Megan | ||||
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Studio album by | ||||
Released | June 28, 2024 | |||
Genre | Hip hop | |||
Length | 52:00 | |||
Language |
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Label | ||||
Producer |
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Megan Thee Stallion chronology | ||||
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Singles from Megan | ||||
Megan is the third studio album by American rapper Megan Thee Stallion. It was released through Hot Girl Productions and Warner Music Group on June 28, 2024. It is Megan's first album to be released under her independent label Hot Girl Productions after her departure from former labels 300 Entertainment and 1501 Certified.
Megan received generally favorable reviews from music critics, with praise towards the newfound creative freedom on display, although some found it to be uneven. The album was supported by four singles: "Cobra", "Hiss", "Boa", and "Mamushi". "Hiss" became Megan's first solo number-one on the US Billboard Hot 100 and the Billboard Global 200, while all singles peaked within the top 40 in the United States.
Commercially, Megan debuted at number three on the US Billboard 200 with 64,000 album-equivalent units earned, and became the rapper's fifth top-ten album on the chart. To promote the album, Megan embarked on the Hot Girl Summer Tour, her first headlining concert tour. The album's deluxe edition, titled Megan: Act II , was released on October 25, 2024.
On October 19, 2023, 1501 Certified revealed that the company and Megan Thee Stallion have mutually parted ways with each other. [1] [2] Shortly after, Megan clarified on an Instagram livestream, stating that her album would be self-funded and "the budget is coming from me". [3] Conceptually, the album follows a snake-based theme and motif through the titles of the singles and the promotional material. For the song "Otaku Hot Girl" which pays homage to several anime series she enjoys, she managed to clear some legal paperwork with MAPPA regarding permission pertaining to use of Jujutsu Kaisen characters among those referenced days before the album release. [4]
On October 23, Megan posted on her social media a teaser of her upcoming album stating "Just as a snake sheds it skin, we must shed our past, over and over again" under her independent music and entertainment company Hot Girl Productions. [5] [ unreliable source ] On February 2, 2024, Megan signed a distribution deal with Warner Music Group which would allow her the creative control of an independent artist, but with access to the company's resources. [6]
On January 30, 2024, Megan Thee Stallion did an interview with Good Morning America , revealing that she planned to tour for that upcoming summer season. [7] On March 20, Megan formally announced the Hot Girl Summer Tour which began May 14 in Minneapolis and is set to conclude August 1 in Chicago. [8] Megan announced the album and its release at the first of two shows at the State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. [9] [10]
The album's lead single, titled "Cobra" was released on November 3, 2023, alongside a music video directed by Douglas Bernardt. [11] Just five days later, Megan released a rock remix of "Cobra", with the Canadian-American alternative metal band Spiritbox. [12] The single debuted at number 32 on the US Billboard Hot 100. [13]
The album's second single, titled "Hiss", was released on January 26, 2024, alongside a music video, also directed by Douglas Bernardt. [14] "Hiss" debuted atop the Billboard Hot 100, becoming Megan's first solo chart-topping single and third overall. [15] It also debuted at number one on the Billboard Global 200, making Megan the first female rapper in a lead role to debut atop the chart in history. [16]
The album's third single, titled "Boa", was released on May 10, 2024. [17] The track debuted at number 39 on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming the third top-40 single from the album. [18]
The album's fourth single, "Mamushi", featuring Japanese rapper Yuki Chiba, was released to urban radio on July 30, 2024. [19] The track peaked at number 36 on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming the fourth top-40 single from the album. [18]
Aggregate scores | |
---|---|
Source | Rating |
AnyDecentMusic? | 6.4/10 [20] |
Metacritic | 67/100 [21] |
Review scores | |
Source | Rating |
The Guardian | [22] |
NME | [23] |
Pitchfork | 6.6/10 [24] |
Rolling Stone | [25] |
Megan received generally positive reviews from music critics. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from professional publications, the album has an average score of 67 based on 6 reviews, indicating "generally favorable" reviews. Karen Gwee of NME wrote that the record project "flows with a palpably higher level of creative boldness", finding it more cohesive than previous albums. Gwee wrote that "Megan was often lashing out; here, she stings with venomous precision" and she "sprawls out, mining different aspects of her identity and personality at her leisure". [23] Maria Sherman of the Associated Press also found that the rapper "sounds as strong as ever, atop chugging riffs and fluttering synths", because "on this album, Megan is most interested in exorcising the demons given to her by haters". [26]
