Jeffery | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Mixtape by | ||||
Released | August 26, 2016 | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 42:15 | |||
Label | ||||
Producer | ||||
Young Thug chronology | ||||
| ||||
Singles from Jeffery | ||||
|
Jeffery (originally titled No, My Name is Jeffery) is the fourth commercial mixtape by American rapper Young Thug. It was released for retail purchase on August 26, 2016, by 300 Entertainment and Atlantic Records. The mixtape features guest appearances from Travis Scott, Gucci Mane, Gunna, Quavo, Offset, and Wyclef Jean. It also features production from TM88, Wheezy, and Young Thug himself (credited as his first name/album namesake Jeffery).
Jeffery charted at number eight on the US Billboard 200, and received widespread acclaim from critics. Its artwork, which features Young Thug in a dress, went viral. The mixtape was named among the best releases of 2016 by several publications, including Pitchfork , Fact , Complex , and Rolling Stone .
Jeffery was announced on July 9, 2016, via Young Thug's Instagram, along with previews of new music. [2] It was initially slated for release on August 16, coinciding with Young Thug's birthday, but was pushed back. [3] The mixtape was accompanied by his decision to abandon the stage name Young Thug in favor of the new moniker No, My Name is Jeffery, or simply his birth name Jeffery. [4] The change of stage name was announced by his manager Lyor Cohen in the preparation for the mixtape's release. [4] According to Young Thug, "Jeffery is all about Jeffery. It ain't even about Young Thug. Ain't no Young Thug songs on there. The mixtape is a straight crossover". [5] On Beats 1, he clarified that the name change was only for one week, unless the mixtape sold 100,000 copies. [6]
With the exception of "Pick Up the Phone", each track was named after one of Young Thug's idols, including Gucci Mane ("Guwop"), Wyclef Jean ("Wyclef Jean"), Rihanna ("RiRi"), Future ("Future Swag"), Harambe, the gorilla killed at the Cincinnati Zoo in May 2016, and Kanye West ("Kanye West"). [7]
The project artwork features Young Thug in an androgynous dress designed by Italian designer Alessandro Trincone, and was photographed by Garfield Lamond. [8] The artwork went viral and prompted a wide range of responses on social media. [9]
The song "Kanye West" (originally titled "Elton" and then later "Pop Man") featuring Wyclef Jean, was released on August 19, 2016. [10] The mixtape release was then preceded by a short album trailer released on August 23, which depicted Young Thug being interrogated about his name by the authorities. [3]
The mixtape's lead single, "Pick Up the Phone" featuring American rappers Travis Scott and Quavo, was released on June 3, 2016, [11] the song peaked at number 43 on the US Billboard Hot 100. [12] "Wyclef Jean" was sent to urban contemporary radio on January 24, 2017, as the mixtape's second single, [13] it peaked at number 87 on the Billboard Hot 100. [12]
Aggregate scores | |
---|---|
Source | Rating |
AnyDecentMusic? | 7.4/10 [14] |
Metacritic | 82/100 [15] |
Review scores | |
Source | Rating |
AllMusic | [16] |
Exclaim! | 8/10 [17] |
The Guardian | [18] |
HipHopDX | 3.9/5 [19] |
Now | 4/5 [20] |
Pitchfork | 8.5/10 [7] |
PopMatters | 8/10 [21] |
Rolling Stone | [22] |
Vice (Expert Witness) | A− [23] |
XXL | 3/5 [24] |
Jeffery was met with widespread critical acclaim. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream publications, the mixtape received an average score of 82, based on 11 reviews. [15] Aggregator AnyDecentMusic? gave it 7.4 out of 10, based on their assessment of the critical consensus. [14]
AllMusic's Neil Z. Yeung called the mixtape "thrilling and essential, one of the best rap releases of 2016", writing that "there's enough freshness here to make it his most exciting and mainstream release to date". [16] Daniel Bromfield from Pretty Much Amazing described it as "a more satisfying major-label rap album than most mixtape-bred rappers ever make", asserting that "despite being more extreme in many ways than his prior work, Jeffery is his poppiest tape since 2014's Tha Tour with Rich Gang". [25] PopMatters critic Brian Duricy stated that "as a collection of songs, it's his most realized set to date". [21] Rolling Stone 's Jody Rosen stated that "it's Thug's own sound that predominates: the heroic howls, rasps, mumbles and wheezes of a man who is as captivating a vocalist as any in pop". [22]
