Fever (mixtape)

{{redirect|Best You Ever Had|the [[John Legend]] song|Tonight (Best You Ever Had)}} {{Use mdy dates|date=May 2025}} {{Infobox album | name = Fever | type = mixtape | cover = Megan Thee Stallion - Fever.png | alt = | artist = [[Megan Thee Stallion]] | released = {{start date|2019|05|17}} | recorded = | genre = [[Hip-hop]] | length = 40:16 | label = *[[300 Entertainment|300]] * [[1501 Certified Entertainment|1501 Certified]] | producer = *Crazy Mike *DJ Chose *DJ WillAye *[[Juicy J]] *KC Supreme *Koncept P *[[LilJuMadeDaBeat]] *[[Project Pat]] *Prolivik Beeats *Suede *Supah Mario *DJ Zirk | prev_title = [[Tina Snow]] | prev_year = 2018 | next_title = [[Suga (EP)|Suga]] | next_year = 2020 | misc = {{Singles | name = Fever | type = mixtape | single1 = Sex Talk | single1date = March 22, 2019 | single2 = Realer | single2date = May 16, 2019 | single3 = [[Cash Shit]] | single3date = May 17, 2019 }} }}

'''''Fever''''' is the debut commercial [[mixtape]] by American rapper-songwriter [[Megan Thee Stallion]], released on May 17, 2019, via [[300 Entertainment]] and [[1501 Certified Entertainment]]. Primarily produced by [[LilJuMadeDaBeat]] and written by the rapper herself, it also features guest appearances from rappers [[DaBaby]] and [[Juicy J]]. ''Fever'' is a [[hip-hop]] record driven by minimal bass-heavy [[Trap music|trap]] production. It is widely considered by music critics as Megan Thee Stallion's mainstream breakthrough.<ref>{{Cite web|date=December 19, 2019|title=The best albums of 2019|url=https://www.thefader.com/2019/12/19/the--fader-best-albums-of-2019|access-date=November 29, 2020|website=[[The Fader]]}}</ref>

The mixtape received widespread acclaim from music critics, with many praising the rapper's delivery and [[Sex-positive movement|sex-positivity]]. Apart from being featured on various year-end lists, ''Fever'' also won the [[2019 BET Hip Hop Awards|BET Hip Hop Award]] for Best Mixtape. Commercially, it debuted at number 10 on the [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]], and was certified [[RIAA certification|gold]] in the United States by the [[Recording Industry Association of America]]. ''Fever'' also spawned the RIAA Quintuple-Platinum song "[[Cash Shit]]".

==Background and release== In April 2019, Megan Thee Stallion scored her first chart entry on the [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]] with the single "[[Big Ole Freak]]" from the EP ''[[Tina Snow]]'' (2018), signifying her mainstream popularization.<ref name=":7">{{Cite magazine|last=Gracie|first=Bianca|date=April 22, 2019|title=Chartbreaker: How Megan Thee Stallion's 'Big Ole Freak' Takes Ownership of Her Sexuality -- and the Rap Game|url=https://www.billboard.com/pro/megan-thee-stallion-debut-album-fever-interview/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190423023215/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/hip-hop/8507719/megan-thee-stallion-debut-album-fever-interview|archive-date=April 23, 2019|access-date=April 23, 2019|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|issn=0006-2510}}</ref> With this newly cumulated audience, the rapper formally announced the release of ''Fever'', alongside a trailer posted to her social media accounts on May 8, 2019, which introduces "Hot Girl Meg", an [[alter ego]] for the mixtape.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thefader.com/2019/05/03/megan-thee-stallion-fever-debut-album-may-17-release|title=Megan Thee Stallion's debut album Fever is dropping in two weeks|website=[[The Fader]]|last=Maicki|first=Salvatore|date=May 3, 2019|accessdate=May 10, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://thesource.com/2019/05/07/megan-thee-stallions-fever-project-is-coming-soon/|title=Megan Thee Stallion's 'Fever' Project is Coming Soon|work=[[The Source (magazine)|The Source]]|last=Johnson|first=Jasmine|date=May 7, 2019|accessdate=May 10, 2019}}</ref> The trailer is a snippet of the music video for "Realer" in which Hot Girl Meg drives in a red convertible with three other women.<ref name="Uproxx">{{cite web|last=Coley|first=Jordan|date=May 8, 2019|title=Megan Thee Stallion Announced That Her New Album 'Fever' Will Be Released This Month|url=https://uproxx.com/hiphop/megan-thee-stallion-fever/|accessdate=May 10, 2019|website=[[Uproxx]]}}</ref> The rapper officially revealed the album cover and tracklist on May 14, 2019.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Wass|first=Mike|date=May 14, 2019|title=Megan Thee Stallion Reveals Cover & Tracklist Of 'Fever'|url=https://www.idolator.com/7774544/megan-thee-stallion-cover-tracklist-fever|access-date=November 29, 2020|website=[[Idolator (website)|Idolator]]}}{{dead link|date=August 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Johnson|first=Jasmine|date=May 14, 2019|title=Megan Thee Stallion Reveals Track List for 'Fever'|url=https://respect-mag.com/2019/05/megan-thee-stallion-announces-fever-album-plus-track-list/|access-date=November 29, 2020|website=[[Respect (magazine)|Respect]]}}</ref> In July 2019, Megan Thee Stallion teased the release of ''Fever: Thee Movie'', a cinematic project directed by [[Hype Williams]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Cowen|first=Trace William|date=July 15, 2019|title=Megan Thee Stallion Teases 'Fever: Thee Movie' With Hype Williams|url=https://www.complex.com/music/2019/07/megan-thee-stallion-fever-thee-movie-hype-williams|access-date=November 29, 2020|website=[[Complex (magazine)|Complex]]}}</ref> Despite the announcement being captioned "coming soon", the project was not released.<ref>{{Cite magazine|last=Saponara|first=Michael|date=July 15, 2019|title=Megan Thee Stallion Announces Hype Williams-Directed 'Fever: Thee Movie'|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/megan-thee-stallion-fever-thee-movie-trailer-8519929/|access-date=November 29, 2020|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]}}</ref>

