The Life is the third studio album from American R&B singer Ginuwine, released on Epic Records in 2001. The album debuted at number 3 on the Billboard 200 with first-week sales of 152,000 copies sold in the U.S. and was certified Platinum by the RIAA.[1][2] It also spawned a top 5 hit single on the Billboard Hot 100 with "Differences". The Life was the first Ginuwine LP not to be primarily produced by Timbaland, who only produced one track, "That's How I Get Down". The song "Two Reasons I Cry" is dedicated to the memory of Ginuwine's parents, who both died a year before the album was released.[3]
Reception
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |    [4] |
| Entertainment Weekly | B+[5] |
| NME | (7/10)[6] |
| People | (average)[7] |
| Rolling Stone | [8] |
- Rolling Stone (5/10/01, p. 88) - 3.5 stars out of 5 - "As a showman, performer and personality, Ginuwine's the real thing....The Life is all naughty, disposable high points."[8]
- Entertainment Weekly (4/20/01, p. 73) - "[He] reveals a softer, more vulnerable side....When he balances his Romeo routine with a funky club vibe Life gets really good." - Rating: B+ [5][9]
Track listing
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Why Not Me" |
|
| 6:11 |
| 2. | "There It Is" |
|
| 5:00 |
| 3. | "2 Way" |
|
| 4:09 |
| 4. | "Differences" |
| Oliver | 4:25 |
| 5. | "So Fine" |
|
| 3:14 |
| 6. | "Tribute to a Woman" |
|
| 4:59 |
| 7. | "Why Did You Go?" |
|
| 6:05 |
| 8. | "How Deep Is Your Love" |
| Dawson | 4:21 |
| 9. | "That's How I Get Down" (featuring Ludacris) |
| Timbaland | 4:13 |
| 10. | "Show After the Show" |
|
| 4:21 |
| 11. | "Role Play" |
|
| 3:52 |
| 12. | "Open Arms" |
|
| 4:45 |
| 13. | "Superhuman" | Diane Warren | Khris Kellow | 4:10 |
| 14. | "Two Reasons I Cry" |
|
| 5:15 |
| 15. | "Just Because" |
|
| 3:42 |
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16. | "Give It Up" | 3:58 | ||
| 17. | "Fix It" |
| Soulshock & Karlin | 4:41 |
Charts
Certifications
| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| United States (RIAA)[14] | Platinum | 1,000,000^ |
| ^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. | ||
References
- ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2014-02-22. Retrieved 2012-12-06.
- ^ http://riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?content_selector=gold-platinum-searchable-database
- ^ Aquallante, Dan. "THE GINUWINE ARTICLE – R&B ARTIST FACES TRAGEDY AND COMES BACK SINING". nypost.com. NYP Holdings, Inc. Retrieved 2016-08-10.
- ^ Allmusic review
- ^ a b Anderson, Tomika (2001-04-20). "The Life Review". Entertainment Weekly: 73. Retrieved 2013-03-17.
- ^ NME review
- ^ People review
- ^ a b "Rolling Stone review". Archived from the original on October 2, 2007. Retrieved 2007-02-28.
- ^ "Ginuwine - Life CD Album". CD Universe. 2008-02-01. Retrieved 2012-02-28.
- ^ "Ginuwine Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved July 5, 2018.
- ^ "Ginuwine Chart History (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved July 5, 2018.
- ^ "Top Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 2001". Billboard. Retrieved August 29, 2020.
- ^ "R&B/Hip-Hop Albums: Year End 2001". Billboard. Retrieved July 4, 2018.
- ^ "American album certifications – Ginuwine – The Life". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved July 5, 2018. If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Album, then click SEARCH.