Sincerely, Kentrell

Sincerely, Kentrell is the third studio album by American rapper YoungBoy Never Broke Again.^[1] It was released through Never Broke Again and Atlantic Records on September 24, 2021.^[2] Unlike Gaulden's previous projects, the album notably contains no guest appearances, which was a key part of the album's rollout.^[3] The album's production was handled by a range of accomplished producers including Einer Bankz, Mike Will Made It, Smash David, and Jason "Cheese" Goldberg—who also mixed and mastered the entire record. The album follows Gaulden's second full-length studio album, Top (2020), as well as Until I Return (2020), his fifteenth solo mixtape. A deluxe edition, named Sincerely, Kentrell > (pronounced "better"), was released four days later on September 28, 2021, and contains two additional songs. The deluxe edition's name is an ode to the "YB Better" trend at the time of the album's release.^[3][4]

Sincerely, Kentrell received generally positive reviews from critics who highlighted the album's production and lyrical content. It debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200 chart, in which it earned 137,000 album-equivalent units, of which 8,000 were pure album sales. Eleven of the twenty-three tracks from the album debuted on the Billboard Hot 100.^[5][6] Sincerely, Kentrell also became the third project—behind Tupac Shakur's Me Against the World (1995) and Lil Wayne's I Am Not a Human Being (2010)—by an imprisoned artist to top the charts and is the first rap album in the 2020s decade to top the charts with no features.^[7] The album was supported by five singles: "Toxic Punk", "White Teeth", "Nevada", "Life Support" and "On My Side".

Release and promotion

Sincerely, Kentrell was first teased by the Never Broke Again label on December 16, 2020, through the label's official Instagram.^[8] The teaser stated that the album would be YoungBoy's biggest and would be released on May 7, 2021.^[8] However, on March 22, 2021, Gaulden was arrested by federal agents in Los Angeles, stemming from his September 2020 Baton Rouge arrest.^[9][10] Attempting to evade the LAPD, Gaulden ditched his vehicle, which the LAPD searched and found a firearm inside.^[11] The FBI additionally charged Gaulden with firearm possession—of which he was found not guilty in July 2022.^[11][12] On March 25, media personality Wendy Williams commented on YoungBoy's arrest, noting that, "he’s got to go to jail".^[13] On April 19, 2021, Gaulden sent an email to his team while incarcerated, addressing his arrest, Williams, and the album:^[14]

i can leave my kids millions of dollars to divide but can't give them the time they truly deserve nobody understand me they never did shit some times i don't understand myself but that's fine because im okay i ain't looking for you to feel sorry I just ask for one thing- For you to let me suffer in peace tell MS. WENDY WILLIAM I say she got a good soul and she's a beautiful women I can see that threw all the bad comments thrown at her tell her count her blessings (STAY IN GOOD SPIRIT) Sincerely Kentrell

While incarcerated, the Never Broke Again label page previewed "Still Waiting", a track recorded over a jail phone.^[15] On September 10, YoungBoy shared the album's official artwork, alongside announcing its release date of September 24.^[16] Weeks prior to the release of the album, billboards begun to appear, stating, "no features necessary", suggesting that the album would include no features, alongside "YB Better" billboards, referring to the popular trend on social media, indicating that YoungBoy is the best rapper.^[3] On September 23, YoungBoy released the album's official tracklist, confirming it would have zero features.^[17][18] On the night of the album's release, YoungBoy shared a poem titled, "Deep in Me".^[19]

Upon the album's release, YoungBoy's management released the pre-recorded music video of the album's thirteenth cut, "Break or Make Me".^[20] Following the release of the album, on September 26, the album's deluxe edition was released, containing an additional two bonus tracks, including the previously teased "Still Waiting".^[4] On September 29, the official, pre-recorded, music video of the album's eighteenth cut, "Kickstand", was released.^[21][22]

