Sincerely, Kentrell | ||||
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Studio album by | ||||
Released | September 24, 2021 | |||
Genre | Hip hop | |||
Length | 57:14 | |||
Label | ||||
Producer |
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YoungBoy Never Broke Again chronology | ||||
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Singles from Sincerely, Kentrell | ||||
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Sincerely, Kentrell is the third studio album by American rapper YoungBoy Never Broke Again. [1] It was released through Never Broke Again and Atlantic Records on September 24, 2021. [2] Unlike Gaulden's previous projects, the album notably contains no guest appearances, which was a key part of the album's rollout. [3] The album's production was handled by a range of accomplished producers including Einer Bankz, Mike Will Made It, Smash David, and Jason "Cheese" Goldberg—who also mixed and mastered the entire record. The album follows Gaulden's second full-length studio album, Top (2020), as well as Until I Return (2020), his fifteenth solo mixtape. A deluxe edition, named Sincerely, Kentrell > (pronounced "better"), was released four days later on September 28, 2021, and contains two additional songs. The deluxe edition's name is an ode to the "YB Better" trend at the time of the album's release. [3] [4]
Sincerely, Kentrell received generally positive reviews from critics who highlighted the album's production and lyrical content. It debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200 chart, in which it earned 137,000 album-equivalent units, of which 8,000 were pure album sales. Eleven of the twenty-three tracks from the album debuted on the Billboard Hot 100. [5] [6] Sincerely, Kentrell also became the third project—behind Tupac Shakur's Me Against the World (1995) and Lil Wayne's I Am Not a Human Being (2010)—by an imprisoned artist to top the charts and is the first album in the 2020s decade to top the charts with no features. [7] The album was supported by five singles: "Toxic Punk", "White Teeth", "Nevada", "Life Support" and "On My Side".
Sincerely, Kentrell was first teased by the Never Broke Again label on December 16, 2020, through the label's official Instagram. [8] The teaser stated that the album would be YoungBoy's biggest and would be released on May 7, 2021. [8] However, on March 2, 2021, Gaulden was arrested by federal agents in Los Angeles, stemming from his September 2020 Baton Rouge arrest. [9] [10] Attempting to evade the LAPD, Gaulden ditched his vehicle, which the LAPD searched and found a firearm inside. [11] The FBI additionally charged Gaulden with firearm possession—of which he was found not guilty in July 2022. [11] [12] On March 25, media personality Wendy Williams commented on YoungBoy's arrest, noting that, "he’s got to go to jail". [13] On April 19, 2021, Gaulden sent an email to his team while incarcerated, addressing his arrest, Williams, and the album: [14]
i can leave my kids millions of dollars to divide but can't give them the time they truly deserve nobody understand me they never did shit some times i don't understand myself but that's fine because im okay i ain't looking for you to feel sorry I just ask for one thing- For you to let me suffer in peace tell MS. WENDY WILLIAM I say she got a good soul and she's a beautiful women I can see that threw all the bad comments thrown at her tell her count her blessings (STAY IN GOOD SPIRIT) Sincerely Kentrell
While incarcerated, the Never Broke Again label page previewed "Still Waiting", a track recorded over a jail phone. [15] On September 10, YoungBoy shared the album's official artwork, alongside announcing its release date of September 24. [16] Weeks prior to the release of the album, billboards begun to appear, stating, "no features necessary", suggesting that the album would include no features, alongside "YB Better" billboards, referring to the popular trend on social media, indicating that YoungBoy is the best rapper. [3] On September 23, YoungBoy released the album's official tracklist, confirming it would have zero features. [17] [18] On the night of the album's release, YoungBoy shared a poem titled, "Deep in Me". [19]
Upon the album's release, YoungBoy's management released the pre-recorded music video of the album's thirteenth cut, "Break or Make Me". [20] Following the release of the album, on September 26, the album's deluxe edition was released, containing an additional two bonus tracks, including the previously teased "Still Waiting". [4] On September 29, the official, pre-recorded, music video of the album's eighteenth cut, "Kickstand", was released. [21] [22]
