Enter the Dru

Enter the Dru is the second studio album from American R&B group Dru Hill. Released on October 27, 1998, it was the group's second and final album for Island Black Music, the urban music division of Island Records; Island was merged with Def Jam Recordings following a company merger in December the same year, as Dru Hill would later be transferred to Def Jam's Def Soul subsidiary.[1][2]

Enter The Dru
Studio album by
Dru Hill
ReleasedOctober 27, 1998
Recorded1998
StudioLarabee Studios (Los Angeles)
GenreR&B, hip hop soul
Length66:01
LabelIsland
ProducerKenneth Crear (exec.), Dru Hill (exec.), Hiriam Hicks (exec.), Haqq Islam (exec.), Kevin Peck (exec.), Baby Dave, Babyface, Warryn Campbell, Dutch, David Foster, James "Woody" Green, Nokio the N-Tity, Guy Roche, Daryl Simmons, Sisqó, Ralph Stacy, Damon Thomas
Dru Hill chronology
Dru Hill
(1996)		 Enter The Dru
(1998)		 Dru World Order
(2002)
Singles from Enter The Dru
  1. "How Deep Is Your Love"
    Released: June 23, 1998
  2. "These Are the Times"
    Released: November 17, 1998
  3. "Beauty"
    Released: January 31, 1999
  4. "You Are Everything"
    Released: May 18, 1999

The album's title was inspired by the Bruce Lee 1973 film, Enter the Dragon.

This is the first album that the group were credited as executive producers as all four members wrote and produced several of the songs. It released three singles, "How Deep Is Your Love", "These Are The Times" and "You Are Everything". The singles all had music videos released, but the music video for "You Are Everything" was a remix video, which featured rapper Ja Rule, and Woody did not appear in it due to him leaving the group in early 1999. The remix version was later featured on lead singer Sisqó's debut album, Unleash the Dragon, which was released that November.

Recording sessions for the album took place at Larabee Studios in Los Angeles. The album peaked at number two on both the Billboard 200 and Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums charts. In May 1999, it was certified double-platinum in sales by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), after exceeding 2,000,000 copies in the United States.

Overview

The songs on the album are mainly performed by lead singer, Sisqó, who performs solo on four songs: "Real Freak", "How Deep Is Your Love", "This Is What We Do" and "One Good Reason". Jazz performs solo on "Holding You" and "I'll Be the One". Woody performs solo on "Angel". Nokio does not perform solo on any songs but he does get more lead vocals than on the group's eponymous debut album.

Background

The album was recorded over a three-week span at Larabee Studios in Los Angeles during the early months of 1998.[3] Group member James "Woody Rock" Green would leave the group soon after the release of the album to pursue a career as a gospel musician. The other members also went on to do solo albums, which forced the group to go on hiatus.[3]

Release and reception
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Allmusic[4]
Entertainment WeeklyC+[5]
Los Angeles Times[6]
Rolling Stone[7]
Spin(7/10)[8]

The album peaked at number two on both the U.S. Billboard 200 and the R&B Albums chart.[9] The album was certified gold in December 1998 and eventually recertified double-platinum by May 1999.[10] Michael Gallucci of Allmusic gave the group and their second effort a favorable review, stating that "Dru Hill slice into the section of '90s soul music that crosses bedroom come-ons with classic street savvy (and nervy beats) without sounding at all whipped."[4]

Track listing
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Enter the Dru" (Interlude)Mark Andrews; David EvansSisqó, Baby Dave0:53
2."Real Freak" (featuring Chinky Brown Eyes)Mark Andrews; David EvansSisqó, Baby Dave3:34
3."How Deep Is Your Love"Tamir Ruffin; Mark Andrews; Warryn CampbellDutch, Nokio The N-Tity, Warryn Campbell4:03
4."This Is What We Do" (featuring Method Man)Mark Andrews; Tamir Ruffin; Rick CousinNokio The N-Tity, Dutch4:21
5."Holding You"Larry Anthony; Rick CousinDutch, Jazz4:28
6."I'm Wondering"Tamir Ruffin; Warryn Campbell; Rick CousinWarryn Campbell, Nokio The N-Tity4:17
7."You Are Everything"Mark Andrews; Rick CousinSisqó, Dutch4:34
8."I'll Be The One"Daryl SimmonsDaryl Simmons4:26
9."Nowhere Without You" (Interlude)Mark Andrews; James GreenSisqó, Warryn Campbell1:06
10."One Good Reason"Ralph Stacy; Raphael BrownRalph Stacy, Nokio The N-Tity4:15
11."Angel" (Interlude)James Green; Warryn CampbellWarryn Campbell, Woody1:33
12."Angel"James Green; Warryn CampbellWarryn Campbell, Woody, Nokio The N-Tity4:24
13."What Do I Do With The Love"Diane WarrenDavid Foster, Guy Roche, Nokio The N-Tity4:46
14."Beauty"Tamir Ruffin; Guy Roche; Phil WeatherspoonGuy Roche, Nokio The N-Tity4:32
15."These Are the Times"Kenneth Edmonds; Damon ThomasBabyface, Damon Thomas4:09
16."The Love We Had (Stays On My Mind)"Terry Callier; Larry WadeDaryl Simmons5:35
17."What Are We Gonna Do"Tamir Ruffin; Ralph Cousin; Shep CrawfordNokio The N-Tity, Dutch5:06

Charts

Certifications
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
Canada (Music Canada)[23] Gold 50,000^
United Kingdom (BPI)[24] Gold 100,000*
United States (RIAA)[10] 2× Platinum 2,000,000^

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Personnel

Information taken from Allmusic.[25][26]

