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Already Platinum

{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2025}}

{{Infobox album

| name = Already Platinum

| type = studio

| artist = Slim Thug

| cover = alreadyplatinum.jpg

| alt =

| released = July 12, 2005

| recorded = 2004–2005

| venue =

| studio =

| genre = * Hip hop

| length = 62:26

| label = {{flatlist|

}}

| producer = {{flatlist|

| prev_title =

| prev_year =

| next_title = Boss of All Bosses

| next_year = 2009

| misc = {{Singles

| name = Already Platinum

| type = studio

| single1 = Like a Boss

| single1date = November 9, 2004

| single2 = 3 Kings

| single2date = February 18, 2005

| single3 = I Ain't Heard of That

| single3date = March 6, 2005

| single4 = Diamonds (Remix)

| single4date = August 30, 2005

| single5 = Incredible Feelin'

| single5date = January 17, 2006

}}

}}

Already Platinum is the debut studio album by American rapper Slim Thug. It was released through the Neptunes's Star Trak Entertainment, an imprint of Geffen Records (part of the Interscope Geffen A&M corporate unit) on July 12, 2005. Its original release date was scheduled for February 2005, but heavy bootlegging and numerous delays held the album back, forcing a vast majority of its original track listing to be replaced. The original track listing included a version of the track "I Ain't Heard of That" which featured Jay-Z.

In an interview with XXL, the rapper explained the album title does not suggest he will go platinum, but that his lifestyle (before he got a record deal) was already similar to that of rappers who had reached the platinum status. In an interview on The Tyra Banks Show, mentor Pharrell revealed that he was a millionaire before the two met, and he especially liked that about him. He continued to say that he was "already platinum," the album name was just in confirmation of this.{{citation needed|date=October 2017}}

The album debuted at number two on the US Billboard 200, with 130,000 copies sold in the first week.{{cite web|last=Harris |first=Chris |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1506012/20050720/kelly_r.jhtml |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120903184441/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1506012/20050720/kelly_r.jhtml |url-status=dead |archive-date=September 3, 2012 |title=R. Kelly Fights Off Slim Thug And Bow Wow To Hold #1 |work=MTV |publisher=Viacom |date=July 20, 2005 |accessdate=October 13, 2010}} Ironically, the album has only sold 500,000 copies in the United States, signifying gold certification by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).{{cite web|url=http://www.rapreviews.com/news/View.php?ArticleID=3517 |title=Slim Thug Set to Release "Tha Thug Show" on 11/30!

|last=Juon |first=Steve |publisher=RapReviews |date=October 12, 2010 |accessdate=October 13, 2010}}{{cite web |author=craveonline |url=http://www.craveonline.com/entertainment/music/article/slim-thug-and-boss-hogg-outlawz-to-release-new-album-70145 |title=Slim Thug and Boss Hogg Outlawz to release new album |publisher=CraveOnline |date=2008-08-07 |accessdate=2012-01-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091227071008/http://www.craveonline.com/entertainment/music/article/slim-thug-and-boss-hogg-outlawz-to-release-new-album-70145 |archive-date=2009-12-27 |url-status=dead }}{{cite web |url=http://www.hiphopgalaxy.com/Slim-Thug-Serve-Collect-hip-hop-4728.html |title=Slim Thug Serve & Collect |publisher=Hip Hop Galaxy |date=2007-02-27 |accessdate=2012-01-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120308064653/http://www.hiphopgalaxy.com/Slim-Thug-Serve-Collect-hip-hop-4728.html |archive-date=2012-03-08 |url-status=dead }}

Background

In a 2016 interview with Slim Thug, he claims to have met the album's executive producer, Pharrell Williams, in Houston prior to career a mentorship arranged by Jimmy Iovine, as both acts were signed to the Interscope Geffen A&M Records umbrella at the time. Slim Thug also claims to have recorded a bulk of album in Los Angeles; Williams played him a then-unreleased remix to Jay-Z's 2003 single "Change Clothes"—one of Williams' productions—which was later reworked and became a song on the album, "I Ain't Heard of That". The song was also supposed to keep a verse performed by Jay-Z as a guest feature, however once the song became heavily bootlegged, the guest slot was replaced by fellow Houston rapper Bun B. Jay-Z received a formal songwriting credit on the song, although Slim Thug claims that Williams wrote the chorus.{{Cite web|url=https://youtube.com/watch?v=70tNYHKmLgA|title=Bun B talks Stealing a Song from Jay Z, Getting a shot with Beyonce, Changing Houston!|website=YouTube |date=3 August 2016 }}

