3LW
Studio album by
3LW
ReleasedDecember 5, 2000 (2000-12-05)
Genre
Length51:53
LabelEpic
Producer
3LW chronology
3LW
(2000)		 A Girl Can Mack
(2002)
Singles from 3LW
  1. "No More (Baby I'ma Do Right)"
    Released: October 3, 2000
  2. "Playas Gon' Play"
    Released: May 1, 2001

3LW is the debut studio album by American girl group 3LW. It was released through Epic Records on December 5, 2000. The album contains their hit singles "No More (Baby I'ma Do Right)" and "Playas Gon' Play". 3LW peaked at number 29 on the US Billboard 200 and was certified Platinum by Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). As of March 2003, the album has sold 1.3 million copies in the US.[1]

Background and production

In April 1999, Kiely Williams, Adrienne Bailon and Naturi Naughton met each other at an audition.[2] The following week later the trio went to a recording studio to record a 4-song demo tape.[2] Eventually they caught the attention of Sony Music Entertainment chairman/CEO Tommy Mottola and after performing for him he signed them to his label.[2] For nine months the girls recorded material for their debut album.[2] Bailon discussed the developmental experience saying, "We've become like sisters. We sing, pray, and go to church as unit". She continued," We have bunk beds, and "the bond we share is unbreakable".[2]

Release and promotion

Originally the album was scheduled to be released on November 14, but instead it was released on December 5, 2000.[2][3] Beginning in May 2000, a marketing campaign was implemented to promote the group.[2] During the summer-campaign 3LW cassette tape samplers and bounce-back postcards were distributed on the 'N Sync, Sisqó and Christina Aguilera tours.[2] For an entire month 3LW were a part of Ed McMahon's mall and high school tour to introduce/promote his new internet venture, "Nextbigstar.com".[2] They also had sponsored gigs with Adidas and Jump Magazine.[2] After the album release, 3LW was expected to make several televised appearances on BET, Soul Train and Nickelodeon.[3] The group was also to be featured in teen-oriented magazines such as Seventeen and Teen People.[3] 3LW also went on a European promotional tour in support of the project.[2]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[4]
Entertainment WeeklyB-[5]
Rolling Stone[6]

Ed Hogan from AllMusic praised the album for having a "fresh sound that deftly mixes hip-hop/R&B and pop."[4] Overall, he felt that "The group's strong vocals and an overall adventurous vibe supplied by the album's producers and songwriters makes 3LW a pleasure."[4] Michael Paoletta from Billboard felt the album was full of "radio-ready singles", and like their contemporaries the group is targeting their peers with their material in which they succeed at doing.[7] Barry Walters from Rolling Stone felt that the group radiate prefab vibes due to their "jerky beats" and the "kewpie-doll coo of their radio-friendly crooning".[6] Ultimately, he declared 3LW "rise above the crassness behind their creation by laying low: no bombastic ballads, no embarrassing between-track skits, no strained displays of virtuoso technique and fake emotion".[6]


Track listing

3LW track listing
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."No More (Baby I'ma Do Right)"
Hall4:23
2."Is You Feelin' Me"
  • Gregg Pagani
  • Mar'Leina Kemp
Pagani4:17
3."Playas Gon' Play"
  • Hall
  • Butler
Hall4:43
4."Gettin' Too Heavy"
  • Schwartz
  • Kierulf
4:37
5."I'm Gonna Make You Miss Me"
  • Schwartz
  • Kierulf
4:36
6."Not This Time"
  • Conway
  • Priolo
3:20
7."More Than Friends (That's Right)"
  • Brian George
  • Junior Clark
  • Paul Anthony George
  • Lucien George, Jr.
  • Curt Bedeau
  • Gerry Charles
  • Charlene Cockett
  • Darryl Barksdale
  • Morgan Robinson
Full Force3:54
8."Curious"
  • Hall
  • Butler
  • Johnathan Baker
Hall4:49
9."'Til I Say So"
  • M. Williams
  • Vito Colapietro
  • Nathan Porter
  • Neely Dinkins
  • Gregory Crapps
  • The Co-Stars
  • Ken Johnston
3:57
10."Crush On You"
  • M. Williams
  • V. Williams
  • Colapietro
  • Porter
  • Dinkins
  • Crapps
  • James Glasco
The Co-Stars3:59
11."Ocean"
Edwin "Tony" Nicholas4:44
12."I Can't Take It" (No More Remix, featuring Nas)
4:26
Walmart limited edition – bonus disc
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Never Let Go"
  • Briggs
  • Jujuan Williams
4:06
2."I Think You Should Know"
  • 3LW
  • M. Williams
  • Conya Doss
  • Phillip O'Rourke
  • Tony Nicholas
Tony Nicholas3:18
3."Dear Diary"
Elliott4:15
4."Playas Gon' Play" (Enhanced Video)   
Japanese bonus track
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
13."Dear Diary"
  • 3LW
  • M. Williams
  • Chad Elliott
Elliott4:15

Charts

Certifications

Certifications for 3LW
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
United States (RIAA)[16] Platinum 1,000,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Release history

3LW release history
Region Date Ref(s)
Germany November 1, 2000
United States November 14, 2000

References

  1. ↑ "3LW Is A Trio Again". Billboard. March 4, 2003. Archived from the original on June 20, 2014. Retrieved June 17, 2022.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Mays, Raqiyah (October 21, 2000). "Female Teen Trio 3LW To Debut With Self-Titled 550 Music Set". Billboard. Vol. 112, no. 43. p. 12. Retrieved June 12, 2022.
  3. 1 2 3 Hay, Carla (November 11, 2000). "Three Pop Musketeers". Billboard. Vol. 112, no. 46. p. 28. Retrieved June 12, 2022.
  4. 1 2 3 Hogan, Ed. "3LW Overview". AllMusic. All Media Network. Retrieved May 22, 2012.
  5. ↑ Diehl, Matt (December 15, 2000). "3LW". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved November 20, 2023.
  6. 1 2 3 Walters, Barry. "3LW Review". Rolling Stone. Wenner Media. Archived from the original on March 1, 2002. Retrieved June 25, 2022.
  7. ↑ Paoletta, Michael (December 16, 2000). "Reviews & Previews - Albums". Billboard. Vol. 112, no. 51. p. 26. Retrieved June 12, 2022.
  8. ↑ "R&B : Top 50". Jam!. April 14, 2001. Archived from the original on April 11, 2001. Retrieved January 27, 2023.
  9. ↑ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 27, 2018.
  10. ↑ "Official R&B Albums Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 27, 2018.
  11. ↑ "3LW Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved May 9, 2015.
  12. ↑ "3LW Chart History (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved May 9, 2015.
  13. ↑ "Canada's Top 200 R&B; albums of 2001". Jam!. January 8, 2002. Archived from the original on July 26, 2002. Retrieved January 22, 2023.
  14. ↑ "Year-End Charts: Billboard 200 Albums - 2001". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved May 9, 2015.
  15. ↑ "Year-End Charts: R&B/Hip-Hop Albums - 2001". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved May 9, 2015.
  16. ↑ "American album certifications – 3LW – 3LW". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved May 9, 2015.
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