Diamond Princess (album)

Background

After promotion for her debut album ended in mid-2000, Trina began recording music with Missy Elliott to create her second studio album. Recording sessions lasted from 2000 to 2002. Trina was able to choose her own production, name of the songs, and write whatever she wanted to write. She told TheCrusade.net, "It's more what Trina's about, how Trina looks, how Trina feels, the things that Trina consists of."

On August 27, 2002, Trina released her second album Diamond Princess. The album debuted at number fourteen on the Billboard 200 and number five on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. It sold 67,000 units in its first week.

Trina also started her own record label, Diva Enterprises now DP Entertainment, and by September 2002 had signed an artist, Lil Brianna, who was ten years old and working on her first album. Lil Brianna had already appeared on the track "Kandi." Lil Brianna is now known as Brianna Perry who is now signed to Atlantic Records, Trina's now former label.

Singles

The lead single, "Told Ya'll", featuring Rick Ross was released on 2001, produced by Cool & Dre. It reached number sixty-four on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. It was the only song from the All About the Benjamins (soundtrack) to do so.

The second single, "No Panties", featuring Tweet was released on July 16, 2002 but only reached number eighty-eight on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. However, it became her first single to chart outside of the US, as it reached number forty-five on the UK Singles Chart.

The third and final single from the album, "B R Right", featuring Ludacris, was also released on October 22, 2002 and reached number eighty-three on the Hot 100, number fifty on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart and number twenty-four on the Rap Songs chart, becoming a fairly successful single.

Critical reception

Billboard says,"Trina enlists a cast of all-stars and newcomers in crafting this, her sophomore set. On the Missy "Misdemeanor" Elliot-penned and co-produced lead single "No Panties," the Miami native is joined by Tweet; both ladies ably lay down the law as they see fit, deftly telling men what women need to be happy. On "Kandi," Trina introduces her own version of "mini-me"—a young 10-year-old female emcee named Lil' Brianna. The two make for an adorable and cute duet that samples New Edition's 1983 hit "Candy Girl". The autobiographical "U & Me" finds Trina standing on her own. Produced by Cool & Dre, the song serves as the album's most profound moment, with the artist taking a serious look at the ups and downs of rap stardom. Though not perfect, Diamond Princess proves that Trina, like the album's gem namesake, is pretty, shiny, and stronger than you might think."—RH

Commercial performance

The album debuted at number fourteen on the US Billboard 200 and number five on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, selling 67,000 units in its first week. By June 2007,the album sold up to 501,000 copies according to Billboard.

Personnel

Credits for Diamond Princess adapted from Allmusic.