2000and4Eva (stylised in all caps) is the debut mixtape by British rapper and singer-songwriter Bree Runway.[1] It was released on 6 November 2020 via EMI Records and UMG, and was supported by the singles "Apeshit", "Damn Daniel", "Gucci", "Little Nokia" and "ATM".[2] 2000and4Eva features guest appearances from Missy Elliott, Yung Baby Tate, Maliibu Miitch and Rico Nasty, as well as production from musicians such as EasyFun and Raf Riley, among others. The mixtape expands upon the electronic infused hip hop and trap-pop sound of its predecessor Be Runway (2019) while expanding into different genres such as rock, reggae, and dance.

2000and4Eva
Mixtape by
Released6 November 2020
RecordedWinter 2019–early 2020
Genre
Length21:45
Label
Producer
Bree Runway chronology
Be Runway
(2019)
2000and4Eva
(2020)
Woah, What a Blur!
(2022)
Singles from 2000and4Eva
  1. "Apeshit"
    Released: 5 March 2020
  2. "Damn Daniel"
    Released: 30 April 2020
  3. "Gucci"
    Released: 23 July 2020
  4. "Little Nokia"
    Released: 23 September 2020
  5. "ATM"
    Released: 5 November 2020

Background

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Initially referred to as an EP, Runway would disclose in an interview with DIY Magazine in July 2020 that the EP would delve into "unlocking more of herself". When reflecting on the project, Runway states; "I've had to face myself head on during lockdown. A lot of those sad times and moments I’m scared of will pop up here."[3] Runway expressed her challenges with the COVID-19 pandemic, having to cancel a video shoot for "Damn Daniel" and later creating "quarantine" music videos for the song as well as the next single "Gucci". Plans for a headlining tour would also be cancelled due to the pandemic.[4] Despite this, sessions for the project would be recorded in isolation at Runway's house.[5]

2000and4Eva was first teased on 27 October 2020, where Runway posted a teaser video on her social media accounts, revealing the title of the mixtape.[6] The official cover art and track list were revealed a day later, with the omitting of the feature for the song "ATM". The feature would later be revealed as American musician Missy Elliott.[7]

Composition

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Musically, 2000and4Eva is primarily a hip hop and trap-pop mixtape that features elements of rock, reggae, dance, as well as music critics from NPR describing the record as "destructive pop-rap".[8]

The opening track and first single, "Apeshit", has been described as "dynamic in its clean and precise ability to conjoin two different sounds" and "ultimately bungee[ing] between climatic build-ups and dancefloor breakdowns". The chorus of the song has been described as "calm, with synthy piano strokes and blaring guitar strums" while the verses of the songs "shift into a high energy vogue-style dance beat".[9] The second track, "Little Nokia", has been described as a "predominantly rock song with elements of a sci-fi film's soundtrack"[10] and "embellished with roaring guitars that play as a seamless contrast against Bree's slick vocals and seeping harmonies".[11] The third track "ATM", featuring Missy Elliott, is described as an "energetic and bass-heavy collaboration full of confidence and memorable one-liners."[12] "Damn Daniel", a collaboration with Yung Baby Tate, has been described as "90's black-girl pop" with "modern day rap".[13] Lyrically, "Damn Daniel" consists of a back and forth of Runway and Tate rapping from the perspective of "nostalgic sitcom alter egos".[14] The fifth track, "Rolls Royce" is described as "reggae-infused"[15] and Maliibu Miitch collaboration, "Gucci" is a "powerful yet playful anthem that's celebratory with plenty of cheek."[16] "4 Nicole Thea & Baby Reign" is described as "sombre" and where "hurting and healing find its way to the work". Lyrically, the song is a tribute to late YouTube star Nicole Thea and her unborn child, with Runway promising to see them in the afterlife.[10] The eighth track, "No Sir (Freestyle)" is "halfway between a rap and rock track".[citation needed]

Release and promotion

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The lead single, "Apeshit", was released on 5 March 2020 and drew immediate comparisons to Missy Elliott, who would later co-sign the track on Twitter.[17]

The second single, "Damn Daniel", a collaboration with American singer and rapper Yung Baby Tate, was released on 30 April 2020 alongside a music video.[18][19] The song first premiered on DJ Annie Mac's Future Sounds show on BBC Radio 1 as the "Hottest Record in the World".[20]

On 19 July 2020, Bree Runway announced the release of the third single, "Gucci" with American rapper Maliibu Miitch.[21] The single was revealed alongside its cover art by having fans enter the song's title into her website as a password.[22] The song was released on 23 July 2020.

