Lil Pump (2017)

Lil Pump is the debut studio album by American rapper Lil Pump. It was released through Tha Lights Global and Warner Records on October 6, 2017. The album features guest appearances from rappers Smokepurpp, Lil Yachty, Chief Keef, Gucci Mane, 2 Chainz, and Rick Ross. It also features its production from Bighead, Ronny J, and TM88, among others.

Upon its release, the album was supported by five singles: "Boss", "Flex Like Ouu", "D Rose", "Molly", and "Gucci Gang". The album debuted at number three on the US Billboard 200, with first-week sales of 45,000 album-equivalent units. On July 24, 2018, the album was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). A sequel, Lil Pump 2, was released five years later on March 17, 2023.

Background

On May 20, 2017, Lil Pump first announced the album through Twitter. He stated that the project was to be released in August of that year, however, he did not meet this expected due date. While the fans waited for the project, he released the next single, called "Gucci Gang". Just a month later, Pump announced that the album has been completed, along with the release date and cover art several days later.

Singles

On June 6, 2017, Pump released the album's lead single, called "Boss". Upon its release, the song reached at number 40 on the US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, and was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).

On June 9, Pump released the album's third single, called "D Rose". Upon its release, the song helped Pump gain attention, amassing over 30 million plays on SoundCloud.

On August 31, Pump released the album's fifth and final single, called "Gucci Gang". It is Pump's highest-charting single to date on the US Billboard Hot 100, peaking at number three. It has been certified five-times platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).

Critical reception

Lil Pump received generally favorable reviews from critics. XXL rated the album as 'L' and praised it as "a project that confirms its creator's arrival and his place as one of the leading men in the SoundCloud rap scene". It evaluated Lil Pump as a "capable, albeit repetitive rhymer that compensates for what he lacks in terms of depth, structure and variety with unbridled passion, catchy refrains and an ear for enticing production". Evan Rytlewski of Pitchfork gave the album 6.9/10, writing that Lil Pump sounded "completely, endearingly stoked" all the way through the record and calling every track "loud, hyper, and catchy".

Commercial performance

The album debuted at number three on the US Billboard 200, with first-week sales of 45,000 album-equivalent units. On June 21, 2018, the album was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for combined sales album-equivalent units of over half a million units in the United States.