Singles

The album's lead single "Toxic Punk" was released on February 4, 2021.^[23][24] The song was produced by Cheese, DJ Trebble, Dmac, and TNTXD.^[25] It debuted at number 99 on the Billboard Hot 100.^[26] The album's second single, "White Teeth" was released on May 14, 2021.^[27][28] The song was produced by TayTayMadeIt and peaked at number 78 on the Billboard Hot 100.^[29][30] After gaining traction online for months due to the track being previously leaked, "Nevada" was released as the album's third single on July 7, 2021.^[31] The track was produced by TnTXD and Vadebeatz. It peaked at number 58 on the Billboard Hot 100.^[32] The album's fourth single, "Life Support", was released on September 10, 2021, alongside the album's tracklist.^[17] It was produced by Cheese, Smash David, Ravis, Stunner Samples, and SMPLGTWY. The track peaked at number 48 on the Billboard Hot 100.^[33] "On My Side" was released on September 17, 2021, as the album's fifth and final single.^[34] The track was produced by Cheese, Leor Shevah, and Haze. It peaked at number 37 on the Billboard Hot 100.^[35]

Critical reception

Sincerely, Kentrell received generally positive reviews from music critics. David Aaron Brake from HipHopDX states that "like much of YoungBoy’s albums Sincerely, Kentrell is less a polished product and more the stream-of-consciousness thoughts of YoungBoy at the moment." He also cites that "YoungBoy raps through a thick Louisiana drawl, the battle between betrayal and loyalty takes center stage." He concludes his review by stating "Sincerely, Kentrell is YoungBoy at his most vulnerable and vengeful, worn down by his own paranoia, some justified and some fabricated."^[36] Alphonse Pierre from Pitchfork states that "He has blurred the lines between his rap persona and lived reality, which makes it an uncomfortable, but sometimes remarkable listen." He further mentions that "Though the album’s quality may vary from song to song, it all adds up to a startling glimpse of a larger-than-life figure whose tragic shadow extends over everything he touches." Concluding his review, he explains that "While it carries the same flaws as his previous work, the latest album from the Baton Rouge rapper provides a clear portrait of a tragic figure who often blurs the lines between fact and fiction."^[37]

Will Dukes from Rolling Stone writes that "his style, a whimsical mix of Young Thug and fellow New Orleanian Little Wayne is heavy on melody, which he fuses with some rough-and-tumble grit." He further mentions that "if these are the proverbial scars YoungBoy Never Broke Again ’s chosen to reveal to us, they’re from battles, thankfully, he’s already won." Concluding his review, he writes that "the Baton Rouge, Louisiana-based rapper's third album is full of conviction and bruised passion."^[38]

Commercial performance

Sincerely, Kentrell debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200 chart, earning 137,000 album-equivalent units (including 10,000 in pure sales) in its first week, according to MRC Data.^[39] This became YoungBoy's fourth US number one debut on the chart.^[39] The album also accumulated a total of 186.29 million on-demand streams of the album's 23 tracks.^[39] In addition, YoungBoy joined Tupac and Lil Wayne as the third rapper to receive a number one album while incarcerated.^[39] In its second week, the album dropped to number four, earning 71,000 units.^[40]

Personnel

Credits adapted from Tidal.^[41]

Musicians

• YoungBoy Never Broke Again – vocals (all tracks)
• Vadebeatz – guitar, percussion, piano (16)

Technical

• Jason "Cheese" Goldberg – mastering (1–23), mixing (1–15, 20–23), recording (2–13, 15, 20–23), assistant recording (1, 17–19)
• Spencer Dennis – recording (14)
• Mark Dorflinger – recording (16–19), mixing (17–19)

