Thirty years ago this month, a young singer from Washington, D.C. released a debut album that helped rewrite the sound of R&B. Ginuwine... the Bachelor arrived on October 8, 1996, through 550 Music and Epic Records, introducing the world to Ginuwine, born Elgin Baylor Lumpkin, as a solo star.
The album's breakout moment was "Pony." Co-written by Ginuwine with Static Major and Timbaland, with Timbaland handling production, the track sounded like nothing else on the radio. While much of mid-90s R&B favored smooth, polished production, Timbaland built something strange, funky and futuristic around Ginuwine's vocals. The gamble paid off: "Pony" climbed to No. 6 on the Billboard Hot 100 and hit No. 1 on Billboard's R&B singles chart.
Timbaland produced the album, crafting an unconventional backdrop of unusual percussion, deep bass, vocal effects and rhythms that didn't sound like traditional R&B. It was an early preview of the ideas that would make him one of the most influential producers in music history, developed alongside his creative circle with Missy Elliott.
Beyond "Pony," the album ran deep. It featured "Tell Me Do U Wanna," "Only When Ur Lonely," "Holler," "Hello," "Lonely Daze," "Ginuwine 4 Ur Mind," "I'll Do Anything/I'm Sorry" and "World Is So Cold," plus a take on Prince's "When Doves Cry" and collaborations with Missy Elliott and Magoo on "G. Thang" and "550 What?"
The Bachelor reached No. 26 on the Billboard 200 and No. 14 on the R&B albums chart, and was certified double platinum in the United States. Three years later, Ginuwine returned with 100% Ginuwine, powered by "What's So Different," "Same Ol' G," "So Anxious" and "None of Ur Friends Business."
Thirty years on, The Bachelor still sounds distinctive — a landmark of late-90s R&B that pointed toward the future.
Read the full anniversary piece at Daddy's Hangout: Ginuwine's The Bachelor Turns 30
Comments
Post a Comment