Til the Casket Drops (Clipse album)

Last updated
Til the Casket Drops
Clipse - Till The Casket Drops.jpg
Studio album by
Clipse
ReleasedDecember 8, 2009 (2009-12-08)
Recorded2008–2009
Genre Hip hop
Length51:45
Label
Producer
Clipse chronology
Hell Hath No Fury
(2006)		Til the Casket Drops
(2009)
Singles from Til the Casket Drops
  1. "Kinda Like a Big Deal"
    Released: April 20, 2009
  2. "I'm Good"
    Released: June 11, 2009
  3. "Popular Demand (Popeyes)"
    Released: October 23, 2009

Til the Casket Drops is the fourth and final studio album by the American hip hop duo Clipse, released in the United States on December 8, 2009, by Re-Up, Star Trak and Columbia. [1] It debuted on number 46 on the Billboard 200, selling 31,000 copies in its very first week of availability. [2] The album received generally positive reviews from critics. It is their final project as Clipse, prior to their split and solo ventures.

Contents

Overview

Following their critically acclaimed Hell Hath No Fury , Clipse left Jive Records. They managed to secure a new deal with Columbia Records, and proceeded to work on their new album. Prior to the release of the album, a mixtape called Road to Till the Casket Drops, was made available on December 1, 2008. They also started their own clothing line named "Play Cloths". [3]

The album was released on December 8, 2009. The album's cover art work was designed by the artist Kaws. Featured guests include Kanye West, Keri Hilson, Pharrell, Cam'ron, Ab-Liva and Yo Gotti. [4] For the first time, Clipse reached out for producers other than The Neptunes. Producers for the album also Sean C and LV, DJ Khalil and Chin Injeti. [5] [6]

This is the final Clipse album, prior to their split in 2010. Pusha T would go on to embark a successful solo career with Kanye West's G.O.O.D. Music, while Malice would go on to convert to Christianity. He would later change his stage name to No Malice, and drop his solo debut Hear Ye Him in 2013.

Singles

A promotional single, "Kinda Like a Big Deal" was released for the album. It features Kanye West. Three official singles were released: "I'm Good" featuring Pharrell of The Neptunes, followed by "All Eyes on Me" featuring Keri Hilson and "Popular Demand (Popeyes)" featuring the New York rapper Cam'ron.

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
Metacritic 64/100 [7]
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [8]
Chicago Tribune Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [9]
Entertainment Weekly A− [10]
Los Angeles Times Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [11]
The A.V. Club B [12]
Pitchfork 6.2/10 [13]
Spin Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [14]
NME Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svgStar empty.svg [15]
USA Today Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svg [16]
XXL Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [17]

Til The Casket Drops was met with generally positive reviews. At Metacritic, the album received an average of 64 which indicated "generally favorable reviews". [7]

Andy Kellman of AllMusic noted "There’s plenty of dazzling wordplay related to coke dealing and showing off, but the album carries a more redemptive tone and a higher level of self-awareness". Pitchfork editor Ian Cohen gave the album a score of 6.2, stating "Til the Casket Drops awkwardly vacillates between confidence and complacency, between sneering at perceived competition and smarting at perceived and possibly self-made slights". NME editor Emily Mackay criticized the album saying "since their last opus sold so poorly, they are chasing dollar here with a Neptunes assisted move toward big, slick choonage". NME gave the album a score of 3.5 stars out of 5. However, Entertainment Weekly received the album well with a score of A−, saying "Til the Casket Drops might not be quite as spellbinding as their last one, but they’re still operating on a level of cleverness that few of their peers can match". Los Angeles Times gave the album a score of 3 stars out of 4. Editor Mikael Wood wrote "On Til the Casket Drops, siblings Gene "Malice" Thornton and Terrence "Pusha T" Thornton resume their collaboration with production juggernaut the Neptunes. But this time, the Virginia duo lower their standards on a handful of songs in pursuit of the hits that eluded them the last time". [18]

Pusha T eventually disowned the album, later stating in an interview with Elliott Wilson from Tidal in 2021 that "I hate it. I hate it. And when a song comes on, like “I’m Good,” man, this was a little bit of a bop. Hate it.“. He also added: “Only thing I love about it is the artwork, and that’s because Kaws did it. That’s it.“ [19]

