Double or Nothing | ||||
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Studio album by Big Sean and Metro Boomin | ||||
Released | December 8, 2017 | |||
Recorded | 2017 | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 41:28 | |||
Label | ||||
Producer |
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Big Sean chronology | ||||
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Metro Boomin chronology | ||||
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Singles from Double or Nothing | ||||
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Double or Nothing is a collaborative studio album by American rapper Big Sean and American record producer Metro Boomin. The album was released on December 8,2017,by GOOD Music,Def Jam Recordings,Republic Records,Universal Music Group and Boominati Worldwide. [2] It features guest appearances from Travis Scott,2 Chainz,21 Savage,Kash Doll,Young Thug,and Swae Lee. The album's production was handled primarily by Metro Boomin,alongside Earlly Mac,Pi'erre Bourne and Southside.
The album was supported by two singles:"Pull Up N Wreck" featuring 21 Savage and "So Good" featuring Kash Doll.
The album received a somewhat mixed reception from critics,with some praising the chemistry between Big Sean and Metro Boomin,while others felt the project lacked cohesion. The album debuted at No. 5 on the Billboard 200,which was solid,but it didn’t achieve the kind of commercial success that some of their previous solo efforts had.
In an interview with Billboard published on December 1,2017,Big Sean announced the collaborative album. [3] [4] The two previously worked on Sean's previous studio album, I Decided (2017),on the single "Bounce Back" and album tracks "Sacrifices" and "Voices in My Head / Stick to the Plan". The album art and release date was announced on December 6,2017, [5] [6] while the track listing was announced via social media the following day,the day before release. [7]
The intro song,"Go Legend" featuring Travis Scott,was previewed by Sean at Lollapalooza 2017 in Chicago. The song originally was thought to have Offset as an additional feature but did not make the studio version of the song.
Songs from the album were previewed by American athlete LeBron James via Instagram the day before release. [8]
The lead single,"Pull Up N Wreck" featuring 21 Savage,was released on November 3,2017,for streaming and digital download. [9] "So Good" featuring Kash Doll was sent to rhythmic radio on February 13,2018,as the album's second single. [1]
Aggregate scores | |
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Source | Rating |
Metacritic | 54/100 [10] |
Review scores | |
Source | Rating |
AllMusic | [11] |
HipHopDX | 2.6/5 [12] |
HotNewHipHop | 74% [13] |
Pitchfork | 5.4/10 [14] |
Sputnikmusic | 2.7/5 [15] |
The 405 | 5.5/10 [16] |
Double or Nothing received mixed reviews from critics upon release,with a general criticism of the collaborative pairing. At Metacritic,which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream publications,the album received an average score of 54,based on 4 reviews. [10] Claire Lobenfeld of Pitchfork criticised the album's lyricism,stating that "Though fun and at times politically salient,even Metro Boomin cannot rescue Big Sean from his habit of writing the absolute corniest lyrics imaginable." [14] Chase McMullen of The 405 commented that "There's no denying Big Sean has had more staying power in hip hop than some might have expected,but for Metro Boomin,who's largely been wise in choosing fresh faces on equal creative footing for his full length projects,Double or Nothing is a dull misstep." [16] In another mixed review,Trent Clark of HipHopDX concluded:"While the essential purpose of the album is never specified,Sean spends a ridiculous amount of time skeeting on tracks with no filter on the filler." [12]
Online music publication Sputnikmusic stated Double or Nothing is "ostensibly 10 bangers processed through Metro’s lean,gothic synths and Sean’s plain-spoken statements of wealth and general overconfidence. It’s boring stuff." [15]
Joshua Robinson from hnhh stated than the album "demonstrated the next step in Big Sean’s growth“and singled songs like “Who’s Stopping Me“and the off-kilter “Even The Odds“and concludes with the statement:“Love it or hate it,Double or Nothing had plenty of highlights.“ [17]
Big Sean himself acknowledged the mixed reception,noting that he appreciated the positive feedback from his loyal fanbase,which felt connected to the album's vibe. He also expressed that Double or Nothing was an important experiment for him,one that showed his willingness to take risks and explore new creative avenues. [18] [19]
In two recent interviews,Metro Boomin reflects on the reception of Double or Nothing and shares his thoughts on the criticism it received. In a GQ interview,Metro admits that he was affected by the negative reaction to the album:"I still do like the album," but emphasizes that the online hate directed at Big Sean played a significant role in the album's reception. He defends his friend,saying,"A lot of those songs or a lot of the shit that he said,if another huge rapper or rappers similar to him said it,they would just let it slide." Metro believes Big Sean was unfairly judged compared to other more established artists. In the ProducerGrind podcast,Metro expands on this idea,explaining that the album was sonically different from what fans expected based on his work with Future. "I feel like they just wanted that. They wanted like me to give Big Sean just a whole bunch of street beats," but the result wasn’t what people anticipated:"It wasn’t what niggas thought it was going to be. So I feel like they were just like ‘Wtf??’"
