Suga | ||||
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EP by | ||||
Released | March 6, 2020 | |||
Recorded | 2019 | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 24:33 | |||
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Producer |
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Megan Thee Stallion chronology | ||||
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Singles from Suga | ||||
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Suga is the third extended play by American rapper Megan Thee Stallion. It was released on March 6, 2020, by 1501 Certified Entertainment and 300 Entertainment. [1] It features guest appearances from Kehlani and Gunna. [2] The project's release was preceded by legal troubles between the rapper and the label, following a contract renegotiation attempt, which led to the filing of a temporary restraining order towards the label. [3] Megan had initially intended for it to be her debut studio album, [4] [5] but instead released it as an EP as a result. [6] [7]
The EP features the single "B.I.T.C.H.", released on January 24, 2020, that charted at number 31 on the Billboard Hot 100. [8] The album's second single, "Captain Hook", was released on March 10, 2020, and charted at number 74 in the US. [9] The third and final single "Savage", was sent to top 40 radio formats on April 7, 2020, and has since become Megan Thee Stallion's first chart-topper in the United States, aided by a Beyoncé remix. [10] [11]
Following the success of Megan's debut mixtape, Fever , and the Platinum-certified songs "Hot Girl Summer" featuring Nicki Minaj and Ty Dolla Sign and "Cash Shit" featuring DaBaby, in 2019, after her NPR Tiny Desk Concert, Megan revealed her debut studio album was in the works and set for release in 2020. [12] She also revealed the album would introduce a new alter-ego named Suga, who is "besties" with her Tina Snow alter-ego. [13]
The lead single, "B.I.T.C.H." was released on January 24, 2020. The song was met with positive reviews and it charted at number 31 on the Billboard Hot 100. [8] Megan performed the song on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon to promote it. [14]
Following the single's release, Megan revealed more details of the EP, in an interview on Zane Lowe's Beats 1 show. She revealed the EP would be titled Suga, and that it would feature collaborations with Kehlani and SZA, and production credits by Juicy J and Pharrell Williams. [15]
In February 2020, Megan covered Rolling Stone , along with Normani and SZA, and revealed in an interview she was eyeing the release of the project to May (the month of her mother, Holly Thomas', birthday. Both Megan's mother and grandmother passed away in March 2019). [16] [17]
In the beginning of March, Megan and her Roc Nation management filed a lawsuit and temporary restraining order towards her label, 1501 Entertainment, claiming the label signed her to an unfair contract and refused to renegotiate. The label would take "the vast majority" of her earnings (60% from her recording income, 30% from touring, 30% from merchandising). Following the renegotiation attempts, the label forbid her from releasing new music, which led to the lawsuit and the judge siding with Megan and Roc Nation, allowing her to release a project on March 6, 2020. [18]
Megan announced the release and tracklist of her new project, Suga, on her social media on March 4, 2020, two days prior to its release. [19] The set was believed to be her debut studio album, as previewed, but in a change of plans, Megan confirmed in an interview on Ebro in the Morning , that it was just an EP with "the songs that I really, really liked", affirming that her debut studio album is still under production. [1] Eight months later, her debut studio album Good News was released on November 20, 2020.
The EP's lead single, "B.I.T.C.H.", was released on January 24, 2020. [20] It is described as a song where Megan "confronts an inept boyfriend who's ignoring her feelings" and received praise from Pitchfork due to the fact that "her trademark confidence complements the slinky retro beat". [21] The song samples Bootsy's Rubber Band' "I'd Rather Be With You" (1976) and Tupac Shakur's "Ratha Be Ya Nigga" (1996). [22] The song debuted and peaked at number 31 on the Billboard Hot 100 and at number 9 on the Rolling Stone 100, with 12.5 million streams on its first tracking week. [23] The single was promoted with a performance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon , where Megan sings and raps, dressed in a red belted body suit, alongside two backup dancers on a fog-filled stage. [14] An accompanying video for the song was released on March 6, 2020, along with the EP's release. The music video, directed by Eif Rivera, introduces the alter-ego Suga, who rides in a Rolls-Royce with Tina Snow (Megan's other alter-ego), walks her dogs in a leopard suit and twerks in a Jacuzzi. [24]
"Captain Hook" was released on March 10, 2020, alongside a music video as the EP's second single. [9] Megan started a dance challenge to promote the song prior to the video's release. [25] The song debuted and peaked at number 74 on the Billboard Hot 100.
