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! (Trippie Redd album)

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!
Trippie Redd's face in clouds, some of which being in the shape of his face, with a red exclamation mark underneath.
Studio album by
Trippie Redd
ReleasedAugust 9, 2019
Recorded2018–2019[1]
GenreEmo rap
Length38:22
Label
Producer
Trippie Redd chronology
A Love Letter to You 3
(2018) 		!
(2019) 		A Love Letter to You 4
(2019)
Singles from  !
  1. "Under Enemy Arms"
    Released: May 29, 2019
  2. "Mac 10"
    Released: July 24, 2019

! (pronounced as Exclamation Mark) is the second studio album by American rapper Trippie Redd, following his debut album Life's a Trip (2018). It was released on August 9, 2019, by TenThousand Projects and Caroline Records.[2] The album includes appearances from The Game, Lil Duke, Lil Baby and Redd's then-girlfriend Coi Leray. The album also originally included the song "They Afraid of You" (featuring Playboi Carti), but it was removed from streaming services just six days after its release, on August 15, 2019.[3] Production was primarily handled by Hammad Beats, MTK, OZ, and Chopsquad DJ, among others.

! sees Trippie Redd delve further into emo rap; The Guardian wrote that "[a]s part of the sonically esoteric but staggeringly high-selling emo-rap brigade, White knows how to blur the boundaries of hip-hop, to send shockwaves through its foundations."[4] The album was supported by two singles: "Under Enemy Arms" and "Mac 10" (featuring Lil Baby and Lil Duke). The record project was a commercial success, peaking at a higher point on the Billboard 200 than Life's a Trip despite moving fewer album-equivalent units in its first week. The album was initially met with mixed critical reviews but resonated positively with listeners.

Background

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On May 29, 2019, Trippie was featured on Beats 1 Radio and confirmed that his upcoming album would be called "!".[5] He also confirmed that Playboi Carti and The Game would be featured on the album.[5] The album's name is a reference to XXXTentacion's album ?;[6] RapReviews opined that the album "is a tribute to his [Redd's] fallen comrade."[7] It has also been speculated that the name is short for the word 'Immortal'.[8] On May 29, 2019, Trippie Redd released the lead single from the project: a song called "Under Enemy Arms".[5] In June 2019, Redd stated that the purpose of the album was all about "elevation" and taking the next step in his career.[8] During the 2019 Wireless Festival, Trippie confirmed the album's release date of 9 August 2019.[5]

Promotion

[edit]

Redd held an album release party in Los Angeles, California.[9]

Songs

[edit]

Tracks 1-7

[edit]
The song "!" is the second collaboration between Trippie Redd (left) and producer Diplo (right).

The album's opener, "!", is produced by Diplo. The two previously collaborated on Wish.[10] The song opens with the voice of Apple's Siri repeating the album's title.[11] The next song, "Snake Skin", focuses on themes of suicide. Redd stated: "It's kind of suicidal, in a stay away from it type of shit... That's the whole concept of it, stay away from suicide. Don't worry about what other people say, you could be doing what they're doing or even better than them. It's just living life and knowing how to overcome shit."[10] The third track, "Be Yourself", stands as the sequel to "I Know How to Self Destruct" (A Love Letter to You 2).[12] Redd previewed the track in late 2018. Lyrically, the song calls for people to remain strong in the face of life's trials.[12] Redd also makes it clear that he will not tolerate anyone who fails to follow this principle.[12]

The fourth song, "I Try", sees Redd detail a rocky relationship with his girlfriend.[13] The song became the center of controversy after Kid Buu claimed that Redd had stolen "I Try" from him on Instagram on September 21, 2019.[13] Buu cited a song on his computer titled "I TRY – 1.0," which was created on March 6, 2019. Later the same day, Buu released this version of the track, "I TRY / ++ LuV $ick".[13] Redd later stated that his own version of the song had existed since 2018. Redd also stated that Kid Buu had originally wanted to be on his song, but that he "kicked him off the song cause [sic] he was so damn trash".[13] The next track, "Immortal", sees Redd and featured artist The Game reflect on their use of drugs.[14] The track makes the first – and, to date, last – collaboration between the two artists.[14] In the sixth track, "Throw It Away", Redd recounts difficulties he has encountered with relationships.[15] The seventh track, "Keep Your Head Up", marks his second collaboration with producer Murda Beatz.[16] He previously collaborated with him on "Forever Ever" on his debut album, Life's a Trip.[16] On the song, Redd advocates for resilience and determination.[16]

