''EP 1'' is the debut

extended play An extended play record, usually referred to as an EP, is a musical recording that contains more tracks than a single but fewer than an album or LP record.

by American

rapper Rapping (also rhyming, spitting, emceeing or MCing) is a musical form of vocal delivery that incorporates "rhyme, rhythmic speech, and street vernacular". It is performed or chanted, usually over a backing beat or musical accompaniment. The ...

and

singer Singing is the act of creating musical sounds with the voice. A person who sings is called a singer, artist or vocalist (in jazz and/or popular music). Singers perform music (arias, recitatives, songs, etc.) that can be sung with or without ...

Qveen Herby Amy Renee Heidemann Noonan (born April 29, 1986), known professionally as Qveen Herby, is an American rapper, singer, songwriter and entrepreneur. Born and raised in Seward, Nebraska, she first gained fame as part of the music duo Karmin, with wh ...

, released by Checkbook Records on June 2, 2017. The EP received positive reviews from critics, who praised Herby's rebranding as an artist and the exploration of R&B and hip-hop music. The EP also gained moderate chart success, peaking at number 37 on the

Billboard Independent Albums Chart The Independent Albums chart (previously titled Top Independent Albums) ranks the highest-selling independent music albums and extended plays (EPs) in the United States, as compiled by Nielsen SoundScan and published weekly by '' Billboard'' mag ...

and number 13 on the US Heatseekers Albums chart.

Background

Amy Renee Heidemann began her musical career as a member of pop duo

Karmin Karmin was an American pop duo consisting of Amy Renee Noonan and Nick Noonan. Starting as a novelty act that released covers on YouTube, they signed in 2011 with Epic Records. In May 2012, Karmin released their debut EP ''Hello'', which spa ...

, with now-husband Nick Noonan. The duo gained fame from their cover songs uploaded to their

YouTube YouTube is a global online video platform, online video sharing and social media, social media platform headquartered in San Bruno, California. It was launched on February 14, 2005, by Steve Chen, Chad Hurley, and Jawed Karim. It is owned by ...

account, which included " Look at Me Now", "

Super Bass "Super Bass" is a song by rapper Nicki Minaj from the deluxe version of her debut studio album, ''Pink Friday'' (2010). It was sent to American rhythmic radio stations as the album's fifth single on April 5, 2011. The song was co-written by Min ...

," and "

Party Rock Anthem "Party Rock Anthem" is a song by American music duo LMFAO, featuring British singer Lauren Bennett and American music producer GoonRock. It was released as the first single from their second album '' Sorry for Party Rocking'' in 2011. The sin ...

". The duo later announced in 2012 that they had signed to

Epic Records Epic Records is an American record label owned by Sony Music Entertainment, a subsidiary of Sony Corporation of America Sony Corporation of America (SONAM, also known as SCA), is the American arm of the Japanese conglomerate Sony Group ...

. The group released their debut EP, ''Hello'', on May 7, 2012, and ''

Pulses In medicine, a pulse represents the tactile arterial palpation of the cardiac cycle (heartbeat) by trained fingertips. The pulse may be palpated in any place that allows an artery to be compressed near the surface of the body, such as at the nec ...

'' in 2014 to mixed reviews from critics. Heidemann and Noonan also released ''

Leo Rising ''Leo Rising'' is the second and final studio album by American music duo Karmin, released exclusively on Apple Music on September 9, 2016, before being released to all other platforms on September 23, 2016. It is the follow-up to their 2014 maj ...

'' independently on September 9, 2016. In the spring of 2017, all of Karmin's social media was rebranded to Qveen Herby with a short preview post stating, "''Karmin Is Dead, Long Live the Qveen.''" Noonan formally announced her solo career as well as her debut extended play, ''EP 1''.

Promotion

A music video for the single "''Busta Rhymes''" was released one day prior to the EP's release.

Critical reception

Adrian Glover of ''Salute Magazine'' rated the album 4.7 out of 5, praising Herby's "real vocal talent that has aerodynamic chops as a singer and as a rapper." Glover also called Herby "a contender for the queen’s crown." Danielle Holian of Pure M magazine described "Busta Rhymes", the EP's first single, as "the chill beat

hat A hat is a head covering which is worn for various reasons, including protection against weather conditions, ceremonial reasons such as university graduation, religious reasons, safety, or as a fashion accessory. Hats which incorporate mecha ...

highlights her energy free flowing the storyline. The lyrical speed as each word spills graciously from the songstress’ mouth opens the extended-play with a lot to offer." Holian concluded, "EP 1, is a powerful debut for Qveen Herby. The awe-inspiring choruses, memorable hip-hop and R&B components outshine her previous work letting this new project stand alone and fresh."

Track listing

Charts

Release history

References

{{Authority control 2017 debut EPs Self-released EPs Hip hop EPs Qveen Herby albums