Dopamine (Mila J album)

Dopamine (stylised in all caps) is the debut studio album by American recording artist Mila J. It was released on April 7, 2017 through Silent Partner Entertainment and November Reign Records.[2][3][4] The album is entirely produced by iRich, who also happens to be featured as a vocalist on the track "I Do Love You." The name of the project is inspired by the book This Is Your Brain On Music by Daniel Levitin.

Dopamine
Studio album by
Mila J
ReleasedApril 7, 2017 (2017-04-07)
Genre
Length46:47
Label
  • Silent Partner
  • November Reign
Mila J chronology
213
(2016)		 Dopamine
(2017)
Singles from Dopamine
  1. "Move"
    Released: February 14, 2017
  2. "La La Land"
    Released: April 3, 2017
  3. "No Fux"
    Released: May 12, 2017

Background

After being in two girl groups Gyrl and Dame Four and also appearing on tracks by RaRa, IMx, and Omarion, Mila J was set to release her original debut album Split Personality through The Ultimate Group and Universal Motown but it was ultimately shelved.[5][6] The album featured a number of appearances from artists on the T.U.G. roster, including proteges and its associates, such as Marques Houston, Young Rome, Rufus Blaq, and The Underdogs. Most of the songs were later on used for her 2014 mixtape called Westside.[7][8] From mid-2012 to early 2014, Mila returned to her career under the name Japollonia as an independent artist.[9] She later reverted back to Mila J and released her debut extended play (EP) Made in L.A. (2014).[10][11] The EP was originally intended to be released as a full-length album.[12]

In November 2015, Mila told Complex that her debut album would be released in 2016, stating: "It's been a while since anyone has heard something new from me, so I wanted to drop some new music for my fans while I'm working on my first full length studio album that will be released next year 2016."[13] Instead of an album, she released her second EP titled, 213 on June 16, 2016.[14]

On April 3, 2017, Mila confirmed the album title to be Dopamine.[15] Mila told Essence magazine the album title was inspired by Daniel Levitin's book This Is Your Brain On Music: The Science of a Human Obsession: "It really broke down how our brain reacts to music, what's released when we hear a song, and why we like certain music," she said. "Dopamine is that chemical that's released when things just feel good. It is that favorite song and that favorite band. And, I just feel very very happy and free."[16]

Promotion

Singles

The first promotional single called "Fuckboy" was released on February 3, 2017.[17] The track lyrically blasts men who are only in relationships for sex, with Rap-Up stating that the anti-“Fuckboy” anthem "allows the R&B songstress to flex on an ex while empowering others to do the same."[18] The track has also been described as a "funky mid-tempo track".[19] The official lead single, "Move" was later released on February 14, 2017.[20] Its music video was unveiled on April 7 and was directed by Mila herself.[21][22] The album's second single "La La Land" was released on April 3, 2017 and premiered via The Fader.[23][2]

On April 21, 2017, Mila released a self-directed music video for the song "New Crib".[24] The music video shows Mila with a braided hairstyle, posing in front of a white backdrop. Also, an unbraided version of her is seen packing her belongings and moving into a new living space.[25]

The third and final single from the project "No Fux" was unveiled on May 12 accompanied by its self-directed music video.[26][27] Speaking to Essence about the song and video, Mila says, "I wanted to present it in a pretty way. It sounds pretty, but what I’m saying is pretty real. And, as you follow the story, towards the end ‘No Fux’ is kind of showcasing those vulnerable moments in love."[16]

Tour
Move Tour
Tour by Mila J
Associated albumDopamine
Start date24 March 2017 (2017-03-24)
End date23 April 2017 (2017-04-23)
Legs1
No. of shows19
Supporting act(s)iRich, Jacob Latimore

To precede and promote the album, Mila embarked on the Move Tour through the United States. The 19-city even began on March 24, 2017 in Miami, Florida.[28][29] “This tour will be fun and all about the fans that’s why I wanted to do it. So I want all of y’all to come out and have a good time with me! See YOU soon,” Mila said in a press release.[28]

