Triple F Life: Friends, Fans & Family

Triple F Life: Friends, Fans & Family
Studio album by
Waka Flocka Flame
ReleasedJune 12, 2012
Recorded2011–12
GenreHip hop
Length58:09
Label
Producer
Waka Flocka Flame chronology
Ferrari Boyz
(2011) 		Triple F Life: Friends, Fans & Family
(2012)
Singles from Triple F Life: Friends, Fans & Family
  1. "Round of Applause"
    Released: October 14, 2011
  2. "I Don't Really Care"
    Released: March 20, 2012
  3. "Get Low"
    Released: June 5, 2012

Triple F Life: Friends, Fans & Family is the second studio album by American rapper Waka Flocka Flame. It was released on June 12, 2012, by 1017 Brick Squad, Brick Squad Monopoly, Asylum Records and Warner Bros. Records. The album features guest appearances from Drake, Nicki Minaj, B.o.B, Trey Songz, Ludacris, Travis Porter and Meek Mill, while the production was handled by Waka Flocka's longtime collaborator Lex Luger, Troy Taylor, J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League and Southside, among others.[1]

Background

[edit]

The album follows the release of Waka Flocka Flame's debut studio album, Flockaveli, which was released in 2010 to largely positive reviews and contained the US top-15 single "No Hands", which was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).[2][3][4] Following the success of Flockaveli, Waka Flocka Flame became a central figurehead of his record label, 1017 Bricksquad – a position also owing to the official head of the label, rapper Gucci Mane, becoming involved in many controversies and serving several prison sentences.[5] In 2011, using his increased influence, Waka Flocka Flame expanded the 1017 Bricksquad roster, signing several new rappers to the label including YG Hootie and Kebo Gotti.[5] Waka Flocka Flame also released a collaboration album with Gucci Mane, titled Ferrari Boyz, which charted at number 23 on the US Billboard 200,[6] although the album was criticized by some music critics, who felt the two rappers' vastly contrasting lyrical styles clashed too much.[5]

In January 2011, in an interview with radio presenter Bootleg Kev, Waka Flocka Flame revealed the album's title to be Triple F Life: Fans, Friends and Family.[7] He elaborated on the title's significance during his interview with XXL, stating that his own fans, friends and family had been the main inspirations towards recording his music since he began rapping.[8] The album took between one-and-a-half to two months to record,[9] and was originally meant to be released during 2011, however, Waka Flocka Flame delayed the album's release to 2012 as he felt it was rushed, revealing in an interview with Billboard magazine column "The Juice" that he "felt like I was trying to please the label and not the people that really listen to the music."[10] He spent the time between the release of Flockaveli and Triple F Life: Fans, Friends and Family identifying the unique aspects of his music and working to improve them, especially the ones that appealed to his fans.[11]

The death of Waka Flocka Flame's close friend and fellow 1017 Brick Squad member Slim Dunkin also delayed the album's release date, as he was too emotionally affected by the death to record any new material at the time.[9] Waka Flocka Flame would later dedicate Triple F Life: Fans, Friends and Family to Dunkin, citing him as having had a special talent.[12]

Singles

[edit]

"Round of Applause", a collaboration with fellow rapper Drake, was released as the album's lead single on October 14, 2011 as a digital download: it was later released to American urban contemporary radio on November 1, 2011.[13][14] The song, produced by record producer Lex Luger,[15] was not originally meant to feature Drake: however, after he released the version of the song with his vocals added through his blog, October's Very Own, on September 10, 2011, his version was released as the single.[16] "Round of Applause" peaked at number 86 on the US Billboard Hot 100, number 15 on the US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart and number 16 on the US Hot Rap Songs chart.[2][17][18] On February 26, 2012, the music video was released for "Round of Applause" featuring Drake.[19]

The album's second single, "I Don't Really Care", was sent to urban radio on March 20, 2012,[20] and was released for digital download in the United States on March 23, 2012.[21] The song features guest vocals from American singer and rapper Trey Songz, and is produced by Troy Taylor and Skyy Stylez.[22] "I Don't Really Care" debuted and peaked at number 64 on the Billboard Hot 100 for the chart week dating April 14, 2012:[2] it also peaked at number 33 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart and at number 21 on the Hot Rap Songs chart.[17][18] On May 1, 2012, the music video was released for "I Don't Really Care" featuring Trey Songz.[23]

