{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2025}} {{Infobox album | name = Fantasia | type = studio | artist = Fantasia | cover = Fantasiacover.jpg | alt = | released = December 12, 2006 | recorded = | venue = | studio = | genre = R&B<ref name="denverpost"/> | length = 50:08 | label = *J *19 | producer = *Babyface *Bryan Michael Cox *Danja *Dre & Vidal *Missy Elliott *Dirty Harry *Kwamé *Harold Lilly *Tone Mason *Midi Mafia *Mzmeriq *Swizz Beatz | prev_title = Free Yourself | prev_year = 2004 | next_title = Back to Me | next_year = 2010 | misc = {{Singles | name = Fantasia | type = studio | single1 = Hood Boy | single1date = November 25, 2006 | single2 = When I See U | single2date = April 17, 2007 | single3 = Only One U | single3date = June 29, 2007 }} }}
'''''Fantasia''''' is the second studio album by American recording artist Fantasia. It was released by J Records on December 12, 2006 in the United States. Fantasia reteamed with Harold Lilly, Swizz Beatz and Missy Elliott and her team – all of which had contributed to her debut album to work on the project. The label also consulted new collaborators to record with her, including Babyface, Dre & Vidal, Kwamé, and Midi Mafia. Elliott, rapper Big Boi and Fantasia's brother Ricco appear as guest vocalists on the album.
Critical response to Fantasia was largely positive, with most reviewers praising her vocal performance as well as the album's production. ''Fantasia'' entered the US ''Billboard'' 200 chart at number 19, with first week sales of 133,000 copies. It later surpassed sales of 500,000 copies and was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). As with her previous album ''Free Yourself'', the album earned three Grammy Award nominations and produced the R&B hit single "When I See U."
==Promotion== ''Fantasia'' was preceded by its lead single, "Hood Boy," a Tone Mason-produced up tempo song featuring rapper Big Boi. Released on November 14, 2006, it samples the introduction of the Supremes' 1967 single, "The Happening". The song peaked at number 21 on the US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart,<ref name="Billboard_bsi">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/fantasia/chart-history/bsi/|title=Fantasia Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)|magazine=Billboard|access-date=July 20, 2023}}</ref> but failed to enter the ''Billboard'' Hot 100, reaching number three on Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles only.<ref name="Billboard_hsi">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/fantasia/chart-history/hsi/|title=Fantasia Chart History (Billboard Hot 100)|magazine=Billboard|access-date=July 20, 2023}}</ref>
"When I See U" was issued as the album's second single on April 17, 2007. It became Fantasia's first single to top the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart,<ref name="Billboard_bsi"/> remaining at the number one spot for eight consecutive weeks.<ref name="Billboard_bsi"/> and stayed on the chart for over a year ranking eighth on ''Billboard''{{'}}s Best of The 2000s R&B/Hip-Hop Songs decade-end listing.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts-decade-end#/charts-decade-end/r-b-hip-hop-songs?year=2009| title= Billboard Best of The 2000s R&B/Hip-Hop Songs|magazine=Billboard|access-date=July 20, 2010}}</ref> It also reached number 32 on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100.<ref name="Billboard_hsi"/>
The album's third and final single, "Only One U", produced by Bryan-Michael Cox, peaked at number 19 on the US Adult R&B Airplay chart and number 36 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.<ref name="Billboard_bsi"/> "Said I Wouldn't (No More)," produced by Flinstone and Soulshock & Karlin and initially recorded for the album, was released as a pre-order track but was not included on the album's final track listing.<ref name="bongminesentertainment">{{cite web|first=Zangba|last=Thomson|url=https://www.bongminesentertainment.com/flinstone-ahh-change/|title=Flinstone Releases An Adorable R&B Tune|website=bongminesentertainment.com|date=March 15, 2022|access-date=July 20, 2023}}</ref>
