The Life and Times of Jonny Valiant

The Life and Times of Jonny Valiant is the first studio album by the American rapper Rittz. The album was released on April 30, 2013, by Strange Music.[1] The album has guest appearances by Big K.R.I.T., Mike Posner, Suga Free, Tech N9ne, Krizz Kaliko and Yelawolf.

The Life and Times of Jonny Valiant
Studio album by
Rittz
ReleasedApril 30, 2013
Recorded2012-2013
GenreHip hop
Length59:38
LabelStrange Music
ProducerTrack Bangas, Coop Take Off On Em, Five Points Music Group, Matic Lee, Jonathan McCollum, Kasper Brightside, L. David McCollum, Mike Posner, Lester Mendez, M. Stacks, Lifted, Bunson & Beaker Beats
Rittz chronology
The Life and Times of Jonny Valiant
(2013)		 Next to Nothing
(2014)
Singles from The Life and Times of Jonny Valiant
  1. "Switch Lanes"
    Released: April 12, 2013

Background

In August 2012, Rittz signed to Tech N9ne's Strange Music record label.[2] In November 2012, in an interview with HipHopDX, Rittz explained that he was 11 songs into his first album, saying, "With the 11 songs that I got already, the way I work is that I get the base set. If I can get the base set of the overall sound I’m looking for - the vibe of the album - then I can sprinkle in the other types of records. Story song, insert here. Girl song, insert here. But the music; the production; the beats actually set the tone. I think I’ve gotten that. So, as long as I’ve gotten that - I was a little worried at first because I wasn’t set on the beats. But now I got it. Now it’s just time to put in the spices and make it a complete thing."[3][4]

Singles

The first video for the album was released on March 28, 2013, for the song "For Real".[5] The first single, "Switch Lanes" featuring Mike Posner, was released on April 12, 2013.[6] On April 10, 2013, the music video was released for "Like I Am".[7] On May 13, 2013, the music video was released for "Switch Lanes" featuring Mike Posner.[8]

Critical response
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
DJBooth[9]
Exclaim!5/10[10]
HipHopDX[11]
XXL (XL)[12]

The Life and Times of Jonny Valiant was met with generally positive reviews from music critics. Edwin Ortiz of HipHopDX gave the album four out of five stars, saying, "While Rittz hasn’t yet reached his recording pinnacle, The Life And Times Of Jonny Valiant provides a thorough impression of his abilities as well as what he can strive for in the coming years. Going on nearly two decades since he first grasped the notion of becoming an emcee, it may have taken longer than expected, but Rittz is finally seeing the fruits of his labor flourish."[11] David Jeffries of AllMusic gave the album a positive review, saying, "This debut effort should still satisfy those who follow Tech N9ne and the Strange Music roster, as stoner anthems, swaggering club music, and punch line-filled putdowns are the man's bread and butter."[13] Dave William of XXL gave the album an XL, saying, "While these struggles might seem like a bit of a downer on paper, Rittz should win over listeners with the unmistakable honesty he raps with. He’s a highly affable “underdog,” one who can rap about his misfortunes with confidence, hope and determination."[12]

Nathan S. of DJBooth gave the album four out of five stars, saying, "Hip-hop needs someone every outsider can relate to, someone who remains dedicated to being himself (and sounds damn good in the process). If Rittz can continue to do that, and Jonny Valiant suggests he can, he’ll attract more fans than any poser possibly could."[9] Peter Marrack of Exclaim! gave the album five out of ten, saying, "One of the few uplifting moments on Rittz's new album occurs when he's shouting out his homies in Toronto — Droppin' Knowledge booked Rittz for a spot date in late 2011, which contributed to the Atlanta, GA rapper's early buzz. The rest of the album is morose, a diatribe against commercial rap bloated with personal confessions."[10]

Commercial performance

In its first week of release the album entered the Billboard 200 at number 25 and sold 14,000 copies in the United States.[14] In its second week the album sold 3,200 copies.[15] In its third week, the album sold 2,300 copies bringing its total sales to 19,000.[16]

