Reincarnated (album)
Reincarnated is the twelfth studio album by American musician Snoop Dogg, his sole release using the reggae persona Snoop Lion.[2] Berhane Sound System and RCA Records released the album April 23, 2013.[3]
Reincarnated
April 23, 2013[1]
2012–13
44:17
- Berhane Sound System
- RCA
- Diplo
- Major Lazer (also exec.)
- 6Blocc
- Ariel Rechtshaid
- Dre Skull
- John Hill
- Terrace Martin
- Jus Bus
- Kyle Townsend
- Supa Dups
- Zach Condon
- Zion I Kings
The album features guest appearances from Busta Rhymes, Akon, Chris Brown, Mavado, Popcaan, Mr. Vegas, Collie Buddz, Miley Cyrus, Rita Ora, and Drake among others. The album's production was handled by Major Lazer, Ariel Rechtshaid, 6Blocc, Dre Skull, Supa Dups and Diplo, who also served as executive producer.[4] It is a companion project to the documentary film Reincarnated.
Reincarnated was nominated for Best Reggae Album at the 56th Annual Grammy Awards.[5]
Background[edit]
Snoop Lion has traveled to Jamaica and studied in the Nyabinghi branch of the Rastafari movement. He has cited reggae musicians such as Bob Marley, Peter Tosh, Bunny Wailer, Gregory Isaacs and Jimmy Cliff as influences for the album.[6] Snoop has said, in regards to his new musical direction, "I feel like I've always been Rastafari, I just didn't have my third eye open."[7][8] Diplo, Major Lazer, Ariel Rechtshaid and Dre Skull are the album's main producers, with Diplo serving as executive producer as well.[9] Other producers, including 6Blocc and Supa Dups, among others.
Singles[edit]
The first promotional single was "La La La", a track produced by Major Lazer, was released on July 20, 2012.[10] The music video, directed by filmmaker Eli Roth, was released on October 31, 2012.[11] The first single, "Here Comes the King", which is also a Major Lazer produced track with Ariel Rechtshaid and 6Blocc, features singer-songwriter Angela Hunte, who is best known for writing Jay-Z and Alicia Keys successful 2009 hit "Empire State of Mind".[12] It was released on December 3, 2012, with its music video, directed by Andy Capper, being released on February 7, 2013.[13]
The second single, "Lighters Up", produced by Dre Skull and Major Lazer, featuring Jamaican musicians Mavado and Popcaan, with an uncredited Jahdan Blakkamoore on chorus. It was released to iTunes on December 18, 2012, and its music video directed by Andy Capper was released exclusively to VEVO on February 2, 2013.[14] "Lighters Up" was official sent to Italian radio stations on February 8, 2013.[15]
The album's third single was "No Guns Allowed" which features Snoop Lion's daughter Cori B and Canadian rapper Drake. It was premiered and performed live on Conan on March 12, 2013.[1][16] The song was released for retail on April 2, 2013, along with the pre-order of the album.[17] On April 2, 2013, the music video was released for "No Guns Allowed" featuring Cori B and Drake.[18] "No Guns Allowed" was official serviced to Italian radio stations on April 5, 2013.[19]
On April 4, 2013, "Ashtrays and Heartbreaks" featuring Miley Cyrus – produced by Major Lazer, Ariel Rechtshaid and Dre Skull – was made available for purchase via digital download as the lead single from the album.[20][21] It officially impacted U.S. Rhythmic contemporary radio on April 29, 2013[22] and then U.S Top 40/Mainstream radio on May 28, 2013.[23] On May 30, 2013, the music video was released for "Ashtrays and Heartbreaks" featuring Miley Cyrus.[24]
On July 1, 2013, the music video was released for "Torn Apart" featuring Rita Ora.[25] On August 22, 2013, the music video was released for "The Good Good" featuring Iza.[26] On November 22, 2013, the music video was released for "Tired of Running" featuring Akon.[27] On December 23, 2013, the music video was released for "Smoke the Weed" featuring Collie Buddz.[28] On January 3, 2014, the music video was released for "Get Away" featuring Angela Hunte.[29]
Commercial performance[edit]
The album debuted at number 16 on the Billboard 200 chart, with first-week sales of 21,000 copies in the United States.[43] In its second week, the album sold 8,600 more copies.[44] In its third week, the album sold 4,700 more copies.[45] In its fourth week, the album sold 2,900 more copies.[46] The album topped Billboard Top Reggae Albums for 34 non-consecutive weeks[47][48] Reincarnated was the best-selling reggae album in the United States in 2013.[49] As of May 2015, the album has sold 104,000 copies in the United States.[50]