TGTC (The Greater Than Club) | ||||
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Studio album by | ||||
Released | April 26, 2011 | |||
Recorded | 2010–2011 | |||
Genre | Hip hop, neo soul | |||
Length | 56:17 | |||
Label | Fly Union Records Hype Music [1] [2] The Greater Than Club | |||
Producer | B Jazz, Ivan "Iyeball" Hope ( exec.), Jonathan "Jay Swifa" Tribune (also exec.), Jerreau Smith (also exec.) | |||
Fly Union chronology | ||||
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Singles from TGTC (The Greater Than Club) | ||||
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Review scores | |
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Source | Rating |
XXL | (L) [3] |
Rate Your Music | [4] |
Atlanta Got Sole | [5] |
Vegas Seven | [6] |
TGTC (The Greater Than Club) is the debut studio album by rap group Fly Union. The album was released on iTunes and as a free digital download through their website on April 26, 2011 [7] [8] Since the album's initial release, it has been licensed through Hype Music. [9] [10] [11] A digital copy of TGTC is currently available for purchase on iTunes and Amazon. [12] [13] A physical copy of the album is also available for purchase on Fly Union's website. [14] To date, the album has generated over 100,000 downloads. [15]
On December 24, 2010, an official music video for "Long Run" was uploaded to Fly Union's YouTube channel. On that same day, it was announced that they would be releasing a project titled The Greater Than Club in the first quarter of 2011. [16]
TGTC has a lush sound that is characterized by luxuriant strings, brisk snare drums, and soulful samples. [17] The album's production, mainly provided by Iyeball and Jay Swifa ( MnkeyWrench), incorporates elements of various music styles including electronic, hip hop and soul. [18] Adam Fleischer of XXL described the album as having a "Midwest soul hop" sound. [19]
Lyrically, TGTC explores a variety of topics. In the song "Salutation" each individual group member addresses their shortcomings and anxieties through lyrics that carry an uncommon sense of honesty. [20] [21] In "Don't Call", Jerreau speaks on the intricacies and complications of dating. [22] In "5000" the group speaks on being “Audi” (as in the Audi 5000), while defining the term as being well-off. [23]
On February 16, 2012, the official music video for "5000" was uploaded to KarmaloopTV's YouTube channel. [24] [25]
On August 1, 2012, the official music videos for "Long Run" and "Don't Call" were featured on MTV. [26] [27]
On January 17, 2013, "Friends.Women.Money" was featured on an episode of the MTV series Buckwild. [28]
On July 27, 2013, the NBA 2K team announced that "Long Run" would be featured on the soundtrack to NBA 2K14. [29]
TGTC was generally well received by music critics. It holds a rating of 3.32 out of 5 stars at Rate Your Music. [30] XXL gave it a L rating citing that the album is "a little lengthy", but ultimately declaring that it is "a fine formal introduction" for the group. [31] Atlanta Got Soul gave it 8.5 out of 10 making note of the album's production and "splendid lyricism." [32] The Smoking Section also gave the album a positive review citing that the album was, "well-produced and thoughtfully written." [33]
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
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1. | "Salutation" | I. Houpe, J. Smith, J. Tribune | Iyeball | 3:14 |
2. | "Hard Sell" | I. Houpe, J. Smith, J. Tribune | Iyeball | 3:35 |
3. | "Good To Go" | I. Houpe, J. Smith, J. Tribune | Jay Swifa | 4:03 |
4. | "5000" | I. Houpe, J. Smith, J. Tribune | Jay Swifa, Iyeball (co.) | 3:53 |
5. | "Finish Line" | I. Houpe, G. Robinson, J. Smith, J. Tribune | Iyeball, Jay Swifa | 3:36 |
6. | "Long Run" | I. Houpe, J. Smith, J. Tribune | Jay Swifa | 4:17 |
7. | "Love For You" | J. Smith | Jay Swifa, B Jazz (add.) | 3:22 |
8. | "How To Act" | R. James, J. Smith | Jay Swifa | 1:07 |
9. | "Friends.Women.Money" (featuring Dom Kennedy) | D. Hunn, J. Smith, J. Tribune | Jay Swifa | 3:29 |
10. | "Control" | I. Houpe, J. Smith, J. Tribune | Iyeball, Jay Swifa | 3:11 |
11. | "Don't Call" | J. Smith | Iyeball | 3:47 |
12. | "Look Up To The Sky" (featuring BJ the Chicago Kid & P. Blackk) | P. Fequiere, I. Houpe, B. Sledge, J. Smith | Iyeball | 5:00 |
13. | "Do It For You" (featuring BJ the Chicago Kid & Pac Div) | B. Sledge, J. Smith, G. Stevenson, M. Stevenson, J. Tribune | Jay Swifa, B Jazz (add.) | 5:26 |
14. | "Who You Wit" | I. Houpe, J. Smith, J. Tribune | Iyeball, B Jazz (add.) | 5:16 |
15. | "Sincerely" | Iyeball, Jay Swifa | 3:01 |
Credits for TGTC adapted from Allmusic and Atlanta Got Sole. [36] [37]