The Voice (Lil Durk album)

The Voice
Studio album by
Lil Durk
ReleasedDecember 24, 2020 (2020-12-24)
Genre
Length38:38
Label
Producer
Lil Durk chronology
Just Cause Y'all Waited 2
(2020) 		The Voice
(2020) 		The Voice of the Heroes
(2021)
Singles from The Voice
  1. "The Voice"
    Released: September 4, 2020
  2. "Stay Down"
    Released: October 30, 2020
  3. "Backdoor"
    Released: December 21, 2020

The Voice is the sixth studio album[1][2] by American rapper Lil Durk. It was released on December 24, 2020, by Only the Family, Alamo Records and Geffen Records. The album contains guest appearances from late rapper King Von, 6lack, Young Thug, YNW Melly, and Booka600.[3] A deluxe edition was released on January 29, 2021, with twelve additional tracks. It features additional guest appearances from Lil Baby, Pooh Shiesty, and Sydny August.

The Voice is Lil Durk's final album for Geffen Records, as his home label, Alamo Records, was acquired by Sony Music in June 2021. Since July 2021, the album is no longer distributed by Geffen Records.

Background

[edit]

The title of the album is actually Lil Durk's longtime nickname. He had been teasing it for a while, starting with by posting a picture of him on social media, promoting the title track, on August 28, 2020.[4] He initially stated he would release new music on the same day as rapper 6ix9ine's second studio album, TattleTales, amid their feud.[5]

The album is a tribute to late American rapper King Von, a longtime friend and then-labelmate of the rapper, who died from a shooting in Atlanta, Georgia, on November 6, 2020.[6] The internet had rumored that the two were cousins. He was involved in a controversy in a nightclub in the premises of the area at around 3:20 a.m. between two groups of men, one of them being associated with fellow American rapper Quando Rondo.[7] Both parties were using firearms to fight, and two off-duty police officers took part in making the situation come to a close by threatening to use additional gunfire.[8][9] He was rushed to the hospital and after surgeries, he was pronounced dead. His passing affected Lil Durk heavily, who proceeded to deactivate all of his social media accounts until he announced the release of "Backdoor" on December 20, 2020. Thus, the cover of the album has a picture of the two together.[10]

Singles

[edit]

The album's lead single, its title track, was released along with a music video on September 4, 2020.[11] The second single, "Stay Down", with American singer 6lack and American rapper Young Thug, was released along with a music video on October 30, 2020.[12] The third single, "Backdoor", was released along with a music video on December 21, 2020.[13]

Critical reception

[edit]
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[14]

The Voice received mixed reviews by music critics. Writing for Allmusic, Fred Thomas stated that "Many tracks on The Voice are built on melancholy piano loops and ethereal samples, but some of the more interesting moments of the album happen when he strays from the somewhat interchangeable instrumentation".[15]

Commercial performance

[edit]

The Voice debuted at number 46 on the US Billboard 200 chart, earning 23,000 album-equivalent units in its first week with 1 day of sales.[16] The album was released on Thursday so the album's first-week sales came from just one day of activity due to it being the last day of the tracking week.[16] In its second week, the album climbed to number three on the chart, earning an additional 66,000 units. The album sold 87,000 units the week the deluxe was released.[16] This became Lil Durk's third US top-ten album.[16] In its third week, the album climbed to number two on the chart, earning 48,000 more units.[17] In its fourth week, the album dropped to number five on the chart, earning 42,000 units, bringing its four-week total to 179,000 units.[18] On March 4, 2021, it was reported that the album sold over 500,000 copies and is eligible to be certified Gold.[19] Geffen Records marketed the album for very short time, as Alamo Records was acquired by Sony Music in June 2021[20] and its distribution passed to Sony quickly after.

