1988 (Knxwledge album)

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1988
Studio album by
Knxwledge
ReleasedMarch 27, 2020
StudioKnxwledge's home[1]
GenreInstrumental hip hop,[2] funk,[3] jazz,[3] soul,[3] R&B[4]
Length37:57
LabelStones Throw Records
Knxwledge chronology
MEEK.VOL5
(2020) 		1988
(2020) 		HX.PRT14.8
(2020)
Singles from 1988
  1. "Do You"
    Released: January 7, 2020
  2. "Learn"
    Released: February 12, 2020
  3. "Howtokope."
    Released: February 12, 2020
  4. "dont be afraid"
    Released: March 4, 2020
  5. "[bc]tm_s not promised"
    Released: March 4, 2020
  6. "Listen"
    Released: March 22, 2020

1988 is the second studio album by American hip hop record producer Knxwledge, released on March 27, 2020 through Stones Throw Records.

Background[edit]

Knxwledge has released over 100 projects; 1988 is his second studio album released through Stones Throw Records.[1][5] It follows MEEK.VOL5, released on January 24, 2020, the fifth in a remix album series of Meek Mill freestyles, and is an official follow up to his first studio album, Hud Dreems, released on May 5, 2015.[4][6][7] The album is named after the year that Knxwledge was born.[8][9] It contains themes of emotional growth as one ages.[10] It was produced at his home studio, using instruments including a SP-303, Mellotron, and Prophet keyboard.[1]

Composition[edit]

The album is primarily an instrumental hip hop record and contains samples from a variety of media sources, including music, film, and radio interviews.[8][11][2][12]

"Dont be afraid" features a pitched-up sample of “Surrender” by Kut Klose and galvanizing percussion and horns.[8][13][14][15] “[Bc] tm_s not promised” is an ambient track that contains a piano loop and vocal samples.[13] “Do You” contains layers of synths, piano chords, drum loops, and bass guitar, alongside a vocal sample of "Just Because I'm Wrong" by Gerald Levert.[16][17][18] "Listen" contains a sample of a church pastor and gospel singers.[7][15] "Learn" is a "warm, electro-based and lo-fi" track composed of drums and bass lines.[19][20] "Howtokope." contains a vocal sample of a Ebro Darden radio interview.[19] "With[reality]" features a rapper making aggressive threats over an analogue synth riff that gives the track a "dreamlike quality."[15] "Solivelife" contains pitched Anderson .Paak vocals over horn samples.[15][21] “Watchwhoyoukallyourhomie” samples a Meek Mill freestyle.[22][23] "Don_tgottabe" contains a humming vocal sample, guitar strums, punchy drums, and minimalistic percussion.[24] “Awomanslifeislove” is a funk track containing bass, drums, and a cracking snare.[7] "Amansloveislife_keepon" contains a sample of "Keep On" by Kut Klose.[8][2]

Release[edit]

On January 7, 2020, Knxwledge released the album's lead single, "Do You".[16][17][25] On February 12, 2020, the album's next two singles, "Learn" and "Howtokope." were released.[5][20][26] He released the album's next two singles "dont be afraid" and "[bc]tm_s not promised" on March 3, 2020, alongside an animated music video by Rhymezlikedimez.[14][27][28][29] The album released on March 27, 2020.[11][30][31] An animated music video for "makeitliveforever" was released on the same day.[32] An animated music video for "Don_tgottabe" was released on May 7, 2020.[24][33]

Critical reception[edit]

Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
Metacritic80/100[34]
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[2]
Exclaim!7/10[15]
Pitchfork7/10[8]
Q[3]

According to the review aggregator Metacritic, 1988 received "generally favorable reviews" based on a weighted average score of 80 out of 100 from 5 critic scores.[34]

Writing for Q, Rupert Howe said that the album "radiates a warmth often missing from other hi-tech laptop jams."[3] Exclaim!'s Kyle Mullin concludes that the album maintains a "soulful throwback sound" while "stretching in unpredictable new directions."[15] In his review for Pitchfork, Stephen Kearse praised Knxwledge as a "distinctive and prolific sculptor of sounds" but that said that 1988 did not do enough to distinguish itself from his other albums.[8] Andy Kellman of AllMusic praised the variety of samples used in the album as "cutting across genres, decades, and moods."[2]

Micah Peters of The Ringer described the album as "a shifting collage of analog sounds and surprise vocals."[8] Hypebeast's Patrick Johnson wrote that the album "craft[s] a narrative of gratitude, and offers up a soundtrack that can even be considered soothing given the current unprecedented times of self-quarantines and isolation."[32] The Asbury Park Press listed the album as a top Jersey album of 2020.[35] Writing for The Fader, Shaad D'Souza described the album as "another warm, soulful chapter of Knxwledge’s output."[36] Jim Wilson of The Michigan Daily wrote that the album was innovative in an "ultra-modern landscape" despite its "throwback nature."[37]

Accolades[edit]

Publication Accolade Rank Ref.
Okayplayer
Best Albums of 2020
15
[38]
XLR8R
Our Favorite Releases of 2020
 —
[39]

Track listing[edit]

All music produced by Glen Earl Boothe.

