| Starz | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 15 May 2020 | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 44:15 | |||
| Label | YEAR0001 | |||
| Producer |
| |||
| Yung Lean chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Singles from Starz | ||||
| ||||
Starz is the fourth studio album by Swedish rapper and singer Yung Lean. [1] It was released on 15 May 2020 by the label YEAR0001 and was executively produced by Whitearmor. Recording sessions took place in Los Angeles, Sweden and Portugal.
On 26 February 2020 Yung Lean released the single "Boylife in EU" and the song and video was met with acclaim. [2] On 27 March 2020 Yung Lean uploaded a 44-second teaser titled "Starz", which featured a mix of new songs and confirmed the release of a new project. Yung Lean was due to start his 'Starz' tour in late March but this was cancelled due to the global COVID-19 pandemic. On 2 April 2020 Yung Lean streamed a 45-minute concert from the back of a truck in an undisclosed location, the stream featuring a mix of songs from previous works, as well as newly-released "Boylife in EU". On 14 April 2020 the second single from Starz was released, "Violence (+ Pikachu)", the single "Pikachu" was released in full on 29 April 2020. Yung Lean began releasing daily snippets of each song on his social media leading to the album release date, each snippet accompanied by a visual for that song.
A video on Instagram of Yung Lean and rapper Playboi Carti working together in a studio led fans to believe Playboi Carti would be a feature on Starz, and the collaboration was subject to much anticipation. A leak of Starz a week before the official release date featured Playboi Carti on the track "Yayo", but the rapper does not feature on the official album release. Yung Lean later clarified that Playboi Carti's label removed his verse from the song. [3] The version of the track containing Playboi Carti's verse remains on vinyl copies of Starz.
| Aggregate scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| Metacritic | 68/100 [4] |
| Review scores | |
| Source | Rating |
| Beats Per Minute | 77/100 [5] |
| Clash | 7/10 [6] |
| Earmilk |   [7] |
| Exclaim! | 6/10 [8] |
| NME | [9] |
| Pitchfork | 5.5/10 [10] |
| RapReviews | 6.5/10 [11] |
At Metacritic, which assigns a weighted average rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream publications, Starz received an average score of 68, based on seven reviews. [4]
Max Pasion-Gonzales of Earmilk stated, "Yung Lean's newest album is likely his strongest and most consistent to date. It effectively elaborates on his preestablished dream trap aesthetics while still abandoning a safe compromise. Many years into his massive career, it's clear that the Swedish prodigy still has unique and engaging ideas that he's not afraid to commit to". [7] Kyle Kohner of Beats Per Minute said, "Filled with drug-addled bangers and overcast slow-burns, each track on Starz is cut from a single cloth that veils the ever-evolving future of cloud rap, beginning with the explosive "My Agenda"". [5] Ross Horton of Clash said, "'Yayo' and 'Butterfly Paralyzed' both showcase Lean's ability to graft chrome-plated hooks onto any track he likes. The former is sparse and simple where the latter is full to the point of overload, but both tracks sound like evolved versions of songs you'd hear on the radio – music for a society of cyborgs". [6] RapReviews.com writer Steve 'Flash' Juon said, "Putting the lyrics aside for the moment I'm willing to say there's something here. The production goes from spartan and airy to distorted and noisy in a way that makes it feel like industrial trap rap, and his accent plays with your expectations of what the flow should be like. ... Ultimately I must still give a "meh" to the overall presentation, because like many of his U.S. counterparts, Yung Lean's music relies more on style than substance". [11]
In mixed reviews, NME critic Luke Morgan Britton said, "Yung Lean’s music has always been more interesting than it is good. Starz features just enough captivating moments to prevent him – now an unexpected seven years into his career – from feeling played-out". [9] Clayton Tomlinson of Exclaim! said, "Despite its brisk pacing, Starz still suffers from bloat. Songs like "Iceheart", "Dance in the Dark", and "My Agenda" could have been left off the track list and made the album more coherent and enjoyable to experience". [8] Sheldon Pearce of Pitchfork said, "While his singing is strained and incompetent, at least he's going for it. Too much of the album seems satisfied with the small space Lean was able to carve out for himself". [10]
