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This Ain't a Game

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2001 studio album by Ray J
This Ain't a Game
Studio album by Ray J
ReleasedJune 19, 2001
Recorded2000–2001
GenreR&B
Length64:36
Label
Producer
Ray J chronology
Everything You Want
(1997)
This Ain't a Game
(2001)
Raydiation
(2005)
Singles from This Ain't a Game
  1. "Wait a Minute"
    Released: May 1, 2001
  2. "Formal Invite"
    Released: February 5, 2002
  3. "Keep Your Head Up"
    Released: December 4, 2002

This Ain't a Game is the second studio album by American R&B singer Ray J. It was released on June 19, 2001, under Atlantic Records in the United States.

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic
Entertainment WeeklyB+
NME
Vibe

AllMusic editor Jon Azpiri found that the album "is full of macho posturing that is more than a little tedious. The best of the tracks on the album feature production from The Neptunes Since This Ain't a Game has so little to offer, that line is what listeners will remember most about Ray J." In a positive review, Craig Seymour from Entertainment Weekly wrote: "Brandy’s little brother Ray-J matures nicely on this sophomore set, with production by R&B hotshots Rodney Jerkins and The Neptunes. The singing/acting biz kid, who evokes Bobby Brown and Off the Wall-era Jacko, sounds surprisingly credible on the hard-knock-life odes." NME found tha This Ain't a Game "is Ray J’s big chance. might sound like he researched the role as "playa" following Jay-Z around and watching from behind a newspaper with two eye holes cut in it but the track smokes, and that’s that. Again, Jerkins’ beats are what draw your attention. The stand-outs are few. The trademark Jerkins skittery beats are many."

Chart performance

In the United States, the album debuted and peaked at number 21 on the Billboard 200 and at number nine on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums, with first week sales of 18,321 copies. This Ain't a Game produced the top 40 hit single "Wait a Minute", featuring rapper Lil' Kim. It peaked at number 30 on the Billboard Hot 100. Second single, "Formal Invite" peaked at number 54 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks.

Track listing

No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Intro"William Norwood IIRay J1:01
2."Wait a Minute" (featuring Pharrell & Lil' Kim)The Neptunes3:47
3."Takin' Control"William Norwood IIRay J4:30
4."Formal Invite" (featuring Pharrell)The Neptunes5:06
5."Keep Your Head Up"
  • Daniels
  • R. Jerkins
  • F. Jerkins
Rodney Jerkins5:34
6."I Tried"Evans3:58
7."U Need It"/"U Don't"W. NorwoodRay J4:06
8."Out of the Ghetto" (featuring Shorty Mack)
  • Hugo
  • Owens
  • Williams
The Neptunes4:27
9."No More"Allamby4:47
10."This Ain't a Game"Daniels; Jerkins; Jerkins IIIRodney Jerkins4:18
11."Interlude"W. NorwoodRay J1:39
12."Wet Me"Dalvin DeGrateDeVante Swing4:30
13."Crazy"
  • Daniels
  • R. Jerkins
  • F. Jerkins
  • R. Smith
Rodney Jerkins4:51
14."I Got It All"4:04
15."Airport" (Skit)
  • Taylor
  • Wolfe
0:55
16."Where Do We Go From Here"
  • Mobley
  • Oczavia Pittman
Ray J7:10
UK bonus track
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
17."Formal Invite (Remix)" (featuring Busta Rhymes, Ludacris, Clipse, and Boobonic of Philly's Most Wanted)The Neptunes6:25

Charts

Chart (2001) Peak
position
Canadian R&B Albums (Nielsen SoundScan) 50
UK R&B Albums (OCC) 39
US Billboard 200 21
US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard) 9

References

  1. ^ This Ain't a Game at AllMusic. Retrieved January 20, 2020.
  2. ^ Seymour, Craig (June 22, 2001). "This Ain't a Game". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved February 2, 2023.
  3. ^ "Ray J : This Ain't A Game". NME. 12 September 2005. Retrieved August 13, 2021.
  4. Anderson, Tomika (July 2001). "Revolutions: Ray J – This Ain't A Game". Vibe. New York. p. 132. Archived from the original on July 2, 2022. Retrieved June 2, 2024 – via Google Books.
  5. ^ "Ray J Chart History (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved January 20, 2020.
  6. "R&B : Top 50". Jam!. July 18, 2001. Archived from the original on July 23, 2001. Retrieved January 27, 2023.
  7. "Official R&B Albums Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved January 27, 2021.
  8. "Ray J Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved January 20, 2020.
Ray J
Discography
Studio albums
Soundtracks
Singles
Featured singles
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