Larger than Life is American R&B singer Brent Faiyaz's debut mixtape. It was released independently through Faiyaz's label ISO Supremacy and distributed through UnitedMasters on October 27, 2023, as a surprise release.[1][2] The album features guest appearances from ASAP Ant, ASAP Rocky, Babyface Ray, Coco Jones, Cruddy Murda, Felix!, Flee, Lil Gray, Missy Elliott, N3WYRKLA, Princess Cro, Tommy Richman, and TTM Dawg.[3][4][5] The majority of the album was produced by Dpat alongside Mannyvelli and Sparkheem who also produced several tracks on the project.[6][7]
| Larger than Life | ||||
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| Mixtape by | ||||
| Released | October 27, 2023 | |||
| Length | 36:23 | |||
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| Brent Faiyaz chronology | ||||
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| Singles from Larger than Life | ||||
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Larger than Life received generally positive reviews from critics who highlighted Faiyaz's vocals and the album's "sleek" production. It debuted at number 11 on the US Billboard 200 chart, in which it earned 42,000 album-equivalent units, of which 1,000 were pure album sales.[8] Eight of the album's fourteen tracks charted on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.[8] The mixtape was preceded by two singles: the Coco Jones-assisted "Moment of Your Life" and "WY@".
Background and recording
editUpon the release of the mixtape, Faiyaz appeared in an interview with Rolling Stone in which he spoke about how astrology plays a part in the creation of his music as he's always surrounded by women who he states are "the number one conversation" he has with them. When asked about the mixtape's thirteenth cut, "WY@", Faiyaz stated that the "record reflects having access and opportunity, and having to say no to certain shit — or the inability to say no to certain shit" and it's "about addiction in a way, shape, or form, but more from the perspective of submitting to it versus fighting against it".[9] In November 2023, Faiyaz appeared in another interview with Swizz Beatz on behalf of Wonderland.[10] In the interview, Swizz asked about the inspiration behind the project's title, to which Faiyaz responded that: "I'm kind of in a place where I feel like I can do whatever the fuck I wanna do. I feel like I'm one of the best at what I do. That's how I feel with Larger than Life".[10] A standout point of the mixtape was the abundance of features it debuted with. When asked about what made Faiyaz comfortable enough to pull all the artists together, he went into depth about the process:[10]
I just pull from what I like, man. I do what feels good to me. It would be more difficult for me to chase streams and make something that fits with what everyone else is doing. With every project I put together, it’s the project I want to hear right now. If I was looking at a 15-year-old me, and it’s back to school time, what would I want my favourite artist to put out? That’s how I make music.
In the same month, Sonder member and one of the mixtape's primary producers, Dpat appeared in an interview with Billboard in which he revealed that he and Faiyaz began to work on the project in December 2022 after landing in Tulum, Quintana Roo. He stated that the majority of the songs on the mixtape were "made [during] that one week at lock-in with a couple made throughout the year" and that Faiyaz was "writing one, two songs every day". He expanded on how he and Faiyaz originally met, while also covering Timbaland's involvement on the record and the recording and production process of the mixtape:[11]
We did a studio lock-in for this album. [It] was basically a studio in a hotel that Brent booked for a week straight. So, it was just wake up, [go to the] studio until ungodly hours, go to sleep, wake up, studio. On the sixth day of this lock-in, Brent was like, “Oh, Timbaland’s coming to the studio and I want him to be talking on an intro.” I was like, okay, cool, let me make a beat. In my head, I’m thinking, What could be cool for Timbaland to talk on? All of us [grew] up listening to Timbo talk his shit, beatboxing, the ad-libs—they’re just so iconic. And so, in my mind, I’m like I want this to be a statement.
Release and promotion
editOn May 2, 2023, Billboard reported that Brent Faiyaz signed a new distributed deal with UnitedMasters, rumored to be valued at up to $50 million.[12] UnitedMasters CEO, Steve Stoute, spoke on the addition of Faiyaz to the company:[12] "Brent Faiyaz is one of the most prolific independent artists today, and we are extremely excited to embark on this new partnership with him. It's been inspiring to watch his journey as an artist over the years, and with this partnership we look to further amplify his creative vision and support his entrepreneurial ambitions".
