Effected is the second studio album by American rapper Cozz. It was released on February 13, 2018, by Dreamville Records, Interscope Records and Tha Committee Records.[2] The album features guest appearances from J. Cole, Kendrick Lamar, Currensy and Garren.[3] The album features production from a variety of record producers, including J. Cole, Meez, Cardiak, Elite, Ron Gilmore and Tae Beast, among others. Effected debuted at number 18 on the US Top Heatseekers chart and received generally positive reviews from critics.

Effected
Studio album by
ReleasedFebruary 13, 2018
Recorded2017
Studio
GenreWest Coast hip hop
Length50:43
Label
Producer
Cozz chronology
Nothin' Personal
(2016)
Effected
(2018)
Singles from Effected
  1. "Questions"
    Released: January 5, 2018
  2. "Demons N Distractions"
    Released: March 1, 2018
  3. "Bout It"
    Released: May 22, 2018

Promotion

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On January 5, 2018, Cozz released the lead single "Questions", accompanied by a music video on January 8.[4] Cozz released three more songs prior to the album, "Badu" featuring Currensy on January 19, "Ignorant Confidence" on January 26, and "Bout It" featuring Garren on February 5.[5][6][7] Cozz revealed the album's release date and tracklist on February 5, 2018.[8]

Ahead of the album's release, Cozz released a 10-minute documentary titled, Cozz: Effected on February 12, 2018.[9] A video for "Demons N Distractions" was released on March 1, 2018.[10] On March 22, 2018, Cozz released the music video for "Bout It" featuring Garren.[11] On April 4, 2018, Cozz announced The Effected Tour to further promote the album.[12]

Critical reception

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Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
Metacritic76/100[13]
Review scores
SourceRating
2DOPEBOYZ(favorable)[14]
Exclaim!7/10[15]
HipHopDX     [16]
Salute Magazine     [17]
Pitchfork6.8/10[18]
Respect.(favorable)[19]
XXL      (XL)[20]

Upon its release, Effected received generally positive reviews by music critics. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream critics, the album received an average score of 76, based on four reviews, which indicates "generally positive reviews".[13] In a positive review for HipHopDX, Marcus Blackwell said: "Genre inconsistencies aside, Effected is a clear statement Cozz doesn’t just want to be the conversation with the best rappers. He wants to steer the debates."[16] Writing for Exclaim!, Lidia Abraha commented saying, "Effected deserves props for its altruistic insight on the ups-and-downs of being an artist, and for Cozz's nuanced storytelling. There's room for improvement for the melodies and beats, even though the subtle instrumentals help amplify Cozz's voice and his champion storytelling."[15] In Pitchfork's review of Effected, Jackson Howard writes Effected "is a confident step toward turning what used to be fantasy into cold, hard reality."[18]

Respect. praised the album saying: "From beginning to end, Cozz expresses different relatable situations throughout manhood. Rather than speaking on matters of the heart, Cozz’ blunt attitude and straight forward sense of thinking gives off the perception of a player. Being one of the main artists on Dreamville‘s forefront, Cozz is sure to fill in the necessary gaps to land his solidified spot in the game."[19] 2DOPEBOYZ called Cozz a "very talented rapper that is destined for a good spot in the rap game." They continued saying, "Adding more versatility into his formula for ultimate success could help gain the respect he strives to attain."[14] XXL magazine praised Cozz' growth as a songwriter, they commented saying, "There's no denying that Cozz can rap his ass off—that much was confirmed after one play-through of his 2014 debut. Effected, however, confirms that Cozz has more in him than just straight bars. He continues to tell his own story but through new flows, different hooks and an advanced way of making rap songs."[20]

Track listing

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Credits adapted from Tidal.[21]

No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Questions"
Soul Professa2:25
2."Hustla's Story" (featuring Kendrick Lamar)
  • Hollywood JB
  • Meez[b]
  • Louie Ji[b]
4:28
3."Ignorant Confidence"
  • Osagie
  • Michael Reddick
  • Kevin Mitchell
  • Joshua Morgan
  • Jiovanni Romano
2:51
4."Demons N Distractions"
5:11
5."Freaky 45"
4:40
6."Proof"
  • Osagie
  • Chris Mayhew
D-Low Beats2:42
7."Badu" (featuring Currensy)
  • Meez
  • Enimal
3:39
8."Bout It" (featuring Garren)
  • Osagie
  • Morgan
  • Garren Edwards
Meez3:43
9."VanNess"
2:35
10."Effected"
  • Osagie
  • Morgan
Meez4:31
11."My Love"
2:56
12."That's the Thing"
3:16
13."Zendaya" (featuring J. Cole)
4:18
14."Not a Minute More"
  • Meez
  • Uncle Dave[b]
  • Louie Ji[b]
  • Mike Almighty[b]
  • Chef Mitchell[b]
3:28
Total length:50:43

Notes

  • ^[a] signifies a co-producer
  • ^[b] signifies an additional producer
  • ^[c] signifies an uncredited co-producer

Sample credits

Personnel

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Credits adapted from Tidal.[21]