Charts

Weekly charts

Year-end charts

Release history

See also

• 2021 in hip hop music
• List of Billboard 200 number-one albums of 2021

References

1. ^ Mahadevan, Tara (September 24, 2021). "YoungBoy Never Broke Again Shares New Album 'Sincerely, Kentrell'". Complex. Archived August 31, 2023 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved July 23, 2024.
2. ^ Vincent, Mykal (October 4, 2021). "NBA YoungBoy takes #1 spot on Billboard 200; dethrones Drake's CLB". Fox News. Archived April 17, 2024 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved July 23, 2024.
3. ^ Robinson, Joshua (September 24, 2021). "NBA YoungBoy Promotes "Sincerely, Kentrell" With "No Features Necessary" Billboards". HotNewHipHop. Archived April 17, 2023 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved September 24, 2021.
4. ^ A., Aron (October 4, 2021). "NBA Youngboy Calls In A Verse On "Still Waiting"". HotNewHipHop. Archived July 23, 2024 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved July 23, 2024.
5. ^ Coscarelli, Joe (2021-10-04). "Drake Edged Out of No. 1 Spot by YoungBoy Never Broke Again". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived 2022-12-24 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2024-07-23.
6. ^ Blake, Emily (September 28, 2021). "Youngboy Never Broke Again Tops Apple Music Pre-Add Chart with 'Sincerely, Kentrell'". Rolling Stone. Archived September 30, 2022 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved July 23, 2024.
7. ^ Coscarelli, Joe (2021-10-05). "How YoungBoy Never Broke Again Hit No. 1 From Jail: Fans Had His Back". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived 2024-01-30 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2024-07-23.
8. ^ Robinson, Joshua (September 10, 2021). "NBA YoungBoy's "Sincerely, Kentrell" Release Date Revealed". HotNewHipHop. Archived July 23, 2024 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved July 23, 2024.
9. ^ Kaufman, Gil (March 23, 2021). "NBA YoungBoy Arrested by FBI After LAPD Car Chase: Report". Billboard. Archived July 23, 2024 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved July 23, 2024.
10. ^ Bilstein, Jon (September 29, 2020). "Youngboy Never Broke Again Arrested on Drug, Firearms Charges". Rolling Stone. Archived December 15, 2023 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved July 23, 2024.
11. ^ "FBI arrests BR rapper NBA YoungBoy in Los Angeles". WBRZ-TV. March 23, 2021. Archived October 15, 2023 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved July 23, 2024.
12. ^ Coscarelli, Joe (2022-07-15). "YoungBoy Never Broke Again Found Not Guilty in Federal Gun Case". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived 2023-11-22 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2024-07-23.
13. ^ "What did Wendy Williams say about NBA YoungBoy's arrest? Did his mom respond?". Capital Xtra. March 25, 2021. Archived December 6, 2022 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved July 23, 2024.
14. ^ Hamilton, Xavier (April 19, 2021). "YoungBoy Never Broke Again Urges Wendy Williams to 'Count Her Blessings' in New Message". Complex. Archived August 21, 2023 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved July 23, 2024.
15. ^ Elibert, Mark (August 12, 2021). "NBA YoungBoy Urgently Raps About Daughter Having COVID-19 In New Jail Recording". HipHopDX. Archived September 30, 2022 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved July 23, 2024.
16. ^ Caraan, Sophie (September 11, 2021). "YoungBoy Never Broke Again Announces New Album 'SINCERELY, KENTRELL'". Hypebeast. Archived August 18, 2022 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved July 23, 2024.
17. ^ Rose, Jordan (September 10, 2021). "YoungBoy Never Broke Again Drops Video for "Life Support," Announces Release Date for New Album". Complex. Archived December 18, 2023 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved July 23, 2024.
18. ^ Zidel, Alex (September 23, 2021). "YoungBoy Never Broke Again Reveals "Sincerely Kentrell" Tracklist". HotNewHipHop. Archived October 15, 2023 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved September 24, 2021.
19. ^ Marie, Erika (September 23, 2021). "NBA YoungBoy Shares "Deep In Me" Poem From Jail Ahead Of "Sincerely, Kentrell" Release". HotNewHipHop. Archived July 23, 2024 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved July 23, 2024.
20. ^ Grant, Shawn (September 24, 2021). "YoungBoy Never Broke Again Releases New Album 'Sincerely, Kentrell'". The Source. Archived July 23, 2024 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved July 23, 2024.
21. ^ Powell, Jon (September 29, 2021). "Check out YoungBoy Never Broke Again's latest visual for "Kickstand"". Revolt TV. Archived August 14, 2022 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved July 23, 2024.
