When It's Dark Out

When It's Dark Out is the fourth studio album by American rapper G-Eazy. It was released on December 4, 2015, by RCA Records.^[2] The album features guest appearances from Big Sean, Chris Brown, Tory Lanez, Too $hort, Yo Gotti, Lil Wayne, Kehlani, Rick Ross, E-40 and Keyshia Cole. The production was provided by OZ, DJ Spinz, Boi-1da and Southside.

When It's Dark Out
Studio album by G-Eazy
Released	December 4, 2015 (2015-12-04)
Recorded	2014–2015
Genre	Hip hop^[1]
Length	61:05
Label	RCA
Producer	Christoph Andersson (also exec.) G-Eazy (also exec.) Southside (also exec.) Boi-1da OZ Michael Keenan Cashmere Cat Remo DJ Spinz IAmNobodi Kane Beatz Mssingno The Arcade ZepFire Gnash K.E. on the Track Henry Daher Rice 'N Peas Parker Ighile Happy Pérez
G-Eazy chronology
These Things Happen (2014) When It's Dark Out (2015) The Beautiful & Damned (2017)
Singles from When It's Dark Out
"Me, Myself & I" Released: October 14, 2015 "Order More" Released: February 18, 2016 "Drifting" Released: April 17, 2016 "Some Kind of Drug" Released: November 18, 2016

The album was supported by four singles: "Me, Myself & I", "Order More", "Drifting" and "Some Kind of Drug".

When It's Dark Out debuted at number five on the US Billboard 200. It also debuted at number one on the US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums. The album sold 135,000 copies in the first week in the United States.^[3]

Recording and production

Recording sessions took place during 2014 to 2015, including executive production work by G-Eazy himself, along with his frequent collaborator Christoph Andersson and record producer Southside. The additional production from the album was provided by OZ and Michael Keenan, among others. G-Eazy spoke about expressing his feelings towards his fans about the sounds and how excited he was with the album. When It’s Dark Out was constructed to sound like it could accompany a horror movie as its soundtrack. During recording and production, G-Eazy stated he was influenced by both Wes Craven and Tim Burton, which is why it features many piano loops and “foggy synths” throughout the entire album.^[4]

Promotion

The album's first promotional single, "You Got Me", was released on August 17, 2015.^[5] The song was produced by Southside and Christoph Andersson.

The album's second promotional single, "Random", was released on October 29, 2015.^[6] The song was produced by OZ. The song peaked at number 94 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and was certified Platinum in 2021.

The album's third promotional single, "Sad Boy", was released on November 26, 2015. The song was written and produced by Henry Daher.

Singles

The album's lead single, "Me, Myself & I", was released on October 14, 2015. The song features as a duet track between G-Eazy and American singer-songwriter Bebe Rexha, with production by Michael Keenan. The song peaked at number seven on the US Billboard Hot 100, making it as G-Eazy's first top 10 hit and his second highest charting single to date behind "No Limit" featuring A$AP Rocky and Cardi B which peaked at number 4 on the US Billboard Hot 100. The song also became Rexha's third Billboard Hot 100 single in her career as a featured artist.

"Order More" was first released as the album's promotional single on November 13, 2015. The song features a guest appearance from American singer Starrah, with production by DJ Spinz. The official remix was released after, which features guest appearances from American rappers Lil Wayne and Yo Gotti.

"Drifting" was released on April 17, 2016, to rhythmic radio as the album's third single. The song features guest appearances from American recording artists Chris Brown and Tory Lanez, with production by Cashmere Cat, Mssingno and Happy Perez. The song peaked at number 98 on the US Billboard Hot 100.

"Some Kind of Drug" was released on November 16, 2016, as the album's fourth single.^[7][8] The song features a guest appearance from Marc E. Bassy, while the production was handled by Rice 'N Peas, with additional production by Christoph Andersson and G-Eazy. It has since peaked at number 97 on the US Billboard Hot 100.

Critical reception

Professional ratings

Aggregate scores
Source	Rating
Metacritic	74/100^[9]
Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	^[10]
Billboard	^[11]
The Guardian	^[12]
Pitchfork	6.7/10^[1]

When It's Dark Out was met with generally positive reviews by critics upon its release. Billboard gave it 3.5 stars out of 5, and noted that "a few blatant crossover-R&B attempts feel faceless, but they're largely outliers on an album that gives this former greaser novelty three dimensions".^[11] Neil Yeung of AllMusic believed that the 17 tracks were "addictive without it ever growing stale" and commended G-Eazy for how he "executes flawlessly with the shrewdness befitting of his Loyola University music industry studies degree."^[10]

