Ephorize

On December 20, 2017, Cupcakke revealed the title and cover art of the album through Twitter.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mtv.co.uk/news/ul2gpv/cupcakke-announces-new-album-ephorize|title=cupcakke announces new album 'ephorize'|last=|first=|date=December 21, 2017|website=MTV UK|access-date=January 15, 2018}} The track listing was announced on December 27, 2017, via her Twitter account.{{Cite web|url=https://twitter.com/CupcakKe_rapper/status/946223546820366336|title=Tracklist|last=|first=|date=December 27, 2017|via=Twitter|access-date=January 15, 2018}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.idolator.com/7672925/cupcakke-unveils-ephorize-tracklist|title=CupcakKe Unveils The Tracklist To Her New LP 'Ephorize'|last=Nied|first=Mike|date=December 28, 2017|website=Idolator|access-date=January 15, 2018}}

On December 29, 2017, Cupcakke announced the album pre-order on Twitter.{{Cite web|url=https://twitter.com/cupcakke_rapper/status/946961940693311489|title=Ephorize now available for Pre order|last=|first=|date=December 29, 2017|via=Twitter|access-date=January 15, 2017}}

Pitchfork believed Ephorize{{'}}s themes to be "self-esteem, LGBTQ issues, and the desire for genuine romance" and compared Cupcakke's "absurdist one-liners" to Ghostface Killah. HotNewHipHop believed the album to be "one of the most introspective bodies of work she's dropped off to date". The Observer described the album's production as a mix of "old-school hip-hop, futuristic pop and [..] Latin". Bijan Stephen from The Nation commented that "in nearly every song, you can hear shades of trap, drill, bounce, and reggaeton, with Harris's voice making the whole thing hang together."{{cite web|title=CupcakKe's Undeniable Joy|url=https://www.thenation.com/article/cupcakkes-soul-searching/}}

"Duck Duck Goose" has been described as a sex rap song that "flirts with New Orleans bounce". "Total" was described as "[embracing] the muted dembow pop varietal known as tropical house". The synth flute lines in "Navel" were likened to the synth flutes used in "Mask Off". "Crayons", which has been dubbed a "pro-LGBTQ anthem", features reggaeton percussion, and lyrics "in praise of the queer community". "Meet and Greet" and "Wisdom Teeth" are drill songs "with added gloss". Lyrically, "Cartoons" has been described as "[flipping] children's icons into totems for not taking shit". "Self Interview" depicts "the external expectations put on women as they transition from childhood to adulthood", particularly through the line "Back then we had lipgloss and some overalls, that's the usual/Nowadays I gotta show skin and wear sew-ins to feel beautiful". The Red & Black described "Fullest" as "a fun, fast-paced song that takes certain elements common to Latin music and incorporates them into the track."{{cite web|title=Female 'dirty' rapper cupcakKe releases incredibly explicit third studio album|date=January 12, 2018 |url=https://www.redandblack.com/culture/female-dirty-rapper-cupcakke-releases-incredibly-explicit-third-studio-album/article_06b6d030-f734-11e7-bb28-33beeffec3a6.html}}

"Exit" was released as the first single off the album as a digital download on September 15, 2017.{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/cy/album/exit-single/1280575081|title=Exit - Single by cupcakKe on Apple Music|work=Apple Inc.|access-date=25 January 2018}} "Cartoons" was released as the second single on November 10, 2017.{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/cy/album/cartoons-single/1308620716|title=Cartoons - Single by cupcakKe on Apple Music|work=Apple Inc.|access-date=25 January 2018}}

"Exit" received a music video on October 13, 2017.{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dXfGhyOu7ks|title=CupcakKe - Exit|date=October 13, 2017|via=YouTube|access-date=January 15, 2018}} "Cartoons" received a music video on November 18, 2017.{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bD7jC-qL9h0|title=CupcakKe - Cartoons|last=|first=|date=November 18, 2017|via=YouTube|access-date=January 15, 2018}} "Duck Duck Goose" received a music video on January 15, 2018.{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Ps-38KVmS8|title=CupcakKe - Duck Duck Goose (Official Music Video)|last=|first=|date=January 15, 2018|via=YouTube|access-date=January 15, 2018}} According to Michelle Kim of Pitchfork, the "NSFW" video features "a bunch of dildos" and Cupcakke dressed in a duck onesie.{{Cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/news/cupcakke-shares-raunchy-new-duck-duck-goose-video/|title=CupcakKe Shares Raunchy New "Duck Duck Goose" Video|last=Kim|first=Michelle|date=January 15, 2018|website=Pitchfork|access-date=January 25, 2018}} "Fullest" received a music video on February 20, 2018.{{cite web|title=CupcakKe - Fullest (Official Music Video)| website=YouTube |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kR4cLCt7P_8&t=0s}} The Fader wrote that "the 'Fullest' visual shows what really goes down when CupcakKe throws a house party— and what happens to sloppy uninvited guests."{{cite web|title=Watch CupcakKe's video for 'Fullest'|url=http://www.thefader.com/2018/02/20/watch-cupcakkes-video-for-fullest}} "Crayons" received a video on Sunday March 25, 2018.{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c5n1wcFm9is|title=CupcakKe - Crayons (Official Music Video)|work=cupcakKe|date=March 25, 2018|access-date=March 26, 2018}} Rolling Stone added, "the Chicago rapper and a group of strangers rally to defend a gay couple who are harassed on the sidewalk. Their union turns into a street party, with the emcee proudly flying a rainbow flag."{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/cupcakke-throws-equality-street-party-in-crayons-video-w518382|title=CupcakKe Throws Equality Street Party in 'Crayons' Video|magazine=Rolling Stone|last=Reed|first=Ryan|date=March 26, 2018}}

