{{about|the 2008 Piles album|the definition of real|wikt:en:real|the topic of "real"|reality}} {{Use mdy dates|date=May 2025}} {{Infobox album | name = Definition of Real | type = studio | artist = Plies | cover = Plies - Definition of Real album cover.png | alt = | released = {{Start date|2008|6|10}} | recorded = 2007–08 | studio = | genre = {{hlist|Southern hip hop|dirty rap|gangsta rap}} | length = 58:49 | label = {{hlist|Big Gates|Slip-n-Slide|Atlantic}} | producer = {{hlist|Drumma Boy|Midnight Black|J. R. Rotem|DJ Nasty & LVM|Kane Beatz|DJ Frank E}} | prev_title = The Real Testament | prev_year = 2007 | next_title = Da REAList | next_year = 2008 | misc = {{Extra album cover | header = Alternative cover | type = studio | cover = Plies - Definition of Real.png | border = | alt = | caption = }}{{Singles | name = Definition of Real | type = studio | single1 = Bust It Baby Pt. 2 | single1date = February 23, 2008 | single2 = Please Excuse My Hands | single2date = July 13, 2008 }} }}

'''''Definition of Real''''' is the second studio album by American rapper Plies. It was released on June 10, 2008, by Big Gates Records, Slip-n-Slide Records and Atlantic Records. Guest appearances include Ne-Yo, J. Holiday, Keyshia Cole, Trey Songz, Jamie Foxx and The-Dream. The album garnered mixed reviews from critics who questioned Plies' lyricism and vocal work. ''Definition of Real'' debuted at number 2 on the ''Billboard'' 200 and spawned two singles: "Bust It Baby Pt. 2" and "Please Excuse My Hands".

==Critical reception== {{Music ratings |MC = 59/100<ref name="Metacritic">{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/music/definition-of-real/plies|title=Reviews for Definition Of Real by Plies|website=Metacritic|publisher=CBS Interactive|access-date=July 11, 2016}}</ref> |rev1 = AllMusic |rev1score = {{rating|3.5|5}}<ref name="AM">{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/definition-of-real-mw0000787370|title=Definition of Real - Plies|last=Jeffries|first=David|publisher=AllMusic|access-date=August 4, 2011}}</ref> |rev3 = ''DJBooth'' |rev3score = {{Rating|3|5}}<ref name="DJB">{{cite web|url=http://djbooth.net:80/albums/review/plies-definition-of-real-0611081|title=Plies - Definition of Real|last=Slavik|first=Nathan|website=DJBooth|date=June 11, 2008|access-date=October 7, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170715101250/http://djbooth.net/albums/review/plies-definition-of-real-0611081|archive-date=July 15, 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref> |rev4 = ''HipHopDX'' |rev4score = {{rating|3|5}}<ref name= "HHDX">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.hiphopdx.com/index/reviews/id.962/title.plies-definition-of-real|title=Plies - Definition of Real|last=Cooper|first=Roman|magazine=HipHopDX|publisher=Cheri Media Group|date=June 13, 2008|access-date=August 4, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090802232814/http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/reviews/id.962/title.plies-definition-of-real|archive-date=August 2, 2009|url-status=dead}}</ref> |rev5 = ''IGN'' |rev5score = 8/10<ref name="IGN">{{cite web|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2008/07/10/plies-definition-of-real-review|title=Plies - Definition of Real Review|last=Strickland|first=Khalid|website=IGN|publisher=Ziff Davis|date=July 10, 2008|access-date=October 7, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160919092140/http://www.ign.com/articles/2008/07/10/plies-definition-of-real-review|archive-date=September 19, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> |rev6 = ''MSN Music'' (Consumer Guide) |rev6score = D+<ref name="Christgau">{{cite web|url=http://music.msn.com/music/consumerguide/2008/12/dudofthemonth/|title=Consumer Guide|last=Christgau|first=Robert|author-link=Robert Christgau|publisher=MSN Music|date=December 2008|access-date=August 4, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120320071850/http://music.msn.com/music/consumerguide/2008/12/dudofthemonth/|archive-date=March 20, 2012}}</ref> |rev7 = ''RapReviews'' |rev7score = 7/10<ref name="RR">{{cite web|url=https://www.rapreviews.com/archive/2008_06_definitionofreal.html|title=Plies :: Definition of Real :: Big Gates/Slip-N-Slide/Atlantic|last=Taylor|first=Patrick|website=RapReviews|date=June 24, 2008|access-date=August 4, 2011}}</ref> |rev8 = ''UGO'' |rev8score = D<ref name="UGO">{{cite web|url=http://www.ugo.com/ugo/html/article/?id=18735&sectionId=54|title=Plies - Definition of Real Album Review|last=Heinzelman|first=Bill|publisher=UGO|date=June 10, 2008|access-date=November 26, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080614160342/http://www.ugo.com/ugo/html/article/?id=18735&sectionId=54|archive-date=June 14, 2008}}</ref> }} ''Definition of Real'' received mixed reviews from music critics who questioned Plies' abilities as a capable rapper. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream critics, the album received an average score of 59, based on 5 reviews.<ref name="Metacritic"/>

