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By the time Will Smith released Willennium in November 1999, it was fashionable to put him down, especially since he was recovering from his first major stumble, the overblown Wild Wild West. Probably just the fact that he was everywhere made certain spoilsports long to take him down a notch, but Wild Wild West wasn't a mess because of him; in fact, he provided the only glimmers of fun in the whole misguided mess, through sheer star power. And that star power drives Willennium, turning it into a bold, brassy delight. Smith just doesn't care what anyone thinks; he knows he's a superstar, and he revels in his status. He likes to make fun music, and he likes to make it on a grand scale. Furthermore, he has no shame about entertaining. Consequently, Willennium is a gonzo pleasure in the way only a handful of big-budget pop albums can be: gaudy, giddy, infectiously silly, and proudly over-the-top. Case in point, its de facto title track, "Will 2K." Smith and his producers picked the Clash's "Rock the Casbah" as the foundation for an end-of-the-century party jam, a move so mind-bogglingly unpredictable that it's hard not to smile. And that spirit carries throughout the album, as Smith drops lyrical and musical allusions that are at once well-known and totally out of left field. All of this is done to bright, joyful party music that celebrates its big beats and big hooks. Smith isn't quite as convincing when it comes to slow jams, but still his charm shines through. But the heart of the album lies in the up-tempo dance numbers, since they're what make Willennium irresistible. And this is one of the rare times that an abundance of cameos enhances the spirit of an album, making Willennium feel like a Y2K blowout where everyone is invited.
© Stephen Thomas Erlewine /TiVo
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Earl Cohen, Recording Engineer - Lennie Bennett, Composer - Lennie Bennett, Lyricist - Eric Roberson, Producer - Rob Chiarelli, Mixing Engineer - Will Smith, Composer - Will Smith, Lyricist - Robert Rans, Composer - Robert Rans, Lyricist - Rob Fusari, Producer - Rob Fusari, Composer - Rob Fusari, Lyricist - TRÂ-Knox, Performer - Peter Brown, Composer - Peter Brown, Lyricist - Rochelle Runnells, Composer - Rochelle Runnells, Lyricist - Will Smith Featuring Trã-Knox, Performer - Falonte Moore, Producer - Falonte Moore, Composer - Falonte Moore, Lyricist - Steve Baughman, 2nd Engineer
(P) 1999 SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT
Joel Hailey, Composer - Joel Hailey, Lyricist - Michael Goods, Keyboards - Michael Goods, Recording Engineer - Cedric R. Hailey, Composer - Cedric R. Hailey, Lyricist - Lennie Bennett, Composer - Lennie Bennett, Lyricist - Kevin Crouse, Recording Engineer - John Mellor, Composer - John Mellor, Lyricist - Rich Travali, Mixing Engineer - Will Smith Featuring K-Ci, Performer - Michael Jones, Composer - Michael Jones, Lyricist - Will Smith, Composer - Will Smith, Lyricist - Tye-V Turman, Background Vocal - Darren Henson, Composer - Darren Henson, Lyricist - Bobby Robinson, Composer - Bobby Robinson, Lyricist - Nicholas Headon, Composer - Nicholas Headon, Lyricist - Jazzy Jeff, Scratches - Poke and Tone, Producer - Poke and Tone, Keyboards - Poke and Tone, Programmer
(P) 1999 SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT
Mai Huggins, Background Vocal - Lennie Bennett, Composer - Lennie Bennett, Lyricist - Nile Rodgers, Composer - Nile Rodgers, Lyricist - Kevin Crouse, Recording Engineer - Kevin Crouse, Drums - Rich Travali, Mixing Engineer - Reggie Parker, Acoustic Bass - Jean Claude Olivier, Composer - Jean Claude Olivier, Lyricist - Pamela Joan Sawyer, Composer - Pamela Joan Sawyer, Lyricist - Marilyn McLeod, Composer - Marilyn McLeod, Lyricist - Will Smith, Composer - Will Smith, Performer - Will Smith, Lyricist - Nunzio Signore, Guitar - Bernard Edwards, Composer - Bernard Edwards, Lyricist - Samuel Barnes, Composer - Samuel Barnes, Lyricist - Poke and Tone, Producer - Bugsy, Background Vocal - The Love Fellowship Tabernacle Children's Choir, Vocal
(P) 1999 SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT
Kay-Gee, Producer - Kay-Gee, Mixing Engineer - Zane Grey, Composer - Zane Grey, Lyricist - Lennie Bennett, Composer - Lennie Bennett, Lyricist - Rob Chiarelli, Recording Engineer - Len Ron Hanks, Composer - Len Ron Hanks, Lyricist - Will Smith, Composer - Will Smith, Lyricist - Will Smith Featuring Lil' Kim, Performer - Darren Lighty, Producer - Adam Kudzin, Mixing Engineer - Adam Kudzin, Recording Engineer - Kim Jones, Composer - Kim Jones, Lyricist
