I Am What I Am (Mark Morrison EP)

I Am What I Am is the second extended play by English hip hop and R&B musical recording artist Mark Morrison. It was released in the United Kingdom on MackLife Records on 7 July 2014.[1] The EP has received mixed to positive reviews from critics.

I Am What I Am
EP by
Released7 July 2014
Recorded2010–2013
Genre
Length28.03
LabelMackLife Records
ProducerMark Morrison
Mark Morrison chronology
Innocent Man
(2006)
I Am What I Am
(2014)
Singles from I Am What I Am
  1. "N.A.N.G. 2.0"
    Released: 20 October 2013

Background

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Recording started in 2010, and the EP was also first announced in 2010.[2]

A music video for N.A.N.G. 2.0 was uploaded to YouTube on 21 October 2013 at a total of four minutes and 9 seconds. To coincide with the songs and video theme, it was released in October, which is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month (in United States).[3] The video was premiered by KarenCivil.com.[4]

A music video for the title track I Am What I Am was uploaded to YouTube on 12 May 2014 at a total of two minutes and 54 seconds. The video premiered on Vice Noisey.[5]

Reception

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Musiceyz.co.uk wrote "Mark's voice is heavily treated making him sound a bit too synthed and computerized."[6] Jonny Abrams of Rocksucker gave a negative review of I Am What I Am, feeling that "It might have gotten away with it had the song itself not been so listless", naming it one of the week's worst singles.[7]

"I Am What I Am" (Mark Sparks Remix), which featured American rapper and Slaughterhouse member Crooked I, debuted on the SingersRoom.com website on 16 May 2013.[8] It became the number 1 most played single that week, on the website's IndieRotation Singles Chart.[9] The song was supported by Vibe, who added it to their V-Playlist and reviewed the track saying "It's been a while since we've heard from Mr. Morrison. However, his new soulful track has been worth the wait".[10] DJBooth.net rated the Mark Sparks remix of "I Am What I Am" 4 out of 5 stars, with a positive review calling it an "anthemic cut, expanding the original’s aural palette with 808s, swirling synths and a brand new chopped-n-screwed outro". DJ Blaze of DJBooth also commented "This beat by Mark Sparks is tough and Mark Morrison ripped this. Good feature by Crooked I. Banger!"[11]

Track listing

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All tracks written by Mark Morrison.

No.TitleLength
1."I Am What I Am"2:54
2."N.A.N.G. 2.0" (featuring Crooked I and Shonie)4:03
3."My Life"3:28
4."Wanna Be Your Man 2.0" (featuring Young Buck and K.O. McCoy)4:26
5."Father Forgive Them" (featuring Trae tha Truth, Keith Murray, Black Rob, Crooked I and Beenie Man)5:00
6."I Don't Want 2 Die" (featuring DMX)4:25
7."I Am What I Am" (Remix)3:43

References

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  1. ^ [1][dead link]
  2. ^ Dave Park (24 November 2009). "Album Review: Mark Morrison - I Am What I Am | Prefix". Prefixmag.com. Archived from the original on 14 July 2014. Retrieved 28 March 2015.
  3. ^ "The Domestic Violence Awareness Month". Nrcdv.org. Archived from the original on 30 July 2014. Retrieved 1 November 2011.
  4. ^ "Karen Civil.com". Karen Civil.com. 21 October 2013. Retrieved 28 March 2015.
  5. ^ Millard, Drew (12 May 2014). "Listen to a New Song from Mark Morrison, the Voice Behind "Return of the Mack" | NOISEY". Noisey.vice.com. Retrieved 28 March 2015.
  6. ^ "I Am What I Am by Mark Morrison (Review)". Musiceyz. 7 July 2013. Retrieved 28 March 2015.
  7. ^ "The worst of this week's singles: Itch, Mark Morrison, Stooshe and more!". Rocksucker.co.uk. 31 July 2013. Retrieved 28 March 2015.
  8. ^ "Music - Mark Morrison - I Am What I Am (Remix) ft. Crooked I". Singersroom.com. 16 May 2013. Retrieved 28 March 2015.
  9. ^ "News - IndieRotation: Top 10 Most Played Independent Singles Led by Mark Morrison, Bella Nae, Love Dominique". Singersroom.com. 18 May 2013. Retrieved 28 March 2015.
  10. ^ Robertson, Darryl (17 May 2013). "V Playlist: Ludacris, Young Buck x Tha City Paper, Memphis Bleek And More | Vibe - Part 3". Vibe.com. Archived from the original on 27 July 2014. Retrieved 28 March 2015.
  11. ^ "Mark Morrison ft. Crooked I - IAmWhatIAm (Remix)". Djbooth.net. Retrieved 28 March 2015.