| On Purpose, with Purpose | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 23 February 2024 | |||
| Length | 64:15 | |||
| Label |
| |||
| Producer |
| |||
| Ghetts chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Singles from On Purpose, with Purpose | ||||
| ||||
On Purpose, with Purpose is the fourth studio album by British rapper Ghetts, released on 23 February 2024 through Ghetts Limited and Warner Records. It features guest appearances from Kano, Wretch 32, Sampha, Unknown T, Lancey Foux, Moonchild Sanelly, Skrapz, Shakka, Jay Angelo, Dexta Daps, Harry Aye, Muzi, Tiggs da Author and Pip Millett.
A release statement revealed that the album sees "new heights as a songwriter" for the rapper and expands his "sonic palette", [1] including soul, R&B, Afrobeat, amapiano and gospel. [2] The lead single "Laps" featuring Moonchild Sanelly, whom he had collaborated with before on "Mozambique" (2020), was released accompanying the album announcement on 20 October 2023. [3] Ghetts unveiled the album artwork designed by British-Nigerian artist Olaolu Slawn through a teaser on his social media. [4] Kicking off the era in early 2024, Ghetts announced a few UK tour dates slated for March 2024. [5] While the album was initially announced for release on 5 January 2024, [6] it was later postponed to 2 February. [7]
On Purpose, with Purpose features influence from multiple genres – in addition to energetic, lyrically driven grime tracks, the album also explores Afrobeats and amapiano. [8] [9] [10] "Mount Rushmore", featuring Kano and Wretch 32, was noted as a track that particularly emphasizes Ghetts' grime roots. [9] [10] "Stylish Nxxxa" and "Blood On My Hands" were also acknowledged as among the album's most energetic moments. [8] The Afrobeats and amapiano influences were identified most strongly on tracks such as "Tumbi", "Gbedu", "Blessings", and "Hallelujah". [10] [11]
On Purpose, with Purpose was also noted for its emphasis on socially conscious subject matter. "Double Standards", a "powerful, politically charged" song that features Sampha, explores topics such as "hypocrisy, colourism, paedophilia and prejudice". [8] [10] [11] "Jonah's Safety" discusses postpartum depression and abortion. [9]
| Aggregate scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| Metacritic | 80/100 [12] |
| Review scores | |
| Source | Rating |
| Clash | 8/10 [8] |
| DIY |   [9] |
| NME |  [10] |
| The Observer | [11] |
At Metacritic, which assigns a weighted average score out of 100 to reviews from mainstream critics, On Purpose, with Purpose received an average score of 80 based on 5 reviews, indicating "generally favorable reviews". [12] Critics praised Ghetts' emphasis on storytelling throughout the album, [8] [9] as well as his usage of social commentary. [9] [10] [11] The album was also noted for managing to remain sonically cohesive, even with the prevalence of guest artists and the exploration of Afrobeats. [8] [9] Producer TenBillion Dreams received particular acclaim for complementing Ghetts' style. [8] Ghetts' more restrained delivery on the album did receive some criticism, however: Joe Simpson of Clash opined that the album "slightly loses momentum in the middle", and Damien Morris of NME expressed a desire to see "a couple more heaters". [8] [10]
Morris, as well as Seth Pereira of NME , drew a contrast between Ghetts and André 3000, remarking on the two rappers' divergent attitudes toward aging. Where André released an album dramatically different from his previous discography (2023's New Blue Sun ), the two critics observed that Ghetts instead sought to create a "thoughtful, impassioned" album that further refined his existing style. [10] [11]
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) [lower-alpha 1] | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Intro" |
| TenBillion Dreams | 3:49 |
| 2. | "Mount Rushmore" (featuring Kano and Wretch 32) |
| Emil | 5:05 |
| 3. | "Double Standards" (featuring Sampha) |
|
| 5:01 |
| 4. | "Anakin (Red Saber)" |
| TenBillion Dreams | 3:41 |
| 5. | "Blood on My Hands" (featuring Unknown T) |
| TenBillion Dreams | 3:49 |
| 6. | "Stylish Nxxxa" (featuring Lancey Foux) | J. Clarke-Samuel | 2:52 | |
| 7. | "Laps" (featuring Moonchild Sanelly) |
| TenBillion Dreams | 3:49 |
| 8. | "Twin Sisters" (featuring Skrapz) |
| TenBillion Dreams | 4:39 |
| 9. | "Mine" (featuring Shakka) |
| TenBillion Dreams | 2:25 |
| 10. | "More Than I Required" (featuring Jay Angelo) |
| Jay Angelo | 1:19 |
| 11. | "Hallelujah" (featuring Dexta Daps) |
|
| 3:04 |
| 12. | "Gbedu" (featuring Harry Aye) |
| Nicholas | 3:25 |
| 13. | "Tumbi" |
| Splurge Boys | 2:46 |
| 14. | "Blessings" (featuring Muzi) |
|
| 3:55 |
| 15. | "Grateful (Interlude)" |
| Nicholas | 1:41 |
| 16. | "Street Politics" (featuring Tiggs da Author) |
| Emil | 3:44 |
| 17. | "Jonah's Safety" (featuring Pip Millett) |
| Nicholas | 4:12 |
| 18. | "Expiry Date (Outro)" |
|
| 4:59 |
| Total length: | 64:15 | |||
| Chart (2024) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| UK Albums (OCC) [13] | 29 |
| UK R&B Albums (OCC) [14] | 2 |
Paris Joel Moore-Williams, better known by his stage name P Money, is a British grime MC, rapper and songwriter from New Cross, South East London, who is also active in the drum and bass scene. He is best known for his live performances as well as for songs such as "Slang Like This", "Anthemic" and "Round the Clock". N.E was the founding member of Lewisham-based grime crew OGz and P Money released one album with the group entitled OGz Season Vol. 1. He also appeared on the sixth edition of highly popular grime DVD Lord of the Mics in a grime clash (battle).