The album's lead single "Toxic Punk" was released on February 4, 2021. [23] [24] The song was produced by Cheese, DJ Trebble, Dmac, and TNTXD. [25] It debuted at number 99 on the Billboard Hot 100. [26] The album's second single, "White Teeth" was released on May 14, 2021. [27] [28] The song was produced by TayTayMadeIt and peaked at number 78 on the Billboard Hot 100. [29] [30] After gaining traction online for months due to the track being previously leaked, "Nevada" was released as the album's third single on July 7, 2021. [31] The track was produced by TnTXD and Vadebeatz. It peaked at number 58 on the Billboard Hot 100. [32] The album's fourth single, "Life Support", was released on September 10, 2021, alongside the album's tracklist. [17] It was produced by Cheese, Smash David, Ravis, Stunner Samples, and SMPLGTWY. The track peaked at number 48 on the Billboard Hot 100. [33] "On My Side" was released on September 17, 2021, as the album's fifth and final single. [34] The track was produced by Cheese, Leor Shevah, and Haze. It peaked at number 37 on the Billboard Hot 100. [35]
Review scores | |
---|---|
Source | Rating |
AllMusic | [36] |
HipHopDX | 3.7/5 [37] |
Pitchfork | 7.1/10 [38] |
Rolling Stone | [39] |
Sincerely, Kentrell received generally positive reviews from music critics. David Aaron Brake from HipHopDX states that "like much of YoungBoy’s albums Sincerely, Kentrell is less a polished product and more the stream-of-consciousness thoughts of YoungBoy at the moment." He also cites that "YoungBoy raps through a thick Louisiana drawl, the battle between betrayal and loyalty takes center stage." He concludes his review by stating "Sincerely, Kentrell is YoungBoy at his most vulnerable and vengeful, worn down by his own paranoia, some justified and some fabricated." [37] Alphonse Pierre from Pitchfork states that "He has blurred the lines between his rap persona and lived reality, which makes it an uncomfortable, but sometimes remarkable listen." He further mentions that "Though the album’s quality may vary from song to song, it all adds up to a startling glimpse of a larger-than-life figure whose tragic shadow extends over everything he touches." Concluding his review, he explains that "While it carries the same flaws as his previous work, the latest album from the Baton Rouge rapper provides a clear portrait of a tragic figure who often blurs the lines between fact and fiction." [38]
Will Dukes from Rolling Stone writes that "his style, a whimsical mix of Young Thug and fellow New Orleanian Little Wayne is heavy on melody, which he fuses with some rough-and-tumble grit." He further mentions that "if these are the proverbial scars YoungBoy Never Broke Again ’s chosen to reveal to us, they’re from battles, thankfully, he’s already won." Concluding his review, he writes that "the Baton Rouge, Louisiana-based rapper's third album is full of conviction and bruised passion." [39]
Sincerely, Kentrell debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200 chart, earning 137,000 album-equivalent units (including 10,000 in pure sales) in its first week, according to MRC Data. [40] This became YoungBoy's fourth US number one debut on the chart. [40] The album also accumulated a total of 186.29 million on-demand streams of the album's 23 tracks. [40] In addition, YoungBoy joined Tupac and Lil Wayne as the third rapper to receive a number one album while incarcerated. [40] In its second week, the album dropped to number four, earning 71,000 units. [41]
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. | "Bad Morning" |
|
| 3:49 |
2. | "Hold Me Down" |
|
| 2:58 |
3. | "On My Side" |
|
| 2:28 |
4. | "Smoke Strong" |
|
| 2:58 |
5. | "50 Shots" |
| TayTayMadeIt | 2:41 |
6. | "No Where" |
|
| 2:37 |
7. | "Sincerely" |
|
| 2:54 |
8. | "I Can't Take It Back" |
|
| 2:57 |
9. | "Rich Shit" |
|
| 2:35 |
10. | "Toxic Punk" |
|
| 2:03 |
11. | "My Killa" |
|
| 2:24 |
12. | "Life Support" |
|
| 3:53 |
13. | "Break or Make Me" |
|
| 3:12 |
14. | "Forgiato" |
|
| 3:08 |
15. | "Baddest Thing" |
|
| 2:15 |
16. | "Nevada" |
|
| 2:35 |
17. | "Level I Want to Reach" |
|
| 2:09 |
18. | "Kickstand" |
|
| 1:52 |
19. | "All I Need" |
| WassamWop | 2:54 |
20. | "White Teeth" |
| TayTayMadeIt | 2:54 |
21. | "Panoramic" |
|
| 2:06 |
Total length: | 57:14 |
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
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1. | "Footstep" |
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| 2:21 |
2. | "Still Waiting" |
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| 3:09 |
Total length: | 62:44 |
Credits adapted from Tidal. [44]
Musicians
Technical
Weekly charts
| Year-end charts
|
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
United States (RIAA) [59] | Platinum | 1,000,000‡ |
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. |
Region | Date | Label(s) | Format(s) | Edition(s) | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Various | September 24, 2021 | Standard | [1] | ||
September 26, 2021 | Deluxe | [4] | |||
United States | October 8, 2021 | CD | [60] | ||
Canada | October 15, 2021 | [61] | |||
Europe | |||||
United States | July 22, 2022 | LP | [62] | ||
Canada |
"Bring It On" is a song by American rapper YoungBoy Never Broke Again, released on January 21, 2022, as the second track from his seventeenth mixtape, Colors. The song features a murderous essence that YoungBoy brings as he raps about murder, firearms, and crime.
