Beauty Marks | ||||
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Studio album by | ||||
Released | May 10, 2019 | |||
Recorded | 2017–2019 | |||
Studio |
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Genre | ||||
Length | 40:03 | |||
Label | Beauty Marks | |||
Producer |
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Ciara chronology | ||||
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Singles from Beauty Marks | ||||
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Beauty Marks is the seventh studio album by American singer-songwriter Ciara. It was released on May 10, 2019, through her own independent label, Beauty Marks Entertainment with distribution from Alternative Distribution Alliance. It is her first album since Jackie (2015). The album was preceded by five singles "Level Up", "Freak Me", "Dose", "Greatest Love" and "Thinkin Bout You". [3]
After the release of her sixth studio album, Jackie (2015), Ciara decided to leave Epic Records in early 2016. Although the album spawned the Platinum-certified single, "I Bet", it failed to make much of a commercial impact, selling only around 160,000 copies worldwide within a three-month period. [4] The singer had planned to further promote the album with a second leg of the Jackie Tour in March 2016, after postponing the dates from November 2015; however, on February 27, 2016, Ciara announced that the remaining dates of the tour had been cancelled and that she'd instead focus on recording her seventh studio album, while expressing that the album would see her undertaking a new musical direction. [5] [6] The departure followed a period of creative tension between the artist and the label, particularly surrounding the release of her empowering single, Level Up . Despite Ciara's passion for the track and its potential to resonate with her fanbase, Epic Records hesitated to release it, prompting her to take control of her artistic vision.
I had to meet with the new CEO, and I had my game plan. I had this song called 'Level Up.' I had the video for this song as well. I had a whole vision for my project, and I sat down, and I talked to him, to the CEO at that time,” she says. “Like you know, once the meeting was over, and I knew he didn't want to go forward with my project, I was like, this is my chance and I'm going to ask back for my masters...I'm literally going to level up. [7]
The record label ended up returning them to Ciara for free. [8]
On January 27, 2017, it was announced that Ciara had signed a new recording contract with Warner Bros. Records. [9] [10] As a part of the deal, Ciara began working on her seventh studio album and shot a music video for its lead single, "Level Up", in 2017.
In 2017, Ciara launched her own record and entertainment company, Beauty Marks Entertainment (BME); the venture was launched for her to follow her own creative direction and release her music on her own terms, with the singer eventually hoping to sign additional artists. [11] BME's first endeavor was the release of the singles "Level Up", "Freak Me", and "Dose" in 2018, while Ciara officially announced its formation on February 7, 2019 at the MAKERS Conference. [11]
On March 28, 2019, Ciara announced that her seventh studio album would be titled Beauty Marks after her label and that it would be released on May 10, 2019. The album was made available for pre-order the following day, along with its fifth single, "Thinkin' Bout You". [12] In speaking on the album's development process, Ciara expressed that she now feels as she did at the start of her career, stating:
I was this young girl excited to be living my dreams and having the best time. I'm back to that phase again. [12]
Ciara revealed that she co-wrote the title track "Beauty Marks" with Skylar Grey. [13]
"Level Up" was released via digital download and through streaming platforms on July 18, 2018 as the album's lead single, alongside a high-octane music video. The single peaked at 59 on the US Billboard Hot 100 [14] and at 23 on the US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, [15] while its music video inspired the viral "level up dance challenge". Ciara also challenged fans to share three ways that they hoped to "level up" in life in promotion of the single. The song was certified Platinum by the RIAA. With the success of "Level Up", Ciara released the album's second single, "Freak Me", featuring Nigerian rapper, Tekno, less than a month later on August 10, 2018. The single peaked at 22 on the US R&B/Hip-Hop Digital Songs Chart. [16]
