''Days Before Rodeo'' is the second

mixtape A mixtape (alternatively mix-tape, mix tape or mixed tape) is a compilation of music, typically from multiple sources, recorded onto a medium. With origins in the 1980s, the term normally describes a homemade compilation of music onto a cassette ...

by American rapper Travi$ Scott. It was released for free on August 18, 2014, by Grand Hustle Records. The mixtape features guest appearances from Young Thug, Big Sean, The 1975, Rich Homie Quan,

Migos Migos () is an American hip hop trio from Lawrenceville, Georgia, founded in 2008. The group was originally composed of Southern rappers Quavo, Takeoff, and Offset. Quavo is from Athens, Georgia; Offset and Takeoff were born and raised in Law ...

, T.I. and Peewee Longway.

Background and promotion

In August 2014, Scott announced on his Twitter account that he would be releasing 10 new songs within a month. On the same day, he also tweeted the title of this project, ''Days Before Rodeo'', before marketing the countdown every day until it stopped on August 10, 2014. On August 17, 2014, Scott released the track list and artwork for this project. The first song released from ''Days Before Rodeo'' was "Don't Play" featuring American rapper Big Sean and English pop band The 1975. The song was produced by Scott himself, along with Vinylz and Allen Ritter. Justin Davis of ''Complex'' commented Scott and Sean "have great chemistry over the track," while continuing their "streak of songs together". The Western-themed video for "Don't Play" was released on August 18, 2014. Although ''Days Before Rodeo'' was a prelude to ''

Rodeo Rodeo () is a competitive equestrian sport that arose out of the working practices of cattle herding in Spain and Mexico, expanding throughout the Americas and to other nations. It was originally based on the skills required of the working va ...

'', Scott tweeted that the project was not supposed to be taken as a mixtape, but as an album.

Release

''Days Before Rodeo'' was released on August 18, 2014. Scott called it a "free album" via Twitter on the following day. Eric Diep of ''XXL'' commented the album "displays the Houston rapper's eclectic production style, as well as his boastful raps that are similar to his mentors Kanye West and T.I.", while calling it "some great new material that we've been missing from him since his excellent debut, ''Owl Pharaoh''." ''Days Before Rodeo'' is a prequel to Scott's Grand Hustle and

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 ...

debut album ''

'', which was released on September 4, 2015.

Singles

On July 11, 2014, Scott released the mixtape's lead single, titled "Don't Play", which features guest appearances from The 1975 and Big Sean. On December 2, 2014, Scott released the mixtape's second single, titled "Mamacita", which features guest appearances from Rich Homie Quan and Young Thug.

Critical reception

''Days Before Rodeo'' was met with acclaim from

music critic ''The Oxford Companion to Music'' defines music criticism as "the intellectual activity of formulating judgments on the value and degree of excellence of individual works of music, or whole groups or genres". In this sense, it is a branch of mus ...

s and fans. The album has a user rating of 96% on HotNewHipHop. Jacob Roy from Thefourohfive' sums up critical response for this album "While some may feel he opts for style over substance, all the distorted baselines and 'straight up' ad-libs play a purpose and a role. Days Before Rodeo proves Travis does everything for a reason. When listening to the album each song plays a role and as a whole it makes for a incredibly engrossing experience. While his lyrical ability may be questioned, it doesn't really cross your mind when you are in awe of the piece that he has painted for you. He has a mission statement and he is going to stick by it. 'We will understand it if they don't, we don't want they bullshit no more.' It wouldn't be a stretch to say Travi$ Scott could be at the forefront for a new generation of hip-hop that have their eyes on the bigger picture."

Track listing

Notes * signifies a co-producer. * "Quintana Pt. 2" features uncredited vocals from T.I. * "Grey" features background vocals from James Fauntleroy. Sample credits * "Days Before Rodeo: The Prayer" contains a sample of

Philip Glass Philip Glass (born January 31, 1937) is an American composer and pianist. He is widely regarded as one of the most influential composers of the late 20th century. Glass's work has been associated with minimal music, minimalism, being built up fr ...

's original composition "Music Box (Opening Theme)". * "Don't Play" contains an interpolation of "M.O.N.E.Y.", written and performed by The 1975. * "Mamacita" contains a sample of "

(If Loving You Is Wrong) I Don't Want to Be Right "(If Loving You Is Wrong) I Don't Want to Be Right" is a song written by Stax Records songwriters Homer Banks, Carl Hampton, and Raymond Jackson. Originally written for The Emotions, it has been performed by many singers, most notably by Lut ...

", written and performed by Bobby "Blue" Bland. * "Sloppy Toppy" contains a sample of "Spend the Night With Me", written and performed by Edna Wright. * "Backyard" contains a sample of " Distant Lover (Live at Oakland Coliseum, CA, 1974)", written and performed by

Marvin Gaye Marvin Pentz Gay Jr., who also spelled his surname as Gaye (April 2, 1939 – April 1, 1984), was an American singer and songwriter. He helped to shape the sound of Motown in the 1960s, first as an in-house session player and later as a solo ar ...

References

{{Authority control 2014 mixtape albums Albums produced by DJ Dahi Albums produced by Lex Luger Albums produced by Mike Dean (record producer) Grand Hustle Records albums Albums produced by Lil' C (record producer) Albums produced by Travis Scott Albums produced by Vinylz Albums produced by Metro Boomin Albums produced by Southside (record producer) Albums produced by FKi (production team) Albums produced by WondaGurl Travis Scott albums Albums produced by Allen Ritter