Recorded 2006–07 We the Best
(2007) We Global
(2008) Release date 12 June 2007 | Length 65:49 Artist DJ Khaled Label Koch Entertainment | |
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Released June 12, 2007 (2007-06-12) Producer DJ Khaled (also exec.)
Fat Joe (exec.)
Allah (exec.)
Kane Beatz
Cool & Dre
Danja
Jim Jonsin
The Diaz Brothers
The Runners Genres Hip hop music, Gangsta rap, Hardcore hip hop Similar DJ Khaled albums, Hip hop music albums | ||
We the Best is the second studio album by Miami-based DJ and fellow Terror Squad member DJ Khaled. It was released on June 12, 2007, by Terror Squad Entertainment, distributed by Koch Records. DJ Khaled alongside fellow rapper Fat Joe and Allah, collectively handled as the executive producers on this album. The album was produced by Cool & Dre, Jim Jonsin, The Diaz Brothers and The Runners; as well as the guest appearances from Bone Thugs-n-Harmony, Trina, Paul Wall and Bun B, among others.
Contents
It was supported by two singles; "We Takin' Over" featuring T.I., Akon, Rick Ross, Fat Joe, Birdman and Lil Wayne, and the other Rick Ross-featured track "I'm So Hood" alongside T-Pain, Trick Daddy and Plies.
We the Best received a mixed reception from critics, who found some of the tracks enjoyable and engaging, but felt it was over-bloated with lesser tracks and Khaled's persistent ad-libbing throughout the album. The album debuted at number 8 on the US Billboard 200. As of January 2008, the album has sold 440,000 copies in the United States.
Singles
The album's first single, "We Takin' Over" was released on April 1, 2007. The song features guest vocals from American rappers T.I., Rick Ross, Fat Joe, Birdman and Lil Wayne, alongside the musician Akon. The song was produced by Danja.
The album's second single, "I'm So Hood" was released on . The song features guests vocals from American recording artist T-Pain, alongside rappers Trick Daddy, Plies and Rick Ross; whom recently featured on the track "We Takin' Over". The song was produced by the production duo The Runners.
Critical reception
We the Best received a generally mixed reception from music critics. Steve 'Flash' Juon of RapReviews praised the album for showcasing great lyricism and production from some of the best rappers and producers working at the time but found Khaled's repeated trademark phrases annoying, concluding with: "Other than that though this album is good - hell it's even summer banger ride in your Jeep with it 'til October good. Just don't fool yourself into thinking that Khaled had anything to do with it other than putting the right people together in the right place at the right time." Christian Hoard of Rolling Stone said that Khaled's beats weren't anything innovative but we're used well thanks to a huge list of guest artists and tracks like "Hit Them Up" and "Brown Paper Bag" that he credited for being "big, dumb pleasures, just begging to blast from your SUV." David Jeffries of AllMusic also praised the album for collecting a lot of capable guest artists to deliver great lyricism but found some of Khaled's catchphrases and geographical jumping through his producers as the album's shortcomings, concluding that, "Much more frustrating than a failure, We the Best earns a slight thumbs up if you think of it as a disjointed soundtrack or four-hit mixtape."
Andres Tardio of HipHopDX commented on the various tracks throughout the album, saying that some of them can grab the attention of the listeners but others will feel tiring with the overabundance of guest artists and their lack of focus in the lyrics. Tom Breihan of Pitchfork Media said that after the first single, the album starts to sound rote and generic with tracks that deliver more swagger-rap and less thought-provoking substance, concluding that "We the Best, it turns out, is indicative of one of the major problems with mainstream rap lately: too many rappers seem unwilling to drop their defenses and speak plainly."
Commercial performance
The album debuted at number 8 on the US Billboard 200, selling 79,000 copies in its first week. As of January 2008, the album has sold 440,000 copies in the United States.
Track listing
Personnel
Credits for We the Best adapted from AllMusic.
Songs
1IntroRick Ross1:58
2The Movement (skit)K Foxx0:23
3We Takin' OverLil Wayne - Akon - TI - 4:23