Back of My Lac'
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2025}}
{{Infobox album
| name = Back of My Lac'
| type = studio
| artist = J. Holiday
| cover = Back_of_my_lack_cover.jpg
| alt =
| released = October 2, 2007
| recorded = 2006–2007
| venue =
| studio = Studio 13 (Washington D.C.),
Signature Sound Studio, Music Line Studio, Triangle Sound Studio, The Red Room, J. Que's Crib, Phonix Ave Studio, DARP Studios (Atlanta, Georgia),
The Gin House, (Hollywood, California),
Dark Child Studios (Pleasantville, New Jersey)
| genre =
| length = 57:17
| label =
- Music Line
- Capitol
| producer =
- Anthony "TA" Tate (exec.)
- Corey Green (co-exec.)
- Los Da Mystro
- Darkchild
- The-Dream
- The Platinum Brothers
- Donnie Scantz
- Travis Cherry
- J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League
- Sean Garrett
- Oak Felder
| prev_title =
| prev_year =
| next_title = Round 2
| next_year = 2009
| misc = {{Extra album cover
| header = Deluxe edition cover
| type = studio
| cover = Jholidaydeluxefa0.jpg
| border =
| alt =
| caption =
}}
{{Singles
| name = Back of My Lac'
| type = studio
| single1 = Be with Me
| single1date = October 31, 2006
| single2 = Bed
| single2date = June 19, 2007
| single3 = Suffocate
| single3date = October 2, 2007
| single4 = Come Here
| single4date = April 15, 2008
}}
}}
Back of My Lac' is the debut studio album from American R&B singer J. Holiday that was released in the United States on October 2, 2007, by Music Line Group and Capitol Records. Production for this album was handled by Los Da Mystro, Darkchild, The-Dream, The Platinum Brothers, Donnie Scantz, Travis Cherry, J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League, Sean Garrett and Oak Felder
The album was supported by three singles, "Be with Me", "Bed" and "Suffocate".
Upon its release, Back of My Lac' received generally mixed reviews from music critics. The album debuted at number five on the US Billboard 200, selling 105,000 copies in its first week. The album was nominated for Best Contemporary R&B Album at the 51st Grammy Awards, but lost to Mary J. Blige's Growing Pains.
Background
In early 2000s, he met Corey Green whom he found was in the same direction with him. Soon both formed a duo called 295 that experienced mild popularity. All the while Corey would hook them up with music executives that come to Washington just to watch their performances. They soon got frustrated for not getting discovered and eventually disbanded in 2003 while remaining friends until Holiday's solo career. Holiday would soon secure a record deal with Jazze Pha's Sho'nuff Records.{{cite AV media |url-status = live |archive-url = https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/nR33sE_PMGg |archive-date = 2021-12-11| url = https://youtube.com/watch?v=nR33sE_PMGg&t=423s |title = Where Is J. Holiday Now After He Gave Us Mega Hits "Bed" & "Suffocate" {{!}} #FindingBET |website=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}
The album was originally meant to be released by the end of 2006, however it was pushed back to early 2007 and then pushed to its final release of October 2. J. Holiday worked with Ne-Yo on three songs between December 2005 and January 2006 that did not make the album.
Singles
The album's lead single, "Be with Me", was released on October 31, 2006. The song was produced by Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins. The song did not fare well commercially, failing to chart on the Billboard Hot 100 and has since peaked at #83 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs.
The second single, "Bed", was released on June 19, 2007, it peaked at number 5 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and number one on Hot R&B/Hip Hop Songs for five weeks total and was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).{{BillboardURLbyName|artist=j. holiday|chart=all}}
The third single, "Suffocate" was released on October 2, 2007, the song has peaked at #2 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs Chart and #18 on the Billboard Hot 100. The video for the single was shot in Paris, France and debuted on BET's 106 & Park on November 7, 2007.[http://thepopculturejunkie.blogspot.com/2007/11/j-holiday-suffocate.html Video: J. Holiday - Suffocate] Pop-Junkie.com (November 7, 2007). Accessed November 7, 2007.