The album's third single, "Get Low", which features fellow rappers Nicki Minaj, Tyga and Flo Rida, was released for digital download on June 5, 2012.[24] "Rooster in My Rari" was released a promotional single to digital retailers on May 18, 2012.[25] On August 31, 2012, the music video was released for "Get Low" featuring Flo Rida, Nicki Minaj and Tyga.[26]

On June 11, 2012, the music video was released for "Rooster In My Rari".[27] On June 12, 2012, the music video was released for "Let Dem Guns Blam" featuring Meek Mill.[28] On June 13, 2012, the music video was released for "Candy Paint & Gold Teeth" featuring Bun B and Ludacris.[29] On July 30, 2012, the music video was released for "Fist Pump" featuring B.o.B.[30]

Critical reception

[edit]
Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
AnyDecentMusic?5.7/10[31]
Metacritic66/100[32]
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[33]
AllHipHop7/10[34]
The A.V. ClubC+[35]
Entertainment WeeklyB−[36]
HipHopDX[37]
Pitchfork7.0/10[38]
Rolling Stone[39]
RapReviews5.5/10[40]
Spin6/10[41]
XXL (XL)[42]

Triple F Life: Friends, Fans & Family received generally positive reviews from music critics.[32] At Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream critics, the album received an average score of 66, based on 14 reviews, which indicates "generally favorable reviews".[32] David Jeffries of AllMusic gave the album three and a half stars out of five, saying "His sophomore effort, Triple F Life, threatens to confuse the issue with its subtitle dedication to "Friends, Fans & Family," but there's way too much strip-club music here to consider this a heartwarming concept album, so spend a solemn moment with the RIP dedication to Slim Dunkin—Waka's friend and cohort who was murdered in late 2011—and then get ready for the expected slam session."[33] Evan Rytlewski of The A.V. Club gave the album a C+, saying "What Triple F Life lacks in inspiration, it can sometimes compensate for with sheer sweat, and particularly during its many strip-club salvos, Flocka’s shouted enthusiasm and manic ad-libs keep the record animated."[35]

Ian Cohen of Pitchfork gave the album a 7.0 out of 10, saying "It's tough to imagine Waka repeating Flockaveli and somehow improving on it, but under the cloak of Triple F's blatant crossover appeals, he slyly exceeds expectations by making a record better than it really needs to be."[38] Andres Vasquez of HipHopDX gave the album two and half stars out of five, saying "While there are some highlights on the album, they don’t nearly make up for the glaring flaws throughout, the lack of noteworthy lyrics or the redundancy in topics, flows, hooks and beats."[37] Ralph Bristout of XXL gave the album an XL, saying "Some will say Triple F Life finds Waka trying to do much, reaching too far out of his zone. But the rapper coolly exceeds expectations in his artistic self-awareness and this go-round shines like his diamond-studded Fozzy Bear chain."[42] Kyle Anderson of Entertainment Weekly gave the album a B−, saying "Several tracks in, his second disc begins to bow under the weight of its own aggro intensity. That leaves his own bevy of A-list guests — including Nicki Minaj, Drake, and an especially elastic Ludacris — to bring some fresh jujitsu to Waka's flailing fight game, and provide occasional respite from Triple F Life's single-minded mania."[36]

Commercial performance

[edit]

The album debuted at number 10 on the Billboard 200, with first-week sales of 33,000 copies in the United States.[43] The album debuted at number 49 on the Canadian Albums Chart.[44]

