Much like our ‘Retro Rewind’ and ‘From the Vault’ segments, readers of That Grape Juice know what avid music lovers we are – especially of hits past.  So in a quest to re-spin the gems and jams of yesterday we introduced a new retrospective segment – ‘TGJ Replay’.

Unlike its ‘Rewind’ and ‘Vault’ predecessors, ‘Replay’ looks to dust off and showcase albums (and eras) from a library of pop music hits.  While the masses rock out to R&B soulstress Fantasia‘s fourth album ‘Side Effects Of You’ (in stores now), let’s take a stroll down memory lane to her 2006 sophomore self-titled effort…

2003 saw North Carolinian powerhouse Fantasia Barrino crowned ‘American Idol’.  The year that followed saw the songstress thrust into the spotlight on the wings of her debut effort ‘Free Yourself’ and its spawned hits ‘Truth Is’, ‘I Believe’, and its title track.

Its critical and commercial acclaim would put the pressure on the soulful performer to create an equally or exceedingly impressive follow-up.  A challenge apparently not taken lightly, Fannie assembled an all-star cast of contributors including Diane Warren, Bryan Michael Cox, Missy Elliott, Johnta Austin, The Clutch, Dre & Vidal, and so many more to assist in crafting a noteworthy sophomore album.  With its self-titling, the album was launched by the Big Boi-assisted single ‘Hood Boy’.

‘Hood Boy’ ft. Big Boi

Featuring a hard-hitting throwback sample of The Supremes hit ‘The Happening’, the song quickly earned a place on her fans list of favorites from the songstress.  Its accompanying video, however, did earn mix review as it showcased a more sexualized image of her – one viewers had not previously experience much of.

Leading the album to a disappointing lower top 20 debut, it still managed to rack up over 100k sold its first week.  But, as the lead single disappointed on charts as well, Tasia & team turned to mid-tempo gem ‘When I See U’.  With a sonic and visual coupling more reminiscent of the Fannie fans had grown to love from her previous album, the song swiftly made its way to Billboard’s top 40 and became her first charting single since 2005. 

Time would later see it be the album’s best commercially performing single.

 ‘When I See U’

Even though commercial acclaim may not have accompanied this gem of an album, it was arguably the year’s best release.  Indeed, garnering three Grammy nods and eventually making its way to Gold status, it was clear that via content and vocally, Fannie was better than ever.  The album’s third single ‘Only One You’ as well as songs ‘Not The Way I Do’ and ‘I’m Not That Type’ rang as evidence of such.

‘Only One You’

‘Not the Way I Do’

From mid-tempos to club bangers to ballads, ‘Fantasia: The Album’ is a must have for any R&B lover.  This modern classic, though underrated, could still spin side-by-side with today’s top performers of the genre and remains just one of four notches of consistent excellence the southern Belle has provided with her albums.

‘I Nominate You’

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