Sweat (Nelly album)

Sweat
Studio album by Nelly
Released	September 13, 2004
Genre	Hip hop
Length	57:53
Label	Derrty Fo' Reel Island Records Universal
Producer	Nelly (exec.) Phil Duckett Jazze Pha The Neptunes T-Mix Doe Jason "Jay E" Epperson Midi Mafia Jayson "Koko" Bridges The Alchemist Trife
Nelly chronology
Nellyville (2002) Sweat (2004) Suit (2004)
Singles from Sweat
"Flap Your Wings" Released: July 27, 2004 "Tilt Ya Head Back" Released: September 15, 2004 "Na-NaNa-Na" Released: January 25, 2005

Sweat is the third studio album by American rapper Nelly. It was intended to be released on August 17, 2004, before being delayed and released on September 13, 2004, by Universal Records. Production was handled by several producers, including Jason "Jay E" Epperson, Midi Mafia, The Neptunes, Trife, Jazze Pha, Doe and The Alchemist. Released in conjunction with Suit, Nelly was intended to release a single album before conceptualizing and releasing two albums simultaneously, both which would contrast each other's themes. Nelly characterized Sweat as "more up-tempo" and "energetic" while describing Suit as more of "a grown-up and sexy vibe [...] it's more melodic".

Background

While recording material for his third studio album, Nelly had his intention of producing one album. Songs were being recorded at a steady pace, with Nelly composing more ideas, to which he established the idea of two albums released simultaneously to house all the tracks.^[1] On April 27, 2004, Nelly's representative initially described the upcoming albums as thematically dissimilar, "one is more melodic and party-oriented in the vein of records like "E.I." and "Tip Drill", while the other was described as having a "harder edge".^[2] Nelly released singles accompanied by music videos from both albums.^[2] Talking to MTV News, Nelly described the differences between both albums; their titles of Sweat and Suit were announced on May 27, 2004.^[3] He noted Sweat as "more up-tempo" and "energetic", while characterizing Suit as more of "a grown-up and sexy vibe [...] it's more melodic".^[1]

Release

Sweat and Suit were intended to be released on August 17, 2004, but were pushed back and released on September 14 in the United States, Canada and Japan.^[3][4][5][6] Sweat was released on September 13, 2004 in the United Kingdom and Germany.^[7][8]

Commercial performance

Professional ratings
Review scores
Source	Rating
Allmusic	[9]
Entertainment Weekly	B−[10]
RapReviews.com	[11]
Rolling Stone	[12]
Vibe	[13]

In its opening week, Sweat debuted at number 2 on the US Billboard 200 chart, selling 342,000 copies.^[14] On the same week of Sweat's release, Nelly's Suit, released in conjunction with the former album, debuted at number one on the Billboard 200, selling 396,000 copies, becoming his third consecutive US number-one album following Country Grammar (2000) and Nellyville (2002).^[14] The combination of both album's opening figures of 737,000 surpasses that of Nellyville's, which debuted with 714,000 copies sold.^[14] With the debuts, Nelly became the first act to achieve the feat of obtaining album's number one and number 2 on the US Top R&B/Hip Hop Albums chart simultaneously. He is the second artist, following American hard rock band Guns N' Roses, to achieve the same feat, but on the Billboard 200 chart.^[14] Guns N' Roses attained the accomplishment in 1991 with Use Your Illusion II and Use Your Illusion I, with the former debuting at number one and the latter at number 2, selling 770,000 and 685,000 copies, respectively.^[14]

The following week of Sweat's release, it fell to number 4 on the Billboard 200 chart, selling 127,500 copies.^[15] In its third week, Sweat sold 80,000 copies, dropping to number 8.^[16] In the album's fourth week of release, its sales further decreased to 64,000 copies, falling to number 12.^[17] In its fifth week, Sweat's again decreased, to 62,000 units, sustaining its position at number 12.^[18] The album's sales continued to decrease in its sixth week of release, selling 50,000 copies, moving to number 16 on the chart.^[19] On November 1, 2004, Sweat went on to be certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), denoting shipments of 1,000,000 copies.

