Back 2 Life
| Back 2 Life | ||||
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| Released | September 10, 2013 | |||
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| Length | 37:28 | |||
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| Sean Kingston chronology | ||||
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| Singles from Back 2 Life | ||||
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Back 2 Life is the third studio album by Jamaican-American singer Sean Kingston, released by Beluga Heights, Time Is Money Entertainment, Cinematic Music Group and Epic Records on September 10, 2013.[2] It was supported by the single "Beat It", which peaked at number 52 on the Billboard Hot 100. Notwithstanding, Back 2 Life failed to enter the Billboard 200 and saw mixed reviews, becoming his final album on a major label.
The album features guest appearances from T.I., Chris Brown, Wiz Khalifa, Wale, Yo Gotti, Busta Rhymes and 2 Chainz.[3]
Singles
[edit]On July 23, 2010, the first promotional single, produced by Paul A., "Letting Go (Dutty Love)" featuring Nicki Minaj, was released.[4] On August 3, the music video was released.[5] On September 7, the second promotional single "Dumb Love" was released.[6] On December 21, the third promotional single "Party All Night (Sleep All Day)" was released,[7] followed by its music video on December 23.[8] On June 5, 2012, the album's lead single "Back 2 Life (Live It Up)" featuring T.I. and produced by Paul A. was released.[9] A music video followed on June 8, 2012.[10] On November 16, the fourth promotional single "Rum and Raybans" featuring Cher Lloyd was released,[11] with its music video released on November 18.[12] On April 15, 2013, the second single "Beat It" featuring Chris Brown and Wiz Khalifa was released.[13] On April 29, 2013, the music video was released.[14] On September 10, 2013, the music video was released for "Seasonal Love" featuring Wale.[15]
Critical response
[edit]| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [16] |
| PopMatters | 4/10[1] |
Back 2 Life was met with generally mixed reviews from music critics. David Jeffries of AllMusic gave the album four out of five stars, saying "Previewed by the Soul II Soul-sampling single 'Back 2 Life (Live It Up)' featuring T.I., plus the cool and slow 'Beat It' with special guests Chris Brown and Wiz Khalifa, Sean Kingston's third album is a slick, wide-reaching affair with production coming from the likes of J.R. Rotem, Nic Nac, and RedOne. Besides the names above, the guest list reads like an all-star roster with 2 Chainz, Wale, Busta Rhymes, and Yo Gotti all lending a hand, but it's the mature Kingston who is in control and going it alone on the more sweet and sincere highlights."[16] Brent Faulkner of PopMatters gave the album a four out of ten, saying Ultimately, Back 2 Life relies too heavily on sex and partying for its inspiration. Sure, Kingston's celebration is completely understandable, but the lack of substance beyond drinks, smoking, and hooking up truly hurts this album. Even if rationalized as a 'guilty pleasure' upon an initial listen, the 'pleasure' part of the description is most definitely arguable."[1]
Track listing
[edit]| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Back 2 Life (Live It Up)" (featuring T.I.) | Paul A. | 3:23 | |
| 2. | "Beat It" (featuring Chris Brown and Wiz Khalifa) | Nic Nac | 4:13 | |
| 3. | "Hold That" (featuring Yo Gotti) | Nic Nac | 2:42 | |
| 4. | "Bomba" | J.R. Rotem | 3:39 | |
| 5. | "Smoke Signals" | RedOne | 3:12 | |
| 6. | "Ordinary Girl" | J.R. Rotem | 3:26 | |
| 7. | "Seasonal Love" (featuring Wale) | Nic Nac | 4:26 | |
| 8. | "How We Survive" (featuring Busta Rhymes) | J.R. Rotem | 3:28 | |
| 9. | "Shotta Luv" (featuring 2 Chainz) | Nic Nac | 2:55 | |
| 10. | "Ayo (16th Floor)" | Nic Nac | 3:39 | |
| 11. | "Save One For Me" | Nic Nac | 2:25 | |
| 12. | "Love Ecstasy" | Kenneth "Mrbillboard" Joseph | Phatboiz | 3:48 |
Charts
[edit]| Chart (2013) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard)[17] | 33 |
References
[edit]- ^ a b c Faulkner, Brent. "Sean Kingston: Back 2 Life". PopMatters. Retrieved October 1, 2013.
- ^ "Tracklisting: Sean Kingston – 'Back 2 Life'". Rap-Up. October 18, 2010. Retrieved August 13, 2013.
- ^ "iTunes - Music - Back 2 Life by Sean Kingston". iTunes. February 3, 1990. Retrieved August 13, 2013.
- ^ "iTunes - Music - Letting Go (Dutty Love) [feat. Nicki Minaj] - Single by Sean Kingston". iTunes. July 23, 2010. Retrieved August 13, 2013.
- ^ "Video: Sean Kingston f/ Nicki Minaj – 'Letting Go (Dutty Love)'". Rap-Up. Retrieved August 13, 2013.
- ^ "iTunes - Music - Dumb Love - Single by Sean Kingston". iTunes. September 7, 2010. Retrieved August 13, 2013.
- ^ "iTunes - Music - Party All Night (Sleep All Day) - Single by Sean Kingston". iTunes. December 21, 2010. Retrieved August 13, 2013.
- ^ "Video: Sean Kingston – 'Party All Night (Sleep All Day)'". Rap-Up. December 23, 2010. Retrieved August 13, 2013.
- ^ "iTunes - Music - Back 2 Life (Live It Up) [feat. T.I.] - Single by Sean Kingston". iTunes. June 5, 2012. Archived from the original on June 9, 2012. Retrieved August 13, 2013.
- ^ "Video: Sean Kingston f/ T.I. – 'Back 2 Life'". Rap-Up. Retrieved August 13, 2013.
- ^ "iTunes - Music - Rum and Raybans (feat. Cher Lloyd) - Single by Sean Kingston". Itunes.apple.com. November 16, 2012. Retrieved August 13, 2013.
- ^ "Video: Sean Kingston f/ Cher Lloyd – 'Rum and Raybans'". Rap-Up.com. November 18, 2012. Retrieved August 13, 2013.
- ^ "iTunes - Music - Beat It (feat. Chris Brown & Wiz Khalifa) - Single by Sean Kingston". iTunes. April 15, 2013. Retrieved August 13, 2013.
- ^ "Video: Sean Kingston f/ Chris Brown & Wiz Khalifa – 'Beat It'". Rap-Up. April 29, 2013. Retrieved August 13, 2013.
- ^ "Video: Sean Kingston f/ Wale – 'Seasonal Love'". Rap-Up. Retrieved September 19, 2013.
- ^ a b David Jeffries (September 10, 2013). "Back 2 Life - Sean Kingston | Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved September 19, 2013.
- ^ "Sean Kingston Chart History (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved December 26, 2013.