Track listing

[edit]
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Triple F Life (Intro)"
Southside1:39
2."Let Dem Guns Blam" (featuring Meek Mill)
Southside4:23
3."Round of Applause" (featuring Drake)
Lex Luger4:25
4."I Don't Really Care" (featuring Trey Songz)
  • Skyy Stylez
  • Taylor
3:55
5."Rooster in My Rari"
DJ Spinz2:49
6."Get Low" (featuring Nicki Minaj, Tyga & Flo Rida)
(co.)		4:16
7."Fist Pump" (featuring B.o.B)
(co.)		3:48
8."Candy Paint & Gold Teeth" (featuring Bun B & Ludacris)
(co.)		4:37
9."Cash" (featuring Wooh da Kid)
  • Malphurs
  • Luellen
  • Nyquan Malphurs
Southside3:18
10."Lurkin'" (featuring Plies)
TM88[45]4:42
11."Clap"
  • Malphurs
  • Luellen
Southside3:39
12."U Ain't Bout That Life" (featuring Slim Thug & Alley Boy)
Southside4:39
13."Power of My Pen"
Arkatech Beatz3:58
14."Flex" (featuring Travis Porter, Slim Dunkin & D-Bo)
Southside3:39
15."Triple F Life (Outro)" (featuring Wooh da Kid)
  • J. Malphurs
  • Miller
  • N. Malphurs
DJ Speedy4:34
Deluxe edition (bonus tracks)
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
16."Inky" (featuring Slim Dunkin & Wooh da Kid)
  • J. Malphurs
  • Luellen
  • Hamilton
  • N. Malphurs
Southside4:43
17."Chin Up" (featuring Slim Dunkin)
  • J. Malphurs
  • Hamilton
  • Miller
DJ Speedy3:01
18."Everything I Love" (featuring Future & Trouble)
4:24
19."Barry Bonds" (featuring ASAP & P Smurf)
  • Malphurs
  • Mays, Jr.
Honorable C.N.O.T.E.3:52

