AI YoungBoy is the seventh solo mixtape by American rapper YoungBoy Never Broke Again. It was released on August 4, 2017, by Never Broke Again, distributed by Atlantic Records, serving as his first commercial release with Atlantic. – Apple Music – Spotify The mixtape features guest appearances from Peewee Longway and Yo Gotti. The mixtape also features production from Dubba-AA, DJ Swift, CashMoneyAP, DJ Shawdi P, and Nard & B, among others. The mixtape peaked at number 24 on the US Billboard 200, making YoungBoy's first entry on the chart.
The mixtape was supported by two singles: "Untouchable" and "No Smoke". – Apple Music
A sequel was released on October 11, 2019.
Promotion
Singles The lead single from the mixtape, "Untouchable", was released on May 30, 2017, with the accompanied music video. The song was produced by D. Brooks Exclusive. – YouTube
The second single and final single from the mixtape, "No Smoke", was released on August 3, 2017, with the accompanied music video, before the mixtape was released. The song was produced by DJ Chose. – YouTube
Music videos The music video, "Graffiti", was released on July 28, 2017. – YouTube
The music video, "Wat Chu Gone Do" featuring American rapper Peewee Longway, was released on August 18, 2017. – YouTube
Critical reception
AI YoungBoy received positive reviews from music critics. Writing for Pitchfork, Sheldon Pearce noted that "the teenage rapper from Baton Rouge is quiet outside his raps, which teem with pent-up aggression and anxiety," because of this, he continued that "many songs read like journal entries." Continuing his review, Pearce states that YoungBoy "spills his guts in a grisly drawl still coated in a nasally boyish rasp, constantly negotiating the terms of innocence and indecency." Pearce concludes his review by writing that "AI YoungBoy he evolves as a writer and rapper, and he begins to realize his versatility."
Year-end lists +Select year-end rankings of AI YoungBoyPublicationListRankMass Appeal The 25 Best Albums of 2017 18Jon Caramanica for The New York TimesBest Albums of 201719Noisey The 100 Best Albums of 2017 45
Commercial performance AI YoungBoy debuted at 24 on the US Billboard 200, which became YoungBoy's first entry on the chart. The mixtape also debuted at number 17 on the US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums and at number 12 on the US Top Rap Albums charts, which was also YoungBoy's first entry on both charts as well. On August 4, 2020, the album was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for combined sales and album-equivalent units of over a million units in the United States.American album certifications – YoungBoy Never Broke Again – AI YoungBoy". Recording Industry Association of America
Track listing Track listing and credits were adapted from Spotify and Genius.
Charts
Weekly charts +Weekly chart performance for AI YoungBoyChart (2017)Peakposition
Year-end charts + 2017 year-end chart performance for AI YoungBoy Chart (2017) Position US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard) 71 + 2018 year-end chart performance for AI YoungBoy Chart (2018) Position US Billboard 200 178 US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard) 81
Certifications
References