Follow Me Home | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Studio album by | ||||
Released | July 26, 2011 | |||
Recorded | 2008–2011 | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 68:57 | |||
Label | ||||
Producer |
| |||
Jay Rock chronology | ||||
| ||||
Singles from Follow Me Home | ||||
|
Follow Me Home is the debut studio album by American hip hop recording artist Jay Rock; it was released on July 26, 2011, under Top Dawg Entertainment and Strange Music. [1] [2] [3] [4] The album was preceded by two singles; "All My Life (In the Ghetto)" and "Hood Gone Love It".
The album features guest appearances from labelmates Kendrick Lamar, Schoolboy Q, and Ab-Soul along with Lil Wayne, will.i.am, Chris Brown, Tech N9ne and Rick Ross, among others. The album's production was handled by Cool & Dre, Focus..., J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League, Sounwave, Terrace Martin, Tha Bizness and Willie B, among others. The album debuted at number 83 on the US Billboard 200, selling 5,300 copies in its first week. [5]
In an interview promoting the album, Jay Rock stated: "If you have been through a struggle, you are going to feel this album". [3] He has described the album as being his story, coming from nothing and gunning for the top. [3] He compared this album to N.W.A's albums, as he's made the album for the ghetto, saying it's not for the radio, nor is it for the club. [6] Although signed to independent record labels Top Dawg and Strange, Jay Rock still worked with several mainstream artists and high-profile record producers on the album. [7]
Jay Rock worked with a number of artists on the album, including Lil Wayne, will.i.am, Chris Brown, Tech N9ne and Rick Ross, as well as his Black Hippy cohorts Kendrick Lamar, Schoolboy Q and Ab-Soul. [7] [8] [9]
The album includes production from Cool & Dre, Dae One, Focus..., J. LBS, J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League, Keith The Beast, Phonix Beats, Rob E, Sounwave, Terrace Martin, Tha Bizness, and Willie B. [10]
Jay Rock was an opening act with Nipsey Hussle on The L.A.X. Tour in promotion of The Game's third studio album L.A.X. in 2009. In 2010 Jay Rock went on tour with G-Unit and American rapper 50 Cent on The Invitation Tour in promotion of the album. After that tour wrapped up he went on tour with Tech N9ne, E-40, Glasses Malone and Kutt Calhoun on the Independent Grind Tour.
Two singles were released for the album: "All My Life (In the Ghetto)" and "Hood Gone Love It. [11] [12] [13] "All My Life" features Lil Wayne and will.i.am and "Hood Gone Love It" features Kendrick Lamar. The official remix of "All My Life" features Busta Rhymes, The Game and Gorilla Zoe [14] while the official remix of "Hood Gone Love It" features Rick Ross and Birdman. [15] "Hood Gone Love It" was featured in the Franklin Trailer for Grand Theft Auto V. [16]
On June 24 a music video was released via MTV for the single "Hood Gone Love It". Videos for album tracks "All My Life, "Life's a Gamble", "Say Wassup" (feat. Ab-Soul, Kendrick Lamar & Schoolboy Q) and "Just Like Me" were filmed and all released before the album to create a buzz. Also the songs, "Code Red" (feat. Kendrick Lamar) ("Boomerang") "No Joke" (feat. Ab-Soul) "M.O.N.E.Y." (feat. J. Black) & ("Elbows") Jay Rock released these tracks and made a music video out of them.
Aggregate scores | |
---|---|
Source | Rating |
Metacritic | 73/100 [17] |
Review scores | |
Source | Rating |
AllMusic | |
Entertainment Weekly | B+ [18] |
HipHopDX | [19] |
HipHopSite.Com | [20] |
XXL | [21] |
Upon its release, Follow Me Home was met with positive reviews, with critics praising Jay Rock's lyrical ability, his narrative skills, his production selection, and the Old-School West Coast feel. The album also holds a score of 73 out of a 100 on Metacritic based on 5 reviews which indicates generally favorable reviews. [22] Kyle Anderson of Entertainment Weekly praises the old school West Coast feel of the album, Jay Rock's flow and the minimalistic beats. Also comparing it to Game's debut album. [18] XXL gave the album a XL praising Rock's; lyrical storytelling, crossover ability of "Just Like Me" and "Westside" along with the production of "Elbows" and "Code Red". [21] AllMusic gave the album a 3 out of 5, calling the album a "real life urban drama script" while praising the album's production and collaborators. [23] HipHopDX complimented the introspective lyrics of "Just Like Me" and "M.O.N.E.Y." while also praising the West Coast production of "Elbows and "Code Red" and Lil Wayne and Rick Ross's collaborations on "All My Life" and "Finest Hour" respectively. Their final score for the album was 3.5 out of 5. [19]
The track listing for Follow Me Home was confirmed by the website HipHopDX. [24] [25]
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. | "Intro (Skit)" |
