3LW_(album)
3LW (album)
2000 studio album by 3LW
3LW is the debut studio album by American girl group 3LW. It was released through Epic Records on December 5, 2000. The album contains their debut single "No More (Baby I'ma Do Right)" which peaked at number 23 on the Billboard Hot 100, and their follow-up single "Playas Gon' Play". 3LW peaked at number 29 on the US Billboard 200 and was certified Platinum by Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). As of March 2003, the album has sold 1.3 million copies in the US.[1]
| 3LW | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | December 5, 2000 (2000-12-05) | |||
| Recorded | 1999–2000 | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 51:53 | |||
| Label | Epic | |||
| Producer |
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| 3LW chronology | ||||
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| Singles from 3LW | ||||
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In April 1999, Kiely Williams, Adrienne Bailon and Naturi Naughton met each other at an audition.[2] The following week later the trio went to a recording studio to record a 4-song demo tape.[2] Eventually they caught the attention of Sony Music Entertainment chairman/CEO Tommy Mottola and after performing for him he signed them to his label.[2] For nine months the girls recorded material for their debut album.[2] Bailon discussed the developmental experience saying, "We've become like sisters. We sing, pray, and go to church as unit". She continued," We have bunk beds, and "the bond we share is unbreakable".[2]
The album was originally scheduled to be released on November 14, but was delayed to December 5, 2000.[2][3] Beginning in May 2000, a marketing campaign was implemented to promote the group.[2] 3LW cassette tape samplers and bounce-back postcards were distributed on the 'N Sync, Sisqó, and Christina Aguilera tours.[2] 3LW were a part of Ed McMahon's mall and high school tour to promote his internet venture, "Nextbigstar.com".[2] They had sponsorships with Adidas and Jump Magazine.[2]
Following the album's release, 3LW made several televised appearances on BET, Soul Train, and Nickelodeon, and were featured in teen-oriented magazines such as Seventeen and Teen People.[3] 3LW also embarked on a European promotional tour in support of the project.[2]
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [4] |
| Entertainment Weekly | B−[5] |
| Rolling Stone |  [6] |
Ed Hogan from AllMusic praised the album for having a "fresh sound that deftly mixes hip-hop/R&B and pop."[4] Overall, he felt that "The group's strong vocals and an overall adventurous vibe supplied by the album's producers and songwriters makes 3LW a pleasure."[4] Michael Paoletta from Billboard felt the album was full of "radio-ready singles", and like their contemporaries the group is targeting their peers with their material in which they succeed at doing.[7] Barry Walters from Rolling Stone felt that the group radiate prefab vibes due to their "jerky beats" and the "kewpie-doll coo of their radio-friendly crooning".[6] Ultimately, he declared 3LW "rise above the crassness behind their creation by laying low: no bombastic ballads, no embarrassing between-track skits, no strained displays of virtuoso technique and fake emotion".[6]
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "No More (Baby I'ma Do Right)" |
| Hall | 4:23 |
| 2. | "Is You Feelin' Me" |
| Pagani | 4:17 |
| 3. | "Playas Gon' Play" |
| Hall | 4:43 |
| 4. | "Gettin' Too Heavy" |
|
| 4:37 |
| 5. | "I'm Gonna Make You Miss Me" |
|
| 4:36 |
| 6. | "Not This Time" |
|
| 3:20 |
| 7. | "More Than Friends (That's Right)" |
| Full Force | 3:54 |
| 8. | "Curious" |
| Hall | 4:49 |
| 9. | "'Til I Say So" |
|
| 3:57 |
| 10. | "Crush On You" |
| The Co-Stars | 3:59 |
| 11. | "Ocean" |
| Edwin "Tony" Nicholas | 4:44 |
| 12. | "I Can't Take It" (No More Remix, featuring Nas) |
|
| 4:26 |
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Never Let Go" |
| 4:06 | |
| 2. | "I Think You Should Know" |
| Tony Nicholas | 3:18 |
| 3. | "Dear Diary" |
| Elliott | 4:15 |
| 4. | "Playas Gon' Play" (Enhanced Video) |
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13. | "Dear Diary" |
| Elliott | 4:15 |
Weekly charts
|
Year-end charts
|
| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| United States (RIAA)[16] | Platinum | 1,000,000^ |
|
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. | ||
- "3LW Is A Trio Again". Billboard. March 4, 2003. Archived from the original on June 20, 2014. Retrieved June 17, 2022.
- Mays, Raqiyah (October 21, 2000). "Female Teen Trio 3LW To Debut With Self-Titled 550 Music Set". Billboard. Vol. 112, no. 43. p. 12. Retrieved June 12, 2022.
- Hay, Carla (November 11, 2000). "Three Pop Musketeers". Billboard. Vol. 112, no. 46. p. 28. Retrieved June 12, 2022.
- Hogan, Ed. "3LW Overview". AllMusic. All Media Network. Retrieved May 22, 2012.
- Diehl, Matt (December 15, 2000). "3LW". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved November 20, 2023.
- Walters, Barry. "3LW Review". Rolling Stone. Wenner Media. Archived from the original on March 1, 2002. Retrieved June 25, 2022.
- Paoletta, Michael (December 16, 2000). "Reviews & Previews - Albums". Billboard. Vol. 112, no. 51. p. 26. Retrieved June 12, 2022.
- "R&B : Top 50". Jam!. April 14, 2001. Archived from the original on April 11, 2001. Retrieved January 27, 2023.
- "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 27, 2018.
- "Official R&B Albums Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 27, 2018.
- "3LW Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved May 9, 2015.
- "3LW Chart History (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved May 9, 2015.
- "Canada's Top 200 R&B; albums of 2001". Jam!. January 8, 2002. Archived from the original on July 26, 2002. Retrieved January 22, 2023.
- "Year-End Charts: Billboard 200 Albums - 2001". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved May 9, 2015.
- "Year-End Charts: R&B/Hip-Hop Albums - 2001". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved May 9, 2015.
- "American album certifications – 3LW – 3LW". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved May 9, 2015.