Rodeo (Travis Scott album)

Rodeo
Studio album by Travis Scott
Released	September 4, 2015
Recorded	2014–15
Studio	Various Platinum Sound Recording Studios in New York City Serenity West Recording Studios, Sarm West Coast, No Name Studios and Chalice Recording Studios in Los Angeles Dean's List House of Hits in SoHo PatchWerk Recording Studios and Street Execs Studios in Atlanta PlayBack Recording Studios in Santa Barbara
Genre	Hip hop
Length	65:26
Label	Grand Hustle Epic
Producer	Various T.I. (exec.) Jason Geter (exec.) Travis Scott (also exec.) Mike Dean (also exec.) Kanye West WondaGurl Eestbound DJ Dahi Metro Boomin 1500 or Nothin' Allen Ritter Sonny Digital Terrace Martin TM88 Zaytoven Pharrell Williams Illangelo Ben Billions The Weeknd Million $ Mano Frank Dukes Charlie Heat Noah Goldstein Darren Charles King 1st Down Maneesh Biyade Southside
Travis Scott chronology
Days Before Rodeo (2014) Rodeo (2015) TBA (2016)
Deluxe edition cover
Singles from Rodeo
"3500" Released: June 8, 2015 "Antidote" Released: July 29, 2015

Rodeo is the debut studio album by American hip hop recording artist Travis Scott. It was released on September 4, 2015, by Grand Hustle and Epic Records.^[1] The album features guest appearances from Quavo, Juicy J, The Weeknd, Swae Lee, Chief Keef, Kanye West, Justin Bieber, Young Thug and Toro y Moi; including the productions from several high-profile record producers such as Mike Dean, Kanye West, Allen Ritter, Ben Billions, DJ Dahi, Metro Boomin, 1500 or Nothin', Sonny Digital, Southside, Terrace Martin, WondaGurl, Zaytoven, Pharrell Williams, Illangelo and Travis Scott himself, among others.

The album was supported by two singles; "3500" featuring Future and 2 Chainz, and "Antidote". The latter became his highest-charting single in the US Billboard Hot 100, peaking at number 16. Rodeo received generally positive reviews from critics and debuted at number 3 on the US Billboard 200. It also debuted at number one on Billboard's Top Rap Albums chart.

Background

In the CR Fashion Book, Scott stated his life was like a circus or rodeo and he feels like he is trying to stay on a bucking animal. "It’s like a Beyoncé concert. The carnival, the livestock, and the show are all parts of the event. I feel like that’s how my life is. The carnival is like my imagination—it’s the drive behind my vision. Even though I don’t feel like I’m at a point where my shit is at an all time high, we’re working to get there. We are working to get to the level of where your magazine is and to stand on that level. The livestock show is the road to get to where I’m going. At this point, I’m riding a bull for just eight seconds and it’s hard as fuck. But we made it.”^[1][2]

Release and promotion

On August 18, 2014, Scott released his second mixtape Days Before Rodeo. The mixtape features guest appearances from Young Thug, Big Sean, Rich Homie Quan, Migos, T.I., The 1975 and Peewee Longway, while the production was primary handled by Scott himself, along with Metro Boomin, DJ Dahi, WondaGurl, Southside and Lil' C, among others.

On January 27, 2015, in support for the album, Scott announced that he would embark on The Rodeo Tour, alongside Young Thug and Metro Boomin.^[3] On the following day, Scott released two new songs, "High Fashion" featuring Future, and "Nothing But Net" featuring Young Thug and PartyNextDoor; which though neither of them ended up being on the final version of the album.

On June 12, 2015, the song, titled "Drunk" featuring Young Thug, was leaked to the web, before the official release.^[4] The song, titled "Flexologist" was leaked via Genius,^[5] which features guest vocals from a fellow rapper Yung Lean; this track was rumored to be included on the deluxe edition. This track was proven to be false, as being part of the final track listing, which was revealed later for the album.