The lead single from ''Fever'', "Sex Talk", had prior been released to all major streaming services and digital platforms on March 22, 2019.<ref>{{Cite magazine|last=Saponara|first=Michael|date=March 22, 2019|title=Megan Thee Stallion Delivers Steamy New Single 'Sex Talk': Listen|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/megan-thee-stallion-sex-talk-8503735/|access-date=November 29, 2019|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Maicki|first=Salvatore|date=March 22, 2019|title=Megan Thee Stallion drops new single "Sex Talk"|url=https://www.thefader.com/2019/03/22/megan-thee-stallion-new-single-sex-talk-fever-album|access-date=November 29, 2020|website=[[The Fader]]|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Espinoza|first=Joshua|date=March 22, 2019|title=Megan Thee Stallion Shares New Single "Sex Talk"|url=https://www.complex.com/music/2019/03/megan-thee-stallion-sex-talk|access-date=November 29, 2020|website=[[Complex (website)|Complex]]}}</ref> The second single, "Realer", was released a day before the mixtape.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Darville|first=Jordan|date=May 16, 2019|title=Megan Thee Stallion rejects the fugazi on new song "Realer"|url=https://www.thefader.com/2019/05/16/megan-thee-stallion-new-song-realer|access-date=November 29, 2020|website=[[The Fader]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Rettig|first=James|date=May 16, 2019|title=Megan Thee Stallion - "Realer"|url=https://www.stereogum.com/2044073/megan-thee-stallion-realer/music/|access-date=November 29, 2020|website=[[Stereogum]]}}</ref> This single was later accompanied by a music video on May 21, 2019.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Cowen|first=Trace William|date=May 16, 2019|title=Megan Thee Stallion Drops the Video for "Realer"|url=https://www.complex.com/music/2019/05/megan-thee-stallion-realer|access-date=November 29, 2020|website=[[Complex (magazine)|Complex]]}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite magazine|last=Legaspi|first=Althea|date=May 21, 2020|title=See Megan Thee Stallion Get 'Realer' in New Blaxploitation-Flavored Video|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/megan-thee-stallion-realer-video-watch-838556/|access-date=November 29, 2020|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]}}</ref> The song "[[Cash Shit]]" featuring [[DaBaby]] was released as the third single and reached a peak of number 36 on the [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|last=Gunn|first=Tamantha|date=May 18, 2020|title=Megan Thee Stallion celebrates the one-year anniversary of 'Fever'|url=https://www.revolt.tv/news/2020/5/18/21263006/megan-thee-stallion-one-year-anniversary-fever|access-date=November 29, 2020|website=[[Revolt (TV network)|Revolt]]}}</ref> "Cash Shit" would also go on to become Megan Thee Stallion's first-ever [[RIAA certification|RIAA-certified]] platinum single,<ref name=":0" /> and her second-ever top 40 hit on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100, after "[[Hot Girl Summer]]".<ref>{{Cite magazine|last=Anderson|first=Trevor|date=August 21, 2019|title=Megan Thee Stallion, Nicki Minaj & Ty Dolla $ign's 'Hot Girl Summer' Debuts in Top 10 on Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/chart-beat/8527992/megan-thee-stallion-hot-girl-summer-top-10-hot-rb-hip-hop-songs-chart|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201107234605/https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/chart-beat/8527992/megan-thee-stallion-hot-girl-summer-top-10-hot-rb-hip-hop-songs-chart|archive-date=November 7, 2020|access-date=November 29, 2020|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|issn=0006-2510|quote=her other current single, "Cash Shit," featuring DaBaby, which has risen to No. 16 on Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and cracks the top 40 of the Hot 100 for the first time}}</ref>

