222 is the third studio album by American rapper Lil Tjay. It was released on July 14, 2023, through Columbia Records. This serves as the follow-up to his 2021 album Destined 2 Win. The production on the album was handled by multiple producers including Ari PenSmith, Jahaan Sweet, OG Parker, P2J, and Smash David among others. The album also features guest appearances from Coco Jones, Fivio Foreign, Jadakiss, the Kid Laroi, Polo G, Summer Walker, and YoungBoy Never Broke Again.[3][4][5]
| 222 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | July 14, 2023 | |||
| Length | 46:19 | |||
| Label | Columbia | |||
| Producer |
| |||
| Lil Tjay chronology | ||||
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| Singles from 222 | ||||
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| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| HipHopDX | 3.4/5[1] |
| AllMusic |    [2] |
222 was supported by two singles: "June 22nd" and "Project Walls" featuring YoungBoy Never Broke Again.[6]
Background
editLil Tjay began to tease the project in early 2022, however, the release of the project was indefinitely pushed back due to Tjay being shot seven times on June 22, 2022.[7] On June 22, 2023, alongside the release of the first single, "June 22nd", Tjay officially announced the album and its release date of July 14, 2023.[8] Two weeks following the announcement, Tjay announce the album's official tracklist, building anticipation due to the list of features on the project.[9]
Singles
editThe album's lead single, "June 22nd" was released on June 22, 2023, to streaming services, along with its music video.[10] The album's second single "Project Walls" featuring YoungBoy Never Broke Again was released on July 7, 2023, just a week prior to the release of the complete album.[11][9]
Track listing
edit| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Nightshift" |
|
| 3:08 |
| 2. | "June 22nd" |
|
| 3:10 |
| 3. | "Nobody" |
| 3:04 | |
| 4. | "Scared 2 Be Lonely" |
| 3:02 | |
| 5. | "Stressed" (featuring Summer Walker) |
|
| 2:24 |
| 6. | "2 Grown" (featuring the Kid Laroi) |
| VVS Melody | 3:52 |
| 7. | "Heart Felt Soul" |
|
| 2:35 |
| 8. | "Bla Bla" (featuring Fivio Foreign) |
|
| 2:26 |
| 9. | "Someone Who Cares" |
| 3:23 | |
| 10. | "Forgot I Was the 1?" |
| 3:32 | |
| 11. | "Hole in My Heart" (featuring Jadakiss) |
| 3:12 | |
| 12. | "Project Walls" (featuring YoungBoy Never Broke Again) |
|
| 2:32 |
| 13. | "Beat the Odds Pt 2" (featuring Polo G) |
|
| 3:32 |
| 14. | "Foster Baby" |
| 3:33 | |
| 15. | "Grateful" (featuring Coco Jones) |
| 2:48 | |
| Total length: | 45:14 | |||
Notes
- ^[a] signifies an uncredited co-producer.
- ^[b] signifies a co-producer
- ^[c] signifies an additional co-producer
Sample credits
- "Stressed" samples "The Way" by Kehlani featuring Chance the Rapper.[12]
- "Nobody" samples "Song Cry" by Jay-Z.
Personnel
editMusicians
- Lil Tjay – vocals (tracks 1–15)
- Itamar Gov-Ari – piano (3), guitar (10)
- Misha Ellis – violin (3)
- Geo Vocals – additional vocals (4)
- Summer Walker – vocals (5)
- Kehlani – additional vocals (5)
- The Kid Laroi – vocals (6)
- Ashley Kutcher – additional vocals (6)
- Fivio Foreign – vocals (8)
- IAM3AM – additional vocals (10)
- Jadakiss – vocals (11)
- YoungBoy Never Broke Again – vocals (12)
- Polo G – vocals (13)
- Coco Jones – vocals (15)
- Sunday Service Choir – additional vocals (15)
Technical
- Eric Lagg – mastering (1)
- Chris Gehringer – mastering (2-15)
- Robert Soukiasyan – mixing (1-15)
- Barrington Hall – recording (1, 4-10, 12-14)
- Raymond Kelly – recording (2, 3, )
- Bordeaux – recording (8, 15)
- Drü Oliver – recording (10)
- Robert Soukiasyan – recording (11)
- Jason "Cheese" Goldberg – mastering, mixing, recording (12)
- Frankie Ruggs – recording (15)
Charts
edit| Chart (2023) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australian Albums (ARIA)[13] | 41 |
| Austrian Albums (Ö3 Austria)[14] | 30 |
| Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)[15] | 47 |
| Belgian Albums (Ultratop Wallonia)[16] | 107 |
| Canadian Albums (Billboard)[17] | 15 |
| Danish Albums (Hitlisten)[18] | 19 |
| Dutch Albums (Album Top 100)[19] | 35 |
| French Albums (SNEP)[20] | 101 |
| German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)[21] | 50 |
| Irish Albums (IRMA)[22] | 38 |
| New Zealand Albums (RMNZ)[23] | 16 |
| Norwegian Albums (VG-lista)[24] | 35 |
| Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade)[25] | 15 |
| UK Albums (OCC)[26] | 26 |
| US Billboard 200[27] | 24 |
| US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard)[28] | 9 |
References
edit- ^ Berry, Peter (August 2, 2023). "LIL TJAY '222' PLAYS IT SAFE & SOMBER". HipHopDX. Retrieved November 7, 2023.
