''Kiki'' is the debut album by American singer

Kiana Ledé Kiana Ledé Brown (born April 3, 1997) is an American singer and actress. She first starred as Zoe Vaughn on the second season of MTV's horror series '' Scream'' (2015–2019). She also starred as Veronica Washington on Netflix's original serie ...

, released April 3, 2020, by the Heavy Group and

Republic Records Republic Records is an American record label owned by Universal Music Group (UMG). Based in New York City, 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 ...

. 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). It was produced by longtime collaborators Organized Noize. The song reached number 30 on the US ''Billboard'' Hot 100 chart and ...

", written by Andre Benjamin, Antwan Patton and

David Sheats David Sheats, known professionally as Mr. DJ, is an American record producer and disc jockey (DJ) from Atlanta, Georgia. He and Outkast members Big Boi and André 3000 make up the record production trio Earthtone III. Biography Raised on the sou ...

. * "Labels" contains elements from "

Juicy Fruit Juicy Fruit is an American brand of chewing gum made by the Wrigley Company, a U.S. company that since 2008 has been a subsidiary of the privately held Mars, Incorporated. It was introduced in 1893, and in the 21st century the brand name is reco ...

", written by James Mtume. * "Honest" contains elements from "

Have You Ever? "Have You Ever?" is a song by American recording artist Brandy for her second studio album, ''Never Say Never'' (1998). The song was written by Diane Warren, while production was handled by David Foster. It was released as the album's third sing ...

", written by

Diane Warren Diane Eve Warren (born September 7, 1956) is an American songwriter. She has won an Academy Honorary Award, Grammy Award, an Emmy Award, two Golden Globe Awards and three consecutive ''Billboard'' Music Awards for Songwriter of the Year from 19 ...

and performed by

Brandy Norwood Brandy Rayana Norwood (born February 11, 1979) is an American singer, songwriter, dancer, model and actress. Born into a musical family in McComb, Mississippi, Norwood was raised in Carson, California, beginning her career as a backing vocalist ...

. * "Cancelled" contains elements of a TikTok called "I Am a Single Queen" performed by Jasmine Orlando, and "

Long Red "Long Red" is a song recorded by Leslie West for his first solo album ''Mountain'' (1969). He performed it with his band Mountain at Woodstock in 1969, which was later included on '' Live: The Road Goes Ever On'' (1972). The drum break from this v ...

" written by

Leslie West Leslie Abel West (born Weinstein; October 22, 1945 – December 23, 2020) was an American guitarist, singer and songwriter. He was the co-founder, guitarist and co-lead vocalist of the rock band Mountain. West was named the 245th greatest guit ...

Felix Pappalardi Felix Albert Pappalardi Jr. (December 30, 1939 – April 17, 1983) was an American music producer, songwriter, vocalist, and bass violin, bassist. He is best known as the bassist and co-lead vocalist of the band Mountain (band), Mountain, whose ...

, John Ventura and Norman Landsberg.

Charts

References

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