== Composition and concept == ''Fever'' is a [[hip-hop]] record with [[Trap music|trap]] influences. It consists primarily of "minimal bass-heavy production".<ref name="HS">{{Cite web|last=Sharif|first=Najma|date=May 23, 2019|title=Megan Thee Stallion's ''Fever'' is a sexy, palpable joy to behold|url=https://www.highsnobiety.com/p/megan-thee-stallion-fever-review/|access-date=November 29, 2020|website=[[Highsnobiety]]}}</ref> American record producer [[LilJuMadeDaBeat]] is credited as a producer on six of the fourteen tracks included on ''Fever'', while American rapper and record producer [[Juicy J]] as credited as a producer on three and a featured artist on one. Production throughout the record also heavily incorporates the use of [[Sampling (music)|sampling]]. Many of the works sampled were originally made by or are directly related to the hip-hop group [[Three 6 Mafia]], of which [[Juicy J]] is a part of. Megan Thee Stallion has not only cited Three 6 Mafia as a major influence on the record, but also ultimately on her as a musician. Aesthetically, ''Fever'' is heavily influenced by the film genre [[blaxploitation]],<ref>{{Cite web|last=Riedy|first=Jack|date=May 23, 2019|title=Review: Megan Thee Stallion's Southern Rap 'Fever' Dream|url=https://www.vibe.com/2019/05/megan-thee-stallions-southern-rap-fever-dream|access-date=November 29, 2020|website=[[Vibe (magazine)|Vibe]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Godfrey|first=Rachel K.|date=June 27, 2019|title=Megan Thee Stallion wants to give us the hot girl summers we deserve|url=https://gal-dem.com/megan-thee-stallion-wants-to-give-us-the-hot-girl-summers-we-deserve/|access-date=November 29, 2020|website=[[gal-dem]]}}</ref><ref name=":4">{{Cite web|last=Jones|first=Dalyah|date=May 17, 2019|title=Megan Thee Stallion's "Fever" Is a Summer Party Album With a Feminist Agenda|url=https://www.texasmonthly.com/the-culture/megan-thee-stallion-album-fever/|access-date=November 29, 2020|website=[[Texas Monthly]]}}</ref><ref name=":2" /> with the album cover specifically drawing comparisons to American actress [[Pam Grier]].<ref>{{Cite magazine|last=Gracie|first=Bianca|date=May 14, 2019|title=Megan Thee Stallion Channels Pam Grier for Steamy 'Fever' Cover Art: See the Track List|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/megan-thee-stallion-fever-cover-art-tracklist-8511458/|access-date=November 29, 2020|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]}}</ref>{{multiple image | align = right | image1 = DaBaby - The Know Show.png | image2 = Juicy J 2014 (cropped).JPG | footer = ''Fever'' features guest vocals from [[DaBaby]] (''left'') and [[Juicy J]] (''right''), with the latter producing several tracks on the record. | direction = right | total_width = 400 }}The mixtape's second track "Hood Rat Shit" samples a viral 2008 ''[[WPBF|WPBF 25]]'' news broadcast in which 7-year old Latarian Milton is interviewed after he stole his mother's [[Dodge Durango]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Kelley|first=Caitlin|date=May 17, 2019|title=Megan Thee Stallion's "Hood Rat Shit" Samples A Viral News Broadcast From 2008|url=https://genius.com/a/megan-thee-stallion-s-hood-rat-shit-samples-a-viral-news-broadcast-from-2008|access-date=November 29, 2020|website=[[Genius (website)|Genius]]}}</ref> On the track, Megan Thee Stallion also lyrically makes references to [[South Park]] and [[Wakanda]] by means of [[name-dropping]]. The third track on ''Fever'', "Pimpin", is one of three produced by Juicy J and samples the 1996 song "Azz Out" by American record producer DJ Zink & Tha 2 Thick Family featuring rappers [[8Ball & MJG]] and Kilo-G.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web|last=Thompson|first=Desire|date=May 17, 2019|title=8 Best Samples And Interpolations From Megan Thee Stallion, Tyler The Creator And DJ Khaled's Projects|url=https://www.vibe.com/2019/05/8-best-samples-from-megan-thee-stallion-tyler-the-creator-and-dj-khaleds-projects|access-date=December 1, 2020|website=[[Vibe (magazine)|Vibe]]}}</ref> The fourth track, "[[Cash Shit]]" featuring [[DaBaby]], earned critical acclaim by making several year-end lists,<ref name="BillboardBest">{{Cite magazine|author=''Billboard'' Staff|date=December 11, 2019|title=The 100 Best Songs of 2019: Staff List|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/list/8545893/best-songs-of-2019-top-100|accessdate=December 30, 2019|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]}}</ref><ref name="ComplexBest">{{Cite web|last=Setaro|first=Shawn|date=December 17, 2019|title=The Best Songs of 2019|url=https://www.complex.com/music/best-songs-2019/|accessdate=December 30, 2019|work=[[Complex (magazine)|Complex]]}}</ref><ref name="PitchforkBest">{{Cite web|last=Rawiya|first=Kameir|date=9 December 2019|title=The 100 Best Songs of 2019|url=https://pitchfork.com/features/lists-and-guides/best-songs-2019/|accessdate=December 30, 2019|work=[[Pitchfork (magazine)|Pitchfork]]}}</ref> and subsequently went on to top the US [[Urban contemporary|Urban radio]] chart,<ref>{{Cite web|last=Cantor|first=Brian|date=September 15, 2019|title=Megan Thee Stallion & DaBaby's "Cash Sh*t" Reaches #1 At Urban Radio|url=https://headlineplanet.com/home/2019/09/15/megan-thee-stallion-dababys-cash-sht-reaches-1-at-urban-radio/|access-date=December 1, 2020|website=Headline Planet}}</ref> and featured as the opener on the fictional iFruit Radio in [[Grand Theft Auto V]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Bloom|first=Madison|date=December 10, 2019|title=Danny Brown to Host Grand Theft Auto V Radio Station Featuring Skepta|url=https://pitchfork.com/news/danny-brown-to-host-grand-theft-auto-v-radio-station-featuring-skepta/|access-date=December 1, 2020|website=[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]]}}</ref> The simple instrumentation of the track is "a beat with no [[melody]]" made within five minutes, which incorporates the [[Roland TR-808]], a southside [[hand clap]], a water splash, as well as one open and one closed [[hi-hat]] in the [[Panning (audio)|left and right channels]].<ref name="geniusJu">{{cite web|last1=Thioubou|first1=Ndeye|date=October 10, 2019|title=The Making Of Megan Thee Stallion & DaBaby's "Cash Shit" With LilJuMadeDaBeat|url=https://genius.com/videos/The-making-of-megan-thee-stallion-dababy-s-cash-shit-with-liljumadedabeat|accessdate=November 5, 2019|website=[[Genius (website)|Genius]]}}</ref> The fifth track, "W.A.B", samples the song "[[When the Smoke Clears: Sixty 6, Sixty 1|Weak Azz Bitch]]" by Three 6 Mafia featuring [[La Chat|LA Chat]], hence its titular acronym.<ref name=":5">{{Cite web|last=Fu|first=Eddie|date=May 17, 2019|title=How Megan Thee Stallion Pays Tribute To Three 6 Mafia On Her Debut Album 'Fever'|url=https://genius.com/a/all-the-three-6-mafia-samples-on-megan-thee-stallion-s-fever|access-date=December 1, 2020|website=[[Genius (website)|Genius]]}}</ref> Juicy J is credited for both his vocal guest appearance and production on the track "Simon Says", which samples both the 1972 song "[[Me and Mrs. Jones]]" by [[Billy Paul]], as well as the 1992 song "Looking For Tha Chewin'" by [[DJ Paul]] featuring Kilo-G, DJ Zirk, Kingpin Skinny Pimp and [[8Ball & MJG]].<ref name=":3" /> With the lyric "No, I'm not that nigga that be hugged up with your butt", Megan Thee Stallion also interpolates the song "[[Underground Vol. 2: Club Memphis|No I'm Not Dat Nigga]]" by Three 6 Mafia featuring Juicy J.{{Citation needed|date=December 2020}} "Dance", the tenth track on ''Fever'', lyrically and melodically [[Interpolation (popular music)|interpolates]] the song 2012 "[[Bandz a Make Her Dance|Bandz A Make Her Dance]]" by Juicy J.<ref name=":4" /> The twelfth track on the mixtape, "Sex Talk", samples the song "Pow" by Soulja Boy, while Megan Thee Stallion also lyrically references her breakthrough single "Big Ole Freak".{{Citation needed|date=December 2020}} The thirteenth track, "Big Drank", samples the song "[[Sippin' on Some Syrup]]" by Three 6 Mafia featuring [[Project Pat]] and [[UGK]].<ref name=":5" /> "Runnin Up Freestyle" closes the mixtape and had first been performed by Megan Thee Stallion during the Fire in the Booth segment on the ''[[Charlie Sloth|Charlie Sloth Rap Show]]'' in March 2019.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Baiden|first=Kamilla|date=June 13, 2019|title=The best Megan Thee Stallion freestyles so far|url=https://theface.com/music/best-megan-thee-stallion-freestyles-xxl-hot-girl-summer|access-date=December 1, 2020|website=[[The Face (magazine)|The Face]]}}</ref>

