Follow Me Home (album)

Follow Me Home
Studio album by Jay Rock
Released July 26, 2011
Recorded 2008–2011
Genre West Coast hip hop, gangsta rap
Length 1:08:57
Label
Producer

Executive producers

  • Anthony "TOPDAWG" Tiffith
  • Travis O'Guin

Musical producers

Singles from Follow Me Home
  1. "All My Life (In the Ghetto)"
    Released: October 7, 2008
  2. "Hood Gone Love It"
    Released: June 21, 2011

Follow Me Home is the debut studio album by American hip hop recording artist Jay Rock, released on July 26, 2011, under Top Dawg Entertainment and Strange Music.[1][2][3][4] The album, preceded by the singles "All My Life (In the Ghetto)" and "Hood Gone Love It", features guest appearances from Lil Wayne, will.i.am, Kendrick Lamar, Chris Brown, Tech N9ne and Rick Ross, among others. The album's production was handled by Cool & Dre, Focus..., J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League, Sounwave, Terrace Martin, Tha Bizness and Willie B, among others. The album debuted at No. 83 on the Billboard 200, selling 5,300 copies in its first week.[5]

Background

In an interview promoting the album, Jay Rock stated: "If you have been through a struggle, you are going to feel this album".[3] He has described the album as being his story, coming from nothing and gunning for the top.[3] He compared this album to N.W.A's albums, as he's made the album for the ghetto, saying it's not for the radio, nor is it for the club.[6] Although signed to independent record labels Top Dawg and Strange, Jay Rock still worked with several mainstream artists and high-profile record producers on the album.[7]

Guests and production

Jay Rock worked with a number of artists on the album, including Lil Wayne, will.i.am, Chris Brown, Tech N9ne and Rick Ross, as well as his Black Hippy cohorts Kendrick Lamar, Schoolboy Q and Ab-Soul.[7][8][9]

The album includes production from Cool & Dre, Dae One, Focus..., J. LBS, J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League, Keith The Beast, Phonix Beats, Rob E, Sounwave, Terrace Martin, Tha Bizness, Willie B.[10]

Release and promotion

Jay Rock was an opening act with Nipsey Hussle on The L.A.X. Tour in promotion of The Game's third studio album L.A.X. in 2009. In 2010 Jay Rock went on tour with G-Unit and American rapper 50 Cent on The Invitation Tour in promotion of the album. After that tour wrapped up he went on tour with Tech N9ne, E-40, Glasses Malone and Kutt Calhoun on the Independent Grind Tour.

Singles

Two singles were released for the album: "All My Life (In the Ghetto)" and "Hood Gone Love It.[11][12][13] "All My Life" features Lil Wayne and will.i.am and "Hood Gone Love It" features Kendrick Lamar. The official remix of "All My Life" features Busta Rhymes, The Game and Gorilla Zoe[14] while the official remix of "Hood Gone Love It" features Rick Ross and Birdman.[15] "Hood Gone Love It" was featured in the Franklin Trailer for Grand Theft Auto V.[16]

Music videos

On June 24 a music video was released via MTV for the single "Hood Gone Love It". Videos for album tracks "All My Life, "Life's a Gamble", "Say Wassup" (feat. Ab-Soul, Kendrick Lamar & Schoolboy Q) and "Just Like Me" were filmed and all released before the album to create a buzz. Also the songs, "Code Red" (feat. Kendrick Lamar) ("Boomerang") "No Joke" (feat. Ab-Soul) "M.O.N.E.Y." (feat. J. Black) & ("Elbows") Jay Rock released these tracks and made a music video out of them.

Reception

Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
Source Rating
Metacritic 73/100[17]
Review scores
Source Rating
AllMusic
Entertainment Weekly B+ [18]
HipHopDX [19]
HipHopSite.Com [20]
XXL [21]

Upon its release, Follow Me Home received positive reviews, with critics praising Jay Rock's lyrical ability, narrative skills and his production selection. The album also holds a score of 73 out of a 100 on Metacritic based on 5 reviews which indicates generally favorable reviews.[22] Kyle Anderson of Entertainment Weekly praises the old school West Coast feel of the album, Jay Rock's flow and the minimalistic beats. Also comparing it to Game's debut album.[18] XXL gave the album a XL praising Rock's; lyrical storytelling, crossover ability of "Just Like Me" and "Westside" along with the production of "Elbows" and "Code Red".[21] AllMusic gave the album a 3 out of 5, calling the album a "real life urban drama script" while prasing the albums production and collaborators.[23] HipHopDX complimented the introspective lyrics of "Just Like Me" and "M.O.N.E.Y." while also praising the West Coast production of "Elbows and "Code Red" and Lil Wayne and Rick Ross's collaborations on "All My Life" and "Finest Hour" respectively. Their final score for the album was 3.5 out of 5.[19]

Track listing

The track listing for Follow Me Home was confirmed by the website HipHopDX.[24][25]