Singles

On June 8, 2015, Travis Scott released the album's lead single, titled "3500", which features vocals from fellow southern rappers Future and 2 Chainz.^[6][7] On July 29, 2015, Scott released the album's second single, titled "Antidote".^[8]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
Source	Rating
Metacritic	64/100[9]
Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	[10]
The Boston Globe	5/10[11]
Complex	[12]
HipHopDX	[13]
Now	[14]
Pitchfork Media	6.0/10[15]
RapReviews.com	7/10[16]
Rolling Stone	[17]
Spin	5/10[18]
XXL	XL (4/5)[19]

Rodeo received generally positive reviews from critics. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from critics, the album received an average score of 64, which indicates "generally favorable reviews", based on 15 reviews.^[9] Roger Krastz of XXL stated, "Overall, Rodeo has plenty of bangers and noteworthy collaborations that help bring out a fantastic trap sound that could bleed into the mainstream of hip-hop in no time."^[19] Jason Bisnoff of HipHopDX stated, "Rodeo's back end after "Antidote" begin to mesh together and gets repetitive.... Nonetheless, the originality of Scott's sound within this new movement provides for a strong rookie effort leaving the listener excited for a career that is just getting started."^[13] Trazier Tharpe of Complex stated, "Travi$ Scott made an enjoyable album for his fans peppered with undeniable bangers for his detractors."^[12] David Jeffries of AllMusic stated, "With Rodeo, Travis Scott becomes a designer drug."^[10] Steve "Flash" Juon of RapReviews.com stated, "Somewhere beneath all the hype and production he does shine through."^[16]

Martin Caballero of The Boston Globe stated, "His versatility, combined with a high-profile guest list, conspires against him; among 14 tracks, Scott conjures just a handful of moments that hint at untapped reserves of talent."^[11] Matthew Cooper of Clash stated, "Yes, the production is razor sharp, the beats are skewed and often very loud which makes them feel important, but in reality, it's all a façade; an image."^[20] Kevin Ritchie of Now stated, "Scott goes for spacey sounds, stoner vibes and vocal filters, but despite the eclecticism, he's too elusive and bland for Rodeo to amount to a stylistic--let alone a subversive--statement."^[14] Sheldon Pearce from Pitchfork Media stated, "He is most effective when he harshly distorts his vocals to create texture, and in the company of others he can serve as a welcome change of pace."^[15] David Turner from Rolling Stone stated, "Left on his own, Scott can grow tiresome. "I Can Tell" sounds monochromatic without another voice to push this astute curator. Some rock stars are better leading bands than going solo."^[17] Matthew Ramirez of Spin stated, "This is a cold, calculated record lacking in personality, though it certainly tries to deliver something that Scott is incapable of."^[18]

Accolades

For its year-end lists of best rap albums, Rolling Stone listed Rodeo at number 33,^[21] while Complex placed it at number 36 on its "Best Albums of 2015" ranking.^[22]

Commercial performance

Rodeo debuted at number 3 on the US Billboard 200, moving 85,000 album-equivalent units, of which 70,000 are pure album sales.^[23] It also debuted at number one on Billboard's Top Rap Albums chart.^[24] As of November 2015, Rodeo has sold 110,000 copies in the United States.^[25]

