Better (Deante' Hitchcock album)
{{use mdy dates|date=July 2023}}
{{Infobox album
| name = Better
| type = Studio album
| artist = Deante' Hitchcock
| cover = Deante-hitchcock-better.jpg
| border = yes
| alt =
| released = May 13, 2020
| recorded = 2017–19
| venue =
| studio =
| genre = Hip hop
| length = 39:16
| label = {{hlist|ByStorm|RCA Records}}
| producer = {{hlist|Mark Pitts (executive producer)|Brandon Phillips-Taylor}}
| prev_title = Just a Sample 2
| prev_year = 2019
| next_title =
| next_year =
| misc = {{Singles
| name = Better
| type = studio
| single1 = How TF
| single1date = November 5, 2019
| single2 = I Got Money Now
| single2date = April 15, 2020
| single3 = Attitude
| single3date = May 20, 2020
| single4 = Déjà Vu" / "Text Me
| single4date = October 21, 2020
}}
}}
Better (stylized in all caps) is the debut studio album by American rapper Deante' Hitchcock. It was released on May 13, 2020 through ByStorm and RCA Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment.{{cite web |last1=Williams |first1=Aaron |title=Dreamville Collaborator Deanté Hitchcock Releases His Star-Studded Debut Album, 'Better' |url=https://uproxx.com/music/deante-hitchcock-better-debut-album/ |website=Uproxx |date=May 13, 2020 |accessdate=May 13, 2020}}{{cite web |last1=Walker |first1=Joe |title=Deante' Hitchcock – BETTER [Album Stream] |url=http://onsmash.com/music/deante-hitchcock-better-album-stream/ |website=OnSmash |date=May 13, 2020 |accessdate=May 13, 2020}} It includes features from JID, 6LACK, Young Nudy, Miguel, and St. Beauty.{{cite web |last1=Zidel |first1=Alex |title=Deante' Hitchcock Releases Debut Album "Better" With 6LACK, J.I.D, Young Nudy, & More |url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/deante-hitchcock-releases-debut-album-better-with-6lack-jid-young-nudy-and-more-new-mixtape.120363.html |website=HotNewHipHop |date=May 13, 2020 |accessdate=May 13, 2020}}{{cite web |last1=Jefferson |first1=Ny'cier |title=Album: Deante' Hitchcock – BETTER |url=https://www.hypefresh.co/album-deante-hitchcock-better/ |website=Hypefresh |date=May 13, 2020 |accessdate=May 13, 2020}} The deluxe edition was released on October 28, 2020, including 9 additional tracks with features from Reason, Guapdad 4000, Ro James, and Kenny Mason.{{cite web |title=Deante' Hitchcock Releases Deluxe Version Of "Better" With New Features From Guapdad 4000, REASON, & More |url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/deante-hitchcock-releases-deluxe-version-of-better-with-new-features-from-guapdad-4000-reason-and-mo-new-mixtape.120863.html |website=Hotnewhiphop|date=October 28, 2020 }}
Background
In 2017, Hitchcock signed with ByStorm and RCA Records, and announced the trilogy Good, Better, and Best, making this album the second project of the trilogy.{{cite web |title=Deante' Hitchcock |url=https://www.rcarecords.com/artist/deante-hitchcock/ |website=RCA Records}}
{{quote|That was really the plan from the start, because it started off as Good, Better, Best. When I met my producer, Brandon Phillips-Taylor, we sat down and we put this whole thing together and he was like this could be a trilogy-type thing. Originally, Better was supposed to come out a lot sooner than it did, but I’m kind of glad that it spanned out this way. I want Best to be the last thing that I drop.{{cite web |title=DEANTE' HITCHCOCK: LIVING A BETTER LIFE |url=https://2dopeboyz.com/2020/05/08/deante-hitchcock-interview/ |website=2DopeBoyz |accessdate=May 13, 2020}}}}
