TGTC (The Greater Than Club)
TGTC (The Greater Than Club) | ||||
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Studio album by | ||||
Released | April 26, 2011 | |||
Recorded | 2010–2011 | |||
Genre | Hip hop, neo soul | |||
Length | 56:17 | |||
Label | Fly Union Records Hype Music[1][2] The Greater Than Club | |||
Producer | B Jazz, Ivan "Iyeball" Hope (exec.), Jonathan "Jay Swifa" Tribune (also exec.), Jerreau Smith (also exec.) | |||
Fly Union chronology | ||||
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Singles from TGTC (The Greater Than Club) | ||||
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Review scores | |
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Source | Rating |
XXL | (L)[3] |
Atlanta Got Sole | [4] |
Vegas Seven | [5] |
TGTC (The Greater Than Club) is the debut studio album by rap group Fly Union. The album was released on iTunes and as a free digital download through their website on April 26, 2011[6][7] Since the album's initial release, it has been licensed through Hype Music.[8][9][10] A digital copy of TGTC is currently available for purchase on iTunes and Amazon.[11][12] A physical copy of the album is also available for purchase on Fly Union's website.[13] To date, the album has generated over 100,000 downloads.[14]
Background
[edit]On December 24, 2010, an official music video for "Long Run" was uploaded to Fly Union's YouTube channel. On that same day, it was announced that they would be releasing a project titled The Greater Than Club in the first quarter of 2011.[15]
Music and lyrics
[edit]TGTC has a lush sound that is characterized by luxuriant strings, brisk snare drums, and soulful samples.[16] The album's production, mainly provided by Iyeball and Jay Swifa (MnkeyWrench), incorporates elements of various music styles including electronic, hip hop and soul.[17] Adam Fleischer of XXL described the album as having a "Midwest soul hop" sound.[18]
Lyrically, TGTC explores a variety of topics. In the song "Salutation" each individual group member addresses their shortcomings and anxieties through lyrics that carry an uncommon sense of honesty.[19][20] In "Don't Call", Jerreau speaks on the intricacies and complications of dating.[21] In "5000" the group speaks on being “Audi” (as in the Audi 5000), while defining the term as being well-off.[22]
Promotion
[edit]On February 16, 2012, the official music video for "5000" was uploaded to KarmaloopTV's YouTube channel.[23][24]
On August 1, 2012, the official music videos for "Long Run" and "Don't Call" were featured on MTV.[25][26]
On January 17, 2013, "Friends.Women.Money" was featured on an episode of the MTV series Buckwild.[27]
On July 27, 2013, the NBA 2K team announced that "Long Run" would be featured on the soundtrack to NBA 2K14.[28]
Critical response
[edit]TGTC was generally well received by music critics. It holds a rating of 3.32 out of 5 stars at Rate Your Music.[29] XXL gave it a L rating citing that the album is "a little lengthy", but ultimately declaring that it is "a fine formal introduction" for the group.[30] Atlanta Got Soul gave it 8.5 out of 10 making note of the album's production and "splendid lyricism."[31] The Smoking Section also gave the album a positive review citing that the album was, "well-produced and thoughtfully written."[32]
Track listing
[edit]No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. | "Salutation" | I. Houpe, J. Smith, J. Tribune | Iyeball | 3:14 |
2. | "Hard Sell" | I. Houpe, J. Smith, J. Tribune | Iyeball | 3:35 |
3. | "Good To Go" | I. Houpe, J. Smith, J. Tribune | Jay Swifa | 4:03 |
4. | "5000" | I. Houpe, J. Smith, J. Tribune | Jay Swifa, Iyeball (co.) | 3:53 |
5. | "Finish Line" | I. Houpe, G. Robinson, J. Smith, J. Tribune | Iyeball, Jay Swifa | 3:36 |
6. | "Long Run" | I. Houpe, J. Smith, J. Tribune | Jay Swifa | 4:17 |
7. | "Love For You" | J. Smith | Jay Swifa, B Jazz (add.) | 3:22 |
8. | "How To Act" | R. James, J. Smith | Jay Swifa | 1:07 |
9. | "Friends.Women.Money" (featuring Dom Kennedy) | D. Hunn, J. Smith, J. Tribune | Jay Swifa | 3:29 |
10. | "Control" | I. Houpe, J. Smith, J. Tribune | Iyeball, Jay Swifa | 3:11 |
11. | "Don't Call" | J. Smith | Iyeball | 3:47 |
12. | "Look Up To The Sky" (featuring BJ the Chicago Kid & P. Blackk) | P. Fequiere, I. Houpe, B. Sledge, J. Smith | Iyeball | 5:00 |
13. | "Do It For You" (featuring BJ the Chicago Kid & Pac Div) | B. Sledge, J. Smith, G. Stevenson, M. Stevenson, J. Tribune | Jay Swifa, B Jazz (add.) | 5:26 |
14. | "Who You Wit" | I. Houpe, J. Smith, J. Tribune | Iyeball, B Jazz (add.) | 5:16 |
15. | "Sincerely" | Iyeball, Jay Swifa | 3:01 |
Notes
[edit]- "Finish Line" samples "Bumpy's Lament" by Isaac Hayes.[33]
- "Long Run" samples "We've Only Just Begun" by The Carpenters.[34]
- "Who You Wit" samples "Action" by Orange Krush.