Tracks 8-13

[edit]

The eighth track, "Riot" (stylized in all capitals), sees Redd tough talking.[17] He also mentions that he raps for his deceased brother.[17] The ninth song, "Mac 10", serves as the album's second single.[18] The song is produced by Wheezy and Bobby Raps and is a collaboration between Trippie Redd, Lil Duke and Lil Baby.[18] Its title refers to the MAC-10,[18] a compact, blowback operated machine pistol/submachine gun which was developed by Gordon Ingram in 1964.[19] Redd debuted the song at a concert in March 2019, performing it with Lil Duke.[20] In an interview with Zane Lowe, Redd stated: "Baby was sleep [sic] on the couch and Duke was up with me, we were just smoking and vibing then Wheezy came in the studio, I asked him for a beat. I did the chorus, Duke got on it then I woke Baby's ass up told him [sic] to record his shit... He took damn near 30 minutes but he woke up out his sleep and got that out the way."[21] Lil Duke and Lil Baby have previously collaborated on "Up" (Perfect Timing), "I'm Gettin' Paid," and "Still On My Shit".[18] "Mac 10" marks Redd's first collaboration with either artist.[18] The tenth track, "Everything BoZ", features Redd's then-girlfriend Coi Leray.[22] The title of the track is a play off Leray's debut project Everythingcoz.[22] One of Redd's lines in the song's chorus, 'P*ssy n*gga know I came from toting poles', likely refers to his early hit "Poles 1469".[22]

The rat in the video for "Under Enemy Arms" likely refers to rapper 6ix9ine.

The following song, "Under Enemy Arms", is !'s lead single.[23] The song juxtaposes violent lyrics over an upbeat, orchestral instrumental.[23] On May 31, 2019, Trippie Redd published the music video for "Under Enemy Arms".[24] The end of the video sees the appearance of a rainbow-colored rat, seemingly referring to 6ix9ine testifying as a witness for the state against his criminal associates.[23][24] The twelfth song, "Lil Wayne" was written by the rapper of the same name as well as Redd. However, review site Pitchfork fictitiously claimed that the song "isn't indebted to him, stylistically or otherwise."[25] Initially, the record project was supposed to contain a collaboration with Lil Wayne, but after the song leaked online Redd replaced it with "Lil Wayne".[8] The thirteenth and final song on the album is called "Signing Off".

Other

[edit]

The album previously contained the track "They Afraid of You" (featuring Playboi Carti), but it was later removed from streaming services and physical releases just six days after its release, on August 15, 2019.[26] RapReviews speculated that there had been sample clearance issues.[7]

Critical reception

[edit]
Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
Metacritic59/100[29]
Review scores
SourceRating
Blurred Culture(very favorable)[9]
The Guardian[4]
HipHopDX[27]
AllMusic[28]
Pitchfork5.5/10[25]

! was met with mixed reviews. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from professional publications, the album received an average score of 59, which indicates "mixed or average reviews", based on 6 reviews.[30] The Guardian described the album as "compelling but contradictory emo-rap", noting lyrical contradictions and concluding it "is doubtless part of the genre's forward march – but it's hard to get past the sense that White has sacrificed a coherent artistic identity in the name of progress."[4] Pitchfork opined that the "songs touch on being true to oneself at all costs, but these half-baked lessons land flat since Redd himself doesn't really have an identity, musical or otherwise", and concluded that "the most enjoyable moments feel like controlled chaos. Redd [...] does at least sound more composed. That's to his credit as a person but it's not to his advantage as an artist."[25]

Nevertheless, community feedback suggested that "!" has resonated positively with many listeners, many of whom described the album as "underrated" or "overhated".[31] "Mac 10" and "Immortal", among other songs, were identified as highlights of the album.[25] Blurred Culture said that "! is truly a personal glimpse into his [Redd's] own life."[9] The magazine concluded: "The album has a bit of everything for everyone. ... On this album, Trippie Redd does a great job of trying new sounds and styles. It's still dark, emotional Trippie, but he is really showcasing his versatility here."[9]

Commercial performance

[edit]