Sheldon Pearce of Pitchfork Media thought When It's Dark Out is an improvement from These Things Happen (2014), and that the production and guest appearances seem "like a conscious effort on G-Eazy's part to flesh out his sound into something more dynamic and less one-note."^[1] Ben Thompson from The Guardian stated that the album "could’ve hit a home run if it hadn’t worked so hard to cover all the bases", criticising the second half of the record.^[12]

Commercial performance

When It's Dark Out debuted at number five on the US Billboard 200. It also debuted at number one on the US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums. The album sold 135,000 copies in the first week in the United States.^[13] As of January 2016, the album debuted at number six on the UK's Top 40 R&B, making it his most successful release in the United Kingdom and the United States. On July 7, 2016, the album was certified Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).^[14]

Track listing

When It's Dark Out — CD – digital download – streaming^[15]

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Producer(s)	Length
1.	"Intro"	Gerald Gillum Christoph Andersson Dylan Thomas	Andersson G-Eazy (add.)	1:11
2.	"Random"	Gillum Bert Kaempfert Carl Sigman Herbert Rehbein Ozan Yildirim	OZ	3:00
3.	"Me, Myself & I" (with Bebe Rexha)	Gillum Bebe Rexha Lauren Christy Thomas Barnes Peter Kelleher Ben Kohn Michael Keenan Andersson	Keenan Andersson (add.) G-Eazy (add.)	4:11
4.	"One of Them" (featuring Big Sean)	Gillum Sean Anderson	2 Lz Eric LaVaughn Smith ZepFire (add.) G-Eazy (add.)	3:19
5.	"Drifting" (featuring Chris Brown and Tory Lanez)	Gillum Christopher Brown Daystar Peterson Magnus Høiberg Nathan Pérez Ellison Anderson David John	Cashmere Cat Mssingno Happy Pérez	4:33
6.	"Of All Things" (featuring Too $hort)	Gillum Todd Shaw Matthew Samuels Jesse O'Brien Andersson Neal Conway Crystal Waters	Boi-1da Andersson (add.) G-Eazy (add.)	3:33
7.	"Order More" (featuring Starrah)	Gillum Brittany Hazzard Gary Hill Andersson Joshua Lullen David "D. Clax" Claxton Matthew "Matty P." Pearson	DJ Spinz Southside GSP	3:28
8.	"Calm Down"	Gillum Kurtis Mckenzie Jon Mills Andersson	The Arcade	2:07
9.	"Don't Let Me Go" (featuring Grace)	Gillum Grace Sewell Parker Ighile Andersson Sigman	Ighile Andersson (add.) G-Eazy (add.)	3:11
10.	"You Got Me"	Gillum Lullen Andersson	Southside Andersson (add.)	3:28
11.	"What If" (featuring Gizzle)	Gillum Glenda Proby Sean Combs Luellen Andersson	Southside	4:13
12.	"Sad Boy"	Andersson Gillum Henry Daher	Daher Andersson G-Eazy	3:22
13.	"Some Kind of Drug" (featuring Marc E. Bassy)	Gillum Andersson Marc Griffin Kevin White Mike Woods	Rice N' Peas Andersson (add.) G-Eazy (add.)	3:42
14.	"Think about You" (featuring Quiñ)	Gillum Bianca Quiñones Andersson Garrette Nash	Gnash Andersson G-Eazy	2:59
15.	"Everything Will Be Ok" (featuring Kehlani)	Gillum Kehlani Parrish Remo Green Andersson	Remo Andersson (add.) G-Eazy (add.)	5:11
16.	"For This" (featuring IAMNOBODI)	Gillum Alexander Chigbue	IAMNOBODI	4:10
17.	"Nothing to Me" (featuring E-40 and Keyshia Cole)	Gillum Earl Stevens Keyshia Cole Paris Jones Daniel Johnson Andersson Proby Vinay Vyas	Kane Beatz Andersson G-Eazy	5:29
Total length:				61:07

5th anniversary deluxe edition bonus tracks

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Producer(s)	Length
18.	"Years to Go" (featuring Goody Grace)	Gillum Goody Grace Dakarai Gwitira Dan Henig Brooke Tomlinson	Henig Gwitira	3:34
19.	"Lifestyles of the Rich & Hated" (featuring Rick Ross)	Gillum Carlos E. Martin Samuels Quentin Miller William Roberts Cooper McGill	Teddi Jones McGill Martin	3:54
Total length:				68:35

Google Play bonus track

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Producer(s)	Length
18.	"The Otherside" (featuring Liphemra)	Gillum	4e	3:51
Total length:				64:56

Notes

• G-Eazy and Bebe Rexha are billed together as G-Eazy x Bebe Rexha on "Me, Myself & I".

Sample credits

• "Of All Things" contains a sample of Gypsy Woman (She's Homeless), written and performed by Crystal Waters.

