More Than a Game (soundtrack)
| More Than a Game | ||
|---|---|---|
 | ||
| Soundtrack album by Various artists | ||
| Released |
September 21, 2009 (see release history)[1] | |
| Recorded | 2009 | |
| Genre | Hip hop, R&B | |
| Label | Zone 4, Interscope[2] | |
| Producer |
Harvey Mason Jr(Executive) [3] Polow da Don, Arlyn "A.D." Marshall, Boi-1da, C. Harris, Lil' C, Mars, Hit-Boy, Kanye West, Ke'Noe, Rich Boy, HamSquad (Joe Vega III & Keith Davis), Jerome Harmon, Jared Evan, J. Valentine, Tank | |
| Singles from More Than a Game | ||
|
||
| Professional ratings | |
|---|---|
| Review scores | |
| Source | Rating |
| Allmusic |    [4] |
| Entertainment Weekly | (C-)[5] |
Music Inspired by More Than a Game[2] is the official album name for music taken from and inspired by the film More Than a Game. The film is centered on the life of LeBron James and was released in October 2009. The soundtrack and film were both executive produced by Harvey Mason, Jr. on behalf of Interscope Records and Lionsgate.[6] The soundtrack album was released on September 28, 2009 in the United Kingdom and September 29 in the United States.
The album features an all star cast and vocals from the likes of singer-songwriter Ester Dean, Jay-Z, Soulja Boy Tell 'Em and Chris Brown amongst others.[2] The soundtrack's lead single is the song "Stronger" by Mary J. Blige which was released commercially as a single on August 4.
Ester Dean released her song "Drop It Low" (featuring Chris Brown) which also serves as her debut single on August 9, 2009. Canadian rapper Drake also released his collaboration with Kanye West, Lil Wayne and Eminem called "Forever" on September 15, 2009.
Film synopsis
More Than a Game is a 2009 documentary that follows NBA superstar LeBron James and four of his talented teammates through the trials and tribulations of high school basketball in Ohio and James' journey to fame. The trailer was released in April featuring the Mary J. Blige song "Stronger".
Singles
- "Stronger" is the first single from the soundtrack. It is sung by Mary J. Blige and is also the title song and second single from her ninth studio album Stronger. The music video, which premiered on August 21, 2009,[7] features Blige singing in a quarry and amidst clouds. Footage from the film is interspersed throughout, and the video begins and ends with quotations by LeBron James.
- "Drop It Low" by Ester Dean featuring Chris Brown is the second single from the soundtrack and was released on August 9, 2009 to US iTunes Store. It serves as Dean's debut single since making the move from songwriter to singer.
- "Forever" by Drake featuring Kanye West, Lil Wayne and Eminem is the third single.
Track listing
| No. | Title | Music | Producer(s) | Length | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Drop It Low" (featuring Chris Brown) | Ester Dean | Polow da Don, Ester Dean | 3:10 | |
| 2. | "Forever" (featuring Kanye West, Lil Wayne & Eminem) | Drake | Boi-1da | 5:57 | |
| 3. | "King on Set" (featuring Young Dro) | T.I. | 1500 or Nothin', Lil' C (co.) | 3:43 | |
| 4. | "Stronger" | Mary J. Blige | Polow da Don, Hit-Boy (co.) | 4:03 | |
| 5. | "History" (featuring Tony Williams) | Jay-Z | Kanye West, Kenoe, Jeff Bhasker (co.) | 4:39 | |
| 6. | "Top of the World" (featuring Chili Chil) | Rich Boy | Polow Da Don, Chase N. Cashe (co.) | 4:04 | |
| 7. | "I'm Ballin'" | Soulja Boy | HamSquad | 3:35 | |
| 8. | "We Ready" | Ya Boy | Harvey Mason, Jr. | 3:38 | |
| 9. | "Go Hard" | Hayes | Timbaland, Jerome "J-Roc" Harmon | 4:08 | |
| 10. | "Frozen" | Jared Evan | Jared Evan, Dwayne "D-Town" Nesmith | 3:51 | |
| 11. | "If You Dream" (featuring Tyrese, Toni Braxton, Jordin Sparks, Omarion, Faith Evans, JoJo, Charlie Wilson, Tamar Braxton & Steve Russell) | Tank | Harvey Mason Jr., Tank, J. Valentine | 5:03 |
- Notes
- "Stronger", performed by Mary J. Blige, features background vocals by Chris Brown.