Rachel Aroesti of The Guardian praised the rapper's "satisfyingly brisk and crisp" flow, in which she explained that "Megan's world is one of false friends, mutually adulterous relationships and incessant betrayal, spurred by jealousy", which however "feels merely like the depressing apex of this oppressively navel-gazing rap phenomenon's isolation". [22] Alphonse Pierre of Pitchfork defined Megan as "an uneven album so preoccupied with giving every single type of fan exactly what they want", even though he understood the "pressures, especially in rap, where hit-making women have historically been discarded quickly". [24]
Megan debuted at number three on the US Billboard 200 chart, (earning 64,000 album-equivalent units including 16,000 pure sales). [27] The album also accumulated a total of 62.67 million on-demand streams of the album's songs. [27] The album marks the biggest debut, by units, for a rap album released by a woman in 2024, alongside the first top 10-charting album by a female rapper in 2024. [27]
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. | "Hiss" |
|
| 3:12 |
2. | "Rattle" |
| LilJuMadeDaBeat | 3:25 |
3. | "Figueroa" |
|
| 2:23 |
4. | "Where Them Girls At" |
| LilJuMadeDaBeat | 3:11 |
5. | "Broke His Heart" | Tay Keith | 2:39 | |
6. | "B.A.S." (featuring Kyle Richh) |
|
| 3:26 |
7. | "Otaku Hot Girl [b] " |
| Bankroll Got It | 2:38 |
8. | "Find Out" |
|
| 2:35 |
9. | "Boa" |
| LilJuMadeDaBeat | 2:34 |
10. | "Mamushi" (featuring Yuki Chiba) |
| Koshy | 2:36 |
11. | "Accent" (featuring GloRilla) |
|
| 3:19 |
12. | "Paper Together" (featuring UGK) |
|
| 3:35 |
13. | "Spin" (featuring Victoria Monét) |
| 3:07 | |
14. | "Down Stairs DJ" |
| Da Honorable C.N.O.T.E. | 2:44 |
15. | "Miami Blue" (featuring Big K.R.I.T. and Buddah Bless) |
|
| 2:37 |
16. | "Worthy" |
| Freaky Rob | 2:19 |
17. | "Moody Girl" |
|
| 2:47 |
18. | "Cobra" |
|
| 2:48 |
Total length: | 52:00 |
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|
19. | "It's Prime Day" |
| 2:04 |
Total length: | 54:04 |
Chart (2024) | Peak position |
---|---|
Australian Albums (ARIA) [29] | 94 |
Australian Hip Hop/R&B Albums (ARIA) [30] | 23 |
Canadian Albums (Billboard) [31] | 53 |
New Zealand Albums (RMNZ) [32] | 33 |
Nigerian Albums (TurnTable) [33] | 72 |
Portuguese Albums (AFP) [34] | 134 |
UK Albums (OCC) [35] | 97 |
UK R&B Albums (OCC) [36] | 40 |
US Billboard 200 [37] | 3 |
US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard) [38] | 1 |
Region | Date | Formats(s) | Label | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|
Various | June 28, 2024 | [39] [40] | ||
November 22, 2024 | LP |
Megan Jovon Ruth Pete, known professionally as Megan Thee Stallion, is an American rapper, singer, and songwriter. Originally from Houston, Texas, she rose to fame in 2019 after her freestyling videos went viral and the release of her singles "Hot Girl Summer" and "Cash Shit".
American rapper Megan Thee Stallion has released three studio albums, one reissue, one compilation album, three mixtapes, three extended plays, 60 singles, and six promotional singles. In her early career, Megan Thee Stallion released the non-commercial, SoundCloud-exclusive mixtapes Rich Ratchet (2016) and Megan Mix (2017). She made her official solo debut by commercially releasing her first professional EP, Make It Hot, on September 18, 2017, which was followed by her second EP Tina Snow on June 8, 2018.
"Hot Girl Summer" is a song by American rapper Megan Thee Stallion featuring Trinidadian rapper Nicki Minaj and American singer Ty Dolla Sign, released on August 9, 2019, by 300 Entertainment. It was written by all three artists alongside Syed Hossain, Derrick Milano, and producers Crazy Mike, Juicy J, & Bone Collector, with additional writing credits going to Earl On The Beat, JT, and Lil Yachty for the sampling of City Girls' 2019 song "Act Up"; the song was produced by Bone Collector, Juicy J, and Crazy Mike and engineered by Irving Gadoury. Commercially, the song debuted and peaked at number eleven on the Billboard Hot 100. On Billboard's Rhythmic Songs airplay chart, it became Megan Thee Stallion's first number one, Nicki Minaj's eighth, and Ty Dolla Sign's third.
"Girls in the Hood" is a song by American rapper Megan Thee Stallion from her debut studio album, Good News (2020). It was released on June 26, 2020, through 1501 Certified Entertainment and 300 Entertainment, as the album's lead single. Built around a sample of "Boyz-n-the-Hood" by Eazy-E and featuring electric guitar and 808 drums, it is a hip hop song with braggadocious lyrics.
"Don't Stop" is a song by American rapper Megan Thee Stallion featuring fellow American rapper Young Thug. It was written alongside Ricky Remedy and producer Buddah Bless. The song was released on October 2, 2020 by 1501 Certified Entertainment and 300 Entertainment as the second official single from her debut studio album Good News (2020). Musically, it is a sex-positive hip hop song with production inspired by electronic and industrial music.
Good News is the debut studio album by American rapper Megan Thee Stallion. It was released on November 20, 2020, by 300 Entertainment and 1501 Certified. The album features guest appearances from DaBaby, City Girls, Lil Durk, SZA, Popcaan, Mustard, Big Sean, 2 Chainz, Young Thug, and Beyoncé. The music was written and produced with a host of musicians, including D.A Got That Dope, LilJuMadeDaBeat, Juicy J, J. White Did It, and Scott Storch.
