Pink Tape | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Studio album by | ||||
Released | June 30, 2023 | |||
Recorded | 2017, 2020–2023 | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 87:03 | |||
Label |
| |||
Producer |
| |||
Lil Uzi Vert chronology | ||||
| ||||
Singles from Pink Tape | ||||
|
Pink Tape is the third solo album by American rapper and singer Lil Uzi Vert. It was released through Generation Now and Atlantic Records on June 30, 2023. [2] The album features guest appearances from Travis Scott, Nicki Minaj, Snow Strippers, Bring Me the Horizon, Don Toliver, and Babymetal. Production was handled by a variety of record producers, including Bring Me the Horizon themselves, Don Cannon, Brandon Finessin, Arca, Bnyx, Oogie Mane, Cubeatz, WondaGurl, Bugz Ronin, Ken Carson, Bobby Raps, Rick Rubin, Serj Tankian, Daron Malakian, Kobametal, Wheezy, and Charlie Handsome, among others. The album serves as a successor to their third extended play Red & White (2022), which released a year earlier.
The album was supported by two singles, "Just Wanna Rock" and "Endless Fashion" featuring Nicki Minaj. It features elements of alternative hip hop, punk rap, rage, rap metal, and metalcore. [3] [4] Pink Tape debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 chart, opening with 167,000 album-equivalent units consisting of 11,000 album sales and 154,000 streaming units.
The album was first teased by Uzi in December 2020, (later revealed to be the songs "Pluto to Mars" and "I Gotta") during a two-hour-long Instagram Live in which they previewed unreleased music and revealed they would be dropping a mixtape exclusively on SoundCloud. [5] Uzi announced the album's title in an Instagram post on July 16, 2021. [6] The title might be a reference to the $24 million pink diamond they had pierced into their forehead in February 2021. [7] On October 9, 2021, while attending a friend's wedding, Uzi revealed to a fan that the tape would be released before Halloween. [8] They later went back on those statements on October 22, explaining to some fans on the street:
No, it's not [dropping next week]. Then it drop next week, and then it sounds like shit, and I gotta hear from like one-hundred-thousand people on the Internet, "This sucks!" So you gotta let me take my time… I'm taking my time so it won't suck.
Months later, on December 2, 2021, Uzi appeared on a live stream with Kai Cenat in which they confirmed that the album would be completed the same night.[ citation needed ] Following the release of the lead and only single of the album, "Just Wanna Rock", on October 17, 2022, Uzi's manager, DJ Drama, suggested that the album is in its final stages while noting over 680 songs were considered for the album's tracklist. [9] In June 2023, Uzi noted that the album would be released the same month. On June 17, Uzi had taken to Instagram to post an alternate cover art to the project. [10] Through an Instagram live on June 18 with Cenat, Uzi shared updates regarding the rollout and tracklist of the album as they noted that the tracklist would include twenty-six songs consisting of "Just Wanna Rock", and two bonus songs which they described as: [11]
special to me, that some people love that didn't really get to reach the day of light.
They also announced that the cover art would release in "a couple of days" and that the tracklist would release "this week," while confirming the release date of June 30. When asked by Kai about the features on the awaited album, Uzi stated: [12]
Not that many features, but it's the features that everybody think I should have…where I started is where imma finish.