Track listing

[edit]
The Voice standard track listing
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Redman"
  • Durk Banks
  • John Lam
  • Malik Bynoe-Fisher
  • Leonardo Mateus
  • Lam
  • MalikOTB
  • WassupBans
1:35
2."Refugee"
  • Banks
  • Lam
  • Johnfrancis Mbatta
  • Lam
  • Its2ezzy
1:56
3."Death Ain't Easy"
  • Banks
  • Joshua Samuel
  • Henry Lotas-Sherratt
  • Giovanni Rana
  • TurnMeUpJosh
  • Young Cutta
  • Vani
3:12
4."The Voice"
  • Banks
  • Samuel
  • John Balan
  • Braylen Rembert
2:59
5."Backdoor"
  • Banks
  • Samuel
  • Bynoe-Fisher
  • Rembert
  • Lachlan Gentle
  • TurnMeUpJosh
  • MalikOTB
  • Ayo Bleu
  • Aura
3:20
6."Still Trappin'" (with King Von)
2:52
7."Stay Down" (with 6lack and Young Thug)
2:49
8."Free Jamell" (with YNW Melly)
Chopsquad DJ3:20
9."Misunderstood"
2:15
10."Not The Same"
  • Banks
  • Greg Tecoz
  • G. Fresh
  • Chinaman Hustle
2:29
11."India, Pt. 3"
  • Banks
  • Hagan Lange
  • Trenton Turner
  • Hagan
  • Touch of Trent
2:09
12."Coming Clean"
  • Banks
  • DeAvonte Kimble
  • Morgan O'Connor
  • William Keating
  • Topp
  • O'Connor
  • Williskeating
2:28
13."Going Strong"
  • Banks
  • Lam
  • Tahj Vaughn
  • Frank Gilliam III
  • Lam
  • Tahj Money
  • Tre Gilliam
  • AKel
2:21
14."Changes"
  • Banks
  • Thomas Moore
AyeTM2:03
15."Lamborghini Mirrors" (featuring Booka600)
2:44
16."To Be Honest"
  • Banks
  • Samuel
  • Lotas-Sherratt
  • Rembert
  • TurnMeUpJosh
  • Young Cutta
  • Ayo Bleu
2:26
Total length:38:38
Deluxe bonus tracks[21]
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
17."Intro"
  • Banks
  • Moore
  • Turner
  • Sinchi
  • Touch of Trent
  • Jay LV
  • StrongzOnTheBeat
2:19
18."Finesse Out the Gang Way" (featuring Lil Baby)
Chopsquad DJ3:06
19."Switched Up"
  • Banks
  • Moore
AyeTM2:19
20."Let Em Know"
  • Banks
  • Samuel
  • Balan
  • Rembert
  • TurnMeUpJosh
  • LowLowTurnThatUp
  • Ayo Bleu
2:55
21."Should've Ducked" (featuring Pooh Shiesty)
  • DJ Bandz
  • DJ FMCT
  • ProdByMo
  • Nom
3:12
22."When I'm Lonely"
  • Banks
  • Samuel
  • Balan
  • Rembert
  • Touch of Trent
  • Hagan
  • LC
1:59
23."Every Freakin' Day"
  • Lam
  • Gilliam
  • ThatBossEvan
  • Gwiz
2:46
24."Love You" (featuring Sydny August)
  • Banks
  • Sydny Smith
  • Andrew Bonsu
  • Dilla
  • Park Hill
2:58
25."I Don't Know"
  • Banks
  • Turner
  • Jake Martin
  • Paul Davis Gachie
  • Touch of Trent
  • Twoprxducers
2:15
26."Movement"
  • Banks
  • Turner
  • Devin Lamb
  • Elaye Slattery
  • Touch of Trent
  • Foreiign808
  • Elxyee
2:26
27."Last Minute"
  • Banks
  • Samuel
  • Rembert
  • Giovanni Gardner
  • TurnMeUpJosh
  • Ayo Bleu
  • Gorilla
1:50
28."Kanye Krazy"
  • Banks
  • Lam
  • Vaughn
  • Lukas Payne
  • Sterling Reynolds
  • Lam
  • Tahj Money
  • Karltin Bankz
  • LondnBlue
2:25

Notes

  • "Death Ain't Easy" features additional vocals from King Von

Personnel

[edit]

Credits adapted from Genius, Muso.Ai & Tidal

Technical

  • Nick Rice – Recording, Mixing
  • Darth Moon - Recording
  • Jaylon “Lux” Charles - Recording
  • Bainz - Recording
  • Scott Taylor Jr. - Recording
  • Nickie Jon Pabon - Recording
  • Cristian “Castle” Castillo - Mixing, Mastering
  • Ethan Stevens - Mixing
  • TurnMeUpJosh - Mixing, Mastering
  • Colin Leonard - Master Engineer
  • Zack “ZSHXCHZ” Shochet - Assistant Engineer

Charts

[edit]

