Ella Mai (album)

Last updated

Ella Mai
EllaMaiSelfTitled.png
Studio album by
Ella Mai
Released12 October 2018 (2018-10-12)
Recorded2017–2018
Genre R&B [1]
Length52:06
Label
Producer
Ella Mai chronology
Ready
(2017)		Ella Mai
(2018)		 Heart on My Sleeve
(2022)
Singles from Ella Mai
  1. "Boo'd Up"
    Released: 20 February 2018
  2. "Trip"
    Released: 3 August 2018
  3. "Shot Clock"
    Released: 29 January 2019

Ella Mai is the debut studio album by English singer and songwriter Ella Mai, released on 12 October 2018 through 10 Summers and Interscope Records. [2] It includes the singles "Boo'd Up" and "Trip". [2] It is executive-produced by DJ Mustard, and features guest appearances from Chris Brown, John Legend, and H.E.R. [2]

Contents

"Boo'd Up" was originally included on Mai's 2017 EP Ready and reached number five on the US Billboard Hot 100 in July 2018. [3] The follow-up single, "Trip", released in August 2018, has reached number 11. [3] After her own headline tour of the United States, Mai appeared as a supporting act on dates of Bruno Mars' 24K Magic World Tour from 4 October leading up to the release of the album. [4] The album debuted in the top 20 in the UK and at number five on the US Billboard 200. The album was nominated for Best R&B Album at the 62nd Annual Grammy Awards.

Background

In August 2018, DJ Mustard explained to Billboard that upon signing Mai, there was a plan to make three EPs and see if any of the songs caught enough public attention to make an album. [5] Following the success of "Boo'd Up", DJ Mustard said: "So the plan worked. What people don't understand, this is like my little sister. This project coming is like my baby. I'm pressing for it more than my own shit. It's all about her right now." [5]

Music

The album has been called a "throwback R&B record", [1] with influences from trap and rap. [6] [7] Interviewed by Keryce Chelsi Henry of Forbes , Ella Mai talked about the creative process and musical arrangements for the album: [7]

"Mustard and I really wanted to make sure that the album was cohesive with the EPs, sound-wise, but also elevated; [...] I worked with a few other producers on the album to add more variety, but as executive producer, Mustard really worked hard with me to expand our sound and create something that we love and are extremely proud of. [...] During the recording process I really had to dig deep, challenge and push myself to the limits. I hope that listening to Ella Mai makes you feel the exact same way I felt when I was recording it."

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
Metacritic 73/100 [8]
Review scores
SourceRating
Exclaim! 7/10 [9]
The Guardian Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [6]
The Observer Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [10]
Rolling Stone Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [11]
Pitchfork 6.6/10 [12]
NME Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [13]

Commercial performance

Ella Mai debuted at number 18 on the UK Albums Chart, becoming her first entry on that chart. [14] It was certified gold by the BPI in August 2022. [15]

In the United States, the album debuted at number 5 on the US Billboard 200, earning 69,000 album-equivalent units (including 17,000 were pure album sales) in its first week. This became Mai's highest entry on the chart. [16] Less than two weeks later, the album was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for combined sales and album-equivalent units of over 500,000 units in the United States. [17] In March 2019, the album was then certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for combined sales and album-equivalent units of over 1,000,000 units in the United States. As of October 2021, the album would go on to reach double platinum status for combined sales and album-equivalent units of over 2,000,000 units in the United States. [18]

Track listing

Adapted from Tidal, Mai's Twitter, DJ Mustard's Instagram, ASCAP, and BMI. [19] [20]