On August 16, 2023, Billboard reported the start-up of Faiyaz's new record label and creative company, ISO Supremacy, distributed by UnitedMasters ahead of a new project.[13] On August 23, 2023, Faiyaz released the album's lead single, "Moment of Your Life" featuring Coco Jones.[14] Just a month later, on September 19, 2023, Faiyaz released the album’s second single, "WY@".[15][16]
Just hours before the release of the album, on October 26, 2023, Faiyaz shared the official album trailer on his YouTube channel and social media pages to announce the album to his fans.[7][17][18] On December 8, 2023, Brent released the Lone Wolf-directed music video for "Upset", featuring Tommy Richman and FELIX.[19] On December 15, 2023, Brent released a "Chopped Not Slopped" remix of the album with ISO Supremacy and DJ Candlestick.[20] On January 16, 2024, Brent released the OffBucksFilms-directed official music video for "Pistachios".[21] On February 14, 2024, Brent released the music video for "WY@", starring Mexican-Kenyan actress, Lupita Nyong'o.[22][23] The video was purposely set to be released on Valentine's Day due to the song's lyrical topics.[24]
Critical reception
edit| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |    [25] |
| Pitchfork | 7/10[26] |
Larger Than Life received generally favorable reviews from critics. AllMusic's TiVo Staff stated that the project allows Brent to stay "in a loop of nostalgia for much of his first mixtape". He wrote that "Faiyaz channels late-'90s radio R&B production on the staggered percussion beats" and that the production is similar to The Neptunes'. He concluded his review as he wrote that "Larger Than Life is light fun for the most part, and the retro styles are counterbalanced by blunt-edged rap features".[25] Writing for Pitchfork, Alphonse Pierre wrote that the album is "a life-is-good album where Faiyaz could easily have chosen to pop champagne to his success by bringing all of today's most powerful rap and R&B artists into the fold", however, "he pays homage to his home by getting both regional pioneers and up-and-comers involved in his mess". Pierre notes that "Faiyaz sings about stories that would be the highlight of most people’s year like it’s just another day".[26]
Year-end lists
edit| Publication | List | Rank | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Billboard | The 50 Best Albums of 2023: Staff List | 37
|
|
| Complex | The 50 Best Albums Of 2023 | 28
|
|
| Stereogum | The 50 Best Albums Of 2023 | 30
|
|
| Jem Aswad for Variety | The Best Albums of 2023 | 1
|
|
| Steven J. Horowitz for Variety | The Best Albums of 2023 | 8
|
|
| Vibe | The 20 Best R&B Albums Of 2023 | 20
|
Commercial performance
editLarger than Life debuted at number eleven on the US Billboard 200 chart, earning 42,000 album-equivalent units (including 1,000 copies in pure album sales) in its first week.[8] This became Brent Faiyaz's third US top-twenty debut on the chart.[8] The album also accumulated a total of 54.1 million on-demand official streams from the set's tracks.[8]
Track listing
edit| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Tim's Intro" |
|
| 2:04 |
| 2. | "Last One Left" (featuring Lil Gray and Missy Elliott) |
| Dpat | 3:44 |
| 3. | "Forever Yours" |
| Jonah Roy | 1:36 |
| 4. | "Best Time" |
| Dpat | 1:22 |
| 5. | "Big Mad Skit" (featuring Flee and Princess Cro) |
| 1:18 | |
| 6. | "Moment of Your Life" (featuring Coco Jones) |
|
| 3:14 |
| 7. | "Outside All Night" (with N3WYRKLA and A$AP Rocky) |
| Jonah Roy | 3:22 |
| 8. | "Wherever I Go" |
|
| 3:01 |
| 9. | "Upset" (with Tommy Richman and Felix!) |
|
| 2:57 |
| 10. | "On This Side" (featuring A$AP Ant and Cruddy Murda) |
|
| 2:58 |
| 11. | "Dawged Em Skit" (featuring TTM Dawg) |
| 1:04 | |
| 12. | "Belong to You" (featuring Babyface Ray) |
| Dpat | 2:57 |
| 13. | "WY@" |
|
| 3:27 |
| 14. | "Pistachios" |
| Dpat | 3:09 |
| Total length: | 36:23 | |||
Sample credits
- "Tim's Intro" contains a sample of "No Scrubs" as performed by TLC, written by Kevin "She'kspere" Briggs, Kandi Burruss, Tameka "Tiny" Cottle, and Lisa Lopes
- "Last One Left" contains a sample of "Crazy Feelings" as performed by Missy Elliott, written by Melissa Elliott, Beyoncé Knowles-Carter, and Timothy Mosley
- "Forever Yours" contains a sample of "Fafo" as performed by Zack Fox, written by Zachary Fox and Benjamin Fort
