Queen of da Souf

Queen of da Souf is the debut studio album by American rapper Latto.^[1] It was released on August 21, 2020, by RCA Records and Streamcut.^[2] The album was supported by four singles: "Bitch from da Souf (Remix)" (featuring Saweetie and Trina), "Muwop" (featuring Gucci Mane), "On God", and "In n Out" (featuring City Girls); alongside two promotional singles: "No Hook" and "He Say She Say". The album features guest appearances from other artists such as 21 Savage and 42 Dugg.^[3] The album debuted at number 44 on the Billboard 200. The album's extended version was released on December 11, 2020.^[4]

Queen of da Souf
Studio album by Latto
Released	August 21, 2020
Recorded	2019–2020
Genre	Hip hop
Length	31:24
Label	RCA Streamcut
Producer	Bankhead Bankroll Got It Bijan Amir BricksDaMane Diego Ave Ghost-Kid Da Produca Hitmaka IAmXayy Jae Roc Johnny Dutra J. White Did It Murda Beatz Pooh Beatz BOADRAY Rice n' Peas Robot Scott RTJ SkipOnDaBeat Tha Genius ThaOnlySensei London Jae
Latto chronology
Hit the Latto (2019) Queen of da Souf (2020) 777 (2022)
Singles from Queen of da Souf
"Bitch from da Souf (Remix)" Released: December 4, 2019 "Muwop" Released: July 30, 2020 "On God" Released: September 10, 2020 "In n Out" Released: October 15, 2020 "Sex Lies" Released: November 27, 2020

Background

In 2019, Latto rose to prominence with her single, "Bitch from da Souf". Not only did the song later receive a remix with feature guest appearances from fellow American rappers Saweetie and Trina, but the remix would be featured on her extended play (EP), titled Hit the Latto (2019). The success of the remix led her to sign a record deal with RCA Records in early 2020. Following her signing a record deal after its release of the remix, the single peaked at number 95 on the US Billboard Hot 100, becoming a certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). Within a day prior to the album's announcement, it was revealed that Latto would be included on XXL's Freshman Class of 2020.^[5]

On August 12, 2020, Latto went on her social media accounts to announce the release of her debut studio album, titled Queen of da Souf, while revealing the album cover artwork, alongside the release date.^[6] Three days later, Latto revealed the track listing for the album, but replaced all unknown guest appearances with emojis, opting for her fans to guess the features.^[7] Latto revealed the features on August 19, which includes the rap duo City Girls and Georgian-native rapper 21 Savage.^[8]

Singles

The album's lead single, "Bitch from da Souf" was released in January 2019 and became Latto's breakout hit. The remix version, featuring Saweetie and Trina, was released on December 4, 2019.

"Muwop", featuring Gucci Mane, was released on July 30, 2020, as the album's official second single after Latto recreated Mane's album covers on her social media.^[9] The song samples Mane's 2007 single "Freaky Gurl" and was released alongside its music video. The single was serviced to US Rhythmic radio on August 25, 2020.^[10]

The album's third single, "On God", had a music video released on Lyrical Lemonade's YouTube account on September 10, 2020.^[11]

"In n Out", featuring American rap duo City Girls, was released as the album's fourth single and received a music video which was released on October 15, 2020.^[12]

"Sex Lies", featuring Lil Baby, was released as the first single from the extended version of the album and the fifth overall. A music video was premiered on December 11, 2020.^[13]

Promotional singles

Her first song, titled "No Hook", was first released as the album's first single, but instead was its promotional single on April 23, 2020. The song was Latto's first official release since announcing that she had signed to RCA Records and was released alongside its music video. "No Hook" tells Latto's come up story to stardom in a single verse, hence the title. The second song, titled "He Say She Say", was released alongside a "quarantine style" music video as the album's second promotional single in May 2020.