In 2019, Hitchcock was invited to the Revenge of the Dreamers III recording sessions, appearing on the song "PTSD".{{cite web |title=These 106 Artists Are Working on Dreamville's New Compilation LP |url=http://www.xxlmag.com/news/2019/01/artists-invited-record-dreamville-revenge-dreamers-iii-album/ |website=XXL |date=January 8, 2019}} He later went on the Catch Me If You Can Tour with JID, when the majority of the album was recorded.{{cite web |last1=Findlay |first1=Mitch |title=J.I.D. Announces New String Of "Catch Me If You Can" Tour Dates |url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/jid-announces-new-string-of-catch-me-if-you-can-tour-dates-news.71784.html |website=HotNewHipHop |date=February 12, 2019}}{{cite web |title=It Only Gets Better From Here: A Conversation With Deante' Hitchcock |url=https://medium.com/@jordanrose1/it-only-gets-better-from-here-a-conversation-with-deante-hitchcock-9f070bc8ee96 |website=Medium |date=May 12, 2020 |accessdate=May 13, 2020}}
Singles
On November 5, 2019, he released the single "How TF" featuring 6LACK, supported by a music video in March 2020.{{cite web |title=6LACK Joins Deante' Hitchcock for the Soulful, Percussive Grooves of "How TF" |url=https://hypebeast.com/2019/11/deante-hitchcock-6lack-how-tf-song-stream-better |website=Hypebeast|date=November 5, 2019 }}{{cite magazine |last1=Lamarre |first1=Carl |title=Watch Deante Hitchcock Lose His Mind Over Love in 'How TF' Video With 6lack: Exclusive |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/hip-hop/9343447/deante-hitchcock-how-tf-video |magazine=Billboard}} On April 15, 2020, he released the second single "I Got Money Now" featuring JID.{{cite web |last1=Rashed |first1=Ayana |title=Deante' Hitchcock Set To Release Debut Album 'Better' On May 13 via RCA |url=https://respect-mag.com/2020/04/deante-hitchcock-set-to-release-debut-album-better-on-may-13-via-rca/ |website=Respect Mag |accessdate=15 April 2020 |archive-date=April 23, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200423161315/https://respect-mag.com/2020/04/deante-hitchcock-set-to-release-debut-album-better-on-may-13-via-rca/ |url-status=dead }} On October 21, two singles for the deluxe edition of album were released: "Déjà Vu" and "Text Me".{{cite web |title=Deante Hitchcock shares two new tracks: "Déjà Vu" with Guapdad 4000 and "Text Me" with Ro James |url=https://www.revolt.tv/new-music/2020/10/21/21527096/deante-hitchcock-deja-vu-guapdad-4000-text-me-ro-james-song |website=Revolt}}
Critical reception
In a positive review of the album from Uproxx, Aaron Williams said Deante' Hitchcock is "somewhat of a bridge between the dusty funk of soulful Dungeon Family predecessors like Goodie Mob and Outkast and the brand of vibey-but-vapid trap of contemporaries who are off-shoots of the Future/Young Thug family tree. Equal parts T.I. and CeeLo or 21 Savage and JID, Hitchcock gracefully glides along on thundering 808s with spiritual insights and introspective wisdom that has as much appeal for fans of trap tales as it does for folks who love 'real hip-hop.'"{{cite web |last1=Williams |first1=Aaron |title=Deante Hitchcock's Luminous 'Better' Stands Head And Shoulders Above Its Peers |url=https://uproxx.com/music/deante-hitchcock-better-review/ |website=Uproxx|date=May 20, 2020 }}