No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Emotion"Myles Jason Howell 0:12
2."Good Bad"
Rogues3:49
3."Dangerous"
Cox4:39
4."Sauce"
3:04
5."Whatchamacallit" (featuring Chris Brown)
  • DJ Mustard
  • Holt [a]
3:00
6."Cheapshot"
H*Money4:01
7."Shot Clock"
DJ Mustard3:21
8."Boo'd Up"
  • DJ Mustard
  • Rance [a]
3:59
9."Everything" (featuring John Legend)
  • McFarlane
  • Gulledge
  • Mai
  • Jeff Shum
  • Dayyon Alexander
  • Rush Hr.
  • DJ Mustard [a]
  • Gulledge [b]
3:01
10."Own It"
4:11
11."Run My Mouth"
DJ Mustard2:35
12."Gut Feeling" (featuring H.E.R.)
  • DJ Mustard
  • Gulledge [b]
3:56
13."Trip"
  • McFarlane
  • Mai
  • Wade
  • Gulledge
  • DJ Mustard
  • Gulledge
  • [b]
3:34
14."Close"
  • Mai
  • Wade
  • McFarlane
  • Bulledge
  • DJ Mustard
  • Gulledge [b]
4:12
15."Easy"
  • Peder Losnegård
  • Mai
  • Charles
  • McFarlane
  • Robbie Grey
  • Gary McDowell
  • Richard Brown
  • Michael Conroy
  • Stephen Walker
  • Gulledge
4:32
Total length:52:06
Digital bonus track / Target exclusive track & Japanese Bonus Tracks
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
16."Naked"
  • Samuel Jean
  • Mai
  • McFarlane
  • Hook
  • Daniel Jean
  • Omer Fedi
  • Paul Jean
  • Nathalie Jean
  • Timothy Jean
  • Dimi Sloane Sesson II
  • Giscard Friedman
  • Andrew Groziuso
3:17
Japanese bonus tracks [21]
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
17."Boo'd Up (Remix)" (featuring Nicki Minaj & Quavo)
3:37
Total length:59:07

Notes

Personnel

Credits adapted from Tidal. [19]

Charts

Certifications

RegionCertification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA) [40] Gold35,000‡
Canada (Music Canada) [41] Gold40,000‡
New Zealand (RMNZ) [42] Gold7,500‡
United Kingdom (BPI) [43] Gold100,000‡
United States (RIAA) [44] 2× Platinum2,000,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Related Research Articles

<i>Stoney</i> (album) 2016 album by Post Malone

Stoney is the debut studio album by American rapper Post Malone. It was released on December 9, 2016, by Republic Records. The album features guest appearances from Justin Bieber, Kehlani, and Quavo. The deluxe edition was released on the same day. It features an additional guest appearance from 2 Chainz. The production on the album was handled by Malone himself, Mustard, Metro Boomin, Vinylz, Frank Dukes, Illangelo, Charlie Handsome, Rex Kudo, Foreign Teck, and Pharrell Williams, among others. Malone generally sing-raps on the album, which is noted for its woozy, contemporary R&B-hip hop production. The album also features influence from country and outlaw country music.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ella Mai</span> British R&B singer (born 1994)

Ella Mai Howell is an English R&B singer-songwriter. Her musical career began at London's British and Irish Modern Music Institute in 2014, during which time she auditioned as part of a trio on the 11th season of The X Factor. In 2015, she released her debut four-track solo extended play (EP), Troubled in October of that year. The EP and her performances on social media were discovered by American record producer DJ Mustard, who signed Mai to his record label 10 Summers Records, an imprint of Interscope Records.

<i>Theres Really a Wolf</i> 2017 studio album by Russ

There's Really a Wolf is the twelfth studio album and major-label debut by American rapper Russ, who composed and produced all of the songs. It was released on May 5, 2017, by Diemon and Columbia Records and peaked at number seven on the US Billboard 200 and number four on the US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums. On April 18, 2018, it was certified Platinum.

<i>Lil Pump</i> (album) 2017 studio album by Lil Pump

Lil Pump is the debut studio album by American rapper Lil Pump. It was released on October 6, 2017, through Tha Lights Global and Warner Records. The album features guest appearances from frequent collaborator Smokepurpp, alongside Lil Yachty, Chief Keef, Gucci Mane, 2 Chainz and Rick Ross. It also features production from Bighead, Ronny J, TM88, among others. A sequel album, Lil Pump 2, was released six years later on March 17, 2023.

