Ginuwine - 100% Ginuwine

100% average

In the 1990's there were a plethora of talented male acts for the ladies' listening and viewing pleasure. Most of the talented testosterone of that juncture had great voices, smooth dance moves and were great to look at. Needless to say, women swooned. Ginuwine was one of those men. When his first song, "Pony" was released, a bit of a frenzy occurred, perhaps because the song was so sex-driven or perhaps because the public was so ecstatic to see a new face in the music world. Whatever the case, that was just the beginning for him. He would go on to work with Aaliyah, Missy Elliot and Timbaland and have many hits like "Differences", "In Those Jeans" and "Stingy."

"100% Ginuwine" shows that the man born Elgin Lumpkin was born with a great singing voice. What you won't hear on the album, but will have to see, is the fact that he's a remarkable dancer, too. This album has vast subject matter; that's something that makes this album special. Timbaland beats inundate this piece of work. While I like Timbaland, I feel that this album could have been better if Ginuwine worked with a few other producers but I guess he hadn't heard the phrase "Variety is the spice of life" when creating this album. Most of the music here is mid-tempo. As a unit, I could grant this album just three stars because there was too much filler. The best moments on this album are the songs that were released; those songs were "So Anxious", "What's So Different?", "None of Your Friend's Business" and "Same Ol' G." "Same Ol' G" and "So Anxious" are sheer brilliance and receive five shining stars. In "Same Ol' G", Ginuwine lets the world know that although he's rich and famous, he hasn't changed as a person; he's the "same ol' G." "So Anxious" is classic Ginuwine." In this song, he is paging his object of affection because he is ready for her to come over so that they can get involved in a little immorality. I love the subject matter in "What's So Different?" Ginuwine is telling a woman that he knows she is notorious for cheating and he knows she'll cheat on him because of her past indiscretions. "None of Your Friend's Business" has Timbaland's name written all over it production-wise. This mediocre song is about two people who are in a relationship and the girl's friends are always getting involved. Great subject matter!

Although I give this album three stars, I recommend it for its best moments. Listening to this album is bound to resurface a memory or more and have you dancing and singing along all the while. Not bad.

Mikeisha's Top 5

1. "Same Ol' G"
2. "So Anxious"
3. "What's So Different?"
4. "Two Sides to a Story"
5. "None of Your Friend's Business"
August 23, 2008

Anyone know where I can get...

This album rocked, hands down. But I am having a hard time finding the "So
Anxious Timbaland Anxiety mix" Anyone know how I can get my hands on that song? June 7, 2008

Ginuwine- 100% Ginuwine

Ginuwine has always been one of my favorite R&B singers. For many reasons though. One is because he obviously has one of the best voices ever, his vocal range is unmatched. Hes got that silky smooth feel to his voice. Reason two, is because he is extremely consistent. Every album he has put has been at least good (Exept The Bachelor, which most consider his best work). And some of his albums, like this one, are damn near classic music. And reason three, is because he changed R&B forever. While the style he made back in the 90's with his first two albums isnt as popular now, you can see people trying to capture that same style he made with this album and his first one now. Justin Timberlake is an obvious fact now that he is hooking up with Timbaland on his albums. JT is trying to be the new Ginuwine. But i dont think that anyone can make an album as new and fresh as this album was and still is. The futuristic bladerunner type of beats have never been done as well as on this album. The bouncy feel to "Final Warning" to the dreamy but sexy thumper "No.1 Fan", this album is a classic and is one of a kind. It kills me that he moved away from this type of music and stopped making tracks with Timbo. Dont get me wrong, his newer stuff isnt bad, but none of it will ever compare to this epic album. Even on the heartbreaking remake of MJ's "Shes Out of My Life" he out does his mentor. And then there is the more chill baby maker "So Anxious" easily one of the best songs of his career. Basically G really proved that he has mad talent with this album, because while he didnt get a whole lot of credit for this masterpiece of an album, he undoubtedly changed the game.


Grade:
A December 22, 2007

100% Ginuwine

Ginuwine second album named "100% Ginuwine" follows the bluprint of debut album "The Bachelor" and is almost as good. Tim "Timbaland" Mosley produced this album aswell, and the result shows when one of the greatest producers teams up with one of the gratetest performers. Ginuwine was so popular at the time that he could turn anything to gold. Just like on his debut there is a mix of Uptempo and Slow Jams here and there is also a obligatory cover of one of his hero's, This time around, Michael Jackson. Although "The Bachelor" is slightly better, Timbaland had matured as a producer and was even more innovative here, Infact he penned all songs but 2.

Apart from the first two songs that are interludes, somewhat, it starst for real with song number 3. "What's So Diffrent", a trademark Timbaland song with cool beats and fast pace. The song is about infedelity and has this angry sort of feeling all over it. Not surprising, it became a hit. "So Anxious", a slow jam that also was single released. "None of Our Friend's Business" goes one step further, it's defenitely one of his best ballads with memorable lyrics and great emotion. "Wait a Minute" is a decent midtempo and "I Know" a uptempo love song. "Do You Remember" Once again a slow jam that gioves great balance between ballads and uptempos. "No #1 Fan" a party song, but not among his best songs.

"Final Warning" is continues the trend, but feautures the late Aaliyah that also was a Timbaland protege. The duet could have been better but alright nonetheless. "I'm Crying Out" a midtempo song where a woman is slowly whispering words in the backround. "Two Sides Of The Story", one of his best ballads, unfortunately not a single but very good. "Same Ol'G" a uptempo, is perhaps my favorite Ginuwine song of this album, the song deals with self esteem and being yourslf no matter what people think of you. "All Nite, All Day" is a decent slow jam, perhaps the most seductive. "Toe 2 Toe" is a party jam, nothing special though. The album closes with song 16, that is a cover of MJ's 1980 hit "She's Out Of My Life", Not the easiest MJ song to interpret but Ginuwine makes a good cover out of it.

Overall, Ginuwine makes another great R%B album and at this point he's one of the greatest performers of the game. He and Tim, continues with the same path as on the debut albut and it works just fine. It isn't 100% flawless, but most songs are good and the collaboration between the two should defenitely have continued further. There are a few songs too many (16) but it's a 4'5 to 5 star album nonetheless. If you like good R&B, then get this for sure. May 22, 2006

Bring back Timbaland!!!

Ginuwine's 1999 effort "100% Ginuwine" marked the last album that he and super producer Timbaland worked together exclusively on, and unfortunately may have effectively removed the six packed, pretty boy crooner from the R&B crowds' collective radar as well. Granted he's released 3 albums since this one. (none of which I've heard in it's entirety) But the days of rampant radio play and association with one of the games biggest hit makers are long gone. Why G made this move is beyond me, but a marked decline in his product and image has been the result. 100% was a fantatstic effort as it marked Ginuwine's growth and maturity as an artist from his slightly flawed but banging debut "The Bachelor".

No question that 100%'s strength as a release lies in the ballads. From the very first one "So Anxious" to "Wait A Minute" (my favorite!) to "No. 1 Fan" you knew that Tim wasn't playin' around with the tracks. G, while never the best singer in the game, delivers in the clutch over each, offering his best work in that department. As for the uptempos? Who cares?? No-one buys a Ginuwine album for those anyway, even though "Same Ol G" is a certified banger. Honestly, G had to know of the imminent fallout resulting from him parting ways with Timbo. While I applaud the need to forge a new path, he may have alienated those who put him where he is now. Now if this new album "Back II Basics" is as nice as I've heard it was, I may be eating these words. Stay Tuned. March 24, 2006

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