The Hard Way (213 album)

The Hard Way
Studio album by 213
Released August 17, 2004 (2004-08-17)
Recorded September 2001 - June 2004
Genre
Length 71:59
Label
Producer
213 chronology
St. Ides EP
(1994)		 The Hard Way
(2004)		 Live in Las Vegas
(2009)
Singles from The Hard Way
  1. "So Fly"
    Released: July 6, 2004
  2. "Groupie Luv"
    Released: 2004

The Hard Way is the only studio album from American hip hop trio 213, which consisted of Snoop Dogg, Warren G and Nate Dogg. The reunion of the group first appeared as 213 in Warren G's The Return of the Regulator in the track "Yo' Sassy Ways". In 2003 Snoop Dogg, released his series of mixtapes, from which the second compilation Welcome to tha chuuch, Vol. 2 included the first version of "So Fly", which is a parody of the then chart-running hit single by Monica, So Gone. Missy Elliott, a co-producer of the song (with Spike & Jamahl), got to hear the tape and was very impressed by it. She agreed with Snoop to cede the right of the sample for the upcoming 213 project in exchange for their rapping on Tamia's "Can't Go for That" remix. In the end it came out to be the first unofficial radio single of The Hard Way and was performed live at BET's 106 & Park. The album version differs from the mixtape version in a way that it is five seconds shorter and misses Snoop's intro where he gives the shootouts "Welcome to tha chuuch Vol. 2...exclusive 213". The official debut retail single was "Groupie Luv", which was also accompanied by a promo video. It was directed by Chris Robinson and was filmed in Snoop Dogg's own house (see also Still a G Thang). It is also the video debut for dancer Criscilla Crossland

Reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Allmusic 2004
Artist Direct 2004
Entertainment Weekly(C+) 2004
HipHopDX.com 2004
RapReviews.com(5.5/10) 2004
Rolling Stone 2004
Stylus(C) 2004
USA Today 2004
Vibe 2004

Upon its release, The Hard Way received generally positive reviews from music critics.

Commercial performance

The album debuted at number 4 on the US Billboard 200, selling 95,000 copies in its first week.[1] The Hard Way opened at the top spot of the US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums.[2]

According to TVT Records as December 16, 2004, the album sold 500,000 copies in the United States.[3]

Singles

"So Fly" was released on July 6, 2004 at first single from the album. The song reached at number 2 on US Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles.

The second single, "Groupie Luv" topped at number 26 on Billboard Hot 100 Airplay.

Track listing

No.TitleProducer(s)Length
1."Intro"  Fredwreck1:49
2."Twist Yo Body" (featuring Dion)Hi-Tek3:28
3."Absolutely"  Quazedelic4:00
4."Keep It Gangsta"  B Sharp4:36
5."Run On Up"  Tha Chill3:33
6."Groupie Luv"  DJ Pooh3:52
7."Lonely Girl"  Nottz4:04
8."Another Summer"  Kanye West4:12
9."213 tha Gangsta Clicc"  Josef Laimberg3:52
10."Gotta Find a Way"  Lil' ½ Dead, Terrace Martin3:25
11."Ups & Downs"  B Sharp, tha Chill3:53
12."Joysticc"  Terrace Martin, Marlon Williams4:48
13."Rick James" (Interlude performed by Dave Chappelle)Fredwreck0:36
14."Mary Jane"  Quazedelic3:48
15."MLK"  B Sharp3:44
16."Lil Girl"  Michael Angelo3:19
17."My Dirty Ho"  J-Hen4:12
18."Appreciation"  J-Hen4:06
19."So Fly"   4:07
European edition
No.TitleProducer(s)Length
20."Whistle While You Hustle" (featuring Daz Dillinger and Soopafly)Jelly Roll2:35

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (2004) Peak
position
Australian Albums (ARIA)[4] 50
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)[5] 57
Canadian Albums (Billboard)[6] 3
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)[7] 34
New Zealand Albums (RMNZ)[8] 21
Dutch Albums (MegaCharts)[9] 57
Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade)[10] 33
UK R&B Albums (OCC)[11] 35
US Billboard 200[12] 4
US Independent Albums (Billboard)[13] 1
US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard)[14] 1

Year-end charts

Chart (2004) Peak
position
US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard)[15] 85

Singles charts

Year Title Peak chart positions
U.S. Hot 100 U.S. R&B U.S. Rap NZ AUS
2004 "So Fly" 102 39 18 — —
"Groupie Love" 48 24 23 16 39

Certifications

Region Certification Certified units/Sales
Canada (Music Canada)[16] Gold 50,000^
United States 500,000[3]

*sales figures based on certification alone
^shipments figures based on certification alone

See also

References

  1. ↑ "The 16th installment of the "NOW That's What I Call Music!" series once again leads The Billboard 200. Despite a 16% decline to sales of 207,000 copies in the United States, according to Nielsen Sound". Prometheus Global Media. Billboard. Retrieved July 28, 2015.
  2. ↑ http://www.mtv.com/news/1490546/now-takes-down-ashlee-213-stomps-in-at-4-on-albums-chart/
  3. 1 2 "Billboard Magazine Match 1, 2008 - pág 25". Prometheus Global Media. Billboard. Retrieved July 28, 2015.
  4. ↑ "Australiancharts.com – 213 – The Hard Way". Hung Medien.
  5. ↑ "Ultratop.be – 213 – The Hard Way" (in Dutch). Hung Medien.
  6. ↑ "213 – Chart history" Billboard Canadian Albums Chart for 213.
  7. ↑ "Longplay-Chartverfolgung at Musicline" (in German). Musicline.de. Phononet GmbH.
  8. ↑ "Charts.org.nz – 213 – The Hard Way". Hung Medien.
  9. ↑ "Dutchcharts.nl – 213 – The Hard Way" (in Dutch). Hung Medien.
  10. ↑ "Swisscharts.com – 213 – The Hard Way". Hung Medien.
  11. ↑ "Official R&B Albums Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company.
  12. ↑ "213 – Chart history" Billboard 200 for 213.
  13. ↑ "213 – Chart history" Billboard Independent Albums for 213. Retrieved October 27, 2015.
  14. ↑ "213 – Chart history" Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums for 213.
  15. ↑ "Best of 2004 – R&B/Hip-Hop Albums". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved December 14, 2015.
  16. ↑ "Canadian album certifications – 213 – The Hard Way". Music Canada.
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