Cilvia Demo

Cilvia Demo
EP by Isaiah Rashad
Released January 28, 2014
Recorded 2013
TDE Red Room
(Carson, California)
Genre Alternative hip hop, Southern hip hop, Neo-soul
Length 49:29
Label Top Dawg Entertainment
Isaiah Rashad chronology
Cilvia Demo
(2014)		 TBA
(2016)

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.

The EP's music incorporates stylistic and production elements of Southern, experimental, and progressive hip hop. Its production features hazy and atmospheric soundscapes, mid to high-tempo beats, and chopped and screwed background vocals, and abrasive main vocal set against smooth, slow burning southern-styled production. The EP's lyrics deal with themes of fatherhood, substance abuse, police brutality, and Rashad's childhood experiences growing up in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

The EP was promoted with the release of several tracks, which were later featured on the project, including "I Shot You Down", "Brad Jordan", "R.I.P. Kevin Miller", "Ronnie Drake", and "Soliloquy". Upon its release, Cilvia Demo received universal acclaim from music critics, who commended Rashad's storytelling, introspective raps, style, and the experimental production style. It was included in several year-end top album lists by critics and publications.

Background and recording

Rashad's life experiences in Chattanooga, Tennessee served as the basis for Cilvia Demo.[1][2]

In March 2013, Rashad met production team Digi+Phonics' Dave Free, who then introduced him to Top Dawg, CEO of Carson, California-based independent record label Top Dawg Entertainment (TDE).[3] On June 3, 2013, it was reported that Rashad was the recently buzzed about signing to Top Dawg Entertainment, home to rappers such as Kendrick Lamar, Schoolboy Q, Ab-Soul and Jay Rock. However, the label did not release an official statement.[4][5] Over the following months the label and Rashad remained coy about the signing, not confirming anything.[6]

Then on September 20, 2013, Top Dawg Entertainment made the signing official with Top Dawg announcing it over Twitter.[7] However, he revealed he had been signed to the label since March.[8] Following the signing, Rashad moved to Los Angeles, California and began living and recording at the TDE Red Room Studio.[9][10]To celebrate the signing announcement, a music video for a new song titled "Shot You Down" was released.[11] It was his first new song released in over a year.[6] The video had been recently shot in his hometown of Chattanooga, Tennessee.[8] On October 1, 2013, a video was released of Rashad signing his contract with TDE.[12]

Rashad has stated that the majority of the lyrics on Cilvia Demo were already written prior to his signing with TDE. Rashad chose to record the entirety of the project at the TDE Red Room in Carson, California. Rashad even spent extended periods of time living at the TDE Red Room in order to finish writing and recording work for the album.[13][14]

Release and promotion

On October 18, 2013, the remix to "Shot You Down" featuring Schoolboy Q and Jay Rock was released via SoundCloud.[15] On November 7, 2013, Rashad told Revolt that he would be releasing his very first official project Cilvia during December 2013.[16][17] In mid-January 2014, Rashad revealed that the mixtape Cilvia would now be a retail extended play (EP) and would not contain many featured artists.[18] On January 17, CEO Top Dawg revealed the cover artwork for the EP and that Cilvia Demo would be released digitally on January 28, 2014. It revealed features from TDE's SZA and Jay Rock and Schoolboy Q on the remix of "Shot You Down".[19][20] The day before the EP's release, Rashad released the music video for the Cilvia Demo song, "Soliloquy".[21][22] As promised, Cilvia Demo was released on January 28, 2014 via digital download retailers and was made available in CD format exclusively from Top Dawg Entertainment's website.[23] From March 1 to June 1, 2014, Isaiah Rashad toured with Schoolboy Q for the entirety of his international tour supporting his third studio album Oxymoron.[24]

Music and lyrics

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.

