Unleashed is the second studio album by American rapper Hurricane Chris. It was released on December 15, 2009, by Polo Grounds Music and J Records. This record would later be his final studio release with Polo Grounds and J Records. Recording sessions took place from 2008 to 2009, featuring the executive production from Hurricane Chris himself, alongside Bryan Leach and Anthony Murray. Aside from the executive production, the album features the production from Play-N-Skillz, Shawty Redd and Fiend, among others.
The album was supported by two singles: "Halle Berry (She's Fine)" featuring Superstarr, and "Headboard" featuring Mario and Plies, which both of these singles did not have success on the music charts. Upon its release, the album received mixed or average reviews from critics. Unleashed did not chart internationally, however, it reached at number 46 on the US Billboards R&B/Hip-Hop Albums, and number 20 on the US Billboards Top Rap Albums charts, respectively.
Singles The album's lead single, called "Halle Berry (She's Fine)", was released on April 15, 2009. The song features guest vocals from a fellow local rapper Superstarr; who later serves its production, along with the duo Play-N-Skillz and Q Smith on this track.
The album's second and final single, called "Headboard" was released on September 4, 2009. The song features guest vocals from American R&B singer-songwriter Mario and fellow American rapper Plies, with production by The Inkredibles.
Reception Commercial performance In the United States, Unleashed peaked at number 46 on the Billboards R&B/Hip-Hop Albums, and number 20 on the Billboards Top Rap Albums charts. It did not chart internationally.
Critical response
Unleashed received mixed or average reviews from music critics. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream critics, the album received an average score of 54, based on 4 reviews, which indicates "mixed or average reviews". David Jeffries of AllMusic gave the album three out of five stars. The New York Times''' Jon Caramanica gave an unfavorable review. Rolling Stone gave the album two out of five stars. Steve Juon of RapReviews.com gave the highest rated review, seven out of ten stars.
Track listing
Personnel Credits for Unleashed'' adapted from AllMusic.
Oluwaseyi Agdeh – composer J. Allen – engineer Jeremy Allen – composer Mimi Armstrong – grooming Blade – engineer, producer Anita Marisa Boriboon – art direction Brandon Bowles – composer Ralph Cacciurri – engineer Chris Carmouche – mixing Maurice Carpenter – composer Kevin Cossom – composer Kenny "Kennymixx" Daniels – mastering Anthony Davis – composer Rick De Verona – engineer Scorp Dezel – producer Christopher Dooley – composer, executive producer Leigh Elliott – composer Scott Eraas – engineer Fiend – producer Pablo "Tonton" Gho – engineer John "Say" Gillard – engineer The Inkredibles – producer Amy Johnson – A&R, production coordination Raphael Johnson – composer, producer Richard Jones – composer Fallon King – composer Felisha King – composer Bryan Leach – executive producer Eddie Mix – engineer
Johnny Mollings – composer Lenny Mollings – composer Mouse – producer Anthony Murray – executive producer Isis Nicholson – vocals Jamaal Parker – composer Shanieke Peru – stylist Phunk Dawg – producer Play – engineer Play N Skillz – producer Ari Raskin – engineer Rodney Richard – composer Rodnae – producer Ray Seay – mixing Derrick Selby – engineer Shawty Redd – producer Makeda Smith – A&R, production coordination Q. Smith – producer Demetrius Stewart – composer Superstarr – producer Don Vito – producer Miles Walker – engineer Algernod Washington – composer Earl Williams – composer Robert Wilson – composer Zach Wolfe – photography Shah Wonders – illustrations Rodney Young – composer
Charts Chart (2009) Peakposition US R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard) 46 US Top Rap Albums (Billboard) 20
References