Epiphany (T-Pain album)

Epiphany
Studio album by T-Pain
Released June 5, 2007
(See release history)
Recorded 2006–07
Genre R&B, hip hop
Length 56:09
Label Nappy Boy, Konvict, Jive
Producer T-Pain
T-Pain chronology
Rappa Ternt Sanga
(2005)		 Epiphany
(2007)		 Thr33 Ringz
(2008)
Singles from Epiphany
  1. "Buy U a Drank (Shawty Snappin')"
    Released: February 20, 2007
  2. "Bartender"
    Released: June 5, 2007
  3. "Church"
    Released: October 2, 2007

Epiphany is the second studio album by American record producer and recording artist T-Pain. It was released on June 5, 2007, by his record label Nappy Boy Entertainment, distributed by Akon's label Konvict Muzik and Jive Records. The album marks as a first for T-Pain; who launched his own record label Nappy Boy Entertainment. Critics gave the album positive reviews for T-Pain's production and his use of various characters throughout its track listing. Epiphany debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 and spawned three singles: "Buy U a Drank (Shawty Snappin')", "Bartender" and "Church".

Music and lyrics

The fifth track "I Got It" is a skit about people who have been diagnosed with this disease, called HIV. The sixth track "Suicide" is the following song about people who are thinking suicide after dealing with being diagnosed with HIV.

Singles

The album's lead single, "Buy U a Drank (Shawty Snappin')" was released on February 20, 2007. The song features guest vocals from a fellow southern hip hop rapper Yung Joc. T-Pain provides the production on this track. The song peaked at number one on the US Billboard Hot 100, making it his highest-charting single as a lead artist.

The album's second single, "Bartender" was released on June 5, 2007. The song features guest vocals from musician and his then label-mate Akon, with T-Pain, who also produced this track. The song peaked at number 5 on the US Billboard Hot 100.

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[1]
HipHopDX[2]
PopMatters[3]
Prefix(7/10)[4]
Rolling Stone[5]
Sputnikmusic(3.5/5)[6]

Epiphany received generally positive reviews from music critics, who drew comparisons to fellow R&B singer R. Kelly. Gentry Boeckel of PopMatters credited T-Pain on his production and use of various characters on the songs he wrote. He also said that his career will last more than other past R&B artists like Case, Joe and Tyrese concluding with, "T-Pain does seem posed for more success than those other guys. He may even be worth the verbiage, too."[3] John Hanson of Sputnikmusic also praised the album for its production, complimenting the songs (specifically the singles) saying, "T-Pain is starting to establish himself as a lasting source of entertainment in the vein of R. Kelly."[6] Vibe writer Chris Ryan also agreed with the R. Kelly similarities, praising the different facets of love and changes in genre, concluding that "Like any modern machine, T-Pain takes what he wants, strip it down, and gives it the voice of computer love."[7] Meka Udoh of HipHopDX credited songs like "Time Machine" and "Suicide" for bringing out a semi-serious T-Pain but was put off by his use of multiple characters throughout the album saying, "While Epiphany has its moments, it is also its schizophrenic nature that bogs the album down."[2] AllMusic editor David Jeffries questioned the album being 'mature', finding that side not mixing together with the party side of T-Pain's music.[1] Norman Mayers of Prefix criticized the album for bringing out "the worst stereotypes of black music and culture" in the R&B genre saying, "Epiphany is a profound statement on the poor quality and embarrassing content found in mainstream urban music."[4]

Commercial performance

Epiphany debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200, selling 171,126 copies in its first week. As of September 2008, the album has sold 819,000 copies in the United States.[8][9]

Track listing

No. Title Length
1. "Tallahassee Love" (featuring J Lyriq) 2:04
2. "Church" (featuring Teddy Verseti) 4:01
3. "Tipsy"   3:09
4. "Show U How" (featuring Teddy Verseti and Teddy Penderazdoun) 3:14
5. "I Got It"   1:54
6. "Suicide"   2:58
7. "Bartender" (featuring Akon) 3:58
8. "Backseat Action" (featuring Shawnna) 3:39
9. "Put It Down" (featuring Ray Lavender, Teddy Verseti and Teddy Penderazdoun) 3:40
10. "Time Machine"   2:52
11. "Yo Stomach" (featuring Tay Dizm) 4:18
12. "Buy U a Drank (Shawty Snappin')" (featuring Yung Joc) 3:47
13. "69" (featuring J Lyriq) 3:25
14. "Reggae Night"   1:37
15. "Shottas" (featuring Kardinal Offishall and Cham) 3:14
16. "Right Hand"   3:13
17. "Sounds Bad"   5:06
Total length:
 56:09
Sample credits