Critical reception

{{Music ratings

|rev1 = AllMusic

|rev1score = {{rating|4|5}}{{cite web|last=Kellman|first=Andy|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/already-platinum-mw0000346671|title=Already Platinum - Boss Hogg Outlawz/Slim Thug|publisher=AllMusic|access-date=July 10, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150115133814/https://www.allmusic.com/album/already-platinum-mw0000346671|archive-date=January 15, 2015|url-status=live}}

|rev2 = Robert Christgau

|rev2score = C{{cite web|url=https://www.robertchristgau.com/get_artist.php?id=5551&name=Slim+Thug|title=CG: Slim Thug |publisher=Robert Christgau|access-date=July 10, 2011}}

|rev3 = Entertainment Weekly

|rev3score = B{{cite magazine|last=Endelman|first=Michael|url=https://ew.com/article/2005/07/08/already-platinum/|title=Already Platinum|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|publisher=Time Inc.|date=July 8, 2005|access-date=July 10, 2011|archive-date=October 20, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121020134711/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,1080699,00.html|url-status=live}}

|rev4 = Okayplayer

|rev4score = {{rating|3.5|5}}{{cite web|url=http://okayplayer.com/reviews/index.php/weblog/more/already_platinum/|title=Slim Thug - Already Platinum|last=Ruhi|first=Adrian|website=Okayplayer|date=July 2005|access-date=October 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071012083805/http://okayplayer.com/reviews/index.php/weblog/more/already_platinum/|archive-date=October 12, 2007|url-status=dead}}

|rev5 = Pitchfork

|rev5score = 7.5/10{{cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/7820-already-platinum/|title=Slim Thug: Already Platinum|last=Breihan|first=Tom|website=Pitchfork|date=July 12, 2005|access-date=July 10, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150702170658/https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/7820-already-platinum/|archive-date=July 2, 2015|url-status=live}}

|rev6 = Rolling Stone

|rev6score = {{rating|3.5|5}}{{cite magazine|url=http://rollingstone.com/artists/slimthug/albums/album/7439116/review/7471790/already_platinum|title=Slim Thug: Already Platinum|last=Hoard|first=Christian|author-link=Christian Hoard|magazine=Rolling Stone|publisher=Wenner Media|date=July 28, 2005|access-date=July 10, 2011|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20071016150648/http://rollingstone.com/artists/slimthug/albums/album/7439116/review/7471790/already_platinum|archive-date=October 16, 2007|url-status=dead}}

|rev7 = Spin

|rev7score = {{Rating|4|5}}{{cite magazine|last=Ryan|first=Chris|url=https://www.spin.com/2005/07/slim-thug-already-platinum-star-trakgeffen/|title=Slim Thug, 'Already Platinum' (Star Trak/Geffen)|magazine=Spin|publisher=SpinMedia|date=July 12, 2005|access-date=July 10, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150713124303/https://www.spin.com/2005/07/slim-thug-already-platinum-star-trakgeffen/|archive-date=July 13, 2015|url-status=live}}

|rev8 = Stylus Magazine

|rev8Score = B+{{cite magazine|url=http://www.stylusmagazine.com/reviews/slim-thug/already-platinum.htm|title=Slim Thug - Already Platinum - Review|last=McGarvey|first=Evan|magazine=Stylus Magazine|date=July 15, 2005|access-date=July 10, 2011|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070914185938/http://www.stylusmagazine.com/reviews/slim-thug/already-platinum.htm|archive-date=September 14, 2007|url-status=dead}}