A concert tour was announced via Harris's Twitter page in order to promote the album. The Ephorize Tour started February 21, 2018 in Chicago, Illinois and originally ended March 15, 2018 in Houston, Texas,{{cite web|title=The Ephorize Tour extended dates|url=https://twitter.com/search?q=the%20ephorize%20tour&src=typd}} but had a Pawtucket show postponed to April 20, 2018.{{cite web|url=https://m.facebook.com/events/366406310493766|title=CupcakKe at the Met! (postponed • new date April 20)|website=Facebook }} This was Harris's first tour with shows in Europe.

{{Music ratings

| ADM = 7.3/10{{cite web|url=http://www.anydecentmusic.com/review/9083/cupcakKe-Ephorize.aspx|title=Ephorize by cupcakKe reviews|website=AnyDecentMusic?|access-date=January 15, 2018}}

| MC = 84/100{{cite web|url=http://www.metacritic.com/music/ephorize/cupcakke|title=Ephorize by CupcakKe Reviews and Tracks|website=Metacritic|access-date=April 11, 2018}}

| rev1 = The 405

| rev1score = 8/10{{cite web|url=https://www.thefourohfive.com/music/review/album-review-cupcakke-arrives-triumphant-and-fully-formed-on-ephorize-151|title=Album Review: CupcakKe arrives triumphant and fully formed on Ephorize|last=McMullen|first=Chase|date=January 11, 2018|website=The 405|access-date=January 15, 2018|archive-date=January 16, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180116135342/https://www.thefourohfive.com/music/review/album-review-cupcakke-arrives-triumphant-and-fully-formed-on-ephorize-151|url-status=dead}}

| rev2 = Crack Magazine

| rev2score = 8/10{{cite web|url=https://crackmagazine.net/article/album-reviews/cupcakke-ephorize/|title=CupcakKe – 'Ephorize' review|last=Hall|first=Jake|date=|website=Crack Magazine|access-date=January 15, 2018}}

| rev3 = Financial Times

| rev3score = {{rating|3|5}}{{cite web|url=https://www.ft.com/content/eb7327e6-f667-11e7-8715-e94187b3017e|title=Cupcakke: Ephorize — 'authority and scabrous wit'|last=Hunter-Tilney|first=Ludovic|date=January 12, 2018|website=Financial Times|access-date=June 2, 2019|url-access=subscription}}

| rev4 = The Observer

| rev4score = {{rating|4|5}}{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2018/jan/14/cupcakke-ephorize-review-lewd-and-proud|title=cupcakKe: Ephorize review – lewd and proud|last=Joshi|first=Tara|date=January 14, 2018|website=The Observer|access-date=January 15, 2018}}

| rev5 = Pitchfork

| rev5score = 8.3/10{{cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/cupcakke-ephorize/|title=CupcakKe: Ephorize|last=Lobenfield|first=Claire|date=January 9, 2018|website=Pitchfork|access-date=January 9, 2018}}

| rev6 = Spectrum Culture

| rev6score = {{rating|3.5|5}}{{cite web|url=https://spectrumculture.com/2018/01/15/cupcakke-ephorize/|title=CupcakKe: Ephorize|last=Bromfield|first=Daniel|date=January 15, 2018|website=Spectrum Culture|access-date=June 2, 2019}}

| rev7 = Tiny Mix Tapes

| rev7score = 4/5{{cite web|url=https://www.tinymixtapes.com/music-review/cupcakke-ephorize|title=cupcakKe – Ephorize|last=Scott|first=Jazz|website=Tiny Mix Tapes|access-date=June 2, 2019}}

| rev8 = Vice (Expert Witness)

| rev8score = A−{{cite web|url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/robert-christgau-reviews-cupcakke-leikeli47-acrylic-ephorize/|title=Robert Christgau on CupcakKe's Literotica and Leikeli47's Smokescreens|last=Christgau|first=Robert|author-link=Robert Christgau|date=December 15, 2018|website=Vice|access-date=April 23, 2019}}

| rev9 = XXL

| rev9score = 4/5{{cite web|url=https://www.xxlmag.com/rap-music/reviews/2018/01/cupcakke-ephorize-album-review/|title=CupcakKe Comes Correct on Her Versatile 'Ephorize' Album|last=Berry|first=Peter A.|date=January 17, 2018|website=XXL|access-date=September 6, 2019}}