No.TitleLength
1."dont be afraid"1:34
2."[bc] tm_s not promised"0:54
3."do you"2:49
4."thats allwekando."0:57
5."listen"1:14
6."learn"1:41
7."howtokope."2:00
8."with[reality]"0:54
9."uonlygetone"0:55
10."solivelife"1:39
11."be safe"1:00
12."watchwhoukallyourhomie"1:29
13."theykome&go"1:33
14."don_tgottabe"2:09
15."gangstallthetime"1:58
16."believeme"1:08
17."itkanbe[sonice]" (featuring NxWorries)1:43
18."makeuseofthetime"1:18
19."makeitliveforever"1:50
20."awomanslifeislove"1:15
21."amansloveislife_keepon"3:19
22."minding_my business" (featuring Durand Bernarr and Rose Gold)4:28
Total length:37:57

Notes

  • "dont be afraid" contains a sample of "Surrender" by Kut Klose.[8]
  • "do you" contains a sample of "Just Because I'm Wrong" by Gerald Levert.[18]
  • "howtokope" features additional vocals from Ebro Darden.[19][10]
  • "solivelife" features additional vocals from Anderson .Paak.[8]
  • "watchwhoukallyourhomie" features additional vocals from Meek Mill.[8][22][40]
  • "believeme" features additional vocals from Vodka.[40]
  • "amansloveislife_keepon" contains a sample of "Keep On" by Kut Klose.[8][2]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c Mlynar, Phillip (2020-04-08). "Knxwledge Breaks Down the Process Behind His Projects". Bandcamp Daily. Retrieved 2023-11-20.
  2. ^ a b c d e f Kellman, Andy, "Knxwledge - 1988 Album Reviews, Songs & More", AllMusic, retrieved 2023-11-20
  3. ^ a b c d e Hower, Rupert (2020-06-01). "Q Review New Albums". Q. p. 102. ISSN 0955-4955.
  4. ^ a b Peters, Micah (2020-04-01). "Knxwledge's '1988' and Finding Solace in a Beat Tape". The Ringer. Retrieved 2023-11-20.
  5. ^ a b Ismael Ruiz, Matthew; Bloom, Madison (2020-02-13). "Knxwledge Announces New Album 1988, Shares New Songs". Pitchfork. Retrieved 2023-11-20.
  6. ^ Kenneally, Cerys (13 February 2020). "Kendrick Lamar collaborator Knxwledge announces new album with two singles "learn" and "howtokope."". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved 2024-04-24.
  7. ^ a b c Bell, Max (2020-03-25). "The Best Beat Tapes on Bandcamp: March 2020". Bandcamp Daily. Retrieved 2023-11-20.
  8. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Kearse, Stephen (2020-04-08). "Knxwledge: 1988". Pitchfork. Retrieved 2023-11-20.
  9. ^ Johnson, Patrick (2020-04-03). "Knxwledge Can't Stop Working". Hypebeast. Retrieved 2023-11-20.
  10. ^ a b Johnson, Patrick (2020-03-04). "Knxwledge Is Smooth and Emotional on New Tracks "dont be afraid" and "[bc]tm_s not promised"". Hypebeast. Retrieved 2024-04-24.
  11. ^ a b Price, Joe (March 27, 2020). "Knxwledge Returns With New Album '1988'". Complex. Retrieved 2023-11-20.
  12. ^ Psaltis-Ivaniš, Stefanos (2020-04-17). "Album Review: Knxwledge – 1988 - WVCW". WVCW. Retrieved 2023-11-20.
  13. ^ a b Droke, Carolyn (2020-03-04). "Knxwledge Offers Serenity On The Smooth Track 'Don't Be Afraid'". Uproxx. Retrieved 2023-11-20.
  14. ^ a b "Knxwledge Drops Off Two More Joints From Sophomore Album "1988"". HotNewHipHop. 2020-03-04. Retrieved 2024-04-24.
  15. ^ a b c d e f Mullin, Kyle (March 24, 2020). "Knxwledge - 1988". Exclaim!. ISSN 1207-6600.
  16. ^ a b Ingvaldsen, Torsten (2020-01-07). "Knxwledge Drops Funky New Single "Do You"". Hypebeast. Retrieved 2024-04-24.
