''Case'' is the debut album by American singer

Case Case or CASE may refer to: Containers * Case (goods), a package of related merchandise * Cartridge case or casing, a firearm cartridge component * Bookcase, a piece of furniture used to store books * Briefcase or attaché case, a narrow box to ca ...

. It was released by Def Jam Recordings on August 13, 1996. The album peaked at number seven on the US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart and reached number 42 on the US ''Billboard'' 200. ''Case'' was supported by four singles, including "More to Love" and "

Touch Me, Tease Me "Touch Me, Tease Me" is a 1996 song by American R&B singer and songwriter Case. It serves as the second single from his self-titled debut album (1996). It features vocals from R&B singer Mary J. Blige and rapper Foxy Brown, with backing vocals ...

" featuring Foxy Brown and

Mary J. Blige Mary Jane Blige ( ; born January 11, 1971) is an American singer, songwriter, and actress. Often referred to as the " Queen of Hip-Hop Soul" and " Queen of R&B", Blige has won nine Grammy Awards, a Primetime Emmy Award, four American Music Awar ...

which became the album's most successful single on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100, peaking at number 14. In a 2020 interview with BET, Case remarked that he disliked recording the album and admitted he did not have a lot of creative freedom within the album.

Critical reception

Allmusic editor Leo Stanley found that "on his eponymous debut, Case manages to be tough without sacrificing his soul. ''Case'' keeps his hard edge by telling things straight, refusing to embellish his tales with meaningless boasts. twould have a stronger punch if the music was a little more forceful and varied, but even so, the record is a refreshing debut — it proves that the genre hasn't exhausted its potential quite yet."

Commercial performance

The album reached number forty-second on the US US ''Billboard'' 200 album chart, also reaching the seventh position on the US R&B Albums.

Track listing

Sample credits *"More to Love" contains a sample of "

The Payback ''The Payback'' is the 37th studio album by American musician James Brown. The album was released in December 1973, by Polydor Records. It was originally scheduled to become the soundtrack for the blaxploitation film ''Hell Up in Harlem'', but w ...

" as performed by James Brown and "Somethin' Funky" by

Big Daddy Kane Antonio Hardy (born September 10, 1968), better known by his stage name Big Daddy Kane, is an American rapper who began his career in 1986 as a member of the Juice Crew. He is widely regarded as one of the most influential and skilled MCs in hi ...

. *"Don't Be Afraid" contains a sample of "6 Minutes of Pleasure" as performed by

LL Cool J James Todd Smith (born January 14, 1968), known professionally as LL Cool J (short for Ladies Love Cool James), is an American rapper, songwriter, record producer, and actor. He is one of the earliest rappers to achieve commercial success, along ...

. *"Call a Cab" contains a sample of "

Bring the Pain "Bring the Pain" is a song recorded by the rap artist Method Man. It is the first single released from his debut album '' Tical''. Comedian Chris Rock named his 1996 tour and television special " Bring the Pain" after this song. Method Man is c ...

" as performed by Method Man. *"I Gotcha" contains a sample of "Guillotine (Swordz)" as performed by Raekwon featuring Inspectah Deck, Ghostface and

GZA ''Gary Eldridge Grice'' (born August 22, 1966), better known by his stage names GZA ( ) and The Genius, is an American rapper and songwriter. A founding member of the hip hop group Wu-Tang Clan, GZA is the group's "spiritual head", being both ...

; contains an interpolation of "

Mary Jane (All Night Long) "Mary Jane (All Night Long)" is a song by American singer-songwriter Mary J. Blige. It was written by Blige, Chucky Thompson and Sean "Puffy" Combs for her second studio album, ''My Life'' (1994), while production was helmed by Combs and Thompson. ...

" as performed by

; and a vocal interpolation of " As" as performed by Stevie Wonder. *"Touch Me, Tease Me" contains a sample of "P.S.K. (What Does It Mean?)" as performed by

Schoolly D Jesse Bonds Weaver Jr. (born June 22, 1962), better known by the stage name Schoolly D (sometimes spelled Schooly D), is an American rapper from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Career Schoolly D teamed up with DJ Code Money in the mid-1980s. His ...

Charts

References

{{Authority control 1996 albums Case (singer) albums Def Jam Recordings albums