Purple Reign | ||||
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Mixtape by | ||||
Released | January 17, 2016 | |||
Recorded | 2015 | |||
Genre | Trap | |||
Length | 40:15 | |||
Label | Freebandz | |||
Producer | ||||
Future chronology | ||||
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Singles from Purple Reign | ||||
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Purple Reign is the sixteenth mixtape by American rapper Future, hosted and executive-produced by DJ Esco and Metro Boomin. It was released on January 17, 2016 with an 11-hour notice via LiveMixtapes and DatPiff. [1] [2] [3] [4] It is Future's first non-commercial mixtape since the mixtape trilogy Monster (2014), Beast Mode , and 56 Nights (2015). [5] [6] Purple Reign follows the commercial collaborative mixtape What a Time to Be Alive with Canadian rapper Drake. The mixtape features production from frequent collaborators Metro Boomin, Southside, Zaytoven, DJ Spinz, and Nard & B, among others. [7] The title and cover font is a tribute to Prince's landmark 1984 album Purple Rain , which is stylized in the same fashion.
The mixtape was re-released for streaming platforms on April 16, 2020, removing the single "Wicked" and including the song "News or Something". "Wicked" would later be included on streaming editions of Future's fourth studio album, Evol , which released a month after Purple Reign. [8] [9]
2015 was a significant year in rapper Future's career. He worked on mixtapes Monster (2014), Beast Mode (2015), 56 Nights (2015), a collaboration mixtape with Drake, What a Time to Be Alive (2015), and his studio album DS2 (2015) shifted from introspective ballads to macabre rap numbers about drugs and sex. [10] Analyzed Matthew Ramirez of Spin , Purple Reign continues this antagonist style, but with more restraint to the point where Future sounds stoic and the instrumentals "muted" and "monochrome". [10] A few moments involve Future delivering the style of sad, straightforward lines prominent on Streetz Calling (2011) and Astronaut Status (2012). As he laments on "Never Forget", "I ain’t make my auntie’s funeral I ain’t never forget it / I know she know I love her and I hope she forgive me." [10]
The mixtape was released without prior announcement on January 17, 2016, available for download on free mixtape hosting platforms such as DatPiff and LiveMixtapes. [11] [12]
In 2020, Future began re-releasing popular mixtapes that were unavailable on digital streaming platforms, such as Beast Mode and 56 Nights . On April 16, 2020, Purple Reign was released for digital purchase and streaming. The tracklist was altered to remove the single "Wicked" due to its inclusion on the album Evol , combining the "Intro" with "All Right" and extending the track "Salute". The song "News or Something" was included as the final song, originally released in 2015 via Future's SoundCloud as part of the "#MonsterMondays" series. [13] [14]
Aggregate scores | |
---|---|
Source | Rating |
Metacritic | 71/100 [15] |
Review scores | |
Source | Rating |
Consequence of Sound | B- [16] |
HipHopDX | [17] |
Pitchfork | 7.2/10 [18] |
PopMatters | [19] |
Spectrum Culture | [20] |
Spin | 7/10 [10] |
Tiny Mix Tapes | [21] |
At Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream publications, the mixtape received an average score of 71, based on 6 reviews, indicating "generally favorable reviews". [15]
Jayson Greene of Pitchfork wrote that Purple Reign is "a fine tape, but considered in the run of the most vital rapper working, relatively minor." [18]
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. | "Intro" | 0:55 | ||
2. | "All Right" |
| 2:16 | |
3. | "Wicked" |
|
| 2:53 |
4. | "Never Forget" | Wilburn | Jon Boii | 3:20 |
5. | "Drippin' (How U Luv That)" |
| Metro Boomin | 3:10 |
6. | "Inside the Mattress" |
|
| 3:30 |
7. | "Hater Shit" |
| Metro Boomin | 3:04 |
8. | "Salute" |
|
| 2:47 |
9. | "Bye Bye" |
| Zaytoven | 2:55 |
10. | "No Charge" |
| Southside | 2:42 |
11. | "Run Up" |
| DJ Spinz | 3:17 |
12. | "Perkys Calling" |
|
| 4:06 |
13. | "Purple Reign" |
| Metro Boomin | 4:06 |
Total length: | 40:15 |
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|
14. | "News or Something" |
|
| 3:34 |
Total length: | 43:48 |
No. | Title | Length |
---|---|---|
1. | "All Right" | 2:25 |
2. | "Never Forget" | 3:19 |
3. | "Inside the Mattress" | 3:30 |
4. | "Drippin' (How U Luv That)" | 3:10 |
5. | "Hater Shit" | 3:04 |
6. | "Salute" | 3:45 |
7. | "Bye Bye" | 2:55 |
8. | "No Charge" | 2:42 |
9. | "Run Up" | 3:17 |
10. | "Perkys Calling" | 4:06 |
11. | "Purple Reign" | 4:01 |
12. | "News or Something" | 3:33 |
Total length: | 39:52 |
Notes
Sample credits
Rodney Ramone Hill Jr., better known by his stage name Rocko, is an American rapper and record executive from Atlanta, Georgia. He is credited with discovering fellow Atlanta rapper Future, whom he signed to his record label, A1 Recordings upon its launch in 2010. Rocko acted as executive producer for Future's earlier albums until his departure from the label in 2017.