"Body" is a song by American rapper Megan Thee Stallion, who wrote the song during the COVID-19 quarantine and was inspired by her own figure during the creative process, with additional concentration on sizes of waist and breasts. It was released on November 20, 2020, by 1501 Certified Entertainment and 300 Entertainment as the third single from her debut studio album Good News (2020). It coincided with the release of the album and was supported by a music video featuring cameo appearances from Taraji P. Henson, Blac Chyna, and Jordyn Woods, among others.
Sugar Honey Iced Tea is the third studio album by American rapper Latto. It was released through Streamcut and RCA Records on August 9, 2024. It is supported by four singles: "Put It on da Floor", "Sunday Service", "Big Mama", and "Brokey". The album features guest appearances from Young Nudy, Hunxho, Coco Jones, Megan Thee Stallion, Ciara, Mariah the Scientist, Teezo Touchdown, Cardi B, and Flo Milli. It serves as the follow-up to her second studio album, 777 (2022).
Jordi is the seventh studio album by American band Maroon 5. It was released on June 11, 2021, through 222, Interscope and Polydor Records. The album features guest appearances from Megan Thee Stallion, Blackbear, Stevie Nicks, Bantu, H.E.R., YG, and late rappers Juice Wrld and Nipsey Hussle. The deluxe edition of the album features additional guest appearances from Anuel AA, Tainy, and Jason Derulo.
Traumazine is the second studio album by American rapper Megan Thee Stallion, released on August 12, 2022. This was her final work with 300 Entertainment and 1501 Certified.
"Cobra" is a song by American rapper Megan Thee Stallion from her third studio album, Megan (2024). It was released independently through Hot Girl Productions on November 3, 2023, as the album's lead single. It marked her first single since departing from her record label 1501 Certified Entertainment and 300 Entertainment in October 2023, as well as her first release as an independent artist.
"Hiss" is a song by American rapper Megan Thee Stallion from her third studio album, Megan (2024). It was released independently through Hot Girl Productions on January 26, 2024, as the second single from the album.
The Hot Girl Summer Tour was the first headlining concert tour by American rapper Megan Thee Stallion in support of her third studio album, Megan, and her entire discography. The tour began on May 14, 2024, in Minneapolis, United States and concluded in New York City on September 26, 2024, at the Athlos Track Meet. It took place across cities in North America and Europe, comprising 36 shows. GloRilla served as the opening act for the North American leg. Ms Banks served as the opening act for the European leg.
"Boa" is a song by American rapper Megan Thee Stallion from her third studio album, Megan (2024). It was released through Hot Girl Productions and Warner Music Group on May 10, 2024, as the third single from the album. The song samples "What You Waiting For?" by Gwen Stefani, for which both Stefani and songwriter Linda Perry receive a writing credit.
"Otaku Hot Girl" is a song by American rapper Megan Thee Stallion, released on June 28, 2024 from her third studio album Megan (2024). Produced by Bankroll Got It, it samples the bumper music to the anime series Jujutsu Kaisen.
"Mamushi" is a song by American rapper Megan Thee Stallion featuring Japanese rapper Yuki Chiba from the former's third studio album Megan (2024). After going viral on the video-sharing platform TikTok, the song was released to urban radio by Hot Girl Productions and Warner Music Group as the album's fourth single on July 30, 2024. Produced by Koshy, the bilingual track sees Megan and Chiba rapping in English and Japanese. A remix featuring South Korean girl group Twice was released as a part of Megan: Act II (2024), the deluxe reissue of Megan.
"Neva Play" is a song by American rapper Megan Thee Stallion featuring South Korean rapper RM of BTS. It was released on September 6, 2024, through Hot Girl Productions and Warner Music Group, as the lead single from Megan: Act II (2024), the deluxe reissue of the former's third studio album Megan (2024). "Neva Play" is the official theme song for WWE SmackDown on USA Network.
Strategy is the fourteenth extended play by South Korean girl group Twice. It was released on December 6, 2024, through JYP Entertainment and Republic Records. The EP consists of seven tracks, including the group's fourth original English-language single "Strategy" featuring American rapper Megan Thee Stallion. The album blends electro-pop, R&B, and the group’s signature bubblegum pop, fusing '80s influences with Y2K sounds. It debuted at number one on the South Korean Circle Chart and number four on the US Billboard 200.
Megan: Act II is a reissue of American rapper Megan Thee Stallion's third studio album, Megan (2024). It was released through Hot Girl Productions and Warner Music Group on October 25, 2024. The album features guest appearances from Flo Milli, Twice, Spiritbox, and RM of BTS, who appears on the bonus track "Neva Play".
"Bigger in Texas" is a song by American rapper Megan Thee Stallion. It was released on October 25, 2024, through Hot Girl Productions and Warner Music Group, as the second single from Megan: Act II, a reissue of her third studio album Megan (2024). It was produced by Bankroll Got It, Shawn "Source" Jarrett, Han Yang Kingsley Wang and Truckee Street.
Singer had originally teased a "special announcement" during Friday's show