The Rokstarr Collection

The Rokstarr Collection
Compilation album by
Released20 September 2010
Recorded2009–2010
GenreDance-pop, R&B[1]
Length54:06
LabelIsland
ProducerTaio Cruz, Fraser T Smith, The Arcade, Alan English, Dr. Luke, Benny Blanco, Sandy Vee
Taio Cruz chronology
Rokstarr
(2009)
The Rokstarr Collection
(2010)
TY.O
(2011)

The Rokstarr Collection is the first compilation album by English R&B recording artist Taio Cruz. It was released on 20 September 2010.[2] According to Cruz's website, the album combines "the biggest hits of Taio’s debut album 'Departure' and recent album 'Rokstarr'".[3] The album includes all of Cruz's singles from his first two studio albums, excluding "No Other One". The album also includes album tracks and the American version of "Break Your Heart", featuring Ludacris. Island Records added the video advertisement for the collection to their YouTube account on 18 August 2010.[4]

The album was also a success on the charts of the Billboard Hot 100, Canadian Hot 100 and also reached the number-one spot on the Australian charts. On 26 September 2010, The Rokstarr Collection debuted at number 16 on the official UK Albums Chart, becoming Cruz's third consecutive top 20 album.[5][6]

Background

[edit]

Speaking to Nesta McGregor of the BBC Newsbeat, Cruz admitted that releasing a greatest hits collection was "insane" after only having released two albums: I've been so fortunate to release so many singles. I've got six singles off the first album and another five singles off this new album, so there's definitely a lot of records that people will have heard before but not necessarily known that it was me. But they liked the song."[7]

Critical reception

[edit]

The Rokstarr Collection received a mixed reception from critics. Pip from 'Entertainment Focus' gave the compilation a positive reception. Pip said "[the compilation] brings together the biggest smashes of Taio's career in one hit-packed album. The sheer weight of hits offers further proof that pound for pound, Taio Cruz is right up there as one of the handful of guaranteed hit maker/writer/artist/producers currently working in pop music."[8] However, Ruth of 'Female First' was less impressed, the review, she called the release "ambitious". She said that "although 'Dynamite' has shifted 1.5 million unites across the pond AND his debut US single 'Break Your Heart' has gone on to sell over 5 million worldwide, can anyone name five Taio Cruz tracks? Not only that, but the CD only has 15 songs on there, one which is on TWICE… come on Taio, who are you trying to kid?"[9]

Track listing

[edit]
No.TitleLength
1."Dynamite"3:23
2."Break Your Heart"3:22
3."Dirty Picture" (featuring Ke$ha)3:39
4."Take Me Back" (featuring Tinchy Stryder) (Version D^)3:27
5."Come On Girl" (featuring Luciana)3:33
6."Forever Love"4:12
7."She's Like a Star"3:38
8."I Just Wanna Know"3:58
9."I'll Never Love Again"3:48
10."Falling in Love"3:31
11."I Can Be"3:46
12."Higher"3:08
13."Moving On"3:52
14."Feel Again"3:37
15."Break Your Heart" (featuring Ludacris)3:05
Digital Deluxe DVD[10]
No.TitleLength
16."Dynamite" (Arcade Dance Mix)5:43
17."Dynamite" (Video) 
18."Break Your Heart" (Video) 
19."Dirty Picture" (Video) 
20."Take Me Back" (Video) 
21."Come On Girl" (Video) 
22."She's Like a Star" (Video) 
23."I Just Wanna Know" (Video) 
24."I Can Be" (Video) 
25."Moving On" (Video) 

^ Version D features a rap by Stryder at the start, and the remainder of the song performed by Cruz. This version is exclusive to this release. It is one of five different versions of the song.

Charts

[edit]
Chart (2010) Peak
position
UK Albums (OCC)[11] 16
UK R&B Albums (OCC)[12] 2

Certifications

[edit]
Region Certification Certified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI)[13] Gold 100,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Release history

[edit]
Region Release date Format Label
United Kingdom 20 September 2010[14] CD, digital download Island Records

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Album search results for "rokstarr" - AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved 8 August 2015.
  2. ^ "Taio Cruz's pop at theft". 31 August 2010.
  3. ^ "TaioCruzMusic.co.uk - The Rokstarr Collection – Out Monday". Archived from the original on 13 March 2012.
  4. ^ Island Records UK (18 August 2010). "Taio Cruz - The Rockstarr Collection". Archived from the original on 21 December 2021 – via YouTube.
  5. ^ "Official Albums Chart Top 100 - Official Charts Company". Official Charts.
  6. ^ "TAIO CRUZ - full Official Chart History - Official Charts Company".
  7. ^ "Taio Cruz interview by Nesta McGregor, words by Kirstie Andrews, 'BBC Newsbeat' September 2010". BBC.co.uk. 26 August 2010. Retrieved 21 September 2010.
  8. ^ "Entertainment Focus.com - Taio Cruz Releases Greatest Hits".
  9. ^ "So, Taio Cruz Is Releasing A Greatest Hits… Can Anyone Name Five Taio Tracks? - Female First Blog". 17 September 2010.
  10. ^ "The Rokstarr Collection by Taio Cruz on Apple Music". iTunes.
  11. ^ "{{{artist}}} | Artist | Official Charts". UK Albums Chart.
  12. ^ "Official R&B Albums Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company.
  13. ^ "British album certifications – Taio Cruz – The Rokstarr Collection". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 30 November 2020.
  14. ^ "Taio Cruz: Rokstarr Collection (2010): CD: hmv.com". hmv.com. Retrieved 21 September 2010.