Speaking of the development of Cilvia Demo Rashad said; At first it was going to be like eight tracks for a one-and-a-half-minutes, just verses. Then it was going to be some alternative, black-power shit. Then it was going to be some eclectic-alien shit. Then it was going to be some Southern-banging shit. Now it’s kind of all of it, except for the banging shit. It ain’t like with the intention of turning up to it, that’s not my shit. I just want you to vibe out to it. Have a good time and put you in a certain mood. It’s real peaceful, real calmful."[25]

“
”

Songs 1-7

Rashad's TDE label mate SZA contributed several vocals to the album, and is featured on "Ronnie Drake" and "West Savannah".[26][27]

"Hereditary", serves as a 1 and a half minute intro track, and features a slow-burning instrumental, without drums, with Rashad singing for the entirety of the track.[28] Lyrically, the song opens up on Rashad's situation with his father. "Webbie Flow (U Like)" is a song on which Rashad reminisces on his adolescent teen years. The song has a layered, southern style, with leading and layered synths, and bouncing bass.[29] "Cilvia Demo" serves as a nostalgic "ride-along" track, where Rashad references drug abuse, singing on the song's hook about getting "higher". Rashad also briefly references an encounter he had with a past love on this song.[30] On the songs "R.I.P. Kevin Miller" and "Ronnie Drake", Isaiah Rashad touches on the topics of police brutality, rapping on R.I.P. Kevin Miller", "Motherfuck a 12, Bitches ain't shit, cops ain't neither, they hunting my people", and on "Ronnie Drake", "Hope they don't kill you cause you black today.[31][32] On the SZA collaboration "West Savannah", Rashad talks about a love that they have found over personal issues.[33] Rashad also touches on the issue of suicide in the line "At least we fell in love with something greater than debating suicide". The song "Soliloquy", represents the record's "climax" and showcases Rashad having an internal monologue, over a hardcore, 90's boom bap styled instrumental, with dark, dusty, and menacing piano chords. The song features a nearly 2 minute verse, without a hook or chorus, with Rashad rapping about everything from Vince Vaughn and Walter White, to his absent father.[34]

Songs 8-14

"Tranquility", was described by critics as a song on which Rashad covers hedonistic and philosophical themes. He references and compares gods to leaders and shooters, and states that we have to accept the world as it is, and coexist within it.[35] "Menthol", features vocalist Jean Deaux, with Rashad discussing about a relationship which revolves around drug and alcohol abuse.[36] "Modest" is a braggadocio track where Rashad speaks on himself and his "coming up" in the music industry. The track features many different recorded vocals overlapping at the same time, while Rashad raps aggressively over a smooth, and bass heavy instrumental.[37] On "Heavenly Father", Rashad reflects on his depression, suicide attempts, and question his personal faith.[38] In the song "Banana", Rashad once again reminisces on his adolescence, working hard for his son, and abandonment by his father. The hook features Rashad singing, "We are the young and Xanax oh, see there's no where to go". This line reflects Rashad's thoughts that his generation is one of depressed adults, with him referencing the anti-depressant drug Xanax.[39] The song "Brad Jordan" is an ode to the lifestyle and mannerisms of the southern-rap legend Scarface, and features an Outkast reminiscent instrumental, with hard hitting drums, spacey keys and synthesizers.[40] The final song on the project, "Shot You Down", features Rashad's Top Dawg Entertainment label mates Jay Rock and Schoolboy Q. The song is a remixed version of the song "I Shot You Down", which Rashad released in late 2013, and features a verse from each artist, over a smooth, soulful instrumental with a flute sample, and a backing bass guitar riff.[41]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
Metacritic82/100[42]
Review scores
SourceRating
BET[43]
Consequence of Sound[44]
Exclaim![45]
Pitchfork Media8.2/10 [46]
NOW[47]
HipHopDX[48]
EarMilk9.0/10[49]
The Source[50]
XXL[51]
Spin8/10[52]

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.[53] 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."[54] 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."[48] 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."[44] Sheldon Pearce of XXL gave the project an overwhelmingly positive review, directing praise at the album's production, lyrical content, and replay value.[55]

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.[56] [57] SPIN included the album on its list of the 40 best hip hop releases of 2014.[58] 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.[59][60]

Commercial performance

The EP debuted at number 40 on the US Billboard 200 chart and sold 8,500 copies its first week.[61] In its second week, the EP completely fell off the Billboard 200.[62] The EP has sold around 28,000 copies as of May 2016.