Nayvadius DeMun Cash, known professionally as Future, is an American rapper, singer-songwriter, and record producer. Known for his mumble-styled vocals and prolific output, Future is considered a pioneer of the use of Auto-Tuned melodies in trap music. Due to the sustained popularity of this musical style, he is commonly regarded as one of the most influential rappers of his generation.
Astronaut Status is the ninth mixtape by American rapper Future. It was released on January 12, 2012. The album features guest appearances from rappers Gucci Mane, Young Jeezy, Ludacris and Rocko. Future previously stated Streetz Calling would be his last mixtape, before his debut full-length album Pluto, but instead released Astronaut Status in 2012, making it his last official mixtape. "Itchin'" peaked at #2 on the Bubbling Under R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. Since the release of Astronaut Status, it has been downloaded over 250k times on DatPiff, certifying it platinum. Astronaut Status also charted at #50 on the Billboard Heatseekers Chart.
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.
Freebandz is an American record label founded by Atlanta-based 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 DJ Esco.
Darien Corey Dash, Jr., known professionally as Dash, is an American rapper. Apart from his solo career, he was a member of Heir Global, alongside former friend and collaborator, Retch. Dash is also an affiliate of ASAP Mob, making his first high-profile appearance on their debut mixtape Lords Never Worry, in 2012. He frequently works with record producer Mordecai Beats, with whom he released the mixtape La Cienega (2012). Da$h has also collaborated with several prominent rappers in the hip-hop industry, including Ab-Soul, Action Bronson, Earl Sweatshirt, Vince Staples, Suicideboys, and Mac Miller.
Leland Tyler Wayne, known professionally as Metro Boomin, is an American record producer and music executive. Known for his dark production style, he is regarded as one of the most influential producers in modern hip-hop and trap music. His frequent collaborators include Big Sean, Future, Young Thug, The Weeknd, Travis Scott, Don Toliver, 21 Savage, Gucci Mane, Gunna, and Nav.
Quincy Williams, known by his stage name Peewee Longway, is an American rapper from Atlanta, Georgia. He is best known for his mixtape The Blue M&M (2014) and his 2013 single, "Loaded". He was also a member of the rap group "Felix Brothers", alongside Gucci Mane and Young Dolph.
Monster is the thirteenth mixtape by American rapper Future. It was released on October 28, 2014 by Freebandz Entertainment. Along with Beast Mode and 56 Nights, it is considered one of "a trilogy of album-quality mixtapes" that Future released following Honest. The mixtape was executive produced by Metro Boomin.
56 Nights is a mixtape by American rapper and singer Future in collaboration with DJ and record producer DJ Esco. It was released on March 21, 2015, through Future's Freebandz label. Although he raps on all tracks, it was not principally credited to him, but rather Esco, and is credited as being hosted by Future. It was exclusively produced by 808 Mafia, whose founding member, Southside, handled the majority of the production and was credited as an executive producer. "March Madness" was released on August 31, 2015, as its only single. It is Future's fifteenth mixtape and Esco's fifth.