On June 26, 2023, Uzi revealed the cover art and the release date on their website and simultaneously released the Gibson Hazard directed trailer for the album to build anticipation leading up to it. [13] [14]
Aggregate scores | |
---|---|
Source | Rating |
Metacritic | 64/100 [15] |
Review scores | |
Source | Rating |
AllMusic | [16] |
Clash | 9/10 [17] |
Financial Times | [18] |
HipHopDX | 3.1/5 [19] |
Pitchfork | 5.7/10 [20] |
Slant Magazine | [21] |
Pink Tape received generally positive reviews but polarized critics for it's experimental sound. The review aggregator Metacritic assigned Pink Tape a weighted average score of 64, indicating "generally favorable" reviews, based on 5 critic reviews. [15]
Robin Murray from Clash stated: "A work of quite stunning creativity, Pink Tape is well worth the wait. Long rumoured, frequently speculated upon, only their most dogged of fans would have expected such brilliance – this lengthy, thrill-a-minute release could well be their finest moment." [22]
Clayton Purdom from Rolling Stone stated: "Their long-awaited Pink Tape finds an artist still relentlessly barreling forward, leaving everyone in the dust–including, quite possibly, many listeners. Pink Tape is a 26-track, 90-minute gauntlet in which Uzi's maximalism finds its fullest expression imaginable: galaxy-smashing rap-rock. Everything is as big as it can be. Uzi samples a WWE theme song by CFO$ at length, interpolates Eiffel 65's 'Blue', and covers System Of A Down's 'Chop Suey' pretty much verbatim. It's superhero theme music from an anime-worshiping genre apostate — an album of light-cycle chases and samurai clashes set to Def Leppard shredding." [1]
Discussing the album, reviewers from Complex praised Pink Tape for its creativity and ambitious scope, but criticized the album as having inconsistent song quality as well as genre influences that were not combined cohesively. [23]
Matthew Ritchie from Pitchfork stated: "At 26 tracks, Pink Tape is bloated and messy, with occasional flashes of excellence between grating screamo misfires and unremarkable songs that feel like retreads of Playboi Carti or Trippie Redd hits. It undermines Uzi’s sterling record and acts as a cautionary tale about undiscerning genre adventures; instead of driving into exciting new terrain, it seems like they are just veering in the wrong direction." [24]
In the United States, Pink Tape debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 chart, opening with 167,000 album-equivalent units consisting of 11,000 album sales and 154,000 streaming units (calculated from the 210.39 million on-demand streams the album's tracks received). It became Uzi's third number-one album in the country and the third-largest opening week of 2023 at the time. Pink Tape is the first hip hop album of 2023 to top the Billboard 200; marking the longest wait in a calendar year for a rap album to lead the chart since Cypress Hill's Black Sunday (1993). It also ended the chart's longest gap between number-one rap albums in almost 30 years, with Metro Boomin's Heroes & Villains (2022) being the last hip hop album to lead the chart prior to Pink Tape's debut. [25] [26] 18 of the album's 26 tracks debuted on the Billboard Hot 100, helping Uzi become the fourteenth artist in the chart's history to log 100 career entries on the survey. [27]
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. | "Flooded the Face" |
|
| 3:12 |
2. | "Suicide Doors" |
|
| 4:19 |
3. | "Aye" (featuring Travis Scott) |
|
| 3:27 |
4. | "Crush Em" |
|
| 2:45 |
5. | "Amped" |
|
| 2:53 |
6. | "x2" |
|
| 3:54 |
7. | "Died and Came Back" |
|
| 3:00 |
8. | "Spin Again" |
|
| 1:37 |
9. | "That Fiya" |
|
| 2:34 |
10. | "I Gotta" |
|
| 2:53 |
11. | "Endless Fashion" (featuring Nicki Minaj) |
|
| 3:36 |
12. | "Mama, I'm Sorry" |
| 3:30 | |
13. | "All Alone" |
|
| 3:42 |
14. | "Nakamura" |
|
| 3:17 |
15. | "Just Wanna Rock" |
|
| 2:03 |
16. | "Fire Alarm" (featuring Snow Strippers) |
|
| 3:05 |
17. | "CS" |
|
| 3:32 |
18. | "Werewolf" (featuring Bring Me the Horizon) |
|
| 3:59 |
19. | "Pluto to Mars" |
|
| 4:06 |
20. | "Patience" (featuring Don Toliver) |
|
| 4:22 |
21. | "Days Come and Go" |
|
| 4:17 |
22. | "Rehab" |
|
| 4:05 |
23. | "The End" (featuring Babymetal) |
| 3:07 | |
24. | "Zoom" (bonus track) |
| 2:46 | |
25. | "Of Course" (bonus track) |
|
| 3:28 |
26. | "Shardai" (bonus track) |
|
| 3:21 |
Total length: | 87:03 |
Notes
Sample credits
Weekly charts
| Year-end charts
|
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
Canada (Music Canada) [58] | Gold | 40,000‡ |
United States (RIAA) [59] | Platinum | 1,000,000‡ |
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. |
Region | Date | Format | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|
Various | June 30, 2023 | [60] | |
July 5, 2023 | CD | [61] | |
October 20, 2023 | LP record | [62] |
Symere Bysil Woods, known professionally as Lil Uzi Vert, is an American rapper, singer, and songwriter. Born and raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, they gained initial recognition following the release of the commercial mixtape Luv Is Rage (2015), which led to a recording contract with Atlantic Records, to whom they signed under DJ Drama's Generation Now imprint.
