Kimberly: The People I Used to Know
Kimberly: The People I Used to Know | ||||
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Studio album by | ||||
Released | December 8, 2017 | |||
Recorded | 2016–2017 | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 62:59 | |||
Label | Atlantic | |||
K. Michelle chronology | ||||
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Singles from Kimberly: The People I Used to Know | ||||
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Kimberly: The People I Used to Know is the fourth studio album by American R&B singer K. Michelle, released on December 8, 2017, through Atlantic Records. This album was her last on Atlantic.[1] The album was preceded by the release of the singles "Birthday", "Either Way", "Make This Song Cry" and "Crazy Like You".
Kimberly: The People I Used to Know debuted on the US Billboard 200 at number fifty-six with 8,804 copies sold, becoming the lowest selling debuting album of Michelle's career so far and continuing a downward trend in her commercial success. Fans openly criticized Michelle's label for the lack of support with Kimberly: The People I Used to Know and Michelle later asked to be released from her contract with Atlantic Records (Warner), as a result.
Background and release
"It's a record that is very, very vibey. The direction of the album is actually, I actually am talking about a lot of people -- not bashing them, but speaking on some people who have been influential in my life, whether it was for the good or the bad."
— K. Michelle talking about her fourth studio album.[2]
On December 21, 2016, K. Michelle announced that her fourth album would be released in 2017 via Twitter with an acronym "TCE".[3] During the final season of her reality show "K. Michelle: My Life, the singer revealed a song titled "Heaven",[4] calling the song "one of my most personal records on my new album".[5][6] On September 8, 2017, in an interview with Billboard, the album's title was revealed "Kimberly: The People I Used to Know".[2] On October 13, 2017, the album cover, track list and release date was revealed.[7]
Singles
"Birthday" was released as the album's lead single on September 8, 2017.[8] "Either Way" featuring American singer Chris Brown was released as the album's second single on September 15, 2017.[9] The song debuted at number 19 on the US Billboard R&B Digital Song Sales chart for the week beginning October 7, 2017.[10] "Make This Song Cry" was released as the album's third single on October 6, 2017.[11] "Crazy Like You" was released as the album's fourth single on August 12, 2018.[12]
Critical response
Review scores | |
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Source | Rating |
AllMusic | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Pitchfork | 7.0/10[14] |
Newsday | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Renowned for Sound | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
On AllMusic, Andy Kellman gave the album four stars out of five, stating that "she has too much on her mind - and has such an imaginative and proficient way of getting it all out - to truly bail."[13] Glenn Gamboa from Newsday wrote that "It’s a shoot-from-the-hip style given to hits and misses, but when K. Michelle connects, she hits hard."[15]
Pitchfork's Alfred Soto graded it 7 points out of 10, commenting that "KIMBERLY: The People I Used to Know may lack a thumper like "V.S.O.P." or a slow jam as urgent as "Drake Would Love Me," still her greatest performance, but it continues a remarkable four-album streak."[14] Rachael Scarsbrook of Renowned for sound gave the album 4 stars out of 5, wrote that "There is enough differentiation to maintain intrigue even if the album is some 20+ tracks long. K Michelle is never one to mince her words, and she’s certainly not going to be changing that any time soon.[16]
Track listing
Credits adapted from the album's liner notes[17]
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. | "Welcome to the People I Used to Know" | Kimberly Pate | 0:32 | |
2. | "Alert" |
| Camper | 2:18 |
3. | "God, Love, Sex, and Drugs" |
| Bongo | 3:52 |
4. | "Make This Song Cry" |
| Lil' Ronnie | 3:27 |
5. | "Crazy Like You" |
|
| 3:44 |
6. | "Kim K" |
| Camper | 2:33 |
7. | "Takes Two" (featuring Jeremih) |
|
| 3:24 |
8. | "Rounds" |
|
| 3:25 |
9. | "Either Way" (featuring Chris Brown) |
| Ronnie | 4:14 |
10. | "Birthday" |
|
| 4:01 |
11. | "Fuck Your Man" (Interlude) |
| Ronnie | 3:41 |
12. | "No Not You" |
| Ronnie | 3:50 |
13. | "Giving Up on Love" |
| Louis Biancaniello | 3:20 |
14. | "Help Me Grow" (Interlude) | Pate | 0:28 | |
15. | "Heaven" |
| 3:56 | |
16. | "Run Don't Walk" | A Louis York | 3:48 | |
17. | "Industry Suicide" (Interlude) | Pate | 0:32 | |
18. | "Talk to God" |
|
| 4:27 |
19. | "Brain on Love" |
| 3:27 | |
20. | "Woman of My Word" |
|
| 2:53 |
21. | "Outro" (performed by Princess Nokia) | Pate | 1:07 | |
Total length: | 62:59 |
- Notes
- Sample credits
- "Make This Song Cry" contains elements of "Song Cry", written by Shawn Carter, Douglas Gibbs, Randolph Johnson and Justin Smith.
