Peaceful Journey is the third album by American rap group Heavy D & the Boyz. It was released on July 2, 1991, for Uptown Records and was produced by Pete Rock, DJ Eddie F, Teddy Riley, Marley Marl and Howie Tee. This marked the group's first album since the death of member Trouble T Roy, who died almost a year before the album's release, and several songs on the album pay tribute to him. Though not as successful as the group's previous album, Big Tyme, the album was able to reach Platinum status and made it to number 21 on the Billboard 200 and number 5 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. The following singles also charted: "Now That We Found Love" (UK #2, US #11), "Is It Good to You", "Don't Curse" and "Peaceful Journey", which sampled the bass line from "This Place Hotel" by the Jacksons. Guests on the album include Aaron Hall, Big Daddy Kane, Grand Puba, Kool G. Rap, Q-Tip, Pete Rock & CL Smooth, Daddy Freddy and K-Ci & JoJo.

Critical reception

James Muretich from Calgary Herald wrote, "Heavy D. lays down uplifting messages without getting wimpy, is sexual without becoming moronically macho. Combine that with hook-laden songs sampling from the likes of Booker T. & the M.G.'s and The Persuaders, as well as some riffs by The Boyz, and you`ve got rap with soul - in every sense of the word." James Bernard from Entertainment Weekly commented, "His music in Peaceful Journey, softened by hummable bass lines, swings rather than stomps, and the ”Hevster” has nimble lyrics to match — a combination that should earn songs like ”Now That We Found Love”, a fast-paced hip-house jam, loads of club and airplay. There are too few surprises here, however, in part because Heavy D. sometimes leans too much on sampled tracks, as on the title cut, an ode to friendship that is far too friendly with the Jacksons’ ”This Place Hotel”."

Track listing

Personnel

Samples

Charts

Weekly charts

Year-end charts

Certifications