Sage the Gemini’s inaugural studio album, “Remember Me,” marked a significant milestone in the American rapper’s career. Released on March 25, 2014, the album saw the light of day through the collaborative efforts of HBK Gang Records, EMPIRE Recordings, and Republic Records.
Notably, this musical venture was primarily produced by Sage the Gemini himself, with contributions from renowned names in the industry such as The Exclusives, League of Starz, Tha Bizness, and members of The Invasion, including Jay Ant, Kuya Beats, and P-Lo. The album also boasted an impressive lineup of guest appearances, featuring artists like Iamsu!, Justin Bieber, Kool John, Jay Ant, P-Lo, Eric Bellinger, Berner, and August Alsina, among others.
“Remember Me” received favorable reviews from music critics, with accolades predominantly directed toward the album’s production quality and Sage’s vocal prowess. However, some critics did express reservations regarding the lyrical content. The album made its debut on the US Billboard 200, entering at the 47th position and selling 7,200 copies during its initial week of release. Notably, it achieved Gold certification from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), signifying the sale of over 500,000 copies in the United States. Throughout its journey, “Remember Me” was supported by five distinct singles: “Red Nose,” “Gas Pedal” featuring Iamsu!, “College Drop” featuring Kool John, “Down On Your Luck” featuring August Alsina, and “Don’t You.”
Reception
Critical Reception
“Remember Me” garnered positive feedback from music critics. According to Metacritic, a platform that aggregates reviews from critics, the album achieved an average score of 69, indicating “generally favorable reviews” based on assessments from ten critics.
USA Today’s Martin Caballero acknowledged that “Gas Pedal” provided a glimpse of what Sage’s debut album had to offer. Caballero noted the album’s energy, complemented by well-textured beats, and Sage’s ability to seamlessly blend slick raps with Auto-Tuned vocals, as seen in tracks like “Desert of Mirages.”
David Jeffries of AllMusic praised “Remember Me” for maintaining the same vibrant energy evident in “Gas Pedal.” He deemed it a stellar party album and applauded Sage’s skill in effortlessly hosting tracks that exude familiarity and fun.
Craig Jenkins, a contributor to Pitchfork, commended Sage for his production skills and vocal delivery, which added charm to the tracks. He highlighted that “Remember Me” maintained a light-hearted mood and lower stakes, offering a refreshing counterpoint to the prevailing serious themes in California hip-hop.
RapReviews’ Patrick Taylor appreciated Sage’s production choices, which leaned toward ambient elements over dance elements. Taylor also recognized Sage’s credibility as a rapper on tracks like “Second Hand Smoke” and “Go Somewhere.” However, he observed a tendency for the album to revisit clichéd themes and employ conventional hip-hop tropes, which, at times, clashed with the record’s spacious vibes. Despite these limitations, Taylor concluded that “Remember Me” was far from perfect but showcased great promise, with Sage establishing himself as a memorable artist.
Ronald Grant, a writer for HipHopDX, lauded both Sage and P-Lo for their consistent work on the beats throughout the album. He highlighted the infusion of R&B elements in tracks like “Down On Your Luck” and “Mad at Me,” which added a melodic and delicate quality to the album. However, Grant was critical of the album for occasionally feeling indistinguishable due to repetitive lyrical subject matter and a lack of diversity and risk-taking in production. Nevertheless, he acknowledged Sage’s magnetism and harmonic finesse, characterizing “Remember Me” as likable and satisfying, particularly for fans of festive West Coast party hip-hop.