Release Therapy

Untitled

Release Therapy is the fifth studio album from Def Jam recording artist Ludacris. It was released on September 26, 2006.

Background

Release Therapy won the Best Rap Album award for the 2007 Grammy Awards.

Ludacris also shaved his cornrows off for a new "caesar" haircut. He said with a new album that was different than his other four albums, there would be a new haircut and a new personality to go with it, similar to what Busta Rhymes did with The Big Bang.

Ludacris released a mixtape called Pre-Release Therapy with DJ Green Lantern to precede the album.

Concept

Unlike the previous albums released by Ludacris, Release Therapy has a more mature and serious approach to the music (e.g. the 3rd single Runaway Love is Ludacris's first stab at socially concerned music). It is also Ludacris's darkest album to date, both in mood and subject matter. The different approach Ludacris took with Release Therapy has caused many listeners and fans to debate on whether the album is Ludacris's best or worst.

Ludacris also stated that his new album will be somewhat like a tape on CD. "The way we're going to try to format the record is you have your Release side and your Therapy side," he said. "Everybody knows the Release side would be 'War With God,' 'Tell It Like It Is.' I have a record called 'Slap.' Just getting everything off my chest. The Therapy side would be feel-good — a song like 'Woozy' with R. Kelly on it is therapeutic. Even 'Money Maker.' Some women's therapy is getting out, going to the club and shaking they ass. It's therapeutic to them."

Singles

• The first single, "Money Maker", which was produced by and features Pharrell, was released to U.S. radio outlets on July 17, 2006. It was a huge success making number 1 on various charts through the U.S.. These charts included the Billboard Hot 100, the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, Hot Rap Tracks and the Hot 100 Airplay.

• The second single is "Grew Up a Screw Up", featuring Young Jeezy. The single dispels rumors that Ludacris and Young Jeezy are having beef with each other.

• The third single is "Runaway Love", featuring Mary J. Blige. It peaked at #2 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Reception

Chart performance

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
About.com	link
Allmusic	link
The A.V. Club	(B) link
Robert Christgau	link
Entertainment Weekly	B− link
Pitchfork Media	(5.8/10) link
RapReviews	(8.5/10) link
Rolling Stone	link
Stylus Magazine	B− link
The Guardian	link
XXL Magazine	link

The album debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200 album chart selling over 309,000 copies in the first week making it Ludacris' third number one album in a row. To date, the album has sold about 1.3 million copies.

Track listing

#	Title	Producer(s)	Samples	Length	Side
1	"Warning" (Intro)	Vudu		2:30	Release
2	"Grew Up a Screw Up" (featuring Young Jeezy)	DJ Nasty & LVM	"Runnin' (From tha Police) by 2Pac	3:59	Release
3	"Money Maker" (featuring Pharrell)	The Neptunes		3:50	Therapy
4	"Girls Gone Wild"	The Neptunes		3:36	Therapy
5	"Ultimate Satisfaction" (featuring Field Mob)	Rich Skillz	"Satisfaction" by Benny Benassi	4:20	Release
6	"Mouths to Feed"	DJ Toomp		4:18	Release
7	"End of the Night" (featuring Bobby V)	Happy Perez		4:37	Therapy
8	"Woozy" (featuring R. Kelly)	Ken Jo		5:18	Therapy
9	"Tell It Like It Is"	Omen		3:56	Release
10	"War with God"	Dre & Vidal	"War of the Gods" by Billy Paul	4:30	Release
11	"Do Your Time" (featuring Beanie Sigel, Pimp C & C-Murder)	The Trak Starz		5:15	Therapy
12	"Slap"	The Runners		4:40	Release
13	"Runaway Love" (featuring Mary J. Blige)	Polow Da Don	"La Di Da Di" by Slick Rick	4:40	Therapy
14	"Freedom of Preach" (featuring Bishop Eddie Lee Long)	Mr. Jonz		7:07	Therapy

Charts

Chart (2006)	Peak position
Swiss Albums Chart (Schweizer Hitparade)	57
UK Albums Chart (Official Charts Company)	69
US Billboard 200	1
US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard)	2
US Top Rap Albums (Billboard)	1