Gemini is the second solo studio album by American rapper Macklemore. It was released on September 22, 2017, via Bendo & distributed by Warner Music. The first album he released without producer Ryan Lewis since his 2005 solo effort The Language of My World, Gemini is devoid of any political subject matter.
Gemini | ||||
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Studio album by | ||||
Released | September 22, 2017 | |||
Studio |
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Genre | Pop-rap[1] | |||
Length | 60:19 | |||
Label |
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Producer | ||||
Macklemore chronology | ||||
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Macklemore album chronology | ||||
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Singles from Gemini | ||||
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The album was supported by three singles, "Glorious", "Marmalade" and "Good Old Days". It received generally mixed reviews from critics.
Background
editGemini marks Macklemore's second solo studio album. In an interview with Rolling Stone, Macklemore said of the album: "It's not extremely politically motivated or heavily subject- or concept-oriented. I think it's mostly the music that I wanted to hear. It's the music that I wanted to go get into my car and listen to. I wanted it to be fun."[2] He told Beats 1 radio host Zane Lowe about his new approach for this album: "I always try to get a different palette of sounds and textures and vibes. This album, I was in a good place man. There's some darker songs, for sure, but for the most part, if I'm in a happy place and life is good, that's going to be reflected in the music."
On August 22, 2017, Macklemore unveiled the album's track list and cover art.[3][4][5] He released a video teaser of the song "Willy Wonka", a collaboration with Offset, on September 8, 2017.[6] It features behind-the-scenes footage of the recording process.[7][8]
Singles
edit"Glorious" was released as the lead single from the album on June 15, 2017. It features a guest appearance from American singer Skylar Grey.[9] Its music video was released on July 6, 2017, in which Macklemore was seen traveling around Modesto, California with his grandmother.[10]
The second single from the album, "Marmalade", was released on July 26, 2017. It features a guest appearance from American rapper Lil Yachty.[11]
The collaboration with American singer-songwriter Kesha, "Good Old Days" was released as a promotional single from the album on September 19, 2017.[12] It was sent to adult contemporary radio October 9, 2017, as the album's third single.[13]
Critical reception
editAggregate scores | |
---|---|
Source | Rating |
Metacritic | 63/100[14] |
Review scores | |
Source | Rating |
AllMusic | [15] |
The A.V. Club | C[16] |
Entertainment Weekly | B−[17] |
Evening Standard | [18] |
HipHopDX | 2.9/5[19] |
Pitchfork | 5.4/10[20] |
Rolling Stone | [21] |
Spectrum Culture | 2.75/5[22] |
Gemini received mixed reviews from music critics. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream publications, the album received an average score of 63, based on 8 reviews.[14] Neil Yeung of AllMusic said, "While some fans might prefer Macklemore with Lewis, Gemini is a reminder that before the multi-platinum singles, hit albums, and thrift shop threads, he could handle himself just fine."[15] Jon Dolan of Rolling Stone said, "Macklemore's first post-fame LP minus longtime partner Ryan Lewis finds the Seattle MC unburdened by stardom or the social concern that turns his woke anthems into online firestorms."[21]
Chuck Arnold of Entertainment Weekly gave note of the unevenness and length through the track listing but commended Macklemore for keeping it together with his personality and giving the project a "loose mixtape quality."[17] Clayton Purdom of The A.V. Club criticized the use of "drop-out catchphrases [and] horn solos and minutes-long American Idol-style belting," along with Macklemore's "earnest neediness" in his delivery, concluding that "the rapper's sentimentality and kitchen-sink production ethos land the record alongside Katy Perry's Witness in the post-Hamilton bargain bin."[16]
Track listing
editNo. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. | "Ain't Gonna Die Tonight" (featuring Eric Nally) |
| Macklemore | 3:34 |
2. | "Glorious" (featuring Skylar Grey) |
|
| 3:40 |
3. | "Marmalade" (featuring Lil Yachty) |
|
| 4:24 |
4. | "Willy Wonka" (featuring Offset) |
|
| 3:42 |
5. | "Intentions" (featuring Dan Caplen) |
|
| 3:50 |
6. | "Good Old Days" (featuring Kesha) |
| Budo | 4:00 |
7. | "Levitate" (featuring Otieno Terry) |
|
| 3:32 |
8. | "Firebreather" (featuring Reignwolf) |
| Budo | 3:25 |
9. | "How to Play the Flute" (featuring King Draino) |
| Dopps | 3:28 |
10. | "Ten Million" |
|
| 2:59 |
11. | "Over It" (featuring Donna Missal) |
|
| 3:38 |
12. | "Zara" (featuring Abir) |
| Dopps | 3:37 |
13. | "Corner Store" (featuring Dave B and Travis Thompson) |
|
| 4:33 |
14. | "Miracle" (featuring Dan Caplen) |
|
| 3:44 |
15. | "Church" (featuring Xperience) |
|
| 4:10 |
16. | "Excavate" (featuring Saint Claire) |
| Budo | 3:56 |
Total length: | 60:09 |
Notes
- "Glorious" features background vocals from Adam Aejaye Jackson, Will Wheaton, Oren Waters, Valerie Pinkston, Bridgett Bryant, Niomisha Renee Wilson, Harrison White, and Brenda McClure; and additional vocals from Donna Missal.
