| Last Train to Paris | ||||
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| Released | December 14, 2010 (2010-12-14) | |||
| Recorded | 2008–2010 | |||
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Last Train to Paris is the onlystudio album by American musical trioDiddy – Dirty Money, composed of rapperDiddy, and R&B singersKaleena Harper andDawn Richard. It was released on December 14, 2010, byBad Boy Records andInterscope Records. Story-wise, the album follows Diddy's alter-ego as he travels fromLondon toParis to regain his lost love. Subject matter and lyrics are based around dramatized descriptions of romance, heartache, vulnerability, regret, and emotional conflict.[4] Predominantly styled incontemporary R&B,Last Train to Paris incorporates elements ofEurodance,Italo disco andtech house.
It is the only album by Dirty Money before their 2012 disbandment, although the group reunited once more to co-perform on a song from Diddy's fifth album,The Love Album: Off the Grid in 2023. Guest vocalists on the album includeGrace Jones,Chris Brown,Lil Wayne,Skylar Grey,Drake,Justin Timberlake,Nicki Minaj,T.I.,Wiz Khalifa,Swizz Beatz,Trey Songz,Rick Ross,Usher,Sevyn Streeter,James Fauntleroy,Bilal andThe Notorious B.I.G. The album also features vocalsegues from designers and editors of the fashion world, includingVogue editor-in-chiefAnna Wintour andTommy Hilfiger. Theexecutive producers on the album areRodney Jerkins, Diddy,Mario Winans andHarve Pierre.
The album marks Diddy's only project with Interscope Records after he and his Bad Boy label parted ways withAtlantic Records in 2009.Last Train to Paris was generally praised by critics, who commended the addition of Richard and Harper to help Diddy innovate a new sound. Its three preceding singles, "Angels", "Hello Good Morning" and "Loving You No More", were met with moderate success on theBillboard Hot 100. Its fourth, "Coming Home" peaked at number 11 on the chart and foresaw the album's release the following month—in December.
The album spawned two further singles released the next year, both of which failed to chart. During its opening week,Last Train to Paris outperformed expectations, debuting eight places higher than predicted—at number seven—on the USBillboard 200. It sold 101,000 copies, compared to the 60,000-70,000 copies thatBillboard had predicted it would sell. However, despite this strong debut week, the album underperformed sales-wise.
Diddy describedLast Train to Paris as an "electro-hip-hop-soul funk" album[5] which has been three years in the making.[6] Diddy says the sound of this album was influenced by "being in the dance music world and doing stuff withFelix da Housecat,Erick Morillo,Deep Dish,DJ Hell and being inIbiza and DC10."[7] The arc follows Diddy's character as he tours fromLondon toParis and finds the woman of his dreams - only to lose her, find her, lose her again and find her a final time.[8]
The records were conceptualised from Diddy's comments to his producers. He told Alex da Kid, who produced "Coming Home", "I want a beat that makes me feel like a white man in a basement inAtlanta." Diddy said that "most of the producers he worked with, he's been friends with for a long time. The records came together by hanging out with them, taking them to parties and showing them movies".[9]
In an interview withMTV News, Diddy said "One of the things [Dirty Money] trying to represent is emotion... Not being afraid to show emotion on record. A lot of records out right now — no disrespect to them, but they're all surface. Its about what people have or a dance. All our records are gonna be about love, feelings and emotion. Last Train to Paris is a love story and the most vulnerable album I've ever been involved in. Its raw emotion — you get a feeling, a vibe."[10]
Diddy released an application for theiPhone that integrates his social networking site andTwitter feed.[11] A short film will also accompany the album.[8] Rap producer Bangladesh, confirmed that he would be producing for the album.[12] According toNew York magazine, the album was "assembled from 60 or so songs. The genesis ofLast Train to Paris is full of odd stories involving our hero, ensconced in a darkened studio, barking batty ideas to his production team."[9]
