TGTC (The Greater Than Club)

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TGTC (The Greater Than Club)
Studio album by
Fly Union
ReleasedApril 26, 2011 (2011-04-26)
Recorded2010–2011
GenreHip hop, neo soul
Length56:17
LabelFly Union Records
Hype Music[1][2]
The Greater Than Club
ProducerB Jazz, Ivan "Iyeball" Hope (exec.), Jonathan "Jay Swifa" Tribune (also exec.), Jerreau Smith (also exec.)
Fly Union chronology
Value Pack 6
(2010) 		TGTC (The Greater Than Club)
(2011) 		Until Forever
(2011)
Singles from TGTC (The Greater Than Club)
  1. "Long Run"
    Released: December 24th, 2010
  2. "Hard Sell"
    Released: May 15th, 2011
  3. "Don't Call"
    Released: August 30th, 2011
  4. "5000"
    Released: February 4th, 2012
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
XXL (L)[3]
Atlanta Got Sole[4]
Vegas Seven[5]

TGTC (The Greater Than Club) is the debut studio album by rap group Fly Union. The album was released on iTunes and as a free digital download through their website on April 26, 2011[6][7] Since the album's initial release, it has been licensed through Hype Music.[8][9][10] A digital copy of TGTC is currently available for purchase on iTunes and Amazon.[11][12] A physical copy of the album is also available for purchase on Fly Union's website.[13] To date, the album has generated over 100,000 downloads.[14]

Background

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On December 24, 2010, an official music video for "Long Run" was uploaded to Fly Union's YouTube channel. On that same day, it was announced that they would be releasing a project titled The Greater Than Club in the first quarter of 2011.[15]

Music and lyrics

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TGTC has a lush sound that is characterized by luxuriant strings, brisk snare drums, and soulful samples.[16] The album's production, mainly provided by Iyeball and Jay Swifa (MnkeyWrench), incorporates elements of various music styles including electronic, hip hop and soul.[17] Adam Fleischer of XXL described the album as having a "Midwest soul hop" sound.[18]

Lyrically, TGTC explores a variety of topics. In the song "Salutation" each individual group member addresses their shortcomings and anxieties through lyrics that carry an uncommon sense of honesty.[19][20] In "Don't Call", Jerreau speaks on the intricacies and complications of dating.[21] In "5000" the group speaks on being “Audi” (as in the Audi 5000), while defining the term as being well-off.[22]

Promotion

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On February 16, 2012, the official music video for "5000" was uploaded to KarmaloopTV's YouTube channel.[23][24]

On August 1, 2012, the official music videos for "Long Run" and "Don't Call" were featured on MTV.[25][26]

On January 17, 2013, "Friends.Women.Money" was featured on an episode of the MTV series Buckwild.[27]

On July 27, 2013, the NBA 2K team announced that "Long Run" would be featured on the soundtrack to NBA 2K14.[28]

Critical response

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TGTC was generally well received by music critics. It holds a rating of 3.32 out of 5 stars at Rate Your Music.[29] XXL gave it a L rating citing that the album is "a little lengthy", but ultimately declaring that it is "a fine formal introduction" for the group.[30] Atlanta Got Soul gave it 8.5 out of 10 making note of the album's production and "splendid lyricism."[31] The Smoking Section also gave the album a positive review citing that the album was, "well-produced and thoughtfully written."[32]

Track listing

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No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Salutation"I. Houpe, J. Smith, J. TribuneIyeball3:14
2."Hard Sell"I. Houpe, J. Smith, J. TribuneIyeball3:35
3."Good To Go"I. Houpe, J. Smith, J. TribuneJay Swifa4:03
4."5000"I. Houpe, J. Smith, J. TribuneJay Swifa, Iyeball (co.)3:53
5."Finish Line"I. Houpe, G. Robinson, J. Smith, J. TribuneIyeball, Jay Swifa3:36
6."Long Run"I. Houpe, J. Smith, J. TribuneJay Swifa4:17
7."Love For You"J. SmithJay Swifa, B Jazz (add.)3:22
8."How To Act"R. James, J. SmithJay Swifa1:07
9."Friends.Women.Money" (featuring Dom Kennedy)D. Hunn, J. Smith, J. TribuneJay Swifa3:29
10."Control"I. Houpe, J. Smith, J. TribuneIyeball, Jay Swifa3:11
11."Don't Call"J. SmithIyeball3:47
12."Look Up To The Sky" (featuring BJ the Chicago Kid & P. Blackk)P. Fequiere, I. Houpe, B. Sledge, J. SmithIyeball5:00
13."Do It For You" (featuring BJ the Chicago Kid & Pac Div)B. Sledge, J. Smith, G. Stevenson, M. Stevenson, J. TribuneJay Swifa, B Jazz (add.)5:26
14."Who You Wit"I. Houpe, J. Smith, J. TribuneIyeball, B Jazz (add.)5:16
15."Sincerely" Iyeball, Jay Swifa3:01

Notes

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Personnel

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Credits for TGTC adapted from Allmusic and Atlanta Got Sole.[35][36]

