Cilvia Demo

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Cilvia Demo
CilviaDemo.jpg
EP by Isaiah Rashad
Released January 28, 2014
Recorded 2013-2014
Genre Hip hop
Length 49:29
Label Top Dawg Entertainment
Isaiah Rashad chronology
Cilvia Demo
(2014)		 TBA
(2016)TBA2016
Alternate Cover
Alternate cover
Alternate cover

Cilvia Demo (also referred to as Cilvia) is the debut extended play by American hip hop recording artist Isaiah Rashad, released on January 28, 2014, under Top Dawg Entertainment. The EP features guest appearances from Jean Deaux and Michael Da Vinci, as well as his Top Dawg label-mates SZA, Schoolboy Q and Jay Rock. The EP's production was handled by several record producers, namely Ross Vega, Mr. Carmack, Joseph L'Étranger, Black Metaphor, The Antydote, Farhot, Chris Calor, D. Sanders and Digi+Phonics producer Sounwave. Cilvia Demo received universal acclaim from music critics. It was included in several year-end top album lists by critics and publications.

Composition

Ciliva Demo is a concept album which, according to Rashad, sums up his emotional struggle, from his teenage to adolescent years. The project features personal themes, such as substance abuse, fatherhood, growing up, and police brutality. The EP's music incorporates stylistic and production elements of southern, experimental, and progressive hip hop. Its production features smooth, old school influenced, downbeat southern hip hop production, with elements of experimental soul and trip hop. The project features hazy and atmospheric soundscapes, low, mid, to high-tempo beats, and chopped and screwed background vocals, and abrasive main vocal set against smooth, slow burning southern-styled production.

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
Source Rating
Metacritic 82/100[1]
Review scores
Source Rating
BET 4/5 stars[2]
Consequence of Sound 4/5 stars[3]
Pitchfork Media 8.2/10 [4]
NOW 4/5 stars[5]
HipHopDX 4/5 stars[6]
Exclaim! 4/5 stars[7]
Spin 8/10[8]
XXL 4/5 stars (XL)[9]

Cilvia Demo was met with universal acclaim from music critics upon its release. Praise was directed at the album's lyrics, unconventional southern production, cohesiveness, and Rashad's unique style and thoughtful lyrics. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from critics, the album received an average score of 82, which indicates "universal acclaim", based on 13 reviews.[10] Rob Markman of MTV gave the project a positive review saying, "By the time the 14-track project winds down, Isaiah Rashad slowly doles out his own coming-of-age story using introspective raps, melodies and, at times, good old southern bounce."[11] Marcus Dowling of HipHopDX said, "Every story and hook on Isaiah Rashad's Cilvia Demo connects on a human level. What it lacks in depth is covered by excellent production and raw talent."[6]

Michael Madden of Consequence of Sound gave the project a positive review saying, "At any rate, Rashad sounds like he belongs. He’s touched down on his own terms, and he’ll be sticking around for a while."[3] Sheldon Pearce of XXL gave the project an overwhelmingly positive review, directing praise at the album's production, lyrical content, and replay value.[12]

Accolades

Cilvia Demo appeared on multiple year end lists of the best hip-hop albums of that year. Rap Genius hailed it as the seventh best hip hop release that year, while Rolling Stone placed it at number twenty-one on it year-end hip hop albums list.[13] [14] SPIN included the album on its list of the 40 best hip hop releases of 2014.[15] Based on the buzz generated by the EP, XXL revealed Rashad was included in their annual freshman class, alongside fellow up-and-comers Chance the Rapper, Ty Dolla $ign, Rich Homie Quan, Vic Mensa, August Alsina, Troy Ave, Kevin Gates, Lil Bibby, Jon Connor, Lil Durk and Jarren Benton.[16][17]

Commercial performance

The EP debuted at number 40 on the US Billboard 200 chart and sold 8,500 copies its first week.[18] In its second week, the EP completely fell off the Billboard 200.[19] As of May 2016, the EP has sold around 28,000 copies domestically.