All tracks are written by Jonatan Leandoer Håstad
| No. | Title | Producer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "My Agenda" | Whitearmor | 2:09 |
| 2. | "Yayo" | Whitearmor | 2:37 |
| 3. | "Boylife In EU" | Whitearmor | 3:36 |
| 4. | "Violence" | Whitearmor | 2:52 |
| 5. | "Outta My Head" | Whitearmor | 2:51 |
| 6. | "Dance In The Dark" |
| 2:53 |
| 7. | "Acid At 7/11" | Whitearmor | 3:12 |
| 8. | "Starz" (featuring Ariel Pink) | Whitearmor | 4:20 |
| 9. | "Hellraiser" |
| 2:25 |
| 10. | "Butterfly Paralyzed" | Whitearmor | 2:37 |
| 11. | "Dogboy" | Whitearmor | 2:16 |
| 12. | "Iceheart" |
| 2:08 |
| 13. | "Pikachu" | Whitearmor | 2:07 |
| 14. | "Low" | Whitearmor | 2:44 |
| 15. | "Sunset Sunrise" | Whitearmor | 2:32 |
| 16. | "Put Me In A Spell" | Whitearmor | 2:56 |
| Total length: | 44:15 | ||
| Chart (2020) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Swedish Albums (Sverigetopplistan) [12] | 39 |
JonatanAron Leandoer Håstad, known professionally as Yung Lean, is a Swedish rapper. Widely cited as one of the most influential figures in the early cloud rap era, Yung Lean rose to prominence in 2013 with his song "Ginseng Strip 2002", which went viral on YouTube. Later that same year, he released his debut mixtape, Unknown Death 2002, and the following year, he released his debut studio album, Unknown Memory.
Jordan Terrell Carter, known professionally as Playboi Carti, is an American rapper. An influential figure among his generation, he has contributed to the progression of trap music and its rage subgenre. He first signed with local underground record label Awful Records in 2014, and later signed with ASAP Mob's record label AWGE, in a joint venture with Interscope Records two years later. Carter gained mainstream attention following the release of his eponymous debut mixtape (2017), which peaked at number 12 on the U.S. Billboard 200 and spawned the Billboard Hot 100-charting singles "Magnolia" and "Wokeuplikethis".
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.
Playboi Carti is the debut commercial mixtape by American rapper of the same name. It was released through AWGE and Interscope Records on April 14, 2017. The mixtape contains 15 tracks and features guest appearances from fellow rappers Lil Uzi Vert, ASAP Rocky as well as Dutch singer Leven Kali. Production was executively handled by ASAP Rocky and was primarily handled by Pi'erre Bourne, alongside several other record producers, including Harry Fraud, Hit-Boy, Jake One, Ricci Riera, and Southside. The physical version of the mixtape was released on October 6, 2017, and a vinyl edition was released on November 17, 2017.
"Wokeuplikethis" (stylized as "wokeuplikethis*" is a song by American rapper Playboi Carti, featuring fellow American rapper Lil Uzi Vert. Written alongside producer Pi'erre Bourne, it was originally released on March 11, 2017 to SoundCloud before being official released on April 7, 2017, as the second single from Carti's eponymous debut commercial mixtape. The song samples the 2004 single "White Tee".
The discography of American rapper Playboi Carti consists of two studio albums, two extended plays (EPs), three mixtapes, one promotional single, and 27 singles. Under the alias Sir Cartier, he began his career by self-releasing three mixtapes: THC: The High Chronicles (2011), Young Misfit (2012), and Sensation (2013). These early works helped shape his experimental sound and laid the foundation for his rise in the underground rap scene.
Jordan Timothy Jenks, known professionally as Pi'erre Bourne, is an American record producer, rapper, songwriter, and audio engineer. He is best known for producing the 2017 singles "Magnolia" for Playboi Carti and "Gummo" for 6ix9ine, both of which entered the top 30 of the U.S. Billboard Hot 100.
Die Lit is the debut studio album by American rapper Playboi Carti. It was released through AWGE and Interscope Records on May 11, 2018. The album consists of 19 tracks and features a wide range of guest appearances from artists including Skepta, Travis Scott, Lil Uzi Vert, Pi'erre Bourne, Nicki Minaj, Bryson Tiller, Chief Keef, Gunna, Red Coldhearted, Young Thug, and Young Nudy. Production was executively handled by Pi'erre Bourne, alongside several other record producers, including Don Cannon, IndigoChildRick, Maaly Raw, Art Dealer and Playboi Carti himself. The album serves as a follow-up to his debut self-titled mixtape (2017).
