777 (Latto album)
{{Infobox album
| name = 777
| type = studio
| artist = Latto
| cover = Latto - 777 album cover.png
| alt =
| released = March 25, 2022
| recorded = 2020–2022
| studio =
| genre =
| length = 32:54
| label =
- RCA
- Streamcut
| producer =
- Ant Clemons
- Bankroll Got It
- Beat Butcha
- BongoByTheWay
- BoogzDaBeast
- Coop the Truth
- D.A. Got That Dope
- Diego Ave
- Dis
- Dr. Luke
- FnZ
- Hollywood Cole
- JetsonMade
- June James
- Latto
- Luke Crowder
- Mike Dean
- OG Parker
- Pharrell Williams
- Pooh Beatz
- Romano
- Sage Skolfield
- Sean Solymar
- Sonny Digital
- TenRoc
- Vaughn Oliver
| prev_title = Queen of da Souf
| prev_year = 2020
| next_title = Sugar Honey Iced Tea
| next_year = 2024
| misc = {{Singles
| name = 777
| type = studio
| single1 = Big Energy
| single1date = September 24, 2021
| single2 = Soufside
| single2date = November 5, 2021
| single3 = Wheelie
| single3date = March 11, 2022
| single4 = Sunshine
| single4date = April 26, 2022
}}
}}
777 is the second studio album by American rapper and singer-songwriter Latto. It was released through RCA Records and Streamcut on March 25, 2022. The album features guest appearances from 21 Savage, Lil Wayne, Childish Gambino, Lil Durk, Nardo Wick, and Kodak Black. Production on the album was handled by Sonny Digital, Dr. Luke, FnZ, JetsonMade, D.A. Got That Dope, and Pharrell Williams, among others. It serves as the follow-up to her debut studio album, Queen of da Souf (2020).{{cite web|url=https://www.complex.com/music/latto-777-album-stream|title=Stream Latto's New Album '777' f/ Childish Gambino, Lil Wayne, Kodak Black, and More|work=Complex|last=Blanchet|first=Brenton|date=March 25, 2022|access-date=March 25, 2022}}
Background
In an interview with Complex, Latto said that she was experimenting with various sounds and genres on the album to showcase her versatility, including pop, R&B, trap, and rhythmic vibes.{{cite web|url=https://www.complex.com/music/latto-interview-777/|title=Please Allow Latto to Reintroduce Herself|work=Complex|last=McKinney|first=Jessica|date=March 24, 2022|access-date=March 25, 2022}} She said that she had started working on it right after her previous album, Queen of da Souf (2020), and recorded the first song from the album in that year. She also explained why she chose the title of the album:
Seven is God's number, so it just started with that. From a younger age, seven has always been my favorite number. And then triple—it triumphs 666, or overcomes 666. It became a part of my brand when I changed my name to Latto in reference to the lottery and casino, hitting the jackpot is 777. But it already had a meaning to me. It just somehow aligned with my career.
About a week before the album was released, she sat down for an interview with The Breakfast Club, in which she claimed that a male artist who is featured on a song from the album tried to engage in sexual activity with her and make it hard for her to clear a sample on it. Fans assumed that it was Kodak Black, considering previous comments he had made related to the topic, but he later denied that it was him and Latto also denied that it was 21 Savage.{{cite web|url=https://www.complex.com/music/latto-talks-decision-to-speak-out-over-male-artists-behavior|title=Latto Talks Decision to Speak Out Over Male Artists' Behavior, Says She Kind of Wishes She Didn't Say It|work=Complex|last=Cowen|first=Trace William|date=March 23, 2022|access-date=March 25, 2022}}
Release and promotion
Latto announced the album and its release date alongside its cover art on March 14, 2022.{{cite web|url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/latto-announces-777-album-release-date-and-cover-art-news.149105.html|title=Latto Announces "777" Album Release Date & Cover Art|work=HotNewHipHop|last=Zidel|first=Alex|date=March 15, 2022|access-date=March 25, 2022}} Just a week later, she revealed the tracklist for her album.{{cite web|url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/latto-drops-777-tracklist-and-fans-think-kodak-black-wouldnt-clear-feature-news.149431.html|title=Latto Drops "777" Tracklist & Fans Think Kodak Black Wouldn't Clear Feature|work=HotNewHipHop|last=Marie|first=Erika|date=March 21, 2022|access-date=March 25, 2022}}