Commercial performance

The album entered the US Billboard 200 chart at number 46, and the Top R&B/Hip-Hop albums at number 9 selling 31,000 copies in its first week. [20] The album sold 62,000 copies within the first month of being released. [21]

Track listing

No.TitleProducer(s)Length
1."Freedom" Sean C & LV 3:46
2."Popular Demand (Popeyes)" (featuring Cam'ron & Pharrell) The Neptunes 4:20
3."Kinda Like a Big Deal" (featuring Kanye West) DJ Khalil, Chin Injeti 3:26
4."Showing Out" (featuring Yo Gotti) The Neptunes 3:38
5."I'm Good" (featuring Pharrell) The Neptunes 4:21
6."There Was a Murder"DJ Khalil, Chin Injeti3:36
7."Door Man" The Neptunes 5:08
8."Never Will It Stop" (featuring Ab Liva)Sean C & LV3:21
9."All Eyes On Me" (featuring Keri Hilson) The Neptunes 3:50
10."Counseling" (featuring Nicole Hurst) The Neptunes 3:17
11."Champion" The Neptunes 4:14
12."Footsteps"DJ Khalil4:21
13."Life Change" The Neptunes 4:27

Charts

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pharrell Williams</span> American record producer, rapper, singer, and songwriter

Pharrell Lanscilo Williams is an American record producer, rapper, singer, and songwriter. Alongside close colleague Chad Hugo, he formed the hip hop and R&B production duo the Neptunes in the early 1990s, with whom he has produced songs for various recording artists. In 1999, he became lead vocalist of the band N.E.R.D., which he formed with Hugo and drummer Shay Haley. Williams has been widely referred to as one of the most influential and successful music producers of the 21st century, having had a significant impact on the sound of modern popular music.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Clipse</span> American hip hop duo

Clipse, also known as The Clipse, is an American hip hop duo, chiefly active from 1994 to 2010. It consists of brothers Gene "No Malice" and Terrence "Pusha T" Thornton. Pusha T was known as Terrar during the group's early years, while No Malice was originally known as Malicious, then changed his stage name to Malice soon after the group's formation, before changing it again to No Malice in 2012 following a conversion to Christianity. The duo were based in Virginia Beach, Virginia, and were heavily affiliated with producer and fellow Virginia Beach native, Pharrell Williams, who convinced the two in 1992 to be a rap duo instead of solo artists. Williams would go on to serve as their label head, main producer and frequent guest artist through most of their career. The duo frequently rapped about the drug dealing they had done in their youth. Clipse was integral in establishing Virginia as one of the East Coast's strongholds in hip hop.

<i>Lord Willin</i> 2002 studio album by Clipse

Lord Willin' is the major label debut and second studio album by hip hop duo Clipse. The album was released on August 20, 2002 in the United States by Star Trak and Arista. Recording sessions took place over a year, beginning in 2001. Production was handled by The Neptunes.

<i>Exclusive Audio Footage</i> 1999 studio album by Clipse

Exclusive Audio Footage is the debut studio album from Virginia hip hop duo Clipse. The album spawned one single and music video "The Funeral", which hit airwaves in 1999. Promotional CD and vinyl copies exist and the LP has been leaked online on several occasions. In 2004, counterfeit vinyl pressings of the album were released. The album artwork is taken from the 2002 Lord Willin' photo shoot because of the promo CDs and vinyl of the album not containing any visible artwork, over time and through other bootleg copies the image was used as the album's default cover.

<i>Hell Hath No Fury</i> (Clipse album) 2006 studio album by Clipse

Hell Hath No Fury is the third studio album by hip hop duo Clipse. The album was released on November 28, 2006 in the United States by Re-Up, Star Trak and Jive. Recording sessions for the album took place over a period of several years, and suffered numerous delays prior to release. Production was handled by The Neptunes.

The following is a discography of production by the Neptunes, a production duo consisting of Pharrell Williams and Chad Hugo.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pusha T</span> American rapper from Virginia (born 1977)

Terrence LeVarr Thornton, better known by his stage name Pusha T, is an American rapper, songwriter and record executive. He rose to prominence as one-half of the hip hop duo Clipse, which was mainly active from 1994 to 2010, alongside his older brother No Malice. As Clipse, the two released three studio albums and a number of mixtapes, and had hit singles including "Grindin'" and "When the Last Time".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Grindin'</span> 2002 single by Clipse

"Grindin'" is the debut single from Virginia Beach rap duo Clipse. The song was produced by The Neptunes, and featured on the Clipse's debut album, Lord Willin'. The song became a summer Top 40 hit, reaching number 30 on the Billboard Hot 100 on the issue dated August 10, 2002.