"Little Nokia" was released as the mixtape's fourth single on 23 September 2020, alongside a music video.[23]

"ATM" featuring American rapper Missy Elliott was released as the record's fifth and final single on 5 November 2020, a day before its official release.[12] Runway would perform "ATM" alongside album track "Rolls Royce" for Vevo's DSCVR series on 9 November 2020.[24] A music video for "ATM" was released on 11 January 2021.[25] A solo version subtitled the "Breemix" was released on 25 January 2021, alongside a live performance video.[26][27]

Critical reception

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Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Clash8/10[11]
DIY     [28]
NME     [15]
Tom Hull – on the WebB (  )[29]

Timi Sotire of NME described the mixtape as a "bold, belligerent yet vulnerable debut from a versatile pop star-in-waiting", while also noting that it "forcefully challenges the white supremacy that has historically underpinned the music industry's manufacturing of the 'popstar'."[15] Aaron Williams of Uproxx noted that Runway's "electro-influenced blend of hip-hop and pop is a sure mood booster for these troubled times," referring to the COVID-19 pandemic.[30] Elle Evans of Clash described the mixtape as a "fiery and undaunted statement" and wrote that by "creating a bold, dynamic and cohesive body of work, [2000and4Eva] only solidifies Bree Runway's rise to fame."[11] Time magazine would later name "Little Nokia" the fourth best song of 2020.[31]

Track listing

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Credits adapted from Tidal.

2000and4Eva track listing[32]
No.TitleLyricsMusicProducer(s)Length
1."Apeshit"Brenda Mensah
  • Richard "Liohn" Zastenker
  • Johannes Klahr
  • Levi Gordon
  • Moon Willis
  • Rafael Greifer
2:40
2."Little Nokia"
  • Mensah
  • Cleo Tighe
Finn KeaneEasyfun2:19
3."ATM" (featuring Missy Elliott)
  • Zastenker
  • Klahr
  • Fat Max Gsus
  • Liohn
  • Klahr
  • Fat Max Gsus
3:08
4."Damn Daniel" (with Yung Baby Tate)
  • Zastenker
  • Klahr
  • Liohn
  • Klahr
2:53
5."Rolls Royce"MensahWillisWillis2:18
6."Gucci" (with Maliibu Miitch)
  • Willis
  • Cleveland Bell
  • Ricky Taylor
  • Victor May
Willis3:01
7."4 Nicole Thea & Baby Reign"MensahWillisWillis1:16
8."No Sir" (Freestyle)Mensah
  • Johannes Burger
  • Kilian Wilke
Kilian & Jo1:33
Bonus track
No.TitleLyricsMusicProducer(s)Length
9."Little Nokia" (remix featuring Rico Nasty)
  • Keane
  • Malik Foxx
Easyfun2:36
Total length:21:45

Release history

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Region Date Format Label Ref.
Various 6 November 2020 EMI

