TGTC (The Greater Than Club)

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[7][8] Since the album's initial release, it has been licensed through Hype Music.[9][10][11] A digital copy of TGTC is currently available for purchase on iTunes and Amazon.[12][13] A physical copy of the album is also available for purchase on Fly Union's website.[14] To date, the album has generated over 100,000 downloads.[15]

TGTC (The Greater Than Club)
Studio album by
Fly Union
ReleasedApril 26, 2011 (2011-04-26)
Recorded2010–2011
GenreHip hop, R&B, 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]
Rate Your Music[4]
Atlanta Got Sole[5]
Vegas Seven[6]

Background

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.[16]

Music and lyrics

TGTC has a lush sound that is characterized by luxuriant strings, brisk snare drums, and soulful samples.[17] The album's production, mainly provided by Iyeball and Jay Swifa (MnkeyWrench), incorporates elements of various music styles including electronic, hip hop and soul.[18] Adam Fleischer of XXL described the album as having a "Midwest soul hop" sound.[19]

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.[20][21] In "Don't Call", Jerreau speaks on the intricacies and complications of dating.[22] In "5000" the group speaks on being “Audi” (as in the Audi 5000), while defining the term as being well-off.[23]

Promotion

On February 16, 2012, the official music video for "5000" was uploaded to KarmaloopTV's YouTube channel.[24][25]

On August 1, 2012, the official music videos for "Long Run" and "Don't Call" were featured on MTV.[26][27]

On January 17, 2013, "Friends.Women.Money" was featured on an episode of the MTV series Buckwild.[28]

On July 27, 2013, the NBA 2K team announced that "Long Run" would be featured on the soundtrack to NBA 2K14.[29]

Critical response

TGTC was generally well received by music critics. It holds a rating of 3.32 out of 5 stars at Rate Your Music.[30] 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.[31] Atlanta Got Soul gave it 8.5 out of 10 making note of the album's production and "splendid lyricism."[32] The Smoking Section also gave the album a positive review citing that the album was, "well-produced and thoughtfully written."[33]

Track listing
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

Personnel

Credits for TGTC adapted from Allmusic and Atlanta Got Sole.[36][37]

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