| Universal Credit | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 27 May 2022 | |||
| Genre | Hip hop | |||
| Length | 37:37 | |||
| Label | Because Music | |||
| Producer |
| |||
| Jeshi chronology | ||||
| ||||
Universal Credit is the debut studio album by British rapper Jeshi, released on 27 May 2022. It was preceded by four singles: "Generation", "Another Cigarette", "3210", and "Protein". [1] The album features appearances from Obongjayar and Fredwave.
The album's title is a reference to the Universal Credit welfare policy. On the album cover, Jeshi depicts himself receiving an oversized cheque for £324.84, which was the value of a monthly Universal Credit payment at the time of the album's release. [2] Jeshi has stated that his intent with the title was to push back against the stigma around receiving Universal Credit benefits, describing the title as "me taking back two words that often mean embarrassment for people and trying to give a new life to that through my truth". [3]
The album's subject matter includes topics such as life under austerity, knife crime, drug use, and the psychological impacts of social media. [4] Jeshi has described himself as striving to depict everyday, down-to-earth situations like "taking the night bus home after work". [5]
| Aggregate scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| Metacritic | 83/100 [6] |
| Review scores | |
| Source | Rating |
| Clash | 8/10 [7] |
| Pitchfork | 7.6/10 [8] |
| The Telegraph |   [2] |
At Metacritic, which assigns a weighted average score out of 100 to reviews from mainstream critics, Universal Credit received an average score of 83 based on 4 reviews, indicating "universal acclaim". [6]
Critics described the prevailing mood of the album as a morose one. Telegraph.co.uk characterised Universal Credit as "an angst-ridden record", [2] and Complex described it as "an emotionally vulnerable... journey through the rapper's psyche". [3] Reviewers noted that there were some happier moments on the album – Pitchfork noted that "Jeshi captures life's small joys as well as its multifold indignities" – but these moments were typically portrayed as "unapologetically few and far between". [9] Jeshi's detailed lyrics about the hardships of poverty were praised, with The Line of Best Fit stating that the album "expertly taps into the modern conundrum of social malaise", [9] and reviewers from Pitchfork and Telegraph expressing similar sentiments. [8] [2] Jeshi's delivery was described in Crack magazine as "anthemic, straight-talking rap". [5] A more mixed review from Clash remarked that Universal Credit "shows great potential, but its drop in momentum in the first half marks it as a project that hasn't quite lived up to its own standards". [7]
The production on Universal Credit has been described as "fittingly jagged". [5] The Line of Best Fit identifies its main features as "a rich palette of evocative pianos, unintelligible vocal cuts, nostalgic two-step shuffles and arpeggiated guitars". [9] The Telegraph review also describes the usage of sampled urban noise as "creat[ing] an enjoyably textured realm". [2]
Dazed identified Universal Credit as the sixth-best hip hop album of 2022. [10]
| No. | Title | Producer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "1st of the Month for the Rest of Your Life..." | Cajm | 0:32 |
| 2. | "Sick" | Kelvin Krash | 3:14 |
| 3. | "Killing Me Slowly" |
| 2:49 |
| 4. | "Another Cigarette" |
| 3:17 |
| 5. | "Coffee" | Fredwave | 2:06 |
| 6. | "Hit by a Train" | JONAH | 3:08 |
| 7. | "3210" (with Fredwave) |
| 3:11 |
| 8. | "Generation" |
| 3:30 |
| 9. | "New Hues" | Earbuds | 3:27 |
| 10. | "Protein" (with Obongjayar) |
| 2:55 |
| 11. | "Two Mums" |
| 3:19 |
| 12. | "Violence" (with Fredwave and Obongjayar) | Tev'n | 2:41 |
| 13. | "National Lottery" | JONAH | 3:28 |
| Total length: | 37:37 | ||
R.A.P. Music is the fifth studio album by American rapper Killer Mike. It was released through Williams Street Records on May 15, 2012. The "R.A.P." in the album's title is a backronym for "Rebellious African People". Production was handled by rapper and producer Jaime "El-P" Meline; the album was the first collaboration between Killer Mike and El-P, who would later form the critically acclaimed duo Run the Jewels. The album's title is a reference to Ye’s record label G.O.O.D Music.
Overgrown is the second studio album by English electronic musician James Blake. It was released on 5 April 2013 by Blake's Atlas Records, along with Republic Records and Polydor Records. The album features guest appearances from electronic music producer Brian Eno and Wu-Tang Clan member RZA. Overgrown debuted at number eight on the UK Albums Chart and at number one on the US Dance/Electronic chart. It was supported by lead single "Retrograde".
Slow Focus is the third and final studio album by Fuck Buttons, released on 22 July 2013. It peaked at number 36 on the UK Albums Chart. It was the first album released by ATP Recordings to reach the top 40 of the UK Albums Chart.
Number 1 Angel is the third mixtape by English singer Charli XCX, released on 10 March 2017 by Asylum Records. The mixtape contains ten tracks and was created in Los Angeles as a collaboration with producer A. G. Cook, the founder of PC Music. Several other producers associated with the label also contributed to the mixtape, including Sophie, who previously produced Charli XCX's extended play Vroom Vroom. Musically, it has been labeled as avant-pop and electropop.