"Dose" was released as the album's third single on September 14, 2018, after premiering on ESPN’s Monday Night Football halftime show. The song's music video premiered on October 25, 2018 (Ciara's 33rd birthday). The single peaked at 7 on the US R&B Digital Songs Sales chart. [17] The album's fourth single, "Greatest Love", was released alongside its music video on February 11, 2019, to coincide with Valentine's Day. The single peaked at 21 on the US R&B Digital Songs Sales chart. [17]
"Thinkin Bout You" was released as the fifth single on March 29, 2019, along with the album's pre-order. Its music video premiered that same day. The single peaked at 20 on the US R&B/Hip-Hop Digital Songs Chart. [16]
Ciara released a music video for the album's title track on May 11, 2019 and one for the album's third track, "Set", on June 14, 2019. Despite not being released as a single, the title track peaked at 22 on the R&B Digital Songs Sales chart. [17]
Aggregate scores | |
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Source | Rating |
Metacritic | 57/100 [18] |
Review scores | |
Source | Rating |
AllMusic | [19] |
NME | [20] |
Pitchfork | 6.5/10 [21] |
Spectrum Culture | 3/5 [22] |
Spin | mixed [23] |
Time | positive [24] |
Beauty Marks received generally mixed reviews from music critics. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream critics, the album received an average score of 57, based on 4 reviews. [18] Andy Kellman, writing for AllMusic, noted that Ciara "retreads just about every move she has made before," and praised the ballads for the ballads for "easily prevail[ing] over the up-tempo numbers, not one of which is a match for the singer's previous dancefloor conquests." [19] In his Spin review, Alfred Soto called the album "mediocre", but remarked that "[it] manages to land in the middle of Ciara's discography when boldness is required." [23] Nick Levine rated the album with 3 out of 5 stars, claiming that "[t]hough ‘Beauty Marks’ is rarely innovative, Ciara shows a respectable amount of range throughout the record. [20] During his review for Pitchfork , Eric Torres perceived that "despite a handful of highlights, Beauty Marks is marred by filler, moving between frothy pop-R&B and stale empowerment anthems that leave Ciara's talents largely underused." [21] In a more positive note, Steven J. Horowitz praised the album's themes of happiness and contentment, claiming that they "suit her well, as does her newfound openness. This is the Ciara that we deserve, and that she deserves too." [24]
The album debuted at number 87 on the US Billboard 200 [25] and number 48 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. [26] As of May 2019, the album has sold over 135,000 equivalent album units globally. [27]
All songs were written by Ciara. Additional writers are noted below.
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
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1. | "I Love Myself" (featuring Macklemore) | 5:28 | ||
2. | "Level Up" |
| 3:24 | |
3. | "Set" |
| 2:56 | |
4. | "Thinkin Bout You" |
| 3:48 | |
5. | "Trust Myself" |
| 3:38 | |
6. | "Girl Gang" (featuring Kelly Rowland) |
|
| 3:19 |
7. | "Dose" |
| 3:42 | |
8. | "Na Na" |
| 3:08 | |
9. | "Freak Me" (featuring Tekno) |
| 3:20 | |
10. | "Greatest Love" |
| 3:43 | |
11. | "Beauty Marks" | 3:38 | ||
Total length: | 40:03 |
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|
12. | "Level Up (Remix)" (featuring Missy Elliott & Fatman Scoop) |
| Rotem | 3:49 |
Total length: | 43:52 |
Notes
Sample credits
Credits for Beauty Marks adapted from Allmusic. [30]
Recording locations
Mixing locations
Chart (2019) | Peak position |
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Australian Digital Albums (ARIA) [31] | 28 |
UK Album Downloads (OCC) [32] | 40 |
UK R&B Albums (OCC) [33] | 10 |
US Billboard 200 [25] | 87 |
US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard) [26] | 48 |
US Independent Albums (Billboard) [34] | 6 |
Region | Date | Edition | Format | Label | Ref. |
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Various | May 10, 2019 | Standard | Beauty Marks | [35] [36] | |
Japan | June 5, 2019 | Japanese | CD | Warner Music Japan | [37] |
National tour by Ciara | |
Location | U.S., North America |
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Associated album | Beauty Marks |
Start date | September 13, 2019 |
End date | October 4, 2019 |
Legs | 1 |
No. of shows | 7 in North America |
Ciara concert chronology |
The Beauty Marks Tour was the fifth concert tour by American singer Ciara. The tour supported her seventh studio album, Beauty Marks.
