Top (album) explained

Top
Type:studio
Artist:YoungBoy Never Broke Again
Cover:YoungBoy Never Broke Again - Top.png
Released:September 11, 2020
Genre:Hip hop
Length:54:42
Label:
Producer:
  • 12Hunna
  • 17OnDaTrack
  • 1Mind
  • Aaron Selva
  • ABOnTheBeat
  • AKel
  • Ayo Bleu
  • BJ Beatz
  • BxsedJay
  • Cássio
  • Cheese
  • Cubeatz
  • DJ Suede the Remix God
  • DrellOnTheTrack
  • D-Rok
  • Drum Dummie
  • Dubba-AA
  • Dzimi
  • HitmanAudio
  • Humblebee
  • India Got Them Beats
  • Jack LoMastro
  • JetsonMade
  • Jonnie Hope
  • Julia Lewis
  • Karltin Bankz
  • LayZ
  • LC
  • LondnBlue
  • Mike Laury
  • Neeko Baby
  • Palaze
  • PlayboyXO
  • SephGotTheWaves
  • Smash David
  • TayTayMadeIt
  • Tenroc
  • Trapman TwoThree
  • Trauma Tone
  • Vinnyforgood
  • Wallis Lane
  • WassamWop
  • Wheezy
  • Wwind
Prev Title:38 Baby 2
Prev Year:2020
Next Title:Until I Return
Next Year:2020

Top is the second studio album by American rapper YoungBoy Never Broke Again, released on September 11, 2020, by Never Broke Again and Atlantic Records.[1] [2] The album follows his debut album Until Death Call My Name, released over two years before.[3] The album features guest appearances from Lil Wayne and Snoop Dogg, alongside production from Cheese, Cubeatz, DJ Suede the Remix God, JetsonMade, Smash David, and Wheezy.[4] [5]

Top received generally positive reviews from critics who highlighted the album's versatility and material. It debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200 chart, in which it earned 126,000 album-equivalent units, of which 19,000 were pure album sales. Nine of the twenty-one tracks from the album debuted on the Billboard Hot 100.[6] The album was supported by three singles: "All In", "Kacey Talk" and "Callin".

Release and promotion

Following the release of 38 Baby and after releasing music continuously for four years,[7] YoungBoy announced that he would take a brief hiatus from releasing new music. At the time, he tweeted, "After Friday [''38 Baby 2''{{-'}}s release], I'll never release a song/album again until I'm in a better situation".[8] He also publicly asked his label for his masters in exchange for four new albums. However, the label declined this offer.[9] The album was announced by YoungBoy on August 20 through his social media, along with the date, and indicated the project would consist of 18 tracks.[10] [11] By August 25, the album reached number one on Apple Music based on pre-orders alone. On August 30, Gaulden tweeted that he wanted to add additional tracks to the album to change it to 21.[12] Just a day before the album's release, Gaulden shared the album's tracklist, previewing 21 songs alongside features from Lil Wayne and Snoop Dogg.[13]

Upon the album's release, Gaulden released the official music video for the album's eleventh cut, "Dead Trollz" directed by FlyGuyNick.[14] [15] [16] Just a day later, on September 12, Gaulden released the official music video for the album's twentieth track, "Peace Hardly", also directed by FlyGuyNick.[17]

Singles

On September 26, 2019, Gaulden released the album's eighteenth cut, "House Arrest Tingz" exclusively on his YouTube channel.[18] [19] On June 16, 2020, Gaulden released the album's seventeenth cut, "Sticks with Me" exclusively to his YouTube channel, along with a Rich Porter-directed video, which shows YoungBoy in one scene performing in and around a casket and gravesite.[20] On August 3, Gaulden released the album's lead single, "All In". On it, YoungBoy deals with heartbreak and loss over a guitar-tinged production.[21] The track was produced by Yung Lan, LC, 12Hunna, and BJ Beatz; it later peaked at number 67 on the Billboard Hot 100.[21] The album's second single, "Kacey Talk" was released on August 13, 2020, featuring ad-libs from YoungBoy's son Kacey who appears in the video along with one of his brother's Kayden.[22] [23] The track was produced by Cheese, Julia Lewis, and 1Mind; it peaked at number 50 on the Billboard Hot 100.[24] [25] On August 26, following the album's announcement, Gaulden released the album's sixteenth cut, "Murder Business" exclusively to his YouTube channel.[8] [26] The album's third and final single, "Callin" featuring Snoop Dogg, described as a "minimal and smooth" track, showcasing Gaulden's signature aggressive "punch and high energy", was released on September 1.[27] [28] On September 9, Gaulden released the non-album single, "Soul Stealer" which failed to appear on the album.[29]

