Listennn... the Album
{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2020}}
{{Infobox album
| name = Listennn... the Album
| type = album
| artist = DJ Khaled
| cover = Listennn_The_Album.jpg
| alt = A man wearing a black t-shirt saying "Dade County" while holding a platinum "Terror Squad" necklace, points at the viewer while a fire happens behind him.
| released = {{Start date|2006|6|6}}
| recorded = May 2005 – May 2006
| venue =
| studio = Terror Squad Studios, The Bronx, New York City, New York, U.S., North Miami, Florida, Dade, Carol City, Atlanta
| genre = Hip-hop
| length = 66:31
| label = {{hlist|Terror Squad|Koch}}
| producer = {{hlist|DJ Khaled|Cool & Dre|Diaz Brothers|DJ Nasty & LVM}}
| prev_title =
| prev_year =
| next_title = We the Best
| next_year = 2007
| misc = {{Singles
| name = Listennn... The Album
| type = studio
| single1 = Holla at Me
| single1date = February 28, 2006
| single2 = Grammy Family
| single2date = July 1, 2006
| single3 = Born-N-Raised
| single3date = September 24, 2006
}}
}}
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, 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
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.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/shakiras-hips-still-shaking-at-no-1-58128/|title=Shakira's 'Hips' Still Shaking At No. 1|last=Hasty|first=Katie|magazine=Billboard|publisher=Prometheus Global Media|date=June 15, 2006|access-date=April 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230424101531/https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/shakiras-hips-still-shaking-at-no-1-58128/|archive-date=April 24, 2023|url-status=live}}
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
=Critical reception=
{{Music ratings
| rev1 = AllMusic
| rev1Score = {{Rating|4|5}}{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/listennn-the-album-mw0000428537|title=Listennn... the Album – DJ Khaled|last=Jeffires|first=David|publisher=AllMusic|access-date=July 26, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150311203558/https://www.allmusic.com/album/listennn-the-album-mw0000428537|archive-date=March 11, 2015|url-status=live}}
| rev2 = HipHopDX
| rev2Score = {{Rating|2.5|5}}{{cite magazine|url=https://hiphopdx.com/reviews/id.647/title.terror-squard-presents-dj-khaled-listennn|title=Terror Squad Presents DJ Khaled – Listennn|last=Tardio|first=Andres|magazine=HipHopDX|publisher=Cheri Media Group|date=June 4, 2006|access-date=July 26, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231008100527/https://hiphopdx.com/reviews/id.647/title.terror-squard-presents-dj-khaled-listennn|archive-date=October 8, 2023|url-status=live}}
| rev3 = PopMatters
| rev3Score = {{Rating|8|10}}{{cite magazine|url=https://www.popmatters.com/dj-khaled-listennnthe-album-2495692459.html|title=DJ Khaled: Listennn... the Album|last=Friedman|first=A. L.|magazine=PopMatters|date=September 7, 2006|access-date=July 18, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230330021002/https://www.popmatters.com/dj-khaled-listennnthe-album-2495692459.html|archive-date=March 30, 2023|url-status=live}}
| rev4 = RapReviews
| rev5 = Vibe
| rev5Score = {{Rating|3.5|5}}{{cite magazine|url=http://www.vibe.com/music/revolutions/2006/06/dj_khaled_listennn_the_album_terror_squad_koch/|title=DJ Khaled - Listennn...The Album (Terror Squad/Koch)|last=Scott|first=Damien|magazine=Vibe|publisher=Vibe Media|date=June 13, 2006|access-date=September 22, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060925195030/http://www.vibe.com/music/revolutions/2006/06/dj_khaled_listennn_the_album_terror_squad_koch/|archive-date=September 25, 2006|url-status=dead}}
| rev6 = XXL
| rev6Score = {{Rating|3|5}}{{cite magazine|url=http://www.xxlmag.com/rap-music/reviews/2006/06/dj-khaled-listennnthe-album/|title=DJ Khaled Listennn... The Album|last=Golianopolous|first=Thomas|magazine=XXL|publisher=Townsquare Media|date=June 2, 2006|access-date=October 7, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151223154417/http://www.xxlmag.com/rap-music/reviews/2006/06/dj-khaled-listennnthe-album/|archive-date=December 23, 2015|url-status=dead}}
}}
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. 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. 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."
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. 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."