Khalid Strickland of ''IGN'' gave high praise to the album's hyper-violent gangster material for displaying Plies' growth as a rapper, concluding that "Overall, with its bumping production and street sensibility, ''Definition of Real'' is a tight-knit piece of work that stiff-arms the dreaded "sophomore slump."<ref name="IGN"/> Patrick Taylor of ''RapReviews'' said that despite being a transition to his next album and containing lightweight R&B hits that clashed with his thug image, he praised the album for delivering street tracks that were interlaced with introspection, concluding that "As it stands, ''Definition of Real'' may not be an instant classic, but it isn't a sophomore slump either, and there are signs that there could be more to Plies beyond his drawl and his love of female reproductive organs."<ref name="RR"/> AllMusic's David Jeffries also criticized the album's inclusion of radio songs but felt that Plies added more lyrical clarity to his goon bravado, saying that "The compelling three-quarters of ''Definition of Real'' that seems to have crawled out of the gutter proves that Plies is best off when he does it the ski-mask way."<ref name="AM"/>

Jon Caramanica of ''The New York Times'' praised Plies for maintaining his charisma when delivering both vindictive vulgarities and conscience sincerity despite the album not being as strong as ''The Real Testament'', saying that it "lacks some of that album's rawness, but is still strong, thanks to his shockingly literal and unforgiving rhymes."<ref name="NYT">{{cite web|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9405E0DB133AF935A25755C0A96E9C8B63&scp=1&sq=definition|title=CRITICS' CHOICE; New CDs|last=Caramanica|first=Jon|author-link=Jon Caramanica|work=The New York Times|date=June 16, 2008|access-date=August 4, 2011}}</ref> Roman Cooper of ''HipHopDX'' felt the album's production had a cohesive sound but criticized Plies' inability to move past typical gangsta material and into more introspective tracks like "Somebody Loves You" and "1 Day", saying that "Seemingly incapable of switching up his flow or creating vivid imagery, it's important to realize that in listening to ''Definition of Real'', you won't be getting ''Ready to Die''."<ref name="HHDX"/> Nathan Slavik of DJBooth was mixed on the album, saying that he was put off by the expletive-laden lyrics heard throughout the hardcore tracks and love songs but that it would attract more to the female demographic.<ref name="DJB"/> In MSN Music, Robert Christgau panned the album's overly violent and misogynistic content.<ref name="Christgau"/>