== Reception ==

=== Critical response === {{Music ratings | MC = 81/100<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/music/fever/megan-thee-stallion/critic-reviews|title=Fever by Megan Thee Stallion|website=[[Metacritic]]|access-date=June 3, 2019}}</ref> | rev1 = [[AllMusic]] | rev1score = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref name='AllMusic'>{{Cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/fever-mw0003282968|title=Fever - Megan Thee Stallion {{!}} Songs, Reviews, Credits|last=Thomas|first=Fred|date=May 17, 2019|website=[[AllMusic]]|language=en|access-date=July 10, 2019}}</ref> | rev2 = ''[[Austin Chronicle]]'' | rev2score = {{rating|3.5|5}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.austinchronicle.com/music/2019-10-11/megan-thee-stallion-fever/|title=Megan Thee Stallion - Fever (300 Entertainment)|last=Fawcett|first=Thomas|date=October 11, 2019|publisher=[[Austin Chronicle]]|accessdate=December 3, 2020}}</ref> | rev3 = ''[[Exclaim!]]'' | rev3score = 8.0/10<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://exclaim.ca/music/article/megan_thee_stallion-fever|title=Megan Thee Stallion Fever|last=Wallace|first=Riley|date=May 22, 2019|website=[[Exclaim!]]|language=en-ca|access-date=June 3, 2019}}</ref> | rev4 = ''[[Highsnobiety]]'' | rev4score = {{rating|4.5|5}}<ref name="HS" /> | rev5 = ''[[HipHopDX]]'' | rev5score = 4.0/5<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://hiphopdx.com/reviews/id.3430/title.review-megan-thee-stallions-fever-sets-bubblegum-competition-on-fire|title=Review: Megan Thee Stallion's "Fever" Sets Bubblegum Competition On Fire|last=Clark|first=Trent|date=May 24, 2019|website=[[HipHopDX]]|access-date=June 3, 2019}}</ref> | rev6 = ''[[The Needle Drop]]'' | rev6score = 7.0/10<ref name="ND rev" /> | rev7 = ''[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]]'' | rev7score = 8.0/10<ref name='Pitchfork'>{{Cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/megan-thee-stallion-fever/|title=Megan Thee Stallion|last=Crumpton|first=Taylor|date=May 23, 2019|website=[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]]|language=en|access-date=June 3, 2019}}</ref> | rev8 = ''[[Tiny Mix Tapes]]'' | rev8score = {{rating|4.5|5|full=TMT full.svg|half=TMT half.svg|empty=TMT empty.svg|rating=mark}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tinymixtapes.com/music-review/megan-thee-stallion-fever|title=Megan Thee Stallion - Fever|date=June 13, 2019|last=Schoop|first=Eli|website=[[Tiny Mix Tapes]]|accessdate=December 3, 2020}}</ref> | rev9 = ''[[The Wire (magazine)|The Wire]]'' | rev9score = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref name="The Wire">{{cite news|title=Soundcheck|newspaper=[[The Wire (magazine)|The Wire]]|date=August 2019|issue=426|page=68|issn=0952-0686}} {{small|([https://reader.exacteditions.com/issues/81784/spread/1 paywalled review])}}</ref> }}

''Fever'' was met with widespread acclaim from music critics. On [[Metacritic]], the mixtape received a score of 81 out of 100 from nine reviews, indicating "universal acclaim". Megan Thee Stallion received praise for her [[Libido|sex drive]] and [[Sex-positive movement|sex-positivity]], her aggressive [[Rapping|delivery]], and her quirky and humorous lyrics.<ref name="ND rev">{{Cite web|last=Fantano|first=Anthony|author-link=Anthony Fantano|date=May 28, 2019|title=Megan Thee Stallion - Fever|url=https://www.theneedledrop.com/articles/2019/5/megan-thee-stallion-fever|access-date=November 29, 2020|website=[[The Needle Drop]]}}</ref><ref name="HS" />

Fred Thomas of [[AllMusic]] claimed that "with near-peerless levels of confidence, fearlessly bold lyricism, and relentless, expertly crafted beats, ''Fever'' establishes Megan Thee Stallion as a figure in [[Southern hip-hop|Southern rap]]."<ref name='AllMusic'/> Taylor Crumpton of ''[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]]'' noted that the rapper's debut is "steeped in sex, [[Procuring (prostitution)|pimpin]], and power; it sounds like a once and future Houston rap classic".<ref name='Pitchfork'/> [[Jon Caramanica]] of [[The New York Times|''New York Times'']] considered Megan's rise to prominence with freestyles and wrote that "''Fever'' is more cohesive, polished and forceful than her previous releases. The production — especially the songs by [LilJuMadeDatBeat] — is ominous and spacious, a foundation that's sturdy and not distracting."<ref>{{Cite news|last=Caramanica|first=Jon|date=May 22, 2019|title=The Old-Fashioned, High-Impact Rhymes of Megan Thee Stallion|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/22/arts/music/megan-thee-stallion-fever-review.html|access-date=August 3, 2020|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> Writing for [[The Fader|''The'' ''Fader'']], Amani Bin Shikhan wrote, "That's the magic of her appeal, and the magic of ''Fever'': Listening to Thee Stallion feels like listening to the advice of your most entertaining girlfriend, lovingly scolding you to both get your shit together and fuck it up for a real one."<ref>{{Cite web|last=Shikhan|first=Amani Bin|date=May 21, 2019|title=The fever pitch of Megan Thee Stallion|url=https://www.thefader.com/2019/05/21/megan-thee-stallion-fever-album-essay-review|access-date=June 3, 2019|website=[[The Fader]]}}</ref>