Kane Brett Robinson, better known as Kano, is a British rapper, songwriter and actor from East Ham, London. A significant contributor to grime music, he is widely considered one of the pioneers of the grime culture, alongside artists such as Wiley and Dizzee Rascal. His fifth album, Made in the Manor was shortlisted for the 2016 Mercury Prize and won Best Album at the 2016 MOBO Awards. On screen, he is best known for playing the role of Sully in Top Boy.
Justin Jude Clarke-Samuels, better known by his stage name Ghetts, is a British grime MC, rapper, songwriter and actor. His music has been played on national radio stations such as BBC Radio 1, Kiss 100, BBC Asian Network, and BBC Radio 1Xtra. Currently, Ghetts is signed to independent record label Disrupt, and released his debut studio album, Rebel with a Cause, on 9 March 2014. Known for his hard hitting lyrics and intricate rhyme schemes, he is associated and has toured internationally with such acts as Kano and was a member of NASTY Crew.
Conflict of Interest is the third studio album by British rapper Ghetts, released on 19 February 2021 by Ghetts Limited and Warner Records. It includes guest appearances from Skepta, Dave, Wretch 32, Giggs, Stormzy, Ed Sheeran, Emeli Sandé, and more.
Jermaine Sinclaire Scott, better known by his stage name Wretch 32, is a British rapper, singer and songwriter from Tottenham, North London. He was a member of the grime collective Combination Chain Gang, before forming The Movement with Scorcher, Ghetts, and Mercston.
Tyrone Jermaine "TJ" Carter, better known by the stage name Lil Silva, is an English record producer, singer, songwriter and DJ, based in Bedford. He has produced and sung on his own singles and EPs that have been described as funky house, UK funky, instrumental grime and "dubstep-inflected pop". He also takes a more traditional producer role on other musicians' work—was principal producer on Banks's album Goddess and contributed production to Adele's album 25. He has collaborated with SBTRKT and on Damon Albarn's Africa Express project.
Gqom, gqom tech,sgubhu or 3-Step) is an electronic dance music genre and subgenre of house music that emerged in the early 2010s from Durban, South Africa, pioneered and innovated by music producers Naked Boyz, Rudeboyz, Sbucardo, Griffit Vigo, Nasty Boyz, DJ Lag, Menzi Shabane, Distruction Boyz and Citizen Boy.
Sanelisiwe Twisha, known professionally as Moonchild Sanelly is a South African musician and dancer. She is known for her signature blue-coloured hair and her self-created music genre called "Future ghetto funk". Originally from Port Elizabeth, the singer first came into limelight in the Durban poetry and music scene before relocating to Johannesburg, where she has continued her musical career.
Big Bad... is the fifth studio album by British rapper Giggs. It was released on February 22, 2019, via NO BS Music Limited / Island Records. The album features guest appearances from Gashi, Ghetts, Jadakiss, Kristian Hamilton, Labrinth, Lil Yachty, French Montana, Swizz Beatz, Theophilus London and Wretch 32. The album debuts at number 6 on the UK Albums Chart.
Hoodies All Summer is the sixth studio album by British rapper Kano. The album was released on 30 August 2019 by Parlophone Records and Bigger Picture Music. It follows the album Made in the Manor which was released in 2016. It includes guest appearances from Ghetts, D Double E, Popcaan, Kojo Funds and Lil Silva, with production handled by Blue May and Jodi Milliner.