| Sounwave | 1:03 |
2. | "Code Red" |
| Phonix Beats = Lil Bo | 2:45 |
3. | "Bout That" |
| Focus... | 3:56 |
4. | "No Joke" (featuring Ab-Soul) |
| Willie B | 4:20 |
5. | "Hood Gone Love It" (featuring Kendrick Lamar) |
| J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League | 4:05 |
6. | "Westside" (featuring Chris Brown) |
| Tha Bizness | 3:38 |
7. | "Elbows" |
| Phonix Beatz | 4:14 |
8. | "Boomerang" |
| J. LBS | 3:25 |
9. | "All I Know Is" |
| Willie B | 3:41 |
10. | "I'm Thuggin'" |
| Willie B | 4:33 |
11. | "Kill or Be Killed" (featuring Tech N9ne and Krizz Kaliko) |
| Willie B | 4:10 |
12. | "Just Like Me" (featuring J. Black) |
| Terrace Martin | 3:42 |
13. | "Say Wassup" (performed by Black Hippy) |
| DAE ONE | 4:23 |
14. | "They Be on It" |
| Keith the Beast | 5:06 |
15. | "M.O.N.E.Y." (featuring J. Black) |
| Terrace Martin | 4:42 |
16. | "Finest Hour" (featuring Rick Ross and BJ the Chicago Kid) |
| J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League | 4:01 |
17. | "Life's a Gamble" |
| Rob E | 3:27 |
18. | "All My Life (In the Ghetto)" (featuring Lil Wayne and will.i.am) | Cool & Dre | 3:46 | |
Total length: | 68:57 |
No. | Title | Length |
---|---|---|
19. | "Choppa Krazy" | 4:55 |
Chart (2011) | Peak position |
---|---|
US Billboard 200 [26] | 83 |
US Independent Albums (Billboard) [27] | 14 |
US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard) [28] | 18 |
US Top Rap Albums (Billboard) [29] | 10 |
Control System is the second studio album by American rapper Ab-Soul. It was released on May 11, 2012, by Top Dawg Entertainment. The album features guest appearances from Jhené Aiko, Danny Brown, Schoolboy Q, Jay Rock, BJ the Chicago Kid, Kendrick Lamar, JaVonte, Punch, Ashtrobot and vocals from the late Alori Joh. The album's production was handled by Digi+Phonics, King Blue, Nez & Rio, Skhye Hutch, Curtiss King, Aahyasis, and Tommy Black.
Johnny Reed McKinzie Jr., better known by his stage name Jay Rock, is an American rapper and songwriter. Born and raised in Los Angeles, California, he signed to indie label Top Dawg Entertainment (TDE), in 2005. Under TDE, Rock secured a record deal in 2007 with Warner Bros. Records and later Asylum Records, but mergers fell through and Rock departed from the label shortly after. He then signed with fellow American rapper Tech N9ne's Strange Music, in a joint-venture deal with TDE.
"All My Life (In the Ghetto)" is a song by American hip hop recording artist Jay Rock, released October 16, 2008, as his commercial debut single and the lead single from his debut studio album, Follow Me Home (2011). The song, which was released under Top Dawg Entertainment (TDE) and Warner Bros. Records, was produced by American production team Cool & Dre and features vocals from fellow American rappers, Lil Wayne and will.i.am.
American rapper Jay Rock has released three studio albums, 10 mixtapes, 12 singles and 30 music videos.
Kendrick Lamar Duckworth is an American rapper and songwriter. Known for his progressive musical styles and socially conscious songwriting, he is often considered one of the most influential hip hop artists of his generation. Born and raised in Compton, California, Lamar began his career as a teenager performing under the stage name K.Dot. He quickly garnered local attention which led to him signing a recording contract with Top Dawg Entertainment (TDE) in 2005.
American rapper Kendrick Lamar has released five studio albums, one compilation album, one extended play (EP), five mixtapes, 65 singles, and three promotional singles. Lamar initially performed under the stage name K.Dot, releasing three mixtapes under that moniker: Y.H.N.I.C. (2004), Training Day (2005), and C4 (2009). He gained major attention after the release of his fourth mixtape Overly Dedicated, which was released in 2010. It was Lamar's first full-length project to be released under his birth name and fared well enough to enter the United States Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, where it peaked at number 72.
Good Kid, M.A.A.D City is the second studio album by American rapper Kendrick Lamar. It was released on October 22, 2012, through Top Dawg Entertainment, Aftermath Entertainment and Interscope Records. The album features guest appearances from Drake, Dr. Dre, Jay Rock, Anna Wise, and MC Eiht. It is Lamar's major label debut, after his independently released first album Section.80 in 2011 and his signing to Aftermath and Interscope the following year.
Black Hippy is an American hip hop supergroup from South Los Angeles, California, formed in 2008. The group is composed of West Coast rappers Ab-Soul, Jay Rock, Kendrick Lamar and ScHoolboy Q. Black Hippy was constructed after all of its members had signed to Carson-based indie record label, Top Dawg Entertainment (TDE).
