Adina Howard - Welcome to Fantasy Island: Special Edition [Unreleased, 1997]

An unofficial special edition to ‘90s R&B songstress Adina Howard’s unreleased sophomore album “Welcome to Fantasy Island” (1997).

The album spawned two singles ahead of its scheduled summer ’97 release date. The first being “(Freak) And U Know It”, featuring production by DJ Quik and a racy music video which had a mild run on BET during its prime. The other being the sensually laced number “T-Shirt and P**ties”, featuring guest vocals by Oscar winning actor Jamie Foxx, which additionally landed a feature in the Jada Pinkett-led comedy flick “Woo” – and was later granted an official remix helming vocal support from then-unknown hip-hop rhymers Cam’ron and Charli Baltimore.

Although the single “Freak” was managing to chart on both Billboard Hot 100 and Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs at decent rankings, its run was severed due in part by drama stirring among Adina, Brandy and Elektra Records CEO Sylvia Rhone. Just before the scheduled release of “Fantasy Island”, Adina took to a New York radio show to address the three-party feud and reportedly had “choice words” for both Rhone and Brandy which later got back to Rhone’s office resulting in “Fantasy” to be shelved.

Plans to put out two other singles (“69”, “Crank Me Up”, featuring Missy Elliott) were also scrapped, however “Crank” would end up being recycled per Adina’s officially released second album “The Second Coming” (2004).

In 2021, the masters of “Welcome to Fantasy Island” were bought by Rhino Records; and after 24 long years in the vault, the album would finally see the light of day via digital retailers worldwide.

Track-listing is as follows:

1.) Welcome To My Queendom (Intro)

2.) (Freak) And U Know It

3.) Personal Freak (feat. Bizzy Bone of Bone Thugs-N-Harmony)

4.) All About U

5.) Crank Me Up (feat. Missy Elliott)

6.) Sexual Needs (Cum Inside)

7.) Could've Got Away

8.) Another Level (Interlude)

9.) T-Shirt & Panties (Remix) ft. Charli Baltimore, Cam’ron

10.) I’ll Be Damned If I Apologize (feat. K-Ci of K-Ci & JoJo)

11.) Don't Cum Too Fast

12.) Take Me Home

13.) Lay Him Down

14.) Ain't No Need

15.) Satisfied (Outro)

16.) Swerve On (feat. Menajahtwa)

17.) (Freak) And U Know It (Vybe Remix)

18.) T-Shirt & Panties (feat. Jamie Foxx)