Name: This Thing Called Life by August Alsina
Brand: August Alsina
SKU: 602547676290
Price: 9.9 USD
Availability: OnlineOnly
Rating: 3.5 (105 reviews)

ALBUM Explicit

Counting the front cover, the booklet for This Thing Called Life contains over two-dozen photos, all black-and-white, mostly downcast. In a couple shots, August Alsina's view is from the ground, at the mercy of an ambiguously clothed man pointing a gun at him. Others show the singer staring at a shattered RIAA plaque for "I Luv This Sh*t," his platinum debut single. Only in the last two is he shown cracking a smile. Altogether, the images closely reflect the percentages of dark and light content that color Alsina's second album. "I done worked my way to the top," he proudly asserts, yet those who prop him up are treated with as much suspicion as those who attempt to knock him down. Success has exacerbated previously existing problems while dealing him a set of new ones. In one verse, for instance, he laments, "I try to buy my momma's love, she don't appreciate it, so I stay inebriated," while in another, he smacks down prospective hangers-on. As with the Downtown: Life Under the Gun EP and Testimony, most of the highlights here involve production from the Exclusives and Knucklehead. "Dreamer," strengthened by a sample of a Eugene Record ballad, shows Alsina spinning realist tales with as much conviction displayed in inward-looking highlights like "Song Cry" and "Hip Hop." Even though Alsina is a soul singer to his core, he continually draws connections to hip-hop, borrowing a song title from Jay-Z, interpolating Naughty by Nature, referencing 2Pac and the Notorious B.I.G. Given the album's immersion in street life and its grim aftershocks -- details ranging from hunger pains to the contemplation of suicide -- it's gratifying to hear it conclude with a sentiment similar to that of the booklet's last page. In the Polow-produced "The Encore," a Ralfi Pagan-sampling throwback anthem with a touch of gospel, Alsina concludes with "Had to get it how I could, I was so misunderstood out the hood, now it's all good." Its respite is much more substantive than what's served in the hedonistic singles that feature Lil Wayne and Chris Brown. [A clean version was also released.] ~ Andy Kellman

1. This Thing Called Life

by August Alsina

Primary Artist: August Alsina; Main Performer
Composer: August Alsina
Carlos Cahee; Composer
Lyricist: August Alsina
Carlos Cahee; Composer
Mixing: Sean Mcmillion; Production
Mixing Assistant: Jasmine Mitchell; Production
Producer: August Alsina
Carlos Cahee; Production
Recording: Sean Mcmillion
Jack Beans; Production
Studio Personnel: Jack Beans
Sean Mcmillion
Jasmine Mitchell; Production

2. Job

by August Alsina, Anthony Hamilton, Jadakiss

Featured Artist: Jadakiss
Anthony Hamilton; Main Performer
Primary Artist: August Alsina; Main Performer
Composer: Sampha Sisay
Anthony Hamilton
Jason Phillips
August Alsina
Jameel Roberts
Ralph Jeanty
Ronald "flippa" Colson
Sean Mcmillion; Composer
Lyricist: Ronald "flippa" Colson
Sean Mcmillion
Anthony Hamilton
Jason Phillips
August Alsina
Sampha Sisay
Jameel Roberts
Ralph Jeanty; Composer
Mixing: Sean Mcmillion; Production
Mixing Assistant: Jasmine Mitchell; Production
Producer: The Exclusives
Jproof
Ronald "flippa" Colson
J.proof; Production
Production Coordination: Tanisha Broadwater
Donnie Meadows; Production
Recording: Sean Mcmillion
Jack Beans; Production
Studio Personnel: Jasmine Mitchell
Jack Beans
Sean Mcmillion
Tanisha Broadwater
Donnie Meadows; Production