Track listing

No. Title Producer Length
1. "Hereditary"   Ross Vega 1:28
2. "Webbie Flow (U Like)"   Mr. Carmack 3:09
3. "Cilvia Demo"   Joseph L'Étranger 3:16
4. "R.I.P. Kevin Miller"   Black Metaphor 3:53
5. "Ronnie Drake" (featuring SZA) The Antydote 3:31
6. "West Savannah" (featuring SZA) The Antydote 2:48
7. "Soliloquy"   Farhot 1:55
8. "Tranquility"   Farhot 4:20
9. "Menthol" (featuring Jean Deaux) Sounwave 2:58
10. "Modest"   Chris Calor 3:42
11. "Heavenly Father"   D. Sanders 4:21
12. "Banana"   The Antydote 3:32
13. "Brad Jordan" (featuring Michael Da Vinci) Danny Dee 4:12
14. "Shot You Down (Remix)" (featuring Schoolboy Q and Jay Rock) Chris Calor and The Antydote 7:08
Total length:
 49:29
Notes
  • "Webbie Flow (U Like)" contains a sample of "Reference" performed by Mr. Carmack.[20]
  • "Cilvia Demo" contains a sample of "Feel Like Making Love" performed by Ana Mazzotti.[21]
  • "R.I.P. Kevin Miller" contains a sample of "Dolphin Dance" performed by Ahmad Jamal Trio and contains an interpolation of "Weed & Money" performed by Master P.[22]
  • "Ronnie Drake" contains a sample of "You Call It Madness" performed by Clare Fischer.[23]
  • "West Savannah" contains samples of "Energy" performed by Iman Omari.[24]
  • "Menthol" contains samples of "The World Is Ours" performed by Tokimonsta and "Soul Chicken" performed by Bobby Allen & The Exceptions.[25]
  • "Heavenly Father" contains a sample of "Lord Hold Me in Your Arms" performed by The Crowns of Glory.[26]
  • "Banana" contains a sample of "If This World Were Mine" performed by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell.[27]
  • "Brad Jordan" contains a samples of "Merde, Il Fait Déjà Jour" performed by Christian Gaubert.[28]
  • "Shot You Down" contains a sample of "Sparkling in the Sand" performed by Tower of Power.[29]

Personnel

Credits for Cilvia Demo adapted from Allmusic.[30]

  • Isaiah Rashad - performer, primary vocals, producer
  • SZA - featured performer, vocals
  • Ross Vega - producer
  • Mr. Carmack - producer
  • Joseph L'Étranger - producer
  • Black Metaphor - producer
  • The Antydote - producer, mixing, assistant engineer[30]
  • Farhot - producer
  • Chris Calor - producer, mixing, engineer[30]
  • D. Sanders - producer
  • Sounwave - producer
  • Michael Da Vinci - featured performer, vocals
  • Jay Rock - featured performer, vocals
  • Schoolboy Q - featured performer, vocals
  • Jean Deaux - featured performer, vocals

Chart positions

Chart (2014) Peak
position
UK R&B Albums (OCC)[31] 30
US Billboard 200[32] 40
US Billboard Independent Albums 7
US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard)[33] 9
US Billboard Top Rap Albums 6

References

  1. ↑ http://www.metacritic.com/music/cilvia-demo-ep/isaiah-rashad
  2. ↑ http://www.bet.com/news/music/2014/02/04/mixtape-review-isaiah-rashad-cilvia-demo-ep.html
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  4. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  5. ↑ https://nowtoronto.com/music/album-reviews/isaiah-rashad/
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  7. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  8. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  9. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  10. ↑ http://www.metacritic.com/music/cilvia-demo-ep/isaiah-rashad
  11. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  12. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  13. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  14. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  15. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  16. ↑ http://www.xxlmag.com/news/2014/05/xxl-freshmen-2014-cover-revealed/
  17. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  18. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  19. ↑ http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.27476/title.hip-hop-album-sales-week-ending-2-9-2014
  20. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  21. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  22. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  23. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  24. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  25. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  26. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  27. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  28. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  29. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  30. ↑ 30.0 30.1 30.2 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  31. ↑ "Official R&B Albums Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved February 2, 2014.
  32. ↑ "Isaiah Rashad – Chart history" Billboard 200 for Isaiah Rashad.
  33. ↑ "Isaiah Rashad – Chart history" Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums for Isaiah Rashad.
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