- "Firebreather" features background vocals from Grace Love and Tyler Andrews.
- "How to Play the Flute", "Corner Store", and "Excavate" feature background vocals from Tyler Andrews.
- "Church" features additional vocals from Jerome Welch.
Charts
edit
Weekly chartsedit
|
Year-end chartsedit
|
Certifications
editRegion | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
Australia (ARIA)[51] | Gold | 35,000‡ |
Canada (Music Canada)[52] | Gold | 40,000‡ |
France (SNEP)[53] | Gold | 50,000‡ |
Italy (FIMI)[54] | Gold | 25,000‡ |
United States (RIAA)[55] | Platinum | 1,000,000‡ |
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. |
Gemini Tour
editTour by Macklemore | |
Start date | October 6, 2017 |
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End date | May 6, 2018 |
Legs | 3 |
No. of shows | 57 |
Setlist
edit- "Ain't Gonna Die Tonight"
- "Firebreather"
- "Marmalade"
- "Thrift Shop"
- "White Walls"
- "Same Love"
- "Donald Trump"
- "Willy Wonka"
- "Drug Dealer"
- "Intentions"
- "Corner Store"
- "Levitate"
- "Dance Off"
- "Can't Hold Us"
- "Good Old Days"
- "Excavate"
- "Downtown"
- "Glorious"
Tour dates
editDates | |||
---|---|---|---|
North America | |||
October 6, 2017 | Portland | United States | Roseland Theater |
October 7, 2017 | |||
October 8, 2017 | Eugene | McDonald Theatre | |
October 11, 2017 | San Francisco | The Warfield | |
October 12, 2017 | Los Angeles | Wiltern Theatre | |
October 14, 2017 | Tempe | Marquee Theatre | |
October 15, 2017 | Albuquerque | El Rey Theater | |
October 17, 2017 | Dallas | House of Blues | |
October 18, 2017 | Houston | ||
October 19, 2017 | Austin | Emo's | |
October 20, 2017 | |||
October 29, 2017 | Nashville | War Memorial Auditorium | |
November 2, 2017 | St. Paul | Palace Theatre | |
November 3, 2017 | Milwaukee | The Rave | |
November 4, 2017 | Chicago | House of Blues | |
November 5, 2017 | Detroit | The Fillmore | |
November 7, 2017 | Pittsburgh | Stage AE | |
November 8, 2017 | Toronto | Canada | Rebel |
November 10, 2017 | New York City | United States | Terminal 5 |
November 11, 2017 | Silver Spring | The Fillmore | |
November 13, 2017 | Philadelphia | The Fillmore | |
November 15, 2017 | Boston | House of Blues | |
December 22, 2017 | Seattle | KeyArena | |
December 23, 2017 | |||
Oceania | |||
February 2, 2018 | Brisbane | Australia | Riverstage |
February 3, 2018 | Sydney | Hordern Pavilion | |
February 4, 2018 | |||
February 6, 2018 | Melbourne | Festival Hall | |
February 7, 2018 | |||
February 9, 2018 | Auckland | New Zealand | Spark Arena |
February 10, 2018 | Wellington | TSB Bank Arena | |
February 11, 2018 | Sydney | Australia | Hordern Pavilion |
Europe | |||
March 30, 2018 | Manchester | England | Victoria Warehouse |
March 31, 2018 | Glasgow | Scotland | O2 Academy |
April 3, 2018 | Dublin | Ireland | 3Arena |
April 4, 2018 | |||
April 6, 2018 | London | England | O2 Academy |
April 7, 2018 | |||
April 8, 2018 | Birmingham | O2 Academy | |
April 10, 2018 | Esch-sur-Alzette | Luxembourg | Rockhal |
April 11, 2018 | Brussels | Belgium | Forest National |
April 13, 2018 | Paris | France | Zénith |
April 14, 2018 | |||
April 15, 2018 | Amsterdam | Netherlands | AFAS Live |
April 17, 2018 | Oberhausen | Germany | Turbinenhalle |
April 19, 2018 | Munich | Zenith | |
April 20, 2018 | Zürich | Switzerland | Samsung Hall |
April 21, 2018 | Milan | Italy | Fabrique |
April 22, 2018 | |||
April 24, 2018 | Vienna | Austria | Gasometer |
April 26, 2018 | Warsaw | Poland | Hala Torwar |
April 27, 2018 | Berlin | Germany | Columbiahalle |
April 28, 2018 | Hamburg | Sporthalle | |
May 1, 2018 | Cologne | Palladium | |
May 2, 2018 | |||
May 3, 2018 | Offenbach am Main | Stadthalle | |
May 6, 2018 | Stockholm | Sweden | Hala Torwar |
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ Stephen Kearse (September 22, 2017). "Mackelmore Attempts Pop Rap But Makes Another Unruly Mess". Complex Networks. Retrieved November 20, 2017.
