TGJ Replay: Fantasia’s “Fantasia: The Album”

Published: Wednesday 24th Apr 2013 by Rashad

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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  1. Goddess Rih stan April 24, 2013

    She needs skin bleaching cream, lipo, a nose job, and a weave.
    This fat hippo is a bore.

    • NAVI April 24, 2013

      stfu you damm troll.

      • Goddess Rih stan April 24, 2013

        I’m a troll because you don’t like my opinion?
        I didn’t lie about anything. Light is right and thin is in.
        This woman is aesthetically challenged.

      • truth(icki released 1,726 singles and 80 videos for reFLOP and still caint go platinum! Yea b****** i said it NNN WIT!! pops tongue) April 24, 2013

        nawl B**** you just look and sound STOOOOPID as hell for hating yourself u little s***

  2. MUSICHEAD April 24, 2013

    Surround You, Two Week Notice, Sunshine and Beautiful should have been singles. They would have done very well for her at Urban/Rhytmic radio.

  3. JJFan1814 April 24, 2013

    WHEN I SEE U!!! DAMN. That really is a r&b classic…..

  4. SlapYOUtwice89 April 24, 2013

    this album was so R&B and urban she was very sexual on this album lol! I loved it from top to bottom… my fave from her!

  5. msteefromdc April 24, 2013

    this CD is by far her best CD..not sure why it didnt do so well on the charts..nonetheless it rocks!!!

  6. truth(icki released 1,726 singles and 80 videos for reFLOP and still caint go platinum! Yea b****** i said it NNN WIT!! pops tongue) April 24, 2013

    Babymaking hips, two week notice, only 1 u, surround u all should have been singles. I love this cd! Still play it on the reg.

  7. DOSSOME April 24, 2013

    Only One U & When I See You,Two weeks notice,jamming to them til this day…the thing with Fantasia that most other singers of her generation seriously lack is her ability to bring those lyrics to life.Fantasia should seriously consider putting out a live album,she has that soul in her that makes you feel the joy,pain,anger,frustration i could go on and on,SIDE EFFECTS OF YOU out now,please go purchase it.

    • MuiMui April 24, 2013

      That would be a good thing for her.

  8. black sheep April 24, 2013

    why cant u vote for “a girl like me”?? cuz its a bonus track?? its her best song to me.

  9. Dev April 24, 2013

    I’m feeling all of Fantasias albums and have them all on shuffle since i got the new one. The only thing better than a Fantasia album is seeing her in concert (and if you were lucky the colour purple)

  10. Kev April 24, 2013

    Fantasia’s voice is something else. To me it’s truly a blessing. The day she decides to sing gospel she’ll be taking a whole load of people to the church with her.

  11. Kyle April 24, 2013

    I think Fantasia is a great artist in the sense that each album she releases, they get better and better. This album was strong sophomore effort and was pretty versatile. This deserved to win the Grammy for “Best Contemporary R&B Album” the year it was nominated. My favorite songs from this are “When I See U” and “Uneligible.”

  12. HOWYOULIKEIT April 24, 2013

    Two week notice is the best song on the album

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