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U Made Me a St4r
Several men and children posing for the camera and holding various objects including dollar bills underneath a street sign.
Mixtape by
4Batz
ReleasedMay 3, 2024
Recorded2023–2024
Studio4Batz's mother's house (Dallas)
GenreR&B
Length23:36
LabelGamma
Producer
  • Nic Dreams
  • Sanni Ireoluwakitan
  • SamX
  • Seva
  • 4Batz
  • Darco
  • Archippe
  • Chandler Kourt
  • Hila
  • Shineboys Beats
4Batz chronology
U Made Me a St4r
(2024) 		Thank You, Jada
(2025)
Singles from U Made Me a St4r
  1. "Act I: Stickerz '99"
    Released: June 27, 2023
  2. "Act II: Date @ 8"
    Released: December 15, 2023[a]
  3. "Act III: On God? (She Like)"
    Released: March 3, 2024
  4. "Act V: There Goes Another Vase"
    Released: May 1, 2024

U Made Me a St4r is the debut mixtape by the American rapper/singer 4Batz, released on May 3, 2024, by Gamma. He recorded the mixtape at his mother's house with a DIY studio set-up, using a $90 handheld microphone and instrumentals he found on YouTube. U Made Me a St4r is an R&B mixtape incorporating elements of hip-hop and pitched-shifted vocals. Its songs, presented as chronological "acts" detailing 4Batz's life, are centered on his relationship with his ex-partner, Jada, and discuss heartbreak, sex, relationships, and love.

U Made Me a St4r was promoted by four singles. The second, "Act II: Date @ 8", went viral on social media at the end of 2023 over a performance video which garnered 4Batz attention for the contrast between his drill-like visuals and musical style. It became his first song to chart on the Billboard Hot 100, resulting in a major-label bidding war. In March 2024, he released a remix of "Act II: Date @ 8" with Drake, which reached number 7 on the Billboard Hot 100. A remix of "Act III: On God? (She Like)" featuring Kanye West was featured as the mixtape's final track, whilst a remix of "Act IV: Fckin U (18+)" with Usher was released in July 2024.

U Made Me a St4r earned 21,800 album-equivalent units in its first week to debut at number 30 on the US Billboard 200 chart. Music critics found its material underdeveloped, though some considered it a promising debut. 4Batz embarked on the Thank You, Jada Tour in support of the mixtape in July and August 2024.

Background and recording

[edit]

Neko Bennett, a.k.a. 4Batz, began recording music in 2023.[1] Raised in Dallas in a family of singers, Bennett said he decided to take music seriously following the death of his father and after his long-distance partner of three years, Jada, cheated on him with someone he knew.[1][2] He told Complex in a 2024 interview: "I'm like, 'What if I put all my shit in my music and just get in the fucking studio and talk about how much this girl was a bitch. But still make it sound good.'"[1] Bennett came up with his stage name by combining "4", in reference to South Dallas, with a nickname he was given.[1][2]

Bennett initially experimented with different instrumentals and styles, including drill and "emotional music".[2] After deciding to rap over an R&B beat on YouTube,[3] he recorded his first song, "Act I: Stickerz '99".[2] He ultimately decided to pursue the song's direction, which he said aligned with his influences from 112, Anita Baker, Chief Keef, DMX, Mint Condition, Sade and Tupac Shakur.[2] Bennett found all of the instrumentals featured on U Made Me a St4r as "type-beats" on YouTube.[1] He dedicated himself to recording three songs a night after working a twelve-hour job at a warehouse.[2][4] He used a DIY studio set-up at his mother's house and a handheld Audio-Technica AT2020 microphone, covered by a sock.[1][5] Mr. Murrary, a teacher in Bennett's GED program, bought the microphone for him for $90 after he passed a test.[5]

Composition and lyrics

[edit]