3. Why I Do It

by August Alsina, Lil Wayne

Featured Artist: Lil Wayne; Main Performer
Primary Artist: August Alsina; Main Performer
Composer: August Alsina
Dwayne Carter
Kevin Price
Candace Curry
Keyiara Sallie
Nicodemo Lalli
Ralph Jeanty
Sean Mcmillion; Composer
Lyricist: Sean Mcmillion
Dwayne Carter
August Alsina
Kevin Price
Candace Curry
Keyiara Sallie
Nicodemo Lalli
Ralph Jeanty; Composer
Mixing: Sean Mcmillion
Tori Jae; Production
Producer: The Exclusives
Kevin Andre Price; Production
Recording: Sean Mcmillion; Production
Studio Personnel: Tori Jae
Sean Mcmillion; Production

4. Hollywood

by August Alsina

Composer: Carlos Cahee
August Alsina
Robert Reese
Candace Curry
Keyiara Sallie
Ralph Jeanty
Robin Hannibal Braun
Sean Mcmillion; Composer
Primary Artist: August Alsina; Main Performer
Lyricist: Carlos Cahee
August Alsina
Sean Mcmillion
Robin Hannibal Braun
Ralph Jeanty
Keyiara Sallie
Robert Reese
Candace Curry; Composer
Mixing: Sean Mcmillion; Production
Mixing Assistant: Jasmine Mitchell; Production
Producer: The Exclusives
Knucklehead
Carlos Cahee
Korner Keyz
Ray "pinkey" Velazquez; Production
Recording: Sean Mcmillion; Production
Studio Personnel: Jasmine Mitchell
Sean Mcmillion; Production
Additional Producer: Ray "pinkey" Velazquez; Other

5. Hip Hop

by August Alsina

Composer: Robert Glasper
Ronald Isley
Christopher Wallace
August Alsina
Chris Jasper
Rudolph Isley
Vincent Brown
Robert Reese
Anthony Criss
Ernest Isley
Keir Gist
Marvin Isley
O'kelly Isley Jr.
Ralph Jeanty
Samuel Irving Iii
Sean Mcmillion; Composer
Primary Artist: August Alsina; Main Performer
Lyricist: Sean Mcmillion
O'kelly Isley Jr.
Ralph Jeanty
Samuel Irving Iii
Robert Glasper
Ronald Isley
Christopher Wallace
August Alsina
Chris Jasper
Rudolph Isley
Vincent Brown
Robert Reese
Anthony Criss
Ernest Isley
Keir Gist
Marvin Isley; Composer
Mixing: Sean Mcmillion; Production
Producer: The Exclusives
Knucklehead
Korner Keyz; Production
Recording: Sean Mcmillion; Production
Studio Personnel: Sean Mcmillion; Production

6. Change

by August Alsina

Primary Artist: August Alsina; Main Performer
Composer: Robert Reese
August Alsina
Carlos Cahee
Josh Cross
Ralph Jeanty
Samuel Irving Iii
Sean Mcmillion; Composer
Lyricist: Ralph Jeanty
Samuel Irving Iii
Sean Mcmillion
August Alsina
Carlos Cahee
Robert Reese
Josh Cross; Composer
Mixing: Sean Mcmillion; Production
Mixing Assistant: Jasmine Mitchell; Production
Producer: Knucklehead
Carlos Cahee
Cassius J
Korner Keyz; Production
Recording: Jack Beans
Sean Mcmillion; Production
Studio Personnel: Jasmine Mitchell
Sean Mcmillion
Jack Beans; Production

7. Dreamer

by August Alsina

Primary Artist: August Alsina; Main Performer
Composer: Samuel Irving Iii
Kenneth Gold
August Alsina
Ralph Jeanty
Sean Mcmillion; Composer
Lyricist: Sean Mcmillion
August Alsina
Ralph Jeanty
Kenneth Gold
Samuel Irving Iii; Composer
Mixing: Sean Mcmillion; Production
Mixing Assistant: Jasmine Mitchell; Production
Producer: The Exclusives
Knucklehead; Production
Recording: Sean Mcmillion
Jack Beans; Production
Studio Personnel: Sean Mcmillion
Jack Beans
Jasmine Mitchell; Production