- "Best Time" contains a sample of "Caught Out There" as performed by Kelis, written by Pharrell Williams and Chad Hugo
- "Moment of Your Life" contains a sample of "Boy You Should Listen" as performed by Lady Wray, written by Nicole Wray and Melissa Elliott
- "Belong To You" contains a sample of "I Belong to You (Every Time I See Your Face)" as performed by Rome, written by Jerome Woods and Gerald Baillergeau
- "Pistachios" contains a sample of "If We Make Love Tonight" as performed by Adina Howard, written by Curtis Wilson, Jeff Young, and Rochad Holiday
Charts
edit| Chart (2023) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)[32] | 61 |
| Belgian Albums (Ultratop Wallonia)[33] | 68 |
| Canadian Albums (Billboard)[34] | 21 |
| Danish Albums (Hitlisten)[35] | 38 |
| Dutch Albums (Album Top 100)[36] | 37 |
| Irish Albums (IRMA)[37] | 61 |
| Lithuanian Albums (AGATA)[38] | 32 |
| New Zealand Albums (RMNZ)[39] | 7 |
| Norwegian Albums (VG-lista)[40] | 29 |
| Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade)[41] | 16 |
| UK Albums (OCC)[42] | 25 |
| US Billboard 200[43] | 11 |
| US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard)[44] | 4 |
Release history
edit| Region | Date | Label(s) | Format(s) | Edition(s) | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Various | October 27, 2023 | Standard | [2] | ||
| United States | CD | [45] | |||
| Various | December 15, 2023 |
|
Chopped Not Slopped | [20] | |
| United States | September 19, 2024 | LP | Standard | [46] |
References
edit- ^ Okon, Wongo (October 26, 2023). "Is Brent Faiyaz Releasing A New Album, Larger than Life, Tonight?". Uproxx. Retrieved October 26, 2023.
- ^ a b Lindert, Hattie (October 27, 2023). "Brent Faiyaz Releases Surprise New Album Larger Than Life: Listen". Pitchfork. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
- ^ Garcia, Thania (October 26, 2023). "Brent Faiyaz to Release New Album Larger than Life With Features From A$AP Rocky, Missy Elliott". Variety. Retrieved October 26, 2023.
- ^ Espinoza, Joshua (October 27, 2023). "Brent Faiyaz Drops 'Larger Than Life' Project f/ ASAP Rocky, Missy Elliott, and More". Complex. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
- ^ Renshaw, David (October 27, 2023). "Brent Faiyaz shares surprise album Larger Than Life". The Fader. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
- ^ Bustard, Andy (October 26, 2023). "Brent Faiyaz Taps A$AP Rocky, Missy Elliott & More for New Project Larger than Life". HipHopDX. Retrieved October 26, 2023.
- ^ a b Mamo, Heran (October 26, 2023). "Brent Faiyaz Announces New Album Larger than Life & It's Coming Sooner Than You Think". Billboard. Retrieved October 26, 2023.
- ^ a b c d e Anderson, Trevor (November 9, 2023). "Brent Faiyaz's 'Larger Than Life' Debuts in Top 5 on Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums Chart". Billboard. Retrieved December 9, 2023.
- ^ Paul, Larisha (October 27, 2023). "Brent Faiyaz on Bad Habits, Zodiac Signs, and Scorsese". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on October 27, 2023. Retrieved October 4, 2024.
- ^ a b c Rana, Erica (November 22, 2023). "Brent Faiyaz Covers Wonderland Winter 23". Wonderland. Archived from the original on March 6, 2024. Retrieved October 4, 2024.
- ^ Scott, Damien (November 9, 2023). "Meet Dpat, the Enigmatic Producer Behind Brent Faiyaz's Incredible New Mixtape Larger Than Life". Billboard. Archived from the original on November 10, 2023. Retrieved October 4, 2024.
- ^ a b Lamarre, Carl (May 2, 2023). "Brent Faiyaz Partners With UnitedMasters to Start Creative Agency, Announces World Tour". Billboard. Retrieved October 26, 2023.
- ^ Mamo, Hernan (August 24, 2023). "Brent Faiyaz Launches ISO Supremacy Creative Agency, Releases 'Jackie Brown' Music Video". Billboard. Retrieved October 26, 2023.
- ^ Powell, Jon (August 16, 2023). "Brent Faiyaz and Coco Jones team up for "Moment of Your Life"". Revolt. Retrieved October 26, 2023.
- ^ Powell, Jon (September 19, 2023). "Brent Faiyaz drops off "WYA" single". Revolt. Retrieved October 26, 2023.
- ^ Murray, Robin (September 21, 2023). "Brent Faiyaz Returns With 'WY@'". Clash. Retrieved October 26, 2023.
- ^ Powell, Jon (October 26, 2023). "Brent Faiyaz announces Larger than Life mixtape". Revolt. Retrieved October 26, 2023.
