Dummy Boy was supported by the singles "Tati" featuring DJ Spinking, "Fefe" with Nicki Minaj andMurda Beatz, "Bebe" featuringAnuel AA and "Stoopid" featuringBobby Shmurda.[6][7] The album was leaked on 6ix9ine's website on November 24, 2018,[8] and released three days later as a result of the early leaking and at the request of 6ix9ine himself.[9] Despite receiving negative reviews from critics, the album debuted at number two on the USBillboard 200, with 66,000album-equivalent units earned in three days, and has been certifiedplatinum by theRecording Industry Association of America (RIAA).
6ix9ine revealed the cover art on November 7, whichXXL characterized as 6ix9ine's animated likeness urinating a rainbow.[11] 6ix9ine also previewed a new unnamed track, whichHotNewHipHop called "aJackie Chan-inspired banger" made in collaboration withScott Storch andTory Lanez;[12] the song was later revealed to be called "Kika". Several days later, 6ix9ine revealed on Instagram thatNicki Minaj,Lil Baby,Tory Lanez,A Boogie wit da Hoodie,Gunna,Anuel AA andBobby Shmurda would feature on the album. He later deleted the post, then posted a similar photo revealingKanye West would be featured on the album.[13]
During the recording of a music video for "Mama" on November 8, 2018, two gunmen shot upon a mansion with West and 6ix9ine present. A bullet went through the dressing room of Nicki Minaj, but she was not present at the scene.[14] The music video has since been scrapped.
On November 7, 2018, 6ix9ine announced that theDummy Boy album would be released on November 23, 2018.[11] The album was originally set to be released on November 23, but two days before that date it was announced on 6ix9ine'sInstagram that it would be postponed until further notice following his arrest andtrial.[15] On November 27, 2018,DJ Akademiks revealed via Twitter that the album would be released on the same day as a result of the early leaking and at the request of 6ix9ine himself.[9] The album was originally supposed to be distributed throughCapitol Music Group /Caroline Distribution, but due to an argument stemming from the album's leak, the album was distributed throughCreate Music Group.[16]
Dummy Boy received generally negative reviews from music critics, who panned its lyrics, production and Hernandez's performance. AtMetacritic, which assigns anormalized rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream publications, the album received anaverage score of 38, based on 11 reviews, indicating "generally unfavorable reviews".[17]
Jon Caramanica ofThe New York Times called the album "energetic but scattered", and less "rowdy" thanDay69 due to having softer vocal delivery. He noted that tracks such as "Waka" and "Feefa" seemed to be dominated by the guest artists.[2] Writing forForbes, Bryan Rolli said that "6ix9ine repeatedly gets shut out by his collaborators and sounds like a visitor on his own album. The young rapper tries to split the difference between his abrasive, streetwise roots and big-budget arena rap spectacle, subsequently failing at both."[1]
Dhruva Balram ofNME concluded in his review that "Tekashi has releasedDummy Boy at the apex of his fame, but at this stage, he's little more than an internet phenomenon and controversy magnet who also raps. Due to his recent arrest, there's a very real possibility that he will spend the rest of his life in jail. That, hopefully, will give him enough time to release a better project."[3] In a more mixed review, M. Oliver ofPopMatters remarked that "WhatDummy Boy lacks in maturity and creativity it makes up for in energy and vitriol – equivalently bankable features in 2018."[24]
Dummy Boy debuted at number two on the USBillboard 200 with 66,000album-equivalent units, (of which 10,000 were pure album sales), opening behind Travis Scott'sAstroworld on three days of sales, having been released on November 27.[27] It is 6ix9ine's highest-charting album on the chart.[27] On September 4, 2019, the album was certifiedplatinum by theRecording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for combined sales and album-equivalent units of over a million units in the United States.[28]
Due to a mispress, the vinyl version does not include "Fefe", instead "Feefa" appears in its place (as well as in its normal placing), making "Feefa" pressed twice on the release.
^"Czech Albums – Top 100".ČNS IFPI.Note: On the chart page, select49.Týden 2018 on the field besides the words "CZ – ALBUMS – TOP 100" to retrieve the correct chart. Retrieved December 10, 2018.
