Grand Champ
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2021}}
{{Infobox album
| name = Grand Champ
| type = Album
| artist = DMX
| cover = dmxgrandchamp.jpg
| alt =
| released = September 16, 2003
| recorded =
| venue =
| studio =
| genre = East Coast hip-hop
| length = 74:40
| label = {{hlist|Island Def Jam|Def Jam|Ruff Ryders}}
| producer = {{hlist|DMX (also exec.) |Tony Pizarro|DJ Salam Wreck|Kanye West|No I.D.|Tuneheadz|Rockwilder|Ron Browz|Swizz Beatz|Dame Grease|PK|Darrin Dean (exec.)|Joaquin "Waah" Dean (exec.)|Jay "Icepick" Jackson (exec.)|Craig Brodhead (exec.)|Tina M. Davis (exec.)}}
| prev_title = The Great Depression
| prev_year = 2001
| next_title = Year of the Dog… Again
| next_year = 2006
| misc = {{Singles
| name = Grand Champ
| type = studio
| single1 = Where the Hood At?
| single1date = August 5, 2003{{Cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/release/where-that-hood-at-us-12-mr0001317725|title = Where That Hood at [US 12"] - DMX | Release Credits| website=AllMusic }}
| single2 = Get It on the Floor
| single2date = December 30, 2003{{Cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/get-it-on-the-floor-uk-cd-mw0001001210|title=Get It on the Floor - DMX | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic|website=AllMusic }}
}}
}}
Grand Champ is the fifth studio album by American rapper DMX. It was released on September 16, 2003 by The Island Def Jam Music Group, Def Jam Recordings, and Ruff Ryders Entertainment. The album was produced by multiple producers, including Swizz Beatz, Dame Grease, Kanye West, and No I.D. It features guest appearances from 50 Cent, Cam'ron, Eve, Styles P, Monica, and Jadakiss, among others.
Grand Champ was supported by two singles: "Where the Hood At?" and "Get It on the Floor". Despite receiving generally mixed reviews from music critics, the album was a commercial success. It debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200 chart, selling 312,000 copies in its first week.
Singles
The album was supported by two singles. The first single, "Where the Hood At?" was released on August 5, 2003.{{Cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/release/where-that-hood-at-us-12-mr0001317725|title=Where That Hood at [US 12"] - DMX | Release Credits|website=AllMusic }} The single peaked at number 68 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number 24 on the US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs charts respectively.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/dmx/chart-history/hsi/|title=DMX Chart History - Hot 100|magazine=Billboard |accessdate=March 1, 2020}}{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/dmx/chart-history/bsi/|title=DMX Chart History - HRBHHS|magazine=Billboard |accessdate=March 1, 2020}} The single also peaked at number 16 on the UK Singles Chart, becoming his second top 20 song on that chart.{{cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/artist/4579/dmx/|title=UK Chart History - DMX|website=Official Charts Company|accessdate=March 1, 2020}} The second single, "Get It on the Floor" was released on December 30, 2003.{{Cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/get-it-on-the-floor-uk-cd-mw0001001210|title = Get It on the Floor - DMX | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic| website=AllMusic }} The song was produced by and features a guest appearance by Swizz Beatz. The single failed to chart on the Billboard Hot 100 but managed to peak at number 57 on the US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and number 34 on the UK Singles Chart, becoming his fifth UK top 40.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/dmx/chart-history/bsi/|title=DMX Chart History - HRBHHS|magazine=Billboard |accessdate=March 1, 2020}}{{cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/artist/4579/dmx/|title=UK Chart History - DMX|website=Official Charts Company|accessdate=March 1, 2020}}
=Other songs=
On the international version of the album "X Gon' Give It to Ya" was added as a bonus track. The single was originally released on December 10, 2002.{{Cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/x-gon-give-it-to-ya-us-12-mw0000416223|title = X Gon' Give It to Ya - DMX | User Reviews | AllMusic| website=AllMusic }} It served as the theme song for the 2003 film "Cradle 2 the Grave" which DMX also starred in. The song peaked at number 60 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number 23 on the US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs charts respectively.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/dmx/chart-history/hsi/|title=DMX Chart History - Hot 100|magazine=Billboard |accessdate=March 1, 2020}}{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/dmx/chart-history/bsi/|title=DMX Chart History - HRBHHS|magazine=Billboard |accessdate=March 1, 2020}} The song also peaked at number six on the UK Singles Chart, becoming his only UK top-ten hit.{{cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/artist/4579/dmx/|title=UK Chart History - DMX|website=Official Charts Company|accessdate=March 1, 2020}}
