Owl Pharaoh | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | ||||
Mixtape by | ||||
Released | May 21, 2013 | |||
Length | 51:34 | |||
Label | Grand Hustle | |||
Producer |
| |||
Travis Scott chronology | ||||
| ||||
Singles from Owl Pharaoh | ||||
|
Owl Pharaoh is the debut mixtape by American rapper Travis Scott. It was released through Grand Hustle Records and Epic Records on May 21, 2013. The mixtape features guest appearances from T.I., Toro y Moi, ASAP Ferg, Theophilus London, Paul Wall, James Fauntleroy, Wale, and Meek Mill. Production was handled by Scott and Toro y Moi themselves, Emile Haynie, J Gramm Beats, Anthony Kilhoffer, WondaGurl, DJ Dahi, Rey Reel, Rahki, Mike Dean, Young Chop, Lex Luger, Sak Pase, and the Dope Boys. The mixtape was supported by one single, "Upper Echelon", which features T.I. and was released with an exclusive additional feature from 2 Chainz that does not appear on the version of the song on the mixtape on April 18, 2013.
In 2011, Scott announced that his then-upcoming first project would be titled Owl Pharaoh and would be an 11-track extended play with two bonus tracks instead of a mixtape, which would include some of his older songs such as "Lights (Love Sick)", "Analogue", and "That B!tch Crazy". The following year, he worked more on the project to make it a mixtape and announced that it would be released the same month as GOOD Music's Cruel Summer , which did not end up happening for unknown reasons. Scott released the song "Blocka La Flame" along with the official music video on December 14, 2012. He then worked even more on the project and set a new release date for February 22, 2013, which also did not end up happening for unknown reasons. On March 22, 2013, Scott released a solo version of the song "Quintana" alongside its accompanying visuals before fellow American rapper Wale was added to the song when the mixtape was released. [1] After gaining some moderate popularity from being listed in XXL's Freshman Class of 2013, he announced that the mixtape would be released on May 21, 2013, and said that he may release it on iTunes but did not end up releasing it to any other streaming services other than his SoundCloud account due to him not being able to clear all the samples on it. [2] On April 18, 2013, Scott released the lead and only single of the mixtape, "Upper Echelon", which features fellow American rappers T.I. and 2 Chainz, but the latter is only featured on the single version of the song and not the one that appears on the mixtape. [3] [4] He also credited T.I., Kanye West, and Justin Vernon for helping him create the project. [5] [6] Four days later, he revealed the tracklist of the mixtape, which included songs that feature Common and Gunplay that did not end up appearing on it. MTV revealed that Scott would be releasing the mixtape for free and not on iTunes. [7]
Review scores | |
---|---|
Source | Rating |
XXL | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Owl Pharaoh was met with critical acclaim from music critics. Ralph Bristout of XXL gave the album an XL, saying "While he’s still finding himself lyrically, his work behind the boards and eagerness to try new things keep this from becoming problematic. Perhaps Owl Pharaoh’s sole drawback is that it still doesn’t quite seem to answer the question 'Who exactly is Travi$ Scott?' Luckily for him, this incredibly cohesive debut is so mesmerizing that everyone should want to find out." [8] The mixtape was nominated for Best Mixtape at the 2013 BET Hip Hop Awards. [9] Spin ranked it at number 21, on their list of the "40 Best Hip-Hop Albums of 2013." They commented saying, "The sneering attitude dripping through muffled Auto-Tune and dark streaks of "Uptown" and "Bad Mood / Shit On You" are a very distinct brand of dark and twisted, but certainly not a fantasy." [10] XXL named it the fifth best mixtape of 2013. They elaborated saying, "Above all things, the 2013 XXL Freshman’s production skills is on full display, presenting his wide range of sound. Owl Pharaoh is an early sign that the potential for him is monumental." [11]
Year | Ceremony | Award | Result |
---|---|---|---|
2013 | BET Hip Hop Awards | "Best Mixtape" [12] | Nominated |
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. | "Meadow Creek" | Jacques Webster II | Travis Scott | 1:48 |
2. | "Bad Mood / Shit on You" |
|
| 5:18 |
3. | "Upper Echelon" (featuring T.I. and 2 Chainz) |
|
| 4:02 |
4. | "Chaz Interlude" (featuring Toro y Moi) | Chazwick Bundick | Toro y Moi | 1:40 |
5. | "Uptown" (featuring A$AP Ferg) |
|
| 4:29 |
6. | "Hell of a Night" | 3:14 | ||
7. | "Blocka La Flame" |
|
| 3:38 |
8. | "Naked" |
|
| 1:40 |
9. | "Dance on the Moon" (featuring Theophilus London and Paul Wall) |
|
| 5:14 |
10. | "MIA" |
|
| 4:22 |
11. | "Drive" (featuring James Fauntleroy) |
| Travis Scott | 5:14 |
12. | "Quintana note12 = featuring Wale" |
|
| 5:07 |
13. | "16 Chapels" | Webster | Travis Scott | 3:53 |
14. | "Bandz" (featuring Meek Mill) |
|
| 4:31 |
Total length: | 56:05 |
Notes
Jordan Michael Houston III, known professionally as Juicy J, is an American rapper, songwriter, and record producer. Originally from Memphis, Tennessee, he is a founding member of the Southern hip hop group Three 6 Mafia, established in 1991. He released ten studio albums with the group, which began as an underground act until attaining mainstream recognition and signing with Loud Records, an imprint of Columbia Records in 2000. The group's 2005 single, "Stay Fly", yielded their furthest commercial success, peaking at number 13 on the Billboard Hot 100. That same year, they recorded the song "It's Hard out Here for a Pimp" for the film Hustle & Flow, which won an Academy Award for Best Original Song.