=Singles=
The lead single of the album, titled "Big Energy", was released on September 24, 2021.{{cite web|url=https://thesource.com/2021/09/24/latto-big-energy-video/|title=Latto Delivers Winning Numbers in New "Big Energy" Video|work=The Source|last=Grant|first=Shawn|date=September 24, 2021|access-date=March 25, 2022}}
The second single of the album, titled "Soufside", was released on November 5.{{cite web|url=https://www.revolt.tv/article/2021-11-05/127327/latto-pays-homage-to-her-roots-in-new-soufside-single/|title=Latto pays homage to her roots in new "Soufside" single|work=Revolt|last=Cho|first=Regina|date=November 5, 2021|access-date=March 25, 2022}}
The third single of the album, titled "Wheelie", featuring a guest appearances from an Atlanta-based rapper 21 Savage, was released on March 11, 2022.{{cite web|url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/latto-taps-21-savage-for-hyped-wheelie-single-new-song.1994225|title=Latto Taps 21 Savage For Hyped "Wheelie" Single|work=HotNewHipHop|last=Marie|first=Erika|date=March 11, 2022|access-date=March 25, 2022}}
"Sunshine", featuring a guest appearances from fellow American rappers Lil Wayne and Childish Gambino, impacted US rhythmic contemporary radio as the album's fourth and final single on April 26.{{cite web | url=https://www.allaccess.com/top40-rhythmic/future-releases | title=Top 40 Rhythmic Future Releases | R&B Song and Hip-Hop Music Release Dates }}
Music and lyrics
AllMusic wrote that Latto covers "the standard range of topics" such as "bedroom bragging" on "Wheelie" and "getting money and demolishing enemies" on "Trust No Bitch". It also noted that most of the songs are trap while Latto tries out different genres on some songs. "Sunshine" blends trap drums with gospel vocals. "Like a Thug" is R&B while "Real One" and "Big Energy" are pop.
Critical reception
{{music ratings
|rev1 = AllMusic
|rev1score = {{Rating|3.5|5}}{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/777-mw0003699202|title=777 Review by TiVo Staff|date=8 April 2022|website=allmusic.com|access-date=8 April 2022}}
| rev2 = Clash
| rev2score = 8/10{{cite web|date=March 25, 2022|last=Lamond|first=Ana|title=Latto - 777|url=https://www.clashmusic.com/reviews/latto-777|website=Clash|access-date=March 25, 2022}}
| rev3 = NME
| rev3score = {{rating|4|5}}{{cite magazine|date=March 25, 2022|title=Latto – '777' review: 'Queen of da Souf' digs deeper with soul-searching second album|url=https://www.nme.com/en_asia/reviews/album/latto-777-review-3190344|access-date=March 25, 2022|magazine=NME|last=Bassett|first=Jordan}}
| rev4 = Pitchfork
| rev4score = 6.5/10{{cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/latto-777/|title=Latto: 777 Album Review|website=Pitchfork|last=Triche|first=Tyra Nicole|date=April 6, 2022|access-date=April 7, 2022}}
}}
Writing for Clash, Ana Lamond felt that "the tracklist weaves through Big Latto, the signature hard-hitting persona, whilst turning to the more sensual, R&B production that lends itself to a vulnerability" and "there's a sense that the riser is leaning into an increasingly diverse approach, welcoming a pop-centric commercial appeal", adding that "777 is daring and ambitious, paving the way for Latto's fortunes as she embraces the spheres outside of Atlanta rap" and "at the end of the day, she's got it tatted on her wrist...". Jordan Bassett of NME opined that "away from the Billboard-bothering singles, Alyssa Stephens [referring to Latto by her real name] dials down the braggadocio and dials up the introspection, though the overall mood is buoyant" and "it's a record that meets Stephens on the other side of criticism that has dogged her since she introduced her unintentionally offensive former moniker, Mulatto, as an eventual winner of reality show The Rap Game in 2016".