Steven Umoh, better known by his stage name Obongjayar, is a Nigerian singer based in London, England. After releasing several EPs, his debut studio album, Some Nights I Dream of Doors, was released in 2022.
The Long Goodbye is the second studio album by Riz Ahmed. It was released on his own record label Mongrel Records on 6 March 2020. It is a concept album and was produced by Redinho. It features guest appearances from Ahmed's mother, as well as Mindy Kaling, Mahershala Ali, Yara Shahidi, Asim Chaudhry, Hasan Minhaj, and Jay Sean. It was accompanied by a short film of the same name directed by Aneil Karia, which won Best Live Action Short Film at the 94th Academy Awards. "Mogambo" was released as a single in 2018.
God Don't Make Mistakes is the second studio album by American rapper Conway the Machine. It was released through Drumwork, Griselda, Shady, and Interscope on February 25, 2022. The album was preceded by two singles, "Piano Love" and "John Woo Flick". It features guest appearances from Beanie Sigel, Rick Ross, Lil Wayne, 7xvethegenius, Jae Skeese, T.I., Novel, Benny the Butcher, Westside Gunn, Wallo267, Jill Scott, and Keisha Plum.
Deacon is the second studio album by American singer and songwriter Serpentwithfeet. It was released on March 26, 2021, by Secretly Canadian.
Sometimes I Might Be Introvert is the fourth studio album by English rapper Little Simz, released on 3 September 2021 by Age 101 Music and AWAL. The album succeeds the Mercury Prize-nominated album Grey Area, released in 2019, and the five-track EP, Drop 6 (2020). It is supported by five singles: "Introvert", "Woman", "Rollin Stone", "I Love You, I Hate You" and "Point and Kill". The album is produced by frequent collaborator Inflo, and includes guest appearances from Cleo Sol and Obongjayar.
We're All Alone in This Together is the second studio album by British rapper Dave, released on 23 July 2021 by Neighbourhood Recordings. The album succeeds his debut album Psychodrama (2019), and includes guest appearances from Stormzy, James Blake, Wizkid, Snoh Aalegra, Boj, Fredo, Ghetts, Giggs and Meekz.
King's Disease III is the fifteenth studio album by American rapper Nas. It was released on November 11, 2022 through Mass Appeal Records. The album is the third entry in Nas' King's Disease series of albums, and acts as a sequel to his 2020 album King's Disease and his 2021 album King's Disease II. The album, as with the previous two albums in the series, was executive produced by Nas and American record producer Hit-Boy. The album received widespread acclaim from critics.
Nymph is the debut studio album by British rapper and singer Shygirl. It was released on 30 September 2022 on vinyl, CD, cassette and digital download, through Because Music. The album was announced alongside the release of its lead single "Firefly" on 10 May 2022. The second single "Come for Me" was released on 7 June 2022. The album was shortlisted for the 2023 Mercury Prize.
Preacher's Daughter is the debut studio album by American singer-songwriter and record producer Ethel Cain. It was released on May 12, 2022, via her own independent record label Daughters of Cain, which serves as an imprint of publishing company Prescription Songs. The album was entirely produced by Cain, with assistance from Matthew Tomasi on two tracks.
Heart Under is the second studio album by Irish rock band Just Mustard, released on 27 May 2022 through Partisan Records.
Cave World is the third studio album by Swedish post-punk band Viagra Boys. It was released on 8 July 2022 through Year0001. A deluxe version of the album was released on 13 January 2023, which featured four more tracks.
Natural Brown Prom Queen is the second album from Cincinnati-born singer-songwriter and violinist Brittney Parks under her stage name Sudan Archives. The album, released on September 9, 2022, by Stones Throw Records, received widespread acclaim from music critics, with many publications ranking it as one of the best albums of 2022.
Jesse Greenway, known by the stage name Jeshi, is a musical artist based in London. His music predominantly covers working class disenfranchisement under austerity in Britain through personal storytelling and powerful social commentary.
Gumbo is the fourth studio album by American rapper Young Nudy, released on February 28, 2023 via RCA Records. The album features guest appearances from Key Glock and 21 Savage and chief production from Coupe. It was supported by the single "Peaches & Eggplants".
Maps is a collaborative studio album by rapper Billy Woods and producer Kenny Segal. It was released through Backwoodz Studioz on May 5, 2023, and features guest appearances from Elucid, Danny Brown, Aesop Rock, Quelle Chris, ShrapKnel, Benjamin Booker, and Samuel T. Herring. The album was preceded by two singles: "FaceTime", which was released on April 12, 2023, and "Soft Landing", which was released on May 3, 2023.
Real Back in Style is the debut studio album by English rapper Potter Payper, released on 12 May 2023 by 0207 Def Jam. It follows Payper's 2021 mixtape, Thanks for Waiting, and his Training Day mixtape trilogy.