"Life Support" is a song by American rapper YoungBoy Never Broke Again, released on September 10, 2021, as the fourth single from his third studio album Sincerely, Kentrell. It was produced by Jason Goldberg, Ravis, Stunner Samples, Smash David, and SMPLGTWY.
Kentrell DeSean Gaulden, known professionally as YoungBoy Never Broke Again or NBA YoungBoy, is an American rapper. From 2015 to 2017, he released eight independent mixtapes and garnered a regional following for his work. He signed with Atlantic Records and Artist Partner Group in the latter year to release the singles "Untouchable" and "No Smoke", both of which marked his first entries on the Billboard Hot 100. Released in January of the following year, his single "Outside Today" became his first to peak within the top 40 of the chart, and received quadruple platinum certification by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). It served as both his mainstream breakthrough and the lead single for his debut studio album, Until Death Call My Name (2018), which peaked at number seven on the US Billboard 200 despite mixed critical reception.
"Nevada" is a song by American rapper YoungBoy Never Broke Again. It was released on July 7, 2021, as the third single from his third studio album Sincerely, Kentrell. The song was produced by TnTXD and Vadebeatz.
The discography of American rapper YoungBoy Never Broke Again consists of six studio albums, three compilation albums, 26 mixtapes, three extended plays, and 102 singles. His music has been released on record labels 101 Distribution, Atlantic Records, and Motown Records, along with subsidiaries Never Broke Again and Artist Partner Group. With over 80 million digital units sold in the United States, he is among the highest certified artists in the United States. YoungBoy has achieved three number-one albums on the Billboard 200 and one top-ten hit on the Billboard Hot 100. In 2022, YoungBoy received a plaque from the Recording Industry Association of America which reads "100 RIAA Gold/Platinum Certifications", making him the youngest artist to receive this at just 22-years-old. He is also the youngest artist in history to chart 100 songs on the Billboard Hot 100 at just 23-years-old.
AI YoungBoy 2 is the twelfth full-length mixtape by American rapper YoungBoy Never Broke Again, released on October 11, 2019, by Never Broke Again and Atlantic Records. It features guest appearances from NoCap and Quando Rondo—both signees of Gaulden's record label, Never Broke Again. The project features production from several established record producers, including Buddah Bless, CashMoneyAP, JetsonMade, Mike Will Made It, Nick Mira, and Wheezy. The mixtape serves as a sequel to YoungBoy's breakout mixtape, AI YoungBoy (2017), alongside a follow-up to his eleventh full-length mixtape, Realer (2018).
Realer is the eleventh solo mixtape by American rapper YoungBoy Never Broke Again, released on December 20, 2018, through Never Broke Again, Artist Partner Group, and Atlantic Records. It features guest appearances from Lil Baby and Plies, alongside production from Ben Billions, DJ Swift, DrellOnTheTrack, Dubba-AA, Eliot Bohr, PlayboyXO, Vintage Rippah, and several other producers. The mixtape serves as a follow-up to Gaulden's compilation album, 4Respect 4Freedom 4Loyalty 4WhatImportant, released in September of the same year. It also marks Gaulden's fifth release of the year.
Top is the second studio album by American rapper YoungBoy Never Broke Again, released on September 11, 2020, by Never Broke Again and Atlantic Records. The album follows his debut album Until Death Call My Name, released over two years before. The album features guest appearances from Lil Wayne and Snoop Dogg, alongside production from Cheese, Cubeatz, DJ Suede the Remix God, JetsonMade, Smash David, and Wheezy.
"White Teeth" is a song by American rapper YoungBoy Never Broke Again. It was released on May 14, 2021, as the second single from his third studio album Sincerely, Kentrell. It was produced by TayTayMadeIt.
