Testimony (August Alsina album)


Testimony is the debut studio album by American R&B singer August Alsina. It was released on April 15, 2014, by Def Jam Recordings. The album was supported by six singles: "I Luv This Shit", "Ghetto", "Numb", "Make It Home", "Kissin' on My Tattoos" and "No Love"; along with the release of his promotional single, "Benediction".
Upon its release, Testimony was met with generally positive reviews from music critics, who praised the whole creativity of the album. The album debuted at number 2 on the Billboard 200, with first-week sales of 67,000 copies in the United States. The album features guest appearances from Nicki Minaj, Chris Brown, Yo Gotti, B.o.B, Rich Homie Quan, Trey Songz and Def Jam label-mates Pusha T, Rick Ross, Fabolous, Jeezy and Trinidad James.

Singles

On February 14, 2013, the music video was released for the lead single, "I Luv This Shit" featuring Trinidad James. The song was produced by Knucklehead. It was officially released for digital download on February 19, 2013. The song peaked at number 48 on the US Billboard Hot 100, and number 13 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs charts.
On December 9, 2013, the album's second single, "Ghetto" featuring Rich Homie Quan, was serviced to urban contemporary radio in the United States. Knucklehead also produced this track. It was officially released for digital download on February 11, 2014.
On December 2, 2013, the music video was released for "Numb" featuring B.o.B. and Yo Gotti. On December 10, 2013, "Numb" was released as the album's third single. The song was produced by DJ Mustard.
On January 15, 2014, the album's fourth single, "Make It Home" featuring Jeezy, was released for digital download. It was sent to US urban contemporary radio on March 3, 2014. On February 13, 2014, the music video was released for "Make It Home" featuring Jeezy.
On April 1, 2014, the album's fifth single, "Kissin' on My Tattoos" was released. The song was produced by Jasper Cameron.
The album's sixth single was the remix to "No Love" featuring Nicki Minaj, which was serviced to urban adult contemporary radio in the United States on July 29, 2014.

Other songs

On April 15, 2014, the music video was released for "Get Ya Money" featuring Fabolous. On June 26, 2014, the music video was released for "FML" featuring Pusha T. On July 1, 2014, the music video was released for "Benediction" featuring Rick Ross; the video also features a cameo appearances from DJ Khaled.

Promotion

To promote the album, Alsina began the Testimony Live tour in the United States on August 14, 2014.

Critical response

Upon its release, Testimony was met with generally positive reviews from music critics. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from critics, the album received an average score of 79, which indicates "generally positive reviews", based on 5 reviews. Andy Kellman of AllMusic said, "This is a gratifying second step from one of the most exciting contemporary R&B artists to appear during the 2010s."
Erin Lowers of XXL gave the album an L rating, saying "Finding the balance between sex, love, and ratchet, Testimony is truly a testament to a new era in R&B that shifts safe lyrics to smooth street tales." Brandon Soderberg of Spin said, "Usually, in-the-pocket R&B does fine with middling MCs, but Testimony, powered by Alsina's insider-outsider personality – sensitive romantic with a crime-haunted past – doesn't need these big dumb lugs for cred, or even menace. Testimony brings rap's raw nerve detail to the sturdy slow jam, nullifying the need for nods to R&B of the "rap and bullshit" variety."

Commercial performance

The album debuted at number 2 on the Billboard 200, with first-week sales of 67,000 copies in the United States. In its second week, the album sold 20,000 more copies in the United States. In its third week, the album sold 12,000 more copies in the United States. In its fourth week, the album sold 8,800 more copies in the United States. As of November 2015, the album has sold 287,000 copies in the United States. The album was eventually certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America for combined sales and album-equivalent units over 500,000 units in the United States.

Track listing

;Notes
;Sample credits

Weekly charts

Year-end charts

Chart Position
US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums 80

Certifications

Release history