Ciara announced the tour on June 1, 2019, during a performance on Good Morning America . [38]
Reviewing the Houston date for the Houston Chronicle , Joey Guerra said that "every song was a renewed blast of energy" and that regardless of whether she was singing her first hits or her newest songs, "it's still an intoxicating sound". [39]
Date | City | Country | Venue |
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September 13, 2019 | Puyallup | United States | Washington State Fair |
September 17, 2019 | Los Angeles | The Wiltern | |
September 24, 2019 | Houston | House of Blues | |
September 26, 2019 | Atlanta | Center Stage Theater | |
September 29, 2019 | Silver Spring | The Fillmore | |
October 1, 2019 | New York City | Sony Hall | |
October 4, 2019 | Chicago | Park West |
Ciara Princess Wilson is an American singer and songwriter. She rose to prominence with her debut studio album, Goodies (2004) and its lead single of the same name, which peaked atop the Billboard Hot 100 and UK Singles Chart. Follow-up singles from the album included "1, 2 Step" and "Oh", both of which peaked at number two on the former chart. The album was certified quadruple platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and received two nominations at the 48th Annual Grammy Awards. Ciara also guest featured on the 2005 singles "Lose Control" by Missy Elliott and "Like You" by Bow Wow, both of which peaked at number three on the Billboard Hot 100.
"Goodies" is the debut single by American singer Ciara featuring rapper and Jive recording artist Petey Pablo for Ciara's debut studio album of the same name. The song was released as the album's lead single on June 8, 2004, through LaFace Records. It was written by Ciara, Sean Garrett, LeMarquis Jefferson, and Craig Love, and Lil Jon the song's producer. The song was recorded as an answer song to the featured performer's hit single, "Freek-a-Leek." The song's lead woman refuses men's sexual advances, proclaiming that they will not get her "goodies" because "they stay in the jar."
"1, 2 Step" is a song by American singer Ciara featuring American rapper Missy Elliott. Written alongside producer Jazze Pha, it was released on November 1, 2004, as the second single of the former's debut studio album, Goodies. It peaked within the top 10 of the charts in several countries worldwide, including Germany, New Zealand and the United Kingdom. In the United States, the song peaked at number two on the Billboard Hot 100 and stayed there for seven weeks. The song is heavily inspired by 1980s electro music production. Throughout the song, Ciara gives a description of how the song's beat feels as she exhorts party-goers to dance to the music. "1, 2 Step" was ranked 59th on Billboard's Top 100 Songs of the 2000s.
Goodies is the debut studio album by American singer Ciara. It was released on September 28, 2004, via Jazze Pha's Sho'nuff Records and LaFace Records. After writing songs for several established acts, Ciara's talents were noticed by Jazze Pha, and she began to work on what became Goodies. The album's conception came through the title track, produced by Lil Jon and created as a female crunk counterpart to other singles produced by Lil Jon such as Usher's "Yeah!" and Petey Pablo's "Freek-a-Leek". Ciara worked with additional writers and producers on the album, including Jazze Pha, Bangladesh, R. Kelly, Johntá Austin, Sean Garrett, and Keri Hilson, among others.
Ciara: The Evolution is the second studio album by American singer Ciara, released on December 5, 2006, by LaFace Records. The album is separated into five sections, with each showcasing a different side of Ciara's artistry. The first features crunk&B and uptempo records, which mainly deal with feminine independence, while its successor, entitled The Evolution of Music features ballads dealing with the positives and struggles of love. The Evolution of Dance features dance tracks, The Evolution of Fashion deals with self-expression, while the last, entitled The Evolution of C, features tracks that discuss how Ciara has evolved as a person since the start of her career.