The album debuted at number three on the US Billboard 200 with 51,000 album-equivalent units, of which 7,000 were pure album sales in its first week.[32] The album charted behind only Slipknot's We Are Not Your Kind and Rick Ross' Port of Miami 2.[33] ! thus became Redd's third top 10 album in the United States, all three of which charted in the previous 12 months.[33] From the record project, "Under Enemy Arms" peaked at No. 94 on the Billboard Hot 100, giving Redd his tenth appearance on that chart.[33] Mac 10 (64) and "Snake Skin" (87) also charted on the Billboard Hot 100. "!" (12) and "They Afraid of You" (21) charted within the Bubbling Under Hot 100. On 8 October 2020, "Under Enemy Arms" achieved Gold certification from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).[34] On 9 November 2022, "Mac 10" achieved Platinum certification from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).[34]

Track listing

[edit]

Credits adapted from Apple Music.[35]

No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."!"
2:15
2."Snake Skin"
  • White
  • Adrian Rupke
  • Matthew Crabtree
  • Hammad Beats
  • MTK
3:06
3."Be Yourself"
3:16
4."I Try"
Chopsquad DJ2:41
5."Immortal" (featuring The Game)
  • Hammad Beats
  • MTK
3:24
6."Throw It Away"
  • White
  • Yildirim
  • Ryan Martinez
  • Bryan Yepes
  • OZ
  • G. Ry
  • Bryvn
2:45
7."Keep Your Head Up"
3:23
8."Riot"
  • KD33
  • Stemberger
3:13
9."Mac 10" (featuring Lil Baby and Lil Duke)
2:07
10."Everything BoZ" (featuring Coi Leray)
  • Hammad Beats
  • MTK
3:25
11."Under Enemy Arms"
  • White
  • Rupke
  • Crabtree
  • Hammad Beats
  • MTK
2:42
12."Lil Wayne"
  • OZ
  • Nils
1:42
13."Signing Off"
  • White
  • Ryan Bogan
Staccato2:05
Total length:36:11

Notes

  • "They Afraid of You" (featuring Playboi Carti) originally appeared on the album, but was later removed (including physical), and from all streaming platforms.[26]