<i>In a Perfect World...</i> 2009 studio album by Keri Hilson

In a Perfect World... is the debut studio album of American singer Keri Hilson. It was released on March 24, 2009, through Zone 4, Mosley Music Group and Interscope Records. Originally planned for a 2007 release, it was pushed back numerous times into 2008, amid her label's budget issues and minor single releases. The production on the album was handled primarily by Timbaland, Polow da Don and Danja, among others.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Clipse discography</span>

This is the discography of Clipse, an American hip hop duo consisting of rappers Pusha T and No Malice.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kinda Like a Big Deal</span> 2009 single by Clipse featuring Kanye West

"Kinda Like a Big Deal" is the street single from rap duo Clipse's third studio album Til the Casket Drops. It features Kanye West.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I'm Good (Clipse song)</span> 2009 single by Clipse featuring Pharrell

"I'm Good" is a song written and performed by American rap duo Clipse featuring fellow American rapper Pharrell Williams from the duo's third studio album Til the Casket Drops (2009). Produced by The Neptunes, the cover artwork is made by KAWS who also made the cover artwork for Clipse's previous single Kinda Like a Big Deal. It was released on iTunes on June 30, 2009. The single sold nearly 7,700 copies in first week.

<i>Fear of God II: Let Us Pray</i> 2011 EP by Pusha T

Fear of God II: Let Us Pray is the major record label debut and extended play by American rapper Pusha T, released on November 8, 2011, under G.O.O.D. Music. The EP was his first project with Kanye West's GOOD Music label, since the announcement of his signing in September 2010. Pusha T claims his inspiration for Fear of God is that a vast majority of the people who he came in the music business with are in prison: "I came in the game with super producers. We made hit records. I never thought that it gets deeper. But not for nothing, 2009 I lost eight of my friends to incarceration. Everybody that I came in to the rap game with, and when I realized that those components weren't there anymore, the 'Fear of God' really came over me. It's full of the dichotomy of 'right and wrong' and 'good and evil'. A lot of it deals with greed. A lot of it deals with instant gratification. Personally... life without instant gratification... I don't know what it is."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pusha T discography</span> Hip hop recording artist discography

The discography of American rapper Pusha T consists of four studio albums, one extended play (EP), two mixtapes, 53 singles, two promotional singles and 33 music videos.

"What Happened to That Boy" is a song by American rapper Baby, released as the second single from his debut studio album Birdman (2002), featuring rap duo Clipse.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">No Malice</span> American rapper from Virginia

Gene Elliott Thornton Jr., better known by his stage name No Malice, is an American rapper from Virginia Beach, Virginia. He is best known for being one half of hip hop duo Clipse, alongside his brother and fellow rapper Pusha T. No Malice released his solo debut album Hear Ye Him, in 2013, and his second studio album, Let the Dead Bury the Dead, in 2017.

<i>My Name Is My Name</i> 2013 studio album by Pusha T

My Name Is My Name is the debut studio album by American rapper Pusha T. It was released on October 8, 2013, by GOOD Music and Def Jam Recordings. While leading up to the album's announcement, Pusha T released the mixtape Fear of God and the EP Fear of God II: Let Us Pray during 2011, along with collaborating on the GOOD Music's compilation album Cruel Summer. In 2013, he also released another mixtape Wrath of Caine. The album's production was handled primarily by Kanye West, along with several producers, including Pharrell Williams, The-Dream, Hudson Mohawke, Sebastian Sartor, Don Cannon, Swizz Beatz, Rico Beats, Mano and Nottz, It also features guest appearances from Rick Ross, Jeezy, 2 Chainz, Big Sean, Future, Pharrell Williams, Chris Brown and Kendrick Lamar, among others.

<i>Hear Ye Him</i> 2013 studio album by No Malice

Hear Ye Him is the debut solo studio album by American rapper No Malice. The album was released independently on August 18, 2013, by Reinvision. The album features guest appearances from Ab-Liva, Pusha T, Fam-Lay and Jaeson Ma among others.