Top Dawg Entertainment (TDE) is an American independent record label. Specializing in hip hop and R&B artists, TDE is based in Carson, California. The label was founded in 2004 by record producer Anthony "Top Dawg" Tiffith, who also serves as the chief executive officer. His son, Anthony "Moosa" Tiffith Jr., and Terrence "Punch" Henderson are the presidents of the label.
Herbert Anthony Stevens IV, better known by his stage name Ab-Soul, is an American rapper, singer and songwriter. Raised in Carson, California, he signed to indie record label Top Dawg Entertainment (TDE) in 2007, where he eventually formed West Coast hip hop group Black Hippy, alongside fellow California-based rappers Jay Rock, Kendrick Lamar and Schoolboy Q. He is perhaps most known for his introspective lyrics and his five independent albums under TDE, Longterm Mentality, Control System, These Days..., Do What Thou Wilt., and Herbert, which were all released to positive reviews and commercial success.
Overly Dedicated is the fourth solo mixtape by American rapper Kendrick Lamar, released on September 14, 2010, via Top Dawg Entertainment. The album features guest appearances from Dash Snow, Jhené Aiko, Schoolboy Q, Ab-Soul, Ash Riser, Dom Kennedy and Murs, among others. The album's production was handled by several TDE in-house producers, including King Blue, Sounwave, Tae Beast and Willie B; other producers such as Tommy Black, Jairus "J-Mo" Mozee, and Wyldfyer, also contributed production. The mixtape had sold a total of 12,000 copies as of October 2012.
Digi+Phonics is an African American hip hop production team, composed of California-based record producers Tae Beast, Sounwave, Dave Free and Willie B. They currently serve as the main in-house producers for Carson-based record label, Top Dawg Entertainment. Digi+Phonics work significantly on projects from all the members of hip hop supergroup Black Hippy, who are also signed to Top Dawg and is composed of rappers Kendrick Lamar, Jay Rock, Schoolboy Q, and Ab-Soul. Their best known productions include "Bitch Don't Kill My Vibe" by Kendrick Lamar, "There He Go" by Schoolboy Q, and "Terrorist Threats" by Ab-Soul. They frequently co-produce songs together and put the finishing touches on the projects released by Top Dawg Entertainment.
William Thomas Trenell Brown, known professionally as Willie B or by the stage name The Ichiban Don, is an American hip hop record producer and recording artist from Los Angeles, California. He is an original member of West Coast hip hop production team Digi+Phonics of Top Dawg Entertainment (TDE). He is also a member of the hip hop collective A Room Full of Mirrors, alongside fellow rappers Punch and Daylyt, among others.
"Fragile" is a song by American hip hop recording artist Tech N9ne, taken from his thirteenth studio album Something Else (2013). "Fragile" was released on July 17, 2013 as the album's second single. It was produced by ¡Mayday!, Daniel "Keys" Perez and Ralfy "FAFA" Valencia. The song features vocals from Kendrick Lamar, ¡Mayday! and Kendall Morgan.
"Hood Gone Love It" is a song by American hip hop recording artist Jay Rock. It was released as the second single from his debut studio album Follow Me Home (2011). The song features Rock's Black Hippy cohort Kendrick Lamar and was produced by American production team J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League. It was also used in promotion for and included in the game Grand Theft Auto V. The song peaked on the US Billboard Bubbling Under R&B/Hip-Hop Singles at number 18.
90059 is the second studio album by American rapper Jay Rock. It was released on September 11, 2015, on Apple Music and the iTunes Store; the physical editions were released on September 18, 2015, by Top Dawg Entertainment (TDE). The album features guest appearances from Rock's TDE label-mates Kendrick Lamar, Black Hippy, Isaiah Rashad, SZA, SiR and introduces Lance Skiiiwalker, Chicago singer-producer who in 2016 would be named as a new TDE signee as well as Busta Rhymes and Macy Gray.
HipHopDX is an online magazine of hip hop music criticism and news. The website's current president and publisher is Sharath Cherian and the Head Of Content is Jerry L. Barrow. HipHopDX is the flagship publication of Cheri Media Group.
"The Heart Part 4" is a song by American hip hop recording artist Kendrick Lamar. It was released on March 23, 2017, by Top Dawg Entertainment. The track features uncredited vocals from American singer Khalid. The song contains samples from "Don't Tell a Lie about Me and I Won't Tell the Truth on You" by James Brown and "I Love You" by Faith Evans.
Zacari Moses Pacaldo I, known mononymously as Zacari, is an American singer, songwriter, rapper, and multi-instrumentalist. He is signed to Top Dawg Entertainment and released his EP Run Wild Run Free on March 15, 2019.
Redemption is the third studio album by American rapper Jay Rock. It was released by Top Dawg Entertainment (TDE) and Interscope Records on June 15, 2018. The album, which serves as Rock's major-label debut, succeeds his second album 90059 (2015), released three years prior.