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (2007) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[10] 96
Japan (Oricon)[11] 72
US Billboard 200[12] 1
US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard)[13] 1

Year-end charts

Chart (2007) Position
US Billboard 200[14] 62
US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums[15] 21

Certifications

Region Certification Certified units/Sales
United States (RIAA)[16] Gold 500,000^

*sales figures based on certification alone
^shipments figures based on certification alone

Release history

Region Date Format Label
Denmark[17] June 1, 2007 Digital download, CD Jive Records
United Kingdom[18]
Canada[19] June 2, 2007
Japan[20]
Australia[21] June 4, 2007
United States[22] June 5, 2007

See also

References

  1. 1 2 Jeffries, David. "Epiphany - T-Pain". AllMusic. Retrieved August 4, 2011.
  2. 1 2 Udoh, Meka (July 9, 2007). "T-Pain - Epiphany". HipHopDX. Cheri Media Group. Retrieved March 7, 2015.
  3. 1 2 Boeckel, Gentry (September 17, 2007). "T-Pain: Epiphany". PopMatters. Retrieved March 7, 2015.
  4. 1 2 Mayers, Norman (July 19, 2007). "Album Review: T-Pain - Epiphany". Prefix. Prefix Media Inc. Retrieved March 7, 2015.
  5. ↑ Rolling Stone review at the Wayback Machine (archived July 26, 2008)
  6. 1 2 Hanson, John (November 10, 2007). "T-Pain - Epiphany (album review)". Sputnikmusic. Retrieved March 7, 2015.
  7. ↑ Ryan, Chris (August 2007). "T-Pain 'Epiphany'". Vibe. Vibe Media. 15 (8): 76. ISSN 1070-4701. Retrieved November 27, 2016.
  8. ↑ Katie Hasty, "T-Pain Soars To No. 1 Ahead Of Rihanna, McCartney", Billboard.com, June 13, 2007.
  9. ↑ "New T-Pain Album Due In Late September". Billboard.com. Retrieved 2012-02-15.
  10. ↑ "ARIA Report 979" (PDF). Pandora.nla.gov.au. Retrieved March 9, 2012.
  11. ↑ "Ｔ－ＰＡＩＮのCDアルバムランキング、Ｔ－ＰＡＩＮのプロフィールならオリコン芸能人事典-ORICON STYLE". Oricon.co.jp. Retrieved April 27, 2013.
  12. ↑ "T-Pain – Chart history" Billboard 200 for T-Pain. Retrieved March 9, 2015.
  13. ↑ "T-Pain – Chart history" Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums for T-Pain. Retrieved March 9, 2015.
  14. ↑ "Year-End Charts: Billboard 200 Albums - 2007". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved May 8, 2015.
  15. ↑ "Year-End Charts: R&B/Hip-Hop Albums - 2007". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved May 8, 2015.
  16. ↑ "American album certifications – T-Pain". Recording Industry Association of America. If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Album, then click SEARCH
  17. ↑ "iTunes - Music - Epiphany by T-Pain". iTunes (DK). Apple. Retrieved March 7, 2015.
  18. ↑ "iTunes - Music - Epiphany by T-Pain". iTunes (GB). Apple. Retrieved March 7, 2015.
  19. ↑ "iTunes - Music - Epiphany by T-Pain". iTunes (CA). Apple. Retrieved March 7, 2015.
  20. ↑ "iTunes - ミュージック - T-Pain「Epiphany」". iTunes (JP). Apple. Retrieved March 7, 2015.
  21. ↑ "iTunes - Music - Epiphany by T-Pain". iTunes (AU). Apple. Retrieved March 7, 2015.
  22. ↑ "iTunes - Music - Epiphany by T-Pain". iTunes (US). Apple. Retrieved March 7, 2015.

Further reading

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