===Accolades=== ''Fever'' landed on several critics' and publications' year-end lists. It was ranked number one on American magazine ''[[Paper (magazine)|Paper]]''{{'}}s year-end list of 2019 albums,<ref name="Paper" /> while its single "Cash Shit" was also ranked number one on their year-end list of 2019 summer songs.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Wetmore|first=Brendan|date=July 12, 2019|title=Paper's Top 19 Songs of Summer 2019|url=https://www.papermag.com/megan-thee-stallion-song-of-summer-2019-2639049140.html|access-date=December 4, 2020|website=[[Paper (magazine)|Paper]]}}</ref> "Cash Shit" would also make year-end lists from publications such as ''[[Noisey]]'' (No. 1),<ref>{{Cite web|last=Corry|first=Kristin|date=December 18, 2019|title=The 100 Best Songs of 2019|url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/the-100-best-songs-of-2019/|access-date=December 4, 2020|website=[[Noisey]]}}</ref> ''[[Vulture (magazine)|Vulture]]'' (No. 9),<ref>{{Cite web|last=Lockett|first=Dee|date=December 10, 2019|title=The Best Songs of 2019|url=https://www.vulture.com/article/best-songs-2019.html|access-date=December 4, 2020|website=[[Vulture (magazine)|Vulture]]}}</ref> ''[[The New York Times]]'' (No. 10),<ref>{{Cite news|last1=Pareles|first1=Jon|author-link=Jon Pareles|last2=Caramanica|first2=Jon|author-link2=Jon Caramanica|date=December 11, 2019|title=The 54 Best Songs of 2019|work=[[The New York Times]]|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/12/11/arts/music/best-songs.html|access-date=December 4, 2020|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' (No. 27),<ref>{{Cite magazine|date=December 6, 2020|title=The 50 Best Songs of 2019|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/best-songs-2019-914751/|access-date=December 4, 2020|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]}}</ref> and ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'',<ref>{{Cite magazine|last=Lipschutz|first=Jason|date=December 11, 2019|title=The 100 Best Songs of 2019: Staff List|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/list/8545893/best-songs-of-2019-top-100|access-date=December 4, 2020|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]}}</ref> among others.

{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border: none;" |+ Critic rankings for ''Fever'' ! scope="col" style="width:14em;" | Critic/Organization ! scope="col"| List ! scope="col"| Rank ! scope="col" class="unsortable" | {{abbr|Ref.|Reference}} |- |[[AllMusic]] |AllMusic Best of 2019 |{{N/A}} |{{center|<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/year-in-review/2019/allmusic-best-of-2019|title=AllMusic 2019: Year in Review|website=[[AllMusic]]|access-date=December 4, 2020}}</ref>}} |- |''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' |The 50 Best Albums of 2019 |{{center|23}} |{{center|<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/list/8545657/best-albums-of-2019-top-50|title=The 50 Best Albums of 2019: Staff Picks|last=Kress|first=Bryan|date=December 10, 2019|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|access-date=July 4, 2020}}</ref>}} |- |''[[BrooklynVegan]]'' |Top 50 Albums of 2019 |{{center|29}} |{{center|<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.brooklynvegan.com/brooklynvegans-top-50-albums-of-2019/|title=BrooklynVegan's Top 50 Albums of 2019|date=December 23, 2019|website=[[BrooklynVegan]]|access-date=December 4, 2020}}</ref>}} |- |''[[Complex (magazine)|Complex]]'' | The Best Albums of 2019 | {{center|24}} | {{center|<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.complex.com/music/best-albums-2019/billie-eilish-when-we-all-fall-asleep-where-do-we-go|title=The Best Albums of 2019|website=[[Complex (magazine)|Complex]]|date=December 3, 2019|accessdate=July 4, 2019}}</ref>}} |- |''[[Exclaim!]]'' |The 10 Best Hip-Hop Albums of 2019 |{{center|9}} |{{center|<ref>{{Cite web|date=December 5, 2019|title=Exclaim!'s 10 Best Hip-Hop Albums of 2019|url=https://exclaim.ca/music/article/exclaim_10_best_hip-hop_albums_of_2019|access-date=December 4, 2020|website=[[Exclaim!]]