Gemini (Macklemore album)

Gemini (stylized as GEMINI) is the second solo studio album by American rapper Macklemore. It was released on September 22, 2017, via Bendo LLC. The first album he did without producer Ryan Lewis since his 2005 solo effort The Language of My World, Macklemore wanted to create a record devoid of any political subject matter and just about having a good time. Reviews for the album were positive from critics. Gemini was supported by three singles: "Glorious", "Marmalade" and "Good Old Days".

Gemini
Studio album by Macklemore
Released	September 22, 2017 (2017-09-22)
Studio	Macklemore, (Seattle) The Gift Shop, (Los Angeles)
Genre	Pop-rap[1]
Length	60:19
Label	Bendo, ADA
Producer	Budo Jake One Macklemore Sam Wish Tyler Dopps
Macklemore chronology
The Unplanned Mixtape (2009) Gemini (2017)
Singles from Gemini
"Glorious" Released: June 15, 2017 "Marmalade" Released: July 26, 2017 "Good Old Days" Released: September 22, 2017

Background

Gemini is Macklemore's first album without Ryan Lewis since the release of his solo album The Language of My World (2005). In an interview with Rolling Stone, Macklemore said of the album: "It's not extremely politically motivated or heavily subject- or concept-oriented. I think it's mostly the music that I wanted to hear. It's the music that I wanted to go get into my car and listen to. I wanted it to be fun."[2] He told Beats 1 radio host Zane Lowe about his new approach for this album: "I always try to get a different palette of sounds and textures and vibes. This album, I was in a good place man. There's some darker songs, for sure, but for the most part, if I'm in a happy place and life is good, that's going to be reflected in the music."

On August 22, 2017, Macklemore unveiled the album's track list and cover art.[3][4][5] He released a video teaser of the song "Willy Wonka", a collaboration with Offset, on September 8, 2017.[6] It features behind-the-scenes footage of the recording process.[7][8]

Singles

"Glorious" was released as the lead single from the album on June 15, 2017. It features a guest appearance from American singer Skylar Grey.[9] Its music video was released on July 6, 2017, in which Macklemore was seen traveling around Modesto, California with his grandmother.[10]

The second single from the album, "Marmalade", was released on July 26, 2017. It features a guest appearance from American rapper Lil Yachty.[11]

The collaboration with American singer-songwriter Kesha, "Good Old Days" was released as a promotional single from the album on September 19, 2017.[12] It was sent to adult contemporary radio October 9, 2017, as the album's third single.[13]

Critical reception

Professional ratings

Aggregate scores
Source	Rating
Metacritic	63/100[14]
Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	[15]
The A.V. Club	C[16]
Entertainment Weekly	B–[17]
Pitchfork	5.4/10[18]
Rolling Stone	[19]

Gemini received positive reviews from music critics. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream publications, the album received an average score of 63, based on 8 reviews.[14] Neil Yeung of AllMusic rated the album 4 stars out of 5, saying "While some fans might prefer Macklemore with Lewis, Gemini is a reminder that before the multi-platinum singles, hit albums, and thrift shop threads, he could handle himself just fine."[15] Jon Dolan of Rolling Stone said, "Macklemore's first post-fame LP minus longtime partner Ryan Lewis finds the Seattle MC unburdened by stardom or the social concern that turns his woke anthems into online firestorms."[19] Chuck Arnold of Entertainment Weekly gave the record a B− grade, noting the unevenness and length through the track listing but commended Macklemore for keeping it together with his personality and giving the project a "loose mixtape quality."[17] Clayton Purdom of The A.V. Club rated the album a C grade, criticizing the use of "drop-out catchphrases [and] horn solos and minutes-long American Idol-style belting," along with Macklemore's "earnest neediness" in his delivery, concluding that "the rapper's sentimentality and kitchen-sink production ethos land the record alongside Katy Perry's Witness in the post-Hamilton bargain bin."[16]

Track listing

Credits adapted from Tidal.[20]

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Producer(s)	Length
1.	"Ain't Gonna Die Tonight" (featuring Eric Nally)	Ben Haggerty Eric Nally Elan Wright Dave Dalton Joshua Karp Greg Kramer	Macklemore	3:34
2.	"Glorious" (featuring Skylar Grey)	Haggerty Holly Hafermann Karp Tyler Andrews Tyler Dopps	Dopps Budo	3:40
3.	"Marmalade" (featuring Lil Yachty)	Haggerty Miles McCollum Karp Andrews Dopps Joshua Rawlings	Budo Dopps	4:24
4.	"Willy Wonka" (featuring Offset)	Haggerty Karp Dopps Kiari Cephus	Budo Dopps Macklemore	3:42
5.	"Intentions" (featuring Dan Caplen)	Haggerty Dopps Karp Dan Caplen Jared Borkowski	Budo Dopps Macklemore	3:50
6.	"Good Old Days" (featuring Kesha)	Haggerty Kesha Sebert Karp Andrews Andrew Joslyn Sam Wishkoski	Budo	4:00
7.	"Levitate" (featuring Otieno Terry)	Haggerty Karp Andrews Rawlings Otieno Terry	Macklemore Budo	3:32
8.	"Firebreather" (featuring Reignwolf)	Haggerty Karp Andrews Rawlings	Budo	3:25
9.	"How to Play the Flute" (featuring King Draino)	Haggerty Dopps Andrews	Dopps	3:28
10.	"Ten Million"	Haggerty Karp Dopps Andrews	Budo Dopps	2:59
11.	"Over It" (featuring Donna Missal)	Haggerty Dopps Karp Rawlings Andrews Kristine Flaherty Caplen Donna Missal Samuel Ahana	Swish Macklemore Budo Dopps	3:38
12.	"Zara" (featuring Abir)	Haggerty Dopps Andrews Eric Keith Abir	Dopps	3:37
13.	"Corner Store" (featuring Dave B and Travis Thompson)	Haggerty Jacob Dutton Wishkoski Dopps Karp David Bowman Travis Thompson	Jake One Sam Wish Dopps	4:33
14.	"Miracle" (featuring Dan Caplen)	Haggerty Karp Dopps Andrews Caplen Andrew Joslyn	Dopps Budo	3:44
15.	"Church" (featuring Xperience)	Haggerty Karp Andrews	Budo Macklemore	4:10
16.	"Excavate" (featuring Saint Claire)	Haggerty Karp Andrews John Sinclair	Budo	3:56
Total length:				60:09