Pitchfork music critic Tyra Nicole Triche stated that "777 proves that Latto is a formidable force, though there's still work to do to realize her full potential" and "if she hasn't quite nailed down a winning sound, she's willing to take some big gambles". Tom Breihan of Stereogum wrote that 777 is "a sharp and canny piece of pop-rap". He noted that the album is "total major-label product" with all of the tracks sounding like "potential singles" because Latto is trying to make hits. He concluded that it is "pretty entertaining, in its low-stakes, low-commitment kind of way".{{Cite web |last=Breihan |first=Tom |date=March 30, 2022 |title=Latto's Weaponized Pop-Rap |url=https://www.stereogum.com/2181495/latto-777-review/columns/status-aint-hood/ |website=Stereogum}}
= Mid-year lists =
class="wikitable
|+777 on mid-year lists !Publication !List !Rank !Ref. |
Rolling Stone
|Best Albums of 2022 So Far| Best Albums of 2022 So Far |30 |
Consequence
|The 12 Rap Albums of 2022 (So Far) |12 |
= Year-end lists =
class="wikitable"
!Publication !List !Rank !Ref. |
HuffPost
|12 Best Albums of 2022 |{{n/a}} |
rowspan="2" |Rolling Stone
|100 Best Albums of 2022 |76 |
25 Best Hip-hop Albums of 2022
|13 |
Track listing
{{Track listing
| headline = 777
| extra_column = Producer(s)
| total_length = 32:54
| title_width = 35%
| writing_width = 65%
| title1 = 777 Pt. 1
| writer1 = {{hlist|Alyssa Stephens|Jocelyn Donald|Sonny Uwaezuoke}}
| extra1 =
| length1 = 1:20
| title2 = 777 Pt. 2
| writer2 = {{hlist|Stephens|Jaucquez Lowe|Diego Avendano|Joel Banks|Taylor Banks}}
| extra2 =
| length2 = 2:03
| title3 = Wheelie
| note3 = featuring 21 Savage
| writer3 = {{hlist|Stephens|Sage Skolfield|Sean Solymar|Shéyaa Abraham-Joseph|Paul Beauregard|Kameron Cole|Joshua Goods|Jordan Houston|Markus Randle}}
| extra3 =
| length3 = 2:50
| title4 = Big Energy
| writer4 = {{hlist|Stephens|Lowe|Adrian Belew|Christopher Frantz|Lukasz Gottwald|Randall Hammers|A1 LaFlare|Vaughn Oliver|Steven Stanley|Theron Thomas|Tina Weymouth}}
| extra4 =
| length4 = 2:53
| title5 = Sunshine
| note5 = featuring Lil Wayne and Childish Gambino
| writer5 = {{hlist|Stephens|Skolfield|Solymar|Dwayne Carter, Jr.|Donald Glover|Anthony Clemons, Jr.|Philip Cornish|Luke Crowder|Uforo Ebong}}
| extra5 =
| length5 = 3:26
| title6 = Like a Thug
| note6 = featuring Lil Durk
| writer6 = {{hlist|Stephens|Durk Banks|Eliot Dubock|Paris Jones|Tatiana Matthews|Cooper McGill|Sean Stein|Justin Zim}}
| extra6 =
| length6 = 2:52
| title7 = It's Givin
| writer7 = {{hlist|Stephens|Donald|Isaac de Boni|Darryl Clemons|Michael Mule|Tahj Morgan}}
| extra7 =
| length7 = 2:33
| title8 = Stepper
| note8 = featuring Nardo Wick
| writer8 = {{hlist|Stephens|Donald|D. Clemons|Horace Walls III|Ernest Adams|Abdallah Ahmad|Jeffrey Shannon}}
| extra8 =
| length8 = 2:28
| title9 = Trust No Bitch
| writer9 = {{hlist|Stephens|David Doman|Finlay Thomas}}
| extra9 =
| length9 = 2:34
| title10 = Bussdown
| note10 = featuring Kodak Black
| writer10 = {{hlist|Stephens|Lowe|Bill Kapri|Jason Cornet|Joshua Parker|Ivory Scott IV|Terrence Williams|Vanessa Carlton}}
| extra10 =
| length10 = 2:46
| title11 = Soufside
| writer11 = {{hlist|Stephens|Lowe|Skolfield|Solymar|Radric Davis|LaDamon Douglas|June James}}
| extra11 =
| length11 = 1:51
| title12 = Sleep Sleep
| writer12 = {{hlist|Stephens|Donald|Jahmal Gwin|Samuel Lindley|Erika Lockhart|Carl Mitchell|Quintin Saffold|Daen Simmons}}
| extra12 =
| length12 = 2:51
| title13 = Real One
| writer13 = {{hlist|Stephens|Donald|Lowe|Pharrell Williams}}
| extra13 =
| length13 = 2:27
}}
{{Track listing
| headline = 777 reissue
| extra_column = Producer(s)
| total_length = 35:55
| title14 = Big Energy (Remix)
| note14 = with Mariah Carey featuring DJ Khaled
| writer14 = {{hlist|Stephens|Lowe|Belew|Frantz|Gottwald|Hammers|A1 LaFlare|Oliver|Stanley|T. Thomas|Weymouth|Mariah Carey}}
| extra14 =
| length14 = 3:01
}}
=Sample credits=
- "Big Energy" contains a sample of "Genius of Love", as performed by Tom Tom Club. It{{'s}} official remix additionally interpolates and contains a sample of Mariah Carey's "Fantasy".