Track listing

Cilvia Demo[63]
No. TitleProducer 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
Sample credits

Information adapted from WhoSampled.[64]

Personnel

Credits for Cilvia Demo adapted from Allmusic.[75]

Chart positions

Chart (2014) Peak
position
UK R&B Albums (OCC)[76] 30
US Billboard 200[77] 40
US Billboard Independent Albums 7
US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard)[78] 9
US Billboard Top Rap Albums 6

References

  1. ↑ "Isaiah Rashad Releasing New Mixtape 'Cilvia' Next Month - XXL". Xxlmag.com. 2013-11-07. Retrieved 2014-01-28.
  2. ↑ "Isaiah Rashad "Cilvia" Mixtape Announcement". Complex. 2013-11-07. Retrieved 2014-01-28.
  3. ↑ "The Come Up: Isaiah Rashad - Page 5 of 8". XXL. Townsquare Media. October 16, 2013. Retrieved January 28, 2014.
  4. ↑ Paine, Jake (June 3, 2013). "TDE Reportedly Signs Chattanooga, Tennessee Rapper Isaiah Rashad | Get The Latest Hip Hop News, Rap News & Hip Hop Album Sales". HipHopDX. Cheri Media Group. Retrieved January 28, 2014.
  5. ↑ "Chattanooga's Isaiah Rashad Reportedly Gets Contract - 06/03/2013 - Chattanoogan.com". Ccc.chattanoogan.com. June 3, 2013. Retrieved January 28, 2014.
  6. 1 2 Udoko, Itoro (September 23, 2013). "Numbah 4,080: Isaiah Rashad Signs to Top Dawg Entertainment, Drops New Single and Video | Nashville Cream". Nashville Scene. Retrieved January 28, 2014.
  7. ↑ "TDE Signs Tennessee Rapper Isaiah Rashad". Rap-Up. September 20, 2013. Retrieved January 28, 2014.
  8. 1 2 "GEN F: Isaiah Rashad". The Fader. November 25, 2013. Retrieved January 28, 2014.
  9. ↑ Paine, Jake (June 3, 2013). "TDE Reportedly Signs Chattanooga, Tennessee Rapper Isaiah Rashad | Get The Latest Hip Hop News, Rap News & Hip Hop Album Sales". HipHopDX. Cheri Media Group. Retrieved January 28, 2014.
  10. ↑ "Chattanooga's Isaiah Rashad Reportedly Gets Contract - 06/03/2013 - Chattanoogan.com". Ccc.chattanoogan.com. June 3, 2013. Retrieved January 28, 2014.
  11. ↑ "Top Dawg Introduces New Signee, Isaiah Rashad". TheSource. September 21, 2013. Retrieved January 28, 2014.
  12. ↑ "Isaiah Rashad Signs with TDE". Complex. October 1, 2013. Retrieved January 28, 2014.
  13. ↑ Paine, Jake (June 3, 2013). "TDE Reportedly Signs Chattanooga, Tennessee Rapper Isaiah Rashad | Get The Latest Hip Hop News, Rap News & Hip Hop Album Sales". HipHopDX. Cheri Media Group. Retrieved January 28, 2014.
  14. ↑ "Chattanooga's Isaiah Rashad Reportedly Gets Contract - 06/03/2013 - Chattanoogan.com". Ccc.chattanoogan.com. June 3, 2013. Retrieved January 28, 2014.
  15. ↑ "Stream: Isaiah Rashad f. Jay Rock & Schoolboy Q, "Shot You Down (Remix)"". The Fader. 2013-10-18. Retrieved 2014-01-28.
