic, synthpop-tinged hip-hop framework. Khaled's background as a DJ is evident in seamless transitions and a mixtape-like flow, enhancing the album's cohesive yet dynamic energy.[4][12] Standout elements include posse cuts built around rapid-fire delivery over hard-plastic post-bounce rhythms, with beats ranging from crunk-infused anthems to R&B-flavored melodic interludes. The album comprises 17 tracks with an average length of approximately 3:55, yielding a total runtime of 66:31, allowing space for layered instrumentation without filler. Influences from New York hardcore rap, tied to Khaled's Terror Squad connections, appear in the gritty, gangsta-leaning production, while Southern dominance is amplified through bass-forward tracks like "Candy Paint" that echo Miami's Slip-N-Slide sound.[4][11][12][13][2]Themes and content
Listennn... the Album explores themes central to Southern hip-hop culture, including street life, the pursuit of success, loyalty within hip-hop crews, and the relentless Miami hustle. The lyrics frequently boast about newfound wealth, such as expensive cars and liquor, while addressing rivalries, including subtle shots at competing DJs and artists. These narratives reflect the competitive environment of the music industry and the grind of urban survival, with Khaled's "We the Best" mantra underscoring a sense of triumphant resilience.[4][14] Specific tracks highlight these motifs through collaborative storytelling. "Holla at Me," featuring Lil Wayne, Paul Wall, Fat Joe, Rick Ross, and Pitbull, serves as a unity anthem for Southern rappers, celebrating regional solidarity and shared cultural identity over a sampled Afrika Bambaataa beat. In contrast, "Grammy Family," with Kanye West, John Legend, and Consequence, focuses on aspirations for major awards and the power of collaboration, emphasizing ambition and industry recognition as pathways to lasting success.[4][14][15][16] Guest features amplify the album's regional pride and narrative depth. Rick Ross contributes verses on luxury and extravagance, evoking Miami's opulent lifestyle, while Lil Wayne delivers intricate wordplay that adds layers of clever rivalry and bravado. Other contributors, like Beanie Sigel and Jadakiss on "Problem," reinforce themes of street credibility and interpersonal conflicts. The overall tone is celebratory yet aggressive, prioritizing collective hype and bravado over personal introspection from Khaled himself.[4][14][1]Promotion
Singles
The lead single from Listennn... the Album, "Holla at Me", was released on February 28, 2006, and featured verses from Lil Wayne, Paul Wall, Fat Joe, Rick Ross, and Pitbull. Produced by Cool & Dre, the track sampled "Looking for the Perfect Beat" (1983) by Afrika Bambaataa and the Soulsonic Force, incorporating its iconic electronic beats into a Southern hip-hop framework.[10] It debuted at number 59 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart on June 24, 2006, marking DJ Khaled's first entry on the ranking, and reached number 15 on the Hot Rap Songs chart, driven by strong urban radio airplay.[17][18] The second single, "Grammy Family", followed on July 1, 2006, featuring Kanye West, Consequence, and John Legend, with lyrics celebrating hip-hop achievements and Grammy aspirations. Produced by Kanye West, the song emphasized Khaled's connections within the industry but achieved modest chart success, peaking at number 24 on the Bubbling Under R&B/Hip-Hop Singles chart.[19] Its music video, directed by Chris Robinson, highlighted the artists' camaraderie and contributed to building anticipation for the album through MTV rotations.[20] "Born-N-Raised", released as the third single on September 24, 2006, spotlighted Khaled's Miami heritage with appearances by Pitbull, Trick Daddy, and Rick Ross.[1] Produced by The Runners, the track's regional flavor and boastful bars about South Florida roots resonated locally, peaking at number 83 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.[21] Collectively, these singles generated buzz via heavy radio promotion and videos on platforms like BET and MTV, establishing Khaled's signature approach of assembling high-profile collaborations to amplify his debut project's visibility.[22]Release and marketing
Listennn... the Album was released on June 6, 2006, through Terror Squad Entertainment in partnership with Koch Records.[23][24][25] The album was distributed in physical CD format, including an explicit version to align with its street-oriented hip-hop content, and later made available digitally via platforms like Spotify.[3][26] Marketing efforts emphasized Khaled's established role as a prominent DJ on Miami's WEDR 99 Jamz, leveraging heavy radio airplay in the region to build local buzz.[27][8] Promotion included a nationwide multi-million dollar Pepsi campaign and a cover feature on the March 2006 issue of Ozone magazine, highlighting the album's Southern hip-hop influences.[25] The strategy tied into Khaled's prior promotional mixtape titled Listennn, which served as an official teaser to generate industry anticipation ahead of the full release.[12][4] Additional tactics focused on video production featuring high-profile guest artists such as Lil Wayne, Fat Joe, and Rick Ross, prioritizing visual content to capitalize on their star power within budget constraints.[25] Television exposure supported the rollout, with the lead single's video premiering on MTV2's Making the Video on April 11, 2006, and Khaled appearing on MTV's DFX earlier that month.[25] Radio promotion extended nationally, with the single "Holla at Me" approaching 1,000 spins on urban stations by the release date.[25] As an independent label venture, Koch Records' approach relied on grassroots and regional efforts rather than large-scale major-label advertising, reflecting the financial limitations typical of indie urban music distributors at the time.[25] Following the release, Khaled maintained momentum through his ongoing DJ residency at Miami clubs and radio interviews, positioning the album as a key moment in the Southern hip-hop movement without undertaking a formal tour.[27][12] These performances and media spots underscored his role in elevating Miami's presence in the genre.[28]Reception