The song "Savage" went viral on the app TikTok due to users starting a dance challenge to the song. [26] At the recommendation of the head of music partnerships at TikTok, the record label shifted focus from "Captain Hook" to "Savage" and the song was later released as the EP's third single. [27]
Aggregate scores | |
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Source | Rating |
AnyDecentMusic? | 7.2/10 [28] |
Metacritic | 77/100 [29] |
Review scores | |
Source | Rating |
AllMusic | [30] |
Consequence of Sound | B [31] |
Exclaim! | 7/10 [32] |
The Line of Best Fit | 9/10 [33] |
Pitchfork | 7/10 [34] |
Rolling Stone | [35] |
Tom Hull – on the Web | A− [36] |
At Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream critics, Suga received an average score of 77, based on nine reviews, indicating "generally favorable reviews". [29] Aggregator AnyDecentMusic? gave it 7.2 out of 10, based on their assessment of the critical consensus. [28]
Variety wrote that Megan "is mixing the cold hard steel of hip-hop power, with the teasing romanticism of mod R&B — and it looks great on her." [37] The Line of Best Fit rated the set 9 out of 10 and praised the "nostalgia, melancholy and faith, counterbalancing Megan's overall ethos of optimistic self-empowerment". [33] Pitchfork scored the EP 7 out of 10, with Mankaprr Conteh saying that "Megan occasionally struggles to package new truths about her social status in the whip-smart ways she did her old ones", but "at only 24 minutes long, Suga avoids the bloating that plagued Fever, and a good-not-great song like "Rich" is over too quickly to complain much". [34] Conteh concluded, "Suga may not be remembered as a keystone in Megan Thee Stallion's catalog, but it's a fine portrait of an artist embracing her full self as her world changes drastically." Rolling Stone gave the EP 4 out of 5 stars, and stated "On Suga she sounds warm and vulnerable, unsure how to carry on without her mama to guide her, but determined to do her proud. And she makes herself clear: she's no one's property." [35] Vulture also praised the "sex-positive bangers that tap into the same vein of Megan highlights" but wrote that "ending the project weaker than it started makes Suga feel like a half-step toward the evolution Megan had planned". [38]
Concluding the review for AllMusic, Fred Thomas stated that "Suga finds Megan Thee Stallion experiencing the growing pains of success. The songs reflect this in their lyrical content, overall shift in tonality, and even in the small steps they take towards more commercial sounds." [30]
In June 2020, the album was included on Billboard and Complex 's lists of the best albums of 2020 "so far", ranking at number 41 on the latter list. [39] [40]
Suga debuted at number 10 on the US Billboard 200 with 41,000 album-equivalent units, becoming Megan Thee Stallion's second US top-10 album. Of that sum, 36,000 came from streaming-equivalent units, and 5,000 from pure sales. [41] Later, due to the success of "Savage" and the remix with Beyoncé, the album reached a new peak of number seven, with 39,000 units moved for the chart dated May 16, 2020. [42]
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
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1. | "Ain't Equal" | Helluva | 2:24 | |
2. | "Savage" | J. White Did It | 2:35 | |
3. | "Captain Hook" |
| LilJuMadeDaBeat | 2:56 |
4. | "Hit My Phone" (featuring Kehlani) |
| 2:30 | |
5. | "B.I.T.C.H." |
| Helluva | 3:03 |
6. | "Rich" |
|
| 1:35 |
7. | "Stop Playing" (featuring Gunna) | The Neptunes | 2:54 | |
8. | "Crying in the Car" |
| The Neptunes | 3:12 |
9. | "What I Need" |
|
| 3:20 |
Total length: | 24:33 |
No. | Title | Length |
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1. | "Suga" (Intro) | 1:33 |
2. | "Savage" | 3:40 |
3. | "B.I.T.C.H." | 5:00 |
4. | "Captain Hook" | 3:14 |
5. | "What I Need" | 4:15 |
6. | "Interlude" | 0:34 |
7. | "Stop Playing" (featuring Gunna) | 3:40 |
8. | "Crying in the Car" | 3:00 |
9. | "Rich" | 2:28 |
10. | "Hit My Phone" (featuring Kehlani) | 2:48 |
11. | "Ain't Equal" | 2:38 |
Total length: | 32:55 |
Notes
Sample credits
Weekly charts
| Year-end charts
|
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
New Zealand (RMNZ) [52] | Gold | 7,500‡ |
United States (RIAA) [53] | Gold | 500,000‡ |
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. |
"B.I.T.C.H." is a song by American rapper Megan Thee Stallion. It was released as the lead single from her third EP Suga, on January 24, 2020. The song was met with positive reviews and it charted at number 31 on the Billboard Hot 100. Megan performed the song on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon to promote it.