=Commercial performance=
The album debuted at number 12 on the US Billboard 200, selling 44,000 copies in its first week.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/58141/afi-burns-brightly-with-no-1-debut|title=AFI Burns Brightly With No. 1 Debut|last=Hasty|first=Katie|magazine=Billboard|publisher=Prometheus Global Media|date=June 14, 2006|access-date=July 8, 2018}} To date, the album has since sold 230,000 copies in the United States.{{cite magazine|last=Diep|first=Eric|url=http://www.xxlmag.com/news/2013/10/dj-khaleds-complete-discography-by-the-numbers/2/|title=DJ Khaled's Complete Discography By The Numbers – Page 2 of 8 – XXL|magazine=XXL|publisher=Townsquare Media|date=October 21, 2013|access-date=June 17, 2015}}
Track listing
Credits adapted from BMI and ASCAP.{{cite web|url=http://repertoire.bmi.com/Catalog.aspx?detail=writerid&keyid=919533&subid=0&page=1&fromrow=1&torow=25|title=BMI {{!}} Repertoire Search|website=repertoire.bmi.com|accessdate=June 2, 2019}}{{cite web|url=https://www.ascap.com/repertory#ace/performer/DJ%20KHALED|title=ACE Repertory|website=www.ascap.com|access-date=June 2, 2019}}
{{track listing
| total_length = {{duration|m = 66|s = 31}}
| extra_column = Producer
| title1 = Intro
| writer1 = {{hlist|Khaled Khaled}}
| extra1 = Khaled
| length1 = 1:59
| title2 = Born-N-Raised
| writer2 = {{hlist|Khaled|Armando Pérez|Maurice Young|William Roberts II|Andrew Harr|Johnny Mollings|Leonardo Mollings}}
| note2 = featuring Pitbull, Trick Daddy, and Rick Ross
| extra2 = {{hlist|Nasty Beatmakers|Khaled}}
| length2 = 4:16
| title3 = Gangsta Shit
| writer3 = {{hlist|Khaled|Jay "Young Jeezy" Jenkins|Bernard Freeman|Renaldo "Slick Pulla" Whitman|Bruce "Bloodraw" Falson|Mollings|Mollings}}
| note3 = featuring Young Jeezy, Bun B, Slick Pulla, and Bloodraw
| extra3 = Khaled
| length3 = 4:59
| title4 = Grammy Family
| writer4 = {{hlist|Khaled|Kanye West|Dexter Mills, Jr.|John Stephens}}
| note4 = featuring Kanye West, Consequence, and John Legend
| extra4 = Khaled
| length4 = 3:24
| title5 = Problem
| writer5 = {{hlist|Khaled|Dwight Grant|Jason Phillips}}
| note5 = featuring Beanie Sigel and Jadakiss
| extra5 = Khaled
| length5 = 3:36
| title6 = Holla at Me
| writer6 = {{hlist|Khaled|Perez|Arthur Baker|John Robie|Afrika Bambaataa|Robert Allen|John Miller|Ellis Williams}}
| note6 = featuring Lil Wayne, Paul Wall, Fat Joe, Rick Ross, and Pitbull
| extra6 = Khaled
| length6 = 4:27
| title7 = Addicted
| writer7 = {{hlist|Khaled|Laron James}}
| note7 = featuring Juelz Santana
| extra7 = Khaled
| length7 = 3:45
| title8 = Watch Out
| writer8 = {{hlist|Khaled|Aliaume Thiam|David Styles|Joseph Cartagena|Roberts|Andre Lyon|Marcello Valenzano}}
| note8 = featuring Akon, Styles P, Fat Joe, and Rick Ross
| extra8 = {{hlist|Cool & Dre|Khaled}}
| length8 = 3:45
| title9 = Destroy You
| writer9 = {{hlist|Khaled|Anthony Henderson|Carl Mitchell|Steven Howse|Byron McCane II|Charles Scruggs}}
| note9 = featuring Twista and Bone Thugs-n-Harmony
| extra9 = Khaled
| length9 = 4:27
| title10 = Never Be Nothing Like Me
| writer10 = {{hlist|Khaled|Darryl Richardson}}
| note10 = featurting Lil Scrappy and Homeboy
| extra10 = Khaled
| length10 = 4:22
| title11 = Candy Paint
| writer11 = {{hlist|Khaled|Katrina Taylor|Hakeem Seriki|Lyon|Valenzano}}
| note11 = featuring Slim Thug, Chamillionaire, and Trina
| extra11 = {{hlist|Cool & Dre|Khaled}}
| length11 = 4:10
| title12 = MIA
| writer12 = {{hlist|Khaled|Dwayne Carter, Jr.}}
| note12 = featuring Lil Wayne
| extra12 = Khaled
| length12 = 3:45
| title13 = Where You At
| writer13 = {{hlist|Khaled|Lesile Pridgen|Gene Thornton, Jr.|Terrance Thornton}}
| note13 = featuring Freeway and Clipse
| extra13 = Khaled
| length13 = 3:52
| title14 = Still Fly
| writer14 = {{hlist|Khaled|Cartagena|Phillips|Jeffrey "Ja Rule" Atkins|Lyon|Valenzano}}
| note14 = featuring Birdman and CHOPS
| extra14 = Khaled
| length14 = 5:10
| title15 = Dip Slide Ride Out
| writer15 = Khaled
| note15 = featuring T.I., Young Dro, and Big Kuntry
| extra15 = Khaled
| length15 = 5:00
| title16 = Movement
| writer16 = {{hlist|Khaled|Lyon}}
| note16 = featuring Dre
| extra16 = {{hlist|Cool & Dre|Khaled}}
| length16 = 3:42
| title17 = The Future of Dade
| writer17 = {{hlist|Khaled|British Mitchell|Kevyn Carter|Luis Diaz|Hugo Diaz}}
| note17 = featuring Brisco, Dirt E Red, Dela, Lunch Money, Co, Hennessy, and P.M.
| extra17 = {{hlist|Diaz Brothers|Khaled}}
| length17 = 5:37
}}
Personnel
{{div col}}
- DJ Khaled – production {{small|(all tracks)}}
- DJ Nasty & LVM – production {{small|(track 3)}}
- Cool & Dre – production {{small|(tracks 8, 11, 16)}}
- Diaz Brothers – production {{small|(track 17)}}
{{div col end}}
Charts
| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" |
| Chart (2006)
!Peak |
|---|
| {{Album chart|Billboard200|12|artist=DJ Khaled|refname=Billboard 200}} |
| {{album chart|BillboardRandBHipHop|3|artist=DJ Khaled}} |
References
{{reflist}}
{{DJ Khaled}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:Albums produced by Cool & Dre
Category:Albums produced by Kanye West
Category:Albums produced by Jon Brion
Category:Albums produced by Mr. Collipark