The Perfect LUV Tape is the fourth mixtape by American rapper and singer Lil Uzi Vert. It was released through Generation Now and Atlantic Records on July 31, 2016. The mixtape features guest appearances from American rappers Playboi Carti, Offset, and Future. The mixtape's production was handled by Don Cannon, DJ Drama, Cubeatz, Maaly Raw, Metro Boomin, Zaytoven, Nard & B, and among others. The mixtape is considered a spiritual successor to Lil Uzi Vert vs. the World (2016) as it retains subtle references to the mixtape, as well as the graphic novel series Scott Pilgrim, on its cover art. The cover art was created by Eryck Sakutaro. The song "Do What I Want" has been featured in the soundtrack for the video game "NBA 2K18".
The discography of American rapper and singer Lil Uzi Vert includes four studio albums, nine extended plays (EPs), four mixtapes, and 54 singles. Lil Uzi Vert first gained recognition with their commercial mixtape Luv Is Rage (2015), which led to a recording contract with Atlantic Records under DJ Drama's imprint, Generation Now. A standout track from the mixtape, "7AM", spent ten weeks on the Bubbling Under R&B/Hip-Hop Singles chart, peaking at number five as of August 6, 2016. Their breakthrough came with the release of the mixtape Lil Uzi Vert vs. the World (2016), which peaked at number 37 on the US Billboard 200 and spent a total of 55 weeks on the chart. The mixtape also reached number 18 on the US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart and was eventually certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for combined sales and album-equivalent units of over 1,000,000 in the United States. The mixtape produced three singles: "Money Longer", "Ps and Qs", and "You Was Right", with the first two entering the US Billboard Hot 100. Both "Money Longer" and "You Was Right" have been certified double platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). Their fourth mixtape, The Perfect LUV Tape (2016), debuted at number 55 on the US Billboard 200. In February 2018, the mixtape was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), signifying combined sales and album-equivalent units of 500,000. The mixtape was supported by singles "Seven Million" and "Erase Your Social". Lil Uzi Vert also released a collaborative EP with Gucci Mane titled 1017 vs. the World (2016).
Cozy Tapes Vol. 1: Friends is the debut studio album by American hip hop collective ASAP Mob. It was released on October 31, 2016, by ASAP Worldwide, Polo Grounds Music and RCA Records. The album contains verses from each member of the ASAP Mob group such as ASAP Rocky, ASAP Twelvyy, ASAP Ant, ASAP Ferg, ASAP Nast, Playboi Carti and Yung Lord/ASAP Bari. ASAP Mob enlisted the variety of guest appearances from Juicy J, Key!, Wiz Khalifa, BJ the Chicago Kid, Buddy, Skepta, Lil Uzi Vert, Lil Yachty, MadeinTYO, Onyx, Offset, Tyler, The Creator and Yung Gleesh; as well as the album's production was provided by Hector Delgado, alongside several other record producers such as AyoDlo, Crazy Mike, Dun Deal, Lil Awree, DJ Smokey, Plu2o Nash, Maaly Raw and Wavy Wallace.
