Mr. Crawford (album) explained

Mr. Crawford is the debut studio album by American rapper NoCap. It was released on April 29, 2022, through Atlantic Records and Never Broke Again.^[1] The album features production from several established producers in the rap industry such as Einer Bankz, Nick Mira, Take a Daytrip, and Taz Taylor.

Mr. Crawford was supported by five singles: "Vaccine", "Vaccine (Falling Star)", "I'll Be Here", "Shackles to Diamonds", and "Save the Day". The album received generally positive reviews from music critics. It debuted at number eight on the US Billboard 200 chart, earning 29,000 album-equivalent units in its first week.

Background

The album's title relates to NoCap's birth name, Kobe Vidal Crawford.^[2]

On March 16, 2022, via Facebook, Cap changed his profile picture to an alternate cover art.^[3] NoCap announced the official release of the album via social media on March 28, 2022, while leaving a message for his supporters:^[4]

Singles

The album's first two singles, "Vaccine" and "Vaccine (Falling Star)", were released on August 8, 2021, exclusively on YouTube;^[5] it was released to streaming services on August 19, 2021.^[6] The album's third single, "I'll Be Here", was released on February 24, 2022, also exclusively on YouTube; it was released on all digital platforms on March 15, 2022.^[7] The album's fourth single "Shackles to Diamonds" was released on March 16, 2022.^[8] The album's fifth and final single "Save The Day" featuring Kodak Black was released on April 21, 2022.^[9]

Critical reception

Mr. Crawford received positive reviews by music critics. AllMusic compares the album to NoCap's 2020 mixtape Steel Human as they share the same "Auto-Tuned melodies and fluid, quick-switching flows." The review notes that after sampling Jay-Z and Lil Wayne, NoCap "takes enormous steps forward with this debut as he presents more depth and personality than ever before."

Commercial performance

Mr. Crawford debuted at number eight on the US Billboard 200 chart, earning 29,000 album-equivalent units (including 300 copies in pure album sales) in its first week.^[10] The album also accumulated a total of 40.07 million on-demand streams of the album's songs.^[10]

Personnel

• Al'Geno – mixing (1, 3, 4, 6–14, 16–18, 21), mastering (1, 6–14, 16–18, 21)
• Jason "Cheese" Goldberg – mixing (2, 5, 15, 19, 20), mastering (2–5, 15, 19, 20)

Charts

Chart (2022)! scope="col"

Peak position
US Billboard 200[11]	8
US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard)[12]	4

Notes and References

1. Web site: NoCap Taps Kodak Black, NBA Youngboy & More For "Mr Crawford". HotNewHipHop. April 29, 2022 . April 29, 2022.
2. Web site: NoCap Before They Were Famous Kobe Crawford Life Before Fame. . 14 March 2021 .
3. Web site: Facebook. .
4. Web site: Instagram.
5. Web site: Zidel . Alex . NoCap Returns With New Single "Vaccine" . . 28 July 2023 . August 10, 2021.
6. Web site: Vaccine by NoCap on Apple Music. August 19, 2021. Apple Music. July 28, 2023.
7. Web site: NoCap proclaims "I'll Be Here" in new visual. Revolt. Powell. Jon. February 28, 2022. February 28, 2022.
8. Web site: NoCap Finds A Glimmer Of Hope On "Shackles To Diamonds". HotNewHipHop. A.. Aron. March 16, 2022. March 16, 2022.
9. Web site: NoCap Enlists Kodak Black On "Save The Day". HotNewHipHop. A.. Aron. April 21, 2022. April 21, 2022.
10. 2022-05-08 . Future Earns Eighth No. 1 Album on Billboard 200 With 'I Never Liked You' . 2022-09-29 . Billboard.
11. Billboard 200: Week of May 14, 2022. Billboard. July 25, 2023.
12. Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums: Week of May 14, 2022. Billboard. July 25, 2023.