Certifications

[edit]
Certifications for The Voice
Region Certification Certified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI)[31] Silver 60,000‡
United States (RIAA)[32] Platinum 1,000,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Kaufman, Gil (December 24, 2020). "Lil Durk Drops Surprise 'The Voice' Album Featuring King Von, 6lack and Young Thug". Billboard. Retrieved January 5, 2021. Lil Durk dropped his surprise sixth studio album
  2. ^ Findlay, Mitch (October 20, 2020). "Lil Durk Has Finished "The Voice" Album". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved January 5, 2021. p.s the voice album done - Lil Durk
  3. ^ Price, Joe (December 24, 2020). "Lil Durk Drops New Project 'The Voice' f/ King Von, Young Thug, 6lack, and More". Complex. Retrieved December 24, 2020.
  4. ^ "The voice sep4th link not in bio 🥶". August 28, 2020. Retrieved December 24, 2020 – via Twitter.
  5. ^ A., Aron (September 7, 2020). "Lil Durk Confirms "The Voice" Album Is Coming Soon". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved January 5, 2021.
  6. ^ Coscarelli, Joe (November 6, 2020). "King Von, Up-and-Coming Chicago Rapper, Shot and Killed in Atlanta". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved December 24, 2020.
  7. ^ "King Von Reportedly In Critical Condition After Shoot Out With Quando Rondo's Crew". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved December 24, 2020.
  8. ^ "Rapper King Von, 2 others, fatally shot in Atlanta". NBC News. Retrieved December 24, 2020.
  9. ^ Blistein, Jon (November 6, 2020). "Rising Rapper King Von Dead at 26 After Shooting in Atlanta". Rolling Stone. Retrieved December 24, 2020.
  10. ^ Zidel, Alex (December 21, 2020). "Lil Durk Pays Tribute To King Von In Surprise Single "Backdoor"". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved January 5, 2021.
  11. ^ "Lil Durk - The Voice (Official Music Video)". September 4, 2020. Retrieved December 24, 2020 – via YouTube.
  12. ^ "Lil Durk - Stay Down feat. 6lack & Young Thug (Official Music Video)". October 30, 2020. Retrieved December 24, 2020 – via YouTube.
  13. ^ "Lil Durk - Backdoor (Official Music Video)". December 21, 2020. Retrieved December 24, 2020 – via YouTube.
  14. ^ Thomas, Fred. "The Voice – Lil Durk". AllMusic. Retrieved December 24, 2020.
  15. ^ Thomas, Fred. "The Voice Review by Fred Thomas". Allmusic. Retrieved December 24, 2020.
  16. ^ a b c d "Playboi Carti Lands First No. 1 Album on Billboard 200 Chart With 'Whole Lotta Red'". Billboard. January 3, 2021. Retrieved January 9, 2021.
  17. ^ "Taylor Swift's 'Evermore' Back at No. 1 for Third Week on Billboard 200 Chart". Billboard. January 10, 2021. Retrieved January 11, 2021.
  18. ^ "Morgan Wallen's 'Dangerous: The Double Album' Debuts at No. 1 on Billboard 200, Breaks Country Streaming Record". Billboard. January 17, 2021. Retrieved January 22, 2021.
  19. ^ "Lil Durk's 'The Voice' Album Reportedly Gold-Eligible Following 'GOAT,' 'Chicago JAY-Z' Claims". HipHopDX. March 4, 2021. Retrieved May 4, 2021.
  20. ^ "Sony Music Entertainment Acquires Alamo Records - Sony Music". June 22, 2021.
  21. ^ "The Voice (Deluxe) by Lil Durk on Apple Music". Retrieved January 28, 2021 – via Apple Music.
  22. ^ "Ultratop.be – Lil Durk – The Voice" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved January 1, 2021.
  23. ^ "Lil Durk Chart History (Canadian Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved January 11, 2021.
  24. ^ "Dutchcharts.nl – Lil Durk – The Voice" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved January 1, 2021.
  25. ^ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved January 1, 2021.
  26. ^ "Lil Durk Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved January 11, 2021.
  27. ^ "Lil Durk Chart History (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved January 11, 2021.
  28. ^ "Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 2021". Billboard. Retrieved December 3, 2021.
  29. ^ "Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums – Year-End 2021". Billboard. Retrieved December 3, 2021.
  30. ^ "Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 2022". Billboard. Retrieved December 4, 2022.
  31. ^ "British album certifications – Lil Durk – The Voice". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved May 28, 2023.
  32. ^ "American album certifications – Lil Durk – The Voice". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved May 19, 2022.
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