|rev9 = USA Today

|rev9score = {{rating|3|4}}{{cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/life/music/news/2005-07-11-listen-up_x.htm|title=Bow Wow inspires; Nelson misfires|last=Jones|first=Steve|newspaper=USA Today|publisher=Gannett|date=July 11, 2005|access-date=July 10, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060110082721/https://www.usatoday.com/life/music/news/2005-07-11-listen-up_x.htm|archive-date=January 10, 2006|url-status=dead}}

|rev10 = Vibe

|rev10score = {{Rating|4|5}}{{cite magazine|last=Conway|first=Rondell|title=Slim Thug - Already Platinum (Interscope)|url=http://www.vibe.com/music/revolutions/2005/04/slim_thug_already_platinum_interscope/|date=April 12, 2005|access-date=September 22, 2024|magazine=Vibe|publisher=Vibe Media|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060428084906/http://www.vibe.com/music/revolutions/2005/04/slim_thug_already_platinum_interscope/|archive-date=April 28, 2006|url-status=dead}}

}}

Already Platinum garnered a positive reception from music critics who praised Slim's vocal delivery and the Southern production. AllMusic's Andy Kellman praised Slim's delivery for being more charismatic than Lil' Flip and Mike Jones, and the production work from both Mr. Lee and The Neptunes, concluding that "Already Platinum is one of 2005's best rap albums." Evan McGarvey of Stylus Magazine praised the Neptunes' production for evolving with Slim's Southern drawl and delivery, concluding that "After years of singles that people called "infectious" and "club-ready," they take Slim Thug and his dashing uniqueness and carve diamonds. This [album] isn't a musical highlight reel, it's watching artists shuck off personal curses and step into their own skins." Vibe contributor Rondell Conway wrote that, "Slim's worldly sensibilities make the pensive moments on the album both heartfelt ("Dedicate") and heady ("The Interview"). All the while, he keeps his Teflon status intact–without telling any tall tales." Rolling Stone{{'}}s Christian Hoard called the record "a popwise bastardization of the Houston rap scene's round-the-way charm", praising Slim's "down-home brassiness" delivering "brawny boasts and mesmerizing refrains", and the Neptunes' "arty minimalism" being better than on previous outings.

Entertainment Weekly writer Michael Endelman gave note of Slim having a "steady, linebacker-strong flow and [a] baritone" throughout the album but gave credit to the Neptunes for giving him "spacious and stark beats that are equal parts frightening and funky". Steve Jones of USA Today said that big names like T.I. and Jazze Pha didn't turn the attention away from the main artist, saying that "Slim [Thug]'s confident, laid-back deliveries keep him from being overshadowed." Chris Ryan of Spin commended Slim for lending his voice to the Neptunes' atmospheric production, saying they "contribute some of their most adventurous work yet." Tom Breihan of Pitchfork was critical of most of the tracks by the Neptunes, saying they "lost the gleaming, clattering swagger they once had, relying instead on bloodless synth lines and itchy, nattering drums" and that Slim's performance on them suffered. But said that the tracks by Mr. Lee ("Diamonds" and "3 Kings") were the highlights, concluding that, "On tracks like this, Slim sounds prehistoric, like he's always existed, like this voice has been echoing over canyons and through caves since before time began."

Track listing

{{track listing

| extra_column = Producer(s)

| title1 = The Intro

| writer1 = {{hlist|Stayve Thomas|Leroy Williams|General Johnson|Barney Perkins|Greg Perry}}

| extra1 = Mr. Lee

| length1 = 2:24

| title2 = Like a Boss

| writer2 = {{hlist|Thomas|Pharrell Williams|Chad Hugo}}

| extra2 = The Neptunes

| length2 = 3:20

| title3 = 3 Kings

| note3 = featuring Bun B and T.I.

| writer3 = {{hlist|Thomas|L. Williams|Bernard Freeman|Clifford Harris|Willie Clarke|Clarence Reid|Clinton Mansell|Sammie Norris|Cleavon Prince|Micah Troy}}

| extra3 = Mr. Lee

| length3 = 4:50

| title4 = Diamonds

| writer4 = {{hlist|Thomas|L. Williams|Chad Butler|Freeman|William Collins|Gary Cooper|George Clinton Jr.|Garry Shider}}

| extra4 = Mr. Lee

| length4 = 3:14

| title5 = Boyz N Blue

| note5 = featuring Killa Kyleon, Sir Daily, PJ, and Chris Ward

| writer5 = {{hlist|Thomas|Killa Kyleon|Sir Daily|PJ|Chris Ward}}

| extra5 = T.A.