Track listing

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Producer(s)	Length
1.	"Heart of a Champion" (featuring Lincoln University Vocal Ensemble)	Cornell Haynes, Jr. Phillip Duckett John Tesh	Duckett	4:29
2.	"Na-NaNa-Na" (featuring Jazze Pha)	Haynes, Jr. Phalon Alexander Jasper Cameron	Jazze Pha	3:59
3.	"Flap Your Wings"	Haynes, Jr. Chad Hugo Pharrell Williams	The Neptunes	4:03
4.	"American Dream" (featuring St. Lunatics)	Haynes, Jr. Robert Cleveland Torhi Harper Ali Jones Alexander Bernard Edwards Nile Rogers Winston Rogers	T-Mix	4:56
5.	"River Don't Runnn" (featuring Murphy Lee & Stephen Marley)	Haynes, Jr. Torhi Harper Stephen Marley Dorian "Doe" Moore	Doe	4:59
6.	"Tilt Ya Head Back" (featuring Christina Aguilera)	Haynes, Jr. Moore Tegemold Newton Curtis Mayfield	Doe	4:13
7.	"Grand Hang Out" (featuring Fat Joe, Jung Tru & Remy Ma)	Haynes, Jr. Jason "Jay E" Epperson Joseph Cartagena Reminisce Smith Terrance "Jung Tru" Bradley	Epperson	4:49
8.	"Getcha Getcha" (featuring St. Lunatics)	Haynes, Jr. Torhi Harper Jones Cleveland Wayne Nugent Kevin Risto	Midi Mafia	4:37
9.	"Another One"	Haynes, Jr. Jayson "Koko" Bridges	Bridges	4:39
10.	"Spida Man"	Haynes, Jr. Bridges	Bridges	4:51
11.	"Playa" (featuring Mobb Deep & Missy Elliott)	Haynes, Jr. Alan Maman Melissa Elliott Albert Johnson Kejuan Muchita Cleveland Lee Ryda	The Alchemist	3:57
12.	"Down In da Water" (featuring Ali & Gube Thug)	Haynes, Jr. Jones	Trife	4:20
13.	"Boy" (featuring Lil' Flip & Big Gipp)	Haynes, Jr. Chad Butler Epperson Cameron Gipp	Epperson	3:59
Total length:				57:53

United Kingdom bonus tracks[20]
No.	Title	Writer(s)	Producer(s)	Length
14.	"Don't Stop"	Haynes, Jr. Moore	Doe	3:57
Total length:				61:48

Sample credits

• "Heart of a Champion" – Contains a sample of "Roundball Rock" performed by John Tesh
• "Na Nana Na" – Contains a sample of "2 of Amerikaz Most Wanted" performed by 2Pac
• "American Dream" – Contains a sample of "Tired of Ballin'" performed by Tela
• "Tilt Ya Head Back" – Contains a sample of "Superfly" performed by Curtis Mayfield
• "Playa" – Contains a sample of "Magnetic Dance 2" performed by Lee Ryda

Personnel

Credits adapted from Allmusic.^[21]

Nelly – executive producer Jayson "Koko" Bridges – producer Andrew Coleman – engineer The Alchemist – producer Sandy Brummels – art direction Al Byno – engineer Jasper Cameron – producer Dirty Swift – producer Doe – producer Phillip Duckett – producer Michael Eleopoulos – assistant Jason "Jay E" Epperson – producer Loretta J. Galbreath – direction Chris Gehringer – mastering Harold Guy – assistant Jennifer Havey – A&R Tal Herzberg – engineer

Jazze Pha – producer Jun Ishizeki – engineer Chip Karpells – assistant Kevin Law – A&R Marc Stephen Lee – engineer Jonathan Mannion – photography NDoffene MBodji – assistant Carl Nappa – engineer The Neptunes – producer Jared Nugent – assistant Dave Pensado – mixing Joe Spix – art direction, design T-Mix – producer Richard Travali – mixing Trife – keyboards, producer Bruce Waynne – producer James White – photography

Charts

Chart (2004)	Peak position
scope="row"	Australian Albums (ARIA)[22]	10
scope="row"	Austrian Albums (Ö3 Austria)[23]	35
scope="row"	Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)[24]	62
scope="row"	Canadian Albums (Billboard)[25]	2
scope="row"	Dutch Albums (MegaCharts)[26]	28
scope="row"	French Albums (SNEP)[27]	200
scope="row"	German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)[28]	17
scope="row"	New Zealand Albums (RMNZ)[29]	7
scope="row"	Norwegian Albums (VG-lista)[30]	36
scope="row"	Swedish Albums (Sverigetopplistan)[31]	41
scope="row"	Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade)[32]	16
scope="row"	UK Albums (OCC)[33]	11
scope="row"	US Billboard 200[34]	2
scope="row"	US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard)[35]	2
scope="row"	US Top Rap Albums (Billboard)[36]	2

Certifications

Region	Certification	Certified units/Sales
Australia (ARIA)[37]	Gold	35,000^^
New Zealand (RMNZ)[38]	Gold	7,500^^
United Kingdom (BPI)[39]	Gold	100,000^^
United States (RIAA)[40]	Platinum	1,000,000^^
^*sales figures based on certification alone ^^shipments figures based on certification alone