<i>King Push – Darkest Before Dawn: The Prelude</i> 2015 studio album by Pusha T

King Push – Darkest Before Dawn: The Prelude is the second studio album by American rapper Pusha T. It was released on December 18, 2015, by GOOD Music and Def Jam Recordings. The album was supported by three singles: "Untouchable", "M.F.T.R." featuring The-Dream and "Crutches, Crosses, Caskets". The album features guest appearances from The-Dream, Kanye West, ASAP Rocky, Ab-Liva, Beanie Sigel, Kehlani and Jill Scott, with production handled by a variety of high-profile record producers, including Kanye West, J. Cole, Timbaland, Q-Tip, Hudson Mohawke and Puff Daddy, among others.

"Use This Gospel" is a song by American rapper Kanye West from his ninth studio album, Jesus Is King (2019). The song features guest appearances from hip hop duo Clipse and jazz saxophonist Kenny G. It was produced by West, Angel Lopez, DrtWrk, Frederico Vindver, and Timbaland, with co-production from BoogzDaBeast and Pi'erre Bourne. The song was recorded as a new version of the leaked track "Law of Attraction", which West came up with in a freestyle session. Clipse's feature on the song marked their reunion, after West requested for a collaboration. A gospel number with a maximalist style, it samples Two Door Cinema Club's "Costume Party" and includes a saxophone solo from Kenny G.

References

  1. ↑ "burnttongue.net". Burnt Tongue. Retrieved February 27, 2011.
  2. ↑ "Clipse". Billboard .
  3. ↑ "Clipse Preview LP With Mixtape, Launch Clothing Line". Pitchforkmedia.com. November 21, 2008. Retrieved February 27, 2011.
  4. ↑ "Album Preview: Clipse "Till The Casket Drops"". Complex.com. Retrieved February 27, 2011.
  5. ↑ Cornish, Melanie (February 18, 2008). "Producer's Corner: Puffy's Hitmen | Rappers Talk Hip Hop Beef & Old School Hip Hop". HipHopDX.com. Retrieved February 27, 2011.
  6. ↑ Listen to More: Industry Heavyweights. "Clipse Interview". Djbooth.net. Retrieved February 27, 2011.
  7. 1 2 "Til the Casket Drops by Clipse". Metacritic .
  8. ↑ Kellman, Andy. Review: Til the Casket Drops. AllMusic. Retrieved on December 11, 2009.
  9. ↑ Kot, Greg. Review: Til the Casket Drops. Chicago Tribune . Retrieved on December 11, 2009.
  10. ↑ Vozick-Levinson, Simon. Review: Til the Casket Drops. Entertainment Weekly . Retrieved on December 24, 2009.
  11. ↑ Brown, August. Review: Til the Casket Drops. Los Angeles Times . Retrieved on February 16, 2010.
  12. ↑ "Clipse: Til The Casket Drops". The A.V. Club. Retrieved 10 May 2022.
  13. ↑ Cohen, Ian. Review: Til the Casket Drops. Pitchfork . Retrieved on December 11, 2009.
  14. ↑ "Clipse, 'Til the Casket Drops' (Columbia)". Spin.com. December 2009.
  15. ↑ "Album Review: Clipse - 'Til the Casket Drops' (Columbia)". NME . 26 March 2010.
  16. ↑ Jones, Steve. Review: Til the Casket Drops. USA Today . Retrieved on December 11, 2009.
  17. ↑ Bianco, Alvin. Review: Til the Casket Drops Archived 2009-11-06 at the Wayback Machine . XXL . December 11, 2009.
  18. ↑ "Chris Brown's 'Graffiti' doesn't make you feel sorry for him". Los Angeles Times . 8 December 2009.
  19. ↑ "Pusha T Interview: TIDAL Backstory | TIDAL Magazine". Archived from the original on 2022-05-03. Retrieved 2022-05-03.
  20. ↑ Kaufman, Gil. "Susan Boyle Remains Billboard Ruler As Chris Brown Settles For #7". MTV . Retrieved on January 4, 2010.
  21. ↑ "Hip Hop Album Sales: The Week Ending 1/17/2010". HipHopDX.com. 20 January 2010. Retrieved 10 May 2022.
  22. ↑ "Clipse Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard.
  23. ↑ "Clipse Chart History (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)". Billboard.
  24. ↑ "2010 Year-End Charts – Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Albums". Billboard . Retrieved May 8, 2016.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.