Other songs

The music video for the opening track, "Youngest and Richest", was premiered on the release date of the album.^[14] A music video for the extended version album track, "Spend It", was released on December 22, 2020. The video portrays Latto going to a local Walmart and purchasing essential items for the community.^[15]

Music and lyrics

According to the BrooklynVegan, "Queen of da Souf is full of sex-positive anthems that are overflowing with charisma and confidence".^[16] On "Muwop", Latto "twists Gucci Mane’s 2006 hit, “Freaky Gurl” with a feminine flare."^[17] On "No Hook", she "bravely talks about her pregnancy scares, her terrible relationships, and her rough come-up".^[18] On "Bitch from da Souf Remix", the rappers "trade off and spit bars representative of their respective hometowns–Atlanta, Miami and the Bay Area."^[19]

Critical reception

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic
Ratings Game Music	C

Fred Thomas of AllMusic rated the album 3.5 out of 5 stars. He commented that it "taps into the same irrepressible swagger and irreverent charm of Latto's runaway hits "No Hook," and "B*tch from Da Souf" and pads out the material with plentiful features from established artists."^[20] Quincy of Ratings Game Music gave the album a C rating. He wrote that "Mulatto has a bright future and the aura of someone that can end up being one of the greats."^[18]

Michael Penn of VMP wrote that Latto shows her versatility by adjusting to featuring artists' styles and choosing beats that suit her attitude.^[21] Alphonse Pierre of Pitchfork criticized the album, which "is held back by production that seems like it was chosen by someone who hasn’t listened to Atlanta rap in at least half a decade."^[22]

Year-end lists

Publication	List	Rank	Ref.
Genius	50 Best Albums of 2020	46	^[23]
The Source	20 Best Hip-hop Albums of 2020	—	^[24]

Track listing

Standard edition^[25]

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
1.	"Youngest and Richest"	Alyssa Stephens Joel Banks Taylor Banks	1:45
2.	"Muwop" (featuring Gucci Mane)	Stephens Radric Davis Keldrick Sapp Bobby Session, Jr. Anthony White Ronny Wright	3:20
3.	"In n Out" (featuring City Girls)	Stephens Caresha Brownlee Jatavia Johnson Jocelyn Donald Johnny Dutra Derrick Grey Shane Lindstrom	3:15
4.	"He Say She Say"	Stephens Mark Bankhead, Jr. Randy Turner, Jr. Bijan Amirkhani	2:25
5.	"Pull Up" (featuring 21 Savage)	Stephens Shéyaa Abraham-Joseph J. Banks T. Banks Diego Avendano Jaucquez Lowe Christian "Hitmaka" Ward Fletcher Redd Germán Valdés	2:36
6.	"Toya Turnup Talks (Skit)"	Stephens J. Banks T. Banks Avendano Craig Love Deonjelo Holmes Jonathan Smith Eric Jackson, Jr.	0:36
7.	"On God"	Stephens J. Banks T. Banks Avendano Love Holmes Smith Jackson Donald Charles Hugo Pharrell Williams Joshua Woods	1:53
8.	"Look Back at It"	Stephens Darryl Clemons Charles Driggers Jordan Holt-May Julian Taylor	2:47
9.	"No Hook"	Stephens Bankhead Turner Tracy Maxwell, Jr.	1:43
10.	"Off Top" (featuring 42 Dugg)	Stephens Dion Hayes Lowe Ward Edgar Ferrera	2:16
11.	"My Body"	Stephens Paul Dawson Scott Fitzgerald Alvin Isaacs II Keith Sweat Gerald Thomas Alicia Williams	2:58
12.	"Blame Me"	Stephens Driggers Scott Carter Kevin Price Kevin White Michael Woods II	2:06
13.	"Bitch from da Souf (Remix)" (featuring Saweetie and Trina)	Stephens Diamonté Harper Katrina Taylor J. Banks T. Banks Matthew Banks	3:44
Total length:			31:24

Extended version^[26]

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
14.	"Queen"	Stephens Dutra Ahmar Bailey	2:16
15.	"Sex Lies" (featuring Lil Baby)	Stephens Dominique Jones Clemons Steven Alexander Nija Charles Tahj Morgan	2:42
16.	"Step It Up"	Stephens K-So Jaynes Javar Rockamore Roman Rondiak	2:41
17.	"Stank"	Stephens Lowe Clemons J. Taylor Carlos Goodwin	2:30
18.	"Spend It"	Stephens J. Banks T. Banks Avendano Holt-May	2:32