(P) 1999 SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT
Little Louie Vega, Producer - Lonnie Lynn, Composer - Lonnie Lynn, Lyricist - Jeff Townes, Vocal - Jeff Townes, Producer - Ivan Bavarias, Composer - Ivan Bavarias, Lyricist - Kenny Gonzalez, Producer - Will Smith, Composer - Will Smith, Performer - Will Smith, Lyricist - Steven Barkan, Recording Engineer - Darren Henson, Composer - Darren Henson, Lyricist - Carl Fischer, Trumpet - Steve Barkan, Mixing Engineer - Carvin Haggins, Composer - Carvin Haggins, Producer - Carvin Haggins, Lyricist - Isidro Infante, Piano - Tito Puente, Composer - Tito Puente, Lyricist - Omarr Rambert, Vocal - Keith Pelzer, Composer - Keith Pelzer, Producer - Keith Pelzer, Recording Engineer - Keith Pelzer, Lyricist - John Scarpulla, Tenor Saxophone - C. Sierra, Background Vocal
(P) 1999 SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT
MC Lyte, Composer - MC Lyte, Lyricist - Rob Chiarelli, Recording Engineer - LaShawn Daniels, Composer - LaShawn Daniels, Lyricist - Will Smith, Composer - Will Smith, Lyricist - Larry Phillabaum, 2nd Engineer - Will Smith Featuring Tatyana Ali & MC Lyte, Performer - Harvey Mason Jr., Producer - Brad Gilderman, Mixing Engineer - Tatyana Ali, Composer - Tatyana Ali, Lyricist - Fred Jerkins III, Composer - Fred Jerkins III, Lyricist - Harvey Mason, Jr., Composer - Harvey Mason, Jr., Lyricist - Rodney Jerkins, Producer - Rodney Jerkins, Mixing Engineer - Rodney Jerkins, Composer - Rodney Jerkins, Lyricist
(P) 1999 SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT
James Cason, Composer - James Cason, Lyricist - Jeff Townes, Producer - Jeff Townes, Composer - Jeff Townes, Recording Engineer - Jeff Townes, Lyricist - Rob Chiarelli, Mixing Engineer - Lawrence Goodman, Composer - Lawrence Goodman, Lyricist - Will Smith, Composer - Will Smith, Lyricist - Laurindo Almeida, Composer - Laurindo Almeida, Lyricist - Hachidai Nakamura, Composer - Hachidai Nakamura, Lyricist - Rokusuke Ei, Composer - Rokusuke Ei, Lyricist - Darren Henson, Composer - Darren Henson, Producer - Darren Henson, Lyricist - Will Smith Featuring Biz Markie & Slick Rick, Performer - Chris Gehringer, Mastering Engineer
(P) 1999 SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT
J. Spicer, Composer - J. Spicer, Lyricist - W. Griffen, Composer - W. Griffen, Lyricist - D. Davis, Composer - D. Davis, Lyricist - Doug E. Fresh, Composer - Doug E. Fresh, Lyricist - L. Parker, Composer - L. Parker, Lyricist - J. Roper, Jr., Composer - J. Roper, Jr., Lyricist - E. Nixon, Composer - E. Nixon, Lyricist - E. Barrier, Composer - E. Barrier, Lyricist - T. Reed, Jr., Composer - T. Reed, Jr., Lyricist - Will Smith, Performer - Will Smith, Composer - Will Smith, Lyricist - Jeff Townes, Producer - Jeff Townes, Performer - Jeff Townes, Recording Engineer - Jeff Townes, Composer - Jeff Townes, Lyricist - A. Hardy, Composer - A. Hardy, Lyricist - V. Davis, Composer - V. Davis, Lyricist - Rich Travali, Mixing Engineer - T. Fisher, Composer - T. Fisher, Lyricist - R. Reed, Composer - R. Reed, Lyricist - M. Williams, Composer - M. Williams, Lyricist - R. Walters, Composer - R. Walters, Lyricist
(P) 1999 SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT
Michael Jackson, Composer - Michael Jackson, Lyricist - Lia Grant, Performer - Lia Grant, Composer - Lia Grant, Lyricist - Rob Chiarelli, Mixing Engineer - Jeff Townes, Producer - Eve Jeffers, Composer - Eve Jeffers, Lyricist - Will Smith, Composer - Will Smith, Lyricist - Will Smith Featuring EVE, Performer - Darren Henson, Composer - Darren Henson, Lyricist - Keith Pelzer, Producer - Keith Pelzer, Recording Engineer
(P) 1999 SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT
Darren Henson, Composer - Darren Henson, Lyricist - Lawrence Smith, Composer - Lawrence Smith, Lyricist - Davis Barnet, Viola - John Smeltz, Recording Engineer - Lennie Bennett, Composer - Lennie Bennett, Lyricist - Will Smith, Performer - Will Smith, Composer - Will Smith, Recording Engineer - Will Smith, Lyricist - Will Smith, Producer - Jeff Townes, Producer - Jeff Townes, Recording Engineer - Jeff Townes, Lyricist - Jeff Townes, Composer - Rob Chiarelli, Mixing Engineer - Rob Chiarelli, Recording Engineer - Carvin Haggins, Composer - Carvin Haggins, Lyricist - Diane Barnet, Violin - Larry Gold, Acoustic Cello - Charlene Kwas, Violin - Olga Konopelsky, Violin - Rich Travali, Recording Engineer - Peter Nocello, Viola - Jim Bottari, 2nd Engineer - Lonnie Lynn, Composer - Lonnie Lynn, Lyricist - Leon Bryant, Composer - Leon Bryant, Lyricist - Igor Svek, Violin - Gregory Teperman, Violin - Andre Harris, Producer - Andre Harris, Composer - Andre Harris, Lyricist - Jalil Hutchins, Composer - Jalil Hutchins, Lyricist