Charts

Weekly charts Chart (2015–16) Peak position Australian Albums (ARIA)^[16] 36 Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)^[17] 140 Belgian Albums (Ultratop Wallonia)^[18] 183 Canadian Albums (Billboard)^[19] 8 Danish Albums (Hitlisten)^[20] 12 Dutch Albums (Album Top 100)^[21] 87 Finnish Albums (Suomen virallinen lista)^[22] 38 French Albums (SNEP)^[23] 136 New Zealand Albums (RMNZ)^[24] 34 Norwegian Albums (VG-lista)^[25] 13 Swedish Albums (Sverigetopplistan)^[26] 27 Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade)^[27] 32 UK Albums (OCC)^[28] 24 US Billboard 200^[29] 5 US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard)^[30] 1

Year-end charts Chart (2016) Position Canadian Albums (Billboard)^[31] 16 Danish Albums (Hitlisten)^[32] 33 US Billboard 200^[33] 12 US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard)^[34] 6 Chart (2017) Position US Billboard 200^[35] 120 US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard)^[36] 88 Decade-end charts Chart (2010–2019) Position US Billboard 200^[37] 192 US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard)^[38] 50

Certifications

Certifications for When It's Dark Out

Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
Canada (Music Canada)^[39]	Platinum	80,000^‡
Denmark (IFPI Danmark)^[40]	Platinum	20,000^‡
Norway (IFPI Norway)^[41]	Platinum	20,000^*
Poland (ZPAV)^[42]	Platinum	20,000^‡
United Kingdom (BPI)^[43]	Silver	60,000^‡
United States (RIAA)^[44]	2× Platinum	2,000,000^‡
^* Sales figures based on certification alone. ^‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References

1. Pearce, Sheldon (December 10, 2015). "G-Eazy: When It's Dark Out". Pitchfork Media. Retrieved December 10, 2015.
2. Lindsey Sullivan (2015-10-15). "G-Eazy Announces 'When It's Dark Out' Album, Premieres First Single 'Me, Myself & I'". Billboard. Retrieved 2015-12-01.
3. "G-Eazy Rules Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums". Billboard. Retrieved 2018-08-13.
4. "G-Eazy's "When It's Dark Out" Album is Inspired By Tim Burton & Wes Craven - DJBooth". Djbooth.net. Retrieved 23 December 2017.
5. "You Got Me - Single by G-Eazy on Apple Music - iTunes". iTunes. Retrieved October 1, 2016.
6. "When It's Dark Out : Release details". Instagram. Retrieved 2015-12-01.
7. "G-Eazy feat. Marc E. Bassy- Some Kind Of Drug Video". HotNewHipHop. November 16, 2016. Retrieved November 16, 2016.
8. ""Some Kind of Drug (feat. Marc E. Bassy) [Earwulf Remix] - Single" by G-Eazy on iTunes". Itunes.apple.com. 18 November 2016. Retrieved 23 December 2017.
9. "Reviews for When It's Dark Out by G-Eazy". Metacritic. Retrieved 2016-01-05.
10. Yeung, Neil (December 10, 2015). "When It's Dark Out - G-Eazy". AllMusic. Retrieved December 10, 2015.
11. Weiss, Jeff (December 10, 2015). "'Runaround Sue' Rapper G-Eazy Takes Big Step Up With 'When It's Dark Out': Album Review". Billboard. Retrieved December 10, 2015.
12. Thompson, Ben (December 10, 2015). "G-Eazy: When It's Dark Out review – almost a crossover home run". The Guardian. Retrieved December 6, 2015.
13. Mendizabal, Amaya (December 16, 2015). "G-Eazy Rules Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums". Billboard.
14. "American album certifications – G Eazy – When It's Dark Out". Recording Industry Association of America.
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31. "Top Canadian Albums - Year-End 2016". Billboard.
32. "Album Top-100 2016" (in Danish). Hitlisten.NU. Retrieved December 31, 2016.
33. "Top Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 2016". Billboard. Retrieved December 9, 2016.
34. "Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums – Year-End 2016". Billboard. Retrieved June 28, 2020.
35. "Top Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 2017". Billboard. Retrieved June 28, 2020.
36. "Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums – Year-End 2017". Billboard. Retrieved June 28, 2020.
37. "Decade-End Charts: Billboard 200". Billboard. Retrieved November 23, 2019.
38. "Decade-End Charts: Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums". Billboard. Retrieved December 1, 2020.
39. "Canadian album certifications – G-Eazy – When It's Dark Out". Music Canada. Retrieved September 30, 2021.
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42. "Wyróżnienia – Platynowe płyty CD - Archiwum - Przyznane w 2017 roku" (in Polish). Polish Society of the Phonographic Industry. Retrieved September 14, 2017.
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