22. ^ Caraan, Sophie (September 30, 2021). "Birdman Makes Special Appearance in NBA YoungBoy's "Kickstand" Visual". Hypebeast. Archived December 24, 2022 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved July 23, 2024.
23. ^ Tigg, Fnr (February 3, 2021). "YoungBoy Never Broke Again Releases New Song "Toxic Punk"". Complex. Archived April 26, 2023 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved July 23, 2024.
24. ^ Li, Joyce (2021-02-04). "NBA YoungBoy Releases New Track "Toxic Punk"". Hypebeast. Archived December 24, 2022 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2024-07-23.
25. ^ Marie, Erika (2021-02-02). "NBA YoungBoy Surprises Fans With "Toxic Punk" Single". HotNewHipHop. Archived February 6, 2022 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2024-07-23.
26. ^ Mamo, Heran (February 4, 2021). "YoungBoy Never Broke Again Drops New Track 'Toxic Punk'". Billboard. Archived October 23, 2021 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved July 23, 2024.
27. ^ Blake, Cole (May 14, 2021). "NBA Youngboy Flexes His Pearly Whites For New Song "White Teeth"". HotNewHipHop. Archived January 13, 2022 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved August 19, 2024.
28. ^ Powell, Jon (2021-05-14). "YoungBoy Never Broke Again returns with new video for "White Teeth"". REVOLT. Archived January 28, 2022 at the Wayback Machine.
29. ^ Blanchet, Brenton (May 14, 2021). "YoungBoy Never Broke Again Shines in New Single and Video "White Teeth"". Complex. Archived May 15, 2021 at the Wayback Machine.
30. ^ Elder, Sajae (May 14, 2021). "YoungBoy Never Broke Again shares new video "White Teeth"". The Fader. Archived June 3, 2023 at the Wayback Machine.
31. ^ Powell, Jon (July 8, 2021). "YoungBoy Never Broke Again reveals new single "Nevada"". Revolt. Archived July 23, 2024 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved July 12, 2021.
32. ^ Findlay, Mitch (2021-07-08). "YoungBoy Never Broke Again Returns With "Nevada"". HotNewHipHop. Archived from the original on July 8, 2021. Retrieved 2024-07-23.
33. ^ Marie, Erika (September 10, 2021). "YoungBoy Never Broke Again Shares "Life Support" Single & Visual". HotNewHipHop. Archived July 23, 2024 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved July 23, 2024.
34. ^ Powell, Jon (2021-09-17). "Check out YoungBoy Never Broke Again's latest video for "On My Side"". Revolt TV. Archived September 17, 2021 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2024-07-23.
35. ^ Marie, Erika (2021-09-17). "NBA YoungBoy Drops "On My Side" Single & Visual". HotNewHipHop. Archived from the original on October 23, 2021. Retrieved 2024-07-23.
36. ^ "REVIEW: NBA YOUNGBOY BARES HIS SHORTCOMINGS & JUSTIFIES HIS POPULARITY ON 'SINCERELY KENTRELL'". HipHopDX. October 15, 2021. Retrieved October 15, 2021.
37. ^ Pierre, Alphonse (September 29, 2021). "YoungBoy Never Broke Again: Sincerely, Kentrell Album Review". Pitchfork. Retrieved September 29, 2021.
38. ^ Dukes, Will (September 27, 2021). "YoungBoy Never Broke Again Joyfully Unburdens His Soul on 'Sincerely, Kentrell'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved September 28, 2021.
39. ^ Keith Caulfield (October 4, 2021). "YoungBoy Never Broke Again Earns Fourth No. 1 Album on Billboard 200 With 'Sincerely, Kentrell'". Billboard. Archived March 26, 2024 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved October 5, 2021.
40. ^ "Taylor Swift's 'Fearless (Taylor's Version)' Returns to No. 1 on Billboard 200". Billboard. October 10, 2021. Archived January 18, 2022 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved October 20, 2021.
41. ^ "Sincerely, Kentrell by YoungBoy Never Broke Again on Tidal". Tidal. Retrieved September 24, 2021.
42. ^ "The ARIA Report: Week Commencing 4 October 2021". The ARIA Report. No. 1648. Australian Recording Industry Association. October 4, 2021. p. 6.
43. ^ "Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 2021". Billboard. Retrieved December 3, 2021.
44. ^ "Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums – Year-End 2021". Billboard. Retrieved December 3, 2021.
45. ^ "Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 2022". Billboard. Retrieved December 2, 2022.
46. ^ "Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums – Year-End 2022". Billboard. Retrieved December 2, 2022.
47. ^ "YoungBoy Never Broke Again – Sincerely, Kentrell [Manufactured On Demand] (CD)". Amoeba Music. Archived March 31, 2023 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved July 23, 2024.
48. ^ "YoungBoy Never Broke Again – Sincerely, Kentrell [Manufactured On Demand] (CD)". Amoeba Music. Archived July 23, 2024 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved July 23, 2024.
49. ^ "YoungBoy Never Broke Again – Sincerely Kentrell (LP)". Amoeba Music. Archived September 25, 2022 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved July 23, 2024.