==Critical reception== {{Music ratings | rev1 = AllMusic | rev1Score = {{Rating|3.5|5}}<ref name="AllMusic">{{AllMusic|class=album|id=r938935|pure_url=yes}}</ref> | rev2 = ''Entertainment Weekly'' | rev2Score = B+<ref name="ew">{{Cite magazine|first=Henry|last=Goldblatt|url=https://ew.com/article/2007/01/04/fantasia/|title = Fantasia|magazine = Entertainment Weekly|date=January 4, 2007|access-date=July 20, 2023}}</ref> | rev3 = ''PopMatters'' | rev3Score = 7/10<ref name="PopMatters">{{Cite web |first=Mike |last=Joseph|url=http://www.popmatters.com/pm/music/reviews/9475/fantasia-fantasia/ |title=Fantasia: Fantasia – PopMatters Music Review |date=January 5, 2007|access-date=October 13, 2007 |archive-date=November 2, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071102091147/http://www.popmatters.com/pm/music/reviews/9475/fantasia-fantasia/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> | rev4 = ''Rolling Stone'' | rev4Score = {{Rating|3.5|5}}<ref name="rollingstone">{{Cite magazine | first=Evan | last=Serpick | url=http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/fantasia/albums/album/12743688/review/12755283/fantasia |title=Fantasia: Fantasia|magazine=Rolling Stone | date=December 7, 2006| access-date=December 11, 2006 |archive-date=October 13, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071013023342/http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/fantasia/albums/album/12743688/review/12755283/fantasia |url-status=dead }}</ref> | rev5 = ''Slant'' | rev5Score = {{Rating|3|5}}<ref name="slantmagazine">{{Cite web| first=Sal |last=Cinquemani |url=http://www.slantmagazine.com/music/music_review.asp?ID=1030|title = Fantasia, Fantasia (2006) |website = Slant Magazine | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070108232701/http://www.slantmagazine.com/music/music_review.asp?ID=1030 | archive-date= January 8, 2007 | access-date=July 20, 2023}}</ref> | rev6 = ''Stylus'' | rev6Score = B+<ref name="stylusmagazine">{{Cite web| first=Thomas |last=Inskeep|url=http://www.stylusmagazine.com/reviews/fantasia/fantasia.htm |title = Fantasia, Fantasia (2006) |website = Stylus | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303201050/http://www.stylusmagazine.com/reviews/fantasia/fantasia.htm | date=January 2, 2007| archive-date= March 3, 2016 | access-date=July 20, 2023}}</ref> }} Critical response to ''Fantasia'' was largely positive, as reviewers praised her vocals and charisma as well as the album's production; she drew multiple comparisons to Aretha Franklin, Tina Turner and Patti LaBelle.<ref name="rollingstone"/><ref name="stylusmagazine"/><ref name="AllMusic"/> Many critics also commented that the album's decidedly R&B nature (which translates to a reduced audience) was inevitable due to the lack of crossover success from Barrino's debut.<ref name="stylusmagazine"/><ref name="AllMusic"/> AllMusic editor Stephen Thomas Erlewine called it a "more consistent album than her debut; it has a sense of purpose and it takes greater risks in the production, two things which make it a bolder, better album than ''Free Yourself''," adding that it "breaks Barrino free of her ''American Idol'' persona, giving her a sound and style that she can build a career upon."<ref name="AllMusic"/> Mike Joseph from ''PopMatters'' said that "''Fantasia'' is a solid second effort, made above average by that gem of a voice."<ref name="PopMatters"/>