Charts
Chart (2017) | Peak position |
---|---|
US Billboard 200[18] | 56 |
US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard)[19] | 23 |
Release history
Region | Date | Format | Label | Ref |
---|---|---|---|---|
United States | December 8, 2017 | Digital download, CD | Atlantic Records | [1] |
Canada | [20] | |||
United Kingdom | December 10, 2017 | [21] | ||
Spain | [22] | |||
France | [23] | |||
Germany | [24] |
References
- ^ a b c "iTunes – Music – KIMBERLY: The People I Used to Know by K. Michelle". iTunes Store. Apple. Retrieved October 17, 2017.
- ^ a b "K. Michelle On New Album 'Kimberly: The People I Used to Know,' R. Kelly Allegations and Surrogacy With Fiance". Billboard. Retrieved 8 September 2017.
- ^ ""Album #4 in 2017! #TCE" - K. Michelle on Twitter". Twitter. Retrieved 21 December 2016.
- ^ "K. Michelle: My Life - Season 3, Ep. 7 - Love Is On The Air - Full Episode". VH1. Retrieved 30 January 2017.
- ^ ""Heaven" is one of my most personal records on my new album. I can't wait to share it in full with all of you! - K. Michelle on Twitter". Twitter. Retrieved 31 January 2017.
- ^ ""Heaven" is exactly where I am right now. So glad I could share a snippet with you all last night on #KMichelle: My Life! ❤️ Album #4 is coming VERY soon". Facebook. Retrieved 31 January 2017.
- ^ "K. Michelle Reveals Album Cover, Track listing and Release Date for 'Kimberly: The People I Used To Know'". The Grape Juice. Retrieved 13 October 2017.
- ^ "Birthday - Single by K. Michelle on Apple Music". Apple Music (U.S. Store). Retrieved 8 September 2017.
- ^ "Either Way (feat. Chris Brown) - Single by K. Michelle on Apple Music". Apple Music (U.S. Store). Retrieved 15 September 2017.
- ^ "Billboard Chart Search for K. Michelle Either Way". Billboard. Retrieved 7 October 2017.
- ^ "Make This Song Cry - Single by K. Michelle on Apple Music". Apple Music (U.S. Store). Retrieved 6 October 2017.
- ^ "Crazy Like You - Single by K. Michelle on Apple Music". Apple Music (U.S. store). Retrieved 12 August 2018.
- ^ a b Kellman, Andy, "AllMusic Review: Kimberly: People I Used to Know - K. Michelle", AllMusic, retrieved August 15, 2018
- ^ a b Soto, Alfred (December 8, 2017), "K. Michelle:KIMBERLY:The People I Used to Know Album Review", Pitchfork, retrieved August 15, 2018
- ^ a b Gamboa, Glenn (December 6, 2017), "'Kimberly: The People I Used to Know' review: K. Michelle speaks her mind", Newsday, retrieved August 15, 2018
- ^ a b Scarsbrook, Rachael (December 24, 2017), "ALBUM REVIEW: K MICHELLE – KIMBERLY: THE PEOPLE I USED TO KNOW", Renowned for Sound, retrieved August 15, 2018
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(help) - ^ Kimberly: The People I Used to Know (booklet). Atlantic. 2017.
- ^ "K Michelle Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved December 19, 2017.
- ^ "K Michelle Chart History (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved December 19, 2017.
- ^ "KIMBERLY: The People I Used to Know on Apple Music". Apple Music (Canada Store). Retrieved 17 October 2017.
- ^ "KIMBERLY: The People I Used to Know by K. Michelle on Apple Music". Apple Music (UK Store). Retrieved 17 October 2017.
- ^ "KIMBERLY: The People I Used to Know on Apple Music". Apple Music (Spain Store). Retrieved 17 October 2017.
- ^ "KIMBERLY: The People I Used to Know on Apple Music". Apple Music (France Store). Retrieved 17 October 2017.
- ^ "KIMBERLY: The People I Used to Know on Apple Music". Apple Music (German Store). Retrieved 17 October 2017.