Living Legend (Gunplay album)

Living Legend is the debut studio album by American rapper Gunplay. The album was released on July 31, 2015, by Maybach Music Group and Def Jam Recordings. The album was supported by the singles "Tell 'Em", "Wuzhanindoe", "Be Like Me" and "Blood on the Dope".

Living Legend
Studio album by
Gunplay
ReleasedJuly 31, 2015
Recorded2013–15
GenreHip hop
Length50:04
Label
Producer
  • Andrew Balogh
  • Black Saun
  • The Beat Bully
  • DJ Mustard
  • D. Rich
  • DJ Pain 1
  • Eddie Montilla
  • Isak Swing
  • K Da Komposer
  • Mike Mulah
  • Mighty Joe
  • Onassis
  • Roc & Mayne
  • Suit Gang
  • Tyler Woods
  • The Mekanics
Singles from Living Legend
  1. "Tell 'Em"
    Released: March 13, 2015
  2. "Wuzhanindoe"
    Released: June 2, 2015
  3. "Be Like Me"
    Released: July 10, 2015
  4. "Blood on the Dope"
    Released: July 17, 2015

Background

In November 2012, Gunplay stated the album would be released in 2013.[1] In June 2014, in an interview with XXL, he spoke about the sound of the album, saying: "It’s going to be something for the world, not just for the hood. I’m already a hood nigga—I got hood tracks on there—but I want take it to that next level."[2] He explained the meaning behind the album title, saying: "I think the title fits me perfect. I elaborate on that a few times on the album to let y’all know why I am a Living Legend.”[2] Later he said: "It’s gonna mean a lot to me and this title Living Legend, ’cause I been through 100 percent more than what these rap niggas been through, what the average nigga on the street been through and I’m still here. And I think it calls for a celebration and a title like Living Legend will embody that whole situation."[3]

Singles

On March 13, 2015, the album's lead single "Tell 'Em Daddy" was released.[4] On June 2, 2015, the album's second single "Wuzhanindoe" featuring YG was released.[5] On July 1, 2015, the music video was released for "Wuzhanindoe" featuring YG.[6] On July 10, 2015, the album's third single "Be Like Me" featuring Rick Ross was released.[7] On The July 17, 2015, the album's fourth single "Blood on the Dope" featuring PJK was released.[8]

Critical reception
Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
Metacritic68/100[9]
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[10]
Billboard[11]
HipHopDX[12]
Pitchfork Media6.5/10[13]
Rolling Stone[14]
XXL (L)[15]

Living Legend received generally positive reviews from music critics. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream critics, the album received an average score of 68 based on 8 reviews, which indicates "generally favorable reviews".[9] David Jeffries of AllMusic said, "Being able to bellow like Busta Rhymes or Ludacris just makes everything bang harder, and with a lean 11 cuts on the album's normal release, Living Legend is a non-stop gangsta party connected to the street, offering a more approachable alternative to Ross' grandiose LPs."[10] Jesse Fairfax of HipHopDX stated, "Gunplay’s repetitively destructive themes come as no shock given his stage name. While his long journey has finally paid off, Living Legend lacks it factor to have listeners clamoring for a follow-up anytime soon."[12] David Drake of Pitchfork Media called it "a consistent release with no substantial misfires, full of densely packed verbiage and grand gestures, reminiscent of a time when technique, style, and personality seemed inseparable, interrelated qualities in a rapper's arsenal."[13]

Track listing
Living Legend — Standard edition
No.TitleProducer(s)Length
1."Tell 'Em"D. Rich4:15
2."Just Won't Do" (featuring PJK)Mike Mulah3:22
3."Be Like Me" (featuring Rick Ross)The Beat Bully4:06
4."Only 1"
3:16
5."From Da Jump" (featuring Triple C's)Andrew Balogh4:29
6."Wuzhanindoe" (featuring YG)DJ Mustard3:07
7."Chain Smokin'" (featuring Stalley and Currensy)
  • K Da Komposer
  • Mighty Joe
  • Montilla
5:39
8."White Bitch"Isak Swing4:13
9."Blood on the Dope" (featuring Yo Gotti and PJK)Roc & Mayne5:57
10."Dark Dayz"
  • Onassis
  • The Mekanics
6:09
11."Leave Da Game" (featuring Masspike Miles)DJ Pain 15:31

Charts
Chart (2015) Peak
position
US Billboard 200[16] 171
US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard)[17] 17
US Top Rap Albums (Billboard)[18] 11
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References
  1. "Gunplay Promises Debut Album For Spring 2013". HipHopDX. 2012-11-30. Retrieved 2015-07-12.
  2. Emmanuel C.M. (2014-06-13). "Gunplay Gives A Complete Update On His Album 'Living Legend'". Xxlmag.com. Retrieved 2015-07-12.
  3. "Exclusive: Gunplay Talks Growing Up In Miami, Bobby Shmurda & His Debut Album, 'Living Legend'". The Source. Retrieved 2015-07-12.
  4. "iTunes – Music – Tell 'Em Daddy – Single by Gunplay". Itunes.apple.com. 2015-03-13. Retrieved 2015-07-12.
  5. "iTunes – Music – Wuzhanindoe (feat. YG) – Single by Gunplay". Itunes.apple.com. 2015-06-02. Retrieved 2015-07-12.
  6. Leight, Elias (2015-07-01). "Watch Gunplay And YG In The "Wuzhanindoe" Video". The Fader. Retrieved 2015-07-12.
  7. "Be Like Me [feat. Rick Ross] [Explicit]: Gunplay: MP3 Downloads". Amazon.com. Retrieved 2015-08-01.
  8. "Blood On The Dope [feat. PJK] [Explicit]: Gunplay: MP3 Downloads". Amazon.com. Retrieved 2015-08-01.
  9. "Reviews for Living Legend by Gunplay". Metacritic. 2015-07-31. Retrieved 2015-08-05.
  10. David Jeffries (2015-07-31). "Living Legend – Gunplay | Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved 2015-08-05.
  11. "Rapper Gunplay Shows Both Sides of His Personality on Wild Debut 'Living Legend': Album Review". Billboard. 2015-07-31. Retrieved 2015-08-05.
  12. Fairfax, Jesse (2015-08-06). "Gunplay – Living Legend". HipHopDX. Retrieved 2015-08-10.
  13. "Gunplay: Living Legend". Pitchfork. 2015-07-30. Retrieved 2015-08-05.
  14. Weingarten, Christopher R. (2015-08-06). "Gunplay's New Album: Living Legend". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2015-08-10.
  15. "Gunplay Finally Proves His Worth on 'Living Legend'". Xxlmag.com. 2015-08-05. Retrieved 2015-08-10.
  16. "Gunplay Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved September 1, 2015.
  17. "Gunplay Chart History (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved September 1, 2015.
  18. "Gunplay Chart History (Top Rap Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved September 1, 2015.
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