"Shoota" is a song by American rapper Playboi Carti, featuring fellow American rapper Lil Uzi Vert. It was released through AWGE and Interscope Records as the sixth track from Carti's debut studio album, Die Lit, on May 11, 2018. The song was written by Playboi Carti and Lil Uzi Vert, alongside producer Maaly Raw.
Sli'merre is a collaborative mixtape by American rapper Young Nudy and American record producer Pi'erre Bourne. It was released on May 8, 2019, by RCA Records. It features guest appearances from 21 Savage, DaBaby, Lil Uzi Vert, and Megan Thee Stallion, while the production was handled entirely by Pi'erre. The album peaked at number 63 on the Billboard 200 albums chart in the United States. The mixtape was supported by two singles: "Mister" and "Extendo".
"Pissy Pamper" is an unreleased song by American rapper Young Nudy. It was produced by Pi'erre Bourne and features vocals by Playboi Carti. The song initially leaked online on April 18, 2019. An unofficial upload of the song, featuring just Playboi Carti's verse, topped the Spotify US Viral 50 chart in late May 2019, after a performance at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival.
"Baguettes in the Face" is a song by American record producer Mustard featuring Canadian rapper Nav and American rappers Playboi Carti and A Boogie wit da Hoodie. Written by the artists alongside co-producer Larry Jayy, it was released through 10 Summers and Interscope Records as the fourth track from Mustard's third studio album, Perfect Ten, on June 28, 2019.
! is the second studio album by American rapper Trippie Redd. It was released on August 9, 2019, by TenThousand Projects and Caroline Records. The album features appearances from Diplo, The Game, Lil Duke, Lil Baby and Coi Leray. The album also originally included the song "They Afraid of You", but was removed from streaming services just six days after its release, on August 15th, 2019.
Whole Lotta Red is the second studio album by American rapper Playboi Carti. It was released on December 25, 2020, by AWGE and Interscope Records. The album consists of 24 tracks and features guest appearances from American rappers Kanye West, Kid Cudi, and Future. West served as the executive producer for the album, contributing to its overall production and appearing on the track "Go2DaMoon". The primary production was handled by F1lthy and Art Dealer, alongside a host of other producers, including Pi'erre Bourne, Maaly Raw, Lil 88, Jasper Harris, Ojivolta, and Wheezy. Recording for Whole Lotta Red began in late 2018 and concluded in November 2020. The album serves as the follow-up to Carti's debut studio album, Die Lit (2018).
"Pain 1993" is a song by Canadian rapper Drake featuring American rapper Playboi Carti. It was released as the tenth track from Drake's fifth mixtape Dark Lane Demo Tapes, on May 1, 2020. The song was written by Drake and Playboi Carti, alongside American record producer Pi'erre Bourne.
"Sasuke" is a song by American rapper Lil Uzi Vert. It was released on April 24, 2020 as a standalone single. It peaked at number 65 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Dark Lane Demo Tapes is the sixth mixtape by Canadian rapper Drake. The mixtape is a compilation of songs that were released on SoundCloud or leaked on the internet, as well as new songs, and is considered a "warm-up" to Drake's sixth studio album Certified Lover Boy (2021). It was released on May 1, 2020, by OVO Sound and Republic Records. Production was handled by Drake's longtime collaborator 40, among others. Featured guest appearances include Future, Young Thug, Chris Brown, Playboi Carti, Giveon, Fivio Foreign, and Sosa Geek.
"Go2DaMoon" is a song by American rapper Playboi Carti, featuring fellow American rapper Kanye West. It was released through AWGE and Interscope Records as the second track from Carti's second studio album, Whole Lotta Red, on December 25, 2020. The song was written by Playboi Carti and Kanye West, alongside producers Wheezy and Outtatown.
"Miss the Rage" is a song by American rappers Trippie Redd and Playboi Carti. It was released on May 7, 2021, as the lead single for the former's fourth studio album, Trip at Knight. The song was written alongside Loesoe, who produced the track. Peaking at number 11, it is Redd's highest-charting song on the Billboard Hot 100.
I Am Music is the upcoming third studio album by American rapper Playboi Carti. It is scheduled to be released through AWGE and Interscope Records sometime in December 2024. The album was preceded by the single "All Red", which was released on his 29th birthday, and serves as the follow-up to his previous album, Whole Lotta Red (2020). It is set to be premiered during his headlining performance at the Rolling Loud music festival at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida on December 15, 2024.