Luv Is Rage 2 is the debut studio album by American rapper and singer Lil Uzi Vert. It was released through Generation Now and Atlantic Records on August 25, 2017. The album features guest appearances from The Weeknd, Oh Wonder, and Pharrell Williams. Production was handled by a variety of record producers, including Lil Uzi Vert themself, Cubeatz, Don Cannon, Honorable C.N.O.T.E., Illmind, Maaly Raw, Metro Boomin, Pharrell Williams, The Weeknd, Pi'erre Bourne, TM88, WondaGurl, and among others. The album serves as a successor to their third extended play, Luv Is Rage 1.5 (2017), and their debut commercial mixtape, Luv Is Rage (2015). Luv Is Rage 2 was supported by three singles: "XO Tour Llif3", "The Way Life Goes" and "Sauce It Up".
Cozy Tapes Vol. 2: Too Cozy is the second studio album by American hip hop collective ASAP Mob. It was released on August 25, 2017, by ASAP Worldwide, Polo Grounds Music and RCA Records. The album features guest appearances from Big Sean, Pro Era, Quavo, Lil Uzi Vert, Lil Yachty, Chief Keef, Gucci Mane, Schoolboy Q, Frank Ocean, Jaden Smith, Smooky Margielaa and Flatbush Zombies. It was preceded by two singles, "Raf" featuring ASAP Rocky, Playboi Carti, Quavo, Lil Uzi Vert and Frank Ocean, and "Feels So Good" featuring ASAP Rocky, ASAP Ferg, ASAP Nast, ASAP Twelvyy and ASAP Ant.
The World Is Yours is the debut studio album by American rapper Rich the Kid. It was released on March 30, 2018, by Interscope Records and Rich Forever Music. The album features guest appearances from Rich Forever Music labelmate Jay Critch, alongside Chris Brown, Kendrick Lamar, Lil Wayne, Khalid, Rick Ross, Swae Lee of Rae Sremmurd, Trippie Redd, and Quavo and Offset of Migos, among others.
Reckless is the debut studio album by Canadian rapper Nav. It was released on May 18, 2018 by XO Records and Republic Records. The album features guest appearances from Quavo, Travis Scott, Lil Uzi Vert, and Gunna. It features production from Nav himself, Wheezy, Ben Billions, Rex Kudo, Charlie Handsome, Foreign Teck, OZ, and Turbo, among others.
Goodbye & Good Riddance is the debut studio album by American rapper Juice Wrld. It was released on May 23, 2018, by Grade A Productions and Interscope Records. Production was primarily handled by Nick Mira alongside several other record producers, including Benny Blanco, Cardo, CBMix, Don Rob, Dre Moon, Ghost Loft, and Mitch Mula.
Eternal Atake is the second studio album by American rapper and singer Lil Uzi Vert. It was released through Generation Now and Atlantic Records on March 6, 2020. The album features a sole guest appearance from American singer Syd. The production was handled by Bobby Raps, Brandon Finessin, Bugz Ronin, Chief Keef, Oogie Mane, TM88, Wheezy, and others. It is their first project since their debut studio album, Luv Is Rage 2 (2017). The album was supported by the singles "Futsal Shuffle 2020" and "That Way", which later appeared as the album's bonus tracks.
Bad Habits is the second studio album by Canadian rapper Nav. It was released through XO Records and Republic Records on March 22, 2019. The album features guest appearances from The Weeknd, Meek Mill, Young Thug, Gunna, and Lil Durk. The deluxe edition was released four days later on March 26, 2019. It features additional guest appearances from Future and then-XO labelmate duo 88Glam. It follows his previous album, Reckless (2018), as well as his unofficial Brown Boy EP, released a week and a day before Bad Habits. The album debuted at number one on the Billboard Canadian Albums chart as well as the US Billboard 200, becoming Nav's first chart-topper on both.