- ^ Christopher, Weingarten (September 14, 2017). "Macklemore Talks 'Gemini,' His Upcoming Career Reset Without Ryan Lewis". Rolling Stone. Retrieved September 21, 2017.
- ^ Peter, Berry (August 22, 2017). "Here's the Cover and Tracklist for Macklemore's 'Gemini' Album". XXL. Retrieved September 21, 2017.
- ^ Carl, Lamarre (August 22, 2017). "Macklemore Announces 'Gemini' Album With Features From Lil Yachty, Kesha & Skylar Grey". Billboard. Retrieved September 21, 2017.
- ^ Winston, Cook-Wilson (August 22, 2017). "Macklemore Announces New Solo Album Gemini Featuring Kesha, Offset, Lil Yachty, and More". Spin. Retrieved September 21, 2017.
- ^ C. Vernon, Coleman II (September 10, 2017). "Macklemore Previews New Offset Collab "Willy Wonka"". XXL. Retrieved September 21, 2017.
- ^ Kevin, Goddard (September 8, 2017). "Macklemore Previews Upcoming Offset Collaboration "Willy Wonka"". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved September 21, 2017.
- ^ "Macklemore Previews Offset Collaboration 'Willy Wonka'". Rap-Up. September 8, 2017. Retrieved September 21, 2017.
- ^ Gaca, Anna (June 15, 2017). "Macklemore Releases New Song "Glorious" Off First "Solo" Album in 12 Years". Spin. Retrieved September 22, 2017.
- ^ Moniuszko, Sara M (July 7, 2017). "Macklemore marks his grandma's 100th birthday with 'Glorious' video". USA Today. Retrieved September 22, 2017.
- ^ "New Music: Macklemore feat. Lil Yachty – 'Marmalade'". Rap-Up. July 26, 2017. Retrieved September 22, 2017.
- ^ "New Music: Macklemore feat. Kesha – 'Good Old Days'". Rap-Up. September 19, 2017. Retrieved September 22, 2017.
- ^ "Hot/Modern/AC Future Releases". All Access Music Group. Archived from the original on October 6, 2017. Retrieved October 6, 2017.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link) - ^ a b "Reviews and Tracks for Gemini by Macklemore". Metacritic. Retrieved September 22, 2017.
- ^ a b Yeung, Neil Z. "Gemini – Macklemore". AllMusic. Retrieved September 22, 2017.
- ^ a b Purdom, Clayton. "Macklemore is at his least hateable on Gemini". The A.V. Club. Retrieved September 22, 2017.
- ^ a b Arnold, Chuck. "Macklemore goes back to his solo career with the uneven Gemini". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved September 22, 2017.
- ^ Andre Paine (September 22, 2017). "Macklemore - Gemini, review". Evening Standard.
- ^ Justin Ivey (October 3, 2017). "Review: Macklemore's Disjointed Direction Hinders "Gemini"". HipHopDX.
- ^ Bromwich, Jonah. "Macklemore: Gemini". Pitchfork. Retrieved September 26, 2017.
- ^ a b Dolan, Jon. "Review: Macklemore Eschews Deep Thoughts for a Good Time on Gemini". Rolling Stone. Retrieved September 22, 2017.
- ^ Daniel Bromfield (October 2, 2017). "The only thing Macklemore's not self-aware of is his self-awareness". Spectrum Culture. Archived from the original on October 19, 2017.
- ^ "Australiancharts.com – Macklemore – Gemini". Hung Medien. Retrieved September 30, 2017.
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- ^ "Czech Albums – Top 100". ČNS IFPI. Note: On the chart page, select 39.Týden 2017 on the field besides the words "CZ – ALBUMS – TOP 100" to retrieve the correct chart. Retrieved October 8, 2017.
- ^ "Danishcharts.dk – Macklemore – Gemini". Hung Medien. Retrieved October 4, 2017.
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- ^ "Offiziellecharts.de – Macklemore – Gemini" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved September 29, 2017.
- ^ "Irish-charts.com – Discography Macklemore". Hung Medien. Retrieved September 30, 2017.
- ^ "Italiancharts.com – Macklemore – Gemini". Hung Medien. Retrieved September 30, 2017.
- ^ "Charts.nz – Macklemore – Gemini". Hung Medien. Retrieved May 31, 2023.
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- ^ "Swisscharts.com – Macklemore – Gemini". Hung Medien. Retrieved October 4, 2017.
- ^ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved September 30, 2017.
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- ^ "ARIA End of Year Albums 2017". Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved January 5, 2018.
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- ^ "Top de l'année Top Albums 2018" (in French). SNEP. Retrieved January 8, 2020.
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- ^ "French album certifications – Macklemore – Gemini" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Retrieved July 2, 2019.
- ^ "Italian album certifications – Macklemore – Gemini" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved July 27, 2020. Select "2020" in the "Anno" drop-down menu. Type "Gemini" in the "Filtra" field. Select "Album e Compilation" under "Sezione".
- ^ "American album certifications – Macklemore – Gemini". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved January 18, 2024.