For Certain is the second EP by American rapper Bia, which was released on December 11, 2020, through Epic Records.[3][4] The EP was supported by the singles; "Free Bia (1st Day Out)", "Cover Girl", "Same Hands" featuring Lil Durk, "Skate", and "Whole Lotta Money", which were released throughout 2020 and 2021 respectively. For Certain also features guest appearances from Lil Jon, Doe Boy and 42 Dugg. A deluxe edition was released on October 22, 2021, and was preceded by the singles "Whole Lotta Money (Remix)" featuring Nicki Minaj and "Besito" featuring G Herbo.
| For Certain | ||||
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| EP by | ||||
| Released | December 11, 2020 | |||
| Genre | Trap[1] | |||
| Length | 21:00 | |||
| Label | Epic | |||
| Producer |
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| Bia chronology | ||||
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| Singles from For Certain | ||||
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Background and development
editIn 2014, Bia signed a joint record deal with RCA Records and Pharrell's label I Am Other. During this time she released a mixtape titled, #CholaSeason in 2014, as well as the Nice Girls Finish Last: Cuidado EP in 2018. In 2019, Bia would separate from the labels claiming she was prevented from releasing music.[5] After her first independently released single "One Minute Warning" in August 2019, Bia would be featured on the Russ collaboration, "Best on Earth" in October 2019. The song would peak at number 42 on the Billboard Hot 100 and be certified Platinum by the RIAA.[6][7]
In early 2020, Bia would sign a new record deal with Epic Records and started releasing single throughout the year in anticipation for the EP. Bia initially announced the project's title to be "Rich Tiers", but the title was later changed in favour of "For Certain", its title taken from the hook of the single "Cover Girl".[5] On December 8, Bia took to her social media accounts to announce the project and revealed the cover art.[3] The following day, Bia revealed the tracklisting.
People ask me why I chose to name this EP For Certain. Without getting too preachy this is the first time in my life I'm certain about everything. I move with surety & that's because everything I'm doing is authentic. There's a power that comes from not seeking validation from anyone other than YOU. That's what I feel. I've had wins and even more losses to know that THE SHOW MUST GO ON! Be true to you and those around you, proceed with love and what's for you is for you.
— Bia discussing the EP title.[8]
Singles
editBia released the lead single, "Free Bia (1st Day Out)" on March 27, 2020. The song discusses Bia's experience with her previous record label and how she was "shelved" for multiple years, as well as celebrating her newfound freedom.
The second single, "Cover Girl", was released on April 3, 2020, alongside a "quarantine" music video.[9] The song was serviced to Urban and Rhythmic radios on April 14.[10][11]
The third and fourth singles, "Same Hands" featuring Lil Durk and "Skate" were released in September and November that same year.[12][13] The latter later was chosen as the Stanley Cup playoffs theme song following a reworked version of the song titled the "NHL Mix".[14]
A music video for "Whole Lotta Money" was released on April 8, 2021, and impacted Rhythmic radios on May 18, 2021, as the fifth single from the EP.[15][16] The song peaked at number three on the Bubbling Under Hot 100 chart. A remix with Nicki Minaj was released on July 9, 2021, and debuted at No. 16 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, becoming Bia's first and highest-charting song as a lead artist. The remix pushed the mixtape to debut at No. 64 on the Billboard 200, becoming Bia's first entry on the chart.
