It's Real is the second studio album by American R&B duo and brothers K-Ci & JoJo, released on June 22, 1999, on MCA Records. Recording sessions took place from 1998 to 1999. The album peaked within the top 10 on the US Billboard 200 as well as Billboard's Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums. On July 26, 1999, the album was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for shipments of 1,000,000 copies in the United States. It also appeared on international charts, and was certified gold by Music Canada. Upon release, It's Real received average reviews. The album would spawn four singles including the number-two hit single "Tell Me It's Real".
The tenth track, "Girl", the duo is expressing sorrow to a woman who is not dedicated to holding on to their hearts, with the duo singing, "Girl, if you really do love me, just let me go, let me be so I can find someone to love me."[1]
It's Real was released on MCA Records on June 22, 1999, and was available on a CD, cassette, and an LP.[2] Two bonus versions were released: one featuring "All My Life"[3] and a Japanese edition featuring "All My Life" and "Impossible".[4]
Four songs on It's Real became singles. "Life", released in 1999, was the first. It peaked at number 60 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number 15 on Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs.[5] The following single, "Tell Me It's Real", was the most successful from the album. It peaked at number two on the Hot 100 and Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs.[5] As the only single to chart internationally, the song peaked at number four on the New Zealand Singles Chart,[6] number 13 on the Dutch Singles Chart,[7] and number 16 on the UK Singles Chart.[8] The third single released was "Fee Fie Foe Fum" (1999). It did not crack the Hot 100; however, it peaked at number one on the Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles, a chart that acts as a 25-song extension to the Hot 100.[9] The final single released was "Girl" on January 30, 2000. It peaked at number 30 on the US Rhythmic Top 40.[5]
It's Real debuted at number 8 on the US Billboard 200,[10] which would be its peak.[11] It also peaked at number 2 on Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums.[11] On July 26, 1999, the album was certified platinum by the RIAA, for shipments of 1,000,000 copies.[12] The album charted internationally, as well. It peaked at number 26 in Canada,[11] and on August 23, 1999, it was certified gold by Music Canada, for shipments of 50,000 copies.[13] It also peaked at number 14 in Australia[14] and the Netherlands,[15] number 34 in New Zealand,[16] and number 56 in the United Kingdom.[8]
Upon its release, It's Real received average reviews from music critics. Stephen Thomas Erlewine, senior writer at Allmusic, gave the album three out of five stars, saying "it simply replicates [Love Always]".[17] She gives "Makin' Me Say Goodbye", "I Wanna Get to Know You", "How Long Must I Cry", and "Hello Darlin'" very high praise and says the CD is worth just for those songs.[17]