Cover art

The album cover was revealed along with the album's announcement. It immediately drew criticism for its similarities to that of Atlantic Records labelmate Roddy Ricch's Please Excuse Me for Being Antisocial (2019).[30] Both covers are shot in black and white and features similar poses and clothing. Zoe Johnson of XXL noted: "NBA YoungBoy, however, is wearing two iced-out Cuban link choker chains, which sit on the neckline of his shirt while Roddy's jewelry is tucked inside of his shirt". Ricch responded in now-deleted tweets, writing, "It's only ONE roddy". He also downplayed any issues between him and YoungBoy: "And I been good wit dude so don't make it about him... I'm just tired of all this comparing stuff".

Critical reception

Top received generally positive reviews from music critics. Fred Thomas from AllMusic stated that YoungBoy has reached a new level of "versatility and expression." He further states that "the material is some of his strongest, managing commercial accessibility while giving a more authentic view of his personality than anything he's done before." Okla Jones from Consequence of Sound stated that "YoungBoy Never Broke Again will undoubtedly garner more notoriety following the release of Top," however, she also mentions that "YoungBoy's biggest flaw is sometimes not having much new to say." She concludes her review by adding "While this overall body of work may leave many things to be desired from an artistic standpoint, it also gives voice to an entire community of Southern youth."

Josh Svetz from HipHopDX states that "the raps offer up the pristine voyeuristic escapism into the neighborhoods white suburbanites wouldn't be caught dead setting foot in." He also mentions that "YoungBoy's songwriting makes mainstream rap feel dangerous again." Finalizing his review, he declares that "Top reinforces that no matter how famous YoungBoy gets – he'll always keep it real, something we rarely see in today's world."

Year-end lists

Select year-end rankings of Top!Publication!List!Rank
ComplexThe Best Albums of 202031[31]

Commercial performance

Top debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200 with 126,000 album-equivalent units (including 19,000 pure album sales) in its first week, becoming YoungBoy's third number-one album overall, as well as his second number-one album in 2020. The album also dethroned Big Sean's Detroit 2 from the Billboard 200's number one position.[32] [33] It also accumulated a total of 156.32 million on-demand US streams from all its tracks, in the week ending September 26, 2020.[34]

Top also helped YoungBoy accumulate a new record in the rap-related history of the Billboard 200, making him the fastest rapper to have AI YoungBoy 2 and 38 Baby 2 debut atop the chart within five months, while the latter and Top debuted between six months, a total of three number one albums in ten months, with the former two being the fastest recorded and surpassing a previous record held by DMX. DMX previously debuted at number one within a seven-month period with 1998's It's Dark and Hell Is Hot and Flesh of My Flesh, Blood of My Blood.[34] [35]

Track listing

Notes

Personnel

Credits adapted from Tidal.[36]

Musicians

Technical

Charts

Year-end charts

Chart (2020)! scope="col"
Position
US Billboard 200[38] 121
US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard)[39] 44
Chart (2021)! scope="col"
Position
US Billboard 200[40] 64
US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard)[41] 40
Chart (2022)! scope="col"
Position
US Billboard 200[42] 128

