On Purpose, with Purpose
| On Purpose, with Purpose | ||||
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| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 23 February 2024 | |||
| Length | 64:15 | |||
| Label | Warner | |||
| Producer |
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| Ghetts chronology | ||||
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| Singles from On Purpose, with Purpose | ||||
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On Purpose, with Purpose is the fourth studio album by British rapper Ghetts, released on 23 February 2024 through Warner Records. It features guest appearances from Kano, Wretch 32, Sampha, Unknown T, Lancey Foux, Moonchild Sanelly, Skrapz, Shakka, Jay Angelo, Dexta Daps, Harry Aye, Muzi, Tiggs da Author and Pip Millett. The album received positive reviews from critics, and was nominated for the 2024 Mercury Prize.[1]
Background
[edit]A release statement revealed that the album sees "new heights as a songwriter" for the rapper and expands his "sonic palette",[2] including soul, R&B, Afrobeat, amapiano and gospel.[3] The lead single "Laps" featuring Moonchild Sanelly, whom he had collaborated with before on "Mozambique" (2020), was released accompanying the album announcement on 20 October 2023.[4] Ghetts unveiled the album artwork designed by British-Nigerian artist Olaolu Slawn through a teaser on his social media.[5] Kicking off the era in early 2024, Ghetts announced a few UK tour dates slated for March 2024.[6] While the album was initially announced for release on 5 January 2024,[7] it was later postponed to 2 February.[8]
Content
[edit]On Purpose, with Purpose features influence from multiple genres – in addition to energetic, lyrically driven grime tracks, the album also explores Afrobeats and amapiano.[9][10][11] "Mount Rushmore", featuring Kano and Wretch 32, was noted as a track that particularly emphasizes Ghetts' grime roots.[10][11] "Stylish Nxxxa" and "Blood On My Hands" were also acknowledged as among the album's most energetic moments.[9] The Afrobeats and amapiano influences were identified most strongly on tracks such as "Tumbi", "Gbedu", "Blessings", and "Hallelujah".[11][12]
On Purpose, with Purpose was also noted for its emphasis on socially conscious subject matter. "Double Standards", a "powerful, politically charged" song that features Sampha, explores topics such as "hypocrisy, colourism, paedophilia and prejudice".[9][11][12] "Jonah's Safety" discusses postpartum depression and abortion.[10]
Critical reception
[edit]| Aggregate scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| Metacritic | 81/100[13] |
| Review scores | |
| Source | Rating |
| Clash | 8/10[9] |
| DIY |   [10] |
| NME |  [11] |
| The Observer | [12] |
At Metacritic, which assigns a weighted average score out of 100 to reviews from mainstream critics, On Purpose, with Purpose received an average score of 81 based on 6 reviews, indicating "universal acclaim".[13] Critics praised Ghetts' emphasis on storytelling throughout the album,[9][10] as well as his usage of social commentary.[10][11][12] The album was also noted for managing to remain sonically cohesive, even with the prevalence of guest artists and the exploration of Afrobeats.[9][10] Producer TenBillion Dreams received particular acclaim for complementing Ghetts' style.[9] Ghetts' more restrained delivery on the album did receive some criticism, however: Joe Simpson of Clash opined that the album "slightly loses momentum in the middle", and Damien Morris of NME expressed a desire to see "a couple more heaters".[9][11]
Morris, as well as Seth Pereira of NME, drew a contrast between Ghetts and André 3000, remarking on the two rappers' divergent attitudes toward aging. Where André released an album dramatically different from his previous discography (2023's New Blue Sun), the two critics observed that Ghetts instead sought to create a "thoughtful, impassioned" album that further refined his existing style.[11][12]