Last Train to Paris is officially credited to Diddy – Dirty Money. Dirty Money was formed when Diddy asked formerDanity Kane memberDawn Richard, and singer-songwriterKalenna Harper to perform alongside him on the album.[13][14] In an interview with All Hip-Hop, Diddy said that Dirty Money is "not about no drug money, illegal money, or anything negative". Instead he described it as "a sound, a movement, [and] a crew", something fresh and unique for his new album. He explained that "he wanted to tell a love story" but needed Dirty Money because "he couldn’t just tell the male’s point of view."[15]
Elaborating on the group's name, Diddy toldSlant Magazine that its origins are dated back to 2005 when the group was at "a strip club inJacksonville, Florida, during theSuper Bowl. People heard I was there, and all of a sudden so many people came in that I had to rush outside to my truck. I was sitting there with a bunch of money and I was like, 'Damn, this is some dirty money.' A light bulb went off that day."[16] Simon Vozick-Levinson fromEntertainment Weekly described the group's role on the album as "fleshing outLast Train's skeletal storyline, playing jealous lovers, disappointed partners, and commanding divas to his conflicted playboy."[1]
Jim Farber ofNew York Daily News said that Dirty Money "sing loudly, often and well -- a good thing", on the disk.[17] Henry Yanney of Soulculture said thatLast Train to Paris was vocally-led Harper and Richard, who give the album "attitude and style". He said "the duo sing harmoniously and break into solos with much precision and pace, remaining in sync at all times with the abrasive club influenced beats on hand."[18] David Jeffries said that at times Dirty Money came off as "finebackground singers or part of Diddy’s Fashion Week posse."[2]
Matt Sayles disagreed, stating that on the record, "Diddy takes a backseat" which allowed "Kaleena and Dawn to do a lot of the heavy lifting (and breathing) on a wide range of songs."[19] Dirty Money was inspired by the 1980s bandsSoul II Soul andLoose Ends though Diddy pointed out that he "wanted to flip things" by having two girls and one guy in the band. "Two bad divas, one for the left and one for the right side of me".[15] He told Amos Barshad fromNew York that "[The girls in Dirty Money] diamonds in the rough. These girls got a certain flavor and swagger, which is rare in this marketplace."[20]
The album cover is a photograph at theCentre Georges Pompidou inParis, taken by Australian cricket writer and photographerJarrod "Jrod" Kimber.[21]
Guests included on the album were initially confirmed asJustin Timberlake,Chris Brown,Drake,Lil Wayne,Rick Ross,T.I.,Swizz Beatz,Grace Jones,Bilal andWiz Khalifa but the final track list also includedSkylar Grey.[22][23] Richard told MTV News that the album had been in the making before she and Harper joined Diddy to form Dirty Money. She said "I know when Kalenna and I speak, we sometimes feel giddy because people like pioneers of the game said, 'You know what? We want to be on your album,'". Richard also defended the number of guests on the album stating that it was a "labor of love" which is why the group felt like the album needed a "stunning introduction" to the world.[6]
Simon Vozick-Levinson ofEntertainment Weekly said the role of the guests on the album "[mainly] assorted suave fellows... help fill out [Diddy]'s side of the conversation."[1]Vogue was first to reveal that editors and fashion designers have recorded vocalsegues for the album. Among those set to feature on the album areIsaac Mizrahi,André Leon Talley,Zac Posen,Marc Jacobs,Anna Wintour (editor in chief atVogue) andTommy Hilfiger.[6] Talley said of his involved in the album, "[Diddy]'s like great creative thinkers in music who love fashion; swooner Marvin Gaye in his duets with Tammi Terrell comes to mind — what sense of elegance, what Motown glamour!"[24]
On November 21, 2010, Diddy-Dirty Money appeared at theAmerican Music Awards (2010) where they performed "Coming Home".[25]On December 5, 2010, Diddy releasedThe Prelude - Last Train to Paris, a freemixtape of seven songs from the upcoming album exclusively throughVogue.com.[6] Later that same day, the group appeared onSaturday Night Live to promote theLast Train to Paris. They performed "Coming Home" and "Ass on the Floor" withSwizz Beatz.[26] A preluding mixtape, was released exclusively toVogue magazine on December 3, 2010.[6] On December 13, 2010, the album was made available to stream online throughMyspace.[27]