Track listing

Standard edition
No.	Title	Writer(s)	Producer(s)	Length
1.	"Pornography"	Jacques Webster Leland Wayne Sonny Corey Uwaezuoke	Sonny Digital Metro Boomin	3:51
2.	"Oh My Dis Side" (featuring Quavo)	Webster Allen Ritter Adam Feeney Quavious Marshall	Ritter Frank Dukes Mike Dean^[a]	5:51
3.	"3500" (featuring Future and 2 Chainz)	Webster Wayne Dean Emmanuel Nickerson Xavier Dotson Ritter Nayvadius Wilburn Tauheed Epps	Metro Boomin Dean Million $ Mano Zaytoven^[a] Ritter^[a]	7:41
4.	"Wasted" (featuring Juicy J)	Webster Wayne Feeney Jordan Houston Larry Price Michael Barnett Will Barnett Chad Butler George Clinton, Jr. T. Noporat	Metro Boomin Frank Dukes^[a] Dean^[a]	3:55
5.	"90210" (featuring Kacy Hill)	Webster Dacoury Natche Ritter Ebony Oshunrinde Glenda "Gizzle" Proby Kacy Hill Chantel Jeffries	DJ Dahi Ritter Dean WondaGurl^[a]	5:39
6.	"Pray 4 Love" (featuring The Weeknd)	Webster Carlo Montagnese Dean Ritter Feeney Abel Tesfaye	Illangelo The Weeknd Dean Ben Billions Ritter^[a]	5:07
7.	"Nightcrawler" (featuring Swae Lee and Chief Keef)	Webster Dean Wayne Joshua Howard Luellen Bryan Simmons Ritter Khalif Brown Aaquil Brown Keith Cozart	Metro Boomin Dean Southside TM88 Ritter^[a]	5:21
8.	"Piss on Your Grave" (featuring Kanye West)	Webster Kanye West Charlie Heat Dean Noah Goldstein Darren Charles King Price	West Heat Goldstein^[b] Dean^[b] Travis Scott^[a] King^[b]	2:46
9.	"Antidote"	Webster Oshunrinde Bryan van Mierlo Thomas Brenneck David Guy Leon Michels Nicholas Movshon Homer Steinweiss	WondaGurl Eestbound	4:22
10.	"Impossible"	Webster Ritter	Ritter Dean	4:02
11.	"Maria I'm Drunk" (featuring Justin Bieber and Young Thug)	Webster Feeney Ritter Maneesh Biyade Justin Bieber Jeffrey Williams	Frank Dukes Ritter Biyade^[b] Dean^[a]	5:49
12.	"Flying High" (featuring Toro y Moi)	Webster Pharrell Williams Ritter Chazwick Bradley Bundick Floyd Miller Tom Lockett, Jr. Carter Bradley Mark Adams Mark Hicks Danny Webster Orion Wilhoite Tim Dozier	Williams Dean^[a]	3:28
13.	"I Can Tell"	Webster Ritter Trocon Markous Roberts Dean	Dean Ritter 1st Down	3:55
14.	"Apple Pie"	Webster	Travis Scott Dean Terrace Martin^[b] 1500 or Nothin'^[b]	3:39
Total length:				65:26

Deluxe edition (bonus tracks)
No.	Title	Writer(s)	Producer(s)	Length
15.	"Ok Alright" (featuring Schoolboy Q)	Webster Wayne Uwaezuoke Dean Quincy Hanley Hill Solana Rowe	Metro Boomin Sonny Digital Dean	6:57
16.	"Never Catch Me"	Webster Uwaezuoke Ritter Oshunrinde Proby	Sonny Digital Ritter WondaGurl^[a]	2:56
Total length:				75:19

Notes

• ^{^a} signifies an additional producer.
• ^{^b} signifies a co-producer.
• "Pornography" features narration by T.I.
• "Wasted" features narration by T.I.
• "Apple Pie" features narration by T.I.
• "Ok Alright" features uncredited vocals by SZA.
• "Never Catch Me" features uncredited vocals by Tinashe.

Sample credits^[26]

• "Wasted" contains samples from "Havin' Thangs OG" written by Michael Burnett, Will Burnett, Chad Butler and George Clinton, Jr., as performed by Pimp C (featuring Big Mike) and "Let Your Life Be Free" written by T. Noporat, as performed by T. Zchien & The Johnny.
• "Antidote" contains a sample from "All I Need" written by Thomas Brenneck, David Guy, Leon Michels, Nicholas Movshon and Homer Steinweiss, as performed by Lee Fields & The Expressions.
• "Flying High" contains a portion of "Slide" written by Floyd Miller, Tom Locker, Jr., Carter Bradley, Mark Adams, Mark Hicks, Danny Webster, Orion Wilhoite and Tim Dozier, as performed by Slave.

