PCD is the debut studio album by American girl group The Pussycat Dolls, released on September 12, 2005, by A&M Records. In 1993, the Pussycat Dolls was created as a burlesque troupe by choreographer Robin Antin. After attracting media attention, Antin struck a joint venture with Interscope Records to develop the Pussycat Dolls into a brand, with Jimmy Iovine assigning the project to Ron Fair. As one of the executive producers Fair produced the majority of the album and collaborated with producers like Kwamé, Polow da Don and Rich Harrison. The album is primarily a dance-pop and R&B record. Lyrically the album incorporates sexual innuendo and explores the themes of feminism and romance. It features guest vocals from rappers Busta Rhymes, Timbaland and will.i.am.
PCD received mixed to positive reviews from contemporary music critics who complimented the album's dance-pop songs but criticized the album's ballads and covers while being ambivalent towards the group's image. The record debuted at number five on the US Billboard 200 and went on to sell nearly three million copies. PCD was later certified double platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) after moving two million units. The album charted strongly on record charts in international territories reaching the top-ten in Australia, Germany, and the United Kingdom, and reached the peak position in New Zealand.
Six singles were released from PCD. "Don't Cha" was released as the lead single from PCD in April 2005, and peaked at number two on the US Billboard Hot 100 and remains their most successful single to date becoming one of the best-selling singles of all time. Follow-up singles "Stickwitu", "Beep" and "Buttons" also performed well on charts internationally with all four of them reaching atop the New Zealand Singles Chart. Other singles include "I Don't Need a Man" and "Wait a Minute", which gained notable success in numerous countries.