"Toxic Punk" is a song by American rapper YoungBoy Never Broke Again, released on February 4, 2021 as the lead single from his third studio album Sincerely, Kentrell (2021). It was produced by Cheese, DJ Trebble, Dmac and TnTXD. The title of the song, as well as the alternate cover art of the single, is a reference to the video game Cyberpunk 2077.
"On My Side" is a song by American rapper YoungBoy Never Broke Again. It was released on September 17, 2021, as the fifth single from his third studio album Sincerely, Kentrell (2021). The song peaked at number 37 on the Billboard Hot 100.
"Bad Morning" is a song by American rapper YoungBoy Never Broke Again, released on September 24, 2021, as the opening track from his third studio album, Sincerely, Kentrell . Released while incarcerated, the song portrays an image of pain and suffering while also including a sense of gangsta rap as he speaks about firearms and illegal activity.
The Last Slimeto is the fourth studio album by American rapper YoungBoy Never Broke Again, released on August 5, 2022, by Never Broke Again and Atlantic Records. The album serves as YoungBoy's final release in his contract with Atlantic Records. The album features guest appearances from Kehlani, Rod Wave, and Quavo, alongside production from Bobby Raps, DJ Suede the Remix God, JetsonMade, OG Parker, Southside, and Jason "Cheese" Goldberg who mixed and mastered the entirety of the record. The album serves as a follow-up to Gaulden's sixteenth solo mixtape, Colors (2022).
Never Broke Again, also known as Never Broke Again, LLC, often abbreviated as NBA, is a record label based in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, founded by American rapper Kentrell "YoungBoy Never Broke Again" Gaulden, Rodrick "OG3Three" Jeanpierre, and Kyle "Montana" Claiborne in 2015. It was launched as an imprint of Atlantic Records, a division of Warner Music Group until 2022, after which it has operated as an imprint of Motown, a division of Universal Music Group. Never Broke Again has signed and released albums for artists such as Quando Rondo and NoCap, and several upcoming Southern hip hop artists.
"Lost Soul Survivor" is a song by American rapper YoungBoy Never Broke Again from his fourth studio album The Last Slimeto (2022). Produced by Andy Made The Beat, Bans, Cheese, and Saucey Beats, it peaked at number 75 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song serves as the eighth track to The Last Slimeto and sees YoungBoy rapping with a fast flow about the struggles in his life.
Jason Michael Goldberg, professionally known as Cheese, is an American record producer, songwriter, and audio engineer. He was a producer on YoungBoy Never Broke Again's Sincerely, Kentrell, The Last Slimeto, and the Birdman-assisted, From the Bayou. He also acted as an engineer on Travis Scott and Kendrick Lamar's hit song, "goosebumps" and Tyler, the Creator, Ty Dolla $ign, and YoungBoy Never Broke Again's "WusYaName".
"What You Say" is a song by American rapper YoungBoy Never Broke Again featuring Australian rapper and singer the Kid Laroi and American singer Post Malone, appearing as the 24th track of the former's sixth studio album, Don't Try This at Home (2023). The song contains melodic verses from YoungBoy and Malone, whereas Laroi is heard in a rap tone. The song's title notes that the artists do not care about what people say about them.
"Big Truck" is a song by American rapper YoungBoy Never Broke Again, released on April 21, 2023, as the introductory track from his sixth full-length studio album, Don't Try This at Home.
Richest Opp is the twentieth solo mixtape by American rapper YoungBoy Never Broke Again, released on May 12, 2023, by Never Broke Again and Motown. The mixtape follows Gaulden's sixth full-length studio album, Don't Try This at Home, released just two weeks prior in April. The mixtape serves as a competitor to Lil Durk's eighth studio album, Almost Healed, which was supposed to be released on the same date, but was pushed back. It features a sole guest appearance from his Never Broke Again signee, NBA Ben 10, alongside production from D-Roc, JetsonMade, Kenoe, Khris James, and Jason "Cheese" Goldberg who mixed, mastered, and recorded the entire record.
I Just Got a Lot on My Shoulders is the seventh studio album by American rapper YoungBoy Never Broke Again, released through Never Broke Again and Motown on December 6, 2024. It features no guest appearances, while its production was handled by YoungBoy's in-house engineer, Cheese, Al Geno, Ayo Bleu, Bnyx, D-Roc, No I.D., OG Parker, PlayboyXO, TayTayMadeIt, and several other notable producers. The album is Gaulden's final studio album under Motown, following his twenty-first mixtape, Decided 2 (2023).