Pluto × Baby Pluto is a collaborative studio album by American rappers Future and Lil Uzi Vert. It was released on November 13, 2020, and was previewed through several trailers starting from July 2020. The title signifies the combination of both artists' nicknames: Future is referred to as Pluto, as expressed through his debut album Pluto (2012), while Lil Uzi Vert identifies as Baby Pluto, as expressed through the song "Baby Pluto" from Eternal Atake (2020). It is the second project released by Future in 2020, following High Off Life. It is also the third project released by Lil Uzi Vert in the year, following Eternal Atake and its deluxe reissue, notably after a lack of music released by Uzi between 2018 and 2019.
Trip at Knight is the fourth studio album by American rapper and singer Trippie Redd. It was released on August 20, 2021, through 1400 Entertainment and 10k Projects. The album features guest appearances from SoFaygo, Drake, Lil Uzi Vert, Playboi Carti, Ski Mask the Slump God, Polo G, Lil Durk, Babyface Ray, Sada Baby, and Icewear Vezzo; alongside late rappers Juice Wrld and XXXTentacion. Trippie Redd embarked on a tour in support for the album just days after its release. It is a spin-off to his debut studio album Life's a Trip (2018).
Expensive Pain is the fifth studio album by American rapper Meek Mill. It was released on October 1, 2021, through Atlantic Records And Maybach Music Group. The production on the album was handled by multiple producers including Boi-1da, Tay Keith, Vinylz, 30 Roc, Cardo and Sevn Thomas among others. The album also features guest appearances from Lil Baby, Lil Durk, Kehlani, ASAP Ferg, Moneybagg Yo, Giggs, Young Thug, Vory, Lil Uzi Vert, and Brent Faiyaz.
Demons Protected by Angels is the fourth studio album by Canadian rapper Nav. It was released through XO and Republic Records on September 9, 2022. The album contains guest appearances from Lil Uzi Vert, Lil Baby, Travis Scott, Don Toliver, Future, Gunna, Lil Durk, RealestK, Bryson Tiller, and Babyface Ray. The bonus version was released on September 14, 2022. It includes an additional guest appearance from Internet Money for the previously-released 2020 single, "Lemonade", their collaboration alongside Gunna and Don Toliver, which features Nav. Production on the album was handled by Nav himself, Tay Keith, Boi-1da, Money Musik, Pro Logic, Grayson, Mike Dean, and Wheezy, among others. The album was nominated for Album of the Year and Rap Album/EP of the Year, and "Wrong Decisions" for Rap Single of the Year, at the Juno Awards of 2023.
"Flooded the Face" is a song by American rapper and singer Lil Uzi Vert. It was released on June 30, 2023, and serves as the opening track from their third studio album Pink Tape. The song was produced by Don Cannon and Harold Harper. Originally intended for Luv Is Rage 2, the track never made the final cut.
"Suicide Doors" is a song by American rapper Lil Uzi Vert from their third studio album Pink Tape (2023). It was produced by Brandon Finessin of Working on Dying, Arca, Leqn and Yugen.
"Aye" is a song by American rapper Lil Uzi Vert featuring fellow American rapper Travis Scott. It was released on June 30, 2023 as the third track from the former's third studio album Pink Tape, and was later included as the seventh track on the "first edition" of the latter's fourth studio album Utopia with a different mix, before later being replaced with "Meltdown" featuring Drake. The song was produced by Bnyx and Brandon Finessin of Working on Dying and Ben Thomas.
"Endless Fashion" is a song by American rapper and singer Lil Uzi Vert featuring American rapper Nicki Minaj. It was released on August 18, 2023, as the second single from the former's third studio album Pink Tape (2023). Produced by Bugz Ronin, it contains an interpolation of "Blue " by Eiffel 65.
Eternal Atake 2 is the fourth solo album by American rapper Lil Uzi Vert, released on November 1, 2024, through Generation Now and Atlantic Records. The album features a sole guest appearance from Big Time Rush, while its production was primarily handled by Cashmere Cat and Brandon Finessin, with support from Henney Major, Lil 88, MCVertt, Charlie Puth, WondaGurl, and several other producers. The album serves as a sequel to Lil Uzi Vert's second studio album Eternal Atake (2020), which was released four years earlier, and follows their third studio album, Pink Tape (2023).