Personnel

Credits for Rodeo adapted from AllMusic.^[27]

Musicians Travis Scott — lead vocals Mike Dean — guitar, keyboards Darren King — bass, drums, guitar Larrance Dopson — keyboards Jordan Lewis — guitar Terrace Martin — keyboards Allen Ritter — keyboards Zaytoven — keyboards Quavo — featured artist (track 2) 2 Chainz — featured artist (track 3) Future — featured artist (track 3) Juicy J — featured artist (track 4) The Weeknd — featured artist (track 6) Swae Lee — featured artist (track 7) Chief Keef — featured artist (track 7) Kanye West — featured artist (track 8) Justin Bieber — vocals (track 11) Young Thug — featured artist (track 11) Toro y Moi — featured artist (track 12) T.I. — narrator Additional personnel Nabil Elderkin — photography Corey Damon Black — art direction, design Chris Feldmann — art direction Dan Chung — design Anita Marisa Boriboon — creative direction Marc Kalman — creative direction Dalia Glickman — A&R Ashley Lyle — A&R Jermaine Pegues — A&R Sickamore — A&R

Technical personnel Travis Scott — executive production, production Mike Dean — executive production, production, additional production, assistant, drum programming, engineering, mixing, mastering Jason Geter — executive production Allen Ritter — production, additional production Metro Boomin — production (tracks 1, 3, 4, 7 and 15) Frank Dukes — production (tracks 2 and 11), additional production (track 4) Ebony "WondaGurl" Oshunrinde — production (tracks 5 and 9), additional production (track 16), programming Noah Goldstein — co-production (track 8), engineering, mixing, assistant The Weeknd — production (track 6) Illangelo — production (track 6), vocal engineering Ben Billions — production (track 6) Kanye West — production (track 8) Charlie Heat — production (track 8) Bryan Van Mierlo — production (track 9), programming Pharrell Williams — production (track 12) Terrace Martin — production (track 14) 1500 or Nothin' — production (track 14) Zaytoven — additional production (track 3) Jimmy Cash — engineering Thomas Cullison — engineering Blake Harden — engineering Stuart Innis — engineering, mixing assistant Jordan Lewis — engineering Ari Raskin — engineering Alex Tumay — engineering Finis "KY" White — engineering Seth Firkins — vocal engineering Kez Khou — mixing assistant Albert Chee — assistant

Charts

Chart (2015)	Peak position
Australian Albums (ARIA)[28]	30
Austrian Albums (Ö3 Austria)[29]	53
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)[30]	50
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Wallonia)[31]	52
Canadian Albums (Billboard)[32]	5
Danish Albums (Hitlisten)[33]	23
Dutch Albums (MegaCharts)[34]	33
French Albums (SNEP)[35]	54
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)[36]	60
New Zealand Albums (RMNZ)[37]	22
Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade)[38]	14
UK Albums (OCC)[39]	22
UK R&B Albums (OCC)[40]	4
US Billboard 200[41]	3
US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard)[42]	2
US Top Tastemaker Albums (Billboard)[43]	10