(P) 1999 SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT
Lia Grant, Vocal - Rob Chiarelli, Recording Engineer - Jeff Townes, Producer - Jeff Townes, Recording Engineer - Rich Travali, Mixing Engineer - Andre Harris, Keyboards - Will Smith, Composer - Will Smith, Lyricist - Sydney Lim, Vocal - Darren Henson, Producer - Sandy Plute, Vocal - Neil Larsen, Composer - Neil Larsen, Lyricist - Will Smith Featuring Breeze, Performer
(P) 1999 SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT
Kel Spencer, Performer - Lonnie Lynn, Composer - Lonnie Lynn, Lyricist - D.A. Clear, Composer - D.A. Clear, Lyricist - Gordon Williams, Mixing Engineer - Gordon Williams, Recording Engineer - Lennie Bennett, Composer - Lennie Bennett, Lyricist - Jeff Townes, Producer - Jeff Townes, Composer - Jeff Townes, Lyricist - Rich Travali, Recording Engineer - Dale Hawkins, Lyricist - Dale Hawkins, Composer - Will Smith, Composer - Will Smith, Lyricist - Stanley Lewis, Composer - Stanley Lewis, Lyricist - Darren Henson, Producer - Darren Henson, Composer - Darren Henson, Lyricist - Will Smith Featuring Kel Spencer, Performer
(P) 1999 SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT
Mohandas Dewese, Composer - Mohandas Dewese, Lyricist - Arty Skye, Recording Engineer - Stevie Wonder, Composer - Stevie Wonder, Lyricist - Rob Chiarelli, Recording Engineer - Rob Chiarelli, Arranger - Mark Wilson, Producer - Dru Hill, Vocal - Will Smith, Composer - Will Smith, Lyricist - Rob Fusari, Producer - Rob Fusari, Composer - Rob Fusari, Lyricist - Kool Mo Dee, Vocal - Will Smith Featuring Dru Hill & Kool Mo Dee, Performer - Herb Powers, Mastering Engineer
(P) 1999 SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT
Lonnie Lynn, Composer - Lonnie Lynn, Lyricist - Gordon Williams, Mixing Engineer - Jeff Townes, Producer - Jeff Townes, Recording Engineer - Jeff Townes, Composer - Jeff Townes, Lyricist - Deniece Williams, Composer - Deniece Williams, Lyricist - Jill Scott, Performer - Jill Scott, Composer - Jill Scott, Lyricist - Will Smith, Composer - Will Smith, Lyricist - Darren Henson, Producer - Darren Henson, Recording Engineer - Darren Henson, Composer - Darren Henson, Lyricist - William Neale, Composer - William Neale, Lyricist - J. Bailey, Vocal - Will Smith Featuring Jill Scott, Performer
(P) 1999 SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT
Album review
By the time Will Smith released Willennium in November 1999, it was fashionable to put him down, especially since he was recovering from his first major stumble, the overblown Wild Wild West. Probably just the fact that he was everywhere made certain spoilsports long to take him down a notch, but Wild Wild West wasn't a mess because of him; in fact, he provided the only glimmers of fun in the whole misguided mess, through sheer star power. And that star power drives Willennium, turning it into a bold, brassy delight. Smith just doesn't care what anyone thinks; he knows he's a superstar, and he revels in his status. He likes to make fun music, and he likes to make it on a grand scale. Furthermore, he has no shame about entertaining. Consequently, Willennium is a gonzo pleasure in the way only a handful of big-budget pop albums can be: gaudy, giddy, infectiously silly, and proudly over-the-top. Case in point, its de facto title track, "Will 2K." Smith and his producers picked the Clash's "Rock the Casbah" as the foundation for an end-of-the-century party jam, a move so mind-bogglingly unpredictable that it's hard not to smile. And that spirit carries throughout the album, as Smith drops lyrical and musical allusions that are at once well-known and totally out of left field. All of this is done to bright, joyful party music that celebrates its big beats and big hooks. Smith isn't quite as convincing when it comes to slow jams, but still his charm shines through. But the heart of the album lies in the up-tempo dance numbers, since they're what make Willennium irresistible. And this is one of the rare times that an abundance of cameos enhances the spirit of an album, making Willennium feel like a Y2K blowout where everyone is invited.
© Stephen Thomas Erlewine /TiVo
About the album
- 1 disc(s) - 15 track(s)
- Total length: 01:02:35
- Main artists: Will Smith
- Composer: Will Smith
- Label: Columbia
- Genre: Soul/Funk/R&B
(P) 1999 SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT
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