All or Nothing (2009)

All or Nothing is the third studio album by British R&B singer Jay Sean, released in the United States on 23 November 2009 through Cash Money Records and Universal Republic as the singer's international debut album and a week later on 30 November 2009 with Jayded Records and 2Point9 Records. The album was also released in international markets from December 2009.

The album was preceded by the lead single, "Down" featuring label-mate Lil Wayne which was released in the US on 30 June 2009 and eventually peaked at number one on 17 October 2009. The song was also Sean's highest UK chart entry reaching number three. Following the album's release, "Do You Remember" was released as the second single and in January 2010 peaked at number ten in the US and subsequently making him the first male artist in seven years to have his first two charting singles appear in the Hot 100 simultaneously.

According to aggregated music reviews site Metacritic, the album received mixed reviews by critics who scored the album 59/100. Despite success with the two lead singles from the album, the album itself only debuted at No. 37 on the US Billboard 200 albums chart. It was also his lowest-charting entry on the UK Albums Chart, debuting there at No. 62. Despite this, it has become his highest-charting album in Japan, reaching No. 11 on the Oricon Albums Chart.

Background and conception

Jay Sean has been active in the British Asian and Global South Asian markets since 2003, and put out his second studio album, My Own Way in 2008 throughout Europe and Asia independently via his own Jayded Records. Success with R&B/urban singles like "Ride It" and "Maybe" made him a frequent appearance on the UK R&B Chart. Eventually, that success caught the attention of Ronald "Slim" Williams, the CEO of Cash Money Records, who said Ten million views and this kid is not in America? I want to help this kid, and he needs our engine, that is Cash Money Records to take him to the next level.

On 15 October 2008 at the MOBO Awards, Sean announced that he had signed with the American record label. He explained, "It's always been a dream for me to sign to an American label. And it's great to be accepted by the best in the game."

With regards to the album title, in February 2010, Sean was intervied by writer Pete Lewis of the award-winning Blues & Soul. Sean commented that, "I don't do things by halves, because there's no point! So I don't want mediocrity. I wanna be the best that I can be. I want it all. And that's what the title and theme of this album is all about!"

Recording and production

After signing with Cash Money, Sean announced through an interview with MTV IGGY that he was recording five new songs for the album. Initial reports suggested that a remix was produced for his single "Tonight" with Lil Wayne, as the record label intended to use the song to introduce Sean to the American market. However, it proved to be an unfounded rumour and instead "Down" was announced as the lead single from the album.

The album was originally intended to be released during the Summer of 2009, then an October release date was confirmed however the final release date, 23 November 2009 was confirmed. Later announcement confirmed that a whole new set of songs was recorded, where some would feature other artists from the Cash Money Records roster.

He discussed a possible collaboration with Akon during the Grammy Awards in 2009, and recorded a song with Nadine Coyle of Girls Aloud and another with Keisha Buchanan of the Sugababes. On 28 October 2009, Sean posted a Twitter message referring to a collaboration with a legendary UK artist. Later he confirmed the artist to be Craig David who would feature on a previous album song.

He was also in the studio with Jive Records recording artist Livvi Franc and Jared Cotter writing new songs, and label mate, Kevin Rudolf. The song with Kevin Rudolf was later confirmed to be "I Made It (Cash Money Heroes)" and released as the first single from Rudolf's second album; and the theme song for the upcoming WWE pay-per-view WrestleMania XXVI. Prior to the release of the album, "Down" was confirmed to feature Lil Wayne with the rest of the track listing uncertain. Sean described "Down" as "a fun, very easy track something to pump in your car or be played in the clubs". Another song, "War" is about "battling with anybody, whether it's your girl, family or another country never solved anything, the song is about real life". Sean also confirmed the appearance of Drake on "If I Ain't Got You". Unfortunately, Drake was unable to commit and the second single-release was replaced by "Do You Remember".