==Sales== ''Definition of Real'' debuted on the ''Billboard'' 200 at number two selling 214,902 copies in the first week of release, making it his second #2 album and highest first week sales, beating his debut album ''The Real Testament'', which sold 96,000 in its first week. It was released on the same day as Lil Wayne's album ''Tha Carter III''. It had the second best-selling sales for a hip hop album that year at the time of release behind ''Tha Carter III'' until it was surpassed by first week sales of The Game's album ''LAX'' and Jeezy's album ''The Recession'' later in the year . It was the fifth fast-selling hip hop album of 2008, until T.I.'s sixth studio album ''Paper Trail'' became the second in 2008, putting the album the sixth fastest selling hip hop album of 2008. In celebration of the album he renamed the date Goon 10th, instead of June 10<ref>Andreas Hale (June 18, 2008). [http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.7147/title.hip-hop-album-sales-week-ending-6-15-08 Hip Hop Album Sales: Week Ending 6/15/08] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081016031343/http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.7147/title.hip-hop-album-sales-week-ending-6-15-08 |date=2008-10-16 }} ''HipHopDX''. Accessed June 21, 2008.</ref> As of October 2008, the album has sold approximately 524,000 copies in the United States.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.7948/title.hip-hop-album-sales-the-week-ending-10-19-08 |title=Hip Hop Album Sales: The Week Ending 10/19/08 &#124; Get the Latest Hip Hop News, Rap News & Hip Hop Album Sales &#124; HipHop DX |access-date=2011-09-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120612014512/http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.7948/title.hip-hop-album-sales-the-week-ending-10-19-08 |archive-date=2012-06-12 |url-status=dead }}</ref> It has become the rapper's second album to go gold and is his most successful sales of album to date.

==Singles== The first single is "Bust It Baby (Part. 2)" featuring Ne-Yo. It is currently his biggest hit single to date, peaking at number seven on the US ''Billboard'' Hot 100 chart. The second single is "Please Excuse My Hands" featuring Jamie Foxx, and The-Dream.

There is also a music video for the song "Who Hotter Than Me", released June 10, 2008.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://music.apple.com/us/music-video/who-hotter-than-me/281364721 | title=Who Hotter Than Me by Plies | website=iTunes | date=10 June 2008 }}</ref>

==Track listing== {{track listing | headline = Standard edition<ref name="liner notes">{{cite AV media notes|title= Definition of Real |year= 2008 |type= booklet |publisher= Big Gates, Slip-n-Slide, Atlantic}}</ref> | extra_column = Producer(s) | title1 = I'm Da Man | note1 = featuring Trey Songz | writer1 = {{hlist|Plies|Christopher Gholson|Tremaine Neverson}} | extra1 = Drumma Boy | length1 = 3:49 | title2 = Ol' Lady | writer2 = {{hlist|Plies|Brandon "Yung Necro Music" Crear|Ronell Levatte|Alexander Martin}} | extra2 = NecronamBeatz | length2 = 3:35 | title3 = Bushes | writer3 = {{hlist|Plies|Tracey Sewell}} | extra3 = Midnight Black | length3 = 4:12 | title4 = Worth Goin' FED Fo | writer4 = {{hlist|Plies|Bryan Tyson|Levatte|Martin}} | extra4 = Bryan Tyson | length4 = 3:59 | title5 = Dat Bitch | writer5 = {{hlist|Plies|Daniel Valbrun|Joseph Valbrun|Levatte|Martin}} | extra5 = DVS | length5 = 3:33 | title6 = Somebody (Loves You) | writer6 = {{hlist|Plies|Rodney Young|Eugene Curry|Walter Sigler}} | extra6 = Rodnae | length6 = 4:38 | title7 = Feel Like Fuckin' | writer7 = {{hlist|Plies|Tyson|Levatte|Martin}} | extra7 = Bryan Tyson | length7 = 4:15 | title8 = Watch Dis | note8 = featuring Kevin Cossom | writer8 = {{hlist|Plies|Kevin Cossom|Gholson|Howard Coney|Dwight Watson|Benjamin Lakey|Aaron Bay-Schuck}} | extra8 = Drumma Boy | length8 = 3:29 | title9 = Who Hotter Than Me? | writer9 = {{hlist|Plies|Sewell}} | extra9 = Midnight Black | length9 = 3:29 | title10 = 1 Day | writer10 = {{hlist|Plies|Tyson|Levatte|Martin}} | extra10 = Bryan Tyson | length10 = 3:51 | title11 = Bust It Baby (Part 2) | note11 = featuring Ne-Yo | writer11 = {{hlist|Plies|Jonathan Rotem|Shaffer Smith|Janet Jackson|James Harris|Terry Lewis}} | extra11 = J.R. Rotem | length11 = 4:01 | title12 = Shit Bag | writer12 = {{hlist|Plies|Tyson|Levatte|Martin}} | extra12 = Bryan Tyson | length12 = 3:34 | title13 = Please Excuse My Hands | note13 = featuring The-Dream and Jamie Foxx | writer13 = {{hlist|Plies|The-Dream|Jamie Foxx|Justin Franks|Oliver Goldstein}} | extra13 = {{hlist|DJ Frank E|Oligee {{small|(co.)}}}} | length13 = 4:24 | title14 = Rich Folk | writer14 = {{hlist|Plies|Kevin John|Elton John|Delvin Alexander|Marvin Alexander|Levatte|Martin}} | extra14 = Pentagon Productions | length14 = 4:03 | title15 = #1 Fan | note15 = featuring Keyshia Cole and J. Holiday | writer15 = {{hlist|Plies|Keyshia Cole|J. Holiday|Johnny Mollings|Lenny Mollings|Cossom}} | extra15 = DJ Nasty & LVM | length15 = 3:57 }} {{track listing | headline = Best Buy Bonus Tracks<ref name="liner notes"/> | extra_column = Producer(s) | title16 = Thug Section | writer16 = {{hlist|Plies|Daniel Johnson}} | extra16 = Kane Beatz | length16 = 4:50 | title17 = Die Together | writer17 = {{hlist|Plies|Tyson|Levatte|Martin}} | extra17 = Bryan Tyson | length17 = 3:09 | title18 = Bust It Baby (Part 1) | writer18 = {{hlist|Plies|D. Valbrun|J. Valbrun|Levatte|Martin}} | extra18 = DVS | length18 = 3:14 }}