}}

The album received universal acclaim from music critics,{{Cite web|url=https://www.mtv.co.uk/news/xaad1k/cupcakkes-ephorize-ranked-alongside-jayz-and-szas-albums|title=CupcakKe's 'Ephorize' Ranked Alongside Jay-Z and SZA's Albums|last=|first=|date=January 9, 2018|website=MTV UK|access-date=January 10, 2018}} with several music sites praising its evolution from Harris's previous projects.{{Cite web|url=http://www.vulture.com/2018/01/ephorize-is-cupcakkes-major-breakthrough.html|title=Ephorize Is CupcakKe's Major Breakthrough|last=Jenkins|first=Craig|date=January 9, 2018|website=Vulture|access-date=January 10, 2018}} MTV UK{{cite web|url=https://www.mtv.co.uk/news/vwgigl/cupcakke-delivers-best-album-yet-with-ephorize|title=cupcakKe delivers best album yet with 'ephorize'|last=|first=|date=January 5, 2018|website=MTV UK|publisher=|access-date=January 5, 2018}} described it as "further proof that she's one of the most versatile, quick-witted and consistent rappers in the game." Exclaim! stated that "the latest offering hears Cupcakke presenting her most polished work to date, though she still slides in plenty of deliciously dirty one-liners throughout the new record."{{cite web|url=https://exclaim.ca/music/article/cupcakke-ephorize_album_stream|title=Cupcakke 'Ephorize' (album stream)|last=Murphy|first=Sarah|date=January 5, 2018|website=Exclaim!|access-date=January 5, 2018}} HotNewHipHop noted "cupcakKe's attitude is one of the many stand-out attributes in her music. While the raunchiness in her music has been a quality that she's known for, she still touches on more serious topics at the same time. Ephorize might be one of the most introspective bodies of work she's dropped off to date."{{cite web|title="cupcakKe Drops Off Her Latest Project 'Ephorize'" by HotNewHipHop|url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/cupcakke-drops-off-her-latest-project-ephorize-new-mixtape.117756.html|website=HotNewHipHop|date=January 5, 2018|access-date=December 15, 2018}} Pitchfork awarded the album with the publication's "Best New Music" accolade, calling it Cupcakke's "best album yet, with terrific production and a barrage of raps that reveal Elizabeth Harris to be far more than her hilarious and absurdly raunchy one-liners". Writing for Vulture, Craig Jenkins noted that "Ephorize’s introspective moments give it depth to match its more colorful material's brusqueness and vulgarity." He also stated that "at her best, CupcakKe is a semi-automatic fully loaded with ridiculous puns." Veteran music critic Robert Christgau wrote of the album in his column for Vice: "It would be silly to assume all this homeless-shelter graduate's literotica is literal. But from the armpit-licking 'Spoiled Milk Titties' to the dickhead-picking 'Duck Duck Goose', believe she's gotten closer to real-life versions of the carnal variations she dreams up than the average Soundcloud trapper has to the carnage he's mumbling about."

Adapted from ASCAP and BMI.*{{cite web|url=http://repertoire.bmi.com/StartPage.aspx|title=BMI {{!}} Repertoire Search|publisher=BMI|access-date=December 25, 2018|at=Select "TITLE", type "Song" in the search engine, and click "Search".|archive-date=April 6, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170406022825/http://repertoire.bmi.com/StartPage.aspx|url-status=dead}}

• {{cite web|url=https://www.ascap.com/repertory|title=ACE Repertory|publisher=ASCAP|access-date=December 25, 2018|at=Select "TITLE", type "Song" in the search engine, and click "Search".}} All tracks were produced by Def Stars, except where noted.

{{Track listing

| extra_column = Producer(s)

| headline = Ephorize{{cite web|title="Ephorize" by cupcakKe on iTunes|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/ephorize/1328575970|publisher=Apple Music|date=January 5, 2018|access-date=January 5, 2018}}

| title1 = 2 Minutes

| length1 = 3:13

| title2 = Cartoons

| extra2 = Turreekk

| length2 = 2:31

| title3 = Duck Duck Goose

| length3 = 3:13

| extra3 = Def Starz

| title4 = Wisdom Teeth

| length4 = 2:40

| title5 = Crayons

| length5 = 3:11

| extra5 = Def Starz

| title6 = Cinnamon Toast Crunch

| length6 = 4:01

| title7 = Exit

| length7 = 2:47

| title8 = Self Interview

| extra8 = Turreekk

| length8 = 2:54

| title9 = Navel

| length9 = 2:37

| title10 = Spoiled Milk Titties

| length10 = 3:27

| title11 = Total

| length11 = 3:13

| title12 = Post Pic

| length12 = 3:29

| title13 = Meet and Greet

| extra13 = Turreekk

| length13 = 2:58

| title14 = Single While Taken

| length14 = 2:49

| title15 = Fullest

| length15 = 3:38

| all_writing = Elizabeth Harris.

| title16 =

| length16 =

| title17 =

| length17 =

| title18 =

| length18 =

| title19 =

| length19 =

| title20 =

| length20 =

| total_length = 46:41

}}

{{Reflist}}

{{Cupcakke}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:2018 albums

Category:Cupcakke albums

Category:Self-released albums