On December 18, 2010, the group performed at the third annualWWE Tribute to the Troops concert.[28] On the chart dated December 25, 2010, "Someone to Love Me" debuted on the U.S. Bubbling Under R&B/Hip-Hop Singles chart at number fifteen.[29] On January 4, 2010,Angie Martinez premiered a new remix of "Someone to Love Me" on her official website. Titled "The MJB Naked Mix", the new version features Blige andLil Wayne.[30][31] Lil Wayne's verse consists of sixteen bars, and a reference to 1994 Mary J. Blige song "My Life".[32] Additionally, the group released another mixtape in time for Valentine's Day 2011.LoveLove Vs. HateLove features at least four songs from theLast Train to Paris recording sessions plus other songs.[33]
Rap-Up initially reported that Diddy-Dirty Money would be touring in support of the album. TheLast Train to Paris world tour kicked off in March 2011.[34] However, when the tour dates were revealed, the tour was actually renamed to The Coming Home Tour. The show kicked off on April 13, 2011, inMinneapolis, running for twenty-one dates before ending inSt. Louis on May 15, 2011.[35]Lloyd andTyga served as the tour's opening acts.[36]
"Angels", featuringThe Notorious B.I.G. and Rick Ross, was released as the first single, followed by promo single "Love Come Down" (which does not appear on the final track listing); both were released on November 3, 2009. Both tracks, which sample songs byJay-Z, were not considered successful. The album's second single, "Hello Good Morning" featuresT.I., was released on March 30, 2010, and spawned several official remixes including versions featuringRick Ross &Nicki Minaj,Tinchy Stryder &Tinie Tempah (UK Remix), Rick Ross & T.I. and a Grime mix withSkepta.[37] The single peaked at number thirteen on the USHot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, number twenty-seven on the USBillboard Hot 100 and number fifty inCanada.[38]
"Loving You No More", featuringDrake, was released as the album's third single on September 21, 2010. It was not as successful as its predecessor, only managing to peak at thirty-five on Hot R&B/Hip Hop Songs chart and number ninety-one on the Hot 100.[38] Soon after, theAlex da Kid and Jay-Z produced "Coming Home" was announced as thelead single and overall fourth single, released on November 21, 2010. It features additional vocals from Kid's protégéSkylar Grey. It was the album's most successful single, peaking at number eleven on theBillboard Hot 100.
According to an official press release fromBad Boy Records, theUsher-assisted "Looking for Love" will be the next single.[39] Despite this confirmation, "Your Love" featuringTrey Songz (with Rick Ross including a verse in the remix) was sent to Rhythmic radio on March 15, 2011, confirming it as the fifth single from the album.[40] It has charted at #41 on the U.S.Billboard R&B chart.[41] The album's sixth single is "Ass on the Floor", featuringSwizz Beatz, released to the United Kingdom.[3] It debuted on the Bubbling Under Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs at number five,[42] before making its fullHot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart debut at number eighty-eight the following week.[43]
Promo single "Love Come Down" received a music video, premiering on November 12, 2009. The vintage club TV style video sees "Diddy and the group set the tone with an all-black motif, dressing in black and performing on a black stage — except for the occasional flash of Diddy's gold teeth. Toward the end, the trio change to all-white outfits before going back to black."[44] A separate music video was filmed for a remix for "Angels", featuring Rick Ross instead of The Notorious B.I.G., premiered on March 2, 2010, with Parris serving as the director. The video also features cameos byBusta Rhymes andDJ Khaled.[45] Hype Williams also directed the music videos for the album's third single "Hello Good Morning", featuringT.I., which premiered in May 2010. Two alternate videos were filmed for the song's remixes; one featuring the remix that includes Rick Ross, and another for the remix that retains Rick Ross, excludes T.I. and includes Nicki Minaj.[46][47]