"City Boy" featuring 8 Ball & MJG was released as a promotional single, the song was not included in the US version of the album, but is featured on the album only as a bonus track in several countries.
"Come Here" was released as a single but was ultimately canceled.
Critical reception
{{Music ratings
| rev1 = About.com
| rev1score = {{Rating|4|5}}{{cite web|url=http://randb.about.com/od/reviews/fr/BackOfMyLac.htm|title=Album Review: J. Holiday - "Back of My 'Lac|last=Nero|first=Mark Edward|publisher=About.com|accessdate=July 10, 2011|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20071013100729/http://randb.about.com/od/reviews/fr/BackOfMyLac.htm|archivedate=October 13, 2007|url-status=dead|df=mdy }}
| rev2 = AllMusic
| rev2score = {{Rating|3|5}}{{cite web|url={{AllMusic|class=album|id=r1172063|pure_url=yes}}|title=Back of My Lac' - J. Holiday|last=Kellman|first=Andy|publisher=AllMusic|accessdate=July 10, 2011}}
| rev3 = Entertainment Weekly
| rev3score = B−{{cite magazine|url=http://www.ew.com/article/2007/09/28/back-my-lac|title=Back of My Lac'|last=Vozick-Levinson|first=Simon|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|publisher=Time Inc.|date=September 28, 2007|accessdate=March 18, 2016}}
| rev4 = The Guardian
| rev4score = {{rating|4|5}}{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2007/dec/07/urban.shopping1|title=Review: J Holiday, Back of My Lac'|last=Macpherson|first=Alex|work=The Guardian|date=December 7, 2007|accessdate=July 10, 2011}}
| rev5 = Rolling Stone
| rev5score = {{Rating|2.5|5}}{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/reviews/album/16594164/review/16598939|title=Back Of My Lac L J. Holiday|last=Hoard|first=Christian|magazine=Rolling Stone|publisher=Wenner Media|date=October 4, 2007|accessdate=July 10, 2011|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080401092628/http://www.rollingstone.com/reviews/album/16594164/review/16598939|archivedate=April 1, 2008|url-status=dead|df=mdy }}
}}
Back of My Lac{{'}} received mixed reviews from critics. Mark Edward Nero from About.com reviewed the album favorably, saying: "It's rare that young artist puts out such a well-rounded album, one that young men can totally relate to and that young women will be swept off their feet by, but Back of My Lac', is just such an album. It's charming, gritty, sensual, original and most of all-real. Ladies and gentlemen, J. Holiday has arrived. And he definitely is that dude."
Fan reviews remain highly favorable for the album, praising its overall consistency and well roundness. "Fatal", "Bed","Thank You" and "Suffocate" have been frequently referenced as favorites.
Commercial performance
The album debuted on the U.S. Billboard 200 chart at number 5, selling 105,000 copies in its first week.Katie Hasty, [http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1048343/springsteen-is-boss-of-album-chart-with-magic "Springsteen Is Boss Of Album Chart With 'Magic'"], Billboard.com, October 10, 2007. It debuted at #1 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums. The album debuted in the Top 20 R&B/Hip Hop albums in Canada and charted within the Top 100 albums in Canada.{{citation needed|date=February 2017}} It became a Top 10 R&B/Hip Hop album in the UK and a Top 40 UK album entry peaking at #32.{{citation needed|date=February 2017}} In the U.S it also made it to #8 on the Tastemakers chart and #5 on the Top Digital Albums and Billboard Comprehensive Albums Chart.
