A (Usher and Zaytoven album)
2018 studio album by Usher and Zaytoven
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
A is a collaborative studio album by American singer Usher and record producer Zaytoven, the latter of which entirely handling the album's production.[2] Released on October 12, 2018, the album is an homage to the city of Atlanta, where Usher and Zaytoven grew up, featuring guest appearances from fellow Atlanta-based musicians Future and Gunna.[3][4][5]
| A | ||||
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| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | October 12, 2018 | |||
| Recorded | 2018 | |||
| Studio | Westlake Recording (West Hollywood, California) | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 27:09 | |||
| Label |
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| Producer | Zaytoven | |||
| Usher chronology | ||||
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| Zaytoven chronology | ||||
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| Singles from A | ||||
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A peaked at number 31 on the US Billboard 200, and received mixed to negative reviews by critics.
Background and recording
On July 25, 2018, Mark Pitts, President of Urban Music at RCA, posted a photo on Instagram of him and Usher working in the studio.[6] Pitts posted another image in September on his Instagram of him, Zaytoven, and Usher in the studio.[7] Zaytoven and Usher previously collaborated on the 2009 single "Papers" from Usher's 2010 album Raymond v. Raymond.
In an interview Usher conducted the Thursday before the album release with The Fader, he said "Zaytoven and I were working on my project, my future album, actually. And we started working on songs, had great combinations between the first two, three, and we kept going."[8]
The album was recorded at Westlake Recording Studios in West Hollywood, California.[9]
Promotion
Artwork and packaging
The cover art for the album is designed by American fashion designer Virgil Abloh. The artwork is Abloh's album-themed take of his own signature Off-White branding.[8]
Critical reception
A received mixed to negative reviews by critics. AllMusic wrote that âA is inspired if mechanical, with Usher's superior vocal dexterity almost neutralized by overly familiar scenarios and materialistic lyrical tropes.â[10] According to Pitchfork writer Briana Younger, "Zaytovenâs minimalist trap isnât always the ideal match for Usherâs traditional R&B capabilities, but when they push both to their extreme, something magical happens."[1] Elias Leight of Rolling Stone wrote that "On âA,â Usher moves with the times â and that's a bad thing".[11] Medium stated that âthe less said about his A EP the better.â[12] Highsnobiety commented that âboth Usher and Zaytoven could do much betterâ.[13] 34th Street Magazine called it an âuneven 27 minutesâ, criticizing its ârepetitive content and lyricsâ.[14]
Commercial performance
A debuted at number 31 on the US Billboard 200 with 15,000 album-equivalent units, which included 4,000 pure album sales.[15]
Track listing
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Stay at Home" (featuring Future) |
| 3:28 |
| 2. | "ATA" |
| 3:07 |
| 3. | "Peace Sign" |
| 2:58 |
| 4. | "You Decide" |
| 3:32 |
| 5. | "Birthday" |
| 3:24 |
| 6. | "She Ain't Tell Ya" |
| 3:21 |
| 7. | "Say What U Want" |
| 3:39 |
| 8. | "Gift Shop" (featuring Gunna) |
| 3:41 |
| Total length: | 27:09 | ||
Personnel
Charts
| Chart (2018) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australian Digital Albums (ARIA)[18] | 35 |
| Dutch Albums (Album Top 100)[19] | 135 |
| US Billboard 200[20] | 31 |
| US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard)[21] | 19 |