For MTV News, Meaghan Garvey wrote that "Jeffery, like ATLiens 20 years prior, has that unqualifiable, absolute feeling of arrival", describing it as "irrepressible, bursting with uncannily memorable one-liners and dynamic experiments in flow and cadence over beats that, attached to a more easily marketable rapper, could be obvious radio hits". [26] Pitchfork 's Sheldon Pearce described it as "rangy and stunning, an exciting new curve in the fascinating Young Thug arc", stating that "Thug understands the modern pop song construction better than anyone: anything and everything can be a hook". [7] Robert Christgau wrote in Vice that Young Thug "makes black comedy out of irrepressible sound", stating that "his hoohoos and melismas and blahs and mwas and frogcroaks and put-puts are the message". [23] In a less enthusiastic review, Lanre Bakare of The Guardian described it as "a mixtape that features gems among run-of-the-mill trap fodder" while praising the single "Pick Up the Phone" as "an example of all the things Young Thug excels at coming together on one track". [18]
Publication | List | Rank | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|
Complex | The 50 Best Albums of 2016 | 13 | |
Consequence | Top 50 Albums of 2016 | 45 | |
Entertainment Weekly | The 50 Best Albums of 2016 | 36 | |
Fact | The 50 Best Albums of 2016 | 19 | |
The Guardian | The Best Albums of 2016 | 25 | |
Pitchfork | The 50 Best Albums of 2016 | 21 | |
PopMatters | The 70 Best Albums of 2016 | 54 | |
Rolling Stone | 50 Best Albums of 2016 | 10 | |
Spin | The 50 Best Albums of 2016 | 17 | |
Variance | 50 Best Albums of 2016 | 29 |
Jeffery debuted at number eight on the US Billboard 200 and number five on the US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums, with 37,000 album-equivalent units and sold 18,000 copies in its first week. [37] [38] This is Thug's third debut in the top 40 and his second in the top 10. [37]
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. | "Wyclef Jean" |
|
| 3:56 |
2. | "Floyd Mayweather" (featuring Travis Scott, Gucci Mane and Gunna) |
| 6:01 | |
3. | "Swizz Beatz" |
| Wheezy | 3:16 |
4. | "Future Swag" |
| TM88 | 2:45 |
5. | "RiRi" |
| Billboard Hitmakers | 4:04 |
6. | "Guwop" (featuring Quavo, Offset and Young Scooter) |
|
| 5:15 |
7. | "Harambe" |
| Billboard Hitmakers | 3:10 |
8. | "Webbie" (featuring Lil Duke) |
| Billboard Hitmakers | 3:55 |
9. | "Kanye West" (featuring Wyclef Jean) |
|
| 5:41 |
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|
10. | "Pick Up the Phone" (with Travis Scott featuring Quavo) |
|
| 4:12 |
Total length: | 42:15 |
Notes
Credits adapted from the mixtape's liner notes and Tidal. [40] [41]
Musicians
Technical
Weekly charts
| Year-end charts
|
Nel Ust Wyclef Jean is a Haitian rapper and record producer. At the age of nine, he emigrated with his family to the Northeastern United States. In 1990, he formed the New Jersey–based hip hop trio Fugees with fellow musicians Lauryn Hill and Pras Michel. Jean served as lead guitarist and producer. The group released the albums Blunted on Reality (1994) and The Score (1996), the latter becoming one of the best-selling albums of all time. Following their success, Jean released his debut solo album, Wyclef Jean Presents The Carnival (1997), which yielded the Billboard Hot 100-top ten single "Gone till November".
Jay Wayne Jenkins, known by his stage name Jeezy, is an American rapper. He is credited, alongside fellow Georgia-based rappers T.I. and Gucci Mane, with pioneering the hip hop subgenre trap music for mainstream audiences. Jenkins began his career in 2001, releasing two independent albums until signing with Def Jam Recordings to release his major label debut, Let's Get It: Thug Motivation 101 (2005). The album peaked at number two on the Billboard 200, sold 172,000 copies in its first week, and received double platinum certification by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA); its lead single, "Soul Survivor", peaked at number four on the Billboard Hot 100 and remains his highest-charting song.