References

1. Christopher Harris (2015-09-04). "Travis Scott Explains "Rodeo" Release Date, Standard & Deluxe Cover Art, Tracklist & Album Stream". HipHopDX. Retrieved 2015-12-14.
2. Patrick Lyons (2015-01-15). "Travi$ Scott Says His Debut Album "Rodeo" Is Dropping In March". hotnewhiphop. Retrieved 2015-06-04.
3. "Travi$ Scott Announces "Rodeo Tour" With Young Thug and Metro Boomin | Complex". Complex. 2015-01-26. Retrieved 2015-06-10.
4. Rose Lilah (2015-06-12). "Travi$ Scott - Drunk Feat. Young Thug (Prod. By Allen Ritter) | Stream & Listen [New Song]". hotnewhiphop. Retrieved 2015-06-14.
5. "Travi$ Scott – Flexologist Lyrics". Genius. 2015-09-01. Retrieved 2015-09-28.
6. Trevor Smith (2015-06-05). "Travi$ Scott, Future & 2 Chainz Come Together For First "Rodeo" Single". hotnewhiphop. Retrieved 2015-06-05.
7. Nate Bradley (2015-06-07). "Travi$ Scott announces release date for "3500" (For The Coat)- BLUNTIO". Retrieved 2015-06-07.
8. "Antidote - Single by Travis Scott". iTunes. Retrieved November 9, 2015.
9. "Rodeo". Metacritic. Retrieved September 30, 2015.
10. "Rodeo". AllMusic. 2015-09-10. Retrieved 2015-10-25.
11. "Album review: Travis Scott, 'Rodeo'". The Boston Globe. Retrieved November 18, 2015.
12. "Review: Travi$ Scott’s ‘Rodeo’ Is Peppered With Bangers, But Isn’t the Wild Ride He Promised". Complex. 2015-09-04. Retrieved 2015-10-25.
13. "Travi$ Scott - Rodeo". HipHopDX. 2015-09-07. Retrieved 2015-10-25.
14. "Travis Scott - NOW Toronto Magazine - Think Free". Now. Retrieved October 26, 2015.
15. "Travis Scott: Rodeo". Pitchfork Media. Retrieved October 25, 2015.
16. "RapReviews.com Feature for October 27, 2015 - Travis Scott's "Rodeo"". RapReviews.com. Retrieved November 17, 2015.
17. "Rodeo". Rolling Stone. 2015-09-07. Retrieved 2015-10-25.
18. "Review: Travis Scott, 'Rodeo'". Spin. Retrieved October 31, 2015.
19. "TRAVIS SCOTT FINDS HIS LANE IN HIP-HOP ON DEBUT ALBUM 'RODEO'". XXL. 2015-09-09. Retrieved 2015-10-25.
20. "Travis Scott - Rodeo". Clash. Retrieved November 6, 2015.
21. "Travis $cott, 'Rodeo' - 40 Best Rap Albums of 2015". Rolling Stone. December 23, 2015. Retrieved December 27, 2015.
22. "Best Albums of 2015". Complex. December 1, 2015. Retrieved December 17, 2015.
23. "The Weeknd Spends Second Week at No. 1 on Billboard 200 Albums Chart". Billboard. Retrieved 22 January 2016.
24. "Rap Music: Top Rap Albums Chart". Billboard. Retrieved October 25, 2015.
25. Smith, Trevor (November 18, 2015). "Charts Don't Lie: November 18". hotnewhiphop. Retrieved November 19, 2015.
26. Allen Freitas (2015-09-08). "Liner notes: Travis Scott - Rodeo (Digital Deluxe Edition)".
27. Rodeo (Media notes). Epic Records.
28. "Australiancharts.com – Travis Scott – Rodeo". Hung Medien. Retrieved September 12, 2015.
29. "Austriancharts.at – Travis Scott – Rodeo" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved September 17, 2015.
30. "Ultratop.be – Travis Scott – Rodeo" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved September 11, 2015.
31. "Ultratop.be – Travis Scott – Rodeo" (in French). Hung Medien. Retrieved September 11, 2015.
32. "Travis Scott – Chart history" Billboard Canadian Albums Chart for Travis Scott.
33. "Danishcharts.com – Travis Scott – Rodeo". Hung Medien. Retrieved September 18, 2015.
34. "Dutchcharts.nl – Travis Scott – Rodeo" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved September 11, 2015.
35. "Lescharts.com – Travis Scott – Rodeo". Hung Medien. Retrieved September 18, 2015.
36. "Longplay-Chartverfolgung at Musicline" (in German). Musicline.de. Phononet GmbH. Retrieved September 12, 2015.
37. "NZ Top 40 Albums Chart". Recorded Music NZ. September 21, 2015. Retrieved September 18, 2015.
38. "Swisscharts.com – Travis Scott – Rodeo". Hung Medien. Retrieved September 16, 2015.
39. "Travis Scott | Artist | Official Charts". UK Albums Chart Retrieved September 11, 2015.
40. "Official R&B Albums Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. September 11, 2015. Retrieved September 13, 2015.
41. "Travis Scott – Chart history" Billboard 200 for Travis Scott.
42. "Travis Scott – Chart history" Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums for Travis Scott.
43. "Travis Scott – Chart history" Billboard Top Tastemaker Albums for Travis Scott.