Additionally, on November 29, 2010 "Ass on the Floor", featuring Swizz Beatz (which was released as the album's sixth single months later) was released as a free download through Beatz'Monster Mondays initiative[48] and the video for the song was released on December 13, 2010.[49][50] The video was directed by Colin Tilley.[51] This was followed by a video for "Someone to Love Me" on December 10, 2010,[52] which was actually shot over one year earlier, on September 29, 2009, by Nabil.[53] A video for the remix was booked on February 9, 2011, with Colin Tilley,[54] meanwhile a simple video for "I Hate That You Love Me" premiered on February 6, 2011.[55] On January 21, 2011, Diddy-Dirty Money filmed a music video for "Yesterday" withChris Brown.[56] Tilley has also directed the video for an amended version "Your Love" which featuresTrey Songz andRick Ross, which was released on March 30, 2011.[57]
In its opening week, theLast Train to Paris debuted on the USBillboard 200 at number 7, with 101,000 copies sold. The final figure sold was, inBillboard's own words, "rather larger than initial forecasts",[58] which put the album at around number 15, with 60,000 - 70,000 copies.[59] Despite beating the expectations, theLast Train to Paris underperformed against Diddy's previous album,Press Play (2006), which debuted at number one, with 170,000 copies sold.[58] Thus far, it is Diddy's second-lowest debut on the chart,[60] as well as Dawn Richard's lowest chartingBillboard 200 album, the others being with the groupDanity Kane.[61]
The album debuted on the US Top Digital Albums at number 7[62] and the USR&B/Hip-Hop Albums at number 3.[63] It is both Diddy's and Richard's lowest charting R&B/Hip-Hop album, thus far.[60][61]Last Train to Paris is Kalenna Harper's first appearance on anyBillboard album chart.[64] As of May 2011, the album has sold around 270,000 copies in the United States.[65]
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [2] |
| Entertainment Weekly | B+[1] |
| The Guardian | [66] |
| The Independent | [67] |
| NME | 8/10[68] |
| USA Today |  [69] |
| Tom Hull – on the Web | B−[70] |
| Pitchfork | 7.6/10[71] |
Upon its release,Last Train to Paris received positive reviews from most music critics.[72] AtMetacritic, which assigns anormalized rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream critics, the album received anaverage score of 75, based on 13 reviews, which indicates "generally favorable reviews".[72] Simon Vozick-Levinson fromEntertainment Weekly said "Last Train to Paris's glittery grooves feel authentically his own." He calledLast Train a throwback to Diddy's 2007 hit single "Last Night". Its the "electro-laced torch duet blown out to full album length". He concluded by saying "the sheer number of cameos overwhelms the narrative conceit after a while... But who really cares? By that time, you just might be enjoying yourself way too much to notice."[1]
Jim Farber ofNew York Daily News was impressed with Dirty Money's contribution to the album. He said "their input gives the CD a cohesion otherwise disrupted by Diddy's usual conga line of guest stars." He pointed out that the album takes on aEurodance sound and although people might see it as "leaping on that bandwagon but as it turns out, the milieu proves a much better fit for his, er, talents, than any CD he has released so far." Farber concluded by saying "The Euro edge gives the music a leg up on the more conservative (read: American) dance music favored by the most mainstream club act of now --those ever mushy Peas."[17]
Andy Gill ofThe Independent noted Dirty Money's "emphasis on emotion over purely dance imperatives" and dubbed the album "easily the best work Diddy's been involved with in his entire career."[67] Caroline Sullivan ofThe Guardian gave it three out of five stars and stated, "The album is a mess, but a hook-heavy, likable one."[66]
David Jeffries fromAllMusic noted Diddy's "unfiltered self" and "unique attitude", stating "This hook-filled, vibrant effort is that rare heartbreak album that can speak on a lovelorn level and then put a little strut back in your step."[2] Matt Sayles fromThe Boston Globe complimented its concept and praised the mixture of R&B vocals from Dirty Money and the guest features from the range of A-list friends, particularlyGrace Jones stating that "There’s no telling why she turns up but she sounds right at home on the thumping club anthem. [Grace's] cameo is just one more pleasant surprise on an album full of them."[19]
Brandon Soderberg fromThe Village Voice was also impressed with the artistic creation. He said "Once you hearParis's mish-mash (Diddy’s word) of sounds, all that producer-genius experimentalism makes some sense. Every song is full of swift change-ups and jarring musical detours; Diddy often interrupts these jagged dance tracks to emote... Its lots of fun, and though confessional in parts, its overall far from the self-serious, petulant complaint-raps of say,Drake orKanye.Paris looks back todance music as soulful catharsis and emotionalism, not the cold thump that’s taken over as of late."[9]
