New Beginnings (Reason album)

Last updated

New Beginnings
Reason - New Beginnings.png
Studio album by
ReleasedOctober 9, 2020
Recorded2019–2020
Genre Hip hop
Length47:39
Label
Producer
  • AC The Producer
  • Arte Mitchell
  • Bizness Boi
  • Devin Williams
  • Fortune
  • Illmind
  • James Delgado
  • Kal Banx
  • Mario Luciano
  • Mike & Keys
  • My Guy Mars
  • Nabeyin
  • Newz
  • Nils
  • Nostxlgic
  • SmokeyGotBeatz
  • S1
  • Tae Beast
  • Tariq Beats
  • The 90's
  • WU10
Reason chronology
There You Have It
(2018)
New Beginnings
(2020)
Porches
(2023)
Singles from New Beginnings
  1. "Flick It Up"
    Released: November 13, 2019
  2. "Show Stop"
    Released: January 24, 2020
  3. "Pop Shit"
    Released: March 15, 2020
  4. "Sauce"
    Released: September 25, 2020

New Beginnings is the debut studio album by American rapper Reason. It was released on October 9, 2020, by Top Dawg Entertainment (TDE) and Caroline Records. The album includes guest features from Schoolboy Q, Ab-Soul, Isaiah Rashad, JID, Vince Staples, Rapsody, Mereba, and Alemeda. Production was primarily handled by in-house TDE producer Kal Banx, among others. [1] [2]

Contents

Background

The album was initially planned to be released in March 2020, but was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Reason explained the album's delay: "I had to get rid of every fear, anxiety, doubt, and negative mindset to make this project". [3] In an interview with Paper , Reason spoke on the album, saying:

New Beginnings, to me, is getting rid of all those old fears, doubts, anxieties and anything that you have that's stopping you from doing something great. I compare it a lot to a long relationship or a job that you've been at for a long time. It's like a lot of those times you might feel like you want to leave every single day, but you just don't out of fears. Those fears can be of losing that comfortable place, having to do something else, or ultimately leaving and failing. That's what New Beginnings was for me — leaving my old life and stepping into this new life as Reason with TDE. It's almost like a celebration of getting over that fear and actually accomplishing that. [4]

Singles and promotion

On November 13, 2019, the first single, "Flick It Up", was released, featuring Ab-Soul. [5] The second song "Show Stop", was released on January 24, 2020, featuring background vocals from Kendrick Lamar. [6] On March 15, the third single was released, titled "Pop Shit", featuring Schoolboy Q. [7] The fourth single was released on September 25, titled "Sauce", featuring Vince Staples. [8]

Track listing

New Beginnings track listing
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Something More" Robert Gill, Jr.
  • Kal Banx
  • AC The Producer
  • WU10
  • Nabeyin
  • Newz
3:16
2."Stories I Forgot"Gill, Jr.Kal Banx3:03
3."Pop Shit" (with Schoolboy Q)
  • Kal Banx
  • James Delgado
2:43
4."Show Stop"Gill, Jr.
2:59
5."Favorite Nigga"Gill, Jr.
  • Kal Banx
  • Mario Luciano
2:04
6."I Can Make It" (featuring Rapsody)
S1 3:57
7."Fall"Gill, Jr.
  • Nabeyin
  • SmokeyGotBeatz
3:43
8."Slow Down" (featuring Alemeda)Gill, Jr.
  • Kal Banx
  • Arte Mitchell
3:49
9."Flick It Up" (featuring Ab-Soul)
2:42
10."Sauce" (featuring Vince Staples)
  • Bizness Boi
  • Nils
2:58
11."Extinct" (featuring Isaiah Rashad and JID)Devin Williams3:42
12."Westside" (featuring Mereba)
  • Kal Banx
  • AC The Producer
  • Nabeyin
  • Fortune
3:52
13."Gossip"Gill, Jr.
4:03
14."Windows Cry"Gill, Jr.
  • Kal Banx
  • WU10
4:48
Total length:47:39

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Schoolboy Q</span> American rapper (born 1986)

Quincy Matthew Hanley, better known by his stage name Schoolboy Q, is an American rapper from South Los Angeles, California. He began recording in 2007, and released his first two mixtapes, ScHoolboy Turned Hustla (2008) and Gangsta & Soul (2009) to local success. After signing with the Carson-based record label Top Dawg Entertainment, Hanley's debut studio album, Setbacks (2011) and its follow-up, Habits & Contradictions (2012) were both released to positive critical response; both also performed moderately on the US Billboard 200 chart as digital exclusives.