Billboard's Angel Diaz compared the sound of U Made Me a St4r to R&B from the 1990s such as Jodeci which blended in an influence of hip hop.[6] Sheldon Pearce of NPR highlighted that, despite being an R&B release, U Made Me a St4r was primarily produced by rap producers. Comparing him to Drake, Pearce believed that Bennett was aiming for "dualism" between both R&B and hip hop and to "be both a rapper and singer, but not in unison."[7] A writer for AllMusic described him as an "R&B singer/rapper".[8] On certain songs Bennett employs pitch-shifted and chopped and screwed vocals, primarily inspired by DJ Screw,[2][9] usually around the halfway mark.[8] In an interview with GQ, Bennett said he used his normal singing voice—described as a baritone—on some songs, but did not disclose which ones.[2] Bennett's relationship with Jada makes up the subject matter of U Made Me a St4r;[1] he is shown holding a crossed-out photo of her on the mixtape's cover.[2] Its songs are structured into "acts", which Bennett intended to be used years later to retell his life as a story or "old testament".[9][10] Its songs, which Pearce described as cyclical "capsule exchanges", discuss heartbreak, sex, relationships, and love.[7][8] Jeff Ihaza of Rolling Stone and Steve Juon of RapReviews observed allusions to a toxic relationship throughout the mixtape;[11][12] Pearce viewed its first three "acts" as recounting a "transactional adolescent romance".[7] Bennett plans to continue the narritive established on the mixtape on his debut album, Thank You, Jada.[10]

Songs

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The intro "UMadeMeAStar.mp3" sees Bennett address allegations of him being an industry plant following his rise to prominence and samples reactions towards him from various hip-hop media personalities,[7] including DJ Akademiks and Kai Cenat.[11] He says: "Man y'all all probably wondering how I got here/shit, I'm wondering the same shit."[12] "Act I: Stickerz '99" is about his feelings of wanting and trying to restore his former relationship despite being cheated on.[2][9] "Act II: Date @ 8" details the length and expenses Bennett would go to for a romantic night with his partner.[9] Kyle Denis, also of Billboard, called "Act III: On God? (She Like)" a "toxic love" song.[13] The interlude "Get Out Yo Feelings Ho", which Pearce considered "jarring",[7] is followed by the sex ballad "Act IV: Fckin U (18+)".[14] Juon called it a "raunchy crass R&B" song.[12] "Act V: There Goes Another Vase" presents Bennett in a toxic relationship he cannot remove himself from.[15] Over a "slow rolling vintage R&B melody",[11] he alludes to domestic violence;[14] Fraizer Thorpe of GQ wrote that its title lyric "[underscores] a volatile rapport that just strengthens Batz's belief that the relationship he's singing about is built to last".[2] On "Act VI: Mad Man", he "asks his woman to be as much of an intimate lover as he is", according to HotNewHipHop's Zachary Horvath.[16] "Act VII: All We Do is Argue, Argue" details a failing relationship marred by "cheating, disrespect, and heartache".[14] "Act VIII: Hate to Be Alone" is a 1980s/1990s-style ballad[8][17] that drew comparisons to New Edition, Whitney Houston,[8] and Timbaland.[7]

Release and promotion

[edit]
4Batz in April 2024

In June 2023, Bennett released "Act I: Stickerz '99" as his debut single.[9] Whilst looking for people to help produce a music video for the song, he was contacted by Amber Ajeé,[9] a creative manager at RCA Records.[18] Ajeé helped him find people for the video and connected him to Vydia,[9] a music distributor owned by Gamma.[19] Bennett met his current manager Milano after travelling to Los Angeles to film the video,[2] which was released in October 2023.[20] On December 15, 2023, he released "Act II: Date @ 8" as his second single. Five days later, a performance video from 4 Shooters Only's From the Block series was released.[5] Filmed in Dallas, the video shows Bennett lip-syncing to the song wearing a black Shiesty mask; he is accompanied by his friends, who wear similar attire.[7][20] The song and video went viral on social media at the end of December 2023,[19] with TikTok users and internet streamers reacting with surprise to Bennett's singing and his contrasting, drill-like visual style.[9][18] The song's success brough Bennett to stardom, and he left his warehouse job shortly thereafter.[5] By January 2024, "Act II: Date @ 8" had debuted on the Billboard Hot 100, and Bennett had become the subject of a major-label bidding war. Billboard reported Republic, Atlantic, and Warner Records as amongst the labels expressing interest in signing him.[19]

On March 3, 2024, Bennett released "Act III: On God? (She Like)" as a single.[21] On March 8, it was announced that he had signed a deal with OVO Sound, owned by Drake, for the release of an extended play (EP).[22] That same day, a remix of "Act II: Date @ 8" featuring Drake was released. According to Jon Powell of Revolt, Drake "[matches] Bennett's energy" and details his experience in a toxic relationship.[23] The remix received mixed reactions on social media.[24][25] In an interview with Billboard that month, Bennett revealed plans to release U Made Me a St4r.[26] The mixtape was initially due to release on April 5, 2024,[27] but was delayed by Bennett a day before its planned release, "so it can be perfect for yall".[28] On May 1, 2024, he released "Act V: There Goes Another Vase" as the fourth and final single.[29] The mixtape was released two days later on May 3 by Gamma. The mixtape features a remix of "Act III: On God? (She Like)", featuring Kanye West as a bonus track,[26][30] which extends the length of the original by 19 seconds.[8] A short film was released alongside the mixtape.[30] Its release through Gamma instead of OVO and Drake's absence on it led to speculation of a feud, which Bennett denied.[31][32]