"Plan B" is a song by American rapper Megan Thee Stallion. She previewed the song during her performance at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival; it was then released a week later on April 22, 2022. It serves as the second single from her second studio album Traumazine.
Megan Jovon Ruth Pete, known professionally as Megan Thee Stallion, is an American rapper, singer, and songwriter. Originally from Houston, Texas, she rose to fame in 2019 after her freestyling videos went viral and the release of her singles "Hot Girl Summer" and "Cash Shit".
American rapper Megan Thee Stallion has released three studio albums, one reissue, one compilation album, three mixtapes, three extended plays, 60 singles, and six promotional singles. In her early career, Megan Thee Stallion released the non-commercial, SoundCloud-exclusive mixtapes Rich Ratchet (2016) and Megan Mix (2017). She made her official solo debut by commercially releasing her first professional EP, Make It Hot, on September 18, 2017, which was followed by her second EP Tina Snow on June 8, 2018.
"Big Ole Freak" is a song by American rapper Megan Thee Stallion. It was released to US rhythmic contemporary radio on January 22, 2019, as a single from her 2018 EP Tina Snow. It debuted at number 99 on the US Billboard Hot 100, before ascending to number 65, becoming Megan Thee Stallion's first charting song. The single was certified Double Platinum by the RIAA for selling over 2 million units. "Big Ole Freak" has been noted by critics as one of Megan’s breakout songs that jumpstarted her career.
Fever is the third and debut commercial mixtape by American rapper Megan Thee Stallion, released on May 17, 2019, via 300 Entertainment and 1501 Certified. Primarily produced by LilJuMadeDaBeat and written by the rapper herself, it also features guest appearances from rappers DaBaby and Juicy J. Fever is a hip hop record driven by minimal bass-heavy trap production. It is widely considered by music critics as Megan Thee Stallion's mainstream breakthrough.
"Cash Shit" is a song by American rapper Megan Thee Stallion, featuring vocals from DaBaby. It was released on May 17, 2019, as the third single off of Megan Thee Stallion's first commercial mixtape, Fever. The track would later peak at number one on Urban radio in the United States, as well as number 36 on the Billboard Hot 100. This song was later featured in the fictional iFruit Radio in Grand Theft Auto V.
"Savage" is a song by American rapper Megan Thee Stallion. It was released on March 6, 2020, as part of her EP Suga and later sent to US contemporary hit radio on April 7, 2020, by 1501 Certified Entertainment and 300 Entertainment as the third single from the EP. The song was written by the artist with Bobby Sessions, Akeasha Boodie, and producer J. White Did It. It went viral on video-sharing app TikTok, with people performing the "Savage" dance challenge during the song's chorus.
"Captain Hook" is a song by American rapper Megan Thee Stallion from her third EP Suga (2020). It was released as the second single from the EP on March 10, 2020, alongside a music video. Following its release, a TikTok dance choreographed by TikTok star Skaibeauty quickly went viral.
"Girls in the Hood" is a song by American rapper Megan Thee Stallion from her debut studio album, Good News (2020). It was released on June 26, 2020, through 1501 Certified Entertainment and 300 Entertainment, as the album's lead single. Built around a sample of "Boyz-n-the-Hood" by Eazy-E and featuring electric guitar and 808 drums, it is a hip hop song with braggadocious lyrics.