<i>Setbacks</i> (album) 2011 studio album by ScHoolboy Q

Setbacks is the debut studio album by American hip hop recording artist ScHoolboy Q, released for digital download on January 11, 2011, under Top Dawg Entertainment (TDE). The album features guest appearances from fellow Black Hippy members Kendrick Lamar, Jay Rock and Ab-Soul, as well as vocals from singer-songwriters Alori Joh, Jhené Aiko and BJ the Chicago Kid. The album's production was handled by Lord Quest, Willie B, Focus..., Rahki, Phonix Beats, Tae Beast, DJ Wes, King Blue, Sounwave and more.

<i>Habits & Contradictions</i> 2012 studio album by Schoolboy Q

Habits & Contradictions is the second studio album by American rapper Schoolboy Q. It was released on January 14, 2012, exclusively on iTunes, by Top Dawg Entertainment (TDE). The album features guest appearances from ASAP Rocky, Jhené Aiko, Dom Kennedy, Currensy, Ab-Soul, Kendrick Lamar and Jay Rock. The production was handled by American producers The Alchemist, Lex Luger, Mike Will Made It, Best Kept Secret and ASAP Ty Beats, as well as members of Top Dawg Entertainment in-house production team Digi+Phonics.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Black Hippy</span> American hip hop supergroup from California

Black Hippy was an American hip hop supergroup from South Los Angeles, California, formed in 2008. The group consisted 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).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Top Dawg Entertainment</span> American record label

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 is the chief executive officer. His son, Anthony "Moosa" Tiffith Jr., and Terrence "Punch" Henderson are the presidents of the label.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ab-Soul</span> American rapper (born 1987)

Herbert Anthony Stevens IV, better known by his stage name Ab-Soul, is an American rapper. 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.

<i>Oxymoron</i> (Schoolboy Q album) 2014 studio album by Schoolboy Q

Oxymoron is the third studio album by American rapper Schoolboy Q. It was released on February 25, 2014, through Top Dawg Entertainment and distributed by Interscope Records. Oxymoron was his first album released under a major record label to music retailers, whereas his previous albums were released independently to digital retailers only.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ab-Soul discography</span> Hip hop recording artist discography

The discography of Ab-Soul, an American hip hop recording artist, consists of five studio albums, two mixtapes, seventeen singles and 30 music videos. Ab-Soul's first full-length project was a mixtape titled Longterm. The mixtape was released in 2009, as a free download via mixtape-sharing websites.

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Collard Greens (song)</span> 2013 single by Schoolboy Q featuring Kendrick Lamar

"Collard Greens" is a song by American hip hop recording artist Schoolboy Q, released on June 11, 2013 as the lead single from his third studio album Oxymoron (2014). The song, produced by production team THC and co-produced by Gwen Bunn, features a guest appearance from his Black Hippy cohort, Top Dawg Entertainment labelmate, and fellow American rapper Kendrick Lamar. The song has since peaked at number 92 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 36 on the UK R&B Chart. It was met with generally positive reviews from music critics.

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. He is also a member of the hip hop collective A Room Full of Mirrors, alongside fellow rappers Punch and Daylyt, among others.

<i>Stolen Youth</i> (mixtape) 2013 mixtape by Vince Staples and Larry Fisherman

Stolen Youth is a collaborative mixtape by American rapper Vince Staples and rapper/producer Mac Miller, under his production pseudonym Larry Fisherman. The mixtape was released as a free digital download on June 20, 2013, to mixtape hosting websites. Stolen Youth was entirely produced by Miller. The mixtape features guest appearances from Mac Miller, Ab-Soul, Schoolboy Q, Da$H, Hardo, and Staples' Cutthroat Boyz cohort, Joey Fatts.

