Make It Hot
Make It Hot is the debut studio album by American singer Nicole Wray. The album was released in August 1998 through Missy Elliott's Elektra-distributed vanity label, The Goldmind. The album was produced by Missy Elliott and Timbaland. Some editions of the release credit Nicole as "Nicole Ray", an artist name she only used here and on her single "I Can't See". Critical reception. Michael Gallucci from AllMusic gave "Make It Hot" "is virtually a textbook primer on Elliott's stylistic touch and influence on end-of-the-millennium hip-hop (she raps on, writes  songs for, produces, and executive produces "Make It Hot" – and it's on her custom label). Along with pal Timbaland, Elliott transforms young Nicole's somewhat standard bow into a stuttering slab of post-rap R&B that's as sleekly modern as it is customarily cold." "Entertainment Weekly" journalist Rob Brunner gave the album a B rating and concluded: "Even if the distinctive Missy-Timbaland sound is getting a little old, "Hot" proves the formula hasn’t gone cold just yet." Chart performance. "Make It Hot" reached number forty-two on the US "Billboard" 200 and number nineteen on the  R&B album chart. The first single, "Make It Hot", reached number five on the Hot 100 chart, number two on the R&B singles chart, and was certified gold. The second single, "I Can't See", reached number thirty-six on the Rhythmic Top 40 chart. In 1999, the third and final single from the album, "Eyes Better Not Wander", reached number seventy-one on the R&B singles chart. Personnel. Credits are taken from the album's liner notes.