Street Sermons Explained

Street Sermons
Type:	mixtape
Artist:	Morray
Cover:	MorrayStreetSermons.jpeg
Released:	April 28, 2021
Recorded:	2020–2021
Length:	36:28

Street Sermons is the debut commercial mixtape by American rapper and singer Morray. It was released on April 28, 2021, by Pick Six Records and Interscope Records.^[1] The tape peaked at number 41 on the Billboard 200.

Background

On April 16, 2021, Morray announced that he signed to Interscope, in a joint venture with Pick Six Records.^{[2] [3]} His manager, Moe Shalizi spoke about the partnership, saying "there was so much synergy between our side and Interscope that it just felt right, we are really excited to be working with John Janick and the rest of the team."^[4] In an interview, Morray described the album, saying "I really want it to show more of my story and for people to get to know me more. I want it to be like, 'I listened to this and I understand why he does this.' This is supposed to be my reference to who I really am."^[5]

Singles

On October 30, 2020, he released his first single "Quicksand", which charted on the Billboard Hot 100, and received co-signs from fellow North Carolina rappers J. Cole and DaBaby.^[6] The single amassed millions of streams and he was named on Billboard's Emerging Artists Spotlight.^[7] On November 20, 2020, he released the second single "Switched Up". In 2021, the third and fourth singles, "Big Decisions" and "Kingdom", were released.^{[8] [9]}

On April 21, 2021, Morray released the fifth single "Trenches", a week ahead of the mixtape.^[10] The music video for "Can't Use Me" was released on April 28.^[11] On May 18, Morray made his television debut on Jimmy Kimmel Live.^[12] On May 24, he released the music video for "Nothing Now".^[13]

Critical reception

In a positive review, Dylan Green of Pitchfork wrote "What makes Street Sermons largely so engaging is Morray's voice. It's a gritty tone that doesn't sound strained as he leaps from mid to high range with frightening ease. It even energizes the handful of otherwise rote songs peppered throughout the project. Street Sermons only stumbles when Morray drifts from the personal touch of his best songs into message-mongering."

Charts

Chart (2021)! scope="col"

Peak position
US Billboard 200^[14]	41
US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard)^[15]	20

Notes and References

1. Web site: Rose . Jordan . Stream Morray's Debut Project 'Street Sermons' . Complex.
2. Morray Signs to Interscope in Partnership With Pick Six Records . Billboard.
3. Web site: Walker . Joe . Morray Drops Debut 'Street Sermons' Project After Signing to Interscope Records . HipHopDX.
4. Web site: Powell . Jon . Morray unveils new mixtape 'Street Sermons' . Revolt.
5. Web site: McKinney . Jessica . Morray Is the Realest . Complex.
6. Web site: Morray's 'Quicksand' Cracks Billboard 100, Cementing the 'Out the Mud' Narrative . HipHopDX.
7. Mamo . Heran . North Carolina Rapper Morray Shines Light on Life in the Hood With 'Quicksand': Emerging Artists Spotlight . Billboard.
8. Web site: Cho . Regina . The Ones: Morray's "Big Decisions" . Pitchfork.
9. Web site: Mahadevan . Tara C. . Watch Morray's New Video "Kingdom" . Complex.
10. Morray Pays Homage to His Hometown in 'Trenches' Video . Billboard.
11. Web site: Morray Shines On New Single "Can't Use Me" . Hotnewhiphop.
12. Web site: Cho . Regina . Morray shares new live performance of "Quicksand" and "Can't Use Me" . Revolt.
13. Web site: Morray Moves on From a Break-Up in "Nothing Now" Video . Complex.
14. Billboard 200 Chart: Week of May 15, 2021. Billboard. June 8, 2021.
15. Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums Chart: Week of May 15, 2021. Billboard. June 8, 2021.