References

1. Reid, Shaheem (June 3, 2004). "Nelly Explains Both Of His New Albums". MTV News. Viacom. Retrieved June 29, 2013.
2. Reid, Shaheem (April 27, 2004). "Nelly To Pull A Guns N' Roses This Summer". MTV News. Viacom. Retrieved June 29, 2013.
3. Reid, Shaheem (May 27, 2004). "Nelly Pushes Back Both Of His Albums". MTV News. Viacom. Retrieved June 29, 2013.
4. "Sweat: Nelly". Amazon.com. Retrieved June 29, 2013.
5. "Sweat: Nelly". Amazon.ca. Retrieved June 29, 2013.
6. "Sweat: Nelly". Amazon.co.jp. Retrieved June 29, 2013.
7. "Sweat: Nelly". Amazon.co.uk. Retrieved June 29, 2013.
8. "Sweat: Nelly". Amazon.de. Retrieved June 29, 2013.
9. Birchmeier, Jason. "Nelly – Sweat. Allmusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved on June 28, 2013.
10. Browne, David (September 17, 2004). "Sweat Review". Entertainment Weekly. Time Inc. Retrieved June 28, 2013.
11. Juon, Steve (September 14, 2004). "Nelly's "Sweat" + "Suit"". RapReviews.com. Retrieved June 28, 2013.
12. Sheffield, Rob (September 22, 2004). "Nelly: Sweat: Music Reviews: Rolling Stone". Rolling Stone. Jann Wenner. Archived from the original on August 17, 2007. Retrieved June 28, 2013.
13. "Review: Sweat". Vibe. Vibe Media: 184. October 2004.
14. "Nelly Runs 'Sweat,' 'Suit' Straight To The Top". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved June 28, 2013.
15. "The 'American' Way: Green Day Debuts At No. 1". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved June 29, 2013.
16. "Rascal Flatts 'Feels Like' No. 1". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved June 29, 2013.
17. "Strait's '50 Number 1s' Bows At No. 1". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved June 29, 2013.
18. "Strait Arrow: '50 Number Ones' On Top Again". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved June 29, 2013.
19. "Rod Returns To No. 1 With 'Stardust'". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved June 29, 2013.
20. "eBay Australia: Buy new & used fashion, electronics & home d�r". Ebay.com.au. 2004-09-13. Retrieved 2012-01-12. replacement character in |title= at position 61 (help)
21. "Nelly – Sweat: Credits. Allmusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved on June 28, 2013.
22. "Australiancharts.com – Nelly – Sweat". Hung Medien. Retrieved June 28, 2013.
23. "Austriancharts.at – Nelly – Sweat" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved June 28, 2013.
24. "Ultratop.be – Nelly – Sweat" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved June 28, 2013.
25. "Nelly – Chart history" Billboard Canadian Albums Chart for Nelly. Retrieved June 28, 2013.
26. "Dutchcharts.nl – Nelly – Sweat" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved June 28, 2013.
27. "Lescharts.com – Nelly – Sweat". Hung Medien. Retrieved June 28, 2013.
28. "Longplay-Chartverfolgung at Musicline" (in German). Musicline.de. Phononet GmbH. Retrieved June 28, 2013.
29. "Charts.org.nz – Nelly – Sweat". Hung Medien. Retrieved June 28, 2013.
30. "Norwegiancharts.com – Nelly – Sweat". Hung Medien. Retrieved June 28, 2013.
31. "Swedishcharts.com – Nelly – Sweat". Hung Medien. Retrieved June 28, 2013.
32. "Swisscharts.com – Nelly – Sweat". Hung Medien. Retrieved June 28, 2013.
33. "Nelly | Artist | Official Charts". UK Albums Chart Retrieved June 28, 2013.
34. "Nelly – Chart history" Billboard 200 for Nelly. Retrieved June 28, 2013.
35. "Nelly – Chart history" Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums for Nelly. Retrieved June 28, 2013.
36. "Nelly – Chart history" Billboard Top Rap Albums for Nelly. Retrieved June 28, 2013.
37. "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2005 Albums". Australian Recording Industry Association.
38. "New Zealand album certifications – Nelly – Sweat". Recorded Music NZ.
39. "British album certifications – Nelly – Sweat". British Phonographic Industry. Enter Sweat in the field Keywords. Select Title in the field Search by. Select album in the field By Format. Select Gold in the field By Award. Click Search
40. "American album certifications – Nelly – Sweat". Recording Industry Association of America. If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Album, then click SEARCH

External links

• Sweat at Discogs (list of releases)