Released: May 28, 2012
Recorded: 2011-2012
Genres: Hip-hop, house, dance
Length: 16:09
Label: Interscope Records
Producer: Machinedrum
1991 is the debut extended play by American hip-hop recording artist Azealia Banks. It was released in the United Kingdom on May 28, 2012, and in the United States the following day. The extended play's lead single, "212", preceded its release on December 6, 2011. The follow-up single, "Liquorice", was released on December 4, 2012.
The EP was not eligible for the UK Albums Chart, but the title track charted at 79 on the UK Singles Chart. It also reached 133 on the US Billboard Hot 200 on the issue dated June 16, 2012, while reaching 12 on the Rap Albums Chart, 17 on the R&B/Hip-hop Albums Chart, and peaking at number one on the Heatseekers Albums Chart. Upon its release, 1991 received general acclaim from music critics.
BACKGROUND ⸙
Under the moniker "Miss Bank$", she released her debut recording, "Gimme a Chance", onto the internet in February 2009. The recording was accompanied by "Seventeen", a track produced by American DJ Diplo that sampled the Ladytron song of the same name. Later that year, Banks signed with record label XL Records and began working with producer Richard Russell; she left the label later that year due to conflicting ideas. Following her departure from XL Recordings, Banks left behind the "Miss Bank$" moniker and formally became Azealia Banks, which preceded a move to Montreal. Using TH-cam as a portal, Banks uploaded several demo tracks-including "L8R" and a cover of "Slow Hands" by Interpol. In September 2011, Banks released her debut single "212" as a free digital download from her website, which was subsequently released officially on December 6, 2011 as the lead single from one of Banks' future releases.
DEVELOPMENT ⸙
Though unsigned at the time, Banks began working with British producer Paul Epworth on a debut studio album. It was announced in December 2011 that Banks would feature on "Shady Love", a track from American band Scissor Sisters' fourth studio album, though the feature would remain uncredited. An accompanying music video was released in January 2012 following its radio premiere from Annie Mac (BBC Radio 1) on January 4, though the release of the single was cancelled for unconfirmed reasons. On January 16, 2012, Banks released the track "NEEDSUMLUV (SXLND)" on the internet, coinciding with what would have been the 33rd birthday of the late singer Aaliyah, who is sampled on the track. A week later, the emergence of a second track entitled "Bambi", which having been produced by Paul Epworth, had been selected as the soundtrack for a Mugler fashion show in Paris. It was then in February that Banks revealed the tentative title of her upcoming debut album, Broke with Expensive Taste.
RELEASE ⸙
Originally scheduled for release on April 17, 2012, the release of 1991 was delayed following the musician's change of management on April 13. The extended play's artwork and track listing were then published online on May 15, with confirmation that 1991 would first be released on May 28 in the United Kingdom. The project was released digitally on May 29 and physically on June 12 in the United States, she announced via Twitter.
The original track listing featured three tracks: the single "212", "1991", and "Grand Prix". The track listing was then updated, following the delay, to a four-track extended play, instead featuring the tracks "Liquorice" and "Van Vogue" in place of "Grand Prix".
SINGLES ⸙
The extended play's lead single, "212", was first released in the United Kingdom on December 6, 2011. The track, which samples and credits "Float My Boat" by Lazy Jay, attained chart success in Europe, reaching number seven on the Irish Singles Chart and number twelve on the UK Singles Chart.
"Liquorice" was released as the second single on December 4, 2012.
TRACKLISTING ♪
1. "1991" ― 00:00
2. "Van Vogue" ― 03:30
3. "212" (featuring Lazy Jay) ― 09:27
4. "Liquorice" ― 12:51