Track listing
No.TitleProducer(s)[17]Length
1."Intro"Track Bangas2:07
2."My Interview"Five Points Music Group4:17
3."Like I Am"M. Stacks3:51
4."Fuck Swag"Lifted2:54
5."Wastin Time" (featuring Big K.R.I.T.)Kasper Brightside4:51
6."Goin In"Five Points Music Group4:25
7."Always Gon Be" (featuring Mike Posner)Coop Take Off On Em2:59
8."My Clothes (Interlude)" 1:40
9."Amen"Five Points Music Group3:49
10."For Real"Lifted3:31
11."Sober" (featuring Suga Free)Five Points Music Group3:27
12."Say No More" (featuring Tech N9ne & Krizz Kaliko)Matic Lee5:00
13."Switch Lanes" (featuring Mike Posner)Lester Mendez & Mike Posner3:24
14."Misery Loves Company"Matic Lee4:18
15."Heaven" (featuring Yelawolf)Five Points Music Group4:10
16."All Around the World"Jonathan McCollum, L. David McCollum4:55
Total length:59:38
Deluxe edition bonus tracks
No.TitleProducer(s)Length
17."Gravy" 3:55
18."Never Lettin' Go" 3:46
19."Drift Away"Bunson & Beaker Beats3:35
Total length:1:10:54
Strange Music pre-order digital bonus track
No.TitleLength
20."Same Shit, Different Day"3:15

Charts
Chart (2013) Peak
position
US Billboard 200[18] 25
US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard)[19] 8
US Independent Albums (Billboard)[20] 6
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References
  1. "The Life and Times of Jonny Valiant (Deluxe Edition) by Rittz". Itunes. April 30, 2013. Retrieved May 8, 2013.
    - "The Life and Times of Jonny Valiant (Deluxe Edition)". Amazon. Retrieved May 8, 2013.
  2. "XXcLusive: Tech N9ne's Strange Music Signs Rittz". XXL. August 29, 2012. Retrieved May 8, 2013.
  3. Company, The (November 29, 2012). "Rittz Ponders Why He Isn't Mentioned Amongst Other White Rappers, Explains "Two Atlantas"". HipHop DX. Retrieved May 8, 2013.
  4. Nguyen, Michael (April 30, 2013). "Rittz Affirms "Fuck Swag" Stance; Says He Doesn't Believe In Selling Out". HipHop DX. Retrieved May 8, 2013.
  5. "Rittz - For Real - Official Music Video". YouTube. Retrieved May 8, 2013.
  6. "Switch Lanes (feat. Mike Posner) - Single by Rittz". Itunes. April 12, 2013. Retrieved May 8, 2013.
  7. "Rittz - "Like I Am"". HipHop DX. April 10, 2013. Retrieved May 8, 2013.
  8. "Rittz f. Mike Posner - "Switch Lanes"". HipHop DX. May 13, 2013. Retrieved May 22, 2013.
  9. S., Nathan. "Rittz - The Life And Times Of Jonny Valiant". DJBooth.net. Retrieved May 10, 2013.
  10. Marrack, Peter (April 8, 2013). "Rittz - The Life and Times of Jonny Valiant". Exclaim. Retrieved October 9, 2013.
  11. Ortiz, Edwin (April 29, 2013). "Rittz - The Life And Times Of Jonny Valiant". HipHop DX. Retrieved May 8, 2013.
  12. "Album Review: Rittz, The Life And Times Of Jonny Valiant". Xxlmag.com. April 8, 2013. Retrieved May 22, 2013.
  13. Jeffries, David (April 30, 2013). "The Life and Times of Jonny Valiant - Rittz : Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved May 8, 2013.
  14. Paine, Jake. "Hip Hop Album Sales: The Week Ending 5/5/2013". HipHop DX. Retrieved May 8, 2013.
  15. "Hip Hop Album Sales: The Week Ending 5/12/2013". HipHopDX. Retrieved May 14, 2013.
  16. "Hip Hop Album Sales: The Week Ending 5/19/2013". HipHopDX. Retrieved May 22, 2013.
  17. "Rittz - The Life And Times Of Jonny Valiant". Ughh.com. Retrieved May 8, 2013.
  18. "Rittz Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved September 19, 2013.
  19. "Rittz Chart History (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved September 19, 2013.
  20. "Rittz Chart History (Independent Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved September 19, 2013.
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