Waking at Dawn

Last updated

Waking at Dawn
WakingatDawnalbum.jpg
Studio album by
ReleasedJuly 1, 2016 (2016-07-01)
Recorded2016
Genre
Length35:56
Label
Producer
Roy Woods chronology
Exis
(2015)
Waking at Dawn
(2016)
Nocturnal
(2016)
Singles from Waking at Dawn
  1. "Gwan Big Up Urself"
    Released: June 4, 2016
  2. "How I Feel"
    Released: June 4, 2016

Waking at Dawn is the debut studio album by Canadian recording artist Roy Woods. [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] It was released on July 1, 2016, by OVO Sound and Warner Bros. Records. [6] The album serves as a follow-up to his debut EP Exis (2015). It was preceded by two singles; "Gwan Big Up Urself" and "How I Feel".

Contents

Background

On March 11, 2016, Roy Woods announced the album's title via Twitter. [7] The release date and cover art was revealed on June 29, 2016. [8]

Singles

The album's lead single and second single, "Gwan Big Up Urself" and "How I Feel" was released on June 4, 2016. [9] [10]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
HotNewHipHop(74/100) [11]
Now Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [12]
Exclaim! 6/10 [13]

Waking at Dawn was met with generally positive reviews. The album received a 74 out of 100 by HotNewHipHop. Writing for Exclaim! , Themistoklis Alexis praised the album's "flashes of maturity" but criticized Woods' "failure to emote fully on phonics." [13]

Track listing

Credits were adapted from Tidal. [14]

No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Sonic Boom"
3:04
2."You Love It"
  • Spencer
  • Antonio Mendes
  • Khokar
  • L.A. Chase
  • Sunny Diamonds
3:06
3."Gwan Big Up Urself"
  • Spencer
  • Christopher Allen
  • Nguyen-Tran
  • Khokar
  • Krs.
  • FrancisGotHeat
  • Sunny Diamonds
3:20
4."How I Feel"
  • Spencer
  • Lobban
  • Holmes
  • Khokhar
  • DZL
  • ALO
3:43
5."Down Girl"
  • Spencer
  • Offe
  • Khokar
  • Prezident Jeff
  • Sunny Diamonds
2:49
6."Switch"
3:21
7."Got Me"
  • DZL
  • Akeel
3:38
8."Why"
  • Spencer
  • Lindstrom
Murda Beatz4:22
9."Menace"
  • Spencer
  • Omari Jabari
  • Rashad Hussein
  • Khokar
  • Jabari
  • akaRashad
  • Sunny Diamonds
4:53
10."She Knows About Me"
  • Spencer
  • Nguyen-Tran
  • Khokar
  • FrancisGotHeat
  • Sunny Diamonds
3:40
Total length:35:56

Personnel

Credits adapted from Tidal. [14]

Charts

Chart (2016)Peak
position
Canadian Albums (Billboard) [15] 30
US Billboard 200 [16] 127
US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard) [17] 11

Release history

RegionDateFormatLabelRef.
WorldwideJuly 1, 2016 Digital download [18]

References

  1. Balfour, Jay. "Roy Wood$: Waking at Dawn Album Review". Pitchfork . Retrieved June 24, 2023.
  2. Kellman, Andy. "Roy Woods - Waking at Dawn Album Reviews, Songs & More". AllMusic . Retrieved June 24, 2023.
  3. Hernandez, Victoria (July 2, 2016). "OVO's Roy Woods Drops Debut Album, "Waking At Dawn"". HipHopDX . Retrieved June 24, 2023.
  4. Simmons, Ted (July 2016). "Roy Woods Releases 'Waking At Dawn' Album". XXL . Retrieved June 24, 2023.
  5. Glaysher, Scott (January 5, 2017). "Roy Woods delivers more mood music with Nocturnal". NowToronto. Retrieved June 24, 2023.
  6. "Here's Roy Wood$' New Album 'Waking At Dawn'". Complex. Retrieved July 1, 2016.
  7. Gavin, Sean (March 11, 2016). "Roy Woods Announces New Project "Waking At Dawn" Coming Soon". The Daily Dose. Retrieved November 23, 2017.
  8. Dandridge-Lemco, Ben (June 29, 2016). "Roy Wood$ Shares Waking At Dawn Release Date And Cover Art". The Fader . Retrieved November 23, 2017.
  9. "New Music: Roy Woods – 'Gwan Big Up Urself'". Rap-Up . Retrieved June 4, 2016.
  10. "Roy Woods – How I Feel". WhatTheHYPE. June 7, 2016. Retrieved November 23, 2017.
  11. Jenkins, Craig (July 7, 2016). "Roy Woods Waking at Dawn Review News". HNHH. Retrieved July 7, 2016.
  12. "Roy Woods". July 6, 2016.
  13. 1 2 Alexis, Themistoklis (July 1, 2016). "Roy Woods - Waking at Dawn". Exclaim! . Retrieved August 5, 2016.
  14. 1 2 "Waking At Dawn / Roy Woods". Tidal . Retrieved June 2, 2017.
  15. "Roy Woods Chart History (Canadian Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved July 12, 2016.
  16. "Roy Woods Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved July 12, 2016.
  17. "Roy Woods Chart History (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved July 12, 2016.
  18. All citations concerning the release history of Waking at Dawn: