You Should Be Here (mixtape)

Last updated
You Should Be Here
Kehlani - You Should Be Here cover.png
Mixtape by
ReleasedApril 28, 2015 (2015-04-28)
Genre R&B [1]
Length46:12
Label TSNMI [2]
Producer
Kehlani chronology
Cloud 19
(2014)
You Should Be Here
(2015)
SweetSexySavage
(2017)
Singles from You Should Be Here
  1. "The Way"
    Released: July 27, 2015 [3]

You Should Be Here is the second and debut commercial mixtape [4] by American singer and songwriter Kehlani. [5] It was self-released through the iTunes Store on April 28, 2015. [6] You Should Be Here features guest appearances from Lexii Alijai, Chance the Rapper, and BJ the Chicago Kid. [7] It peaked at number 36 on the US Billboard 200. [8] Mixed by Joe Fitzgerald, the mixtape predominantly features production by Jahaan Sweet, along with production from JMike, Madmax, Geoffro Cause and Ted Digtl, among others.

Contents

In July 2015, Kehlani embarked on a tour to promote the mixtape. The tour visited cities; including North America and Europe. [9] Music videos were created for "You Should Be Here", [10] "The Way", [11] and "Alive". [12] The mixtape received a nomination for Best Urban Contemporary Album at the 58th Annual Grammy Awards. [13]

In April 2023, after receiving significant backlash for her mixed race identity over the song "N****s", the song was removed from all streaming platforms and excluded from the tracklist. [14]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
Metacritic 80/100 [15]
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [16]
Billboard Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [17]
Complex Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [18]
HipHopDX Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [19]
The New York Times favorable [20]
Pitchfork 7.4/10 [2]

At Metacritic, which assigns a weighted average score to reviews from mainstream critics, You Should Be Here received an average score of 80 based on 6 reviews, indicating "generally favorable reviews". [15]

Matthew Ramirez of Pitchfork commented that "You Should Be Here's dynamism and generosity is something to be amazed by, especially considering Kehlani is all of 19 years old." [2] Andy Kellman of AllMusic said: "While the singer and songwriter has fashioned [themself] into a contemporary R&B artist comparable to the likes of Jhené Aiko and Tinashe, [they] have retained the charming, down-to-earth qualities they displayed with their band." [16] Elias Leight of Billboard described it as "an intense, focused exploration of all, or nearly all, the relationships the singer is involved in, both romantic and familial." [17]

Accolades

PublicationAccoladeRankRef.
Complex Best Albums of 2015
12
Noisey 50 Best Albums of 2015
16
Rolling Stone 20 Best R&B Albums of 2015
16

Track listing

No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Intro"
Kehlani2:19
2."You Should Be Here"
  • Parrish
  • Alexander Castillo
  • Jeremy Coleman
  • JMIKE
  • A.C.
  • I.T.M.G
2:37
3."How That Taste"
Jahaan Sweet2:32
4."Jealous" (featuring Lexii Alijai)
Sweet3:38
5."Niggas"
  • PP
  • Sweet
  • Parrish
Jahaan Sweet2:54
6."Wanted"
  • Parrish
  • Ricky Witherspoon, Jr.
  • Coleman
  • Graham Muron
  • JMIKE
  • MadMax
  • KillaGraham
2:10
7."The Way" (featuring Chance the Rapper)
  • Jahaan Sweet
  • Eryck Bry
  • KillaGraham
4:22
8."Unconditional"
2:36
9."The Letter"
  • Parrish
  • Joshua Blaxon
Ted Digtl3:52
10."Runnin' (Interlude)"
  • Parrish
  • Sweet
Jahaan Sweet2:17
11."Be Alright"
  • Parrish
  • Coleman
  • Mathieu Jomphe
  • JMIKE
  • Billboard
2:54
12."Down for You" (featuring BJ the Chicago Kid)
Jahaan Sweet3:47
13."Yet" The Featherstones 2:29
14."Bright"
  • Parrish
  • Earley
Geoffro Cause4:17
15."Alive" (featuring Coucheron)
  • Parrish
  • Sebastian Kornelius Gautier Teigen
Coucheron3:07
Total length:46:12

Sample credits

• "Down For You" interpolates "Just Friends (Sunny)" by Musiq Soulchild

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (2015)Peak
position
US Billboard 200 [8]
36
US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums ( Billboard ) [24]
5

Certifications

RegionCertification Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA) [25] Gold500,000

Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">T.I. discography</span>

The discography of American rapper T.I. consists of eleven studio albums, one compilation album, one remix album, four extended plays (EPs), 13 mixtapes, 110 singles and 11 promotional singles. He has also released one music video album and over 60 music videos, the details of which are included in his videography.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">YG (rapper)</span> American rapper (born 1990)

Keenon Dequan Ray Jackson, better known by his stage name YG, is an American rapper. He released his debut mixtape 4Fingaz in 2008, and its follow-up, The Real 4Fingaz, the following year. The latter gained recognition for its local hit song "Toot It and Boot It", which entered the Billboard Hot 100 at number 67 and received platinum certification by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). He signed a recording contract with Def Jam Recordings in October 2009, which entered joint-venture with Atlanta-based rapper Jeezy's record label, CTE World, in 2013.

<i>Section.80</i> 2011 debut studio album by Kendrick Lamar

Section.80 is the debut studio album by American rapper Kendrick Lamar. It was released on July 2, 2011, by Top Dawg Entertainment (TDE). In the years leading up to its release, Lamar produced various mixtapes under the moniker K.Dot. In 2010, Lamar released Overly Dedicated, his fourth solo mixtape. Shortly after its release, he began working on Section.80.

<i>Trilogy</i> (The Weeknd album) 2012 compilation album by the Weeknd

Trilogy is the first compilation album and major label debut by Canadian singer-songwriter the Weeknd. It was released on November 13, 2012, through XO and Republic Records. It is composed of remixed and remastered versions of the songs contained in his 2011 mixtapes House of Balloons, Thursday and Echoes of Silence, and three previously unreleased songs, "Twenty Eight", "Valerie", and "Till Dawn " were included as bonus tracks.

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

Sudan Ameer Williams, better known by his stage name Iamsu!, is an American rapper, singer, songwriter and record producer from Richmond, California. He is the lead member of the hip hop group the HBK Gang, which was formed in 2008 and joined by fellow Bay Area artists including Kehlani and Sage the Gemini. He is best known for his guest appearances on Sage the Gemini's 2013 single "Gas Pedal" and LoveRance's 2011 single "Up!," both of which peaked within the top 50 of the Billboard Hot 100. He signed with Alternative Distribution Alliance to release his debut studio album Sincerely Yours (2014), which moderately entered the Billboard 200 and received mixed reviews.

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

American rapper Logic has released eight studio albums, one EP, one compilation album, one soundtrack album, ten mixtapes, five beat tapes, 66 singles, three promotional singles and 42 music videos. In December 2010, Logic released his debut mixtape, Young, Broke & Infamous.

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

American singer Tinashe has released seven studio albums, four mixtapes, two extended plays and fifty-eight singles, including twenty-seven as a featured artist. Tinashe's debut album, Aquarius, was released in 2014. The lead single from the album was "2 On" and featured rapper ScHoolboy Q. "2 On" peaked at 24 on the Billboard Hot 100, topped the US rhythmic chart and was certified platinum in the US by the RIAA and in Australia by the ARIA. In September 2015, Tinashe announced the tentative title of her second album, Joyride. Following delays in the album's release, Tinashe released the digital album Nightride in 2016. On January 18, 2018, Tinashe released the lead single from 2018 album Joyride, titled "No Drama" featuring Offset. Two more singles, "Faded Love" featuring Future and "Me So Bad" featuring Ty Dolla Sign and French Montana preceded the album.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tink (musician)</span> American rapper and singer

Trinity Laure'Ale Home , better known by her stage name Tink, is an American rapper and R&B singer from Chicago, Illinois. She signed with record producer Timbaland's Mosley Music Group, an imprint of Epic Records to release her 2014 debut single, "Treat Me Like Somebody". Her 2015 single, "Million", entered the Bubbling Under Hot 100. Both produced by Timbaland, the songs were intended to precede her debut studio album Think Tink, although disagreements with the producer led her to part ways with the label in 2017.

<i>Amethyst</i> (mixtape) 2015 mixtape by Tinashe

Amethyst is the fourth mixtape by American singer Tinashe, released on March 16, 2015. The mixtape, named for her birthstone, follows the release of her debut album Aquarius (2014). Tinashe wrote and recorded the mixtape in her bedroom over the 2014 Christmas vacation and released it as a "thank you" to her fans.