Track listing
Credits adapted from Tidal.{{cite web|url=https://listen.tidal.com/album/140646927|title=BETTER / Deante' Hitchcock|website=Tidal|date=May 13, 2020 |accessdate=May 13, 2020}}
{{Track listing
| headline = Standard edition
| extra_column = Producer(s)
| total_length = 39:16
| title1 = I Remember
| note1 =
| writer1 = {{hlist|Deante' Van Hitchcock|Brandon Phillips-Taylor}}
| extra1 = Brandon Phillips-Taylor
| length1 = 4:15
| title2 = I Got Money Now
| note2 = featuring JID
| writer2 = {{hlist|Hitchcock|Brandon Phillips-Taylor|Richard Rudolph|Minnie Riperton|Charles Stepney|Destin Route}}
| extra2 = Brandon Phillips-Taylor
| length2 = 3:38
| title3 = Attitude
| note3 = featuring Young Nudy
| writer3 = {{hlist|Hitchcock|Dante Clay|Brandon Phillips-Taylor|Quantavious T. Thomas|Lawrence A. Edwards|Jamal D. Glaze|Donnell Prince|Darryl R. Richardson|Jonathan Smith}}
| extra3 = Brandon Phillips-Taylor
| length3 = 3:21
| title4 = How TF
| note4 = featuring 6LACK
| writer4 = {{hlist|Hitchcock|Brandon Phillips-Taylor|Ricardo Valentine}}
| extra4 = Brandon Phillips-Taylor
| length4 = 3:58
| title5 = Flashbacks
| note5 = featuring Miguel and St. Beauty
| writer5 = {{hlist|Hitchcock|Brandon Phillips-Taylor|David Fuller|Miguel Pimentel|Alexandria Rosemond}}
| extra5 = Brandon Phillips-Taylor
| length5 = 4:02
| title6 = Gimmie Yo Money
| note6 =
| writer6 = {{hlist|Hitchcock|Brandon Phillips-Taylor|Blair Hicks|Tate Farris|Aldrin Davis|Clifford Joseph Harris|Kawan Prather}}
| extra6 = Brandon Phillips-Taylor
| length6 = 2:33
| title7 = Circles
| note7 =
| writer7 = {{hlist|Hitchcock|Brandon Phillips-Taylor|Kwame Ahmed Buchanan Sr.|Sean Terrell Chavis|James Harnett III}}
| extra7 = Brandon Phillips-Taylor
| length7 = 3:07
| title8 = Shadowman's Interlude
| note8 =
| writer8 = {{hlist|Hitchcock|Dante Clay|Brandon Phillips-Taylor}}
| extra8 = Brandon Phillips-Taylor
| length8 = 3:10
| title9 = Growing Up / Mother God
| note9 =
| writer9 = {{hlist|Hitchcock|Brandon Phillips-Taylor}}
| extra9 = Brandon Phillips-Taylor
| length9 = 5:02
| title10 = Angels
| note10 = contains bonus track "My Bitch"
| writer10 = {{hlist|Hitchcock|Brandon Phillips-Taylor}}
| extra10 = Brandon Phillips-Taylor
| length10 = 6:10
}}
{{Track listing
| headline = Deluxe edition – Disc 1
| extra_column = Producer(s)
| total_length =
| title1 = Demon
| note1 =
| writer1 = {{hlist|Hitchcock|Brandon Phillips-Taylor}}
| extra1 = Brandon Phillips-Taylor
| length1 = 2:01
| title2 = I Got Money Now
| note2 = featuring JID
| writer2 = {{hlist|Hitchcock|Brandon Phillips-Taylor|Richard Rudolph|Minnie Riperton|Charles Stepney|Destin Route}}
| extra2 = Brandon Phillips-Taylor
| length2 = 3:38
| title3 = Attitude
| note3 = featuring Young Nudy
| writer3 = {{hlist|Hitchcock|Dante Clay|Brandon Phillips-Taylor|Quantavious T. Thomas|Lawrence A. Edwards|Jamal D. Glaze|Donnell Prince|Darryl R. Richardson|Jonathan Smith}}
| extra3 = Brandon Phillips-Taylor
| length3 = 3:21
| title4 = Kenny G
| note4 =
| writer4 = {{hlist|Hitchcock|Brandon Phillips-Taylor}}
| extra4 = Brandon Phillips-Taylor
| length4 = 2:16
| title5 = My Bitch
| note5 =
| writer5 = {{hlist|Hitchcock|Brandon Phillips-Taylor}}