Notes

• "Glorious" features background vocals from Adam Aejaye Jackson, Will Wheaton, Oren Waters, Valerie Pinkston, Bridgett Bryant, Niomisha Renee Wilson, Harrison White, and Brenda McClure; and additional vocals from Donna Missal
• "Firebreather" features background vocals from Grace Love and Tyler Andrews
• "How to Play the Flute", "Corner Store", and "Excavate" features background vocals from Tyler Andrews
• "Church" features additional vocals from Jerome Welch

Charts

Weekly charts Chart (2017) Peak position Australian Albums (ARIA)[21] 3 Austrian Albums (Ö3 Austria)[22] 6 Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)[23] 25 Belgian Albums (Ultratop Wallonia)[24] 17 Canadian Albums (Billboard)[25] 1 Czech Albums (ČNS IFPI)[26] 2 Danish Albums (Hitlisten)[27] 13 Dutch Albums (Album Top 100)[28] 9 Finnish Albums (Suomen virallinen lista)[29] 5 French Albums (SNEP)[30] 16 German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)[31] 10 Irish Albums (IRMA)[32] 6 Italian Albums (FIMI)[33] 8 New Zealand Albums (RMNZ)[34] 3 Norwegian Albums (VG-lista)[35] 3 Scottish Albums (OCC)[36] 29 Spanish Albums (PROMUSICAE)[37] 33 Swedish Albums (Sverigetopplistan)[38] 7 Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade)[39] 3 UK Albums (OCC)[40] 13 US Billboard 200[41] 2 US Independent Albums (Billboard)[42] 1 US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard)[43] 1

Year-end charts Chart (2017) Position Australian Albums (ARIA)[44] 58 French Albums (SNEP)[45] 153 US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard)[46] 72 Chart (2018) Position French Albums (SNEP)[47] 190

Certifications

Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[48]	Gold	35,000
Canada (Music Canada)[49]	Gold	40,000
France (SNEP)[50]	Gold	50,000
Italy (FIMI)[51]	Gold	25,000^*
United States (RIAA)[52]	Gold	500,000
^*sales figures based on certification alone sales+streaming figures based on certification alone

See also

• List of number-one albums of 2017 (Canada)

References

1. Stephen Kearse (September 22, 2017). "Mackelmore Attempts Pop Rap But Makes Another Unruly Mess". Retrieved November 20, 2017.
2. Christopher, Weingarten (September 14, 2017). "Macklemore Talks 'Gemini,' His Upcoming Career Reset Without Ryan Lewis". Rolling Stone. Retrieved September 21, 2017.
3. Peter, Berry (August 22, 2017). "Here's the Cover and Tracklist for Macklemore's 'Gemini' Album". XXL. Retrieved September 21, 2017.
4. Carl, Lamarre (August 22, 2017). "Macklemore Announces 'Gemini' Album With Features From Lil Yachty, Kesha & Skylar Grey". Billboard. Retrieved September 21, 2017.
5. Winston, Cook-Wilson (August 22, 2017). "Macklemore Announces New Solo Album Gemini Featuring Kesha, Offset, Lil Yachty, and More". Spin. Retrieved September 21, 2017.
6. C. Vernon, Coleman II (September 10, 2017). "Macklemore Previews New Offset Collab "Willy Wonka"". XXL. Retrieved September 21, 2017.
7. Kevin, Goddard (September 8, 2017). "Macklemore Previews Upcoming Offset Collaboration "Willy Wonka"". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved September 21, 2017.
8. "Macklemore Previews Offset Collaboration 'Willy Wonka'". Rap-Up. September 8, 2017. Retrieved September 21, 2017.
9. Gaca, Anna (June 15, 2017). "Macklemore Releases New Song "Glorious" Off First "Solo" Album in 12 Years". Spin. Retrieved September 22, 2017.
10. Moniuszko, Sara M (July 7, 2017). "Macklemore marks his grandma's 100th birthday with 'Glorious' video". USA Today. Retrieved September 22, 2017.
11. "New Music: Macklemore feat. Lil Yachty – 'Marmalade'". Rap-Up. July 26, 2017. Retrieved September 22, 2017.
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13. "Hot/Modern/AC Future Releases". All Access Music Group. Archived from the original on October 6, 2017. Retrieved October 6, 2017.CS1 maint: BOT: original-url status unknown (link)
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48. "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2019 Albums". Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved September 1, 2019.
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50. "French album certifications – Macklemore – Gemini" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Retrieved July 2, 2019.
51. "Italian album certifications – Macklemore – Gemini" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved July 27, 2020. Select "2020" in the "Anno" drop-down menu. Select "Gemini" in the "Filtra" field. Select "Album e Compilation" under "Sezione".
52. "American album certifications – Macklemore – Gemini". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved August 15, 2018. If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Album, then click SEARCH.