The Life (album)

The Life is the third studio album by American R&B singer Ginuwine, released on April 3, 2001, by Epic Records. The album marked a notable departure from his earlier work, as it was produced primarily without his longtime mentor and producer Timbaland, who had helmed the majority of Ginuwine's previous two albums, Ginuwine... the Bachelor (1996) and 100% Ginuwine (1999). Instead, the album was produced by a range of collaborators including Khris Kellow, Troy Oliver, Cory Rooney, Raphael Saadiq, Dan Shea, and Ric Wake. Timbaland contributed only one track, "That's How I Get Down" (featuring Ludacris).

Background

Following the success of 100% Ginuwine, which reached double platinum status, Ginuwine and Timbaland experienced a professional separation. Ginuwine subsequently sought out different producers, resulting in a significant shift in his trademark sound. In a 2016 interview, Ginuwine described the period as difficult, noting that the separation was driven by business conflicts rather than personal animosity. The track "Two Reasons I Cry" is dedicated to the memory of Ginuwine's parents, both of whom died in the year preceding the album's release.

Critical Reception

The Life received generally positive reviews from music critics, though many noted the absence of Timbaland's production. Entertainment Weekly gave the album a B+, praising Ginuwine's shift toward a softer, more vulnerable persona while still maintaining a funky club vibe. AllMusic editor William Ruhlmann described the album as "another winner" for the singer. NME remarked that the album "does no harm in consolidating himself as one of R&B's brightest stars." However, People magazine felt that "something was missing – and its name is Timbaland."

Commercial Performance

The album debuted at number three on the US Billboard 200 with first-week sales of 152,000 copies. It also peaked at number two on the US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. The Life was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) on May 4, 2001, and reached platinum certification on October 5, 2001. By September 2003, the album had sold approximately 1.38 million copies in the United States.

Singles

Four singles were released from the album:

• "There It Is" – Released January 9, 2001
• "Differences" – Released August 8, 2001 (Gold-certified, Billboard Hot 100 top-five hit)
• "Just Because" – Released August 17, 2001
• "Tribute to a Woman" – Released May 7, 2002

Track Listing

Japanese and limited edition releases included bonus tracks such as "Give It Up," "Fix It," and a bonus disc featuring "G's Got a Thing for You" and "So Anxious (Timbaland's Anxiety Pt. 2)."

Charts

Weekly charts (2001):

Year-end charts (2001):

Certifications