References

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  1. ^ Langford, Jackson (28 October 2020). "Bree Runway announces new mixtape '2000AND4EVA', with guest artist Rico Nasty". NME. Archived from the original on 7 November 2020. Retrieved 29 October 2020.
  2. ^ "Bree Runway has dropped her debut mixtape, '2000AND4EVA'". Dork. 6 November 2020. Archived from the original on 6 November 2020. Retrieved 6 November 2020.
  3. ^ Subscribe. "Tell Your Friends: Bree Runway". diymag.com. Archived from the original on 29 October 2020. Retrieved 11 November 2020.
  4. ^ Sotire, Tim (19 August 2020). "Bree Runway: Hackney hero mastering the art of the quarantine music video". NME. Archived from the original on 14 November 2020. Retrieved 11 November 2020.
  5. ^ "Bree Runway: "It's a big dream that I'm trying to achieve here"". Dork. 13 August 2020. Archived from the original on 10 November 2020. Retrieved 11 November 2020.
  6. ^ ""C U IN 2000AND4EVA"". Twitter. Archived from the original on 27 October 2020. Retrieved 11 November 2020.
  7. ^ Kenneally, Cerys (3 November 2020). "Bree Runway confirms Missy Elliott will feature on her upcoming mixtape". The Line of Best Fit. Archived from the original on 3 November 2020. Retrieved 3 November 2020.
  8. ^ "New Music Friday: The Top 10 Albums Out On Nov. 6 : All Songs Considered". NPR. 6 November 2020. Archived from the original on 6 November 2020. Retrieved 6 November 2020.
  9. ^ Lawson, Brianna (13 March 2020). "Bree Runway goes "Apeshit" on latest track". EARMILK. Archived from the original on 12 November 2020. Retrieved 11 November 2020.
  10. ^ a b Staff, Kelly Nguyen | (11 November 2020). "Bree Runway creates genre-bending excellence with '2000and4eva'". The Daily Californian. Archived from the original on 16 November 2020. Retrieved 11 November 2020.
  11. ^ a b c Evans, Elle (6 November 2020). "Bree Runway - 2000AND4EVA". Clash. Archived from the original on 17 November 2020. Retrieved 6 November 2020.
  12. ^ a b Paul, Larisha (5 November 2020). "UK Rapper Bree Runway Teams Up With Missy Elliott On ATM". Universal Music Group. Archived from the original on 5 November 2020. Retrieved 6 November 2020.
  13. ^ "Bree Runway Runs This". PAPER. 4 May 2020. Archived from the original on 12 November 2020. Retrieved 11 November 2020.
  14. ^ Valentine, Claire. "Premiere: Bree Runway Shares Ultra-Fun "Damn Daniel" Video Featuring Yung Baby Tate". Nylon. Archived from the original on 16 November 2020. Retrieved 11 November 2020.
  15. ^ a b c Sotire, Timi (5 November 2020). "Bree Runway - '2000AND4EVA' review: a bold, belligerent yet vulnerable debut from a versatile pop star-in-waiting". NME. Archived from the original on 6 November 2020. Retrieved 5 November 2020.
  16. ^ "Bree Runway Is a Literal Gem in Her New Music Video". PAPER. 24 July 2020. Archived from the original on 18 November 2020. Retrieved 11 November 2020.
  17. ^ Aubrey, Elizabeth (17 March 2020). "Bree Runway: Meet the Missy Elliott-approved rising star whose fearless pop is challenging colourism". NME. Archived from the original on 31 October 2020. Retrieved 28 October 2020.
  18. ^ Love Michael, Michael (4 May 2020). "Bree Runway Interview on "Damn Daniel" With Yung Baby Tate". Paper. Retrieved 29 October 2020.
  19. ^ Valentine, Claire (30 April 2020). "Premiere: Bree Runway Shares Ultra-Fun "Damn Daniel" Video Featuring Yung Baby Tate". Nylon. Archived from the original on 16 November 2020. Retrieved 29 October 2020.
  20. ^ ・゚Bree Runway ☆ [@breerunway] (30 April 2020). "YOOOO!!!! 'DAMN DANIEL' IS @AnnieMac's HOTTEST RECORD IN THE WORRRRLDDD TONIGHT!!! AHHHH" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  21. ^ Keith, James (27 July 2020). "Bree Runway And Maliibu Miitch's "Gucci" Is Pure Diamond-Encrusted Futurism". Complex. Archived from the original on 28 July 2020. Retrieved 29 July 2020.
  22. ^ ・゚Bree Runway ☆ [@breerunway] (19 July 2020). "enter the password 'gucci' tell the world for me" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  23. ^ Bruce, Jasper (24 September 2020). "Bree Runway drops retro-inspired single 'Little Nokia'". NME. Archived from the original on 2 November 2020. Retrieved 28 October 2020.
  24. ^ Vevo on Facebook Watch, retrieved 11 November 2020
  25. ^ "Watch Bree Runway and Missy Elliot's glamorous "ATM" video". The FADER. Archived from the original on 15 January 2021. Retrieved 15 January 2021.
  26. ^ "Bree Runway - ATM (Live At Abbey Road Studios) - YouTube". www.youtube.com. Archived from the original on 2 February 2021. Retrieved 25 January 2021.
  27. ^ ATM (BREEMIX / SOLO VERSION) - Single by Bree Runway, 25 January 2021, archived from the original on 26 January 2021, retrieved 25 January 2021
  28. ^ "Bree Runway - 2000AND4EVA | DIY". Archived from the original on 30 November 2020. Retrieved 23 November 2020.
  29. ^ Hull, Tom (30 November 2020). "Streamnotes: November 30, 2020". Tom Hull – on the Web. Archived from the original on 2 December 2020. Retrieved 16 December 2020.
  30. ^ Williams, Aaron (5 November 2020). "All The Best New Hip-Hop Albums Coming Out This Week". Uproxx. Archived from the original on 5 November 2020. Retrieved 6 November 2020.
  31. ^ "The 10 Best Songs of 2020". Time. Archived from the original on 23 November 2020. Retrieved 23 November 2020.
  32. ^ a b "Bree Runway / 2000AND4EVA". Tidal. Archived from the original on 5 November 2021. Retrieved 6 November 2020.