''Rolling Stone'' critic Evan Serpick felt the album "expands her range, adds some attitude and comes up with some genuine R&B gems." He called the "ferocious" "Baby Makin' Hips" Fantasia's "best song to date, a potential shout-along classic on par with Mary J.'s "No More Drama" and Kelis' "Caught Out There"."<ref name="rollingstone"/> ''Stylus'' magazine's Thomas Inskeep praised Fantasia's "rather astounding, multi-octave...voice, capable of the smoothest singing but also heavy on the grit," while at the same time lamenting that she will never be "America's pop star [...] She's too black." He then declared, "Fantasia wasn't meant to be America's pop star, anyway."<ref name="stylusmagazine"/> Sal Cinquemani from ''Slant Magazine'' said that "Fantasia's sophomore effort isn't exactly her ''Breakaway'', but it's certainly a more unified artistic statement than 2004's ''Free Yourself''."<ref name="slantmagazine"/> Ricardo Baca, writing for ''The Denver Post'' remarked that ''Fantasia'' "is where she steps out from the ''Idol'' cloud. It's popped-out, glossed-over R&B – but it's also surprisingly hot and hip-hop-friendly."<ref name="denverpost">{{Cite web| first=Ricardo |last=Baca|url= https://www.denverpost.com/2006/12/18/cd-reviews-27/ |title =Fantasia, ''Fantasia'' |website = The Denver Post | date=January 2, 2007 | access-date=July 20, 2023}}</ref>
===Accolades=== On December 6, 2007, ''Fantasia'' garnered three 50th Annual Grammy Award nominations, including Best Female R&B Vocal Performance for “When I See U”, Best Contemporary R&B Album for ''Fantasia'', and Best R&B Song for "When I See U".<ref name="mtv">{{Cite web|url=https://www.mtv.com/news/y2utwa/grammy-2008-winners-list |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220829140942/https://www.mtv.com/news/y2utwa/grammy-2008-winners-list |url-status=dead |archive-date=August 29, 2022 |title =Grammy 2008 Winners List |website = MTV.com | date=February 10, 2008 | access-date=July 20, 2023}}</ref>
==Commercial performance== ''Fantasia'' debuted and peaked at number nineteen on US ''Billboard'' 200 chart in the week of December 30, 2006.<ref name="Billboard200"/> selling 133,000 copies.<ref name="Billboard_sales"/> It also peaked at number two on Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums.<ref name="BillboardRandBHipHop"/><ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/young-jeezy-hicks-enter-atop-the-billboard-200-56396/|title=Young Jeezy, Hicks Enter Atop The Billboard 200|magazine=Billboard |date=December 20, 2006|access-date=July 20, 2023}}</ref> On June 15, 2007, ''Fantasia'' was certified Gold by Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).<ref name="RIAA"/> In 2010, ''Billboard'' reported that the album had sold 530,000 copies in the United States.<ref name="Billboard_sales"/>
==Track listing== {{Track listing | headline = ''Fantasia'' track listing | extra_column = Producer(s) | total_length = 50:08
| title1 = Hood Boy | note1 = featuring Big Boi | writer1 = {{hlist|Johnta Austin|Frank DeVol|Holland-Dozier-Holland|Anthony McIntyre|Antwan Patton}} | extra1 = Tone Mason | length1 = 3:34
| title2 = When I See U | writer2 = {{hlist|Sam Watters|Louis Biancaniello|Kevin Risto|Waynne Nugent|Janet Sewell| Erika Nuri}} | extra2 = {{hlist|Midi Mafia|Mzmeriq}} | length2 = 3:37
| title3 = I Nominate U | writer3 = {{hlist|Vidal Davis|Andre Harris|Balewa Muhammad|Candice Nelson}} | extra3 = Dre & Vidal | length3 = 4:34
| title4 = Baby Makin' Hips | writer4 = {{hlist|Davis|Vidal|Muhammed|Nelson}} | extra4 = {{hlist|Dre & Vidal|Dirty Harry|Don Cheegio{{ref|a|[a]}}}} | length4 = 3:21
| title5 = Not the Way I Do | writer5 = Sean Garrett | extra5 = {{hlist|Kwamé|Garrett{{ref|a|[a]}}}} | length5 = 3:35
| title6 = Only One U | writer6 = {{hlist|Bryan-Michael Cox|Thabiso Nkhereanye|The Clutch|Ezekiel Lewis|Muhammad|Nelson}} | extra6 = Cox | length6 = 4:00
| title7 = I Feel Beautiful | writer7 = Diane Warren | extra7 = Babyface | length7 = 3:33
| title8 = I'm Not That Type | writer8 = Missy Elliott | extra8 = {{hlist|Elliott|Cainon Lamb{{ref|a|[a]}}}} | length8 = 4:07
| title9 = Uneligible | writer9 = {{hlist|Muhammad|Nelson}} | extra9 = Danja | length9 = 3:00
| title10 = Two Weeks Notice | writer10 = {{hlist|Craig Brockman|Corte Ellis|Elliott}} | extra10 = {{hlist|Elliott|Brockman{{ref|a|[a]}}}} | length10 = 4:42
| title11 = Surround U | writer11 = {{hlist|Denzil Miller|Kurt Walker|Kasseem Dean|Lawrence Smith|Makeba Riddick}} | extra11 = Swizz Beatz | length11 = 3:19