Music and lyrics
editAccording to AllMusic, Bia "expresses moments of everyday glamor" such as putting on jewelry "just to go to the bodega." She also "projects a calm, cool-headed attitude which counters her hard, aggressive lyrics" throughout the EP.[1]
In "Bia Bia", she "launches into razor sharp verses before Lil Jon crunks up the hook with his instantly recognizable delivery."[17] In "Skate", she delivers "clever" lyrics about making money and leveling up on a "wavy" trap beat.[18] "Same Hands" was inspired by the idea that "no matter how you sin, you can still be close to God."[19] In "Cover Girl", Bia shows her confidence on a "magnetic" beat.[20]
In "Besito", she exposes her accomplishments to inspire girls and women in a "contemporary hip-hop style that reflects how global her music is."[21] "Can't Touch This" is a "surprisingly smooth club anthem" that samples Kelis' "Milkshake" with lyrics inspired by MC Hammer's "Can't Touch This".[22] "Motionless" is an emotional "diary kind of a song."[23]
Critical reception
edit| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [1] |
Richardine Bartee of Grungecake wrote that "if there’s anything Bia understands, it is how to pick the right production and write a hook."[24] Quincy of Ratings Game Music wrote that "while I do not think that BIA puts up dynamic performances on the EP, I do think that she shows flashes of solidness rapping-wise."[25]
Awards and nominations
edit| Award | Year | Category | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boston Music Awards | 2021 | Album of the Year (1 million+ streams) | Won | [26] |
Track listing
edit| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Bia Bia" (featuring Lil Jon) |
|
| 2:05 |
| 2. | "Skate" |
| CB Mix | 2:43 |
| 3. | "Whole Lotta Money" | Bianca Landrau |
| 2:36 |
| 4. | "Same Hands" (featuring Lil Durk) |
| CB Mix | 3:26 |
| 5. | "Automatic" (featuring Doe Boy and 42 Dugg) |
| AzizTheShake | 3:09 |
| 6. | "Plate" |
| AzizTheShake | 2:37 |
| 7. | "Cover Girl" |
|
| 2:29 |
| 8. | "Free Bia (1st Day Out)" |
| Lil Rich | 1:55 |
| Total length: | 21:00 | |||
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9. | "Whole Lotta Money (Remix)" (featuring Nicki Minaj) |
|
| 3:49 |
| 10. | "Besito" (featuring G Herbo) |
|
| 2:11 |
| 11. | "Can't Touch This" |
|
| 2:26 |
| 12. | "Big Deal" (featuring Sevyn Streeter) |
|
| 2:33 |
| 13. | "Freak In The Night" |
|
| 2:40 |
| 14. | "Motionless" |
|
| 2:27 |
Notes
edit- All track titles are stylized in all uppercase
Charts
edit| Chart (2021) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| US Billboard 200[27] | 64 |
| US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard)[28] | 39 |
Release history
edit| Region | Date | Format | Version | Label | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Various | December 11, 2020 | Standard | Epic | ||
| Various | October 22, 2021 |
|
Deluxe |
References
edit- ^ a b c Simpson, Paul. "For Certain Review". AllMusic.
- ^ "Top 40 Rhythmic Future Releases | R&B Song and Hip-Hop Music Release Dates |". www.allaccess.com. Archived from the original on April 28, 2021. Retrieved January 13, 2022.
- ^ a b "BIA ✍🏽 on Instagram: "FOR CERTAIN EP 12/11 PRE-SAVE link in my bio ✨ I hope you love listening as much as I loved making this 🧡 thank you for being patient 🥳"". Archived from the original on August 20, 2022. Retrieved December 9, 2020 – via Instagram.
- ^ "Bia Returns With "For Certain" EP Ft. Lil Jon, Lil Durk, Doe Boy, & 42 Dugg". HotNewHipHop. December 11, 2020. Archived from the original on December 11, 2020. Retrieved December 11, 2020.
- ^ a b "Russ' 'Best On Earth' Collaborator BIA Discusses New Epic Records Deal, Rihanna & Nicki Minaj". HipHopDX. April 8, 2020. Archived from the original on December 12, 2020. Retrieved December 9, 2020.
- ^ "Bia". Billboard. Archived from the original on November 18, 2021. Retrieved December 9, 2020.
- ^ "Gold & Platinum". RIAA. Archived from the original on January 5, 2016. Retrieved December 9, 2020.