- "Top of the World", performed by Rich Boy and Chili Chil, features background vocals by Polow Da Don, and keys by Jason Perry.
- "Drop it Low", performed by Ester Dean and Chris Brown, the song was originally for Ciara.
- "I'm Ballin", performed by Soulja Boy Tell Em written and produced by HamSquad, the song was originally for T.I
Personnel
- Executive Producer - Harvey Mason Jr.
- Conception & Distribution - Interscope Records, Lions Gate Entertainment
- Vocals - Ester Dean, Drake, T.I., Mary J. Blige, Jay Z, Rich Boy, Soulja Boy, Ya Boy, Hayes, Jared Evan, Tank
- Guest Vocals - Chris Brown, Kanye West, Lil Wayne, Eminem, Young Dro, Chili Chil, Tyrese, Toni Braxton, Jordin Sparks, Omarion, Faith Evans, JoJo, Charlie Wilson, Tamar Braxton, Steve Russell
- Producers - Jamal Polow da Don Jones, Mattew "Boi-1da" Samuels, C. Harris, D. Quinn, L. Edwards, Hit Boy, Kanye West, Hamsquad, Kenoe, Jason Perry, Jerome Harmon, Harvey Mason Jr., Jared Evan, J. Valentine, Durrell "Tank" Babbs, Arlyn "A.D." Marshall/
- Production associates - Zone 4 Productions & Zone 4 inc, 1da-Boi Productions, The Smash Factory Productions, Very Good Beats, NIghtrydas Productions, Harvey Mason Media, Song Dynasty, HamSquad Music Group
Release history
| Country | Format | Date | Label |
|---|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | Censored[1] | September 28, 2009 | Polydor Records |
| Uncensored[8] | September 29, 2009 | ||
| United States[2] | Censored Uncensored |
Interscope Records |
Chart positions
| Chart (2009) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| US Billboard 200[9] | 81 |
| US Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums[10] | 18 |
| US Billboard Top Rap Albums[9] | 10 |
| US Billboard Top Soundtracks[10] | 12 |
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "More Than A Game: Original Soundtrack: Amazon.co.uk: Music". Amazon.co.uk. Retrieved 2009-09-20.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 "Music Inspired By The Film More Than A Game: Original Soundtrack: Music". Amazon.com. Retrieved 2009-09-19.
- ↑ "Mason's Talents Not Limited to basketball - ARIZONA OFFICIAL ATHLETIC SITE". Arizonawildcats.com. 2009-08-03. Retrieved 2009-09-19.
- ↑ Thurston, Jason. Review: Music Inspired by More Than a Game. Allmusic. Retrieved on 2009-10-17.
- ↑ Vozick-Levinson, Simon. Review: Music Inspired by More Than a Game. Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved on 2009-10-17.
- ↑ "Harvey Mason Jr". Harveymasonmedia.com. Retrieved 2009-09-19.
- ↑ "Video: Mary J. Blige – ‘Stronger’". Rap-Up.com. 2009-08-21. Retrieved 2009-09-19.
- ↑ "Music Inspired By The Film More Than A Game: Original Soundtrack: Amazon.co.uk: Music". Amazon.co.uk. Retrieved 2009-09-20.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 "Charts & Awards". allmusic.com. Retrieved 2010-05-28.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 "Charts & Awards". allmusic.com. Retrieved 2010-05-28.