The Rest Is History

The Rest Is History is Jin's debut album. It was released on October 19, 2004 and is the first studio album to be released by an Asian American under a major record label.

This article is about the album by Jin. For the Comedy Central special and album by Aaron Karo, see Aaron Karo. For the album by Same Difference, see The Rest Is History (Same Difference album).
The Rest Is History
Studio album by
Jin
ReleasedOctober 19, 2004
Recorded2003-2004
GenreHip hop
Length1:05:53
LabelRuff Ryders/Virgin Records
ProducerDarren "Dee" Dean(exec.)
Joaquin "Waah" Dean(exec.), J. R. Rotem, Just Blaze, Kanye West, Kwame "K1 Mil", Denaun Porter, Mr. Devine, Neo Da Matrix, Tuneheadz, Wyclef Jean, Swizz Beatz, Bink!
Jin chronology
The Rest Is History
(2004)		 The Emcee's Properganda
(2005)
Singles from The Rest Is History
  1. "Learn Chinese"
  2. "Senorita"
  3. "So Afraid"
  4. "Get Your Handz Off"
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic link
MSN Music link
Blender link
RapReviews.com link

Background

Originally titled Almost Famous, the album was delayed for over a year. Originally slated for a Summer 2003 release it was pushed back to an October 2003 date. After plans did not materialize due to disputes with Virgin Records, the album's release date was pushed back once more to March 23, 2004. However, the release date got pushed back twice more, to August 24, 2004, until it finally arrived, with a completely new title, on October 19, 2004. "But still claimed by most a well worth wait" said Nestor Sanchez.

During the year-long delay, Jin released the two mixtapes called History In The Making and Definition Of History, after the album was released Jin released the last in the History mixtape series Lost History.

A promotional track, Chinatown featuring fellow Chinese American rapper L.S. was thought to be the first single. The first official single, "Learn Chinese", came out in late 2003. "Get Your Handz Off ", another promotional single (second overall) was released online and impacted radio on June 29, 2004. The second single for the album was slated to be "I Got A Love", but Roc-A-Fella Records blocked the decision, fearing too many singles would over-expose Kanye West.

Kanye West included an extra verse in "I Got a Love (Remix)", which was later used in his song "I Wonder" on his album, Graduation. Due to the decision of the executives at Roc-A-Fella,"Señorita" and "So Afraid" were the second and third singles respectively, both released on August 31, 2004.

Crafty Plugz was credited for management.

Promotional singles
  • Chinatown was released on the first and only promo single. It was rumored to be the first single from the album. It features Jin's close friend and fellow Chinese American rapper, L.S.

Miscellaneous
  • The tracks "A Little Hungry" and "Check the Clock" were omitted from the North American release.
  • There is an alternate version of "Thank You", however, it did not make the final cut, but was used in his later mixtape I Quit.
  • "C'Mon" contains a sample from Eminem's song, "Sing For The Moment", which in turn samples the Aerosmith song, Dream On.

Reception

The album had favorable to mixed reviews. Allmusic.com has stated "The Rest Is History showcases Jin's talents at length, but its stilted moments are as plentiful as its impressive ones, if not more so, perhaps explaining why it took the album a year to see the light of day." RapReviews.com has stated "Thankfully, these tracks are exceptions as opposed to the rule, so The Rest is History works quite well as a whole. Above all else Jin has proved that his Freestyle Friday victories and his signing to Ruff Ryders was not a joke - and if anything is the best thing to happen to that crew in a long time. So what ultimately is history here? All of the haters who are swinging on Jin's nuts."

Chart performance

The album debuted at the #54 on the Billboard 200 selling 20,000 copies in its first week and spent 3 weeks on the charts, peaking at #54. The album also spent 7 weeks on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums debuting at #12. It also spent two weeks at the Billboard Top Rap Albums debuting at #8. The album to date has sold over 100,000 units in the United States and over 250,000 worldwide.

Track listing
No.TitleProducerLength
1."Intro / The Signing" (skit)Tuneheadz1:15
2."Here Now"Tuneheadz3:44
3."Get Your Handz Off" (featuring Swizz Beatz)Neo Da Matrix3:08
4."Club Song"Just Blaze4:16
5."The Come Thru" (featuring Twista)Bink!3:52
6."So Afraid"K1 Mil3:35
7."I Got a Love" (featuring Kanye West)Kanye West3:59
8."Chinese Beats" (skit)Neo Da Matrix1:57
9."Learn Chinese" (featuring Wyclef Jean)
4:32
10."The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly"J. R. Rotem4:01
11."Señorita"Neo Da Matrix3:50
12."Love Story" (featuring Aja Smith)Mr. Devine4:42
13."Cold Outside" (featuring Lyfe Jennings)Neo Da Matrix3:58
14."C'mon"
4:07
15."Karaoke Night" (featuring Styles P)Elite3:28
16."Same Cry" (featuring L.T.)Mr. Devine4:37
17."Thank You"Mr. Devine6:22
Bonus Tracks
No.TitleProducerLength
18."A Little Hungry"Elite3:53
19."Check the Clock" (featuring Swizz Beatz)Swizz Beatz3:11

Samples & Interpolations

"Get Your Handz Off"

  • contains a sample from "Children Of The Sun" by Mandrill

"I Got a Love"

"Learn Chinese"

  • contains samples from James Brown's "Blind Man Can See It"
  • contains elements of Yellowman's "Mr. Chin"
  • contains added vocals by Ayeesha.

"Senorita"

  • contains replayed elements from the composition "Give Up Your Guns" written by Gerald Florio and Rupert Holmes

"Love Story"

"C'mon"

Album chart positions
Year Album Chart positions
Billboard 200 Top R&B/Hip Hop Albums
2004 The Rest Is History 54 12
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