Finally (Blackstreet album) explained

Finally
Type:Album
Artist:Blackstreet
Cover:Finally b00000ift0.jpg
Border:yes
Released:March 23, 1999 (U.S.)
Recorded:1998
Studio:Future Recording Studios
Length:56:46
Label:Interscope
Producer:Teddy Riley, Warryn Campbell, Eric Williams
Prev Title:Another Level
Prev Year:1996
Next Title:Level II
Next Year:2003

Finally is the third album from R&B group Blackstreet. It was released on Interscope Records on March 23, 1999. Finally was the only album to feature Terrell Phillips, after the departure of Mark Middleton.[1] After the success of their multi-platinum last album Another Level, their label allowed them a bigger budget for the next album. Finally was recorded at Teddy Riley's studio Future Recording Studios based in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Originally given the working title Get Higher, the album was scheduled for a November 1998 release until it was pushed back to March 1999.[2]

The album has high-profile guests, such as Janet Jackson, Stevie Wonder and Hezekiah Walker. The album also features several songs with string arrangements from conductor Jeremy Lubbock.[3] The music video for the single "Girlfriend/Boyfriend" was directed by Joseph Kahn. Complete with computer animation and 3D graphics, the video was considered to be one of the most expensive at the time.[4] Finally was critically acclaimed but a commercial disappointment, moving units at only a fraction of what their previous album sold. Shortly after the release of the single "Think About You", Riley left Blackstreet to reform his previous group Guy and Blackstreet were subsequently dropped by Interscope Records.[5]

Despite the album's failure, a couple of songs have been covered by other artists. British singer Sonique covered the song "Drama" on her album Hear My Cry as a duet with R&B singer Calvin Richardson. Korean pop group SS501 later covered the song "In A Rush" live in one of their concert performances. The title track of the album appeared as the closing track on Hezekiah Walker’s album “Family Affair” which was released later on in the year.[6]

Charts

Chart (1999)Peak
position
Canada Albums Chart 11
China Albums Chart 34
German Albums Chart 34
French Albums Chart [7] 33
Netherlands Albums Chart 21
UK Albums Chart 27
U.S. Billboard 2009
U.S. Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Albumsalign="center"-

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Ivory. SoulBounce's Class Of 1994: Blackstreet 'Blackstreet'. soulbounce.com. Soul Bounce. 2015-07-19.
  2. Web site: Blackstreet - Get Higher. allmusic.com. All Media Network, LLC. 2015-12-23.
  3. Web site: Arranging Credits 1. Jeremy Lubbock. jeremylubbock.com. 2012-08-27.
  4. Web site: SoYouWanna know the ten most expensive music videos?. soyouwanna.com. 2012-08-28. https://web.archive.org/web/20120826093129/http://www.soyouwanna.com/soyouwanna-ten-expensive-music-videos-7200.html. 2012-08-26. dead.
  5. Web site: DeCurtis. Anthony. Blackstreet's Chauncey "C-Black" Hannibal tells all about Teddy Riley. Vibe Magazine- August 2000. August 2000. 2012-08-28.
  6. Web site: SS501 - In A Rush ((LIVE)) Original by BlackStreet. https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211214/PvB51eMPZs4 . 2021-12-14 . live. Live Performance. youtube.com. 2012-08-28.
  7. Web site: Album performance. AustrianCharts. 2007-05-09.