Critical reception
{{Album ratings
|rev1 = AllMusic
|rev1score = {{Rating|3.5|5}}{{cite web|author=Jason Birchmeier |url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/grand-champ-mw0002016697 |title=Grand Champ - DMX | Songs, Reviews, Credits |publisher=AllMusic |date=September 16, 2003 |access-date=December 19, 2015}}
|rev2 = Blender
|rev3 = E! Online
|rev4 = Entertainment Weekly
|rev4score = C−{{cite magazine|url=http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,490223,00.html|title=Grand Champ Review|last=Fiore|first=Raymond|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|date=October 3, 2003|page=73|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090425164038/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,490223,00.html |access-date=December 31, 2012|archive-date=April 25, 2009 }}
|rev5 = Playlouder
|rev6 = PopMatters
|rev6score = {{Rating|4|10}}{{cite web|last=Cibula|first=Matt|url=https://www.popmatters.com/dmx-grandchamp-2495888127.html|title=DMX: Grand Champ|date=November 21, 2003 |website=PopMatters |access-date=December 19, 2015}}
|rev7 = RapReviews
|rev8 = Rolling Stone
|rev9 = Vibe
|rev9score = {{Rating|3.5|5}}{{cite magazine|last=Lemon|first=Damien|url=http://www.vibe.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=Reviews&file=index&req=showcontent&id=93|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050405144514/http://www.vibe.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=Reviews&file=index&req=showcontent&id=93|archive-date=April 5, 2005|title=Revolutions: DMX – Grand Champ|magazine=Vibe|page=181|date= October 2003|access-date=March 6, 2024}}
|rev10 = USA Today
|rev10score = {{Rating|3|4}}{{cite web|last=Jones|first=Steve|url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/music/reviews/2003-09-15-listenup_x.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121025053055/http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/music/reviews/2003-09-15-listenup_x.htm|archive-date=October 25, 2012|title=Listen Up |website=USA Today|date=September 15, 2003 |access-date=December 19, 2015}}
}}
Grand Champ received generally mixed reviews from music critics. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from professional publications, the album received an average score of 58, based on twelve reviews. Jason Birchmeier of AllMusic praised DMX's effort stating that, "It's a well-crafted and thought-out album but feels like a sequel, and as such, it serves its purpose: to satisfy fans and move units." But Birchmeier also stated that it was "Not quite the big comeback DMX needed at this point in his quietly sagging rap career." In addition, he stated that, "Longtime fans may decide to drop off at about this point, if they hadn't already, while those content with the usual—or new to DMX—should find plenty to savor on Grand Champ." Birchmeier ultimately give the album a 3.5 star rating out of 5.{{cite web|author=Jason Birchmeier |url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/grand-champ-mw0002016697 |title=Grand Champ - DMX | Songs, Reviews, Credits |publisher=AllMusic |date=September 16, 2003 |access-date=December 19, 2015}}
Commercial performance
Grand Champ debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200 chart, selling 312,000 copies in its first week, according to Nielsen Soundscan.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/68953/dmx-proves-grand-champ-on-album-chart|title=DMX Proves 'Grand Champ' On Album Chart|magazine=Billboard|date=September 24, 2003|accessdate=March 1, 2020}} This became DMX's fifth and final US number one debut on the chart. In its second week, the album dropped to number seven on the chart, selling an additional 150,000 copies.{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1479450/outkast-win-hotly-contested-1-chart-slot/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200919042113/http://www.mtv.com/news/1479450/outkast-win-hotly-contested-1-chart-slot/|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 19, 2020|title=Outkast Win Hotly Contested #1 Spot|work=MTV|date=October 1, 2003|accessdate=March 1, 2020}} On November 7, 2003, the album was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for shipments and sales of over one million copies in the US. As of October 2009, the album has sold 1,204,000 copies in the United States.{{cite web|url=https://hiphop-n-more.com/2009/10/xxl-scans-def-jams-entire-discography-record-sales/|title=XXL Scans: Def Jam's Entire Discography & Record Sales|date=October 18, 2009|accessdate=March 1, 2020}} To date, it is DMX's final album to achieve a certification from the RIAA.