Release history

Region! scope="col"
DateLabel(s)Format(s)Edition(s)Ref.
VariousSeptember 11, 2020Standard
United StatesJanuary 28, 2022LP[43]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Hamilton. Xavier. September 11, 2020. July 26, 2024. Listen to YoungBoy Never Broke Again's New Album 'Top' f/ Snoop Dogg and Lil Wayne. Complex. en-US. September 10, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230910061824/https://www.complex.com/music/a/fnr-tigg/youngboy-never-broke-again-top-stream. live.
  2. Darville. Jordan. September 11, 2020. July 26, 2024. YoungBoy Never Broke Again shares new album TOP. The Fader. en-US. June 3, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230603075238/https://www.thefader.com/2020/09/11/youngboy-never-broke-again-shares-new-album-top. live.
  3. Web site: Class. DJ First. September 11, 2020. July 26, 2024. Youngboy Never Broke Again is on 'Top' on his new album. Revolt TV. en-US. May 18, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220518121309/https://www.revolt.tv/article/2020-09-11/70588/youngboy-never-broke-again-is-on-top-on-his-new-album/. live.
  4. Web site: September 11, 2020. July 26, 2024. YoungBoy Never Broke Again Releases New Album 'Top' Feat. Snoop Dogg And Lil Wayne. The Source. en-US. September 11, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200911174129/https://thesource.com/2020/09/11/youngboy-never-broke-again-releases-new-album-top-feat-snoop-dogg-and-lil-wayne/. live.
  5. Web site: Enis. Eli. September 11, 2020. July 26, 2024. YoungBoy Never Broke Again Unveils New Album TOP: Stream. Consequence of Sound. en-US. August 3, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210803211203/https://consequence.net/2020/09/stream-youngboy-never-broke-again-new-album-top/. live.
  6. 2020-09-21. RS Charts: Youngboy Never Broke Again's 'Top' Debuts at Number One. en-US. Rolling Stone. 2024-07-26. 2023-04-06. https://web.archive.org/web/20230406224854/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/rs-charts-youngboy-never-broke-again-top-1059239/. live. subscription.
  7. Web site: Zidel. Alex. August 25, 2020. September 8, 2020. NBA Youngboy Previews New Music From "TOP" Album. HotNewHipHop. en-US. October 22, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231022140216/https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/307113-nba-youngboy-previews-new-music-from-top-album-news. live.
  8. Web site: Watch YoungBoy Never Broke Again's new video "Murder Business". The Fader. Elder. Sajae. August 26, 2020. September 8, 2020. en-US. October 22, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231022140208/https://www.thefader.com/2020/08/26/youngboy-never-broke-again-video-murder-business-top/amp. live.
  9. Web site: NBA YoungBoy Announces New Album 'TOP'. Hypebeast. Caraan. Sophie. August 21, 2020. September 8, 2020. en-US. October 22, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231022141710/https://hypebeast.com/2020/8/nba-youngboy-top-album-announcement?amp=1. live.
  10. Web site: NBA Youngboy Announces New Album "TOP" & Release Date. HotNewHipHop. Lilah. Rose. August 20, 2020. July 26, 2024. en-US. April 25, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230425140739/https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/300585-nba-youngboy-announces-new-album-top-and-release-date-news. live.
  11. Web site: Migos Share "Need It" Video f/ YoungBoy Never Broke Again. Complex. Proce. Joe. August 20, 2020. September 8, 2020. en-US. October 22, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231022140208/https://amp.www.complex.com/music/2020/08/migos-need-it-video-youngboy-never-broke-again. live.
  12. Web site: Twitter: GGYOUNGBOY. Twitter. August 30, 2020. July 26, 2024. en-US. August 30, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200830191516/https://twitter.com/GGYOUNGBOY/status/1300149989662838784. dead.
  13. Web site: NBA YoungBoy Proves He's on 'Top' With New Studio Album. Hypebeast. Caraan. Sophie. September 11, 2020. July 26, 2024. en-US. December 24, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221224182114/https://hypebeast.com/2020/9/nba-youngboy-top-album-stream. live.
  14. Web site: Fans Deem YoungBoy NBA's 'Dead Trollz' 'Hardest' Single Ever As Lil Wayne Comparisons Fly. HipHopDX. Eustice. Kyle. September 11, 2020. July 26, 2024. en-US. May 21, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240521235350/https://hiphopdx.com/news/id.57834/title.fans-deem-youngboy-nbas-dead-trollz-hardest-single-ever-as-lil-wayne-comparisons-fly. live.