Nitsuh Abebe fromNew York magazine said "Last Train to Paris is one of the first records that's really made me feel like [Diddy] sounds clever. [However he] makes what seems to me to be an aesthetic error, which is that if you want to put sleek, rainy-sounding synths everywhere ... [But] this album hits its mood right, though — gray skies, Eurorail, and drama — its excellent stuff. The hectic format fades away, and the music actually becomes the hypnotic cruise it aspires to be."[73]
In 2023, Diddy said the reception of the album put him in a funk, and music wasn't resonating with him like it used to: "WhenLast Train to Paris came out, it kind of broke my heart because people didn’t understand it right away. It was a bit before its time, and I know I was in my ego." Ultimately he said: "As time went on, people were able to connect with the album, and its become a cult classic. But for a couple of years after that, I didn’t know what to do. I wasn’t hearing the sounds."[74]
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Intro" | Guy Gerber | Gerber | 1:33 |
| 2. | "Yeah Yeah You Would" (featuringGrace Jones) | Danja | 3:42 | |
| 3. | "I Hate That You Love Me" |
|
| 3:35 |
| 4. | "Ass on the Floor" (featuringSwizz Beatz) |
| Swizz Beatz | 4:04 |
| 5. | "Looking for Love" (featuringUsher) |
|
| 4:18 |
| 6. | "Someone to Love Me" |
|
| 3:07 |
| 7. | "Hate You Now" |
| Danja | 4:09 |
| 8. | "Yesterday" (featuringChris Brown) | Winans | 4:31 | |
| 9. | "Shades" (featuringJustin Timberlake,Bilal,Lil Wayne, andJames Fauntleroy) |
| D'Mile | 5:56 |
| 10. | "Angels" (featuringThe Notorious B.I.G. andRick Ross) |
|
| 5:11 |
| 11. | "Your Love" (featuringTrey Songz) |
|
| 3:53 |
| 12. | "Strobe Lights" (featuring Lil Wayne) |
| 3:33 | |
| 13. | "Hello Good Morning" (featuringT.I.) |
| Danja | 4:27 |
| 14. | "I Know" (featuring Chris Brown,Wiz Khalifa, andSeven ofRichgirl) |
|
| 4:31 |
| 15. | "Coming Home" (featuringSkylar Grey) |
| 3:59 | |
| 16. | "Loving You No More" (featuringDrake) |
|
| 4:05 |
| Total length: | 64:55 | |||
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Intro" | Gerber | Gerber | 1:33 |
| 2. | "Ass on the Floor" (featuring Swizz Beatz) |
| Swizz Beatz | 4:04 |
| 3. | "Yeah Yeah You Would" (featuring Grace Jones) |
| Danja | 3:42 |
| 4. | "I Hate That You Love Me" |
|
| 3:35 |
| 5. | "Someone to Love Me" |
|
| 3:08 |
| 6. | "Hate You Now" |
| Danja | 4:09 |
| 7. | "Your Love" (featuring Trey Songz) |
|
| 3:53 |
| 8. | "Shades" (featuring Justin Timberlake, Bilal, Lil Wayne, and James Fauntleroy) |
| D'Mile | 5:56 |
| 9. | "Angels" (featuring The Notorious B.I.G. and Rick Ross) |
|
| 5:11 |
| 10. | "Strobe Lights" (featuring Lil Wayne) |
|
| 3:33 |
| 11. | "Looking for Love" (featuring Usher) |
|
| 4:18 |
| 12. | "I Know" (featuring Chris Brown, Wiz Khalifa, and Sevyn of Richgirl) |
|
| 4:31 |
| 13. | "Loving You No More" (featuring Drake) |
|
| 4:05 |
| 14. | "Hello Good Morning" (featuring T.I.) |
| Danja | 4:27 |
| 15. | "Last Night (Part 2)" |
| Winans | 3:52 |
| 16. | "Yesterday" (featuring Chris Brown) |
| Winans | 4:31 |
| 17. | "Change" |
| 4:43 | |
| 18. | "Coming Home" (featuring Skylar Grey) |
| 3:59 | |
| Total length: | 73:07 | |||
Main vocals
Technicians and musicians
Weekly charts[edit]
| Year-end charts[edit]
|
| Region | Date | Version (Format) | Label | Catalog |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States[96][97] | December 14, 2010 | Standard (CD/digital download), Deluxe (CD +DVD/digital download) | Bad Boy Records | 001438102 |
| Canada[98][99] | Universal Music | |||
| Germany[100] | December 17, 2010 | Standard (CD/digital download)[101] | ||
| Australia | Standard (CD/digital download)[102] | |||
| France | December 20, 2010 | Standard and deluxe (CD/digital download)[103][104] | ||
| Japan | January 19, 2011 | Japan edition (CD/digital download)[80] | UICS1212 | |
| United Kingdom | January 24, 2011 | Standard (CD/digital download)[105] | Polydor Records | 2740307 |
| Brazil | February 8, 2011 | Standard (CD/digital download)[106] | Universal Music | |
| Spain | June 11, 2011 | Standard and deluxe (CD/digital download) | Interscope Records | DNA521A84 |
| Indonesia | Universal Music |