'''Sample Credits'''<ref name="liner notes"/> * "Somebody (Loves You)" contains a sample of "Somebody Loves You Baby", written by Eugene Curry and Walter Sigler, as performed by Patti LaBelle. * "Bust It Baby (Part 2)" contains a sample of "Come Back to Me", written by Janet Jackson, James Harris, and Terry Lewis, as performed by Janet Jackson.

==See also== 2008 in hip hop

==Charts== {{col-begin}} {{col-2}}

===Weekly charts=== {| class="wikitable sortable" !align="left"|Chart (2008) !align="left"|Peak<br />position |- {{album chart|Billboard200|2|artist=Plies}} |- {{album chart|BillboardRandBHipHop|2|artist=Plies}} |- {{album chart|BillboardRap|2|artist=Plies}} |} {{col-2}}

===Year-end charts=== {| class="wikitable" |- !scope="col"|Chart (2008) !scope="col"|Position |- | US ''Billboard'' 200<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2008/top-billboard-200-albums|title=Year-End Charts: Billboard 200 Albums - 2008|magazine=Billboard|access-date=December 17, 2018}}</ref> | style="text-align:center;"|76 |- | US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2008/top-r-b-hip-hop-albums|title=Year-End Charts: Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums - 2008|magazine=Billboard|access-date=December 18, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150613221901/http://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2008/top-r-b-hip-hop-albums|archive-date=June 13, 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> | style="text-align:center;"|13 |- | US Top Rap Albums<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2008/top-rap-albums|title=Year-End Charts: Top Rap Albums - 2008|magazine=Billboard|access-date=December 18, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150705055707/http://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2008/top-rap-albums|archive-date=July 5, 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> | style="text-align:center;"|6 |} {{col-end}}

==Certifications== {{Certification Table Top}} {{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|type=album|artist=Plies|title=Definition of Real|award=Gold|relyear=2008|certyear=2019|access-date=April 13, 2019|refname="RIAA"}} {{Certification Table Bottom|streaming=true | nosales=true | noshipments=true}}

==References== {{reflist}}

{{Plies}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Definition Of Real}} Category:2008 albums Category:Albums produced by DJ Frank E Category:Albums produced by Drumma Boy Category:Albums produced by J. R. Rotem Category:Albums produced by Kane Beatz Category:Plies (rapper) albums Category:Atlantic Records albums