American singer Ciara has released seven studio albums, one extended play, one DVD, one promotional single, 54 singles and 28 music videos, including seven as a featured artist. She made her debut in 2004 with her debut album Goodies which debuted at three in the US and charted within the top 40 in several international markets. The album's title track peaked at number-one in the United States for seven weeks and gave the singer the title of "The First Lady of Crunk&B", while singles "1, 2 Step" and "Oh" reached the top three in the US. All three singles reached the top 10 in many international markets, with "Goodies" topping charts in the UK. Goodies was certified triple-Platinum in the United States, Platinum in Canada, and sold over five million copies worldwide. Ciara also participated in a number of successful collaborations, including US top five hits "Lose Control" with Missy Elliott, and "Like You" with rapper Bow Wow, as well as the US top 10 "So What" with group Field Mob.
"Promise" is a song performed by American recording artist Ciara from her second studio album, Ciara: The Evolution (2006). It was written by Ciara, Jasper Cameron, Polow da Don and Elvis Williams and produced by Polow da Don and Nealante. The song was released as the album's official lead single on October 16, 2006, through LaFace Records. The song was selected as the first single as Ciara wanted to put out a single with a slower pace, noting that her previous releases had been up-tempo. According to Ciara, the song represents the album's theme of evolving and symbolizes her growth as a songwriter and artist.
Tiffany Evans is the self-titled debut album by R&B singer Tiffany Evans. It was released by Columbia Records on April 22, 2008, in the United States and on August 27, 2008, in Japan with two bonus tracks. The first single was "Promise Ring", which features Ciara and is Evans' most successful single to date. The second was "I'm Grown", which features Bow Wow. The album was executive produced by Ciara and The Clutch. Album peaked at number 134 on US Billboard 200.
Fantasy Ride is the third studio album by American singer Ciara, first released on May 3, 2009, by Jive Records, LaFace Records and Sony Music Entertainment. The album was recorded between 2007 and 2009. Ciara was executive producer on the album along with co-executive Mark Pitts and, Ciara worked with several record producers, including Blac Elvis, Benny Blanco, Blade, Jasper Cameron, The Clutch, Darkchild, Danja, Dr. Luke, Jason Nevins, Jim Beanz, Los da Maestro, Ne-Yo, Osinachi Nwaneri, Polow da Don, The-Dream, Tricky Stewart, Justin Timberlake, T-Pain. The album featured several guest vocalists, including Justin Timberlake, Ludacris, Chris Brown, Young Jeezy, The-Dream, Missy Elliott.
"Never Ever" is a song performed by R&B singer Ciara. It is the first single released from her third studio album, Fantasy Ride. The song features rapper Young Jeezy, was produced by Polow da Don, and was co-written by Ciara and Elvis "BlacElvis" Williams, who both produced and co-wrote Ciara's single, "Promise", from her second album, Ciara: The Evolution.
"Work" is a song recorded by American recording artist Ciara for her third studio album Fantasy Ride (2009). It was released by LaFace Records on July 24, 2009, as the album's third and final single. Rapper Missy Elliott provides featured vocals on the song. Ciara and Elliott wrote it in collaboration with its producers Nate "Danja" Hills and Marcella Araica. "Work" is a fast-paced electropop and dance song with elements of bounce music and hip hop. Ciara described it as an energetic club track, and considered it initially as the lead single of Fantasy Ride.
"Ride" is a song by American recording artist Ciara. The song features American rapper Ludacris. It was co-written by Ciara, Ludacris, Tricky Stewart, and The-Dream, and produced by the latter two. The song served as the lead single from her fourth studio album, Basic Instinct. The song was first released for digital download on April 23, 2010. "Ride" is a down-tempo R&B song, featuring a heavy bass line and seductive tone.
Basic Instinct is the fourth studio album by American singer Ciara. It was released on December 10, 2010, by LaFace Records and Jive Records. Executive-produced by A&R agent Mark Pitts, Ciara, Tricky Stewart and The-Dream, Basic Instinct returns Ciara to her urban roots with mid-tempo R&B cuts and bass-heavy pop and dance songs. Aside from production by Stewart and The-Dream, Ciara collaborated with production by Soundz, Infinity and T-Minus. Frequent collaborator and friend Ludacris makes a guest vocal appearance, as does labelmate and fellow Atlanta-native, Usher. After her previous album, Fantasy Ride, suffered numerous leaks and pushbacks, information about Basic Instinct was kept confidential until the first single was released and album was complete.