<i>?</i> (XXXTentacion album) 2018 studio album by XXXTentacion

? is the second studio album by American rapper XXXTentacion and his last studio album to be released before his death. It was released through Bad Vibes Forever, Caroline Distribution, and Capitol Music Group on March 16, 2018, and primarily produced by frequent collaborator John Cunningham, it includes a wide range of guest appearances from PnB Rock, Travis Barker of Blink-182, Joey Badass, Matt Ox, Rio Santana, Judah, and Carlos Andrez, and also succeeds the release of his debut studio album 17 (2017) and the extended play A Ghetto Christmas Carol (2017).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Boo'd Up</span> 2018 single by Ella Mai

"Boo'd Up" is the debut commercial single by English singer Ella Mai from her third extended play, Ready. Serving as the lead single for the EP, the song peaked at number five on the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States. It was a minor hit in her native UK, peaking at 52 whilst peaking within the top 50 in Australia and Canada. A remix featuring Nicki Minaj and Quavo peaked at number 8 in New Zealand. The song was written by Mai, Joelle James, Dijon "Mustard" McFarlane and Larrance Dopson of 1500 or Nothin', and produced by the latter two. It was nominated for Song of the Year and won Best R&B Song at the 61st Annual Grammy Awards.

<i>Stay Dangerous</i> 2018 studio album by YG

Stay Dangerous is the third studio album by American rapper YG. It was released on August 3, 2018, by 4Hunnid Records and Def Jam Recordings. The album features guest appearances from various rappers, including 2 Chainz, ASAP Rocky, Ty Dolla Sign, Quavo, Mozzy, Jay 305, Big Sean, YoungBoy Never Broke Again and Nicki Minaj.

<i>Ready</i> (Ella Mai EP) 2017 EP by Ella Mai

Ready is the third EP by English singer and songwriter Ella Mai. The extended play is the third of the trilogy leading up to her debut album. It was released by 10 Summers and produced by DJ Mustard.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Trip (Ella Mai song)</span> 2018 R&B song by Ella Mai

"Trip" is a song by English singer Ella Mai from her eponymous debut studio album. The song peaked at number 47 in the UK and number 11 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States. The song was written by Mai, Varren Wade, Quinton, and Dijon MacFarlane. The single became her first number one on Billboard's Rhythmic chart in its 22 December 2018 issue.

<i>Lifes a Trip</i> 2018 studio album by Trippie Redd

Life's a Trip is the debut studio album by American rapper Trippie Redd. It was released on August 10, 2018, by TenThousand Projects and Caroline Distribution. The album features guest appearances from Diplo, Young Thug, Reese Laflare, and Travis Scott. Production was handled by OZ, Murda Beatz, BeatPusher, Honorable C.N.O.T.E., Avedon, Diplo, Scott Storch, Wheezy, Boaz van de Beatz and We Are The Stars, among others. The album cover was designed by Canadian artist Stephen Gibb.

<i>Harverd Dropout</i> 2019 studio album by Lil Pump

Harverd Dropout is the second studio album by American rapper Lil Pump. It was released through Tha Lights Global and Warner Records on February 22, 2019. The album consists of 16 tracks and features guest appearances from Kanye West, Smokepurpp, Migos rappers Offset and Quavo, Lil Uzi Vert, Lil Wayne, YG, and 2 Chainz. It follows his self-titled debut studio album (2017).

<i>Drip Harder</i> 2018 mixtape by Lil Baby and Gunna

Drip Harder is a collaborative mixtape by American rappers Lil Baby and Gunna. It was released on October 5, 2018, by YSL Records, Quality Control Music, Motown and Capitol Records. The mixtape features guest appearances from Lil Durk, Nav, Young Thug, and Drake. It includes production from Turbo, Wheezy, and Tay Keith, among others. The name Drip Harder is taken from Gunna's Drip Season series of mixtapes and from Lil Baby's Harder series of mixtapes.

<i>Championships</i> (album) 2018 studio album by Meek Mill

Championships is the fourth studio album by American rapper Meek Mill. It was released on November 30, 2018, by Atlantic Records and Maybach Music Group. The album features guest appearances from Fabolous, Anuel AA, Cardi B, Rick Ross, Jay-Z, Future, Roddy Ricch, Young Thug, Drake, Kodak Black, Ella Mai, 21 Savage, Melii, Jeremih, and PnB Rock. Meanwhile, production was handled by Bangladesh, Cardo, Cubeatz, C-Sick, Don Cannon, Hit-Boy, Hitmaka, Prince Chrishan, Tay Keith, and Wheezy, among others. It was supported by the singles "Dangerous" "Going Bad", and "24/7".