No. TitleWriter(s)Producer(s) Length
1. "Intro (Skit)"  Johnny McKinzie, Mark SpearsSounwave 1:03
2. "Code Red"  McKinziePhonix Beats 2:45
3. "Bout That"  McKinzie, Bernard Edwards, Jr.Focus... 3:56
4. "No Joke" (featuring Ab-Soul)McKinzie, Herbert Stevens, Willie BrownWillie B 4:20
5. "Hood Gone Love It" (featuring Kendrick Lamar)Erik Ortiz, Kevin Crowe, Kendrick Duckworth, McKinzieJ.U.S.T.I.C.E. League 4:05
6. "Westside" (featuring Chris Brown)McKinzie, Christopher Whitacre, Justin HendersonTha Bizness 3:38
7. "Elbows"  McKinziePhonix Beats 4:14
8. "Boomerang"  McKinzieJ. LBS 3:25
9. "All I Know Is"  McKinzie, BrownWillie B 3:41
10. "I'm Thuggin'"  McKinzie, BrownWillie B 4:33
11. "Kill or Be Killed" (featuring Tech N9ne and Krizz Kaliko)McKinzie, Aaron Yates, Samuel Watson, BrownWillie B 4:10
12. "Just Like Me" (featuring J. Black)McKinzie, Jeret Griffin-Black, Terrace MartinTerrace Martin 3:42
13. "Say Wassup" (featuring Schoolboy Q, Ab-Soul and Kendrick Lamar) (Black Hippy)McKinzie, Duckworth, Stevens, Quincy HanleyDae One 4:23
14. "They Be on It"  McKinzieKeith the Beast 5:06
15. "M.O.N.E.Y." (featuring J. Black)McKinzie, Griffin-Black, MartinTerrace Martin 4:42
16. "Finest Hour" (featuring Rick Ross and BJ the Chicago Kid)McKinzie, Ortiz, Crowe, William Roberts, Bryan SledgeJ.U.S.T.I.C.E. League 4:01
17. "Life's a Gamble"  McKinzie, Robert RodriguezRob E 3:27
18. "All My Life (In the Ghetto)" (featuring Lil Wayne and will.i.am)Andre Lyon, Dwayne Carter, Jr., Marcello Valenzano, McKinzie, William Adams, Jr.Cool & Dre 3:46
Total length:
 68:57
Notes

Charts

Chart (2011) Peak
position
US Billboard 200[26] 83
US Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums[26] 18
US Billboard Top Rap Albums[26] 10
US Billboard Top Independent Albums[26] 14

References

  1. ↑ "Jay Rock Looking For E-40 Collab? [Social] | Jay Rock". Blog.jayrock.com. 2011-05-03. Retrieved 2012-02-16.
  2. ↑ "Jay Rock bio". Retrieved September 28, 2010.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Burgess, Omar (January 29, 2009). "Jay Rock Talks "Follow Me Home," Free Mixtape Download". HipHopDX.com. Cheri Media Group. Retrieved September 28, 2010.
  4. ↑ Hanna, Mitchell (2010-12-21). "Rap Release Dates: Ghostface Killah, David Banner & 9th Wonder, Paul Wall | Get The Latest Hip Hop News, Rap News & Hip Hop Album Sales". HipHop DX. Retrieved 2012-02-16.
  5. ↑ Jacobs, Allen (2011-08-03). "Hip Hop Album Sales: The Week Ending 7/31/2011 | Get The Latest Hip Hop News, Rap News & Hip Hop Album Sales". HipHop DX. Retrieved 2012-02-16.
  6. ↑ AEWING (July 9, 2009). "DXNext: Jay Rock". HipHopDX.com. Cheri Media Group. Retrieved September 28, 2010.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 "Pushing Rock To The Masses [Editorial] | Jay Rock". Blog.jayrock.com. 2011-01-27. Retrieved 2012-02-16.
  8. ↑ Fuoco-Karasinski, Christina (January 20, 2009). "Jay Rock Snags Lil Wayne, Ne-Yo for 'Follow Me Home'". TheBoomBox.com. AOL Inc. Retrieved September 28, 2010.
  9. ↑ GWOODA (January 16, 2009). "Jay Rock Preps Debut Album "Follow Me Home"". IndustryBlitz.com. Retrieved September 28, 2010.
  10. ↑ Reid, Shaheem (February 9, 2009). "Is T.I. Working On Dr. Dre's Detox?: Mixtape Monday". MTV.com. MTV Networks. Retrieved September 28, 2010.
  11. ↑ "Jay Rock's Official Myspace". Retrieved September 28, 2010.
  12. ↑ "Jay Rock at Billboard.com". Retrieved September 28, 2010.
  13. ↑ "Hood Gone Love It" single on iTunes
  14. ↑ "Jay Rock ft. The Game, Gorilla Zoe & Busta Rhymes - All My Life (Remix) - Listen". Djbooth.net. Retrieved 2012-02-16.
  15. ↑ Jay Rock: "Hood Gon Love It" F. Rick Ross & Birdman (Remix)
  16. ↑ http://kotaku.com/these-are-the-three-songs-featured-in-those-new-gta-v-t-485896888
  17. ↑ Follow Me Home by Jay Rock at Metacritic Retrieved 2013-03-30.
  18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 "EW Review". Entertainment Weekly. August 3, 2011.
  19. ↑ 19.0 19.1 "HHDX".
  20. ↑ "HHSite Review".
  21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 "XXL". The Boston Globe.
  22. ↑ http://www.metacritic.com/music/follow-me-home/jay-rock
  23. ↑ http://www.allmusic.com/album/follow-me-home-mw0002093336
  24. ↑ Horowitz, Steven J. (2011-07-07). "Tracklist Revealed For Jay Rock's "Follow Me Home," Features Chris Brown, Tech N9ne & More | Get The Latest Hip Hop News, Rap News & Hip Hop Album Sales". HipHop DX. Retrieved 2012-02-16.
  25. ↑ Follow Me Home at Amazon.co.uk
  26. ↑ 26.0 26.1 26.2 26.3 "Jay Rock Album & Song Chart History". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media. Retrieved 2011-08-18.