8. Been Around The World

by August Alsina, Chris Brown

Featured Artist: Chris Brown; Main Performer
Primary Artist: August Alsina; Main Performer
Composer: Ian Devaney
Lisa Stansfield
Paul Hardcastle
August Alsina
Christopher Brown
Andy Morris
Etterlene Jordan
Mark Debarge
Ralph Jeanty
Samuel Irving Iii
Sean Mcmillion; Composer
Lyricist: Samuel Irving Iii
Paul Hardcastle
Ian Devaney
August Alsina
Christopher Brown
Andy Morris
Etterlene Jordan
Mark Debarge
Ralph Jeanty
Sean Mcmillion
Lisa Stansfield; Composer
Mixing: Sean Mcmillion; Production
Mixing Assistant: Jasmine Mitchell; Production
Producer: The Exclusives
Knucklehead; Production
Recording: Jack Beans
Sean Mcmillion; Production
Studio Personnel: Jack Beans
Sean Mcmillion
Jasmine Mitchell; Production

9. First Time

by August Alsina

Primary Artist: August Alsina; Main Performer
Composer: Gary Shider
George Clinton Jr.
Ronald Isley
August Alsina
Rudolph Isley
Christopher Jasper
Ernest Isley
Gary Lee Cooper
Marvin Isley
O'kelly Isley
Ralph Jeanty
Samuel Irving Iii
Sean Mcmillion
William Earl Collins; Composer
Lyricist: William Earl Collins
Christopher Jasper
Ernest Isley
Gary Lee Cooper
Marvin Isley
O'kelly Isley
Ralph Jeanty
Samuel Irving Iii
Sean Mcmillion
George Clinton Jr.
Ronald Isley
August Alsina
Gary Shider
Rudolph Isley; Composer
Mixing: Sean Mcmillion; Production
Mixing Assistant: Jasmine Mitchell; Production
Producer: The Exclusives
Knucklehead; Production
Recording: Sean Mcmillion
Jack Beans; Production
Studio Personnel: Jasmine Mitchell
Jack Beans
Sean Mcmillion; Production

10. Would You Know?

by August Alsina

Primary Artist: August Alsina; Main Performer
Composer: Brandon Hodge
August Alsina
Corey Cooper
Askia Fountain
Ralph Jeanty
Sean Mcmillion; Composer
Lyricist: Corey Cooper
Askia Fountain
Sean Mcmillion
Ralph Jeanty
Brandon Hodge
August Alsina; Composer
Mixing: Sean Mcmillion; Production
Mixing Assistant: Jasmine Mitchell; Production
Producer: The Exclusives
Brandon "b.a.m." Hodge; Production
Recording: Jack Beans
Sean Mcmillion; Production
Studio Personnel: Sean Mcmillion
Jack Beans
Jasmine Mitchell; Production

11. Song Cry

by August Alsina

Primary Artist: August Alsina; Main Performer
Performer: Kortney Leveringston; Performer
Composer: Sean Mcmillion
August Alsina
Brandon Hodge
Ralph Jeanty; Composer
Lyricist: August Alsina
Brandon Hodge
Ralph Jeanty
Sean Mcmillion; Composer
Mixing: Sean Mcmillion; Production
Mixing Assistant: Jasmine Mitchell; Production
Producer: The Exclusives
Brandon "b.a.m." Hodge; Production
Recording: Jack Beans
Sean Mcmillion; Production
Studio Personnel: Sean Mcmillion
Jack Beans
Jasmine Mitchell; Production
Additional Vocals: Kortney Leveringston; Other

12. Other Side

by August Alsina

Primary Artist: August Alsina; Main Performer
Composer: Sean Mcmillion
August Alsina
Brandon Hodge
Ralph Jeanty; Composer
Lyricist: Brandon Hodge
Sean Mcmillion
August Alsina
Ralph Jeanty; Composer
Mixing: Sean Mcmillion; Production
Mixing Assistant: Jasmine Mitchell; Production
Producer: The Exclusives
Brandon "b.a.m." Hodge; Production
Recording: Jack Beans
Sean Mcmillion; Production
Studio Personnel: Sean Mcmillion
Jack Beans
Jasmine Mitchell; Production