Performance

  • Cozz – primary artist
  • Kendrick Lamar – featured artist (track 2)
  • Currensy – featured artist (track 7)
  • Garren – featured artist (track 8)
  • J. Cole – featured artist (track 13)

Production

  • Rob Kinelski – mixer (all tracks)
  • Soul Professa – producer (track 1)
  • Hollywood JB – producer (track 2)
  • Meez – additional producer (tracks 2, 9), producer (tracks 3, 4, 7, 8, 10-12, 14)
  • Louie Ji – additional producer (tracks 2, 14), producer (track 3), uncredited co-producer (track 11)
  • Chef Mitchell - uncredited co-producer (track 3), additional producer (track 14)
  • Mike Almighty - uncredited co-producer (track 3), additional producer (tracks 3, 11)
  • Cardiak – producer (track 4)
  • Beat Butcha – additional producer (track 4)
  • Dontae Winslow – additional producer (tracks 4, 5, 12, 13)
  • Uncle Dave – additional producer (tracks 4, 14)
  • Anthony Ware – additional producer (track 5)
  • Ron Gilmore – additional producer (track 5)
  • D-Low Beats – producer (track 6)
  • Enimal – producer (track 7)
  • Tae Beast – producer (track 9)
  • DJ Wes – additional producer (track 11)
  • J. Cole – producer (track 13)

Charts

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Chart (2018) Peak
position
US Top Heatseekers[23] 18

References

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  1. ^ "Cozz on Debut Album 'Effected', Working w/ J.Cole & Kendrick + Zendya". YouTube. Retrieved February 26, 2018.
  2. ^ "Effected by Cozz". Apple Music. Retrieved February 13, 2018.
  3. ^ Goddard, Kevin (February 13, 2018). "Stream Cozz's Debut Album "Effected"". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved February 12, 2018.
  4. ^ India, Lindsey (January 8, 2018). "Cozz Plays Role Reversal With Cops in Questions Video". XXL. Retrieved February 12, 2018.
  5. ^ Mojica, Nick (January 19, 2018). "Cozz Links With Currensy for New Song Badu". XXL. Retrieved February 12, 2018.
  6. ^ Goddard, Kevin (January 26, 2018). "Cozz Releases New "Effected" Song Called "Ignorant Confidence"". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved February 12, 2018.
  7. ^ Findlay, Mitch (February 5, 2018). "Cozz Drops Off Smooth Banger "Bout It"". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved February 12, 2018.
  8. ^ Price, Joe (February 5, 2018). "Cozz Shares Release Date for 'Effected' Album f/ J. Cole and Kendrick Lamar". Complex. Retrieved February 12, 2018.
  9. ^ blame it on MEKA (February 12, 2018). "Cozz Shares 'Effected' Documentary, Tracks With J. Cole & Kendrick Lamar". 2DOPEBOYZ. Retrieved February 12, 2018.
  10. ^ "Cozz - Demons N Distractions". YouTube. Retrieved March 1, 2018.
  11. ^ Findlay, Mitch (May 22, 2018). "Cozz & Garren Woo Ladies & Piss Off Executives In "Bout It"". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved May 23, 2018.
  12. ^ Walker, Joe (April 4, 2018). "Cozz Announces 'The Effected Tour'". OnSmash. Retrieved April 4, 2018.
  13. ^ a b "Reviews for Effected by Cozz". Metacritic. Retrieved March 1, 2018.
  14. ^ a b Wongo (February 28, 2018). "Tired Of Being Undervalued, Cozz Creates His Own Spotlight On 'Effected'". 2DOPEBOYZ. Retrieved March 1, 2018.
  15. ^ a b Abraha, Lidia (February 26, 2018). "Cozz - Effected". Exclaim!. Retrieved March 1, 2018.
  16. ^ a b Blackwell, Marcus (February 13, 2018). "Review: Cozz Hits Notable Career Stride On Lyrically Sharp "Effected"". HipHopDX. Retrieved February 14, 2018.
  17. ^ Offner, Daniel (February 13, 2018). "REVIEW: Cozz scores another hit for Dreamville". Salute Mag. Retrieved February 17, 2018.
  18. ^ a b Howard, Jackson (February 15, 2018). "For his second album on J. Cole's imprint, Cozz is beginning to build his own style while finding how to maneuver between the boisterous and introspective". Pitchfork. Retrieved February 17, 2018.
  19. ^ a b Rosario, Ricky (February 15, 2018). "Dreamville's Own Cozz Touches the Soul With His New Album "Effected"". Respect. Retrieved March 9, 2018.
  20. ^ a b "Cozz Shows Growth As A Songwriter On His 'Effected' Album". XXL. February 22, 2018. Retrieved February 23, 2018.
  21. ^ a b "Effected by Cozz". Tidal. Retrieved February 13, 2018.
  22. ^ "New @cozz "Ignorant Confidence" available on all platforms! Prod. @meeztc + @_louieji Co Prod. @sound.mikealmighty @chefmitchellii ..." Instagram. Retrieved February 13, 2018.
  23. ^ "Billboard Heatseekers Albums Chart". Billboard. Retrieved February 23, 2018.