Critical reception
Upon release, Listennn... the Album received mixed to positive reviews from critics, who appreciated its energetic production and high-profile collaborations but often critiqued DJ Khaled's limited personal involvement.[4][14][12] Critics frequently praised the album's star-studded guest appearances and vibrant, Miami-infused production, which blended Southern rap elements with sleek beats from producers like Cool & Dre and The Runners. Pitchfork highlighted the record's "consistent aesthetic," noting how it incorporated influences from Houston screw to Italo-disco, resulting in versatile tracks that transcended typical mixtape fare.[4] PopMatters called it a "collaborative triumph," emphasizing standout posse cuts like "Gangsta Shit" featuring Young Jeezy and Bun B, which showcased giant organ swells and strong regional representation.[12] RapReviews commended the all-star lineup—including Lil Wayne, Paul Wall, Fat Joe, and Rick Ross—for delivering over solid beats, particularly on infectious anthems like "Holla at Me."[14] However, several reviewers pointed to shortcomings, including an over-reliance on guest artists that overshadowed Khaled's own voice and led to filler material. RapReviews noted that while the features were impressive, Khaled "reveals nothing about himself or his personality," making his presence feel peripheral on many tracks.[14] Pitchfork criticized the guests for often appearing "on autopilot," delivering subpar verses, and described Khaled's frequent vocal interjections as "obnoxious."[4] HipHopDX echoed this, arguing the album fell short of expectations due to uninspired performances from major names like T.I. and Lil Wayne, resembling a half-hearted mixtape rather than a cohesive debut.[22] Overall, the album earned a mixed-positive consensus as a solid introduction to Khaled's curatorial brand in hip-hop, with an aggregated critic score of 68/100 across eight reviews.[29] Pitchfork specifically lauded "Holla at Me" as a "posse cut masterpiece," crediting its sample from Afrika Bambaataataa's "Looking for the Perfect Beat" for elevating the collaborative energy.[4] XXL acknowledged the formulaic elements but valued the cohesive sound driven by Cool & Dre's Latin-infused drums on multiple cuts.[27]Commercial performance
Upon its release in June 2006, Listennn... the Album debuted at number 12 on the US Billboard 200 chart.[1][24] It also reached number 3 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart and number 1 on the Independent Albums chart.[1][30] The album sold 44,000 copies in its first week in the United States, marking a solid debut for an independent release on Koch Records.[1][24] Internationally, the album received limited distribution and did not achieve prominent chart positions. Its performance outside the US was minimal, reflecting the challenges of independent promotion in global markets. The album did not receive any certifications from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), as its sales fell short of the 500,000 units required for Gold status. This underperformance was largely attributed to its independent label backing, which limited mainstream retail and radio exposure compared to major-label efforts. Despite these modest commercial results, Listennn... the Album established DJ Khaled as a rising figure in hip-hop, building momentum for his subsequent releases that achieved greater success on the charts. The lead singles, including "Holla at Me," played a key role in increasing visibility and laying the groundwork for his collaborative style.[30]Credits
Track listing
The standard edition of Listennn... the Album, released on June 6, 2006, by Terror Squad Entertainment and Koch Records, contains 17 tracks with a total runtime of approximately 70 minutes (1:10:17) and is available in both explicit and edited versions, though the track order and content remain consistent across editions.[31]| No. | Title | Featured artist(s) | Duration | Producer(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Intro" | — | 1:58 | DJ Khaled |
| 2 | "Born-N-Raised" | Pitbull, Trick Daddy, Rick Ross | 4:15 | The Runners |
| 3 | "Gangsta Shit" | Young Jeezy, Bun B, Slick Pulla, Blood Raw | 4:58 | DJ Nasty & L.V.M. |
| 4 | "Grammy Family" | Kanye West, Consequence, John Legend | 3:24 | Kanye West |
| 5 | "Problem" | Beanie Sigel, Jadakiss | 3:36 | DJ Khaled |
| 6 | "Holla at Me" | Lil Wayne, Paul Wall, Fat Joe, Rick Ross, Pitbull | 4:27 | Cool & Dre |
| 7 | "Addicted" | Juelz Santana | 3:44 | Streetrunner |
| 8 | "Watch Out" | Akon, Styles P, Fat Joe, Rick Ross | 3:45 | Cool & Dre |
| 9 | "Destroy You" | Twista, Krayzie Bone | 4:27 | Cool & Dre |
| 10 | "Never Be Nothing Like Me" | Lil Scrappy, Homebwoi | 4:21 | Mr. Collipark |
| 11 | "Candy Paint" | Slim Thug, Trina, Chamillionaire | 4:10 | Cool & Dre |
| 12 | "M.I.A." | Lil Wayne | 3:45 | DVLP |
| 13 | "Where You At" | Freeway, Clipse | 3:52 | DJ Khaled |
| 14 | "Still Fly" | Birdman, Chop | 5:10 | T-Mix |
| 15 | "Dip, Slide, Ride Out" | T.I., Big Kuntry King, Young Dro | 5:00 | Keith Mack |
| 16 | "The Movement" | Dre | 3:42 | Cool & Dre |
| 17 | "The Future of Dade County" | Brisco, Dirty Red, Dela, Lunch Money, Co, Hennessy, P.M. | 5:37 | The Diaz Brothers |