  16. ↑ "Isaiah Rashad Releasing New Mixtape 'Cilvia' Next Month - XXL". Xxlmag.com. 2013-11-07. Retrieved 2014-01-28.
  17. ↑ "Isaiah Rashad "Cilvia" Mixtape Announcement". Complex. 2013-11-07. Retrieved 2014-01-28.
  18. ↑ Cooper, Roman (2014-01-15). "Isaiah Rashsad Discusses Goals, "Cilvia" EP | Get The Latest Hip Hop News, Rap News & Hip Hop Album Sales". HipHop DX. Retrieved 2014-01-28.
  19. ↑ Baker, Soren (2014-01-17). "Isaiah Rashad "Cilvia Demo" Release Date, Cover Art & Tracklist | Get The Latest Hip Hop News, Rap News & Hip Hop Album Sales". HipHop DX. Retrieved 2014-01-28.
  20. ↑ "Isaiah Rashad Cilvia EP Release Date". Complex. 2014-01-17. Retrieved 2014-01-28.
  21. ↑ "TDE's Isaiah Rashad Can Really, Really Rap: Watch His 'Soliloquy' Video". Vibe. Retrieved 2014-01-28.
  22. ↑ "Isaiah Rashad Is Technically Sound In "Soliloquy" Video - XXL". Xxlmag.com. Retrieved 2014-01-28.
  23. ↑ "Twitter / dangerookipawaa: Just for yall...Purchase signed". Twitter.com. 2014-01-28. Retrieved 2014-02-08.
  24. ↑ "ScHoolboy Q Is Going On Tour With Vince Staples And Isaiah Rashad - XXL". Xxlmag.com. 2014-01-28. Retrieved 2014-02-08.
  25. ↑ "His Upcoming Project Cilvia — Who Is Isaiah Rashad?". Complex. January 9, 2014. Retrieved January 28, 2014.
  26. ↑ "Ronnie Drake Lyrics".
  27. ↑ "West Savannah Lyrics".
  28. ↑ "Hereditary Lyrics".
  29. ↑ "Webbie Flow (U Like) Lyrics".
  30. ↑ "Cilvia Demo Lyrics".
  31. ↑ "R.I.P. Kevin Miller Lyrics".
  32. ↑ "Ronnie Drake Lyrics".
  33. ↑ "West Savannah Lyrics".
  34. ↑ "Soliloquy Lyrics".
  35. ↑ "Tranquility Lyrics".
  36. ↑ "Menthol Lyrics".
  37. ↑ "Modest Lyrics".
  38. ↑ "Heavenly Father Lyrics".
  39. ↑ "Banana Lyrics".
  40. ↑ "Brad Jordan Lyrics".
  41. ↑ "Shot You Down (Remix) Lyrics".
  42. ↑ http://www.metacritic.com/music/cilvia-demo-ep/isaiah-rashad
  43. ↑ http://www.bet.com/news/music/2014/02/04/mixtape-review-isaiah-rashad-cilvia-demo-ep.html
  44. 1 2 Madden, Michael. "Album Review: Isaiah Rashad – Present Cilvia Demo". Consequence of Sound. Retrieved Feb 26, 2014.
  45. ↑ Cowie, Del F. (2014-01-28). "Isaiah Rashad - Cilvia Demo EP • Hip-Hop Reviews •". Exclaim.ca. Retrieved 2014-02-08.
  46. ↑ Patrin, Nate (2014-02-13). "Isaiah Rashad: Cilvia Demo Review". Pitchfork.com. Retrieved 2014-02-08.
  47. ↑ https://nowtoronto.com/music/album-reviews/isaiah-rashad/
  48. 1 2 Dowling, Marcus K. (2014-01-30). "Isaiah Rashad - Cilvia Demo | Read Hip Hop Reviews, Rap Reviews & Hip Hop Album Reviews". HipHop DX. Retrieved 2014-02-08.
  49. ↑ http://earmilk.com/album-reviews/185232/isaiah-rashad/cilvia-demo/
  50. ↑ http://www.metacritic.com/music/cilvia-demo-ep/isaiah-rashad
  51. ↑ "Isaiah Rashad Delivers Classic Southern Stylings On 'Cilvia Demo' - XXL". Xxlmag.com. 2014-02-04. Retrieved 2014-02-08.