Trinity Laure'Ale Home , better known by her stage name Tink, is an American rapper and R&B singer from Chicago, Illinois. She signed with record producer Timbaland's Mosley Music Group, an imprint of Epic Records to release her 2014 debut single, "Treat Me Like Somebody". Her 2015 single, "Million", entered the Bubbling Under Hot 100. Both produced by Timbaland, the songs were intended to precede her debut studio album Think Tink, although disagreements with the producer led her to part ways with the label in 2017.
Beast Mode is the fourteenth mixtape by American rapper Future and American producer Zaytoven. It came out on January 15, 2015. Along with Monster and 56 Nights, it is considered part of "a trilogy of album-quality mixtapes" that Future released following Honest. On July 6, 2018, a sequel mixtape titled Beast Mode 2 was released.
Coke Zoo is a collaborative mixtape by American rappers French Montana and Fetty Wap. The mixtape was announced in early October and released on October 26, 2015, by Coke Boys, RGF, Maybach Music Group and 300 Entertainment. It features guest appearances from Chris Brown, Puff Daddy, Zoo Gang associates Monty and Nitt Da Gritt, and Coke Boy associates Lil Durk and Zack. Production derives from AK47, Bassivity, Eye Beat, Metro Boomin, Mike DZL, Mixx, NickEBeats, Peoples, Remo The Hitmaker, RGF Productions, The MeKanics and Yung Lan.
Evol is the fourth studio album by American rapper Future. It was released on February 6, 2016, through A1 Recordings and Freebandz, and distributed by Epic Records. The album features a sole guest appearance from the Weeknd. It premiered on DJ Khaled's We The Best Radio debut on Beats 1. Evol released five months after the collaborative mixtape What a Time to Be Alive (2015) and a month after Purple Reign (2016). Production was handled by frequent collaborators Metro Boomin, Southside, TM88 and DJ Spinz, among others.
"Wicked" is a song by American rapper Future. It was originally released on January 17, 2016, as a track from his sixteenth mixtape Purple Reign, before being released as the lead single on April 13. The song was also included on the streaming version of EVOL. The song samples "Kanet Rohi" written by Özcan Deniz, and performed by Rayan.
Project E.T. is a mixtape by Atlanta-based producer William "DJ Esco" Moore, hosted by American rapper Future. It was released on June 24, 2016, on DatPiff and LiveMixtapes.
Black Ken is a mixtape by American rapper Lil B. It was self-released on August 17, 2017. Black Ken was self-produced by Lil B, and was dedicated to Diddy, Lil Yachty, Lil Uzi Vert, among others. It was first announced in 2010, with the release of singles and a 26-track preview to DatPiff.
Beast Mode 2 is a commercial mixtape by American rapper Future and American record producer Zaytoven. It was released on July 6, 2018, by Freebandz and Epic Records for streaming and digital download, produced in its entirety by Zaytoven. It is the sequel to Future and Zaytoven's 2015 mixtape Beast Mode, and succeeds the release of the 2017 studio albums Future and Hndrxx, as well as collaborative mixtape Super Slimey with Young Thug and the soundtrack to 2018 film Superfly. The mixtape consists of nine tracks and includes a guest appearance by Young Scooter.
Reign Supreme is the second solo extended play by American rapper Danny Brown. It was released on August 28, 2018 on DatPiff and features songs that Danny Brown played on his Twitch stream in the month of August 2018. The mixtape features uncredited guest appearances from Bruiser Brigade members ZelooperZ, Dopehead, Fat Ray and Kash Tha Kushman.
American rapper Future has released nine studio albums, three collaborative albums, one reissued album, one compilation album, one soundtrack album, nine solo mixtapes, 12 collaborative mixtapes, and two extended plays (EP). His albums have sold more than 14.4 million album-equivalent units worldwide, with approximately 14 million of which are certified in the United States. Throughout his career, Future has achieved 11 number-one albums on the US Billboard 200, putting him at a tie with Eminem, Kanye West, Bruce Springsteen, and Barbra Streisand for the fourth most number-one albums in the charts history.