}}</ref>}} |- |''[[Fact (UK magazine)|Fact]]'' |The Best Albums of 2019 |{{N/A}} |{{center|<ref name="Fact">{{cite web|url=https://www.factmag.com/2019/12/19/the-best-albums-of-2019/|title=The Best Albums of 2019|date=December 12, 2019|publisher=[[Fact (UK magazine)|Fact]]|accessdate=December 4, 2020}}</ref>}} |- |{{sort|Fader|''[[The Fader]]''}} |The best albums of 2019 |{{N/A}} |{{center|<ref name="Fader">{{cite web|url=https://www.thefader.com/2019/12/19/the--fader-best-albums-of-2019|title=The best albums of 2019|date=December 19, 2019|publisher=[[The Fader]]|accessdate=December 4, 2020}}</ref>}} |- |''[[Fresh Air]]'' {{small|([[Ken Tucker]])}} | Top 10 Albums Of 2019 | {{center|5}} | {{center|<ref>{{Cite web|last=Tucker|first=Ken|url=https://www.npr.org/2019/12/09/786256968/women-dominated-2019-ken-tucker-picks-his-top-10-albums-of-the-year|title=Women Dominated 2019: Ken Tucker Picks His Top 10 Albums Of The Year|author-link=Ken Tucker|publisher=[[Fresh Air]]|website=[[NPR]]|date=December 9, 2019|accessdate=December 4, 2020}}</ref>}} |- |''[[Gothamist]]'' |The Best Albums of 2019 |{{center|12}} |{{center|<ref name="Gothamist">{{cite web|url=https://gothamist.com/arts-entertainment/absolute-best-albums-2019-confirmed|title=The Best Albums of 2019|last=Yakas|first=Ben|date=December 12, 2019|access-date=December 4, 2020|publisher=[[Gothamist]]}}</ref>}} |- |''[[HipHopDX]]'' |The Best Hip Hop Albums of 2019 |{{center|11}} |{{center|<ref>{{cite web|url=https://hiphopdx.com/editorials/id.4393/title.the-best-rap-hip-hop-albums-of-2019|title=The Best Rap & Hip Hop Albums of 2019|date=December 19, 2019|access-date=December 4, 2020|publisher=[[HipHopDX]]}}</ref>}} |- |''[[Noisey]]'' |The 100 Best Albums of 2019 |{{center|49}} |{{center|<ref name="Noisey">{{cite web|url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/the-100-best-albums-of-2019/|title=The 100 Best Albums of 2019|date=December 12, 2019|access-date=December 4, 2020|publisher=[[Vice (magazine)|Vice]]|website=[[Noisey]]}}</ref>}} |- |''[[Paper (magazine)|Paper]]'' |The 20 Best Albums of 2019 |{{center|1}} |{{center|<ref name="Paper">{{cite web|publisher=[[Paper (magazine)|Paper]]|url=https://www.papermag.com/top-20-albums-2019-2641554202.html|title=PAPER's Top 20 Albums of 2019|last=Goldfine|first=Jael|date=December 18, 2019|access-date=July 4, 2020}}</ref>}} |- |''[[Paste (magazine)|Paste]]'' |The 50 Best Albums of 2019 |{{center|46}} |{{center|<ref name="Paste">{{cite web|publisher=[[Paste (magazine)|Paste]]|url=https://www.pastemagazine.com/music/best-albums/best-albums-of-2019/|title=The 50 Best Albums of 2019|date=December 2, 2019|access-date=December 4, 2020}}</ref>}} |- |{{sort|Ringer|[[The Ringer (website)|The Ringer]]}} |The Best Albums of 2019 |{{center|2}} |{{center|<ref name="Ringer">{{cite web|url=https://www.theringer.com/music/2019/12/3/20992882/best-albums-2019-lana-del-rey-megan-thee-stallion-purple-mountains-billie-eilish|title=The Best Albums of 2019|date=December 3, 2019|last1=Harvilla|first1=Rob|first2=Shea|last2=Serrano|publisher=[[The Ringer (website)|The Ringer]]|accessdate=December 4, 2020}}</ref>}} |- | rowspan="2" |''[[Rolling Stone]]'' | The 50 Best Albums of 2019 | {{center|31}} | {{center|<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/best-albums-2019-914750/|title=The 50 Best Albums of 2019|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|date=December 5, 2019|accessdate=July 4, 2020}}</ref>}} |- |The 20 Best Hip-Hop Albums of 2019 |{{center|7}} |{{center|<ref>{{Cite magazine|last1=Klinkenberg|first1=Brendan|last2=Holmes|first2=Charles|last3=Leight|first3=Elias|date=December 30, 2019|title=20 Best Hip-Hop Albums of 2019|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/20-best-hip-hop-albums-of-2019-931888/|access-date=December 4, 2020|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]}}</ref>}} |- |''[[Stereogum]]'' |The 10 Best Rap Albums of 2019 |{{center|8}} |{{center|<ref>{{Cite web|last=Breihan|first=Tom|date=December 10, 2019|title=The 10 Best Rap Albums Of 2019|url=https://www.stereogum.com/2067440/best-rap-albums-2019/franchises/list/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191212094321/https://www.stereogum.com/2067440/best-rap-albums-2019/franchises/list/|archive-date=December 12, 2019|access-date=August 14, 2020|website=[[Stereogum]]|oclc=1142733705}}</ref>}} |- |''[[Thrillist]]'' | Best Albums of 2019 | {{center|10}} | {{center|<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thrillist.com/entertainment/nation/best-albums-of-2019|title=Best Albums of 2019|last=Jackson|first=Dan|website=[[Thrillist]]|date=December 20, 2019|accessdate=December 4, 2020}}</ref>}} |- | rowspan="2" |[[Uproxx]] |The Best Albums of 2019 |{{center|16}} |{{center|<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://uproxx.com/music/best-albums-2019-ranked/|title=The Best Albums Of 2019|date=December 2, 2019|website=[[Uproxx]]|language=en-US|access-date=July 4, 2020}}</ref>}} |}