Charts

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References

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  1. ^ "Trippie Redd announces new album, releases new song". XXL. July 24, 2019. Retrieved July 24, 2019.
  2. ^ Mendez, Marisa (July 24, 2019). "Trippie Redd Announces New Album". XXL. Retrieved July 25, 2019.
  3. ^ II, C. Vernon Coleman IIC Vernon Coleman (August 17, 2019). "Trippie Redd's Song With Playboi Carti Removed From Streaming Services". XXL Mag. Retrieved August 10, 2024.
  4. ^ a b c Rachel Aroesti (August 9, 2019). "Trippie Redd: ! review – compelling but contradictory emo-rap". The Guardian. Retrieved August 10, 2019.
  5. ^ a b c d "! (Exclamation Mark) (Trippie Redd)", Genius, retrieved June 21, 2025
  6. ^ "Read All The Lyrics To Trippie Redd's New Album '! (Exclamation Mark)'". Genius. August 9, 2019. Retrieved March 31, 2025.
  7. ^ a b "Trippie Redd: ! (Exclamation Mark)". RapReviews. August 20, 2019. Retrieved March 31, 2025.
  8. ^ a b c "Trippie Redd Talks New '!' Album, Working With Travis Barker & His Love for Lil Wayne's Rock Pivot". Billboard. August 2, 2019. Retrieved March 31, 2025.
  9. ^ a b c d "Trippie Redd celebrates the release of his new album "!" in Hollywood". Blurred Culture. August 20, 2019. Retrieved April 1, 2025.
  10. ^ a b Saponara, Michael (August 9, 2019). "Trippie Redd Releases '!' Album Featuring Playboi Carti, The Game & Lil Baby: Stream It Now". Billboard.
  11. ^ "!", Genius, retrieved June 21, 2025
  12. ^ a b c "Be Yourself", Genius, retrieved June 21, 2025
  13. ^ a b c d "I Try", Genius, retrieved June 21, 2025
  14. ^ a b "Immortal", Genius, retrieved June 23, 2025
  15. ^ "Throw It Away", Genius, retrieved June 23, 2025
  16. ^ a b c "Keep Your Head Up", Genius, retrieved June 23, 2025
  17. ^ a b "RIOT", Genius, retrieved June 23, 2025
  18. ^ a b c d e "Mac 10", Genius, retrieved June 23, 2025
  19. ^ Pearce, Sheldon (July 26, 2019). "The Ones: Trippie Redd's "Mac 10" [ft. Lil Duke & Lil Baby]". Pitchfork. Retrieved July 9, 2020.
  20. ^ "Trippie Redd performs new unreleased song Mac 10 feat. Lil Duke live @ Life's a Trip Tour, SF". YouTube.
  21. ^ "Zane Lowe and Trippie Redd". iTunes. Archived from the original on February 21, 2020. Retrieved July 23, 2019.
  22. ^ a b c "Everything BoZ", Genius, retrieved June 23, 2025
  23. ^ a b c "Under Enemy Arms", Genius, retrieved June 23, 2025
  24. ^ a b "Trippie Redd has Live Rat with Rainbow Fur in New Music Video", XXL, retrieved June 23, 2025
  25. ^ a b c d O'Connor, Andy (August 14, 2019). "Trippie Redd: ! Album Review". Pitchfork. Retrieved August 17, 2019.
  26. ^ a b "Trippie Redd's New Playboi Carti Collab "They Afraid of You" Disappears from Streaming Services".
  27. ^ "Review: Trippie Redd's "!" is an obvious attempt at crossover clout". HipHopDX. August 28, 2019. Retrieved August 17, 2019.
  28. ^ "! Review by Fred Thomas". allmusic.com. August 9, 2019. Retrieved August 9, 2019.
  29. ^ "! By Trippie Redd". Metacritic.
  30. ^ ! by Trippie Redd, retrieved September 16, 2021
  31. ^ "! By Trippie Redd". Album of the Year.
  32. ^ a b Caulfield, Keith (August 18, 2019). "Slipknot Ties Up Third No. 1 Album on Billboard 200 Chart With 'We Are Not Your Kind'". Billboard. Retrieved August 19, 2019.
  33. ^ a b c McIntyre, Hugh (August 19, 2019). "Rick Ross And Trippie Redd Chart New Albums Right Behind Slipknot's New No. 1". Forbes. Retrieved April 1, 2025.
  34. ^ a b "Gold & Platinum – Trippie Redd". Billboard. August 19, 2019. Retrieved June 23, 2025.
  35. ^ "! by Trippie Redd". Apple Music. Archived from the original on July 25, 2019. Retrieved July 24, 2019.
  36. ^ "Australiancharts.com – Trippie Redd – !". Hung Medien. Retrieved August 17, 2019.
  37. ^ "Austriancharts.at – Trippie Redd – !" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved August 22, 2019.
  38. ^ "Ultratop.be – Trippie Redd – !" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved August 16, 2019.
  39. ^ "Ultratop.be – Trippie Redd – !" (in French). Hung Medien. Retrieved August 16, 2019.
  40. ^ "Slipknot Has This Week's No. 1 Album". FYIMusicNews. Retrieved August 20, 2019.
  41. ^ "Danishcharts.dk – Trippie Redd – !". Hung Medien. Retrieved August 21, 2019.
  42. ^ "Dutchcharts.nl – Trippie Redd – !" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved August 16, 2019.
  43. ^ "EESTI TIPP-40 MUUSIKAS: No nii – nublul jälle uus number üks hitt". Eesti Ekspress (in Estonian). August 19, 2019. Retrieved August 6, 2024.
  44. ^ "Trippie Redd: !" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland. Retrieved August 18, 2019.
  45. ^ "Lescharts.com – Trippie Redd – !". Hung Medien. Retrieved August 19, 2019.
  46. ^ "Offiziellecharts.de – Trippie Redd – !" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved August 16, 2019.
  47. ^ "Official Irish Albums Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved July 28, 2022.
  48. ^ "Mūzikas Patēriņa Tops/ 33. nedēļa" (in Latvian). LAIPA. Archived from the original on October 10, 2019. Retrieved November 27, 2019.
  49. ^ "Savaitės klausomiausi (TOP 100)" (in Lithuanian). AGATA. August 16, 2019. Retrieved December 2, 2019.
  50. ^ "Charts.nz – Trippie Redd – !". Hung Medien. Retrieved August 17, 2019.
  51. ^ "Norwegiancharts.com – Trippie Redd – !". Hung Medien. Retrieved August 17, 2019.
  52. ^ "Swedishcharts.com – Trippie Redd – !". Hung Medien. Retrieved August 16, 2019.
  53. ^ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved August 17, 2019.
  54. ^ "Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums Chart - August 24, 2019". Billboard. April 19, 2020. Retrieved April 22, 2020.
  55. ^ "Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums – Year-End 2019". Billboard. January 2, 2013. Retrieved December 23, 2019.
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