  15. Web site: NBA Youngboy Needs A Cemetary For These "Dead Trollz". HotNewHipHop. A.. Aron. September 13, 2020. July 26, 2024. en-US. September 20, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200920022412/https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/nba-youngboy-needs-a-cemetary-for-these-dead-trollz-new-song.1988588.html. live.
  16. Web site: NBA YoungBoy Drops Menacing "Dead Trollz" Visual. Hypebeast. Caraan. Sophie. September 14, 2020. July 26, 2024. en-US. November 30, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231130112642/https://hypebeast.com/2020/9/nba-youngboy-dead-trollz-music-video-top-no-1-billboard-200-projection. live.
  17. Web site: YoungBoy Never Broke Again shares two new videos: "Peace Hardly" and "Dead Trollz". Revolt TV. Cho. Regina. September 14, 2020. July 26, 2024. en-US. January 27, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220127232322/https://www.revolt.tv/article/2020-09-14/70366/youngboy-never-broke-again-shares-two-new-videos-peace-hardly-and-dead-trollz/. live.
  18. Web site: Zidel . Alex . NBA YoungBoy Still Hustling Hard On His "House Arrest Tingz" . . 9 April 2023 . September 26, 2019. en-US. April 9, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230409190731/https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/190079-nba-youngboy-still-hustling-hard-on-his-house-arrest-tingz-new-song. live.
  19. Saponara . Michael . NBA YoungBoy Gets Creative on Lockdown With 'House Arrest Tingz' Video: Watch . . 10 April 2023 . September 27, 2019. en-US. June 4, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230604020652/https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/nba-youngboy-house-arrest-tingz-video-8531550/. live.
  20. Web site: Youngboy Never Broke Again drops new visual for "Sticks With Me. Revolt. Powell. Jon. August 20, 2020. September 8, 2020. en-US. January 29, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210129104229/https://www.revolt.tv/new-music/2020/7/16/21327241/youngboy-never-broke-again-sticks-with-me-video. live.
  21. Web site: NBA Youngboy Is Back With His Latest Drop "All In". HotNewHipHop. A. Aron. July 25, 2020. September 8, 2020. en-US. July 26, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240726231605/https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/264965-nba-youngboy-is-back-with-his-latest-drop-all-in-new-song. live.
  22. Web site: YoungBoy Never Broke Again Comes Through With New Song "Kacey Talk". HotNewHipHop. Zidel. Alex. August 13, 2020. July 26, 2024. en-US. https://web.archive.org/web/20201116211223/https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/youngboy-never-broke-again-comes-through-with-new-song-kacey-talk-new-song.1988251.html?_amp. November 16, 2020. live.
  23. Web site: Youngboy Never Broke Again Puts His Lifestyle on Display in "Kacey Talk" Music Video. Hypebeast. Rouse. Isaac. en-US. August 14, 2020. July 26, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20200923163507/https://hypebeast.com/2020/8/youngboy-never-broke-again-kacey-talk-music-video?amp=1. September 23, 2020. live.
  24. Web site: New Music Friday - New Singles from Nas, YoungBoy Never Broke Again, Rick Ross & More. HipHopDX. Rohn. Jake. August 14, 2020. en-US. July 26, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20200926013804/https://hiphopdx.com/news/id.57325/title.new-music-friday-new-singles-from-nas-youngboy-never-broke-again-rick-ross-more. September 26, 2020. live.
  25. Web site: YoungBoy Never Broke Again Paints With His Kids In "Kacey Talk" Visual. AllHipHop. OnlineCrates. August 19, 2020. September 8, 2020. en-US. https://web.archive.org/web/20200820145911/https://allhiphop.com/music/youngboy-never-broke-again-paints-with-his-kids-in-kacey-talk-visual-QCbeChM8y0yTcUQxl4Ykfw. August 20, 2020.
  26. YoungBoy Never Broke Again Continues Run With "Murder Business" Video. Complex. Hamilton. Xavier. August 26, 2020. July 26, 2024. en-US. December 26, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231226060732/https://www.complex.com/music/a/fnr-tigg/youngboy-never-broke-again-continues-run-with-new-murder-business-video. live.
  27. Web site: YoungBoy Never Broke Again and Snoop Dogg Drop New Single "Callin". Hypebeast. Johnson. Patrick. September 1, 2020. September 8, 2020. en-US. December 12, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231212033118/https://hypebeast.com/2020/9/youngboy-never-broke-again-snoop-dogg-callin-new-song?amp=1. live.
  28. YoungBoy Never Broke Again Teams Up With Snoop Dogg for New Single "Callin". Complex. Hamilton. Xavier. September 1, 2020. July 26, 2024. en-US. December 25, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231225220145/https://www.complex.com/music/a/fnr-tigg/youngboy-never-broke-again-snoop-dogg-callin. live.
