| Cilvia Demo | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| EP by | ||||
| Released | January 28, 2014 | |||
| Recorded | 2013–14 | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 49:29 | |||
| Label | TDE | |||
| Producer |
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| Isaiah Rashad chronology | ||||
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Cilvia Demo (also referred to asCilvia) is the secondEP[4][5] by American rapperIsaiah Rashad. It was released on January 28, 2014, byTop Dawg Entertainment (TDE). The EP featuresguest appearances fromJean Deaux and Michael Da Vinci, as well as his Top Dawg label-matesSZA,Schoolboy Q andJay Rock. The EP'sproduction was handled by severalrecord producers, namely Ross Vega,Mr. Carmack, Joseph L'Étranger, Black Metaphor,The Antydote, Farhot, Chris Calor, D. Sanders and a member of theDigi+PhonicsSounwave.
Cilvia Demo received universal acclaim from music critics. The album also developed acult following. It was included in several year-end top album lists by critics and publications. The album debuted at number 40 on the USBillboard 200, selling 8,500 copies its first week.[6]
Cilvia Demo is a looseconcept album that, according toRashad, sums up his emotional struggle, from his teenage to adolescent years. The project is characterized by its personal themes, such assubstance abuse,fatherhood,coming of age, andpolice brutality. Its music incorporates stylistic and production elements ofsouthern,experimental, andprogressivehip hop. Theproduction consists of smooth, old school influenced, downbeatsouthern hip hop, with elements of experimental soul andtrip hop. The project features hazy and atmospheric soundscapes of low, mid, to high-tempo beats with chopped and screwed background vocals; its abrasive main vocal set against smooth, slow burning southern-styled production.
| Aggregate scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| Metacritic | 82/100[7] |
| Review scores | |
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |    [8] |
| Consequence of Sound | B[9] |
| Exclaim! | 8/10[10] |
| HipHopDX | 4.0/5[11] |
| Now | 4/5[12] |
| Pitchfork | 8.2/10[13] |
| PopMatters | 8/10[14] |
| Spin | 8/10[15] |
| XXL | 4/5[16] |
Cilvia Demo was met with universal acclaim frommusic critics upon its release. Praise was directed at the album's unconventional and experimental production, cohesiveness, and Rashad's unique style and thoughtful lyrics. AtMetacritic, which assigns anormalized rating out of 100 to reviews from critics, the album received anaverage score of 82, which indicates "universal acclaim", based on 13 reviews.[7] Rob Markman ofMTV gave the project a positive review saying, "By the time the 14-track project winds down, Isaiah Rashad slowly doles out his own coming-of-age story using introspective raps, melodies and, at times, good old southern bounce."[17] Marcus Dowling ofHipHopDX said, "Every story and hook on Isaiah Rashad'sCilvia Demo connects on a human level. What it lacks in depth is covered by excellent production and raw talent."[11] Michael Madden ofConsequence of Sound gave the project a positive review saying, "At any rate, Rashad sounds like he belongs. He's touched down on his own terms, and he'll be sticking around for a while."[9] Sheldon Pearce ofXXL gave the project an overwhelmingly positive review, directing praise at the album's production, lyrical content, and replay value.[16]
Cilvia Demo appeared on multiple year end lists of the best hip-hop albums of that year.Genius hailed it as the seventh best hip hop release that year, whileRolling Stone placed it at number twenty-one on it year-end hip hop albums list.[18][19]SPIN included the album on its list of the 40 best hip hop releases of 2014.[20] Based on the buzz generated by Rashad's signing in 2013 and the EP,XXL revealed Rashad was included in their 2014 annual freshman class.[21][22]
On June 29, 2016,Pitchfork Media published a list of "The 50 Best Rap Mixtapes of the Millennium".Cilvia Demo was included on the list, placed at the 35th position, despite officially being billed as an EP.[23]
The EP debuted at number 40 on the USBillboard 200, selling 8,500 copies its first week.[24]
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Hereditary" | Ross Vega | 1:28 | |
| 2. | "Webbie Flow (U Like)" | Mr. Carmack | 3:09 | |
| 3. | "Cilvia Demo" | Joseph L'Étranger | 3:16 | |
| 4. | "R.I.P. Kevin Miller" | Black Metaphor | 3:53 | |
| 5. | "Ronnie Drake" (featuringSZA) | The Antydote | 3:31 | |
| 6. | "West Savannah" (featuring SZA) | The Antydote | 2:48 | |
| 7. | "Soliloquy" | Farhot | 1:55 | |
| 8. | "Tranquility" | Farhot | 4:20 | |
| 9. | "Menthol" (featuring Jean Deaux) |
| Sounwave | 2:58 |
| 10. | "Modest" | Chris Calor | 3:42 | |
| 11. | "Heavenly Father" | D. Sanders | 4:21 | |
| 12. | "Banana" | The Antydote | 3:32 | |
| 13. | "Brad Jordan" (featuring Michael Da Vinci) |
| Danny Dee | 4:12 |
| 14. | "Shot You Down (Remix)" (featuringSchoolboy Q andJay Rock) |
| 7:08 | |
| Total length: | 49:29 | |||
| Chart (2014) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| UK R&B Albums (OCC)[25] | 30 |
| USBillboard 200[26] | 40 |
| USIndependent Albums (Billboard)[27] | 8 |
| USTop R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard)[28] | 9 |