On July 17, 2024, a remix of "Act IV: Fckin U (18+)" featuring Usher was released.[33] From July 29 to August 10, 2024, Bennett embarked on his debut headlining concert tour, the Thank You, Jada Tour.[34] The tour's stage setup consisted of a couch and bed on one side and stripper pole on the other.[3][35] Bennett performed live without Auto-Tune, and was joined onstage by several backup dancers.[35][36] During his debut performance in Dallas on August 7, 2024, he gave a woman in the crowd more than $1,200 for her hair and nails in reference to the lyrics of "Act II: Date @ 8".[37]

Critical reception

[edit]
U Made Me a St4r ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[8]
RapReviews6.5/10[12]

RapReviews's Steve "Flash" Juon called U Made Me a St4r "an interesting debut", but criticized parts including the pitched up and pitch corrected vocals and West's feature on the remix of "Act III: On God? (She Like)".[12] HotNewHipHop's Teejay Small felt that Bennett was too young and inexperienced to handle some of the subject matters he talked about, especially on "Act IV: Fckin U (18+)" and "Act V: There Goes Another Vase".[14] A writer for AllMusic said that, "regardless of the buzz and celebrity endorsements surrounding him, [4Batz's] music at this point is lifeless and without much personality."[8] Ihaza of Rolling Stone said there was "no reason for [the mixtape] to exist"; he felt that Bennett's artistry was underdeveloped and that the mixtape put him at further risk of being dismissed as an industry plant.[11] Complex's Jordan Rose wrote that Bennett "still has room to grow", but that the mixtape "is compelling enough to make you want to keep reading."[38] Diaz of Billboard highlighted "Act III: On God (She Like)" and "Act V: There Goes Another Vase" as songs that "sound different from anything out right now, AI and industry plant allegations be damned."[6]

Commercial performance

[edit]

U Made Me a St4r debuted at number 30 on the US Billboard 200,[35] earning 21,800 album-equivalent units in its first week.[39] The original version of "Act II: Date @ 8" debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 at number 77 and peaked at number 59.[9] Following the release of the Drake remix, it ascended from number 61 to number 7 on the Billboard Hot 100 and topped the Billboard Hot R&B Songs chart on March 20, 2024,[40] giving Bennett his first top 10 hit.[41] "Act I: Stickerz 99" and "Act III: On God (She Like)" also charted on the Hot R&B Songs chart at numbers 19 and 10, respectively.[40]

Track listing

[edit]

All tracks are written by Neko Bennett; track 3 written with Sanni Ireoluwakitan, tracks 7 and 9 written with Nicolás Rodriguez, and track 11 written with Kanye West.

U Made Me a St4r track listing
No.TitleProducersLength
1."UMadeMeAStar.mp3" 0:40
2."Act I: Stickerz '99'"Nic Dreams1:44
3."Act II: Date @ 8"Ireoluwakitan1:54
4."Act III: On God? (She Like)"
  • SamX
  • Seva
2:50
5."Get Out Yo Feelings Ho"4Batz0:25
6."Act IV: Fckin U (18+)"Dreams2:10
7."Act V: There Goes Another Vase"Dreams2:55
8."Act VI: Mad Man"
  • SamX
  • Darco
2:39
9."Act VII: All We Do Is Argue, Argue"
  • Dreams
  • Archippe
  • Chandler Kourt
  • Hila
2:21
10."Act VIII: I Hate to Be Alone"Shineboys Beats2:48
11."Act III: On God? (She Like)" (remix featuring Kanye West)
  • SamX
  • Seva
3:10
Total length:23:36

Personnel

[edit]

Personnel per Tidal.[42]

Charts

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U Made Me a St4r chart performance
Chart (2024) Peak
position
Canadian Albums (Billboard)[43] 87
US Billboard 200[44] 30

Notes

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  1. ^ Remix with Drake released on March 8, 2024

