Usher
8701
Written-By – U. Raymond
0:45
A2 U Remind Me
Written-By – A. McCloud, E. Clement
4:27
A3 I Don't Know
Written-By – D. Goss, P. Williams
4:27
A4 Twork It Out
Written-By – J. Harris III, T. Lewis, U. Raymond
4:58
B1 U Got It Bad
Written-By – B.M. Cox, J. Dupri, U. Raymond
4:13
B2 If I Want To
Written-By – Babyface, B.M. Cox, C. Wallace, J. Dupri, O. Harvey, R. Troutman, U. Raymond
3:53
B3 I Can't Let U Go
Written-By – B.M. Cox, J. Dupri, U. Raymond
3:35
B4 U Don't Have To Call
Written-By – P. Williams
4:42
C1 Without U (Interlude)
Written-By – U. Raymond
0:56
C2 Can U Help Me
Written-By – J. Harris III, T. Lewis, U. Raymond
5:51
C3 How Do I Say
Written-By – J. Harris III, T. Lewis, U. Raymond
6:23
C4 Hottest Thing
Written-By – M. Flowers
3:50
D1 Good Ol' Ghetto
Written-By – B.M. Cox, J. Dupri, U. Raymond
4:01
D2 U-Turn
Written-By – B.M. Cox, J. Dupri, U. Raymond
3:12
D3 U R The One
Written-By – C. Schack, K. Prather, K. Karlin, R.L. Huggar, U. Raymond
Label: Arista – 07822-14715-1
Format:
2 x Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 2001
Genre: R&B Soul
Style: Contemporary R&B
Usher's 2001 album, 8701, received generally positive reviews from critics and fans alike, who praised the artist's maturing vocals and the album's cohesive R&B sound with forays into pop and hip-hop. It is widely considered a pivotal and iconic record that solidified Usher's status as a major R&B star.
The title 8701 is a combination of two significant years in Usher's career: 1987, the year he first sang in public at his church in Atlanta, and 2001, the year the album was released. The title represents his journey from his childhood as a burgeoning entertainer to his "manhood" as an established artist.
The album was released in the United States on August 7, 2001 (8/7/01). While fans often assume this was the reason for the name, Usher's publicist stated the date was purely coincidental and not the primary inspiration for the title.
Critics consistently lauded Usher's vocal performance, noting his impressive range across soulful ballads and mid-tempo tracks. According to AllMusic, Usher has a "nice voice" and the album is a "classy, seductive affair".
The album was praised for its polished production, which featured contributions from industry heavyweights such as The Neptunes, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, and Jermaine Dupri. Reviewers at NME highlighted the album's versatility, including 80s rock guitar influences and street rap elements, which provided a nice variety without sounding disjointed.
Many reviews noted a significant step up from his previous work, showcasing a more mature and vulnerable perspective, particularly in songs dealing with love and heartache.
Some critics found the album's material occasionally formulaic or "radio-safe," with a few mid-tempo filler songs that didn't fully captivate throughout the entire album.
Key Tracks:-
"U Remind Me": This track was the first single to reach number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and was praised for its relatable lyrics and smooth production.
"U Got It Bad": The album's second number-one hit, this soulful ballad was highlighted for its passion, honesty, and raw beats, capturing the tension of a tumultuous relationship.
"U Don't Have to Call": Another top-three single, this track was noted for its catchy, upbeat tempo and an "angelic" falsetto that showed Usher's vocal range.
User reviews often regard 8701 as one of Usher's finest albums, a "masterpiece," and an essential listen for R&B fans. Fans appreciate the album's timeless quality and the strong emotional connection they have with the music.
Many listeners revisit the album years later, noting its enduring appeal and the quality of every single track. The album is praised for its honest exploration of love and heartache, which fans found relatable and well-executed.
Retrospective reviews from sources like BuzzFeed and NME emphasize that 8701 was the album that truly established Usher as an icon and set the stage for his future global superstardom.
Confessions
Producer – James Lackey, Usher
0:46
2 Yeah!
Featuring – Lil' Jon, Ludacris
Producer – Lil' Jon
4:10
3 Throwback
Producer – Just Blaze
4:01
4 Confessions (Interlude)
Producer – Aaron Spears, Arthur Strong, Juan Johnny Najera, Usher, Valdez Brantley
1:15
5 Confessions Part II
Co-producer – Bryan-Michael Cox
Producer – Jermaine Dupri
3:49
6 Burn
Co-producer – Bryan-Michael Cox
Producer – Jermaine Dupri
4:15
7 Caught Up
Producer – Andre Harris, Vidal Davis
3:44
8 Superstar (Interlude)
Producer – Aaron Spears, Arthur Strong, Juan Johnny Najera, Usher, Valdez Brantley
1:04
9 Superstar
Producer – Andre Harris, Vidal Davis
3:28
10 Truth Hurts
Co-producer – Bobby Ross Avila, IZ
Producer – Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis
3:51
11 Simple Things
Co-producer – Bobby Ross Avila, IZ
Producer – Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis
Vocals – Bobby Ross Avila, Darcy Aldridge
4:57
12 Bad Girl
Co-producer – Bobby Ross Avila, IZ
Producer – Destro Music, Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis
4:21
13 That's What It's Made For
Co-producer – Bobby Ross Avila, IZ, James "Big Jim" Wright
Producer – Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis
4:37
14 Can U Handle It?
Producer – Pro J, Thicke
5:45
15 Do It To Me
Co-producer – Bryan-Michael Cox
Producer – Jermaine Dupri
3:53
16 Take Your Hand
Producer – Rich Harrison
3:03
17 Follow Me
Producer – Andre Harris, Vidal Davis
3:31
Label: Arista – 82876-52141-2
Format: CD, Album
Country: US
Released: 2004
Genre: R&B Soul
Style: Contemporary R&B