<i>Hoodie SZN</i> 2018 studio album by A Boogie wit da Hoodie

Hoodie SZN is the second studio album by American rapper A Boogie wit da Hoodie. It was released on December 21, 2018. Features included Juice WRLD, 6ix9ine, Nav, Offset, Tyga, Young Thug, and Queen Naija, among others. The track "Odee" had originally been made available online on March 23, 2018. The track "Pull Up" was previously included on the EP International Artist. The album was preceded by single "Look Back at It".

<i>Perfect Ten</i> (album) 2019 studio album by Mustard

Perfect Ten is the third studio album by American record producer Mustard, released on June 28, 2019, by 10 Summers Records and Interscope Records. It includes the singles "Pure Water", "100 Bands", and "Ballin'", which were Mustard's only hit songs as a solo act. In December 2019, the album was certified gold by the RIAA for over 500,000 album-equivalent units.

<i>Legendary</i> (Tyga album) 2019 studio album by Tyga

Legendary is the seventh studio album by American rapper Tyga, released on June 7, 2019, by Last Kings Records and Empire Distribution. It follows the release of his sixth album Kyoto (2018). It includes the singles "Taste" featuring Offset, "Goddamn", and "Haute" featuring Chris Brown and J Balvin. A deluxe version of the album was released on August 23, 2019. It features four previously released singles: "Dip" with Nicki Minaj, "Girls Have Fun" featuring G-Eazy and Rich the Kid, "Swish" and "Floss in the Bank", as well as four new songs.

<i>We Love You Tecca</i> 2019 mixtape by Lil Tecca

We Love You Tecca is the debut mixtape by American rapper Lil Tecca. It was released on August 30, 2019, through Republic Records. The mixtape contains a sole guest appearance from Juice Wrld. It features Tecca's breakout hit, "Ransom", which peaked at number 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, and the remix is with the guest.

<i>Over It</i> (album) 2019 studio album by Summer Walker

Over It is the debut studio album by American singer Summer Walker. It was released on October 4, 2019, by LVRN and Interscope. It spawned the singles "Playing Games", "Stretch You Out", and "Come Thru". It also features the remix of Walker's "Girls Need Love" featuring Drake, and collaborations with Bryson Tiller, Usher, 6lack, PartyNextDoor, A Boogie wit da Hoodie and Jhené Aiko. Most of the album was produced by Walker's then-boyfriend, London on da Track. Walker's First and Last Tour supported the album, starting late October 2019.

<i>Please Excuse Me for Being Antisocial</i> 2019 studio album by Roddy Ricch

Please Excuse Me for Being Antisocial is the debut studio album by American rapper Roddy Ricch. It was released on December 6, 2019, through Atlantic Records and Bird Vision Entertainment. It features guest appearances from Gunna, Lil Durk, Meek Mill, Mustard, Ty Dolla $ign, and A Boogie wit da Hoodie, with production handled by multiple producers including 30 Roc, ATL Jacob, JetsonMade, OZ, and Mustard. The album won Album of the Year at the 2020 BET Awards. Apple Music also named it Album of the Year, where it was 2020's most streamed album globally.

<i>The Goat</i> (album) 2020 studio album by Polo G

The Goat is the second studio album by American rapper Polo G. It was released on May 15, 2020, by Columbia Records. The album features guest appearances from Mustard, Juice Wrld, Stunna 4 Vegas, NLE Choppa, Mike Will Made It, Lil Baby, and BJ the Chicago Kid. It contains the singles "Heartless", "DND", and "Go Stupid". All three singles were released prior to the album.