Despite the backlash,Metro remains proud of the project:"That album still hard as fuck to me. I know it’s hard." He believes that the album would be better received today:"I feel like if we held that album and dropped it right now,niggas be like,‘ooh! That shit is hard asf.’" He firmly defends the work,stating that there were "a lot of hard solid songs" and a cohesive concept behind the album. [20] [21]
Double or Nothing debuted at number six on the US Billboard 200 and number two on the US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart,with 50,000 album-equivalent units,of which 10,000 were pure album sales in its first week of release. [22]
Credits adapted from Tidal. [23]
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
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1. | "Go Legend" (featuring Travis Scott) | Metro Boomin | 4:28 | |
2. | "Big Bidness" (featuring 2 Chainz) |
| Metro Boomin | 4:33 |
3. | "Who's Stopping Me" |
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| 3:33 |
4. | "Pull Up N Wreck" (featuring 21 Savage) |
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| 3:47 |
5. | "So Good" (featuring Kash Doll) |
| Metro Boomin | 4:28 |
6. | "Savage Time" |
| Metro Boomin | 5:35 |
7. | "Even the Odds" (featuring Young Thug) |
| Metro Boomin | 3:46 |
8. | "In Tune" |
| Metro Boomin | 4:15 |
9. | "Reason" (featuring Swae Lee) |
|
| 3:18 |
10. | "No Hearts, No Love" |
| Metro Boomin | 3:45 |
Total length: | 41:28 |
Notes
Sample credits
Credits adapted from Tidal. [23]
Performers
Musicians
Technical
| Additional personnel
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Weekly charts
| Year-end charts
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Leland Tyler Wayne, known professionally as Metro Boomin, is an American record producer and music executive. Known for his dark production style, he is regarded as one of the most influential producers in modern hip-hop and trap music. His frequent collaborators include Big Sean, Future, Young Thug, The Weeknd, Travis Scott, Don Toliver, 21 Savage, Gucci Mane, Gunna, and Nav.
Savage Mode is a collaborative extended play by British-American rapper 21 Savage and American record producer Metro Boomin. It was released on July 15, 2016. It features a sole guest appearance by American rapper Future. The EP was self-released. The EP received acclaim from critics, with Rolling Stone including it in its list of the 40 Best Rap Albums of 2016. A sequel album, Savage Mode II, was released on October 2, 2020 to further acclaim.
"X" is a song written and performed by British-American rapper 21 Savage and American record producer Metro Boomin featuring fellow Atlanta-based rapper Future. Produced by its lead performers, it was released on July 14, 2016 as the lead single from their collaborative extended play, Savage Mode (2016). The song was certified double platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).
I Decided is the fourth studio album by American rapper Big Sean. It was released on February 3, 2017, through GOOD Music and distributed by Def Jam Recordings. The album features guest appearances from Jeremih, Eminem, Jhené Aiko, The-Dream, Migos, and Starrah. The production on the album was handled by Sean's frequent collaborator Key Wane, alongside a variety of record producers such as Amaire Johnson, Metro Boomin, WondaGurl, Fuse, Tre Pounds, DJ Mustard, DJ Dahi, Detail, and The Track Burnaz, among others.
"Sacrifices" is a song by American rapper Big Sean from his fourth studio album I Decided (2017). It features American hip hop group Migos and was produced by Metro Boomin, with co-production from Allen Ritter.
Perfect Timing is a collaborative mixtape by Canadian rapper and record producer Nav and American record producer Metro Boomin. It was released on July 21, 2017, by Boominati Worldwide, XO, and Republic Records. The mixtape contains production from Metro Boomin, Nav, Pi'erre Bourne, and Southside among others, and features guest appearances from Lil Uzi Vert, Playboi Carti, Offset, 21 Savage, Nav's fellow labelmate Belly, and Gucci Mane. It was supported by two singles: "Perfect Timing (Intro)" and "Call Me". In 2023, Nav and Metro announced a sequel to the album simply called “Perfect Timing 2“
Not All Heroes Wear Capes is the debut studio album by American record producer Metro Boomin. It was released by Boominati Worldwide and Republic Records on November 2, 2018. The album features guest appearances from Gucci Mane, Travis Scott, 21 Savage, Swae Lee, Gunna, Young Thug, Wizkid, J. Balvin, Offset, Kodak Black, and Drake. The deluxe edition of the album was released, consisting of the instrumental versions of all songs from the standard edition on November 6, 2018. The album is the first part of a trilogy, with the second part being its sequel, Metro's second studio album, Heroes & Villains, which was released on December 2, 2022.
Issa Album is the debut studio album by British-American rapper 21 Savage. It was released on July 7, 2017, through Slaughter Gang Entertainment and distributed by Epic Records. The album features production from frequent collaborator Metro Boomin, alongside Southside, Pi'erre Bourne, Zaytoven, Wheezy, DJ Mustard and 21 Savage himself. It succeeds 21 Savage's collaborative EP with Metro Boomin, Savage Mode (2016).