Track listing
Credits adapted from the album's liner notes.{{cite AV media notes|title= Grand Champ |year= 2003 |type= booklet |publisher= Ruff Ryders, Def Jam}}
{{Track listing
| extra_column = Producer(s)
| total_length =
| title1 = Dog Intro
| note1 = featuring Bashir Fadai
| writer1 = {{hlist|Earl Simmons|Darold Trotter}}
| extra1 = Darold "Pop" Trotter
| length1 = 3:32
| title2 = My Life
| note2 = featuring Chinky
| writer2 = {{hlist|Simmons|John Parker|Talia Burgess}}
| extra2 = Dart La
| length2 = 3:09
| title3 = Where the Hood At?
| note3 =
| writer3 = {{hlist|Simmons|Franklin Crum|Eriberio Serrano|Antonio Hardy}}
| extra3 = Tuneheadz
| length3 = 4:46
| title4 = Dogs Out
| note4 =
| writer4 = {{hlist|Simmons|Kanye West|Ralph Bass|Lowman Pauling}}
| extra4 = Kanye West
| length4 = 4:03
| title5 = Get It on the Floor
| note5 = featuring Swizz Beatz
| writer5 = {{hlist|Simmons|Kasseem Dean}}
| extra5 = Swizz Beatz
| length5 = 4:22
| title6 = Come Prepared
| note6 = Skit
| writer6 =
| extra6 = {{hlist|Joaquin "Waah" Dean|Jay "Icepick" Jackson}}
| length6 = 0:35
| title7 = Shot Down
| note7 = featuring 50 Cent and Styles P
| writer7 = {{hlist|Simmons|Salaam Nassar|David Styles|Curtis Jackson}}
| extra7 = DJ Salam Wreck
| length7 = 3:42
| title8 = Bring the Noize
| note8 =
| writer8 = {{hlist|Simmons|Crum|Serrano}}
| extra8 = Tuneheadz
| length8 = 3:30
| title9 = Untouchable
| note9 = featuring Syleena Johnson, Cross, Infa-Red, Sheek and Drag-On
| writer9 = {{hlist|Simmons|Tony Pizarro|J. Lucien|Sean Jacobs|Shandel Green|Shawn Martin|Melvin Smalls}}
| extra9 = {{hlist|Tony Pizarro|Black Moses{{ref|a|[a]}}}}
| length9 = 6:05
| title10 = Fuck Y'all
| note10 =
| writer10 = {{hlist|Simmons|Rondell Tuner|Lou Courtney}}
| extra10 = Ron Browz
| length10 = 3:43
| title11 = Ruff Radio
| note11 = Skit
| writer11 =
| extra11 = {{hlist|Joaquin "Waah" Dean|Jay "Icepick" Jackson}}
| length11 = 0:43
| title12 = We're Back
| note12 = featuring Eve and Jadakiss
| writer12 = {{hlist|Simmons|Crum|Serrano|Eve Jeffers|Jason Phillips}}
| extra12 = Tuneheadz
| length12 = 4:25
| title13 = Ruff Radio 2
| note13 = Skit
| writer13 =
| extra13 = {{hlist|Joaquin "Waah" Dean|Jay "Icepick" Jackson}}
| length13 = 0:18
| title14 = Rob All Night (If I'm Gonna Rob)
| note14 =
| writer14 = {{hlist|Simmons|Dana Stinson}}
| extra14 = Rockwilder
| length14 = 3:27
| title15 = We Go Hard
| note15 = featuring Cam'ron
| writer15 = {{hlist|Simmons|Dion Wilson|Cameron Giles|Fred Bridges|Richard Knight|Robert Eaton|Ric Williams}}
| extra15 = No I.D.