| extra5 = Brandon Phillips-Taylor
| length5 = 2:35
| title6 = Plug Me In
| note6 =
| writer6 = {{hlist|Hitchcock|Brandon Phillips-Taylor}}
| extra6 = Brandon Phillips-Taylor
| length6 = 3:19
| title7 = Text Me
| note7 = featuring Ro James
| writer7 = {{hlist|Hitchcock|Brandon Phillips-Taylor|Ronnie James Tucker}}
| extra7 = Brandon Phillips-Taylor
| length7 = 3:05
| title8 = Gimmie Yo Money
| note8 =
| writer8 = {{hlist|Hitchcock|Brandon Phillips-Taylor|Blair Hicks|Tate Farris|Aldrin Davis|Clifford Joseph Harris|Kawan Prather}}
| extra8 = Brandon Phillips-Taylor
| length8 = 2:33
| title9 = Circles
| note9 =
| writer9 = {{hlist|Hitchcock|Brandon Phillips-Taylor|Kwame Ahmed Buchanan Sr.|Sean Terrell Chavis|James Harnett III}}
| extra9 = Brandon Phillips-Taylor
| length9 = 3:07
| title10 = Shadowman's Interlude
| note10 =
| writer10 = {{hlist|Hitchcock|Dante Clay|Brandon Phillips-Taylor}}
| extra10 = Brandon Phillips-Taylor
| length10 = 3:10
}}
{{Track listing
| headline = Deluxe edition – Disc 2
| extra_column = Producer(s)
| total_length =
| title1 = I Remember
| note1 =
| writer1 = {{hlist|Hitchcock|Brandon Phillips-Taylor}}
| extra1 = Brandon Phillips-Taylor
| length1 = 4:15
| title2 = How Does It Feel
| note2 = featuring Kenny Mason
| writer2 = {{hlist|Hitchcock|Brandon Phillips-Taylor|Edwin Green}}
| extra2 = Brandon Phillips-Taylor
| length2 = 3:44
| title3 = Weighing Me Down
| note3 = featuring Reason
| writer3 = {{hlist|Hitchcock|Dante Clay|Brandon Phillips-Taylor|Robert Gill, Jr.}}
| extra3 = Brandon Phillips-Taylor
| length3 = 4:34
| title4 = How TF
| note4 = featuring 6LACK
| writer4 = {{hlist|Hitchcock|Brandon Phillips-Taylor|Ricardo Valentine}}
| extra4 = Brandon Phillips-Taylor
| length4 = 3:58
| title5 = Déjà Vu
| note5 = featuring Guapdad 4000
| writer5 = {{hlist|Hitchcock|Brandon Phillips-Taylor|Akeem Hayes}}
| extra5 = Brandon Phillips-Taylor
| length5 = 3:48
| title6 = Reflections
| note6 =
| writer6 = {{hlist|Hitchcock|Brandon Phillips-Taylor}}
| extra6 = Brandon Phillips-Taylor
| length6 = 2:33
| title7 = Flashbacks
| note7 = featuring Miguel and St. Beauty
| writer7 = {{hlist|Hitchcock|Brandon Phillips-Taylor|David Fuller|Miguel Pimentel|Alexandria Rosemond}}
| extra7 = Brandon Phillips-Taylor
| length7 = 4:02
| title8 = Growing Up / Mother God
| note8 =
| writer8 = {{hlist|Hitchcock|Brandon Phillips-Taylor}}
| extra8 = Brandon Phillips-Taylor
| length8 = 5:02
| title9 = Praylude
| note9 = featuring JaelSpeaks
| writer9 = {{hlist|Hitchcock|Brandon Phillips-Taylor|JaelSpeaks}}
| extra9 = Brandon Phillips-Taylor
| length9 = 2:11
| title10 = Angels
| note10 =
| writer10 = {{hlist|Hitchcock|Brandon Phillips-Taylor}}
| extra10 = Brandon Phillips-Taylor
| length10 = 3:24
}}
Notes
- "Attitude" and "Shadowman's Interlude" feature uncredited vocals from Dante Clay.
- "Gimmie Yo Money" features uncredited vocals from Yung Baby Tate.
;Sample credits
- "I Got Money Now" contains a sample from "Les Fleur" performed by Minnie Riperton.
- "Gimmie Yo Money" contains a sample from "Do It (Stick It Baby)" performed by T.I.
Personnel
Credits adapted from Tidal.
- Elton "L10mixedit" Chueng – mixing engineer
- Mike Bozzi – mastering engineer
- Brandon Phillips-Taylor – recording engineer
- Daniel Vargass – assistant engineer
- Robert Mandiogo – assistant engineer