Alone at Prom is the sixth studio album by Canadian rapper and singer Tory Lanez. It was released on December 10, 2021, through his independent label One Umbrella.[3] The album's concept is built around '80s music, being inspired to that era of music and aesthetics.[4]
| Alone at Prom | ||||
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| Released | December 10, 2021 | |||
| Recorded | 2020–2021 | |||
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| Tory Lanez chronology | ||||
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| Singles from Alone at Prom | ||||
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| Deluxe edition cover | ||||
.jpeg) Alone at Prom (Deluxe) | ||||
| Singles from Alone at Prom (Deluxe) | ||||
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The album was supported by four singles: "Lady of Namek", "'87 Stingray", "Enchanted Waterfall", and "Hurts Me".[5] The album's fourth track, "The Color Violet", became a sleeper hit after going viral on TikTok, peaking at 63 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100.[6]
On November 17, 2023, the deluxe edition of the album was released, featuring 10 additional tracks.[7] Following the deluxe's release, Alone at Prom peaked at number 28 on the Billboard 200, marking its peak on the chart.[8]
Background
editThe album was first announced through the rapper's Instagram account when he revealed that he was working on an "80s capsule" in late 2020, sharing snippets of the project during the last months of 2020 and throughout 2021.[9] Alone at Prom was officially announced, along with its title, in September 2021. Lanez cited as musical inspirations for the project artists such as Hall & Oates, Toto, Michael Jackson and Rick James.[10]
The project was visually accompanied by the creation of an alter ego named Ashton Rain. The singer explained the character's creation saying: "The music was so retro and nostalgic that the character had to be created and authenticated through film, picture and music video."[10]
In 2022, Tory Lanez was arrested for the 2020 shooting of Megan Thee Stallion, being sentenced to ten years in prison. On September 25, 2023, he shared a voicemail update from prison, announcing the deluxe re-release of his 2021 album Alone at Prom, marking his first official release following his incarceration.[11]
Composition
editAccording to AllMusic, Alone at Prom's musical composition borrows from "early- to mid-'80s pop driven by synthesizers".[1] Our Generation Music found its production to be "electro-inspired", also describing the album as R&B and bubblegum pop.[2] Lanez stated that with Alone at Prom he wanted to create "a full catalog now and later of pure pop, R&B, alternative and 80s rock music".[10]
Critical reception
editMason Kirby of Our Generation Music said, "Alone at Prom's remarkable retro approach not only intertwines harmoniously sung melodies with ethereal, electro-inspired production, but ascends Tory to a higher level than ever before."[12] Andy Kellman of AllMusic defined the album "a soundtrack to idly browsing racks of distressed jeans", finding its musicality to be "in the vein of the Weeknd's After Hours".[1]
Copyright infringements
editIn December 2021, singer Madonna expressed her thoughts about the track "Pluto's Last Comet", alleging that Lanez plagiarized her 1985 single "Into the Groove". After she first made the allegations in an Instagram comment on Tory Lanez' page, Madonna explained her position further to Rolling Stone, saying: "I am tired of being taken advantage of and I mean business".[13]
According to Rolling Stone, the estate of the late singer George Michael and his former Wham! bandmate Andrew Ridgeley have accused Lanez of using their song "Careless Whisper" without permission for his track "Enchanted Waterfall". In a statement, the George Michael estate and Ridgeley, who co-wrote the 1984 song with Michael, said that they had previously denied Lanez' request to sample the song for his album. Following the accusation, "Enchanted Waterfall" was removed from Spotify, but remained available on other platforms like Apple Music and Tidal.[14]
Track listing
editAll tracks are written by Peterson except where noted
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Enchanted Waterfall" |
| 3:11 | |
| 2. | "Pink Dolphin Sunset" (featuring Tee) |
|
| 3:32 |
| 3. | "Midnight's Interlude" |
| 1:55 | |
| 4. | "The Color Violet" |
| 3:46 | |
| 5. | "Lavender Sunflower" |
| 2:31 | |
| 6. | "Ballad of a Badman" |
| 4:14 | |
| 7. | "Lady of Namek" |
| 3:13 | |
| 8. | "Pluto's Last Comet" |
| 3:31 | |
| 9. | "'87 Stingray" |
| 2:21 | |
| 10. | "Hurt from Mercury" |
| 3:23 | |
| 11. | "Last Kiss of Nebulon" |
| 4:18 | |
| Total length: | 35:50 | |||
All tracks are written by Peterson except where noted
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Prom King // Love on Acid" |
| 4:13 | |
| 2. | "Crystal Strawberry" |
| 3:28 | |
| 3. | "Wilona's Workshop" |
| 2:53 | |
| 4. | "Hurts Me" (with Trippie Redd featuring Yoko Gold) |
|
| 2:20 |
| 5. | "Alexa Loves It" |
| 2:57 | |
| 6. | "Splash.Wave.Repeat (Interlude)" |
| 3:25 | |
| 7. | "Poison Ivy" |
| 3:07 | |
| 8. | "Sex Anonymous" (with Yoko Gold) |
|
| 4:05 |
| 9. | "Shut Up & Love" |
| 3:28 | |
| 10. | "Kame House" |
| 4:45 | |
| Total length: | 70:21 | |||
Sample credits
- "Enchanted Waterfall" contains an uncredited interpolation from Wham!'s 1984 song "Careless Whisper".