Clifford Joseph Harris Jr., known professionally as T.I. or Tip, is an American rapper. Born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia, Harris is credited as one the pioneers of the hip hop subgenre trap music, along with fellow Georgia-based rappers Jeezy and Gucci Mane. He first became acquainted with local music executive Kawan "KP" Prather, and joined his company Ghet-O-Vision Entertainment by the late 1990s. He was led to sign a major-label record deal with its parent company LaFace Records, an imprint of Arista Records in 1999. His debut studio album, I'm Serious (2001) was met with lukewarm critical and commercial reception, becoming his only release with the label. He then signed with Atlantic Records, where he soon reached his mainstream breakthrough and co-founded his own label imprint, Grand Hustle Records by 2003.
Grand Hustle Records, also known as Hustle Gang Music, is an American hip hop record label, founded in 2003, by American rapper T.I. and his manager Jason Geter. The label was distributed by Atlantic Records until December 2012, and has since operated as an independent record label. Its roster has included acts such as 8Ball & MJG, B.o.B, Killer Mike, Young Dro, DJ Drama, Meek Mill, Chip, Travis Scott,The OMG Girlz and Trae tha Truth, the latter of whom also served as the label's vice president. The label also houses a roster of record producers, which has included Lil' C, Mars and Nard & B.
Olubowale Victor Akintimehin, better known by his stage name Wale, is an American rapper. He first became known for his 2006 song "Dig Dug ", which became popular in his hometown of Washington D.C. and led Wale to gain further local recognition as he amassed a number of follow-up releases. Wale signed with English DJ-producer Mark Ronson's Allido Records in 2007, and after a three-label bidding war, he entered a joint venture with Interscope Records for US$1.3 million the following year. During this time, Wale's mixtapes and singles saw national attention as he appeared on MTV and various Black America-focused magazines.
Bobby Ray Simmons Jr., known professionally as B.o.B, is an American rapper, singer, and record producer. Raised in Decatur, Georgia, Simmons signed with producer Jim Jonsin through his Rebel Rock Entertainment label in 2006. Two years later, he signed a joint venture recording contract with fellow Georgia rapper T.I.'s Grand Hustle Records, an imprint of Atlantic Records. Following his major-label deal, Simmons quickly achieved commercial success when his 2009 debut single, "Nothin' on You", peaked the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and received three nominations—Record of the Year, Best Rap Song, and Best Rap/Sung Collaboration—at the 53rd Grammy Awards.
Dreamchasers 2 is the ninth mixtape by American rapper Meek Mill. It was released on May 7, 2012, by Maybach Music Group and Warner Bros. Records, and also released for digital download on DatPiff. It serves as the second installment in the Dreamchasers series, following Dreamchasers (2011). The mixtape features guest appearances from American rappers Travis Scott, Rick Ross, Fabolous, French Montana, Wale, Big Sean, Kendrick Lamar, Mac Miller, 2 Chainz and Canadian rapper Drake – along with singing vocals by Jeremih, Trey Songz and Jordanne; as well as production that was provided by Jahlil Beats, SAP, All Star, Cardiak, Reginald Smith, and Jesse Wilson, among others. The mixtape consists mostly of original material, including a remix to Meek Mill's single from his previous mixtape Dreamchasers, "House Party", and a cover of Drake's "The Ride".
The discography of American rapper Meek Mill consists of five studio albums, seven extended plays, one compilation album, three collaborative albums, eleven mixtapes, fifty-four singles, ten promotional singles and thirty music videos.
Sonny Corey Uwaezuoke, better known by his stage name Sonny Digital, is an American record producer, rapper, and DJ. He first saw recognition for his production work on YC's 2011 single "Racks", which peaked within the top 50 of the Billboard Hot 100. Throughout the following decade, he was credited on a string of commercially successful hip hop and trap singles including ILoveMakonnen's "Tuesday", Future's "Same Damn Time", 50 Cent's "I'm the Man", 2 Chainz's "Birthday Song", and Travis Scott's "Stargazing". Uwaezuoke has also produced for XXL Magazine's Freshman Hip Hop Cyphers in 2017 and 2018, and pursued a lukewarmly-received career as a recording artist.