| title12 = Bore Me (Yawn) | note12 = featuring Ricco Barrino | writer12 = {{hlist|Muhammad|Nelson}} | extra12 = Danja | length12 = 2:55
| title13 = Sunshine | writer13 = Harold Lilly | extra13 = {{hlist|Lilly|Lamb{{ref|a|[a]}}}} | length13 = 3:47
| title14 = Bump What Ya Friends Say | note14 = featuring Missy Elliott | writer14 = {{hlist|Elliott|Phillip Lees}} | extra14 = {{hlist|Elliott|Lees{{ref|a|[a]}}|Soul Diggaz{{ref|a|[a]}}}} | length14 = 4:44 }} {{Track listing | headline = Wal-Mart bonus download | extra_column = Producer(s) | total_length = 54:28 | title15 = Girl like Me | writer15 = {{hlist|Davis|Vidal|Kandi Burruss|Meredith Spears}} | extra15 = Dre & Vidal | length15 = 4:20 }} '''Notes''' *<sup>{{note|a|[a]}}</sup> signifies co-producer '''Sample credits''' *"Hood Boy" interpolates "The Happening" by American pop band The Supremes. *"Surround U" contains a sample from "Cross the Track (We Better Go Back)" by Maceo and the Macks, and "Christmas Rappin'" by Kurtis Blow.
==Charts== {{col-begin}} {{col-2}}
===Weekly charts=== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable" style="text-align:center" |+ Weekly chart performance for ''Fantasia'' ! scope="col"| Chart (2007) ! scope="col"| Peak<br>position |- {{album chart|Billboard200|19|artist=Fantasia|rowheader=true|access-date=July 20, 2023|refname="Billboard200"}} |- {{album chart|BillboardRandBHipHop|3|artist=Fantasia|rowheader=true|access-date=July 20, 2023|refname="BillboardRandBHipHop"}} |} {{col-2}}
===Year-end charts=== {| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" |+ Year-end chart performance for ''Fantasia'' !scope="col"|Chart (2007) !scope="col"|Position |- !scope="row"|US ''Billboard'' 200<ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2007/top-billboard-200-albums|title=2007 Year-End Charts – Billboard 200 Albums |magazine=Billboard|date=2 January 2013 |access-date=April 26, 2016}}</ref> | 105 |- !scope="row"|US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (''Billboard'')<ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2007/top-r-b-hip-hop-albums?page=1|title=2007 Year-End Charts – Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Albums|magazine=Billboard|access-date=April 26, 2016}}</ref> | 22 |} {{col-end}}
==Certifications== {{Certification Table Top|caption=Certifications for ''Fantasia''}} {{Certification Table Entry|type=album |region=United States |artist=Fantasia |title=Fantasia |award=Gold |certyear=2007 |relyear=2006 |access-date=January 23, 2019 |salesamount=530,000|salesref=<ref name="Billboard_sales">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/fantasia-moves-forward-despite-personal-challenges-956754/|title=Fantasia Moves Forward Despite Personal Challenges|magazine=Billboard |date=August 20, 2010|access-date=July 20, 2023}}</ref>|refname="RIAA"}} {{end}}
== Release history == {| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" |+ Release dates and formats for ''Fantasia'' |- ! scope="col"| Region ! scope="col"| Date ! scope="col"| Format(s) ! scope="col"| Label(s) ! scope="col"| {{abbr|Ref.|Reference(s)}} |- ! scope="row" | United Kingdom | December 11, 2006 | rowspan="2" | {{hlist|CD|digital download}} | rowspan="2" | {{hlist|J|19}} | style="text-align:center;" | <ref name="PopMatters"/> |- ! scope="row" | United States | December 12, 2006 | style="text-align:center;" | <ref name="PopMatters"/> |}
==References== {{reflist}}
{{Fantasia Barrino}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:2006 albums Category:Albums produced by Bryan-Michael Cox Category:Albums produced by Danja (record producer) Category:Albums produced by Dre & Vidal Category:Albums produced by Missy Elliott Category:Albums produced by Swizz Beatz Category:Albums produced by Tone Mason Category:Albums produced by Midi Mafia Category:Fantasia Barrino albums Category:J Records albums Category:19 Recordings albums Category:Funk albums by American artists