“True 2 Myself,” the debut studio album by the talented American rapper Lil Tjay, made waves when it hit the scene on October 11, 2019, under the Columbia Records label. The album’s production was a collaborative effort, with multiple producers contributing their talents, including the likes of CashMoneyAP, TnTXD, JD On Tha Track, and Dystinkt Beatz, among others. Notably, the album also boasts guest appearances from artists like Rileyy Lanez, Jay Critch, Lil Baby, Lil Durk, and Lil Wayne.
This remarkable album was supported by a lineup of seven hit singles: “Brothers,” “Leaked,” “Goat,” “Ruthless,” “Laneswitch,” “F.N,” and “Hold On.” The music community and fans alike praised the album, and it didn’t disappoint commercially either. “True 2 Myself” debuted impressively at number five on the US Billboard 200 chart, amassing an impressive 45,000 album-equivalent units in its first week. In recognition of its success, the album earned a double platinum certification from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) in February 2023.
Behind the Scenes: The Making of “True 2 Myself”
The anticipation for this album began on October 9, 2019, when Lil Tjay took to his social media platforms to announce his debut studio album. Alongside this exciting announcement, he unveiled the album’s tracklist and its captivating cover art. When asked about the meaning behind the album’s title, he shed light on his motivation, explaining, “I want to make sure that I put myself first and accomplish what I need to accomplish.” To him, this album symbolizes his “next level of success,” signifying the need to “be true to who I am and focus on that main goal.”
A Closer Look at the Critical Acclaim
“True 2 Myself” received warm acclaim from music critics, cementing Lil Tjay’s place in the rap world. Critics, in their professional assessments, demonstrated their appreciation for the album:
Consequence of Sound gave it a solid rating of B+.
HotNewHipHop expressed their approval with a score of 73%.
Pitchfork, offering a score of 6.5/10, described the album as “a playlist of soon-to-be singles grouped under the industry-formality heading of an ‘album.'”
In a particularly positive review, M. T. Richards at Consequence of Sound praised the album’s production, highlighting how the beats played a “very pretty second fiddle, never crowding Tjay out but always making their presence felt.” It’s clear that “True 2 Myself” resonated with both fans and critics, marking a significant step in Lil Tjay’s musical journey.