== Industry awards == {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" |- ! scope="col" | Award ! scope="col" | Year{{efn|Indicates the year of ceremony. Each year is linked to the article about the awards held that year, wherever possible.}} ! scope="col" | Category ! scope="col" | Result ! scope="col" class="unsortable" | {{Abbr|Ref.|References}} |- ! scope="row" | [[BET Hip Hop Awards]] | [[2019 BET Hip Hop Awards|2019]] | Best Mixtape | {{won}} | style="text-align:center;" |<ref>{{Cite magazine|date=October 8, 2019|title=BET Hip Hop Awards 2019: Complete Winners List|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/awards/8532511/bet-hip-hop-awards-2019-complete-winners-list|url-status=live|access-date=August 3, 2020|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|issn=0006-2510|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200725055512/https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/awards/8532511/bet-hip-hop-awards-2019-complete-winners-list|archive-date=July 25, 2020}}</ref> |- ! scope="row" | [[BET Awards]] | [[BET Awards 2020|2020]] | [[BET Award for Album of the Year|Album of the Year]] | {{nom}} | style="text-align:center;" |<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/awards/9410599/bet-awards-2020-winners-list|title=Here Are All the Winners From the 2020 BET Awards|date=June 28, 2020|publisher=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|accessdate=December 4, 2020}}</ref> |}