Personnel
[edit]Credits for TGTC adapted from Allmusic and Atlanta Got Sole.[35][36]
- Ivan "Iyeball" Houpe – A&R, executive producer, vocalist, producer, mixing, recording
- Jerreau Smith - A&R, executive producer, vocalist
- Jonathan "Jay Swifa" Tribune - A&R, executive producer, vocalist, producer
- B Jazz - producer
- Eddie "Duck" Givens - management
- SLAVEFORYOURSELF - art direction, styling, photography
- Bryan "BJ the Chicago Kid" Sledge - vocalist
- Pedro "P. Blackk" Fequiere - vocalist
- Dominic "Dom Kennedy" Hunn - vocalist
- Michael "Mibbs" Stevenson - vocalist
- Gabe "Like" Stevenson - vocalist
- Cataylst - vocalist
References
[edit]- ^ "Fly Union – The Greater Than Club". iTunes February 14, 2012. 14 February 2012. Retrieved 17 September 2013.
- ^ "Fly Union – The Greater Than Club". Amazon February 14, 2012. Retrieved 17 September 2013.
- ^ Fleischer, Adam (20 May 2011). "Review: TGTC: The Greater Than Club". XXL. Retrieved September 17, 2013.
- ^ So Left Field. "Fly.Union - TGTC (The Greater Than Club)". Atlanta Got Sole. Retrieved September 17, 2013.
- ^ Hale, Andreas. "Fly Union - The Greater Than Club (CD Review)". Vegas Seven May 26, 2011. Retrieved September 18, 2013.
- ^ "Fly.Union - TGTC (The Greater Than Club)". Atlanta Got Sole. Retrieved 17 September 2013.
- ^ "Fly.Union – TGTC: The Greater Than Club". 2dopeboyz April 26, 2011. Retrieved 17 September 2013.
- ^ "The Greater Than Club - Press EPK". The Greater Than Club. Retrieved 18 September 2013.
- ^ "Fly Union – The Greater Than Club". iTunes February 14, 2012. 14 February 2012. Retrieved 17 September 2013.
- ^ "Fly Union – The Greater Than Club". Amazon February 14, 2012. Retrieved 17 September 2013.
- ^ "Fly Union – The Greater Than Club". iTunes February 14, 2012. 14 February 2012. Retrieved 17 September 2013.
- ^ "Fly Union – The Greater Than Club". Amazon February 14, 2012. Retrieved 17 September 2013.
- ^ "TGTC HARD COPY - CD". The Greater Than Club. Retrieved 17 September 2013.
- ^ "The Greater Than Club - Press EPK". The Greater Than Club. Retrieved 18 September 2013.
- ^ "Fly.Union - Long Run (Video)". 2dopeboyz December 24, 2010. Retrieved 17 September 2013.
- ^ "Fly Union Review". The Smoking Section August 10, 2011. Retrieved September 17, 2013.
- ^ "Fly Union Review". The Smoking Section August 10, 2011. Retrieved September 17, 2013.
- ^ "Review: TGTC: The Greater Than Club". XXL. 20 May 2011. Retrieved September 17, 2013.
- ^ "Fly Union Review". The Smoking Section August 10, 2011. Retrieved September 17, 2013.
- ^ "Fly.Union - TGTC (The Greater Than Club)". Atlanta Got Sole. Retrieved September 17, 2013.
- ^ "Fly.Union - Don't Call (Video)". Atlanta Got Sole September 28, 2011. Retrieved September 17, 2013.
- ^ "Fly.Union - 5000 (Video)". Atlanta Got Sole March 9, 2012. Retrieved September 17, 2013.
- ^ "Video: Fly Union – "5000" (via Karmaloop)". Done Waiting February 17, 2012. Retrieved 17 September 2013.
- ^ "New Video: Fly.Union – 5000". Respect February 26, 2012. 26 February 2012. Retrieved 17 September 2013.
- ^ "Fly Union – Don't Call". MTV August 1, 2012. Archived from the original on December 9, 2013. Retrieved 17 September 2013.
- ^ "Fly Union – Long Run". MTV August 1, 2012. Archived from the original on December 9, 2013. Retrieved 17 September 2013.
- ^ "Music for Buckwild Episodes". MTV January 17, 2013. 17 January 2013. Archived from the original on January 21, 2013. Retrieved 21 September 2013.
- ^ "NBA 2K14 soundtrack revealed". GameSpot July 26, 2013. Retrieved 17 September 2013.
- ^ "The Greater Than Club by Fly Union". Rate Your Music. Retrieved September 17, 2013.
- ^ "Review: TGTC: The Greater Than Club". XXL May 20, 2011. 20 May 2011. Retrieved September 17, 2013.
- ^ "Fly.Union - TGTC (The Greater Than Club)". Atlanta Got Sole. Retrieved September 17, 2013.
- ^ "Fly Union Review". The Smoking Section August 10, 2011. Retrieved September 17, 2013.
- ^ "Finish Line - Fly Union". WhoSampled. Retrieved 17 September 2013.
- ^ "Long Run - Fly Union". WhoSampled. Retrieved 17 September 2013.
- ^ "The Greater Than Club - Fly Union". Allmusic. Retrieved 17 September 2013.
- ^ "Fly.Union - TGTC (The Greater Than Club)". Atlanta Got Sole. Retrieved 17 September 2013.