Track listing
{{track listing
| headline = Back of My Lac{{'}} {{nobold|– Standard edition}}
| extra_column = Producer(s)
| title1 = Back of My Lac
| writer1 = {{hlist|Naham Grymes|Quincy Lowe|William Robinson|Marvin Tarpin|William DeVaughn}}
| extra1 = Quincy Lowe
| length1 = 4:49
| title2 = Ghetto
| writer2 = {{hlist|Grymes|Donnie Scantz|Sam Thomas}}
| extra2 = Donnie Scantz
| length2 = 4:11
| title3 = Thug Commandments
| writer3 = {{hlist|Neely Dinkins| Vito Colapietto|Balewa Muhammad|Frank "Sekay" Oliphant|Anthony Hester}}
| extra3 = {{hlist|The Co-Stars|Balewa Muhammad}}
| length3 = 3:29
| title4 = Bed
| extra4 = {{hlist|The-Dream|Los Da Mystro}}
| writer4 = {{hlist|Carlos McKinney|Terius Nash}}
| length4 = 4:35
| title5 = Betcha Never Had
| writer5 = {{hlist|Sean Garrett|Warren Felder}}
| extra5 = {{hlist|Sean Garrett|Oak Felder}}
| length5 = 3:01
| title6 = Laa Laa
| writer6 = {{hlist|Adam Gibbs|Mike Chesser|Grymes|Nash}}
| extra6 = The Platinum Brothers
| length6 = 4:31
| title7 = Come Here
| writer7 = {{hlist|Gibbs|Chesser|Robert L. Huggar|Travis Cherry|Karl Antoine}}
| extra7 = The Platinum Brothers, co-produced by Travis Cherry
| length7 = 3:30
| title8 = Be with Me
| writer8 = {{hlist|Grymes|Jerkins|Adonis Shropshire}}
| extra8 = Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins
| length8 = 3:58
| title9 = Suffocate
| writer9 = {{hlist|Stewart|Nash}}
| extra9 = Christopher 'Tricky' Stewart
| length9 = 3:40
| title10 = Fatal
| writer10 = {{hlist|Paul|Smith|P. Smith|Erika Nuri}}
| extra10 = {{hlist|Korran Paul|Gil Smith II|Patrick "J. Que" Smith (co.)}}
| length10 = 5:16
| title11 = Without You
| writer11 = {{hlist|Jerkins|Grymes|Shropshire|Mitchah Williams|Burt Bacharach|Hal David}}
| extra11 = {{hlist|Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins|Mitchah "Genesis" Williams}}
| length11 = 3:47
| title12 = Pimp In Me
| writer12 = Jasper Carmon
| extra12 = Jasper Cameron
| length12 = 4:25
| title13 = Thank You
| writer13 = {{hlist|Shropshire|E. Vixon}}
| extra13 = Adonis Shropshire
| length13 = 4:23
| title14 = Fallin'
| writer14 = {{hlist|Grymes|Erik Ortiz|C. Brown III|Kevin Crowe}}
| extra14 = J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League
| length14 = 3:42
}}
{{track listing
| extra_column = Producer(s)
| headline = Back of My Lac' {{nobold|– Deluxe edition (bonus tracks)}}{{Cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/back-of-my-lac-bonus-tack-version/716149127|title = Back of My Lac' (Bonus Tack Version) by J. Holiday|website = iTunes|date = January 2008}}
| title15 = Sooner You Get to Love
| writer15 = {{hlist|Ned Doheny|Donnie Scantz|James Stuart|Nahum Grymes}}
| extra15 = Donnie Scantz
| length15 = 3:56
| title16 = I Know Love
| writer16 = {{hlist|Nahum Grymes|Gary Cooper|William Collins|Mike Chesser|Adam Gibbs|Garry Shider|George Clinton Jr.|Dayton Wellington}}
| extra16 = The Platinum Brothers
| length16 = 3:49
| title17 = When You Get Home
| writer17 = {{hlist|Michael A. Chesser|Adam M. Gibbs|Kenny Gamble|Leon A. Huff|Nahum Thorton Grymes|Travis Demond Cherry}}
| extra17 = The Platinum Brothers, co-produced by Travis Cherry
| length17 = 3:52
}}
{{track listing
| extra_column = Producer(s)
| headline = Back of My Lac' - {{nobold|International Bonus Track}}
| title15 = City Boy
| note15 = featuring 8Ball & MJG
| writer15 = {{hlist|C. Brown III|E. Ortiz|K. Crowe|Nahum Grymes}}
| extra15 = J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League
| length15 = 3:42
}}
{{track listing
| extra_column = Producer(s)
| headline = Back of My Lac' - {{nobold|Japan Bonus Track}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.discogs.com/J-Holiday-Back-Of-My-Lac/release/2701713|title=J. Holiday – Back of My Lac' (2007, CD)|website=Discogs|date=7 November 2007 }}