| length15 = 3:36
| title16 = We 'Bout to Blow
| note16 = featuring Big Stan
| writer16 = {{hlist|Simmons|Damon Blackman|Dennis Joyner|Clarence Reid}}
| extra16 = Dame Grease
| length16 = 3:31
| title17 = The Rain
| note17 =
| writer17 = {{hlist|Simmons|George Spivey|Leonard Perry|Katie Davis|Mallory Cowart}}
| extra17 = DJ Scratch
| length17 = 3:27
| title18 = Gotta Go
| note18 = Skit
| writer18 =
| extra18 = {{hlist|Joaquin "Waah" Dean|Jay "Icepick" Jackson}}
| length18 = 1:07
| title19 = Don't Gotta Go Home
| note19 = featuring Monica
| writer19 = {{hlist|Antoine Macon|Ryan Bowser|Simmons}}
| extra19 = {{hlist|Antoine "Bam" Macon|Ryan Bowser|Mr. Devine{{ref|b|[b]}}|Victor Flowers{{ref|b|[b]}}}}
| length19 = 4:17
| title20 = A'Yo Kato
| note20 = featuring Magic and Val
| writer20 = {{hlist|Simmons|Dean|Floyd Massey|Valerie Rangel}}
| extra20 = Swizz Beatz
| length20 = 3:46
| title21 = Thank You
| note21 = featuring Patti LaBelle
| writer21 = {{hlist|Simmons|Ron Holden|Niem Washington}}
| extra21 = {{hlist|DMX|Ron H|Nemo|Gerald Flowers{{ref|b|[b]}}|Victor Flowers{{ref|b|[b]}}|Reggie Flowers{{ref|b|[b]}}}}
| length21 = 3:01
| title22 = Prayer V
| note22 =
| writer22 = Simmons
| extra22 = DMX
| length22 = 1:47
| title23 = On Top
| note23 = featuring Big Stan
| writer23 = {{hlist|Simmons|Jermaine Russ|Joyner}}
| extra23 = Mac G
| length23 = 3:34
| title24 = X Gon' Give It to Ya
| note24 = International Bonus Track
| writer24 = {{hlist|Simmons|Shatek King}}
| extra24 = Shatek
| length24 = 3:38
}}
Notes
- {{sup|{{note|a|[a]}}}} signifies a co-producer.
- {{sup|{{note|a|[a]}}}} signifies an additional producer.
- "Where the Hood At?" contains an interpolation of "Young, Gifted & Black", written by Antonio Hardy.
- "Dogs Out" contains a sample of "Dedicated to the One I Love", written by Ralph Bass and Lowman Pauling, and performed by Stacy Lattisaw.
- "Untouchable" contains an interpolation of "Why You Treat Me So Bad", written by Jay King, Denzil Foster, and Thomas McElroy.
- "Fuck Y'all" contains a sample of "What Do You Want Me To Do", written by Lou Courtney, and performed by Ben E. King.
- "We Go Hard" contains a sample of "Didn't I Fool You", written by Fred Bridges, Richard Knight, Robert Eaton, and Ric Williams, and performed by Ruby Andrews.
- "We 'Bout to Blow" contains a sample of "Sesame Street", written by Clarence Reid, and performed by Blowfly.
- "The Rain" contains a sample of "Will She Meet The Train in the Rain", written by Leonard Perry, Katie Davis, and Mallory Cowart, and performed by Greg Perry.