"Thinkin Bout You" is a song by American singer Frank Ocean, released as the lead single from his debut studio album Channel Orange (2012). The song was written by Ocean and Shea Taylor. Originally to be featured on Bridget Kelly's debut album, Ocean released his demo version of the track for free on his Tumblr account in 2011. In May 2012, the song was officially sent to radio and released on iTunes as a single by Ocean. Kelly released her version of the track entitled "Thinking About Forever" on her debut EP Every Girl released October 19, 2011.
Ciara is the fifth studio album by American singer Ciara, which was released on July 9, 2013. This album is the artist's first release under Epic Records, since publicly asking the now-defunct Jive Records to release her from her contractual obligations. The singer cited a lack of label support and financial funding for her previous albums Fantasy Ride (2009) and Basic Instinct (2010). On this fifth studio album, Ciara is reunited with her long-term mentor and friend L.A. Reid, chairman of Epic Records. Reid is credited with discovering Ciara in 2003 along with signing her to his LaFace Records label and executive-producing her debut studio album, Goodies (2004).
"Body Party" is a song recorded by American singer-songwriter Ciara for her self-titled fifth studio album, Ciara (2013). It was written by Ciara, Jasper Cameron, Nayvadius "Future" Wilburn, Michael Williams, Pierre Ramon Slaughter, Carlton Mahone, Rodney Terry, and was produced by Mike Will Made It. The song premiered on March 4, 2013, via Billboard.com and was released as a digital download on March 8, 2013, as the lead single of her fifth album. Epic Records serviced the single to Rhythmic contemporary radio in the United States on April 9, 2013. Musically, "Body Party" is a down-tempo R&B song that samples "My Boo" by Ghost Town DJ's.
"I Bet" is a song by American singer Ciara from her sixth studio album, Jackie (2015). Released as the lead single from the album by Epic Records on January 26, 2015, "I Bet" serves as Ciara's first single following the birth of her first child and widely publicized break-up with American rapper Future. The song was written by the singer, Harmony "H-Money" Samuels and Timothy and Theron Thomas of the production duo Rock City. It was produced by Samuels, and Chris "TEK" O'Ryan was responsible for its vocal production.
"Thinkin Bout You" is a song by American singer-songwriter Ciara, from her seventh studio album Beauty Marks (2019). The song was released on March 29, 2019, as the fifth single from the album. It was distributed to digital download and streaming formats by Beauty Marks Entertainment, Ciara's own record label. The song was written by Ciara, Ester Dean, Marc Sibley, Nathan Cunningham, and produced by Space Primates. The music video for the track was released alongside the single, and was directed by American director Hannah Lux Davis. She worked alongside British stylist Phoebe Lettice Thompson for the visual and it features Ciara dancing around a hotel suite as she gets ready for a date. To promote its release, Ciara has performed the song live at the 2019 Billboard Music Awards.
Sayin' What I'm Thinkin' is the third studio album by American country singer Lainey Wilson. It was released on February 19, 2021, by BBR Music Group. Produced by Jay Joyce, the album was Wilson's first album to be released on a major label and contained 12 tracks. The album was the third studio collection released in Wilson's music career and the first issued on a major record label. The disc has since spawned two singles: "Dirty Looks" (2019) and "Things a Man Oughta Know" (2020). The latter release became Wilson's breakout single, reaching chart positions on the country music surveys in North America. Sayin' What I'm Thinkin has since been met with favorable reviews from critics and writers.
"Jump" is a song by American singer Ciara, featuring American hip hop group Coast Contra. It was released on July 8, 2022, through Ciara's own label Beauty Marks Entertainment, in partnership with Uptown and Republic Records.