Nicholaus Joseph Williams, better known by his stage name Trinidad James, is a Trinidadian-American rapper and songwriter. In December 2012, he signed with Def Jam Recordings to release his debut single, "All Gold Everything". The song peaked within the top 40 of the Billboard Hot 100, received platinum certification by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), and spawned a remix featuring fellow Georgia-based rappers T.I., Jeezy and 2 Chainz. He was dropped from the label in 2014 after failing to promptly record a debut album.
Folarin is the eighth mixtape by American rapper Wale, it was released on December 24, 2012. The mixtape features guest appearances from Rick Ross, 2 Chainz, Tiara Thomas, Scarface, Nipsey Hussle, French Montana, Chinx Drugz, Jhené Aiko, Travis Porter, Trinidad James, Hit-Boy, and Chrisette Michele among others.
Wrath of Caine is the second mixtape by American rapper Pusha T, released on January 28, 2013 under GOOD Music and Re-Up Records. The mixtape features guest appearances from Rick Ross, French Montana, Popcaan, Travis Scott, Troy Ave, Kevin Gates, Andrea Martin and Wale. Production varies from Kanye West, Young Chop, Jake One and The Neptunes, among others.
Freebandz is an American record label founded by American rapper Future in 2011. The label's releases are distributed through Epic Records. Freebandz has signed artists including Real Boston Richey, Lil Double O, Doe Boy, Young Scooter, and Future's personal mixtape compiler, DJ Esco.
G.D.O.D. is a series of compilation mixtapes released by American hip hop and R&B record label Grand Hustle Records, under the namesake Hustle Gang. The first installment in the series was released on May 7, 2013.
"FDB" is a song by American rapper Young Dro, released on March 28, 2013, as the lead single from his second studio album High Times (2013). The track, which’s title is an acronym for "Fuck Dat Bitch", was produced by production team FKi. The song peaked at number two on the Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles, becoming Young Dro's highest charting song since 2006's "Shoulder Lean".
High Times is the second studio album by American rapper Young Dro. The album was released on October 15, 2013, by Grand Hustle Records and eOne Music. The album features guest appearances from Forgeeauto, Mac Boney, T.I., Spodee, Problem, Natasha Mosley, Blu June, Doe B and Miloh Smith. The album was met with generally positive reviews from music critics, and debuted at number 57 on the US Billboard 200 chart.
Days Before Rodeo is the second mixtape by American rapper Travis Scott. It was released through Grand Hustle Records on August 18, 2014. The mixtape features guest appearances from Rich Homie Quan, Young Thug, the 1975, Big Sean, Migos, and Peewee Longway, Production was handled by Scott himself, alongside WondaGurl, Metro Boomin, DJ Dahi, Mike Dean, Southside, Lil' C, AudioKlique, Charlie Handsome, FKi 1st,Vinylz, Allen Ritter, Anthony Kilhoffer, Lex Luger, Oz, Syk Sense, Tane Runo, and J. Hill. On August 18, 2024, Travis Scott announced the mixtape will be released on streaming services for the first time on August 23, 2024 to commemorate the mixtape's 10 year anniversary. The travisscott.com exclusive Digital Deluxe Album also includes some additional songs that Scott had recorded for it that didn't end up appearing on the original version. A psychedelic trap album, Days Before Rodeo serves as the follow-up to Scott's debut mixtape, Owl Pharaoh (2013), and serves as the prequel to his studio album, Rodeo (2015).
The 2013 BET Hip Hop Awards was held on October 15, 2013 at Atlanta Civic Center in the ATL. Snoop Dogg was the event's host for the first time. Kendrick Lamar leads the nominations with 14. Drake had the second most at 13, while J. Cole picked up 10 nods. Kendrick Lamar won the most awards with 5 wins.
Jacques Bermon Webster II, known professionally as Travis Scott, is an American rapper, singer, songwriter, and record producer. Scott has had four number-one hits on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart, along with a total of over one hundred charting songs. He has been nominated for ten Grammy Awards and won a Latin Grammy Award, Billboard Music Award, MTV Video Music Award, and multiple BET Hip Hop Awards. As of 2023, Scott has sold over 49 million certified records in the U.S. alone. Scott's musical style has been described as a "blend between traditional hip-hop and lo-fi" and often characterized as "ambient," with a heavily appraised influence from rappers Kanye West and Kid Cudi. His stage name is derived from the latter's real name, Scott Mescudi, combined with the name of a favorite uncle.
The 2012 BET Hip Hop Awards was held on October 9, 2012, at Atlanta Civic Center in the ATL, hosted by Mike Epps. The nominations were announced on September 13, 2012. Kanye West leads the nominations with 17 nominations, followed by 2 Chainz with 13 and Drake with 11.
Hustle Gang Presents We Want Smoke, commonly referred to as We Want Smoke, is a compilation album by recording artists of American record label Grand Hustle Records, released under the namesake Hustle Gang. The compilation was issued on October 13, 2017, by the label, under exclusive license to Roc Nation. American rapper T.I., head of the label, first revealed plans for a label collaborative album in 2013. The compilation produced three singles—"Game 7", "Do No Wrong" and "Friends".