Track listing
[edit]| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s)[a] | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Intro" |
| TenBillion Dreams | 3:49 |
| 2. | "Mount Rushmore" (featuring Kano and Wretch 32) |
| Emil | 5:05 |
| 3. | "Double Standards" (featuring Sampha) |
|
| 5:01 |
| 4. | "Anakin (Red Saber)" |
| TenBillion Dreams | 3:41 |
| 5. | "Blood on My Hands" (featuring Unknown T) |
| TenBillion Dreams | 3:49 |
| 6. | "Stylish Nxxxa" (featuring Lancey Foux) | J. Clarke-Samuel | 2:52 | |
| 7. | "Laps" (featuring Moonchild Sanelly) |
| TenBillion Dreams | 3:49 |
| 8. | "Twin Sisters" (featuring Skrapz) |
| TenBillion Dreams | 4:39 |
| 9. | "Mine" (featuring Shakka) |
| TenBillion Dreams | 2:25 |
| 10. | "More Than I Required" (featuring Jay Angelo) |
| Jay Angelo | 1:19 |
| 11. | "Hallelujah" (featuring Dexta Daps) |
|
| 3:04 |
| 12. | "Gbedu" (featuring Harry Aye) |
| Nicholas | 3:25 |
| 13. | "Tumbi" |
| Splurge Boys | 2:46 |
| 14. | "Blessings" (featuring Muzi) |
|
| 3:55 |
| 15. | "Grateful (Interlude)" |
| Nicholas | 1:41 |
| 16. | "Street Politics" (featuring Tiggs da Author) |
| Emil | 3:44 |
| 17. | "Jonah's Safety" (featuring Pip Millett) |
| Nicholas | 4:12 |
| 18. | "Expiry Date (Outro)" |
|
| 4:59 |
| Total length: | 64:15 | |||
Personnel
[edit]- Ghetts – vocals
- Jay Angelo – mixing, vocal engineering (track 10)
- Mikey J – vocal engineering (track 2)
- Joe LaPorta – mastering
- Blue May – mixing
- Ben Oakland – vocal engineering (tracks 1–3, 5, 7, 8, 11–17)
- TenBillion Dreams – vocal engineering (tracks 3, 4, 7, 9)
- Emanuel J Burton - drums (track 1)
Charts
[edit]| Chart (2024) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| UK Albums (OCC)[14] | 29 |
| UK R&B Albums (OCC)[15] | 2 |
Notes
[edit]- ^ All producers are also credited for programming
References
[edit]- ^ "2024 Mercury Prize 'Albums of the Year' revealed". Mercury Prize. 25 July 2024. Retrieved 25 July 2024.
- ^ Pilley, Max (13 December 2023). "Ghetts spent his "Laps" video budget on a community donation instead". NME. Retrieved 17 December 2023.
- ^ Cetin, Marissa (24 October 2023). "Ghetts announces new album, On Purpose, with Purpose, shares "Laps" with Moonchild Sanelly: Listen". DJ Mag. Retrieved 17 December 2023.
- ^ Lynch, Jack (20 October 2023). "Ghetts and Moonchild Sanelly Reconnect for Latest UK Rap Smash "Laps"". Hypebeast. Retrieved 17 December 2023.
- ^ Jenn, London (17 October 2023). "UK Rap Icon Ghetts Teases Upcoming Album And Mystery Event With Series Of Cryptic Messages". AllHipHop. Retrieved 17 December 2023.
- ^ Carter, Daisy (20 October 2023). "Ghetts returns with Moonchild Sanelly collab "Laps"". DIY. Retrieved 17 December 2023.
- ^ Keith, James (20 October 2023). "Ghetts Reconnects With Moonchild Sanelly For Brooding "Laps"". Complex. Retrieved 17 December 2023.
- ^ Murray, Robin (27 December 2023). "Ghetts Speaks Eloquently On 'The Kings Speech'". Clash. Archived from the original on 27 December 2023. Retrieved 5 January 2024.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Simpson, Joe (23 February 2024). "Ghetts – On Purpose, With Purpose". Clash. Retrieved 29 February 2024.
- ^ a b c d e f g Terry, Jack (23 February 2024). "Ghetts – On Purpose, With Purpose review". DIY. Retrieved 29 February 2024.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Pereira, Seth (23 February 2024). "Ghetts – 'On Purpose With Purpose' review: imbued with social commentary". NME. Retrieved 29 February 2024.
- ^ a b c d e Morris, Damien (25 February 2024). "Ghetts: On Purpose, With Purpose review – brimming with elegant fury". The Observer. Retrieved 29 February 2024.
- ^ a b "On Purpose, With Purpose by Ghetts". Metacritic. Retrieved 15 April 2024.
- ^ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 1 March 2024.
- ^ "Official R&B Albums Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 2 March 2024.