Already Platinum
Already Platinum is the debut album by American rapper Slim Thug. The album was released on July 12, 2005 on Pharrell and Chad Hugo's Star Trak label. The original release date was slated for February 2005, but heavy bootlegging and numerous delays held the album back, forcing a vast majority of its original track listing to be replaced. The original track listing included the original version of the track "I Ain't Heard of That," which featured Jay-Z. In an interview with "XXL", the rapper explained the album title does not suggest he will go platinum , but that his lifestyle (before he got a record deal) was already similar to that of rappers who had reached the platinum status. In an interview on "The Tyra Banks Show", mentor Pharrell revealed that he was a millionaire before the two met, and he especially liked that about him. He continued to say that he was "already platinum," the album name was just in confirmation of this. The album debuted at number 2 on the "Billboard" 200 with 130,000 copies sold in the first week released. Since then the album has sold over 500,000 copies. Critical reception. "Already Platinum  garnered a positive reception from music critics who praised Slim's vocal delivery and the Southern production. AllMusic's Andy Kellman praised Slim's delivery for being more charismatic than Lil' Flip and Mike Jones, and the production work from both Mr. Lee and The Neptunes, concluding that "Already Platinum is one of 2005's best rap albums." Evan McGarvey of "Stylus Magazine" praised the Neptunes' production for evolving with Slim's Southern drawl and delivery, concluding that "After years of singles that people called "infectious" and "club-ready," they take Slim Thug and his dashing uniqueness and carve diamonds . This [album] isn't a musical highlight reel, it's watching artists shuck off personal curses and step into their own skins." "Vibe" contributor Rondell Conway wrote that, "Slim's worldly sensibilities make the pensive moments on the album both heartfelt ("Dedicate") and heady ("The Interview"). All the while, he keeps his Teflon status intact–without telling any tall tales." "Rolling Stone"s Christian Hoard called the record "a popwise bastardization of the Houston rap scene's round-the-way charm", praising Slim's "down-home brassiness" delivering "brawny boasts and mesmerizing refrains", and the Neptunes' "arty minimalism" being better than  on previous outings. "Entertainment Weekly" writer Michael Endelman gave note of Slim having a "steady, linebacker-strong flow and [a] baritone" throughout the album but gave credit to the Neptunes for giving him "spacious and stark beats that are equal parts frightening and funky". Steve Jones of "USA Today" said that big names like T.I. and Jazze Pha didn't turn the attention away from the main artist, saying that "Slim [Thug]'s confident, laid-back deliveries keep him from being overshadowed." Chris Ryan of "Spin" commended Slim for lending his voice to the Neptunes' atmospheric production, saying they "contribute  some of their most adventurous work yet." Tom Breihan of "Pitchfork" was critical of most of the tracks by the Neptunes, saying they "lost the gleaming, clattering swagger they once had, relying instead on bloodless synth lines and itchy, nattering drums" and that Slim's performance on them suffered. But said that the tracks by Mr. Lee ("Diamonds" and "3 Kings") were the highlights, concluding that, "On tracks like this, Slim sounds prehistoric, like he's always existed, like this voice has been echoing over canyons and through caves since before time began." Personnel. Credits for "Already Platinum" adapted from  AllMusic.