Bad Intentions (album)

Background

After N-Dubz decided to take an indefinite break to begin work on solo projects, following their departure from American record label Def Jam, it was revealed that Dappy intended to pursue a solo career. He commented in an interview, "I want to do the unexpected and I want to break barriers." In the same interview, he insisted that he "wished to push his music style and motives in alternative directions." His first solo effort was a collaboration with fellow rapper Tinchy Stryder, on the lead single from his fourth studio album, Full Tank, entitled "Spaceship". He later revealed his debut solo single, "No Regrets", and announced that his debut solo record would be entitled Bad Intentions. Shortly after the announcement, "Rockstar" was later revealed as the album's second single. Concurrently, at the time of the recording, Dappy recorded a cover of Queen's "We Will Rock You", entitled "Rock You", which appears on the deluxe edition of the album in the form of a Radio 1 Live Lounge performance. Both tracks feature instrumental performances from Brian May. In a press interview in April 2012, Dappy revealed that the album's third single was set to be called "Dare to Dream". The track was not released, and does not appear on the album, and it remains unknown whether the track was re-titled or removed from the album completely.

Singles

"No Regrets" was released as the album's lead single on September 18, 2011, peaking at #1 on the UK Singles Chart and #8 in Ireland. Dappy's N-Dubz band-mate, Fazer, makes a cameo appearance in the music video for the track, playing the piano in the bridge section. The track was originally recorded by N-Dubz, during recording sessions in America for their debut American release, but remained unreleased until Dappy released it as a solo track in September 2011. "Rockstar", a collaboration with Queen guitarist Brian May, was released as the album's second single on February 26, 2012. It peaked at #2 on the UK Singles Chart, being held off the top spot by Gotye's "Somebody That I Used to Know" featuring Kimbra. The track was written and recorded as a solo piece, and the collaboration with Brian May did not occur until several months later, when the guitarist favoured Dappy's material.

The third single, "Good Intentions", was released on September 16, 2012. The release of the track was first confirmed by Dappy at T4 on the Beach. The track premiered on BBC Radio 1 Xtra on August 8. A music video for the track was filmed in Hawaii during July 2012. Dappy said of the single, "Hope you like it guys... Something a little different for ya... Just speaking from the heart...". The single peaked at number 12 on the UK Singles Chart, becoming Dappy's first single to chart outside the top 10. "Yin Yang" was to be released as the album's fourth single on December 10, 2012. The music video for the track premiered on October 14. The track premiered on BBC Radio 1 Xtra on October 10. Similarly to "Good Intentions", the music video for the track was filmed in Hawaii during July 2012. It failed to chart within the top 40 of the UK Singles Chart and peaked at number 73, becoming the album's and Dappy's least-successful single. It was later replaced as the fourth single by 'I.O.U', which was released on 6 February 2013.

Other songs

"I'm Coming (Tarzan Part 2)" was released as a promotional single on July 3, 2012. A music video was also filmed for the track, which also debuted on July 3. The track peaked at #35 on the UK Singles Chart after a week of sales. The track was deemed controversial for its derogatory take on pop culture.

"Come with Me" with Margs, Dawood and Retro was originally to be released as the third single on August 12, 2012, however "Good Intentions" was released instead. To this date the video remains unreleased and the single was removed from purchase just days after release, and only charted at number 101 on the UK Singles Chart.

Critical response

Bad Intentions received mainly negative reviews from contemporary music critics. Lewis Corner of Digital Spy felt that the two lead singles "have already proven themselves radio-friendly anthems. Big strings, ear-snagging choruses and the occasional bit of witty wordplay makes them the most listenable of the set", however "the bulk of Bad Intentions fails to appeal", rating the album 2 out of 5 stars. musicOMH's Tim Lee believed that the album "doesn't lack bravado" and compared Dappy's album to The Marshall Mathers LP by Eminem, saying that "Dappy would love Bad Intentions to be considered in a similar vein [to The Marshall Mathers LP]" but "it misses out on replicating anything good from it" and "lacks wit, inventiveness and even the decency to stick to its cause". British newspaper Metro rated Bad Intentions 1 out of 5 stars, saying: "an inventory of violent sexism, hilariously inept arrhythmic rapping and r’n’b 'skits' that make Chris Moyles sound like Oscar Wilde", demeaning its "constant sexual braggadocio". Andy Gill of The Independent viewed the album's content as mostly angry: "He constantly boils over into splenetic, scattershot anger. Even the album's most heartfelt ballad, "Good Intentions", seethes with righteous anger". Rahul Bahal of The Upcoming credits Dappy's flow and delivery, that have a "unique quality" and are of "a decent standard", but criticises the album's production and themes: "The problem with the album remains its ties to N-Dubz, who Dappy has failed to escape. It seems he has made no progression beyond what he did with his group, except for talking about himself more", giving the album 2 out of 5 stars. Ian Gittins of Virgin Media compared Dappy to American rapper Eminem due to the album's comedic themes: "This lack of gravitas bedevils this utterly generic, predictable, dreary record. Congratulations to Dappy: he's unwittingly made the comedy record of the year."

Commercial performance

Upon release Bad Intentions entered the UK Albums Chart at number six. The following week it dropped thirty-three places down to number 39, spending a total of four weeks within the top 100. The album entered at number 8 on the UK Download Chart and number 1 on the UK R&B Chart. The album entered the Irish Albums Chart at number 34, remaining on the chart for one week. On the Scottish Albums Chart, Bad Intentions entered at number 12.

Track listing