Romeo Must Die (soundtrack)

Romeo Must Die: The Album
Soundtrack album by
various artists
ReleasedMarch 14, 2000 (2000-03-14)
Recorded1999–2000
Genre
Length74:25
Label
Producer
Singles from Romeo Must Die: The Album
  1. "Try Again"
    Released: March 21, 2000
  2. "Come Back in One Piece"
    Released: June 6, 2000
  3. "We at It Again"
    Released: June 20, 2000
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[1]
Entertainment WeeklyA−[2]
Mixmag[3]
Q[4]
RapReviews3/10[5]
Soundtrack.Net2/5[6]
The Village VoiceA−[7]

Romeo Must Die: The Album is the soundtrack to Andrzej Bartkowiak's 2000 action film Romeo Must Die, composed of hip hop and R&B music. It was released on March 14, 2000 through Blackground Records and Virgin Records in association with Warner Bros. Records (who helped co-financed the soundtrack). Recording sessions took time between May 1999 and January 2000.

Production was handled by several record producers, including Irv Gotti, Rapture Stewart, Ant Banks, Eric Seats, Mannie Fresh, J Dub, and Timbaland, who also served as executive producer along with Barry and Jomo Hankerson, and the film star Aaliyah.

It features contributions from Aaliyah, who appears on fours songs, as well as B.G., Chanté Moore, Dave Hollister, Destiny's Child, Ginuwine, Joe, Lil' Mo, Mack 10, Playa, Stanley Clarke, The Comrads and more.

Three singles and music videos were released from the album: Aaliyah's number one pop hit "Try Again" (directed by Wayne Isham), Aaliyah and her co-star DMX duet "Come Back in One Piece" (directed by Little X), and Timbaland & Magoo's "We At It Again" (directed by Chris Robinson), which introduced Timbaland's younger brother, rapper Sebastian, to audiences. Q magazine included the soundtrack album in their list of the '5 Best Compilations of 2000'.[8][9]

In August 2021, it was reported that Aaliyah's recorded work for Blackground (since rebranded as Blackground Records 2.0) would be re-released on physical, digital, and, for the first time ever, streaming services in a deal between the label and Empire Distribution.[10] Romeo Must Die: The Album was re-released on September 3, 2021.[11]

  1. ^ Mathis, Derrick. "Romeo Must Die - Original Soundtrack | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved November 29, 2020.
  2. ^ Seymour, Craig (March 27, 2000). "Romeo Must Die Soundtrack". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved November 29, 2020.
  3. ^ "Review: Romeo Must Die". Mixmag. London: 177. October 2000. Archived from the original on May 26, 2024. Retrieved December 25, 2012.
  4. ^ "Review: Romeo Must Die". Q. London: 119. November 2000. Archived from the original on May 26, 2024. Retrieved December 25, 2012.
  5. ^ Juon, Steve 'Flash' (April 19, 2000). "Various Artists :: Romeo Must Die Soundtrack – RapReviews". www.rapreviews.com. Retrieved November 29, 2020.
  6. ^ Sheby, Matthew (December 2, 2004). "Romeo Must Die Soundtrack (2000)". Soundtrack.Net. Retrieved November 29, 2020.
  7. ^ Christgau, Robert (May 30, 2000). "Consumer Guide". The Village Voice. Retrieved November 29, 2020 – via www.robertchristgau.com.
  8. ^ "5 Best Compilations of 2000". Q. London: 95. January 2001. Archived from the original on May 26, 2024. Retrieved December 25, 2012.
  9. ^ "Rocklist.net...Q End Of Year Lists". www.rocklistmusic.co.uk. Retrieved November 30, 2020.
  10. ^ McIntyre, Hugh (August 5, 2021). "20 Years After Her Passing, Aaliyah's Music Is Finally Coming To Streaming Services". Forbes. Archived from the original on August 23, 2023. Retrieved August 23, 2023.
  11. ^ Darville, Jordan (August 19, 2021). "Streaming release dates for Aaliyah's catalogue revealed, with One in a Million available tonight". The Fader. Archived from the original on August 7, 2023. Retrieved September 5, 2023.