- "Thank You" contains a sample of "Make the Music With Your Mouth", written by Marcel Hall and Marlon Williams, performed by Biz Markie. It also contains a sample of "I Want To Thank You" written by Kevin McCord, and performed by Alicia Myers.
Charts
{{col-start}}
{{col-2}}
=Weekly charts=
| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" |
| Chart (2003)
! Peak |
|---|
| {{album chart|Australia|32|artist=DMX|album=Grand Champ|access-date=July 3, 2020}} |
| {{album chart|Austria|20|artist=DMX|album=Grand Champ|access-date=July 3, 2020}} |
| {{album chart|Flanders|38|artist=DMX|album=Grand Champ|access-date=July 3, 2020}} |
| {{album chart|BillboardCanada|2|artist=DMX|access-date=October 23, 2014}} |
| Canadian R&B Albums (Nielsen SoundScan){{cite web|url= http://jamshowbiz.com/JamMusicCharts/RANDB.html|title=R&B : Top 50|website=Jam!|date=November 30, 2003|access-date=January 29, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031209160221/http://jamshowbiz.com/JamMusicCharts/RANDB.html|archive-date=December 9, 2003}}
|style="text-align:center;"|13 |
| {{album chart|Netherlands|28|artist=DMX|album=Grand Champ|access-date=July 3, 2020}} |
| {{album chart|France|16|artist=DMX|album=Grand Champ|access-date=July 3, 2020}} |
| {{album chart|Germany4|6|id=4646|artist=DMX|album=Grand Champ|access-date=July 3, 2020}} |
| {{album chart|Ireland2|8|artist=DMX|access-date=April 20, 2023}} |
| {{album chart|New Zealand|7|artist=DMX|album=Grand Champ|access-date=July 3, 2020}} |
| {{album chart|Scotland|6|date=20030921|access-date=April 20, 2023}} |
| {{album chart|Sweden|42|artist=DMX|album=Grand Champ|access-date=July 3, 2020}} |
| {{album chart|Switzerland|10|artist=DMX|album=Grand Champ|access-date=July 3, 2020}} |
| {{album chart|UK2|6|date=20030921|access-date=July 3, 2020}} |
| {{album chart|UKR&B|1|date=20030921|access-date=April 20, 2023}} |
| {{album chart|Billboard200|1|artist=DMX|access-date=October 23, 2014}} |
| {{album chart|BillboardRandBHipHop|1|artist=DMX|access-date=October 23, 2014}} |
{{col-2}}
=Year-end charts=
{{col-end}}
Certifications
{{Certification Table Top}}
{{Certification Table Entry|type=album|region=Canada|title=GRAND CHAMP|artist=DMX|award=Platinum|relyear=2003|certyear=2004}}
{{Certification Table Entry|type=album|region=Germany|title=Grand Champ|artist=DMX|award=Gold|relyear=2003|certyear=2023|access-date=March 28, 2023}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|artist=DMX|title=THE GREAT DEPRESSION|award=Gold|type=album|relyear=2003|certyear=2013|id=9933-902-2|salesamount=187,401|salesref={{cite web|url=https://www.musicweek.com/talent/read/tributes-pour-in-for-dmx-legendary-rapper-dead-aged-50/083014|title=Tributes pour in for DMX, legendary rapper dead aged 50|publisher=Music Week|author= George Garner|date=April 9, 2021|accessdate=June 18, 2021}}}}
{{Certification Table Entry|type=album|region=United States|title=GRAND CHAMP|artist=DMX|award=Platinum|relyear=2003|certyear=2003|refname="RIAA"|access-date=September 20, 2019}}
{{Certification Table Bottom|nosales=true|streaming=true}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{Metacritic album}}
{{DMX}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:Albums produced by Swizz Beatz
Category:Albums produced by DJ Scratch
Category:Albums produced by Rockwilder
Category:Albums produced by Kanye West
Category:Albums produced by Ron Browz
Category:Albums produced by No I.D.
Category:Albums produced by Dame Grease