'This Is How to Do a Hip-Hop Soundtrack.'

By: Brad Brevet
Published: Thursday, August 14th 2003 at 7:05 PM

For four consecutive weeks, Sean "P. Diddy" Combs has dominated the #1 spot on the Pop Albums charts with the Bad Boys II soundtrack. Since its release in July, the soundtrack has sold over one million units worldwide. The soundtrack is Combs' first release since joining with the Universal/Motown Records Group.

Combs executive produced the soundtrack and launched the disc with two smash hit songs: "Shake Ya Tailfeather" featuring Nelly, P. Diddy and the talented rapper/lyricist Murphy Lee, and Jay Z's "La-La-La." Both songs have garnered major airplay and have enjoyed steady support from national video outlets. Bad Boy Records is currently preparing to launch two more singles from the soundtrack: "Girl I'm A Bad Boy" with Fat Joe & P. Diddy featuring Dre and "Show Me Your Soul" featuring P. Diddy, Lenny Kravitz, Pharrell Williams and Bad Boy's promising newcomer Loon.

Critics continue to praise the Bad Boys II soundtrack. The New York Times calls the soundtrack "one of the year's most pleasurable hip-hop albums." USA Today gives the disc 3 1/2 stars and says the "album is fully loaded with hits." Vibe magazine cites Combs' "ear for talent" and "gift for orchestrating" an all-star line-up of top-selling artists (Justin Timberlake, Mary J. Blige, Beyonce, Foxy Brown and more).

The soundtrack also showcases the label's newest addition, the six member group Bad Boy's Da Band — currently appearing on MTV's popular reality series Making of The Band II. Their debut album is slated for release late September. Bad Boy Records is also gearing up for Loon's self-titled debut slated for an October release and the platinum singer Carl Thomas' sophomore album is expected late November.