| length5 = 3:50

| title6 = I Ain't Heard of That (Remix)

| note6 = featuring Bun B

| writer6 = {{hlist|Thomas|Shawn Carter|Freeman|P. Williams|Hugo}}

| extra6 = The Neptunes

| length6 = 3:49

| title7 = Click Clack

| note7 = featuring Pusha T

| writer7 = {{hlist|Thomas|P. Williams|Hugo|Terrance Thornton}}

| extra7 = The Neptunes

| length7 = 3:32

| title8 = Everybody Loves a Pimp

| note8 = featuring Jazze Pha

| writer8 = {{hlist|Thomas|Phalon Alexander|Zak Wallace}}

| extra8 = Jazze Pha

| length8 = 4:21

| title9 = Already Platinum

| note9 = featuring Pharrell

| writer9 = {{hlist|Thomas|P. Williams|Hugo}}

| extra9 = The Neptunes

| length9 = 4:47

| title10 = Ashy to Classy

| writer10 = {{hlist|Thomas|P. Williams|Hugo}}

| extra10 = The Neptunes

| length10 = 3:38

| title11 = The Interview

| writer11 = {{hlist|Thomas|Michael Clervoix|Robert Smith|Allan Felder|Norman Harris}}

| extra11 = {{hlist|Sha Money XL|Black Jeruz}}

| length11 = 2:47

| title12 = Playa You Don't Know

| note12 = featuring Pharrell

| writer12 = {{hlist|Thomas|P. Williams|Hugo}}

| extra12 = The Neptunes

| length12 = 4:30

| title13 = Miss Mary

| writer13 = {{hlist|Thomas|Andre Lyon|Marcello Valenzano|George Michael}}

| extra13 = Cool & Dre

| length13 = 4:28

| title14 = Incredible Feelin{{'-}}

| note14 = featuring Jazze Pha

| writer14 = {{hlist|Thomas|Alexander|Wallace}}

| extra14 = Jazze Pha

| length14 = 4:35

| title15 = This Is My Life

| note15 = featuring LeToya Luckett

| writer15 = {{hlist|Thomas|P. Williams|Hugo}}

| extra15 = The Neptunes

| length15 = 4:10

| title16 = Dedicate

| writer16 = {{hlist|Thomas|P. Williams|Hugo}}

| extra16 = The Neptunes

| length16 = 4:33

}}

{{Track listing

| headline = Bonus CD

| extra_column = Producer(s)

| title1 = Welcome to Houston

| note1 =

| extra1 = Mr. Lee

| length1 = 4:22

| title2 = I'll Show Ya

| note2 = featuring Killa Kyleon and Chris Ward

| extra2 = Mr. Lee

| length2 = 4:45

| title3 = Represent Gangsta

| note3 = featuring Killa Kyleon and Sir Daily

| extra3 = Mr. Lee

| length3 = 4:47

| title4 = I Need A...

| note4 = featuring Killa Kyleon and Chris Ward

| extra4 = Mr. Lee

| length4 = 4:18

| title5 = Dope Man

| note5 = featuring Killa Kyleon

| extra5 = Mr. Lee

| length5 = 4:08

| title6 = 3 Kings (Chopped and Screwed)

| note6 = featuring T.I. and Bun B

| extra6 = Mr. Rogers

| length6 = 5:26

| title7 = Like a Boss (Chopped and Screwed)

| note7 =

| extra7 = Mr. Rogers

| length7 = 3:46

| title8 = I Ain't Heard of That (Remix) (Chopped and Screwed)