<i>Barter 6</i> 2015 mixtape by Young Thug

Barter 6 is the debut commercial mixtape by American rapper Young Thug. It was released on April 17, 2015, by 300 Entertainment and Atlantic Records. Barter 6 features guest appearances from Birdman, T.I., Boosie Badazz, Young Dolph, Yak Gotti, Lil Duke and Jacquees, while the production was handled primarily by in-house producers London on da Track and Wheezy, among others. Barter 6 received generally positive reviews and peaked at number 22 on the Billboard 200.

<i>Eat Pray Thug</i> 2015 studio album by Heems

Eat Pray Thug is the debut studio album by American hip hop artist Heems. It was released on Megaforce Records on March 10, 2015. Music videos were created for "Sometimes", "Damn, Girl", and "Pop Song (Games)".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kehlani</span> American singer (born 1995)

Kehlani Ashley Parrish is an American singer and songwriter. They are originally from Oakland, California, and achieved initial fame as a member of the teen pop group PopLyfe in 2011.

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

American singer Teyana Taylor has released three studio albums, one compilation album, three mixtapes, and fifteen singles. In 2009, Taylor released her first mixtape, From a Planet Called Harlem, which included her debut single "Google Me". It debuted at its peak of number ninety on the US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. Around this time, Taylor featured on songs with the likes of Trey Songz, Missy Elliott, and Kanye West. Taylor has spoken about her inspiration from fellow female musician Lauryn Hill, which was noted with the release of her second mixtape in 2012. The mixtape, entitled The Misunderstanding of Teyana Taylor, takes its name from Hill's album The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill.

<i>This Thing Called Life</i> 2015 studio album by August Alsina

This Thing Called Life is the second studio album by American R&B recording artist August Alsina. It was released on December 11, 2015, by Def Jam Recordings. The album was supported by five singles: "Hip Hop", "Why I Do It" featuring Lil Wayne, "Song Cry", plus two promotional singles "Been Around the World" featuring Chris Brown, and "Dreamer".

<i>SweetSexySavage</i> 2017 studio album by Kehlani

SweetSexySavage is the debut studio album by American singer and songwriter Kehlani. The album was released on January 27, 2017, by Atlantic Records. Kehlani started work on the album shortly after the release of their mixtape You Should Be Here, with work proceeding into 2016. Kehlani described the album as having three elements; Sweet, Sexy and Savage, which are intended to be reflected in the album's lyrical content and production.

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

The discography of American singer Kehlani consists of four studio albums, four mixtapes, and 70 singles. Kehlani released their debut commercial mixtape, Cloud 19, exclusively on August 26, 2014, and released it on streaming services on its seven-year anniversary in 2021. They released their second commercial mixtape, You Should Be Here, on April 28, 2015, which reached number 36 on the Billboard 200. On January 27, 2017, Kehlani released their debut studio album, SweetSexySavage, which reached number three on the Billboard 200. In 2018, Kehlani was featured on American rapper Cardi B's single, "Ring", from her debut studio album, Invasion of Privacy, which reached number 28 on the Billboard Hot 100. They released their third commercial mixtape, While We Wait, on February 22, 2019, which reached number nine on the Billboard 200. On May 8, 2020, Kehlani released their second studio album, It Was Good Until It Wasn't, which debuted and peaked at number two on the Billboard 200. On April 29, 2022, they released their third studio album, Blue Water Road, which debuted and peaked at number 13 on the Billboard 200.

<i>The Chief</i> (album) 2017 studio album by Jidenna

The Chief is the debut studio album by Nigerian-American hip hop recording artist Jidenna, released on February 17, 2017, by Wondaland and Epic Records. It features guest appearances from fellow labelmates Roman GianArthur, Nana Kwabena, Janelle Monáe and St. Beauty. The album's artwork pays homage to Boz Scaggs' 1980 album Middle Man. It garnered positive reviews from critics for its globe-trotting, genre-hopping production and showcasing Jidenna's charismatic delivery and knack for narrative storytelling. The Chief debuted at number 38 on the Billboard 200 and spawned four singles: "Long Live the Chief", "Chief Don't Run", "Little Bit More" and "The Let Out".