Amapiano, a South African music genre taken from the word pianos, is a subgenre of kwaito and house music that emerged in South Africa in the mid-2010s. It is a hybrid of deep house, gqom, jazz, soul and lounge music characterized by synths and wide, percussive basslines.
Song Machine, Season One: Strange Timez is the seventh studio album by British virtual band Gorillaz, released on 23 October 2020 via Parlophone and Warner Records. The album was released as the culmination of Gorillaz' Song Machine project, a web series consisting of a collection of singles and music videos, dubbed "episodes" each featuring different guest artists. The album marked the return of the character Murdoc Niccals in promotional material, after his absence from The Now Now in 2018. The record received positive reviews from music critics.
JazziDisciples were an amapiano DJ and producer duo originating from South Africa. They were composed of two record producers known by their stage names Mr JazziQ and Josiah De Disciple.
Utopia is the fourth studio album by American rapper Travis Scott. It was released through Cactus Jack and Epic Records on July 28, 2023. The album features guest appearances from Teezo Touchdown, Drake, Playboi Carti, Beyoncé, Rob49, 21 Savage, the Weeknd, Swae Lee, Yung Lean, Dave Chappelle, Young Thug, Westside Gunn, Kid Cudi, Bad Bunny, SZA, Future, and James Blake. Physical releases of the album feature additional guest appearances from Lil Uzi Vert and Sheck Wes. Production was handled by a variety of record producers, including Scott and Blake themselves, WondaGurl, Ye, Allen Ritter, Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo, Wheezy, Buddy Ross, Vegyn, 30 Roc, Jahaan Sweet, Boi-1da, Vinylz, Tay Keith, Bnyx, Oz, Justin Vernon, the Alchemist, Dom Maker, Illangelo, DVLP, and Metro Boomin, among others. The album serves as the follow-up to Scott's third studio album, Astroworld (2018), as well as JackBoys (2019), his compilation album that was released in collaboration with Cactus Jack. It is a concept record that was accompanied by a film titled Circus Maximus which was released the day before the album.
We're All Alone in This Together is the second studio album by British rapper Dave, released on 23 July 2021 by Neighbourhood Recordings. The album succeeds his debut album Psychodrama (2019), and includes guest appearances from Stormzy, James Blake, Wizkid, Snoh Aalegra, Boj, Fredo, Ghetts, Giggs and Meekz.
"In the Fire" is a song by British rapper Dave, featuring other British rappers such as Fredo, Meekz, Ghetts, Giggs, and Nathan James Tettey. It also features an intro and bridge from Milton Biggham of The Florida Mass Choir. It was released on July 23, 2021, by Dave and Neighbourhood Recordings on Dave's second studio album, We're All Alone in This Together.
This Is What I Mean is the third studio album by British rapper Stormzy, released through #Merky and 0207 Def Jam on 25 November 2022. It follows Stormzy's 2019 album Heavy Is the Head, and was preceded by the lead single "Hide & Seek" and the follow-up single "Firebabe". It was nominated for Album of the Year at the 2023 Brit Awards.
Crop Circle 2 is the fourth studio album by English rapper Nines, released on 28 April 2023 by Zino and Warner Records. It features guest appearances from Skrapz, J Styles and Fatz of Ice City Boyz, Wretch 32, M Huncho, Potter Payper, Clavish, Nafe Smallz, Kojey Radical and Tiggs da Author. The album, which shares its name with a 2020 film made by Nines following his 2018 album Crop Circle, was preceded by the lead single "Tony Soprano 2".
Tyla is the debut studio album by South African singer Tyla. It was released on 22 March 2024 through Fax and Epic Records. Capitalizing on her international breakthrough with its lead single "Water", the album includes guest appearances from Kelvin Momo, Tems, Gunna, Skillibeng, Becky G, and Travis Scott. Tyla blends elements of amapiano, pop, afrobeats, and contemporary R&B, and its lyrical themes include empowerment and relationships.
The Last One is the second studio album by British rapper Headie One. It was released through Columbia Records and Sony Music UK on 28 June 2024. The album features guest appearances from Potter Payper, Stormzy, Tay Keith, Fridayy, Skrillex, AJ Tracey, Beam, Äyanna, D-Block Europe, Aitch, Bnxn, Odumodublvck, Tay Iwar, and Sampha. The album's production was handled by several producers such as Aminé, Einer Bankz, Lucas Secon, M1OnTheBeat, Nineteen85, and P2J, alongside several other producers including Tay Keith, Fridayy, Skrillex, and Sampha.