While the World Was Burning explained

While the World Was Burning
Cover:Saint Jhn - While The World Was Burning.jpg
Type:studio
Artist:Saint Jhn
Border:yes
Released:November 20, 2020
Recorded:2020
Genre:Hip hop
Length:43:49
Year:2020
Prev Title:Ghetto Lenny's Love Songs
Prev Year:2019

While the World Was Burning is the third studio album by American rapper Saint Jhn. It was released on November 20, 2020 by Gødd Complexx under Hitco, and marketed digitally via ADA division of Warner Music Group. It features guest appearances from Kanye West, Lil Uzi Vert, Future, A Boogie wit da Hoodie, DaBaby, JID, 6Lack and Kehlani.

Background

Originally Saint Jhn had no plans to release another album in 2020, but throughout the year he managed to connect with fellow artists Kanye West, Lil Uzi Vert, Future, JID, A Boogie wit da Hoodie. and Kehlani. His single "Roses" also gained massive attention over the summer and reached the top 5 on the Billboard and other charts. Because of this, he felt "it would be irresponsible to not put out another collection".[1] The title While the World Was Burning was inspired by the events that unfolded in 2020 such as the COVID-19 pandemic, the George Floyd protests, the 2020 US election, etc. Saint Jhn calls the album a capsule collection.[2] [3] [1]

In late September, Saint Jhn visited Kanye West in Wyoming.[4] In several interviews after the release of the collection, Saint Jhn said that West had gotten a hold of his number after having heard his song "Roses" 20 times in a row on a jet plane. West wanted him to come to Wyoming and record with him there and threw out the idea that he could executive produce While the World Was Burning with Rick Rubin.[5] Saint Jhn and West later flew down to Jamaica to record with Buju Banton.[5] [6]

The songs "High School Reunion" and "Monica Lewinsky, Election Year" are reworked versions of songs from his 2019 album Ghetto Lenny's Love Songs.[1]

Release and promotion

After getting massive success with the remix of his single "Roses" over the summer of 2020, Saint Jhn teased on August 25 on a (now deleted) Instagram post that he would release a collection of songs in October. In mid September, Saint Jhn announced that his album While The World Was Burning would release on October 16.[7] On October 9, Saint Jhn would release the lead single "Gorgeous". The day after, he went to Twitter to announce that he had delayed the album to November 20.[8] On October 26, Saint Jhn released the single "Sucks to Be You",[9] and two days later the cover art, release date and track listing for the album.[10] [11]

On November 21, a day after the release, Saint Jhn said on Twitter that the album would be updated with some tweaks and changes and a song with Kanye West that did not make the cut.[12] The missing track titled "Smack DVD" featuring Kanye West was released a week later, however it did not get added onto the track listing of the album. Saint Jhn posted a track listing of a different version of the album to his Twitter with "Smack DVD" after "Pray 4 Me", among other track listing differences.[13] The album was updated on streaming services to have the new track order with "Smack DVD" in the track listing a week later.

Track listing

Track listing and credits adapted from Tidal.[14]

Personnel

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Mench . Chris . Interview: SAINt JHN On "Roses," Legacy, And Making Music While The World Was Burning . Genius . 29 November 2020 . 25 November 2020.
  2. Web site: Saint Jhn on Twitter . Twitter . 29 November 2020 . Collection One – full collection Ghetto Lennys Love Songs – seasonal collection WTWWB – capsule collection.
  3. Web site: Excerpt of interview at MTV Fresh Out with Kevan Kenney . https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/instagram/kevankenney/2450295469830939475 . December 26, 2021 . registration. Instagram . 29 November 2020 . 25 November 2020.
  4. Web site: Zidel . Alex . SAINt JHN Pulls Up On Kanye West, Comments On His 100-Foot TV Screen . HotNewHipHop . 29 November 2020 . 22 September 2020.
  5. Web site: Skelton . Eric . The World Is Finally Ready For SAINt JHN . Complex . 29 November 2020 . 17 November 2020.
  6. Web site: Mallick . Dani . Kanye West Is In Jamaica, Links With Buju Banton In Studio . DancehallMag . 29 November 2020 . 18 September 2020.
  7. Web site: Findlay . Mitch . SAINt JHN Confirms New Album "WTWWB" Release Date . HotNewHipHop . 29 November 2020.
  8. Web site: SAINt JHN on Twitter . Twitter . 29 November 2020 . Date change from October 16 to November... ✝️ don't trip. It's otw!! .
  9. Web site: Sucks To Be You – Saint Jhn . Tidal . November 29, 2020.
  10. Web site: Saint Jhn On Twitter . Twitter . 29 November 2020 . While The World Was Burning. November 20th. My 3rd Collection. Pre Order available now!.
  11. Web site: Cowen . Truce William . SAINt JHN Unveils Star-Studded Feature List for Upcoming Album (UPDATE) . Complex . 29 November 2020 . 23 October 2020.
  12. Web site: Martinez . Jose . SAINt JHN Reconnects With Kanye West on "Smack DVD" . Complex . November 29, 2020.
  13. Web site: SAInt JHN on Twitter . Twitter . 29 November 2020 .
    1. Imagine this being the track listing Imagine somebody might get fired over this.
    .
  14. Web site: While The World Was Burning . Tidal . 4 December 2020.