| note8 = featuring Bun B and Pharrell

| extra8 = Mr. Rogers

| length8 = 4:34

}}

;Sample credits

  • "The Intro" contains excerpts from "Want Ads"; written by General Johnson, Barney Perkins, and Greg Perry; and performed by Honey Cone.
  • "3 Kings" contains excerpts from:
  • "Secretary", written by Willie Clarke and Clarence Reid, and performed by Betty Wright.{{cite web|url=http://www.whosampled.com/sample/15216/Slim-Thug-T.I.-Bun-B-3-Kings-Betty-Wright-Secretary/|title=Slim Thug feat. T.I. and Bun B's 3 Kings sample of Betty Wright's Secretary|publisher=WhoSampled|accessdate=July 16, 2015}}
  • "Throw It Up"; written by Clinton Mansell, Sammie Norris, Cleavon Prince, and Micah Troy; and performed by Lil Jon.
  • "Diamonds" contains excerpts from "Diamonds & Wood", wri
  • "Diamonds" samples "Top Notch Hoes" by Pimp C.{{cite web|url=http://www.whosampled.com/sample/297372/Slim-Thug-Diamonds-Pimp-C-Top-Notch-Hoes/|title=Slim Thug's Diamonds sample of Pimp C's Top Notch Hoes|publisher=WhoSampled|accessdate=July 16, 2015}}
  • "The Interview" samples "The Newness Is Gone" by Eddie Kendricks.{{cite web|url=http://www.whosampled.com/sample/107376/Slim-Thug-The-Interview-Eddie-Kendricks-The-Newness-Is-Gone/|title=Slim Thug's The Interview sample of Eddie Kendricks's The Newness is Gone|publisher=WhoSampled|accessdate=July 16, 2015}}
  • "Miss Mary" samples "A Moment with You" by George Michael.{{cite web|url=http://www.whosampled.com/sample/11252/Slim-Thug-Miss-Mary-George-Michael-A-Moment-With-You/|title=Slim Thug's Miss Mary sample of George Michael's A Moment With You|publisher=WhoSampled|accessdate=July 16, 2015}}
  • "I Need A..." samples "Out There" by Willie Hutch.
  • "Dope Man" samples "Just to Keep You Satisfied" by Marvin Gaye.
  • "I'll Show Ya" samples "Stay in Love with Me" by Trinere.

Personnel

Credits for Already Platinum adapted from AllMusic.{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/already-platinum-mw0000346671/credits |title=Already Platinum - Boss Hogg Outlawz, Slim Thug | Credits |publisher=AllMusic |accessdate=July 15, 2015}}

{{col-begin}}

{{col-2}}

{{col-2}}

{{col-end}}

Charts

{{col-begin}}

{{col-2}}

=Weekly charts=

class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"
Chart (2005)

! Peak
position

{{album chart|Billboard200|2|artist=Slim Thug|accessdate=December 20, 2014}}
{{album chart|BillboardRandBHipHop|2|artist=Slim Thug|accessdate=December 20, 2014}}

{{col-2}}

=Year-end charts=

class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"
Chart (2005)

! Position

scope="row"|US Billboard 200{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2005/top-billboard-200-albums |title=2005 Year-End Charts: Billboard 200 Albums |magazine=Billboard |publisher=Prometheus Global Media |accessdate=July 15, 2015}}

|align="center"|190

scope="row"|US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard){{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2005/top-r-b-hip-hop-albums |title=2005 Year-End Charts: R&B/Hip-Hop Albums |magazine=Billboard |publisher=Prometheus Global Media |accessdate=July 15, 2015 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160108210214/http://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2005/top-r-b-hip-hop-albums |archivedate=January 8, 2016 |url-status=dead}}

|align="center"|48

{{col-end}}

Certifications

{{Certification Table Top}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|type=album|title=Already Platinum|artist=Slim Thug|award=Gold|relyear=2015|certyear=2018|accessdate=2 August 2018}}

{{Certification Table Bottom | nosales=true | noshipments=true | streaming=true}}

References

{{Reflist|2}}

{{Slim Thug}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:2005 debut albums

Category:Slim Thug albums

Category:Geffen Records albums

Category:Star Trak Entertainment albums

Category:Albums produced by the Neptunes

Category:Albums produced by Cool & Dre

Category:Albums produced by Jazze Pha