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d e f g Rose, Jordan (May 6, 2024). "4Batz Explains How He Really Became a Viral Sensation". Complex. Retrieved April 5, 2025.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Tharpe, Frazier (April 29, 2024). "How 4batz Became Music's Hottest New Star: 'Ain't Nothing Calculated'". GQ. Archived from the original on April 29, 2024. Retrieved April 5, 2025.
  3. ^ a b Piellucci, Mike (August 23, 2024). "A Night With 4Batz, the Hottest Rapper in Dallas". D Magazine. Archived from the original on April 1, 2025. Retrieved April 5, 2025.
  4. ^ Rana, Erica (July 8, 2024). "4Batz Features In Wonderland's Summer 24 Issue". Wonderland. Retrieved April 5, 2025.
  5. ^ a b c d Coley, Jordan (July 16, 2024). "4batz is a st4r". Highsnobiety. Archived from the original on April 7, 2025. Retrieved April 5, 2025.
  6. ^ a b Diaz, Angel (June 17, 2024). "The 50 Best Albums of 2024 (So Far): Staff List". Billboard. Retrieved July 11, 2024.
  7. ^ a b c d e f g Pearce, Sheldon (May 9, 2024). "A new face, and new chapter, in R&B's unstoppable rap makeover". NPR. Archived from the original on March 31, 2025. Retrieved April 5, 2025.
  8. ^ a b c d e f g h TiVo Staff (n.d.). "U Made Me a St4r - 4batz". AllMusic. Archived from the original on July 11, 2024. Retrieved July 11, 2024.
  9. ^ a b c d e f g h i Mamo, Heran (March 8, 2024). "Viral R&B Singer 4batz Says He's Just a 'Regular N—a From the Hood' – But He's Charmed Millions of Fans With His Music's Opposing Aesthetic". Billboard. Archived from the original on January 20, 2025. Retrieved April 5, 2025.
  10. ^ a b Cao, Katie (December 10, 2024). "4Batz on 'Thank You Jada' Album, 'Act II: Date @ 8' With Drake, Says Ye Is a 'Genius'". Billboard. Archived from the original on December 10, 2024. Retrieved April 5, 2025.
  11. ^ a b c d Ihaza, Jeff (May 8, 2024). "There's No Reason for This 4Batz Mixtape to Exist". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on May 8, 2024. Retrieved July 11, 2024.
  12. ^ a b c d e Juon, Steve "Flash" (July 9, 2024). "4batz :: U Made Me a St4r". RapReviews. Archived from the original on July 11, 2024. Retrieved July 11, 2024.
  13. ^ Denis, Kyle; Saponara, Michael (March 4, 2024). "R&B/Hip-Hop Fresh Picks of the Week: 4batz, Samara Joy, ScHoolboy Q & More". Billboard. Retrieved April 5, 2025.
  14. ^ a b c d Small, Teejay (May 29, 2024). "4Batz u made me a st4r Review". HotNewHipHop. Archived from the original on July 11, 2024. Retrieved July 11, 2024.
  15. ^ Fluker, Dominique (July 8, 2024). "EFOC 2024: 4Batz Vibed Out During Friday's Essence Festival Evening Concert Series". Essence. Retrieved April 6, 2025.
  16. ^ Horvath, Zachary (May 9, 2024). "4batz Gets Freaky On 'Act VI: Mad Man'". HotNewHipHop. Archived from the original on May 9, 2024. Retrieved April 5, 2025.
  17. ^ Horvath, Zachary (May 8, 2024). "4batz Pours His Heart Out To An Empty Soul On 'Act VIII'". HotNewHipHop. Archived from the original on May 9, 2024. Retrieved April 5, 2025.
  18. ^ a b Conteh, Mankaprr (March 8, 2024). "4batz Has a Hit. Should We Care How He Got It?". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on March 8, 2024. Retrieved March 8, 2024.
  19. ^ a b c Leight, Elias (January 25, 2024). "4Batz, Singer Behind Viral Track 'act ii: date @ 8,' Sparks Major Label Bidding War". Billboard. Retrieved April 5, 2025.
  20. ^ a b Berry, Peter A. (January 19, 2024). "4batz Rapper: What You Need to Know About The Artist". Complex. Archived from the original on March 21, 2025. Retrieved April 6, 2025.
  21. ^ Davis, Ahmad (March 3, 2024). "4batz Follows Up His Massive Track 'act ii: date @ 8' With 'act iii: on god? (she like)'". Rap-Up. Retrieved April 6, 2025.