References

  1. 1 2 Clark, Trent (21 September 2018). "Ella Mai Reveals Self-Titled Debut Album Cover Art & Release Date". HipHopDX . Retrieved 23 September 2018.
  2. 1 2 3 Yoo, Noah (21 September 2018). "Ella Mai Announces Debut Album". Pitchfork . Retrieved 23 September 2018.
  3. 1 2 "Ella Mai Chart History: Billboard Hot 100". Billboard . Retrieved 26 September 2018.
  4. ↑ "Ella Mai Reveals Release Date, Cover Art for Debut Album". Rap-Up . 21 September 2018. Retrieved 23 September 2018.
  5. 1 2 Saponara, Michael (21 September 2018). "Ella Mai Announces Eponymous Debut Album Release Date and Cover Art". Billboard. Retrieved 23 September 2018.
  6. 1 2 Kasambala, Natty (12 October 2018). "Ella Mai: Ella Mai review – Boo'd Up singer's R&B statement of intent". The Guardian. Retrieved 16 October 2018.
  7. 1 2 Henry, Keryce Chelsi (15 October 2018). "Ella Mai Discusses Her Debut Album And Addition To Pepsi's The Sound Drop Platform". Forbes . Retrieved 30 August 2022.
  8. ↑ "Reviews and Tracks for Ella Mai by Ella Mai". Metacritic . Retrieved 12 June 2018.
  9. ↑ "Ella Mai | Exclaim!".
  10. ↑ "Ella Mai: Ella Mai review – a missed opportunity". theguardian.com, The Observer. 14 October 2018. Retrieved 16 October 2018.
  11. ↑ Leight, Ellias (12 October 2018). "Review: Ella Mai Shows 'Boo'd Up' Is No Fluke on Debut LP". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 16 October 2018.
  12. ↑ Myers, Owen. "Review: Ella Mai". Pitchfork. Retrieved 16 October 2018.
  13. ↑ Mylrea, Hannah (12 October 2018). "Ella Mai – 'Ella Mai' review". nme. Retrieved 16 October 2018.
  14. 1 2 "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 20 October 2018.
  15. ↑ BPI Certified Awards Search
  16. 1 2 Caulfield, Keith (21 October 2018). "'A Star Is Born' Soundtrack Spends Second Week at No. 1 on Billboard 200 Chart". Billboard. Retrieved 21 October 2018.
  17. ↑ "Gold & Platinum". Recording Industry Association of America .
  18. ↑ Ella Mai - Gold & Platinum
  19. 1 2
  20. ↑
  21. ↑ "エラ・メイ". Universal Music Japan. Retrieved 17 June 2019.
  22. ↑ "Australiancharts.com – Ella Mai – Ella Mai". Hung Medien. Retrieved 20 October 2018.
  23. ↑ "Ultratop.be – Ella Mai – Ella Mai" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 20 October 2018.
  24. ↑ "Ultratop.be – Ella Mai – Ella Mai" (in French). Hung Medien. Retrieved 20 October 2018.
  25. ↑ "Rap Dominates This Week's Chart, But A Star Is Born Remains No. 1". FYIMusicNews. Retrieved 23 October 2018.
  26. ↑ "Dutchcharts.nl – Ella Mai – Ella Mai" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 20 October 2018.
  27. ↑ "Irish-charts.com – Discography Ella Mai". Hung Medien. Retrieved 20 October 2018.
  28. ↑ "Ella Mai on Billboard Japan Hot Albums". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). Retrieved 23 September 2020.
  29. ↑ "Billboard Japan Top Download Albums". Billboard Japan. 29 October 2018. Retrieved 27 October 2018.
  30. ↑ "Ella Mai". Oricon . Retrieved 22 September 2020.
  31. ↑ "Charts.nz – Ella Mai – Ella Mai". Hung Medien. Retrieved 19 October 2018.
  32. ↑ "Official R&B Albums Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 20 July 2024.
  33. ↑ "Ella Mai Chart History (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved 23 October 2018.
  34. ↑ "Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums – Year-End 2018". Billboard. 2 January 2013. Retrieved 16 June 2020.
  35. ↑ "Top Selling Albums of 2019". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved 21 December 2019.
  36. ↑ "Top Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 2019". Billboard. 2 January 2013. Retrieved 6 December 2019.
  37. ↑ "Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums – Year-End 2019". Billboard. 2 January 2013. Retrieved 16 June 2020.
  38. ↑ "Top Selling Albums of 2020". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved 7 December 2020.
  39. ↑ "Top Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 2020". Billboard. 2 January 2013. Retrieved 5 December 2020.
  40. ↑ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2023 Albums" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association . Retrieved 6 June 2023.
  41. ↑ "Canadian album certifications – Ella Mai – Ella Mai". Music Canada . Retrieved 3 February 2022.
  42. ↑ "New Zealand album certifications – Ella Mai – Ella Mai". Recorded Music NZ. 26 April 2019. Retrieved 20 November 2024.
  43. ↑ "British album certifications – Ella Mai – Ella Mai". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved 12 August 2022.
  44. ↑ "American album certifications – Ella Mai – Ella Mai". Recording Industry Association of America . Retrieved 4 January 2020.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.