The Bigger Artist is the debut studio album by American rapper A Boogie wit da Hoodie. It was released on September 29, 2017, by Highbridge and Atlantic Records, serving as the second commercial release with Atlantic. The album features guest appearances from Chris Brown, Trey Songz, Kodak Black, 21 Savage, PnB Rock, YoungBoy Never Broke Again, Robin Thicke and Don Q. Meanwhile, production comes from Metro Boomin, DJ Mustard, Murda Beatz, and Cardo, among others.
Without Warning is a collaborative studio album by British-American rapper 21 Savage, American rapper Offset, and American record producer Metro Boomin. The album was released on October 31, 2017, by Slaughter Gang, Epic Records, Capitol Records, Motown, Quality Control Music, Boominati Worldwide, and Republic Records. It features guest appearances from Travis Scott and Quavo. Meanwhile, the album's production was handled primarily by Metro Boomin, alongside Bijan Amir, Cubeatz, Dre Moon, and Southside. Without Warning peaked at number four on the US Billboard 200, and received generally positive reviews from critics.
"Pull Up N Wreck" is a song by American rapper Big Sean and American record producer Metro Boomin. It was released on November 3, 2017 as the lead single from their collaborative studio album Double or Nothing (2017). The song features British-American rapper 21 Savage and was produced by Metro Boomin and Southside.
"Ric Flair Drip" is a song by American rapper Offset and American record producer Metro Boomin. It was included on their collaborative studio album with 21 Savage, Without Warning (2017). Upon the album's release, it charted at number 71 on the Billboard Hot 100. After its release as the lead single, on March 1, 2018, and a subsequent music video starring Ric Flair himself, it rose to number 13, becoming both Metro Boomin and Offset's highest-charting song as lead artists at the time, until the release of Metro's "Like That", which would peak at number 1. It is prominently featured in the WWE 2K19 soundtrack, particularly in the "Ric Flair Collector's Edition" version of the game. The song has amassed over 1.2 billion streams on Spotify, making it the 271st most played song ever on the streaming service. It is also the second most streamed song of all time on Spotify's influential RapCaviar playlist. The song has been credited for popularizing the term "drip", a slang expression denoting one's fashionability and excess swagger.
The discography of American record producer Metro Boomin consists of two studio albums, five collaborative albums, one soundtrack album, two mixtapes, one extended play, and 21 singles.
Savage Mode II is a collaborative studio album by British-American rapper 21 Savage and American record producer Metro Boomin. It was released on October 2, 2020, and was previewed through a trailer with narration by Morgan Freeman. The album serves as a sequel to the duo's extended play Savage Mode (2016). It features guest appearances by Drake, Young Thug, and Savage's cousin Young Nudy. On October 19, 2020, a chopped and screwed version of the album was released by OG Ron C and Slim K.
"Glock in My Lap" is a song by Atlanta-based rapper 21 Savage and American record producer Metro Boomin, from their collaborative studio album Savage Mode II (2020). The song was produced by Metro Boomin, Southside and Honorable C.N.O.T.E.
"Runnin" is a song by British-American rapper 21 Savage and American record producer Metro Boomin. It was released on October 2, 2020, as the opening track from their collaborative album Savage Mode II. The "haunting" song samples Diana Ross' 1976 song "I Thought It Took a Little Time", with 21 Savage delivering lethal threats to his enemies in a casual fashion. The official video sees 21 take a victory lap through the streets of his hometown, celebrating his Grammy award for "A Lot". It was serviced to US rhythmic radio on October 13, 2020, together with "Mr. Right Now" as the dual lead singles from the album. Debuting and peaking at number nine on the Billboard Hot 100, it was both artists' highest-charting song as lead artists, until the releases of "My Life", "Creepin'", "Type Shit", and "Like That".
"Knife Talk" is a song by Canadian rapper Drake featuring American rappers 21 Savage and Project Pat. It was released on November 16, 2021, as the third single from Drake's sixth studio album Certified Lover Boy. The song was produced by Metro Boomin and Peter Lee Johnson.
"So Good" is a song by American rapper Big Sean and American record producer Metro Boomin from their collaborative studio album Double or Nothing (2017). The song features American rapper Kash Doll. It was sent to rhythmic contemporary radio on February 13, 2018, as the second single from the album.
Heroes & Villains is the second studio album by American record producer Metro Boomin. It was released through Republic Records and Boominati on December 2, 2022. The album contains guest appearances from John Legend, Future, Chris Brown, Don Toliver, Travis Scott, 21 Savage, Young Nudy, Young Thug, the Weeknd, Mustafa, ASAP Rocky, the late Takeoff, and Gunna. Production was mainly handled by Metro himself, alongside TM88, DJ Moon, Peter Lee Johnson, Johan Lenox, Allen Ritter, David x Eli, Honorable C.N.O.T.E., Scriptplugg, Prince85, Oz, Nik D, D. Rich, DaHeala, My Best Friend Jacob, Elkan, Simon on the Moon, and Xz.
"Go Legend" is a song by American rapper Big Sean and American record producer Metro Boomin from their collaborative studio album Double or Nothing (2017). It features American rapper Travis Scott and contains samples from "Theme from Mahogany " by Diana Ross.