With less than a month left in 2018, it is safe to say that this year was a pivotal period for music. With the reprise of artists such as Lil Wayne and Nas and the debuts of newcomers such as Ella Mai and Summer Walker, the Billboard charts has been a dog-eat-dog competition for a spot in the top 10.
While some releases did great, some of the most anticipated albums of the year fell short of their expectations. Some of the industry’s favorites failed to meet the content, sales, promotion, or chart-topping standards that their fans gush about on social media timelines.
Here are three of the most surprising album flops of the year (DISCLAIMER: I am a fan of all three artists to be named below, these reviews are based on chart data, past projects, and overall listening review...but in other words, I said what I said.):
Nicki Minaj’s Queen
Nicki Minaj is one of the most dominant women in today’s rap industry. She has made history on the charts by having 100 entries on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, passing the late Aretha Franklin’s record. With 17 entries in the top ten archives since her first entry in 2010, there was high expectations for her next release.
Lately, the Young Money diva has been shaking the table on social media following her beef with fellow New York rapper, Cardi B. The queen of “stopping bags” failed to shake the charts with the release of her fourth studio album, Queen. Released in August, the 19-track album is a nod to female empowerment and releasing the ladies’ inner baddie. Prior to the release of the album, Minaj released the lead single “Chun-Li”, which peaked at No. 10 on the Billboard Hot 100. Following “Chun-Li”, Minaj sporadically released singles that hit the Billboard charts, including “Barbie Tingz”, “Bed” featuring Ariana Grande, and “Rich Sex” featuring Lil Wayne.
Despite the success of the singles, Minaj’s album sales were a surprising flop, if I do say so myself. Queen’s first week debut sales peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 with 185,000 copies (including merchandise), and over 75,000 of them being pure album sales. Overshadowed by Travis Scott’s Astroworld during its first week, the reign of Queen in the top 10 came to a close by the second week of being on the charts. The album fell to a surprising No. 33 on the Billboard charts by its fifth week in circulation. Queen became eligible for RIAA’s platinum ranking in October.
Considering the double platinum success of her previous album, The Pinkprint, Queen was a disappointment. In comparison to Queen, The Pinkprint peaked No. 3 in is first week debut on the Billboard; however, sales were 244,000 with 198,000 in pure album sales.
Minaj got too comfortable with her success, and it shows in Queen’s slightly incohesive content. While the production is flawless with hard hitter beats, Nicki’s punchlines and bars missed the bar that many of her OG fans--and even her critics--are used to.
Forbes contributor Bryan Rolli considered the album to be “messy”.
“Queen is a great 10-song album hiding inside a messy 19-song album,” says Rolli in his review of the album.
For some of the Barbs in Minaj’s fan base, the album did not reflect Nicki’s true caliber as an artist.
“I think Nicki has reached a point in her life and her music career where she’s just doing what’s popular,” states Minaj fan Omega Nugent. “She’s trying to find a new sound because she’s succeeded past ‘hustling, grinding, and striving to reach the top’ Nicki.”
Queen had a few bangers, but it missed the mark for me and a select few of her loyal fans.
2. A Boogie’s International Artist EP
Hailing from the Bronx, New York, A Boogie wit da Hoodie had everybody in their bag with the 2016 release of his mixtape, Artist, that featured his most popular hit, “My Sh*t”. Since then, the Highbridge signee has 9 songs on the Billboard Hot 100 and has reached his peak chart position with The Bigger Artist’s lead single “Drowning”, featuring Kodak Black.
A Boogie released his second EP, International Artist, in June. The 8-track EP is a reflection of his hometown’s cultural diversity and an exhibition of his versatility as an artist. The EP features international voices, such as Jamaican artist Alkaline and Puerto Rico’s J Alvarez.
International Artist debuted on Billboard and peaked at No. 57. The EP only lasted on the charts for four weeks. It was a steep decline compared to The Bigger Artist, which peaked at #4 on the Billboard during its debut in 2017.
International Artist received positive reception from critics from XXL and Rolling Stone, both emphasizing that A Boogie’s sound is catered to a project of this caliber.
Although the EP was an attempt to reach a larger audience and to establish A Boogie as a crossover artist, it has its drawbacks. Compared to Artist and The Bigger Artist, the content was just not there for a lot of his fans that are used to his storytelling in his music. The EP was cohesive within itself, but not cohesive with his original sound and his image that put him on the map.
For some of his New York fans, the project was a let down.
“He was trying too hard to be versatile,” says A Boogie fan Tariq Schinnery. “He gave quantity over the quality.”
As a New Yorker, it was nice to see A Boogie trying out new sounds that are a staple to New York culture; however, this project would have been better as stand-alone singles.
3. Teyana Taylor’s K.T.S.E.
The G.O.O.D Music family had a great yet cruel summer. Alongside the controversial releases of both Nas’ Nasir, Pusha T’s Daytona, and Ye’s self-titled album Ye, Teyana Taylor’s K.T.S.E. album proves to be the least problematic of the five productions released by the label this summer.
K.T.S.E., short for Keep That Same Energy, is Teyana’s second studio album since the release of her first studio album, VII, in 2014. The long overdue album features some of the best of Kanye’s old beats. From the compelling sample of The Delfonics’ “I Gave to You” on “Gonna Love Me” and the sexy, seductive story of a threesome on “3Way,” the album exudes both soulful and flirty vibes.
Despite the emphasis on her tremendous vocal talent, thoughtful content that was slightly incohesive, and the excellent production, K.T.S.E. fell short of the appreciation it deserved by the mainstream world. Opening at No. 2 on the Billboard, K.T.S.E. still faced disappointing first week sale numbers raking in 23,000 sales and 7,000 in pure album sales due to a lack of promotion.
For her fans, K.T.S.E. is an exhibition of development as an artist and a welcome back to the industry after her marriage and pregnancy.
“[Taylor’s] album shows her growth as an artist and that she’s been underestimated for so long,” says fan Jaha Knight. “I can’t wait to see her career continue to skyrocket.”
Despite the numbers, K.T.S.E. proves yet again why Taylor deserves more
recognition and appreciation for her versatility as an artist. K.T.S.E. is a staple in Teyana's career, proving that she is an underdog among artists in her label.
What artists and/or albums do you think faced a flop this year? Feel free to share your thoughts!