"I Don't Like" is a song by American rapper Chief Keef featuring fellow American rapper Lil Reese. Produced by Young Chop, it was released on March 6, 2012. The song was later remixed for the G.O.O.D. Music compilation album Cruel Summer.
Migos were an American hip hop group founded in Lawrenceville, Georgia, in 2008. The group was composed of rapper Quavo, his nephew Takeoff, and their cousin friend Offset. Quavo is from Athens, Georgia, while Offset and Takeoff were born and raised in nearby Lawrenceville. As a group, they were managed by Coach K, the former manager of Gucci Mane and Jeezy, and frequently collaborated with producers DJ Durel, Murda Beatz, Zaytoven, and Buddah Bless. Recognized for their contribution to trap music in the 2010s, Billboard stated that the group "influenced pop culture and the entire English language by bringing their North Atlanta roots to the mainstream".
Jeffery Lamar Williams Jr., known professionally as Young Thug, is an American rapper. Known for his eccentric vocal style and fashion, he is considered an influential figure in modern hip hop and trap music, and a pioneer of the mumble rap microgenre. Williams embarked on a musical career in 2011, releasing a series of mixtapes beginning with I Came from Nothing. In 2013, he signed with fellow Atlanta rapper Gucci Mane's 1017 Records and gained further attention and praise for his debut mixtape with the label, 1017 Thug, released in February of that year.
Leland Tyler Wayne, known professionally as Metro Boomin, is an American record producer and songwriter. 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.
The discography of American rapper Young Thug consists of three studio albums, two compilation albums, twelve self-released mixtapes, seven commercial mixtapes, three extended plays, and sixty-nine singles.
Marquis Amonte King, better known by the stage name Shy Glizzy, is an American rapper from Southeast, Washington, D.C. He is best known for his guest appearance alongside Brent Faiyaz on GoldLink's 2016 single "Crew", which peaked at number 45 on the Billboard Hot 100 and was nominated for Best Rap/Sung Performance at the 59th Annual Grammy Awards.
Barter 6 is the debut commercial mixtape by American rapper Young Thug. It was released on April 17, 2015, by 300 Entertainment and Atlantic Records. Barter 6 features guest appearances from Birdman, T.I., Boosie Badazz, Young Dolph, Yak Gotti, Lil Duke and Jacquees, while the production was handled primarily by in-house producers London on da Track and Wheezy, among others. Barter 6 received generally positive reviews and peaked at number 22 on the Billboard 200.
American singer Teyana Taylor has released three studio albums, one compilation album, three mixtapes, and fifteen singles. In 2009, Taylor released her first mixtape, From a Planet Called Harlem, which included her debut single "Google Me". It debuted at its peak of number ninety on the US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. Around this time, Taylor featured on songs with the likes of Trey Songz, Missy Elliott, and Kanye West. Taylor has spoken about her inspiration from fellow female musician Lauryn Hill, which was noted with the release of her second mixtape in 2012. The mixtape, entitled The Misunderstanding of Teyana Taylor, takes its name from Hill's album The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill.
"Wyclef Jean" is a song by American rapper Young Thug. It was included on his mixtape Jeffery and was released as the second single from the tape on January 24, 2017. The song is named after Haitian rapper Wyclef Jean, who is best known for being part of the Fugees.
Omar Jeffery Pineiro, known professionally as Smokepurpp, is an American rapper. He first became known in the SoundCloud rap scene for his 2017 single "Audi", which received platinum certification by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). In March of that year, he signed with Alamo and Interscope Records to release the song and his debut mixtape for which it served as lead single, Deadstar (2017), the following September. It peaked at number 42 on the Billboard 200, while his debut studio album and the mixtape's sequel, Deadstar 2 (2019) narrowly entered the chart. His second album, Florida Jit (2020) failed to chart in any known territory and served as his final album on the label.
