''Kiki'' (stylized in all caps) is the debut album of American singer, songwriter, and actress Kiana Ledé, released April 3, 2020, by the Heavy Group and

Republic Records Republic Records is a New York City–based American record label owned by Universal Music Group (UMG). It was founded by Avery Lipman and Monte Lipman as an independent label in 1995, and was acquired by UMG in 2000. Republic was initially an ...

. The album was followed by an EP of acoustic versions of songs from the album which was released June 26, and a deluxe edition released October 23. The release date was also the artist's 23rd birthday. The album's cover art features Ledé posed in front of her childhood home, and the title is taken from her childhood nickname.

Reception

Okayplayer Okayplayer is an online hip-hop and alternative music website and community, described by ''Rolling Stone'' as a "tastemaker" and "an antidote to dull promotional Web sites used by most artists". The community was founded by The Roots' drummer ...

''s Robyn Mowatt called ''Kiki'' "a stellar debut album fit for the rising artist, especially since the release is equipped with an effective, stripped-down sound produced by Mike Woods", and said that "the entire album sum up Kiana's artistic journey and point to how her sound is ever-evolving." ''New Wave Magazine'' praised Ledé's lyricism as "manag ngto keep her audiences' ears pricked" and wrote that "Ultimately, ''Kiki'' is not just another R&B album. Ledé exhibits a growing command of her definitive sound, through the release of an album that feels authentic and unapologetically empowering." '' Clash''s Robin Murray wrote that ''Kiki'' "certainly shines", "is a record that exudes joy", and is a "careful blend of light and shade illuminating club bumpers with a depth of emotion". About the deluxe version of the album, ''Beyond the Stage''s Nick Browne wrote that "Ledé gave her debut album an extra burst of life with the addition of new tracks on the deluxe version", that the "vibes are truly immaculate and these songs will be on replay after the first listen", and that the "singer showcases her roots in her signature R&B sound with both beautiful lyrics and synths."

Track listing

Standard edition

Deluxe version

The deluxe version of the album adds six songs to the start of the track list, designated as disc one, and one song to the end of the standard track list which is designated as disc two.

Notes

All track names stylized with a period at the end, such as "Second Chances."

Samples

* "Mad at Me" contains elements of "

So Fresh, So Clean "So Fresh, So Clean" is a song by American hip hop duo Outkast from their fourth studio album, ''Stankonia'' (2000), featuring uncredited vocals from singer-songwriter Sleepy Brown. It was produced by longtime collaborators Organized Noize. The s ...

", written by Andre Benjamin, Antwan Patton and

David Sheats Mr. DJ (born David Sheats) is an American hip-hop producer and DJ from Atlanta. He and Outkast members Big Boi and André 3000 make up the record production company Earthtone III. Biography Raised on the southside of College Park, Georgia, M ...

. * "Labels" contains elements from " Juicy Fruit", written by James Mtume. * "Honest" contains elements from " Have You Ever?", written by

Diane Warren Diane Eve Warren (born September 7, 1956) is an American songwriter. She has received several awards including a Grammy Award, a Primetime Emmy Award, two Golden Globe Awards, three ''Billboard'' Music Awards and an Honorary Academy Award. Wa ...

and performed by

Brandy Norwood Brandy Rayana Norwood (born February 11, 1979), better known by her mononym Brandy, is an American singer, songwriter, record producer, actress and model. She is known for her distinctive sound, characterized by her peculiar timbre, voice-layer ...

. * "Cancelled" contains elements of a TikTok called "I Am a Single Queen" performed by Jasmine Orlando, and " Long Red" written by Leslie West, Felix Pappalardi, John Ventura and Norman Landsberg.

Charts

References

{{Reflist 2020 debut albums Kiana Ledé albums Republic Records albums Contemporary R&B albums by American artists