- ^ Staff, Tivo. "222 - Lil Tjay Album Review". AllMusic. Retrieved July 23, 2023.
- ^ Alexandria, Lavender (July 14, 2023). "Lil Tjay Makes His Long-Awaited Return On 222". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved July 14, 2023.
- ^ Ech, Joey (July 14, 2023). "Lil Tjay, King Von, DDG and More – New Hip-Hop Projects". XXL. Retrieved July 14, 2023.
- ^ "New Music Friday: Stream new projects from J Hus, Alaska Reid, Blake Mills, and more". The Fader. July 14, 2023. Retrieved July 14, 2023.
- ^ Deville, Chris (July 7, 2023). "Lil Tjay – "Project Walls" (Feat. NBA Youngboy)". Stereogum. Retrieved July 14, 2023.
- ^ "Three Men Charged in Edgewater, NJ Shooting". Bergen County Prosecutor's Office. June 22, 2022. Retrieved July 14, 2023.
- ^ Powell, Jon (June 22, 2023). "Lil Tjay reflects on "June 22nd" in new video". Revolt. Retrieved July 14, 2023.
- ^ a b Bras Nevares, Gabriel (July 7, 2023). "Lil Tjay Unveils "222" Tracklist". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved July 14, 2023.
- ^ Grant, Shawn (June 23, 2023). "Lil Tjay Delivers "June 22nd," Remembering the Day He Was Shot One Year Ago". The Source. Retrieved July 14, 2023.
- ^ Cole, Alexander (July 7, 2023). "Lil Tjay Drops Off "Project Walls" With NBA YoungBoy". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved July 14, 2023.
- ^ 222 (liner notes). Columbia Records. 2023.
- ^ "ARIA Top 50 Albums Chart". Australian Recording Industry Association. July 24, 2023. Retrieved July 21, 2023.
- ^ "Austriancharts.at – Lil Tjay – 222" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved July 27, 2023.
- ^ "Ultratop.be – Lil Tjay – 222" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved July 23, 2023.
- ^ "Ultratop.be – Lil Tjay – 222" (in French). Hung Medien. Retrieved July 23, 2023.
- ^ "Lil Tjay Chart History (Canadian Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved July 25, 2023.
- ^ "Hitlisten.NU – Album Top-40 Uge 29, 2023". Hitlisten. Retrieved July 26, 2023.
- ^ "Dutchcharts.nl – Lil Tjay – 222" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved July 24, 2023.
- ^ "Top Albums (Week 29, 2023)". Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Retrieved July 24, 2023.
- ^ "Offiziellecharts.de – Lil Tjay – 222" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved July 21, 2023.
- ^ "Irish Albums Chart: 21 July 2023". Irish Recorded Music Association. Retrieved July 21, 2023.
- ^ "NZ Top 40 Albums Chart". Recorded Music NZ. July 24, 2023. Retrieved July 22, 2023.
- ^ "Album 2023 uke 29". VG-lista. Retrieved July 22, 2023.
- ^ "Swisscharts.com – Lil Tjay – 222". Hung Medien. Retrieved July 23, 2023.
- ^ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved July 21, 2023.
- ^ "Lil Tjay Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved July 25, 2023.
- ^ "Lil Tjay Chart History (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved July 25, 2023.