- "Pluto's Last Comet" contains an uncredited sample from Madonna's 1985 song "Into the Groove".[15]
- "Last Kiss of Nebulon" contains a sample from Philip Bailey and Phil Collins's 1984 song "Easy Lover".
Charts
edit
Weekly chartsedit
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Year-end chartsedit
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Certifications
edit| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| New Zealand (RMNZ)[24] | Gold | 7,500‡ |
| United Kingdom (BPI)[25] | Silver | 60,000‡ |
| United States (RIAA)[26] | Gold | 500,000‡ |
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‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. | ||
References
edit- ^ a b c "Alone at Prom – Tory Lanez | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved January 15, 2022.
- ^ a b c Kirby, Mason (January 14, 2022). "Tory Lanez takes a trip back in time on 'Alone at Prom'". Our Generation Music. Retrieved May 26, 2023.
- ^ "Alone At Prom by Tory Lanez". Apple Music. December 10, 2021.
- ^ "Tory Lanez Is Ashton Rain On '80s Capsule "Alone At Prom" Ft. Tee". hotnewhiphop.com. December 10, 2021. Retrieved January 15, 2022.
- ^ "LeBron James Loves Tory Lanez's New 80s Album". hotnewhiphop.com. December 12, 2021. Retrieved January 15, 2022.
- ^ Kyles, Yohance (January 10, 2023). "Tory Lanez's "The Color Violet" Debuts On Hot 100 Chart Following Assault Conviction". AllHipHop. Retrieved May 26, 2023.
- ^ "Tory Lanez Releases "Alone at Prom (Deluxe), Tacks on 10 More Tracks". HNHH. November 17, 2023.
- ^ "Billboard 200™". Billboard.
- ^ "Tory Lanez – 80s Capsule [All Snippets!]". YouTube. Retrieved January 15, 2022.
- ^ a b c "Tory Lanez's Ashton Rain Character on 80s Inspired 'Alone At Prom' is Turning Heads | ListenWatch". EURweb. Retrieved January 15, 2022.
- ^ Article title
- ^ "Tory Lanez takes a trip back in time on 'Alone at Prom'". Our Generation Music. January 14, 2022. Retrieved March 14, 2023.
- ^ "Tory Lanez Faces New Copyright Allegations".
- ^ "Tory Lanez Faces New Copyright Allegations".
- ^ "Madonna calls out Tory Lanez". popcrush.com. December 28, 2021. Retrieved January 15, 2022.
- ^ "ARIA Top 20 Vinyl Albums Chart". Australian Recording Industry Association. November 27, 2023. Retrieved November 24, 2023.
- ^ "Tory Lanez Chart History (Canadian Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved December 27, 2021.
- ^ "Irish Albums Chart: 24 November 2023". Irish Recorded Music Association. Retrieved November 25, 2023.
- ^ "2023 2-os savaitės klausomiausi (Top 100)" (in Lithuanian). AGATA. January 13, 2023. Retrieved January 13, 2023.
- ^ "NZ Top 40 Albums Chart". Recorded Music NZ. November 27, 2023. Retrieved November 25, 2023.
- ^ "Album 2023 uke 02". VG-lista. Retrieved January 14, 2023.
- ^ "Tory Lanez". billboard.com. Retrieved November 28, 2023.
- ^ "Independent Albums – Year-End 2023". Billboard. Retrieved November 27, 2023.
- ^ "New Zealand album certifications – Tory Lanez – Alone at Prom". Recorded Music NZ.[dead link]
- ^ "British album certifications – Tory Lanez – Alone At Prom". British Phonographic Industry.
- ^ "American album certifications – Tory Lanez – Alone at Prom". Recording Industry Association of America.