Julian Martrel Mason, better known under the pseudonym LilJuMadeDaBeat, is an American record producer and songwriter, most known for his work with 2 Chainz, Beyoncé and Megan Thee Stallion. Mason has co-written and/or produced hits "Big Ole Freak", "Cash Shit", "Captain Hook", "Body", "Megan's Piano", and "Thot Shit" among others.
"WAP" is a song by American rapper Cardi B, featuring fellow American rapper Megan Thee Stallion. It was written by Cardi B, Frank Rodriguez, Ayo The Producer, Megan Thee Stallion, Pardison Fontaine, KEYZBABY and Matt Allen, and released on August 7, 2020, through Atlantic as the lead single from Cardi B's upcoming second studio album. Musically, it is a hip hop song driven by heavy bass, drum beats, and a sample of Frank Ski's single "Whores in This House" (1993). With sexually explicit lyrics which made it gain popularity, the song reached the top of the U.S. Billboard Hot 100.
"Don't Stop" is a song by American rapper Megan Thee Stallion featuring fellow American rapper Young Thug. It was written alongside Ricky Remedy and producer Buddah Bless. The song was released on October 2, 2020 by 1501 Certified Entertainment and 300 Entertainment as the second official single from her debut studio album Good News (2020). Musically, it is a sex-positive hip hop song with production inspired by electronic and industrial music.
Good News is the debut studio album by American rapper Megan Thee Stallion. It was released on November 20, 2020, by 300 Entertainment and 1501 Certified. The album features guest appearances from DaBaby, City Girls, Lil Durk, SZA, Popcaan, Mustard, Big Sean, 2 Chainz, Young Thug, and Beyoncé. The music was written and produced with a host of musicians, including D.A Got That Dope, LilJuMadeDaBeat, Juicy J, J. White Did It, and Scott Storch.
"Body" is a song by American rapper Megan Thee Stallion, who wrote the song during the COVID-19 quarantine and was inspired by her own figure during the creative process, with additional concentration on sizes of waist and breasts. It was released on November 20, 2020, by 1501 Certified Entertainment and 300 Entertainment as the third single from her debut studio album Good News (2020). It coincided with the release of the album and was supported by a music video featuring cameo appearances from Taraji P. Henson, Blac Chyna, and Jordyn Woods, among others.
Something for Thee Hotties is a compilation album by American rapper Megan Thee Stallion. It was released on October 29, 2021, by 300 Entertainment and 1501 Certified as a "thank you" gift to Megan's fanbase. The compilation serves as a collection of some of her previously-released YouTube freestyles, as well as previously unreleased archival songs; with the only guest appearances Juicy J, VickeeLo and Dino BTW contributing skits. It also includes "Thot Shit", which was released as a single in June that year. The compilation was produced primarily by LilJuMadeDaBeat, with external contributions from a variety of producers including Juicy J, Murda Beatz, and J.R. Rotem, among others.
Traumazine is the second studio album by American rapper Megan Thee Stallion, released on August 12, 2022. This was her final work with 300 Entertainment and 1501 Certified.
Bobby Dewayne Session, Jr, known professionally as Bobby Sessions, is an American rapper. He wrote and performed the title track for the 2018 film, The Hate U Give, and signed with Def Jam Recordings that same year. He co-wrote Megan Thee Stallion's 2020 single, "Savage", which won a Grammy Award for Best Rap Song and peaked at #1 the Billboard Hot 100.
"Circo Loco" is a song by Canadian rapper Drake and British-American rapper 21 Savage from their collaborative studio album Her Loss (2022). It was sent to Italian contemporary hit radio on November 11, 2022, as the second single from the album. Produced by Boi-1da, Tay Keith and 40, it contains a sample and interpolation of "One More Time" by Daft Punk. The song garnered controversy over a perceived diss toward American rapper Megan Thee Stallion.
"Hiss" is a song by American rapper Megan Thee Stallion from her third studio album, Megan (2024). It was released independently through Hot Girl Productions on January 26, 2024, as the second single from the album.