Charts

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "iTunes – Music – Triple F Life: Friends, Fans & Family (Deluxe Version) by Waka Flocka Flame". iTunes (US). Apple. 2012-06-08. Retrieved 2013-10-19.
  2. ^ a b c "Waka Flocka Flame Album & Song Chart History: Hot 100". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved April 29, 2012.
  3. ^ "Gold & Platinum: Waka Flocka Flame". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved April 30, 2012.
  4. ^ "Flockaveli Reviews, Ratings, Credits, and More at Metacritic". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Retrieved April 30, 2012.
  5. ^ a b c Sargent, Jordan (August 23, 2011). "Gucci Mane/ Waka Flocka Flame: Ferrari Boyz". Pitchfork Media. Retrieved May 1, 2012.
  6. ^ "Gucci Mane Album & Song Chart History: Billboard 200". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved May 1, 2012.
  7. ^ Iraheta, Mark (January 5, 2011). "Video: Waka Flocka Talks New Album, Reveals Title". Complex. Complex Media. Retrieved April 30, 2012.
  8. ^ Bristout, Ralph (April 10, 2012). "Waka Flocka Flame on Changing the Sound of Hip-Hop & Friendly Competition". XXL. Townsquare Media. Retrieved April 30, 2012.
  9. ^ a b Kuperstein, Slava (April 29, 2012). "Waka Flocka Flame Discusses Slim Dunkin's Death & Goals For "Triple F Life"". HipHopDX. Cheri Media Group. Retrieved May 1, 2012.
  10. ^ Payne, Chris (November 29, 2011). "Waka Flocka Flame Readies Sophomore Album; Talks DMX & Drake Collabos". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved May 1, 2012.
  11. ^ Escobedo Shepherd, Julianne (May 1, 2012). "Waka Flocka Flame Goes "Boom"". Spin. Spin Media. p. 4. Retrieved May 4, 2012.
  12. ^ Markman, Rob; Primo, Michael (April 30, 2012). "Waka Flocka Flame Can't Accept Slim Dunkin's Death". MTV News. MTV Networks. Archived from the original on May 5, 2012. Retrieved May 4, 2012.
  13. ^ "Round of Applause (feat. Drake) – Single by Waka Flocka Flame". iTunes Store. Apple. Retrieved April 29, 2012.
  14. ^ "Urban/UAC Future Releases". allaccess.com. AllAccess Media Group. Archived from the original on April 16, 2012. Retrieved April 29, 2012.
  15. ^ "New Music: Waka Flocka Flame – 'Round of Applause'". Rap-Up. Devin Lazerine. August 9, 2011. Retrieved April 29, 2012.
  16. ^ "New Music: Waka Flocka Flame f/ Drake - 'Round of Applause (Remix)'". Rap-Up. Devin Lazerine. September 10, 2011. Retrieved April 29, 2012.
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  18. ^ a b "Waka Flocka Flame Album & Song Chart History: Rap Songs". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved April 29, 2012.
  19. ^ Homie, Big (2012-02-26). "New Video: Waka Flocka x Drake "Round Of Applause"". Rap Radar. Retrieved 2013-10-14.
  20. ^ "Urban/UAC Future Releases". allaccess.com. AllAccess Media Group. Archived from the original on April 16, 2012. Retrieved April 29, 2012.
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  22. ^ "New Music: Waka Flocka Flame f/ Trey Songz – 'I Don't Really Care'". Rap-Up. Devin Lazerine. March 9, 2012. Retrieved April 29, 2012.
  23. ^ Homie, Big (2012-05-01). "New Video: Waka Flocka x Trey Songz "I Don't Really Care"". Rap Radar. Retrieved 2013-10-14.
  24. ^ "Get Low (feat. Nicki Minaj, Tyga & Flo Rida) – Single by Waka Flocka Flame". iTunes Store. Apple. Retrieved June 5, 2012.
  25. ^ "Rooster in My Rari – Single by Waka Flocka Flame". iTunes Store. Apple. Retrieved June 5, 2012.
  26. ^ Posted By: B.Dot (2012-08-31). "New Video: Waka Flocka Ft. Nicki Minaj, Tyga, & Flo Rida "Get Low"". Rap Radar. Retrieved 2013-10-14.
  27. ^ Posted By: B.Dot (2012-06-11). "New Video: Waka Flocka "Rooster In My Rari"". Rap Radar. Retrieved 2013-10-14.
  28. ^ Homie, Big (2012-06-12). "New Video: Waka Flocka x Meek Mill "Let Dem Guns Blam"". Rap Radar. Retrieved 2013-10-14.
  29. ^ Homie, Big (2012-06-13). "New Video: Waka Flocka Ft. Ludacris x Bun B "Candy Paint & Gold Teeth"". Rap Radar. Retrieved 2013-10-14.
  30. ^ Homie, Big (2012-07-30). "New Video: Waka Flocka x B.o.B. "Fist Pump"". Rap Radar. Retrieved 2013-10-14.
  31. ^ "Triple F Life: Friends, Fans & Family by Waka Flocka Flame reviews". AnyDecentMusic?. Retrieved 21 February 2020.
  32. ^ a b c "Triple F Life: Friends, Fans and Family Reviews, Rating, Credits, and More". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Retrieved December 1, 2012.
  33. ^ a b Jeffries, David. "Triple F Life: Friends, Fans & Family – Waka Flocka Flame > Overview". AllMusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved December 1, 2012.
  34. ^ K1ng Eljay (2012-06-15). "Album Review: Waka Flocka Flame's "Triple F Life: Friends, Fans, and Family"". AllHipHop. AHH Holdings, LLC. Retrieved 2013-10-14.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
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  36. ^ a b Kyle Anderson on Jun 06, 2012 (2012-06-06). "Triple F Life review – Wake Flocka Flame Review". Entertainment Weekly. Time Inc. Archived from the original on 2013-07-19. Retrieved 2013-11-16.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
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  43. ^ Caulfield, Keith (June 20, 2012). "Usher Finds Fourth No. 1 Album on Billboard 200". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved June 20, 2012.
  44. ^ a b "CANOE – JAM! Music – SoundScan Charts". Jam.canoe.ca. Archived from the original on December 26, 2004. Retrieved 2013-10-14.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  45. ^ ""Lurkin" - Prod. By TM88 [Full In-Studio]". YouTube (US). 2012-05-20. Retrieved 2018-12-31.
  46. ^ "Waka Flocka Flame Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard.
  47. ^ "Waka Flocka Flame Chart History (Digital Albums)".[dead link] Billboard.
  48. ^ "Waka Flocka Flame Chart History (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)". Billboard.
  49. ^ "Waka Flocka Flame Chart History (Top Rap Albums)". Billboard.
  50. ^ "Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums – Year-End 2012". Billboard. Retrieved July 31, 2020.
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