<i>Cloud 19</i> 2014 mixtape by Kehlani

Cloud 19 is the debut mixtape by American singer and songwriter Kehlani, who released it as a free digital download on August 26, 2014.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ella Mai</span> British R&B singer (born 1994)

Ella Mai Howell is an English R&B singer-songwriter. Her musical career began at London's British and Irish Modern Music Institute in 2014, during which time she auditioned as part of a trio on the 11th season of The X Factor. In 2015, she released her debut four-track solo extended play (EP), Troubled in October of that year. The EP and her performances on social media were discovered by American record producer DJ Mustard, who signed Mai to his record label 10 Summers Records, an imprint of Interscope Records.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Faking It (song)</span> 2017 single by Calvin Harris featuring Kehlani and Lil Yachty

"Faking It" is a song written and performed by Scottish DJ and record producer Calvin Harris featuring American singer Kehlani and American rapper Lil Yachty. It was released as the fifth and final single from Harris's fifth studio album, Funk Wav Bounces Vol. 1 (2017). It was written by Harris, Lil Yachty, and Jessie Reyez, being produced by Harris himself, and was released to contemporary hit radio in the US on 17 October 2017 through Columbia Records. It was sent to radio in Italy on 24 November 2017 through Sony.

References

  1. Leight, Elias (April 29, 2015). "Kehlani Releases the Year's First Great R&B Album With 'You Should Be Here'". Billboard . Retrieved December 15, 2017.
  2. 1 2 3 Ramirez, Matthew (May 6, 2015). "Kehlani: You Should Be Here". Pitchfork . Retrieved August 1, 2015.
  3. "Kehlani: You Should be Here". Pitchfork .
  4. "Kehlani Interview - Talks new mixtape, "You Should Be Here", Tour, Fans & More!". YouTube. 2015-06-18. Retrieved 2016-03-06.
  5. Freeman, Macy (July 9, 2015). "With second mix tape, Kehlani is a rising star". The Washington Post . Retrieved August 20, 2015.
  6. Alexis, Nadeska (April 28, 2015). "Double Up On Kehlani With You Should Be Here Album And Video". MTV . Archived from the original on April 30, 2015. Retrieved August 1, 2015.
  7. Robinson, Will (April 28, 2015). "Kehlani releases delightful mixtape You Should Be Here". Entertainment Weekly . Retrieved August 1, 2015.
  8. 1 2 "Kehlani - Chart history". Billboard 200. Retrieved March 25, 2018.
  9. "Tour". Kehlani. Retrieved August 20, 2015.
  10. Gollayan, Christian (September 30, 2015). "Song I Have on Repeat: "You Should Be Here" by Kehlani". InStyle . Retrieved March 13, 2016.
  11. Adams, Gregory (July 27, 2015). "Kehlani: "The Way" (ft. Chance the Rapper) (video)". Exclaim! . Retrieved March 13, 2016.
  12. Leight, Elias (October 2, 2015). "Kehlani Shares "Alive" Video". The Fader . Retrieved March 13, 2016.
  13. "2016 Grammy Awards: Complete List of Nominations | E! Online". M.eonline.com. 7 December 2015. Retrieved 2016-03-06.
  14. Nevares, Gabriel Bras (2023-04-23). "Kehlani Removes "N***as" From Streaming After Backlash, Twitter Reacts". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved 2024-06-15.
  15. 1 2 "You Should Be Here by Kehlani". Metacritic . CBS Interactive . Retrieved August 1, 2015.
  16. 1 2 Kellman, Andy. "Kehlani - You Should Be Here". AllMusic . Retrieved August 1, 2015.
  17. 1 2 Leight, Elias (April 29, 2015). "Kehlani Releases the Year's First Great R&B Album With 'You Should Be Here'". Billboard . Retrieved August 1, 2015.
  18. Mistry, Anupa (May 2, 2015). "Review: Kehlani Is Wounded But Not Weak on Her Impressive New Mixtape, 'You Should Be Here'". Complex . Retrieved August 1, 2015.
  19. Dowling, Marcus (May 20, 2015). "Kehlani - You Should Be Here". HipHopDX . Retrieved August 1, 2015.
  20. Caramanica, Jon (May 24, 2015). "Kehlani and Nick Catchdubs Release New Albums". The New York Times . Retrieved August 1, 2015.
  21. "The Best Albums of 2015". Complex . December 2, 2015. Retrieved March 13, 2016.
  22. "The 50 Best Albums of 2015". Noisey . December 3, 2015. Retrieved March 13, 2016.
  23. "20 Best R&B Albums of 2015". Rolling Stone . December 16, 2015. Retrieved March 13, 2016.
  24. "Kehlani - Chart history". Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums. Retrieved March 25, 2018.
  25. "American album certifications – Kehlani – You Should Be Here". Recording Industry Association of America.