Listennn... the Album
| Company type | Studio album |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | June 6, 2006 |
| Founder | DJ Khaled |
| Products | Hip hop music |
| Parent | Terror Squad Entertainment, Koch Records |
Listennn... the Album marks the inaugural studio release by American DJ and music producer DJ Khaled. Launched on June 6, 2006, through Terror Squad Entertainment and Koch Records, the album includes contributions from a wide range of notable artists such as Fat Joe, Young Jeezy, Kanye West, Bun B, Trick Daddy, Rick Ross, Lil Wayne, Birdman, Juelz Santana, Slim Thug, Krayzie Bone, Chamillionaire, Trina, Twista, Freeway, T.I., John Legend, Akon, Jadakiss, Beanie Sigel, Styles P, Cool & Dre, Paul Wall, Pitbull, and Lil Scrappy. Critical responses were mostly favorable but showed division regarding the production quality, lyrical depth, and Khaled’s artistic presence. Upon release, the album entered the Billboard 200 chart at number 12, moving 44,000 units in its initial week in the United States. It was promoted through three singles: "Holla at Me", "Grammy Family", and "Born-N-Raised."
Singles
The album’s first single, "Holla at Me", dropped on February 28, 2006, featuring performances from Lil Wayne, Paul Wall, Fat Joe, Rick Ross, and Pitbull, with production handled by Cool & Dre. This track reached number 59 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.
Following that, the second single "Grammy Family" was released on July 1, 2006. It includes guest verses from Kanye West, Consequence, and John Legend. Production credits for this song go to Kanye West alongside Jon Brion.
The third single, "Born-N-Raised", arrived on September 24, 2006. Featuring Pitbull, Rick Ross, and Trick Daddy, it was produced by The Runners. This track also appeared on Pitbull’s sophomore album El Mariel (2006).
Critical reception
Upon its debut, the album garnered generally positive feedback from various music critics. David Jeffries of AllMusic commended Khaled for assembling a production that spans multiple regions while drawing strong performances from his collaborators.[1] A.L. Friedman from PopMatters emphasized the impressive lineup of artists and highlighted "Born-N-Raised" and "Gangsta Shit" as standout tracks.[2] Damien Scott of Vibe praised Khaled for blending hometown loyalty with broader musical influences, specifically noting "Holla at Me," "Problem," and "Candy Paint" for their production quality and lyrical content. He concluded that the compilation presents a compelling sonic argument for its significance.[3] Steve 'Flash' Juon of RapReviews offered a more mixed critique, acknowledging solid production and some notable songs but pointing out that the album reveals little about Khaled beyond his extensive network and Miami roots.[4] Andres Tardio from HipHopDX appreciated the catchy beats but found the lyrical content lacking across many contributors, suggesting that the project highlights Khaled’s connections more than his own artistic skills.[5]
Commercial performance
The album launched at number 12 on the US Billboard 200 chart with first-week sales of 44,000 copies. To date, it has sold approximately 230,000 units within the United States.
Track listing
Information on credits sourced from BMI and ASCAP.
Personnel
- DJ Khaled – producer (entire album)
- DJ Nasty & LVM – producer (track 3)
- Cool & Dre – producers (tracks 8, 11, and 16)
- Diaz Brothers – producer (track 17)
Charts
Template:Album chartTemplate:Album chart| Chart (2006) | Highest ranking |
|---|
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