Drip Season 3 is the fourth mixtape from American rapper Gunna. It was released on February 2, 2018, by his record label, YSL Records. The album features guest appearances from Hoodrich Pablo Juan, Lil Durk, Nav, Metro Boomin, and Lil Yachty. It also features production by Nav, Metro Boomin, Wheezy, Turbo, Kacey Khaliel, Richie Souf and London on da Track, among others. This tape serves as the third installment of his Drip Season series. The deluxe edition was released simultaneously with the regular version, with three extra tracks, featuring guest appearances from Lil Uzi Vert, fellow labelmates Young Jordan and Young Thug, and Lil Baby. The mixtape was supported by one single: "Almighty" featuring Hoodrich Pablo Juan.
Dominique Armani Jones, known professionally as Lil Baby, is an American rapper. He rose to prominence following the release of his 2017 mixtapes Harder than Hard and Too Hard, the former of which spawned his first Billboard Hot 100 entry with its lead single, "My Dawg." He signed with Quality Control Music, an imprint of Motown and Capitol Records to release his debut studio album Harder Than Ever (2018), which peaked at number three on the Billboard 200 and was supported by the Billboard Hot 100-top ten single "Yes Indeed". Later that same year, he released the collaborative mixtape Drip Harder with fellow Georgia-based rapper Gunna, and his solo mixtape Street Gossip; the former spawned his second top ten single "Drip Too Hard", while the latter peaked at number two on the Billboard 200.
Sergio Giavanni Kitchens, known professionally as Gunna, is an American rapper, singer, and songwriter. Kitchens signed with Young Thug's YSL Records, an imprint of 300 Entertainment in 2016, and rose to fame with his third mixtape, Drip Season 3 (2018). It moderately entered the Billboard 200, while his collaborative mixtape with fellow Georgia rapper Lil Baby, Drip Harder, peaked at number four on the chart. Its lead single, "Drip Too Hard" peaked at number four on the Billboard Hot 100, received diamond certification by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), and was nominated for Best Rap/Sung Performance at the 62nd Annual Grammy Awards.
"Castro" is a song by American rapper Yo Gotti featuring fellow American rappers Kanye West, Big Sean, 2 Chainz, and Quavo. It was released on December 16, 2016 as a single from Gotti's 2016 mixtape White Friday (CM9).
Chandler A. Great, professionally known as Turbo, is an American record producer and songwriter. He is best known for his production with Young Thug, Travis Scott, Gunna, Nav, and Lil Baby.
Slime & B is a collaborative commercial mixtape by American singer Chris Brown and American rapper Young Thug. It was released on May 5, 2020, by Chris Brown Entertainment, LLC, under exclusive license to RCA. The mixtape includes guest appearances from Gunna, Future, Too $hort, E-40, among others. "Go Crazy" was released as the mixtape's lead single, and became one of the most successful songs for both artists, peaking at number 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 and spending more than one full year on the chart.
Emergency Tsunami is the second commercial mixtape by Canadian rapper Nav. It was released through XO and Republic Records on November 6, 2020. The mixtape contains guest appearances from Gunna, Young Thug, Lil Baby, Lil Keed, and SahBabii. It was produced by American record producer Wheezy, with help from other producers. The mixtape was Nav's third project of the year, following his third studio album, Good Intentions, and its deluxe reissue, Brown Boy 2. The bonus version of the mixtape, including two additional songs, was released five days later, on November 11, 2020. It features an additional guest appearance from Future. It was Wheezy's second time producing every song of a project, following Gunna's extended play, Drip or Drown, in 2017. The cover of the mixtape says "emergency tsunami" in red letters in Japanese. The mixtape was supported by one single, "Young Wheezy", with Gunna, which was sent to US rhythmic contemporary radio, on January 12, 2021.
"Way 2 Sexy" is a song by Canadian rapper Drake featuring American rappers Future and Young Thug. Released on September 3, 2021, as the lead single from Drake's sixth studio album Certified Lover Boy, it is a bass-heavy take on Right Said Fred's "I'm Too Sexy" (1991), which it samples throughout the chorus and refrain. A comedic music video was released on the same day as the song and sees the artists pay homage to numerous pop culture events and icons. "Way 2 Sexy" received mixed responses from critics.
Footnotes
Citations
{{cite AV media notes}}
: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)