The late-Aaliyah once sing “if at first you don’t succeed, then dust yourself off and try again.” Comedian/singer Jamie Foxx would do just that in 2005 with his sophomore album, Unpredictable.
Foxx’s debut, Peep This, came eleven years prior. Despite being a nice album, it wasn’t well received. For one, he wasn’t a house hold name. Secondly, the ones that did know him, knew him from In Living Color, the sketch comedy television series — not as an R&B singer. However, things would be different the second time around.
[Tune In To HipHop-Album-Debate, “The Podcast” Every Tuesday and Friday!]
Foxx hit us with the title track, which sampled legendary Funk group New Birth’s “Wild Flower.” With a verse from Ludacris, it built up momentum. I think that anyone that had low expectation regarding this album was in for a pleasant surprise.
I think Foxx went into this album with a well-thought out plan. Aside from the promo singles, “DJ Play a Love Song” and “Can I Take U Home,” the booty club-inspired “Get This Money” was the perfect visual of the guy that has gotten mesmerize by his favorite dancer.
“Three Letter Word” was a nod to the people that get sexual urges anywhere, even “up in church.”
Though Jamie made several sexual-infused and party tracks, he made room for love. He and Mary J. Blige impressively pulled off the Kashif and Meli’sa Morgan remake, “Love Changes.”
Some women are sensitive to changes during pregnancy which can cause them to become an emotional wreck, Foxx and Common gave us guys a line or two to use during those times in “U Still Got It.”
Jamie spiritual side was shown as well in “Heaven” and “Wish U Were Here,” the latter being dedicated to his late-grandmother, Estelle Marie Talley.
Despite my personal approval and the album reaching number 1 on both the US Billboard 200 and the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, some critics thought it wasn’t good enough.
How do you guys think Foxx fared on his second album? Or better yet, since I started this blog using someone else’s lyrics as a reference, I’ll end it the same way: “Second time around, ooh the second time is so much better, baby!” – Shalamar.
RIP Kashif, Estelle Marie Talley.
Jamie Foxx’s ‘Unpredictable’; Classic!, Jammin’, Regular, or Not Impressed?
[Polls Are Closed!]
Jammin’ – 57%
Classic! – 43%
Not Impressed – 0%
Regular – 0%