  • Ivan "Iyeball" Houpe – A&R, executive producer, vocalist, producer, mixing, recording
  • Jerreau Smith - A&R, executive producer, vocalist
  • Jonathan "Jay Swifa" Tribune - A&R, executive producer, vocalist, producer
  • B Jazz - producer
  • Eddie "Duck" Givens - management
  • SLAVEFORYOURSELF - art direction, styling, photography
  • Bryan "BJ the Chicago Kid" Sledge - vocalist
  • Pedro "P. Blackk" Fequiere - vocalist
  • Dominic "Dom Kennedy" Hunn - vocalist
  • Michael "Mibbs" Stevenson - vocalist
  • Gabe "Like" Stevenson - vocalist
  • Cataylst - vocalist

References

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  1. ^ "Fly Union – The Greater Than Club". iTunes February 14, 2012. 14 February 2012. Retrieved 17 September 2013.
  2. ^ "Fly Union – The Greater Than Club". Amazon February 14, 2012. Retrieved 17 September 2013.
  3. ^ Fleischer, Adam (20 May 2011). "Review: TGTC: The Greater Than Club". XXL. Retrieved September 17, 2013.
  4. ^ So Left Field. "Fly.Union - TGTC (The Greater Than Club)". Atlanta Got Sole. Retrieved September 17, 2013.
  5. ^ Hale, Andreas. "Fly Union - The Greater Than Club (CD Review)". Vegas Seven May 26, 2011. Retrieved September 18, 2013.
  6. ^ "Fly.Union - TGTC (The Greater Than Club)". Atlanta Got Sole. Retrieved 17 September 2013.
  7. ^ "Fly.Union – TGTC: The Greater Than Club". 2dopeboyz April 26, 2011. Retrieved 17 September 2013.
  8. ^ "The Greater Than Club - Press EPK". The Greater Than Club. Retrieved 18 September 2013.
  9. ^ "Fly Union – The Greater Than Club". iTunes February 14, 2012. 14 February 2012. Retrieved 17 September 2013.
  10. ^ "Fly Union – The Greater Than Club". Amazon February 14, 2012. Retrieved 17 September 2013.
  11. ^ "Fly Union – The Greater Than Club". iTunes February 14, 2012. 14 February 2012. Retrieved 17 September 2013.
  12. ^ "Fly Union – The Greater Than Club". Amazon February 14, 2012. Retrieved 17 September 2013.
  13. ^ "TGTC HARD COPY - CD". The Greater Than Club. Retrieved 17 September 2013.
  14. ^ "The Greater Than Club - Press EPK". The Greater Than Club. Retrieved 18 September 2013.
  15. ^ "Fly.Union - Long Run (Video)". 2dopeboyz December 24, 2010. Retrieved 17 September 2013.
  16. ^ "Fly Union Review". The Smoking Section August 10, 2011. Retrieved September 17, 2013.
  17. ^ "Fly Union Review". The Smoking Section August 10, 2011. Retrieved September 17, 2013.
  18. ^ "Review: TGTC: The Greater Than Club". XXL. 20 May 2011. Retrieved September 17, 2013.
  19. ^ "Fly Union Review". The Smoking Section August 10, 2011. Retrieved September 17, 2013.
  20. ^ "Fly.Union - TGTC (The Greater Than Club)". Atlanta Got Sole. Retrieved September 17, 2013.
  21. ^ "Fly.Union - Don't Call (Video)". Atlanta Got Sole September 28, 2011. Retrieved September 17, 2013.
  22. ^ "Fly.Union - 5000 (Video)". Atlanta Got Sole March 9, 2012. Retrieved September 17, 2013.
  23. ^ "Video: Fly Union – "5000" (via Karmaloop)". Done Waiting February 17, 2012. Retrieved 17 September 2013.
  24. ^ "New Video: Fly.Union – 5000". Respect February 26, 2012. 26 February 2012. Retrieved 17 September 2013.
  25. ^ "Fly Union – Don't Call". MTV August 1, 2012. Archived from the original on December 9, 2013. Retrieved 17 September 2013.
  26. ^ "Fly Union – Long Run". MTV August 1, 2012. Archived from the original on December 9, 2013. Retrieved 17 September 2013.
  27. ^ "Music for Buckwild Episodes". MTV January 17, 2013. 17 January 2013. Archived from the original on January 21, 2013. Retrieved 21 September 2013.
  28. ^ "NBA 2K14 soundtrack revealed". GameSpot July 26, 2013. Retrieved 17 September 2013.
  29. ^ "The Greater Than Club by Fly Union". Rate Your Music. Retrieved September 17, 2013.
  30. ^ "Review: TGTC: The Greater Than Club". XXL May 20, 2011. 20 May 2011. Retrieved September 17, 2013.
  31. ^ "Fly.Union - TGTC (The Greater Than Club)". Atlanta Got Sole. Retrieved September 17, 2013.
  32. ^ "Fly Union Review". The Smoking Section August 10, 2011. Retrieved September 17, 2013.
  33. ^ "Finish Line - Fly Union". WhoSampled. Retrieved 17 September 2013.
  34. ^ "Long Run - Fly Union". WhoSampled. Retrieved 17 September 2013.
  35. ^ "The Greater Than Club - Fly Union". Allmusic. Retrieved 17 September 2013.
  36. ^ "Fly.Union - TGTC (The Greater Than Club)". Atlanta Got Sole. Retrieved 17 September 2013.
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