13. American Dream

by August Alsina

Primary Artist: August Alsina; Main Performer
Performer: Ky'lee Wells
Amaiya Labranch
Chaylin Labranch
Kayden Labranch
Kristian Alvis; Performer
Composer: Sean Mcmillion
Keith Sweat
August Alsina
Fitzgerald Scott
Ralph Jeanty
Samuel Irving Iii; Composer
Lyricist: Keith Sweat
August Alsina
Fitzgerald Scott
Ralph Jeanty
Samuel Irving Iii
Sean Mcmillion; Composer
Mixing: Sean Mcmillion; Production
Mixing Assistant: Briana Payne; Production
Producer: The Exclusives
Knucklehead; Production
Recording: Jack Beans
Sean Mcmillion; Production
Studio Personnel: Sean Mcmillion
Jack Beans
Briana Payne; Production
Additional Vocals: Kayden Labranch
Kristian Alvis
Ky'lee Wells
Amaiya Labranch
Chaylin Labranch; Other

14. Look At How Far I've Come

by August Alsina

Primary Artist: August Alsina; Main Performer
Guitar: Sharod Virtuoso; Performer
Performer: Sharod Virtuoso; Performer
Composer: August Alsina
Dominyque Allen
Ralph Jeanty
Sean Mcmillion; Composer
Lyricist: Ralph Jeanty
August Alsina
Dominyque Allen
Sean Mcmillion; Composer
Mixing: Sean Mcmillion; Production
Mixing Assistant: Jasmine Mitchell; Production
Producer: The Exclusives
Mellotheproducer; Production
Recording: Jack Beans
Sean Mcmillion; Production
Studio Personnel: Jack Beans
Jasmine Mitchell
Sean Mcmillion; Production

15. The Encore

by August Alsina

Primary Artist: August Alsina; Main Performer
Composer: William Tyler
Ralfi Pagan
Harvey Averne
August Alsina
Jamal Jones
Ralph Jeanty
Samuel Irving Iii
Sean Mcmillion; Composer
Lyricist: Sean Mcmillion
Harvey Averne
William Tyler
August Alsina
Jamal Jones
Ralph Jeanty
Samuel Irving Iii
Ralfi Pagan; Composer
Mixing: Sean Mcmillion; Production
Mixing Assistant: Jasmine Mitchell; Production
Producer: The Exclusives
Polow Da Don; Production
Recording: Sean Mcmillion; Production
Studio Personnel: Jasmine Mitchell
Sean Mcmillion; Production

Technical Specifications

Volume

1 volume only

Tracks

15 tracks available

Type

ALBUM

Format

Digital Media

Duration

56 minutes and 32 seconds

Explicit

Containing curse words, language, or art that is sexually, violently, or offensively oriented.

Coverart

Available and up to 1500x1500 px

Booklet

Not available

Max Quality

CD Quality (Lossless)

16bit / 44.1 kHz

Stereo

Audio Extension

Lossless: FLAC, M4A, WAV, WV, AIFF

Lossy: AAC, MP3, M4A, MP4, OGA, OGG, OPUS, WMA

Archive Format

Available in these formats: ZIP, TAR, RAR

Lyrics

14/15 tracks have lyrics

Synchronized Lyrics

11/15 tracks have synced lyrics

Genres

Contemporary R&B, R&B, Soul, Hip Hop, Rap, Rock

Label

Def Jam Recordings

Music Distribution Service

Universal Music Hi-Res

Country

United States

Language

English (United States)

Popularity

Release Date

Dec 10, 2015

Track Preview

Available

Delivery Charge

Free

Delivery Method

Digital download link via Email or Personal Dashboard on this site

UPC

602547676290

Shopping cart

Notification

This Thing Called Life

This Thing Called Life

This Thing Called Life