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| The Writing's on the Wall | ||||
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| Released | July 14, 1999 | |||
| Recorded | October 1998 – April 1999 | |||
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| Length | 64:52 | |||
| Label | Columbia | |||
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| Singles from The Writing's on the Wall | ||||
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The Writing's on the Wall is the second studio album by American girl group Destiny's Child. It was released on July 14, 1999, by Columbia Records. Dissatisfied with their 1998 eponymous debut studio album, Destiny's Child sought transition from the record's neo soul-influenced sound. Hence, the group took more creative control and enlisted an almost entirely different array of collaborators, including Kevin "She'kspere" Briggs, Kandi Burruss, Missy Elliott, Rodney Jerkins, and LaShawn Daniels, among others.
A result of the substantial artistic change, The Writing's on the Wall is an R&B, pop, hip hop, and soul record. Furthermore, it incorporates unconventional sonic elements, complex arrangements and staccato rap-singing vocals. Lyrically, the album is constructed as a concept album, with each track representing a Ten Commandments-inspired "Commandment of Relationships". Its themes include infatuation, dependency, infidelity, and separation, while a loose religious theme is maintained throughout. The production and innovative approach earned critical acclaim, while lyrical content initially elicited criticism. However, retrospective critical commentaries saw praise directed towards the album's feminist undertones.
The Writing's on the Wall is widely considered Destiny's Child's breakthrough album. It debuted at number six on the US Billboard 200, with first-week sales of 133,000 units, and later peaked at number five. The album went on to be certified octuple platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for shipments of eight million units in the US. Four singles were produced—"Bills, Bills, Bills", "Bug a Boo", "Say My Name" and "Jumpin', Jumpin'". "Bills, Bills, Bills" and "Say My Name" became Destiny's Child's first two US Billboard Hot 100 number-ones, with the latter winning the group their first two Grammy Awards. With worldwide sales of 13 million copies, The Writing's on the Wall is one of the best-selling girl group albums and best-selling R&B albums of all time.
The Writing's on the Wall was largely overshadowed by the controversy surrounding its promotional cycle as a result of the group's internal conflicts. The music video for "Say My Name" saw original members LeToya Luckett and LaTavia Roberson–who had attempted to split with their manager Mathew Knowles–unexpectedly replaced with Farrah Franklin and Michelle Williams. Luckett and Roberson filed a lawsuit against Knowles and former bandmates, and Franklin departed from Destiny's Child a mere five months after joining, leaving it as a trio. Regardless of the turmoil, a multitude of publications has listed the album among the best records of its time and genre, noting the immense influence on numerous artists.
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