Ella Mai (album)
Ella Mai is the self-titled debut studio album by English singer and songwriter Ella Mai, released on 12 October 2018 through 10 Summers and Interscope Records. It includes the singles "Boo'd Up" and "Trip". It is executive-produced by DJ Mustard, and features guest appearances from Chris Brown, John Legend, and H.E.R..
"Boo'd Up" was originally included on Mai's 2017 EP Ready and reached number five on the US Billboard Hot 100 in July 2018. The follow-up single, "Trip", released in August 2018, has reached number 11. After her own headline tour of the United States, Mai appeared as a supporting act on dates of Bruno Mars' 24K Magic World Tour from 4 October leading up to the release of the album. The album debuted in the top 20 in the UK and at number five on the US Billboard 200. The album was nominated for Best R&B Album at the 62nd Annual Grammy Awards.
Background
In August 2018, DJ Mustard explained to Billboard that upon signing Mai, there was a plan to make three EPs and see if any of the songs caught enough public attention to make an album. Following the success of "Boo'd Up", DJ Mustard said: "So the plan worked. What people don't understand, this is like my little sister. This project coming is like my baby. I'm pressing for it more than my own shit. It's all about her right now."Music
The album has been called a "throwback R&B record".Commercial performance
Ella Mai debuted at number 18 on the UK Albums Chart, becoming her first entry on that chart.In the United States, the album debuted at number five on the US Billboard 200, earning 69,000 album-equivalent units in its first week. This became Mai's highest entry on the chart. On October 23, 2018, the album was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America for combined sales and album-equivalent units of over 500,000 units in the United States. The album was certified only two weeks after being released.
Track listing
Adapted from Tidal, Mai's Twitter, DJ Mustard's Instagram, ASCAP, and BMI.Japanese bonus dvd
1
2
3
4
Notes
- signifies a co-producer
- signifies an additional producer
- "Shot Clock" contains an interpolation of "Legend" performed by Drake, written by Aubrey Graham, PartyNextDoor, Benjamin Bush, Static Major, Quentin Miller and Timbaland.
- "Own It" contains samples from "T-Shirt & Panties" performed by Adina Howard featuring Jamie Foxx, written by Jamie Foxx and Billy Moss.
- "Easy" contains an interpolation of "I Melt with You" performed by Modern English, written by Robbie Grey, Gary McDowell Richard Brown, Michael Conroy and Stephen Walker.
Personnel
Performance
- Ella Mai – main artist
- Chris Brown – featured artist
- John Legend – featured artist
- H.E.R. – featured artist
- MUSYCA Children's Choir– vocals
Production
- Nana Rogues – production
- Bryan-Michael Cox – production
- DJ Mustard – production, co-production
- Harmony Samuels – production
- Kosine – production
- Miykal Snoddy – production
- Lido – production
- Quintin Gulledge – additional production
- J Holt – co-production
- Rance – co-production
- Andrew Groziuso – co-production
- Dimi Sloane Sesson II – co-production
- Giscard Friedman – co-production
- Omer Fedi – co-production
- Thomas Strahle – co-production
Instrumentation
- Marlon M. Williams – guitar
Technical
- Jaycen Joshua – mixing
- Jacob Richards – mixing
- Mike Seaberg – mixing
- Rashawn McLean – mixing
- Chris Athens – mastering
Charts
Weekly charts
Year-end charts
| Chart | Position |
| New Zealand Albums | 29 |
| US Billboard 200 | 41 |
| US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums | 20 |