  29. Web site: NBA YoungBoy Spits Aggressive Bars On "Soul Stealer" Single. HotNewHipHop. Marie. Erika. September 9, 2020. July 26, 2024. en-US. July 26, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240726233026/https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/279782-nba-youngboy-spits-aggressive-bars-on-soul-stealer-single-new-song. live.
  30. Web site: People Accuse YoungBoy Never Broke Again of Copying Roddy Ricches Album Artwork. XXL. Johnson. Zoe. August 21, 2020. September 8, 2020. en-US. April 14, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240414081343/https://www.xxlmag.com/youngboy-never-broke-again-roddy-ricch-copied-album-artwork/. live.
  31. Web site: The Best Albums of 2020. Complex. December 1, 2019. July 13, 2024. en-US. May 22, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240522164431/https://www.complex.com/music/a/j-mckinney/best-albums-2020. live.
  32. News: Sisario. Ben. 2020-09-21. YoungBoy Never Broke Again Earns a Third No. 1 Album in a Year. en-US. The New York Times. 2024-07-25. 0362-4331. 2023-03-14. https://web.archive.org/web/20230314213812/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/21/arts/music/youngboy-never-broke-again-top-billboard.html. live. subscription.
  33. Renshaw. David. YoungBoy Never Broke Again has the No.1 album in the country. 2020-09-21. 2023-10-16. The Fader. en-US. January 14, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240114163714/https://www.thefader.com/2020/09/21/youngboy-never-broke-again-top-billboard-chart. live.
  34. YoungBoy Never Broke Again Achieves Third No. 1 Album in Less Than a Year on the Billboard 200 Chart With 'Top'. Caulfield. Keith. Billboard. September 20, 2020. September 20, 2020. en-US. September 21, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200921160424/https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/chart-beat/9452588/youngboy-never-broke-again-top-billboard-200-number-one. live. subscription.
  35. Grein. Paul. 2023-07-10. Here's the First Rap Album to Top the Billboard 200 in Each Calendar Year (Complete List). 2023-10-16 . Billboard. en-US. July 21, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240721112441/https://www.billboard.com/music/chart-beat/first-rap-album-number-one-billboard-200-year-complete-list-1235368726/. live.
  36. Web site: Top by YoungBoy Never Broke Again on Tidal. Tidal. July 27, 2024. en-US. July 27, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240727000413/https://listen.tidal.com/album/154883153/credits. live.
  37. Web site: Top Albums (Week 38, 2020). SNEP. French. September 21, 2020. January 25, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220125032500/http://snepmusique.com/les-tops/le-top-de-la-semaine/top-albums/?semaine=38?&annee=2020&categorie=Top%20Albums. live.
  38. Top Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 2020. Billboard. December 4, 2020. en-US. May 20, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240520121226/https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2020/top-billboard-200-albums/. live.
  39. Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums – Year-End 2020. Billboard. December 15, 2020. en-US. April 3, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240403153936/https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2020/top-r-and-b-hip-hop-albums/. live.
  40. Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 2021. Billboard. December 3, 2021. en-US. May 13, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240513201408/https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2021/top-billboard-200-albums/. live.
  41. Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums – Year-End 2021. Billboard. December 3, 2021. en-US. February 5, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240205074100/https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2021/top-r-and-b-hip-hop-albums/. live.
  42. Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 2022. Billboard. December 4, 2022. en-US. December 2, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231202030759/https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2022/top-billboard-200-albums/. live.
  43. Web site: YoungBoy Never Broke Again – Top (LP) [Explicit]]. Amoeba Music. July 27, 2024. February 3, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230203070453/https://www.amoeba.com/top-lp-youngboy-never-broke-again/albums/4264939/. live.

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