A Jagged Era

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A Jagged Era
Studio album by
Jagged Edge
ReleasedOctober 21, 1997
Label
Producer
Jagged Edge chronology
A Jagged Era
(1997) 		J.E. Heartbreak
(1999)
Singles from A Jagged Era
  1. "The Way That You Talk"
    Released: August 2, 1997
  2. "I Gotta Be"
    Released: December 5, 1997

A Jagged Era is the debut studio album by American R&B group Jagged Edge, released on October 21, 1997, by So So Def and Columbia Records. The quartet worked with So So Def head Jermaine Dupri and his protégé Manuel Seal on the majority of the album. Additional production was provided by Gary Smith, Darcy Aldridge, Carl Breedings, Flash Technology, and Them Damn Twins.

The album peaked at a number 104 on the US Billboard 200 and at number 19 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums. Despite its disappointing peak, it was moderately successful with sales of over 500,000 copies in the United States, earning a Gold certification by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). A Jagged Era produced two singles, including "The Way That You Talk" and follow-up "I Gotta Be," the latter of which peaked at number 23 on the US Billboard Hot 100.

Promotion

Three singles from the album were released. Lead single "The Way That You Talk" peaked at a number 34 on Billboard' US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks chart, while becoming their first single to chart on the US Billboard Hot 100. Follow-up "I Gotta Be" performed better on the charts, peaking at number 11 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks chart and number 23 on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming the first Top 40 single. "I Gotta Be" had two videos shot for the song, one in 1997 and one in 1998 which featured Jagged Edge with members of Destiny's Child, with Kelly Rowland in the first shot, LeToya Luckett in the second shot, LaTavia Roberson in third and Beyoncé Knowles in the final shot before Jagged Edge takes over the rest of the video.

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[1]

AllMusic editor John Bush wrote: "A Bone Thugs-n-Harmony with more polish to their harmonies and fewer rough edges image-wise, Jagged Edge performs well on their debut album There are a few songs that don't work at all on A Jagged Era, but for the most part, the quartet sounds interesting."[1] Billboard noted that A Jagged Era was "packed with potential hits."[2]

Commercial performance

A Jagged Era peaked at number 104 on the US Billboard 200 and number 19 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart.[3][4] On December 3, 1998, it was certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) based on shipments figures in excess of 500,000 units.[5] By June 2001, the album had sold 613,000 units domestically.[6] In 2009, A Jagged Era was the best-selling album in cassette format.[7]

Track listing

A Jagged Era track listing
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Slow Motion"
  • Dupri
  • Seal
3:42
2."Addicted to Your Love"
  • Brandon Casey
  • Brian Casey
  • Dupri
  • Seal
  • Dupri
  • Seal
3:15
3."I Gotta Be"
  • Brandon Casey
  • Brian Casey
  • Dupri
  • Seal
  • Dupri
  • Seal
3:35
4."Wednesday Lover"
Dupri4:31
5."Funny How"
  • Brandon Casey
  • Brian Casey
  • Gary Smith
Smith5:11
6."The Way That You Talk" (featuring Da Brat & Jermaine Dupri)
  • Brandon Casey
  • Brian Casey
  • Dupri
  • Da Brat
Dupri3:38
7."The Rest of Our Lives"
  • Brandon Casey
  • Brian Casey
  • Darcy Aldridge
  • Carl Breedings
  • Aldridge
  • Breedings
  • Flash
5:35
8."I'll Be Right There" (featuring Busta Rhymes)
  • Brandon Casey
  • Brian Casey
  • Dupri
  • Seal
  • Busta Rhymes
Dupri3:45
9."Ready & Willing"
  • Brandon Casey
  • Brian Casey
  • Aldridge
  • Breedings
  • Aldridge
  • Breedings
  • Flash
  • Them Damn Twins
4:58
10."Ain't No Stoppin'"
Dupri4:35
Total length:42:03

Notes

  • ^ denotes co-producer(s)

Sample credits

Charts

Certifications

Certifications for A Jagged Era
Region Certification Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA)[5] Gold 500,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

References

  1. ^ a b "A Jagged Era Review by John Bush". AllMusic. Retrieved May 29, 2024.
  2. ^ "Review & Previews: Note & Noteworthy – The Way That You Talk". Billboard. November 1, 1997. Retrieved February 11, 2025.
  3. ^ a b "Jagged Edge Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved July 4, 2018.
  4. ^ a b "Jagged Edge Chart History (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved July 4, 2018.
  5. ^ a b "American album certifications – Jagged Edge – A Jagged Era". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved July 4, 2018.
  6. ^ "Jagged Edge Embarks On 'Thrill' Ride". Billboard. June 27, 2001. Retrieved February 11, 2025.
  7. ^ Hogan, Marc (February 22, 2010). "This Is Not a Mixtape". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on February 23, 2010. Retrieved February 11, 2025.
  8. ^ "R&B/Hip-Hop Albums: Year End 1998". Billboard. Retrieved July 4, 2018.