  52. ↑ Soderberg, Brandon (2014-01-28). "Isaiah Rashad, 'Cilvia Demo' Review". Spin.com.
  53. ↑ http://www.metacritic.com/music/cilvia-demo-ep/isaiah-rashad
  54. ↑ 01/28/2014 12:51:10 (2014-01-28). "Isaiah Rashad Confronts Demons And Daddy Issues On TDE Debut Cilvia Demo - Music, Celebrity, Artist News". MTV.com. Retrieved 2014-02-08.
  55. ↑ "Isaiah Rashad Delivers Classic Southern Stylings On 'Cilvia Demo' - XXL". Xxlmag.com. 2014-02-04. Retrieved 2014-02-08.
  56. ↑ "Rap Genius - Top 20 Rap Albums of 2014".
  57. ↑ "40 Best Rap Albums of 2014".
  58. ↑ "SPIN - 40 Best Hip Hop Releases of 2014".
  59. ↑ http://www.xxlmag.com/news/2014/05/xxl-freshmen-2014-cover-revealed/
  60. ↑ Diep, Eric (May 9, 2014). "Isaiah Rashad". XXL. Townsquare Media. Retrieved May 13, 2014.
  61. ↑ Tardio, Andres (2014-01-27). "Hip Hop Album Sales: Week Ending 2/2/2014 | Get The Latest Hip Hop News, Rap News & Hip Hop Album Sales". HipHop DX. Retrieved 2014-02-08.
  62. ↑ http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.27476/title.hip-hop-album-sales-week-ending-2-9-2014
  63. ↑ ""Cilvia Demo" by Isaiah Rashad on iTunes". iTunes Store (US). Apple Inc. Retrieved January 28, 2014.
  64. ↑ "Isaiah Rashad's Sample-Based Music". WhoSampled. Retrieved February 3, 2014.
  65. ↑ "Samples in "Webbie Flow (U Like)"" by Isaiah Rashad". WhoSampled. Retrieved February 3, 2014.
  66. ↑ "Samples in "Cilvia Demo" by Isaiah Rashad". WhoSampled. Retrieved February 3, 2014.
  67. ↑ "Samples in "R.I.P. Kevin Miller" by Isaiah Rashad". WhoSampled. Retrieved February 3, 2014.
  68. ↑ "Samples in "Ronnie Drake" by Isaiah Rashad". WhoSampled. Retrieved February 3, 2014.
  69. ↑ "Samples in "West Savannah" by Isaiah Rashad". WhoSampled. Retrieved February 3, 2014.
  70. ↑ "Samples in "Menthol" by Isaiah Rashad". WhoSampled. Retrieved February 3, 2014.
  71. ↑ "Samples in "Heavenly Father" by Isaiah Rashad". WhoSampled. Retrieved February 3, 2014.
  72. ↑ "Samples in "Banana" by Isaiah Rashad". WhoSampled. Retrieved February 3, 2014.
  73. ↑ "Samples in "Ronnie Drake" by Isaiah Rashad". WhoSampled. Retrieved February 3, 2014.
  74. ↑ "Samples in "Shot U Down" by Isaiah Rashad". WhoSampled. Retrieved February 3, 2014.
  75. 1 2 3 "Cilvia Demo – Isaiah Rashad : Credits". Allmusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved February 5, 2014.
  76. ↑ "Official R&B Albums Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved February 2, 2014.
  77. ↑ "Isaiah Rashad – Chart history" Billboard 200 for Isaiah Rashad.
  78. ↑ "Isaiah Rashad – Chart history" Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums for Isaiah Rashad.
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