- "Bussdown" interpolates "A Thousand Miles", written and performed by Vanessa Carlton.
- "Sleep Sleep" contains a sample of "Get It Wet", as performed by Twista and was produced by the Legendary Traxster.
Personnel
{{div col}}
- Sonny Digital – production (1)
- Diego Ave – production (2)
- Bankroll Got It – production (2)
- Sage Skolfield – production (3, 11)
- Sean Solymar – production (3, 11)
- Hollywood Cole – production (3)
- Dr. Luke – production (4)
- Vaughn Oliver – production (4)
- BongoByTheWay – production (5)
- Luke Crowder – production (5)
- Dis – production (6)
- Beat Butcha – production (6)
- Coop the Truth – production (6)
- Pooh Beatz – production (7, 8)
- FnZ – production (7)
- JetsonMade – production (7)
- D.A. Got That Dope – production (9)
- OG Parker – production (10)
- Romano – production (10)
- TenRoc – production (10)
- June James – production (11)
- BoogzDaBeast – production (12)
- Pharrell Williams – production (13)
{{div col end}}
Charts
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
=Weekly charts=
class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|+ Chart performance for 777 ! scope="col"| Chart (2022) ! scope="col"| Peak |
scope="row"| Canadian Albums (Billboard){{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/canadian-albums/2022-04-16/|title=Billboard Canadian Albums: Week of April 16, 2022|magazine=Billboard|access-date=April 12, 2022}}
| 60 |
---|
scope="row"| US Billboard 200{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/the-billboard-200/2022-04-09/|title=The Billboard 200: Week of April 9, 2022|magazine=Billboard|access-date=April 5, 2022}}
| 15 |
scope="row"| US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard){{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/r-b-hip-hop-albums/2022-04-09/|title=Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums: Week of April 9, 2022|magazine=Billboard|access-date=April 5, 2022}}
| 8 |
{{col-2}}
=Year-end charts=
class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|+ Year-end chart performance for 777 |
scope="col"| Chart (2022)
! scope="col"| Position |
---|
scope="row"| US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard){{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2022/top-r-and-b-hip-hop-albums/|title=Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums – Year-End 2021|magazine=Billboard|access-date=December 2, 2022}}
| 90 |
{{col-end}}
Certifications
{{Certification Table Top|caption=Certifications and sales for 777}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Canada|award=Gold|type=album|artist=Latto|title=777|relyear=2022|certyear=2024|access-date=December 28, 2024}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=New Zealand|award=Gold|type=album|artist=Latto|title=777|relyear=2022|certyear=2024|source=radioscope|access-date=December 28, 2024}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|award=Gold|type=album|artist=Latto|title=777|relyear=2022|certyear=2024|access-date=June 8, 2024}}
{{Certification Table Bottom|streaming=true|nosales=true|noshipments=true}}
References
{{Reflist}}
{{Latto}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:Albums produced by Beat Butcha
Category:Albums produced by D. A. Doman
Category:Albums produced by Dr. Luke
Category:Albums produced by FnZ
Category:Albums produced by JetsonMade
Category:Albums produced by Pharrell Williams
Category:Albums produced by Sonny Digital