- ^ "BIA ✍🏽 on Instagram: "I'm crying inside 12/11 #FORCERTAIN drops. People ask me why I chose to name this EP FOR CERTAIN. Without getting too preachy this is the first time in my life I'm certain about everything. I move with surety & that's because everything I'm doing is authentic. There's a power that comes from not seeking validation from anyone other than YOU. That's what I feel. I've had wins and even more losses to know that THE SHOW MUST GO ON! Be true to you and those around you, proceed with love and what's for you is for you. I love y'all and thank you for fuckin w me on this journey 🙏🏾"". Archived from the original on August 20, 2022. Retrieved December 10, 2020.
- ^ Powell, Jon (April 6, 2020). "BIA shows off in "Cover Girl" quarantine visual". Revolt.tv. Archived from the original on July 20, 2021. Retrieved December 9, 2020.
- ^ "Urban/UAC Future Releases | R&B, Hip Hop, Release Schedule and Street Dates | ..." April 13, 2020. Archived from the original on April 13, 2020. Retrieved May 23, 2021.
- ^ "Top 40 Rhythmic Future Releases | R&B Song and Hip-Hop Music Release Dates | ..." April 13, 2020. Archived from the original on April 13, 2020. Retrieved May 23, 2021.
- ^ Cho, Regina (September 25, 2020). "BIA taps Lil Durk for new single "Same Hands"". Revolt.tv. Archived from the original on December 1, 2020. Retrieved December 9, 2020.
- ^ "Bia / Crashing An Ice Skating Rink In "SKATE" Visual". Flaunt Magazine. Archived from the original on January 15, 2021. Retrieved December 9, 2020.
- ^ "Bia Flipped Her Song "Skate" for the 2021 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs". Complex. Archived from the original on May 19, 2021. Retrieved May 23, 2021.
- ^ "BIA Goes Out With the Girls in 'WHOLE LOTTA MONEY'". PAPER. April 8, 2021. Archived from the original on April 8, 2021. Retrieved April 8, 2021.
- ^ "Top 40 Rhythmic Future Releases | R&B Song and Hip-Hop Music Release Dates | ..." April 28, 2021. Archived from the original on April 28, 2021. Retrieved April 29, 2021.
- ^ Rashed, Ayana (December 12, 2020). "BIA Releases New "For Certain" EP". Respect. Archived from the original on September 27, 2022. Retrieved September 27, 2022.
- ^ Cole, Alexander (November 22, 2020). "Bia Continues To Impress With New Single "Skate"". HotNewHipHop.
- ^ Cho, Regina (September 25, 2020). "BIA taps Lil Durk for new single "Same Hands"". Revolt.
- ^ Smith, Courtney (April 4, 2020). "New Music To Know This Week: BIA, Empress Of, V. V. Lightboy & More". Refinery29.
- ^ Rashed, Ayana (October 3, 2021). "BIA Releases New Song And Visual For "Besito" Feat. G Herbo". Respect. Archived from the original on September 21, 2022. Retrieved September 21, 2022.
- ^ Williams, Aaron (October 26, 2021). "BIA Channels Kelis And MC Hammer In Her Colorful 'Can't Touch This' Video". Uproxx.
- ^ Lamarre, Carl (October 25, 2021). "After a Breakout Hit, BIA Is Ready For the World to Accept the 'Best Version' of Her". Billboard.
- ^ Bartee, Richardine (December 13, 2020). "Stream Boston-bred rapper BIA's new EP 'FOR CERTAIN'". Grungecake.
- ^ "Listen To "FOR CERTAIN" By BIA". Ratings Game Music. October 22, 2021.
- ^ "BOSTON MUSIC AWARDS 2021". Boston Music Awards. December 8, 2021.
- ^ "Bia Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved July 20, 2021.
- ^ "Bia Chart History (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved July 20, 2021.
- ^ MVP, Viral. "BIA 'FOR CERTAIN' Album Release Date Debut New". OnSMASH. Archived from the original on December 8, 2020. Retrieved December 9, 2020.
- ^ "BIA And G Herbo' 'Besito' Flaunts Her International Appeal". UPROXX. September 24, 2021. Archived from the original on September 25, 2021. Retrieved September 25, 2021.