List of concerts, showing date, city, country and venue
Date City Country Venue
North America[28]
March 24, 2017 Miami, Florida United States The Fillmore Miami
March 25, 2017 Tampa, Florida The Ritz Ybor
March 26, 2017 Orlando, Florida House of Blues Orlando
March 30, 2017 Atlanta, Georgia Howard Theatre Atlanta
March 31, 2017 Detroit, Michigan Saint Andrew's Hall
April 1, 2017 Ann Arbor, Michigan Blind Pig
April 2, 2017 Chicago, Illinois Credit Union 1 Arena
April 6, 2017 Cleveland, Ohio The Foundry
April 7, 2017 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Theatre of Living Arts
April 8, 2017 New York City, New York Sound of Brazil
April 9, 2017 Boston, Massachusetts City Winery
April 13, 2017 Washington, D.C. Howard Theatre
April 14, 2017 Dallas, Texas The Cambridge Room at House of Blues
April 15, 2017 Houston, Texas The Bronze Peacock at House of Blues Houston
April 16, 2017 Phoenix, Arizona Celebrity Theatre
April 20, 2017 Denver, Colorado Cervantes' Masterpiece Ballroom
April 21, 2017 San Francisco, California Fort 1 SF
April 22, 2017 Sacramento, California Ace of Spades
April 23, 2017 Los Angeles, California The Forum

Critical reception
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
HotNewHipHop[30]

Dopamine was met with generally positive reviews from music critics. At Album of the Year, a website that aggregate reviews of music albums, which assigns normalized scores based on user ratings, the album received an average score of 60, based on 8 ratings.[31] Adelle Platon of Billboard said, "The sassy hip-hop songstress may have not achieved the same success as her fellow R&B music associates such as two-time collaborator B.o.B, labelmate Marques Houston and her sister Jhené Aiko, but her slick hip-hop style and raunchy music outshines most of them on this authentic body of work as she shows off her sopranic soulful vocals behind trap-influenced beats."[1] Kevin Goddard of HotNewHipHop said, "Laced with 13 tracks in total, the follow up to last year’s 213 EP features explicit slow jams and groovy bops. The album also features a lone appearance from multi-talented LA artist I Rich, who appears on the track I Do Love You."[30] Jon Powell of Respect stated, "Like her previous music efforts, Los Angeles native Mila J's new album Dopamine contains radio-friendly, vulnerable and rhythmic music with explicit lyrical content. Mila J is not really considered a "sanger" but I like the music paired with her voice because it works for her. Furthermore, this is a real smooth album. The deeper you go into it gets really smooth and tranquil. For the grown and sexy."[32] Rap-Up.com added to their blog, "Mila J is giving fans a Dopamine rush with the release of her latest project."[33] Elle Breezy of Singersroom said that Dopamine features "slow jams and bangers in the style of her carefree brand of female empowerment."[34][35]

In 2017, Vibe named the album number 2 out of 17 albums listed as a part of its "Favorite Underrated Albums of 2017" list and wrote: "Mila J is an underappreciated gem, so we valued our conversation with her. Dopamine is a fun, energetic journey that boosts self-confidence. The rhythms, the vibes, the pulsations I got from this record is just indescribable. Pure magic from start to finish.".[36]

Track listing

All tracks produced by iRich.

All tracks are written by Mila J.

No.TitleLength
1."No Fux"2:52
2."La La Land"3:16
3."Transform U"3:04
4."I Do Love You You" (featuring iRich)4:15
5."New Crib"4:29
6."Lit"3:26
7."Doomed"3:22
8."Longway"2:44
9."Move"2:47
10."Fuckboy"3:52
11."Drippin"4:31
12."Body"3:59
13."Bonfire"4:10
Sampling credits
  • "La La Land" samples the song "Delay" by JMSN from his 2014 eponymous album JMSN.[37]

Release history
Region Date Format Label Ref.
United States April 7, 2017 Digital download
  • Silent Partner
  • November Reign
 [4]
United Kingdom [3]
Canada [38]
France [39]