  17. ^ a b Johnson II, Jarrod (January 7, 2020). "Knxwledge Drops New Single "Do You," with Album to Follow in Spring". Paste.
  18. ^ a b "Knxwledge Kicks Off His Big Year With 'Do You'". SoulBounce. January 9, 2020. Retrieved 2024-04-24.
  19. ^ a b c Johnson, Patrick (2020-02-13). "Knxwledge Premieres New Project with "Learn / Howtokope." Singles". Hypebeast. Retrieved 2023-11-20.
  20. ^ a b Elder, Sajae (February 15, 2020). "Knxwledge announces new album, shares double single "learn" and "howtokope"". The Fader. Retrieved 2023-11-20.
  21. ^ Green, Dylan (2020-03-27). "Knxwledge Bends Time to His Will on '1988': Album Review". DJBooth. Retrieved 2023-11-20.
  22. ^ a b Lewis, Amaya (2023-03-17). "Knxwledge is Power". KTSW. Retrieved 2023-11-20.
  23. ^ Senay, Connor (2020-04-09). "Review: Knxwledge's '1988' is music from the soul, for the soul". The Diamondback. Retrieved 2023-11-20.
  24. ^ a b Adams, Danny (2020-05-08). "Don_tgottabe- [Knxwledge]". Lyrical Lemonade. Retrieved 2024-04-24.
  25. ^ Watson, Elijah (January 7, 2020). "Knxwledge Releases New Single "Do You"". Okayplayer. Retrieved 2024-04-24.
  26. ^ Threadcraft, Torry (February 13, 2020). "Knxwledge Drops Two New Tracks, to Release '1988' LP in March". Okayplayer. Retrieved 2023-11-20.
  27. ^ Kenneally, Cerys (5 March 2020). "Knxwledge unveils new tracks "Don't Be Afraid" and "[bc] tm_s not promised"". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved 2024-04-24.
  28. ^ Threadcraft, Torry (March 4, 2020). "Check Out Knxwledge's Video for "Don't Be Afraid," Animated by Rhymezlikedimez". Okayplayer. Retrieved 2024-04-24.
  29. ^ Otis, Erik (2020-03-06). "Knxwledge Shares Animated Video for Album Single 'Don't Be Afraid'". XLR8R. Retrieved 2024-04-24.
  30. ^ Breihan, Tom (2020-03-27). "Anderson .Paak Reunites With NxWorries Partner Knxwledge On New Song "Itkanbe[Sonice]": Listen". Stereogum. Retrieved 2023-11-20.
  31. ^ Childs, Jesse (2020-03-27). "Knxwledge drops '1988' album — peep here". Revolt . Retrieved 2023-11-20.
  32. ^ a b Johnson, Patrick (2020-03-27). "Prolific Producer Knxwledge Returns With Smooth, Soulful Instrumentals on '1988'". Hypebeast. Retrieved 2023-11-20.
  33. ^ Johnson, Patrick (2020-05-07). "Knxwledge's "Don_Tgottabe" Animated Visual Is a Mellow Dose of Escapism". Hypebeast. Retrieved 2023-11-20.
  34. ^ a b 1988 by Knxwledge, Metacritic, retrieved 2023-11-20
  35. ^ Jordan, Chris (2020-12-24). "The year in music: The 9 best Jersey albums of 2020". Asbury Park Press. Retrieved 2023-11-20.
  36. ^ Renshaw, David; D'Souza, Shaad (March 27, 2020). "The 10 new albums you should stream right now". The Fader. Retrieved 2023-11-20.
  37. ^ Wilson, Jim (2020-03-31). "Knxwledge pushes the old school into modernity with '1988'". The Michigan Daily. Retrieved 2023-11-20.
  38. ^ "Okayplayer's Best Albums of 2020". Okayplayer. December 23, 2020. Retrieved 2024-04-24.
  39. ^ "Our Favorite Releases of 2020". XLR8R. 2020-12-24. Retrieved 2024-04-24.
  40. ^ a b Rahman, Abdur (2020-04-09). "Hip-hop producer Knxwledge pulls in influences from 90s R&B to the Philly rap battle DVD era with new album 1988". WXPN. Retrieved 2023-11-20.
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