Personnel

• Bankroll Got It – production (1, 5-7, 13, 18)
• Boadray – production (2, 6, 9, 13)
• Diego Ave – production (5-7, 18)
• Mark Bankhead, Jr. – production (4, 9)
• RTJ – production (4, 9)
• Hitmaka – production (5, 10)
• BricksDaMane – production (8, 12)
• Pooh Beatz – production (8, 15, 17)
• Johnny Dutra – production (3, 14)
• IAmXayy – production (8, 17)
• J. White Did It – production (2)
• Murda Beatz – production (3)
• Bijan Amir – production (4)
• Jae Roc – production (5)
• ThaOnlySensei – production (9)
• SkipOnDaBeat – production (10)
• Tha Genius – production (11)
• Ghost-Kid Da Produca – production (11)
• Go Grizzly – production (12)
• Rice N’ Peas – production (12)
• Robot Scott – production (12)
• Kid Hazel – production (14)
• JetsonMade – production (15)
• DJ Shawdi P – production (15)
• The Loopholes – production (16)
• London Jae – production (17)
• Los the Producer – production (17)

Charts

Chart performance for Queen of da Souf

Chart (2020)	Peak position
US Billboard 200^[27]	44
US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard)^[28]	25

References

1. Brereton, Greta (May 24, 2021). "Mulatto changes name to Latto, addresses decision on new single 'The Biggest'". NME. Retrieved June 28, 2023.
2. "Mulatto crowns herself 'Queen Of da Souf' on new album". www.revolt.tv. Retrieved August 21, 2020.
3. "Mulatto Declares Herself "Queen Of da Souf" On Debut Ft. Gucci Mane, City Girls". www.hotnewhiphop.com. Retrieved August 21, 2020.
4. "Twitter". Retrieved December 18, 2020 – via Twitter.
5. Cline, Georgette (August 11, 2020). "XXL 2020 Freshman Class Revealed". XXL Mag. Retrieved August 16, 2020.
6. "Queen Of da Souf 8/21". Retrieved August 16, 2020 – via Twitter.
7. Harper, Rosario (August 15, 2020). "Mulatto Shares Jam-Packed Queen Of da Souf Album Tracklisting and Uses Emojis To Reveal Guest Features". SOHH. Retrieved August 21, 2020.
8. "Mulatto Shares "Queen Of da Souf" Tracklist: 21 Savage, Gucci Mane, & More". www.hotnewhiphop.com. Retrieved August 21, 2020.
9. "Gucci Mane Reacts To Mulatto Recreating His Classic Album Covers". hotnewhiphop.com. July 28, 2020. Retrieved December 18, 2020.
10. August 15, 2020. Archived from the original on August 15, 2020. Retrieved August 16, 2020.
11. "Mulatto Makes Men Her Accessories In The Outrageous 'On God' Video". Uproxx. September 10, 2020. Retrieved September 10, 2020.
12. Powell, Jon (October 16, 2020). "Mulatto teams up with City Girls for "In N Out" visual". Revolt. Retrieved October 17, 2020.
13. Cho, Regina (December 11, 2020). "Mulatto puts on a show in new "Sex Lies" visual featuring Lil Baby". Revolt. Retrieved December 22, 2020.
14. "Mulatto's 'Youngest N Richest' Video Takes Her Out To The Country". Uproxx. August 29, 2020. Retrieved October 17, 2020.
15. "Mulatto - Spend It (Official Video) - YouTube". Retrieved December 22, 2020 – via YouTube.
16. Sacher, Andrew (August 21, 2020). "Notable Releases of the Week (8/21)". BrooklynVegan.
17. Tharp, Hayley (August 21, 2020). "Mulatto proves she is rap royalty on 'Queen of Da Souf' mixtape". Earmilk.
18. "Mulatto – Queen Of Da Souf (Album Review)". Ratings Game Music.
19. "Defining the Best Hip-Hop Songs of the Weirdest Modern Summer of All Time". XXL. August 21, 2020.
20. "Queen of Da Souf Review by Fred Thomas". AllMusic.
21. Penn II, Michael (August 24, 2020). "All Hail The 'Queen of Da Souf'". VMP.
22. Pierre, Alphonse (September 18, 2020). "The Blatant Hypocrisy of the Sotheby's Hip-Hop Auction". Pitchfork.
23. "The Genius Community's 50 Best Albums of 2020". Genius. December 22, 2020.
24. "THE SOURCE MAGAZINE'S 20 BEST HIP-HOP ALBUMS OF 2020". The Source. December 29, 2020.
25. "listen.tidal.com/album/152304826/credits". listen.tidal.com. Retrieved December 18, 2020.
26. . Archived from the original on December 11, 2020. Retrieved December 22, 2020.
27. "The Billboard 200: Week of September 5, 2020". Billboard. Retrieved April 5, 2022.
28. "Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums: Week of September 5, 2020". Billboard. Retrieved April 5, 2022.