== Commercial performance == ''Fever'' debuted at number ten on the US [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]] with 27,956 [[album-equivalent unit]]s, of which 3,725 were pure album sales.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Eustive|first=Kyle|date=May 27, 2019|title=Hip Hop Album Sales: Tyler, The Creator Nabs First No. 1 Billboard 200 Album With "IGOR"|url=https://hiphopdx.com/news/id.51570/title.hip-hop-album-sales-tyler-the-creator-nabs-first-no-1-billboard-200-album-with-igor|access-date=November 29, 2020|website=[[HipHopDX]]}}</ref>

==Track listing== {{Redirect|Realer|the 2018 YoungBoy record|YoungBoy Never Broke Again discography#Mixtapes}} {{Track listing | all_writing = [[Megan Thee Stallion|Megan Pete]] except where noted | headline = ''Fever'' track listing<ref>{{cite web|url=https://listen.tidal.com/album/109046573|title=Megan Thee Stallion / Fever|date=17 May 2019 |publisher=[[Tidal (service)|Tidal]]|accessdate=November 29, 2020|location=United States}}</ref><ref name=linernotes>{{cite AV media notes|title=Fever|year=2019|type=booklet|publisher=300 Entertainment and 1501 Certified}}</ref> | extra_column = Producer(s) | title1 = Realer | length1 = 2:29 | extra1 = [[LilJuMadeDaBeat]] | title2 = Hood Rat Shit | length2 = 3:01 | extra2 = {{hlist|KC Supreme|Koncept P|}} | title3 = Pimpin | extra3 = {{hlist|[[Juicy J]]|[[DJ Suede the Remix God|Keenan Webb]]|Crazy Mike{{ref|a|[a]}}}} | length3 = 3:23 | title4 = [[Cash Shit]] | note4 = featuring [[DaBaby]] | writer4 = {{hlist|Pete|[[DaBaby|Jonathan Kirk]]}} | extra4 = LilJuMadeDaBeat | length4 = 3:12 | title5 = W.A.B ''<small>(Weak Ass Bitch)</small>'' | extra5 = {{hlist|[[Project Pat]]|Supah Mario|}} | length5 = 2:57 | title6 = Best You Ever Had | extra6 = DJ Chose | length6 = 2:39 | title7 = Simon Says | note7 = featuring [[Juicy J]] | writer7 = {{hlist|Pete|[[Juicy J|Jordan Houston]]}} | extra7 = {{hlist|Juicy J|Webb|Crazy Mike{{ref|a|[a]}}}} | length7 = 3:20 | title8 = Shake That | extra8 = LilJuMadeDaBeat | length8 = 2:52 | title9 = Money Good | extra9 = DJ Chose | length9 = 3:17 | title10 = Dance | extra10 = {{hlist|Juicy J|Crazy Mike{{ref|a|[a]}}}} | length10 = 2:56 | title11 = Ratchet | extra11 = {{hlist|LilJuMadeDaBeat|Prolivik Beeats|}} | length11 = 2:14 | title12 = Sex Talk | writer12 = {{hlist|Pete}} | extra12 = DJ WillAye | length12 = 2:11 | title13 = Big Drank | extra13 = LilJuMadeDaBeat | length13 = 3:27 | title14 = Running Up Freestyle | extra14 = LilJuMadeDaBeat | length14 = 2:04 | total_length = 40:09 }}

'''Notes''' * {{sup|{{note|a|[a]}}}} signifies a co-producer

==Charts== {{col-begin}} {{col-2}}

===Weekly charts=== {| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" |- ! scope="col"| Chart (2019) ! scope="col"| Peak<br />position |- ! scope="row"| US [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]]<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/billboard-200/2019-06-01|title=Billboard 200: June 1, 2019|magazine=Billboard|accessdate=May 31, 2019}}</ref> | 10 |- {{album chart|BillboardRandBHipHop|6|artist=Megan Thee Stallion|rowheader=true|accessdate=June 7, 2020}} |} {{col-2}}

===Year-end charts=== {| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" |- ! scope="col"| Chart (2019) ! scope="col"| Position |- ! scope="row"| US ''Billboard'' 200<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2019/top-billboard-200-albums|title=Top Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 2019|magazine=Billboard|accessdate=June 7, 2020}}</ref> | 163 |- ! scope="row"| US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (''Billboard'')<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2019/top-r-and-b-hip-hop-albums|title=Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums – Year-End 2019|magazine=Billboard|accessdate=June 7, 2020}}</ref> | 62 |} {{col-end}}

==Certifications== {{Certification Table Top}} {{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|type=album|award=Gold|artist=Megan Thee Stallion|title=Fever|relyear=2019|certyear=2020|accessdate=November 13, 2020}} {{Certification Table Bottom|streaming=true|nosales=true|noshipments=true}}

==Notes== {{notelist}}

==References== {{Reflist}}

[[Category:2019 mixtape albums]] [[Category:Albums produced by Juicy J]] [[Category:Debut mixtape albums]] [[Category:Megan Thee Stallion albums]] [[Category:300 Entertainment mixtape albums]]