- ^ Sadler, Armon (October 26, 2023). "Brent Faiyaz Releasing New Project Larger than Life Featuring Missy Elliott, A$AP Rocky, And More". Vibe. Retrieved October 26, 2023.
- ^ Folk, Antwane (December 12, 2023). "Brent Faiyaz Gets Detained in 'Upset' Video Featuring Tommy Richman and FELIX!". Rated R&B. Retrieved January 16, 2024.
- ^ a b "LARGER THAN LIFE (CHOPPED NOT SLOPPED)". Apple Music. December 15, 2023. Retrieved January 16, 2024.
- ^ Duong, Paul "Big Homie" (January 16, 2024). "VIDEO: BRENT FAIYAZ "PISTACHIOS"". Rap Radar. Retrieved January 16, 2024.
- ^ Elibert, Mark (February 13, 2024). "Brent Faiyaz Flirts on Set With Lupita Nyong'o in "WY@" Short Film Trailer". Complex. Retrieved February 14, 2024.
- ^ Bernstein, Elaina (February 13, 2024). "Brent Faiyaz Shoots His Shot With Lupita Nyong'o in "WY@" Trailer". Hypebeast. Retrieved February 14, 2024.
- ^ Williams, Aaron (February 13, 2024). "Brent Faiyaz Flirts With Lupita Nyong'o In The Trailer For His Valentine's Day Short Film, 'WY@'". Uproxx. Retrieved February 14, 2024.
- ^ a b Staff, TiVo (October 27, 2023). "Larger Than Life Review by TiVo Staff". AllMusic. Retrieved December 9, 2023.
- ^ a b Pierre, Alphonse (November 1, 2023). "Brent Faiyaz: Larger than Life Album Review". Pitchfork. Retrieved November 1, 2023.
- ^ Scott, Damien (December 6, 2022). "The 50 Best Albums of 2023: Staff List". Billboard. Retrieved December 9, 2023.
- ^ Ahmed, Jessica Mckinney, Ecleen Luzmila Caraballo, Eric Skelton, Jordan Rose, Kemet High, Katelina 'Gata' Eccleston, Kameron Hay, Alejandro De Jesus, Peter A. Berry, Grant Rindner, Insanul (December 14, 2023). "The 50 Best Albums Of 2023". Complex. Retrieved November 1, 2024.
{{cite magazine}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ Srour, Yousef (December 5, 2022). "The 50 Best Albums Of 2023". Stereogum. Retrieved December 9, 2023.
- ^ a b Aswad, Jem; Horowitz, Steven J. (December 11, 2023). "The Best Albums of 2023". Variety. Retrieved November 2, 2024.
- ^ Griffin, Marc Antonio (December 31, 2023). "The 20 Best R&B Albums Of 2023". Vibe. Retrieved November 2, 2024.
- ^ "Ultratop.be – Brent Faiyaz – Larger Than Life" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved November 5, 2023.
- ^ "Ultratop.be – Brent Faiyaz – Larger Than Life" (in French). Hung Medien. Retrieved November 5, 2023.
- ^ "Billboard Canadian Albums: Week of November 11, 2023". Billboard. Retrieved November 7, 2023.
- ^ "Hitlisten.NU – Album Top-40 Uge 44, 2023". Hitlisten. Retrieved November 8, 2023.
- ^ "Dutchcharts.nl – Brent Faiyaz – Larger Than Life" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved November 4, 2023.
- ^ "Irish Albums Chart: 3 November 2023". Irish Recorded Music Association. Retrieved November 4, 2023.
- ^ "2023 44-os savaitės klausomiausi (Top 100)" (in Lithuanian). AGATA. November 3, 2023. Retrieved November 3, 2023.
- ^ "NZ Top 40 Albums Chart". Recorded Music NZ. November 6, 2023. Retrieved November 4, 2023.
- ^ "Album 2023 uke 44". VG-lista. Retrieved November 4, 2023.
- ^ "Swisscharts.com – Brent Faiyaz – Larger Than Life". Hung Medien. Retrieved November 5, 2023.
- ^ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 3, 2023.
- ^ "Billboard 200: Week of November 11, 2023". Billboard. Retrieved November 7, 2023.
- ^ "Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums: Week of November 11, 2023". Billboard. Retrieved November 7, 2023.
- ^ "Larger Than Life CD". Musictoday. Archived from the original on May 29, 2024. Retrieved October 9, 2024.
- ^ "Larger Than Life Brent Faiyaz Picture". Amazon. Archived from the original on October 9, 2024. Retrieved October 9, 2024.