T.I.N.T. (an acronym for This Is Not The Album) is the debut mixtape by Ghanaian singer Efya, issued by One Nation Entertainment on 11 November 2013. The mixtape features a sole guest appearance from rapper Blackmagic, and was released for free digital download. T.I.N.T. is a collection of previously released singles and tracks that were left off of her debut album, Janesis (2016).

It comprises thirteen tracks and yielded the singles "A Moment's Notice", "Little Things", "Sexy Sassy Wahala", "Cigarette", "Get Away", "Best in Me", "Falou", and "Weather 4 Two". The mixtape's production was handled by Richie Mensah, Jayso, Kwame Yeboah, Ikon, Savior Beatz, and Starkeep Production, among others. On 1 January 2014, T.I.N.T. appeared on iTunes and other music platforms with only ten tracks.

Background and promotion In 2006, Efya participated in Charterhouse's Stars of the Future television show, placing third behind winner Irene Logan and first runner-up Ramzy. She formed the duo Irene & Jane with Logan after securing a three-year recording contract with Charterhouse. The duo released their collaborative album, Unveiled, before disbanding and pursuing solo careers. After her contract with Charterhouse ended, Efya recorded songs at Jay Soul's Adenta studios, collaborated with underground and mainstream acts, and performed at several events across Accra. She also recorded songs for her debut album, Janesis, at Lynx Entertainment studios.

T.I.N.T. is a collection of previously released singles and tracks that did not make Janesis. It was issued by One Nation Entertainment on 11 November 2013, and features a sole guest appearance from rapper Blackmagic. The mixtape's production was handled by Richie Mensah, Jayso, Kwame Yeboah, Ikon, Savior Beatz, and Starkeep Production, among others. In an interview with ARISE magazine, Efya said love is the overall theme of the mixtape and that the record is about "the good, the bad, the ugly, the heartbreak, the pains, the highs, and lows of life". T.I.N.T. was made available for free digital download on the website efyasworld.com. It comprises thirteen tracks and yielded the singles "A Moment's Notice", "Little Things", "Sexy Sassy Wahala", "Cigarette", "Get Away", "Best in Me", "Falou", and "Weather 4 Two". On 1 January 2014, T.I.N.T. appeared on iTunes and other music platforms with only ten tracks.

To promote the mixtape, Efya performed at several events across the globe. In June 2012, she performed "Cigarette" with a live band at Drom, a music venue in New York City, and sang a rendition of the song for MsYouTV three months later. On 25 April 2013, Efya performed several songs from T.I.N.T. to patrons at Nairobi's Carnivore restaurant. The following day, she performed at the Tusker-sponsored Jazz Nights festival, which occurred at the Kampala Serena Hotel in Uganda. In August 2013, Efya further promoted T.I.N.T. by performing songs from it at Art-Rageous, an art and live music event sponsored by One Nation. The event occurred at Republic Bar in Osu and featured nude models covered in paint.

Singles In 2009, Efya released the lead single, "A Moment's Notice", under the moniker Jane. The track was featured in the film The Perfect Picture, along with "Nothing". The accompanying music video for "A Moment's Notice" was directed by Nana Asihene and Paa Kwesi David. The video was filmed at various locations, including the Dei Center in Tesano. "A Moment's Notice" later made its premiere on Channel O in April 2012. The second single, "Little Things", was released on 23 November 2010. The song marked the singer's first solo release since leaving Irene & Jane.

In 2011, Efya released the third single "Sexy Sassy Wahala", and performed it during the Stars of the Future Season 5 finale that same year. The song serves as the title track for the third chapter of Adams Apples, a Ghanaian film series developed by Shirley Frimpong-Manso. Efya made a cameo appearance on the series, performing a rendition of the song. "Sexy Sassy Wahala" was nominated for Best Music (Original Song) at the 2011 Ghana Movie Awards, and earned Efya a nomination for Best Female Video at the 2011 4Syte TV Music Video Awards. The fourth single, "Cigarette", was released on 14 July 2011. Mandela Gregoire filmed the song's accompanying music video in Miami.

On 14 November 2011, Efya released the fifth single "Get Away", which was initially titled "The Get Away". The music video for the song was released in October 2012. The sixth single, "Best in Me", was released on 14 February 2012. The song won Record of the Year and was nominated for Afro Pop Song of the Year at the 2013 Ghana Music Awards. The music video for "Best In Me" was filmed by Big OJ Films; Sarkodie played Efya's love interest in the video. On 21 June 2012, Efya released the seventh single "Falou", which is a cover of Duncan Mighty's hit track "Obianuju". The eighth single, "Weather 4 Two", was released on 10 August 2013. The song was produced by Savior Beatz and labeled a "sensual and seductive" tune.

Music and lyrics Comprising thirteen tracks, T.I.N.T. is a mixture of neo soul, jazz, and R&B. The opening track, "This Life", was produced by Jayso and is a Latin-inspired song. "Little Things" was written by Asem and produced by Richie Mensah; it was partially recorded in Twi and is driven by "guitar twangs" and "soft adlibs". On the record, Efya talks about silly things that people do when they become complacent with their significant other. The soulful ballad "A Moment's Notice" features a soul-inspired theme. "Weather 4 Two", a slow, sensual song, has layers of seductive vocals, sleek synths, and atmospheric sounds. On the record, Efya talks about the sensation that one experiences when they engage in intimacy. Afropop Worldwides Zachary Toporek commended the song's production and Efya's vocal performance.

"Sexy Sassy Wahala", an upbeat Afro rock track, was sung predominantly in Ghanaian Pidgin English. "Nothing" is a melodic, Afro-soul track that was recorded in Twi and Yoruba. "Falou", a cover of Duncan Mighty's single "Obianuju", blends lyrics from the original song with music from Hans Zimmer's Inception soundtrack. "Cigarette" is reminiscent of Erykah Badu's music. Efya likened the song to a cigarette and said it is about holding onto the people in our lives even when we know they are bad for us. The Blackmagic-assisted track "Commot" is a blend of soul and jazz. "Body", a cover of Chris Brown's "Don't Judge Me", addresses the media's encroachment into her life.

Critical reception T.I.N.T. received generally positive reviews from music critics. In a review for Nigerian Entertainment Today, Ayomide Tayo awarded the mixtape 4 stars out of 5, describing it as "a soulful blend of songs mixed with West African sensibilities". Tayo also said the mixtape is "filled with layered and soulful production which doesn't overshadow Efya's rich voice".

Track listing

Notes "—" denotes an unknown producer

Personnel Jane Awindor – primary artist, writer Efemena Mukoro – featured artist, writer Nana Mensah – writer Paul Donkor – production Richie Mensah – production Savior Beatz – production Kwame Yeboah – Starkeep Production – production

Release history Country/Digital platform Date Version Format LabelGhanaNovember 11, 2013StandardOne Nation EntertainmentSpinletiTunesJanuary 1, 2014

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