B4Now

Last updated

B4Now
B4Now Blxckie.jpg
Studio album by
Released21 May 2021 (2021-05-21)
Genre
Length35:36 (Standard)
58:00 (Deluxe)
Language
Label
  • M4 Entertainment
Producer
  • Christer (also exec)
  • Loud Haileer
  • Blxckie
  • Herc
  • Wxvambient
  • Geek Fam
  • 808 Sallie
  • Jeremiah Beyer
Blxckie chronology
Blxck Panda EP
(2020)
B4Now
(2021)
4LUV EP
(2022)
Singles from B4Now
  1. "Big Time Sh'lappa"
    Released: 13 November 2020
  2. "David"
    Released: 30 April 2021
  3. "Ye x4"
    Released: 14 May 2021

B4Now (pronounced Before Now) is the debut studio album by South African rapper Blxckie, released on 21 May 2021 through M4 Entertainment. It debuted at number one in South Africa. The album was certified Gold in South Africa. The album features guest appearances from South African rapper, Nasty C, FLVME and Lucasraps. Production is handled by Christer, Loud Haileer, Herc, Geek Fam, 808 Sallie and others.

Contents

The Deluxe version was released a few months later in August of 2021 and was loaded with features, including Nigerian Afrobeat artists Oxlade, Alone, Rowlene, Christer and more.

Background

In early May 2021, he announced released date his debut album B4Now. [1]

B4now is a mixture of stuff I was doing before I got into the ‘Big Time Sh’lappa’ era, and then some new songs also,” Blxckie said. “I’m also telling people a story about how things happened—me being in Durban for a while, and then coming to Jozi to work out a plan to do everything. It’s basically an introduction.” [2]

Commercial performance

The album debuted number one in South Africa. [3] B4Now deluxe edition was certified gold with sales of over 10,000 units. [4] [5]

Release and promotion

B4Now was released on 21 May 2021. [6] To further promote his album he embarked on B4Now Tour which included 10 dates. [7] [8]

Critical reception

Upon its release, it received positive reviews from music critics, Ubetoo wrote; "It's a highly relatable compilation that should have an eager audience out there". [9]

Track listing

B4now track listing
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Mama It's Bad"
  • Christer
  • Wxvambiant
2:55
2."Stripes" (featuring FLVME)
  • Sihle Sithole
  • Lesego Kyle Mnyandu
  • Isaiah Nkhalo Zuza
Herc2:45
3."David"
  • Sihle Sithole
  • Kagiso Wandile Mabunda
Wxvambiant3:52
4."Gas"
  • Sihle Sithole
  • Isaiah Nkhalo Zuza
Herc3:04
5."Hut"
  • Sihle Sithole
  • Jeremiah Beyer
Jeremiah Beyer2:12
6."Sika"
  • Sihle Sithole
  • Christer Mofenyi Kobedi
Christer2:55
7."Hold"
  • Sihle Sithole
  • Christer Mofenyi Kobedi
  • Vaughan Fourie
  • Christer
  • Loud Haileer
5:06
8."Big Time Sh'lappa" (featuring Lucasraps)
  • Sihle Sithole
  • Luke Malong
 3:21
9."Steppin'"
  • Sihle Sithole
808 Sallie1:47
10."Uppity"
  • Sihle Sithole
808 Sallie2:12
11."Ye x4" (featuring Nasty C)Geek Fam2:45
12."Tall"
  • Sihle Sithole
Blxckie 3:13
Total length:35:36
Deluxe edition
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
13."Mama It's Bad 2"
  • Christer
  • Wxvambiant
2:14
14."Godbody"
  • Sihle Sithole
 2:47
15."Joy" (featuring Oxlade)
  • Christer
3:38
16."Guns and Roses" (featuring Alone)
  • Sihle Sithole
  • Alone
  • Isaiah Nkhalo Zuza
  • Herc
1:48
17."Whoa" (featuring Rowlene)
  • Sihle Sithole
  • Rowlene Nicole Bosman
  • Christer Mofenyi Kobedi
  • Vaughan Fourie
  • Christer
  • Loud Haileer
2:59
18."Quick Maths" (featuring Leodaleo)
  • Sihle Sithole
 1:47
19."Blessed"
  • Sihle Sithole
  • Jeremiah Beyer
  • Jeremiah Beyer
2:25
20."Tired" (featuring Christer)
  • Sihle Sithole
  • Christer Kobedi
  • Vaughan Fourie
  • Fundile Dlamini
  • Tshupho Khutsoane
  • Christer
  • Loud Haileer
  • FD
  • Zadok
4:25
Total length:58:00

Awards

At the 2021 South African Hip Hop Awards, B4Now was nominated for Album of the Year and won Freshman of the Year. [10] In addition, B4Now won Best Hip Hop Album at the 28th South African Music Awards. [11]

YearNominee / workAwardResultRef.
2021B4NowFresheman of the YearWon [10]
Album of the YearNominated
2022Best Hip Hop AlbumWon [11]

Release history

CountryDateEdition(s)Label
South AfricaMay 21, 2021Standard [12]
M4 Entertainment
August 13, 2021Deluxe [13]

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References

  1. "Blxckie Drops New Single And Announces Debut Album B4now – Le'Afrinique". Le'Afrinique. 3 May 2021. Retrieved 27 May 2022.
  2. "B4NOW by Blxckie". Apple Music. 21 May 2021.
  3. Sibiya, Sizwe (19 November 2021). "What's left to say? Blxckie is a Goat | ScrollaAfrica". ScrollaAfrica. Retrieved 28 May 2022.
  4. Tangible (21 May 2022). "Blxckie celebrates a total of 10 plaques which he achieved within a year, premiers new music and announces a collab with Sportscene/Redbat | SlikourOnLife" . Retrieved 27 May 2022.
  5. Jabulani, John (22 February 2022). "Blxckie Receives Plaque For B4Now Album". Ubetoo. Retrieved 28 May 2022.
  6. ""Blxckie Drops #B4NOW Debut Album [Listen] | Hype Magazine". Hype Magazine. 21 May 2022. Retrieved 28 May 2022.
  7. Rasephei, Sekese (25 December 2021). "Blxckie To Kickstart His Countrywide B4Now Tour This Friday - The Plug". The Plug. Retrieved 28 May 2022.
  8. "Blxckie to celebrate debut album with countrywide tour | Rising Sun Overport". Rising Sun Overport. 6 December 2021. Retrieved 28 May 2022.
  9. Israel A, John (21 May 2021). "Blxckie "B4Now" Album Review" . Retrieved 27 May 2022.
  10. 1 2 "SA Hip Hop Awards 2021: All The Winners". nydjlive.com. Retrieved 27 May 2022.
  11. 1 2 "Ful list of 2022 SAMA nominees | Hype Magazine". Hype Magazine. Retrieved 7 June 2022.
  12. "B4Now by Blxckie - Apple Music". Apple Music. 21 May 2021. Retrieved 27 May 2022.
  13. "B4Now (Deluxe) - by Blxckie - Apple Music". Apple Music. 13 August 2022. Retrieved 27 May 2022.