Lance Howard, better known by his stage name Lance Skiiiwalker, is an American singer, rapper and record producer from Chicago, Illinois. He is signed to Top Dawg Entertainment and his debut album, Introverted Intuition, was released in October 2016.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">That Part</span> 2016 single by Schoolboy Q featuring Kanye West

"That Part" is a hip hop song by American hip hop recording artist Schoolboy Q featuring Kanye West. It was released on May 13, 2016 by Top Dawg Entertainment (TDE) and Interscope Records, as the lead single from Schoolboy Q's fourth album Blank Face LP, and was produced by Cardo, Yung Exclusive, Cubeatz and Sounwave. The song was nominated for Best Rap Performance at the 59th Annual Grammy Awards. HipHopDX named it the ninth best hip-hop song of 2016.

<i>Blank Face LP</i> 2016 studio album by Schoolboy Q

Blank Face LP is the fourth studio album by American rapper Schoolboy Q. It was released on July 8, 2016, through Top Dawg Entertainment and distributed by Interscope Records. The album serves as his second release under a major record label to music retailers, following 2014's Oxymoron. The album features guest appearances from several prominent artists, such as Kanye West, Jadakiss, E-40, Tha Dogg Pound, Miguel and Anderson .Paak, among others.

Terrence Louis Henderson Jr., better known by his stage name Punch, is an American rapper, songwriter, record producer and record executive from Carson, California. He is best known for being the president of independent record label Top Dawg Entertainment (TDE). He has also executive produced several successful albums, including Kendrick Lamar's Section.80 (2011), Schoolboy Q's Habits & Contradictions (2012), Terrace Martin's 3ChordFold, (2013) and more. Aside from his solo musical career, Punch is a member of hip hop collective A Room Full of Mirrors, alongside fellow rappers Daylyt, Nick Grant, The Ichiban Don, Lyric Michelle, Hari, and more.

Robert Lee Gill Jr., better known by his stage name Reason, is an American rapper and songwriter. He was formerly signed to hip hop record label Top Dawg Entertainment, where he started to gain recognition. His TDE debut, There You Have It, was released on September 28, 2018, a re-release of an album from 2017. His major label debut album New Beginnings was released on October 9, 2020.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Numb Numb Juice</span> 2019 song by Schoolboy Q

"Numb Numb Juice" is a song by American rapper Schoolboy Q, released on March 13, 2019 as the lead single from his fifth studio album Crash Talk, by Top Dawg Entertainment (TDE) and Interscope Records. The song was produced by Baby Keem, DJ Fu and Nez & Rio.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chopstix (song)</span> Single by Schoolboy Q and Travis Scott

"Chopstix" is a song by American rappers Schoolboy Q and Travis Scott, released on April 8, 2019 by Top Dawg Entertainment (TDE) and Interscope Records. It is the second single from Schoolboy Q's fifth studio album Crash Talk (2019). The song was produced by DJ Dahi. The song received mixed to negative reviews.

<i>Blue Lips</i> (Schoolboy Q album) 2024 studio album by Schoolboy Q

Blue Lips is the sixth studio album by American rapper Schoolboy Q. It was released on March 1, 2024, through Top Dawg Entertainment and distributed by Interscope Records. The album features guest appearances from Ab-Soul, AzChike, Childish Major, Devin Malik, Freddie Gibbs, Jozzy, Lance Skiiwalker, and Rico Nasty. It marks his first studio album release in five years, since 2019's Crash Talk.

References

  1. "REASON Shares Debut Album With TDE, 'New Beginnings'". Hypebeast. October 9, 2020.
  2. "Reason Shares New Project 'New Beginnings' f/ ScHoolboy Q, Rapsody, Vince Staples, and More". Complex .
  3. Findlay, Mitch (September 29, 2020). "Reason Announces "New Beginnings" Album Release Date". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved October 1, 2020.
  4. "Why REASON's New Beginnings Start Now". Paper . October 9, 2020.
  5. "Ab-Soul Joins His TDE Cohort Reason on "Flick It Up"". Hypebeast. November 26, 2019.
  6. "TDE's Reason Premieres New Visual for "Show Stop"". Hypebeast. January 29, 2020.
  7. "Reason – "Pop Shit" (Feat. ScHoolboy Q)". Stereogum . May 15, 2020.
  8. "Reason – "Sauce" (Feat. Vince Staples)". Stereogum. September 25, 2020.
  9. "TDE's Reason Coincidentally Dropped a Song Sampling MF Doom Today". January 2021.