See also

References
  1. Platon, Adelle. "Mila J Drops 'Dopamine' LP: Listen". Billboard. Retrieved 2017-04-10.
  2. Viral MVP (April 7, 2017). "Mila J – Dopamine [Album Stream]". OnSMASH. Retrieved April 23, 2017.
  3. "Dopamime by Mila J on Apple Music". iTunes (UK Store). Retrieved April 11, 2017.
  4. "Dopamine by Mila J on Apple Music". iTunes (U.S. Store). April 11, 2017.
  5. "Mila J". AllMusic. Retrieved August 31, 2012.
  6. Ortiz, Edwin (March 21, 2014). "Jhené Aiko's Sister Mila J Has a New Music Video Starring Ty Dolla $ign That's Incredibly Fun and Sexy". Complex.
  7. Lilah, Rose (April 3, 2014). "Mila J - #Westside". HotNewHipHop.
  8. "Mila J - Westside (Mixtape)". Baller Status. April 1, 2014.
  9. wepluggoodmusic (January 31, 2014). "Mila J (Japollonia) - Smoke, Drink, Break Up | New Music". Conversations About Her.
  10. Gary Gentles (October 1, 2014). "Mila J Announces 'M.I.LA (Made In L.A.)' EP Release Date". Singersroom.
  11. "Mila J Brings L.A. Culture To 'M.I.L.A.' EP". Fuse. October 30, 2014.
  12. "Mila J Talks Upcoming Debut Album and New Motown Deal". Vibe. July 10, 2014.
  13. Morris, Jessie (November 12, 2017). "Premiere: Stream Mila J's New Mixtape 'The Waiting Game'". Complex.
  14. "Stream Mila J's New EP '213'". Rap-Up. June 17, 2016.
  15. "Stream: Listen Mila J New Song "La La Land"". OnSMASH. April 3, 2017.
  16. Sydney Scott. "EXCLUSIVE: Mila J's "No Fux" Isn't Your Usual Anthem". Essence.
  17. Kevin Goddard (February 3, 2017). "Mila Releases New Song Fuckboy". HotNewHipHop.
  18. "New Music: Mila J - 'F**kboy'". Rap-Up. February 3, 2017.
  19. "Mila J is here to hold the ladies down with her latest release, "F**kboy"". Missinfo.tv. March 29, 2019.
  20. Viral MVP (February 14, 2017). "Mila J 'Move' New Song Stream". OnSMASH.
  21. "Mila J - MOVE". YouTube. April 7, 2017.
  22. "Mila J - MOVE (2017)". IMVDb.
  23. Lakin Starling (April 3, 2017). "Mila J Is High Off Her Love For Los Angeles On "La La Land"". The Fader.
  24. "Mila J - New Crib". YouTube. April 21, 2017.
  25. Entertainment, Bong Mines (April 23, 2017). "Mila J releases a self-directed music video for "New Crib"". Bong Mines Entertainment.
  26. "Mila J - No Fux". YouTube. May 12, 2017.
  27. Kevin Goddard (May 16, 2017). "Mila J "No Fux" Video". HotNewHipHop.
  28. "Recording Artist Mila J Announces Her "Move" Pop Up Tour Coming To Your City From Her Mixtape Milaulongtime". 24-7 Press Release. February 21, 2017.
  29. Pittman, Monica (February 21, 2017). "Mila J Announces 'Move' Pop Up Club Tour". Rated R&B.
  30. Mistry, Anupa (2017-04-07). "Mila J - Dopamine [Album Stream]". HotNewHipHop.com. Retrieved 2017-10-21.
  31. Andy Kellman (2017-04-07). "Dopamine - Mila J". Album of the Year. Retrieved 2017-10-21.
  32. "Mila J Delivers New Album, 'Dopamine'". Respect.com. 2017-04-07. Retrieved 2017-10-21.
  33. "Stream Mila J's Dopamine Project". Rap-Up. April 7, 2017.
  34. Elle Breezy. "Mila J Drops 'Dopamine' Project (Stream)". Singersroom. Retrieved April 7, 2017.
  35. "Mila J Drops 'Dopamine' Project (Stream)". Newslocker.com. Retrieved 2017-10-21.
  36. "Favorite Albums of 2017". Vibe. Retrieved December 17, 2017.
  37. "Mila J's 'La La Land' sample of JMSN's 'Delay'". WhoSampled.
  38. "Dopamine by Mila J on Apple Music". iTunes (CA). Apple. Retrieved April 11, 2017.
  39. "Dopamine by Mila J on Apple Music". iTunes (FR). Apple. Retrieved April 11, 2017.
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