Faith (2021)

Faith is the second and final studio album by American rapper Pop Smoke. It was posthumously released on July 16, 2021, by Victor Victor Worldwide and Republic Records. The deluxe edition of the album that includes four additional tracks was released on what would have been Pop Smoke's 22nd birthday, July 20, 2021. On July 30, six additional tracks were added, including the late rapper's hit single "Dior", from his breakout 2019 mixtape Meet the Woo. The album's guest appearances include Kanye West, Pusha T, Rick Ross, The-Dream, 42 Dugg, 21 Savage, Rah Swish, Travi, Beam, The Neptunes, Bizzy Banks, Takeoff, Lil Tjay, Swae Lee, Future, Chris Brown, Dua Lipa, Pharrell, Kid Cudi, Quavo, and Kodak Black. The deluxe edition adds additional appearances from G Herbo, OnPointLikeOP, Killa, Dread Woo, Tayy Floss, Fetty Luciano, Anuel AA, and Obasi Jackson. Faith is a drill, trap, and hip hop record with elements of pop-trap, gospel, and pop.

A total of four singles were released throughout July 2021. "Mr. Jones" featuring American rapper Future was released as the lead single the same day as the album. It peaked at number 71 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number 70 on the Billboard Global 200. "Demeanor" featuring English singer Dua Lipa was released to rhythmic contemporary and contemporary hit radio formats in the United States on July 20, 2021, as Faith's second single. It peaked at number 86 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 14 on the UK Singles Chart. "Woo Baby" featuring American singer Chris Brown was also sent to American rhythmic contemporary radio as the album's third single on July 22, 2021. The song peaked at number 64 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number four on the Billboard airplay Rhythmic chart.

Faith received generally mixed reviews from music critics. Some criticized the production and considered the album unfinished. Others criticized the number of features and called it a cash grab. Entertainment Weekly, HipHopDX, and Yardbarker placed Faith on their lists of worst albums of 2021, while Capital Xtra placed the album on their best albums of 2021 list. Despite it getting mixed reviews, the album was a commercial success, debuting at number one on the US Billboard 200 and giving the late rapper his second US number-one hit. Pop Smoke became the first artist in history to have his first two albums posthumously debut at number one on the Billboard 200. The album also peaked at number one on the US Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums and Canadian Albums Chart. It reached the top-10 of 17 other regions, including the United Kingdom, Australia, and Ireland.

Background

After American rapper Pop Smoke was shot and killed at the age of 20 during a home invasion, fellow American rapper 50 Cent decided to help finish the late rapper's album Shoot for the Stars, Aim for the Moon by serving as executive producer. After the album was released on July 3, 2020, it was a commercial success, debuting at number one on the US Billboard 200, and spawning four US Billboard Hot 100 top 20 singles "For the Night", "What You Know Bout Love", "The Woo", and "Mood Swings". The album helped Pop Smoke win Top Billboard 200 Album and Top Rap Album at the 2021 Billboard Music Awards.

On May 1, 2021, American producer Rico Beats hinted at the release of another posthumous Pop Smoke album. The producer posted a mirror selfie and added, "I see and hear everything kept it cool tho no worries pay back around the corner Pop smoke new album loading". After Rico Beats indicated the release of Pop Smoke's second album, 50 Cent told radio personality Kris Kaylin in an interview that he was unsure if he would be involved and executive produce it. On June 4, Haitian-American record executive Steven Victor announced that there would be a second posthumous project released. Rico Beats announced that Faith was "95% loading the fuck up" and also confirmed that he would be one of the producers on the album through a post on Instagram on June 15.