  • A&R – Matthew Schwartz
  • Arranging – Nokio the N-Tity, Guy Roche
  • Assistant engineering – Tom Bender, Greg Burns, Mick Guzauski, Kevin Lively, Ted Reiger, Aaron Sprague, The Storm, Dylan Vaughn, Pascal Volberg
  • Assistant mixing – E'lyk, The Storm, Pascal Volberg
  • Bass – Alex Al, Ronnie Garrett, Michael Thompson
  • Clothing/wardrobe – Julieanne Mijares
  • Conductor(s) – Larry Gold, Sisqó
  • Drum programming – Babyface, Nokio the N-Tity, Greg Phillinganes, Guy Roche, Daryl Simmons, Ralph Stacy, Damon Thomas, William "P Sound" Thomas
  • Engineering – Paul Boutin, Greg Burns, Felipe Elgueta, Thom "TK" Kidd, Mario Lucy, Manny Marroquin, Jason Rome, Rafa Sardina, Jon Smeltz, Ralph Stacy, Moana Suchard, Joe Warlick
  • Executive production – Dru Hill, Hiriam Hicks, Haqq Islam, Kevin Peck, Kenneth Crear
  • Grooming – Heba Thorisdottir
  • Guitar – James Harrah, Sonny Lallerstedt, Michael Hart Thompson
  • Keyboards – Babyface, David Foster, Nokio the N-Tity, Greg Phillinganes, Guy Roche, Daryl Simmons, Ralph Stacy, Damon Thomas, Phil Weatherspoon
  • Mastering – Chris Gehringer
  • Mixing – Bonzai, Jon Gass, Mick Guzauski, Thom "TK" Kidd, Manny Marroquin, Thom Russo, Jon Smeltz
  • Performer(s) – Chinky Brown Eyes, Method Man
  • Photo assistance – Beth Coller, John Garcia
  • Photography – Beth Coller, John Garcia, Tracy Lamonica
  • Piano – Alex Al, Warryn Campbell, Greg Phillinganes
  • Production – Baby Dave, Babyface, Warryn Campbell, Dutch, David Foster, James "Woody" Green, Nokio the N-Tity, Guy Roche, Daryl Simmons, Sisqó, Ralph Stacy, Damon Thomas
  • Production coordination – Ivy Skoff
  • Rapping – Method Man
  • Strings – Cameron Stone
  • String arranging – Larry Gold, Sisqó
  • String conduction – Larry Gold
  • Stylistic advisor – Laurie Chang, April Roomet
  • Stylistic assistant – Laurie Chang, April Roomet
  • Synclavier – Simon Franglen
  • Synclavier programming – Simon Franglen
  • Vocal arranging – R. Brown, Nokio the N-Tity, Guy Roche, Sisqó
  • Vocal production – Nokio the N-Tity
  • Vocals – Dru Hill, Nokio the N-Tity, Sisqó
  • Vocals (background) – Dru Hill

Notes
  1. Hochman, Steve (1999-08-15). "Def Jam Plans a Happy New Year". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2023-10-03.
  2. Philips, Chuck (1998-12-10). "Merger Puts Seagram at Top of Music Charts". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2023-10-03.
  3. Williams, Chris (2011-01-23). "Dru Hill founder Nokio recalls making Enter the Dru LP (1998) : Return To The Classics : SoulCulture". SoulCulture.co.uk. Retrieved 2011-04-03.
  4. Gallucci, Michael. "'Enter the Dru' Review". Allmusic. Retrieved 2011-04-02.
  5. Tyehimba, Cheo (1998-10-30). "Enter the Dru Review". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 2011-04-03.
  6. "Top Pop Albums - Los Angeles Times". Los Angeles Times. 1998-12-03. Retrieved 2011-04-02.
  7. Hardy, Ernest (1998-12-10). "Dru Hill: Enter The Dru : Music Reviews". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on 2008-08-21. Retrieved 2012-10-25.
  8. "Dru Hill - Enter the Dru CD Album". CD Universe. Retrieved 2012-10-25.
  9. "allmusic ((( Enter the Dru > Charts & Awards > Billboard Albums )))". Allmusic. Retrieved 2011-04-02.
  10. "American album certifications – Dru Hill – Enter the Dru". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved March 9, 2022.
  11. Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010 (PDF ed.). Mt Martha, Victoria, Australia: Moonlight Publishing. p. 87.
  12. "Dru Hill Chart History (Canadian Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved 2020-08-25.
  13. "R&B : Top 50". Jam!. Archived from the original on December 6, 1998. Retrieved April 10, 2023.
  14. "Dutchcharts.nl – Dru Hill – Enter the Dru" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved December 31, 2022.
  15. "Offiziellecharts.de – Dru Hill – Enter the Dru" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved December 31, 2022.
  16. "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved December 31, 2022.
  17. "Official R&B Albums Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved December 31, 2022.
  18. "Dru Hill Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved 2020-08-25.
  19. "Dru Hill Chart History (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved 2020-08-25.
  20. "Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums – Year-End 1998". Billboard. Retrieved 2020-08-25.
  21. "Top Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 1999". Billboard. Retrieved 2020-08-25.
  22. "Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums – Year-End 1999". Billboard. Retrieved 2020-08-25.
  23. "Canadian album certifications – Dru Hill – Enter the Dru". Music Canada. Retrieved March 9, 2022.
  24. "British album certifications – Dru Hill – Enter the Dru". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved March 9, 2022.
  25. "allmusic ((( Enter the Dru > Credits )))". Allmusic. Retrieved 2011-04-03.
  26. Credits as per liner notes for Enter the Dru album
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