| title15 = Good for Each Other
| writer15 = {{hlist|C. Brown III|E. Ortiz|K. Crowe|Nahum Grymes}}
| extra15 = J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League
| length15 = 3:33
}}
{{track listing
| extra_column = Producer(s)
| headline = Back of My Lac' - {{nobold|Brazil Bonus Track}}{{Cite web|url=https://produto.mercadolivre.com.br/MLB-909434742-cd-jholiday-back-of-my-lac-black-funk-pop-regaee-lacrado-_JM|title = J.holiday Back of My Lac Black Funk Pop Regaee Cd Lacrado - R$ 44,99}}
| title15 = Bed (Haji & Emanuel Remix)
| extra15 = The-Dream & Los Da Mystro
| length15 = 4:35
}}
Charts
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
=Weekly charts=
{{col-2}}
=Year-end charts=
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" |
| Chart (2007)
! Position |
|---|
| US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard){{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2007/top-r-and-b-hip-hop-albums|title=Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums – Year-End 2007|magazine=Billboard|accessdate=October 7, 2020}}
| style="text-align:center"|57 |
| Chart (2008)
! Position |
| US Billboard 200{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2008/top-billboard-200-albums|title=Top Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 2008|magazine=Billboard|accessdate=October 7, 2020}}
| style="text-align:center"|109 |
| US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard){{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2008/top-r-and-b-hip-hop-albums|title=Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums – Year-End 2008|magazine=Billboard|accessdate=October 7, 2020}}
| style="text-align:center"|23 |
{{col-end}}
Release history
| class="wikitable" |
| Region
! Date ! Version ! Format(s) ! Label |
|---|
| rowspan="2"| United States
| October 2, 2007 {{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/back-of-my-lac/716672470|title=Back of My Lac' by J. Holiday|work=iTunes Store (US)|date=2 October 2007|publisher=Apple|access-date=September 12, 2014}} | rowspan="2"| CD, digital download | rowspan="2"| Music Line, Capitol |
| February 5, 2008
| Deluxe Edition |
Certifications and sales
{{certification Table Top}}
{{certification Table Entry|type=album|region=United States|artist=J. Holiday|title=Back of My Lac|award=Gold|certyear=2008|relyear=2007}}
{{Certification Table Bottom|nosales=yes}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20071011034805/http://www.jholiday.com/ J. Holiday's Official Site]
- [http://www.myspace.com/jholiday J. Holiday's Myspace Page]
- [http://jholidayfan.net J. Holiday Fan Site]
- [http://thepopculturejunkie.blogspot.com/2007/09/j-holiday-live-rooftop-show.html J. Holiday Live Rooftop Show]
- [http://thepopculturejunkie.blogspot.com/2007/09/just-in-case-you-missed-it-j-holiday.html J. Holiday Releases Third Single "Suffocate"]
- [http://thepopculturejunkie.blogspot.com/2007/09/get-ready-for-back-of-my-lac.html Back Of My 'Lac Cover, Tracklisting, and Chocolate City MixTape]
- [http://thepopculturejunkie.blogspot.com/2007/08/get-caught-up-with-j-holiday.html Exclusive Interview with J. Holiday]
- [http://thepopculturejunkie.blogspot.com/2007/11/j-holiday-suffocate.html J. Holiday - Suffocate Video]
- [http://thepopculturejunkie.blogspot.com/2007/11/on-set-j-holidays-suffocate.html Video Stills of Suffocate Video]
- [http://thepopculturejunkie.blogspot.com/2007/11/check-it-j-holidays-city-boy.html City Boy - Unreleased Track]
{{J. Holiday}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Back Of My Lac'}}
Category:Albums produced by Rodney Jerkins
Category:Capitol Records albums