  22. ^ Leight, Elias (March 8, 2024). "4Batz Signs EP Deal With Drake's OVO Label After Bidding War". Billboard. Archived from the original on May 24, 2024. Retrieved July 11, 2024.
  23. ^ Powell, Jon (March 8, 2024). "4batz delivers infectious remix of 'act ii: date @ 8' with some help from Drake". Revolt. Retrieved April 6, 2025.
  24. ^ Horvath, Zachary (March 8, 2024). "Drake & 4batz's 'Act II: Date @ 8 Remix' Receives Lukewarm Feedback From Fans". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved April 5, 2025.
  25. ^ Trapp, Malcolm (March 8, 2024). "Social Media Reacts To 4batz's Drake-Assisted 'Act II: Date @ 8 (Remix)'". Rap-Up. Retrieved April 5, 2025.
  26. ^ a b Mamo, Heran (May 3, 2024). "4batz Drops Debut Mixtape U Made Me a St4r". Billboard. Retrieved July 11, 2024.
  27. ^ Cole, Alexander (March 15, 2024). "4batz Unveils Release Date For His Debut EP". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved April 6, 2025.
  28. ^ Gonzalez, Alex (April 4, 2024). "4Batz Is Pushing Back His Mixtape U Made Me a St4r to Finish Making "The Best Sh*t" of His Life". Uproxx. Archived from the original on June 22, 2024. Retrieved July 11, 2024.
  29. ^ Horvath, Zachary (May 1, 2024). "4batz Wrestles With Being In A Toxic Relationship On 'Act V: There Goes Another Vase'". HotNewHipHop. Archived from the original on July 11, 2024. Retrieved April 5, 2025.
  30. ^ a b Cowen, Trace William (May 3, 2024). "4batz's Ye-Featuring Debut Project u made me a st4r Is Here". Complex. Retrieved July 11, 2024.
  31. ^ Alexandria, Lavender (May 6, 2024). "4batz Shuts Down Rumors of Feud with Drake After Signing to OVO". HotNewHipHop. Archived from the original on July 11, 2024. Retrieved July 11, 2024.
  32. ^ Cummings-Grady, Mackenzie (May 6, 2024). "4batz Responds to Allegations He Has Problems With Drake". XXL. Retrieved April 6, 2025.
  33. ^ Mamo, Heran (July 17, 2024). "4batz Recruits Usher for 'act iv: fckin u again (18+)' Remix". Billboard. Archived from the original on August 4, 2024. Retrieved April 6, 2025.
  34. ^ Trapp, Malcolm (June 5, 2024). "4batz Is Taking His Hits On The Road For The 'Thank U, Jada Tour'". Rap-Up. Archived from the original on September 12, 2024. Retrieved April 5, 2025.
  35. ^ a b c Denis, Kyle (August 2, 2024). "4Batz Dazzles on Thank You, Jada Tour: 5 Best Moments". Billboard. Retrieved April 5, 2025.
  36. ^ Paul, Bryson (August 8, 2024). "4Batz's Homecoming Dallas Show Was a First-of-a-Kind Concert". Dallas Observer. Archived from the original on September 5, 2024. Retrieved April 5, 2025.
  37. ^ Elibert, Mark (August 10, 2024). "4Batz Gifts Fan 'Well Over $1,200' for Her Hair and Broken Nail at Dallas Show". Complex. Archived from the original on September 14, 2024. Retrieved April 5, 2025.
  38. ^ Rose, Jordan (June 5, 2024). "The Best Albums of 2024 (So Far)". Complex. Archived from the original on December 2, 2024. Retrieved July 11, 2024.
  39. ^ Coleman II, C. Vernon (November 4, 2024). "Hip-Hop's Biggest First-Week Sales for Projects in 2024". XXL. Archived from the original on March 31, 2025. Retrieved April 5, 2025.
  40. ^ a b Anderson, Trevor (March 20, 2024). "4Batz & Drake's 'Act II' Flies to No. 1 on Hot R&B Songs Chart". Billboard. Archived from the original on November 30, 2024. Retrieved April 6, 2025.
  41. ^ "Billboard's 21 Under 21: See Who Made the 2024 List". Billboard. May 31, 2024. Retrieved April 6, 2025.
  42. ^ "U Made Me a St4r / 4Batz / Credits". Tidal. Retrieved April 6, 2025.
  43. ^ "Billboard Canadian Albums: Week of May 18, 2024". Billboard. May 18, 2024. Retrieved July 12, 2024.
  44. ^ "Billboard 200 (Week of May 18, 2024)". Billboard. May 18, 2024. Retrieved July 11, 2024.
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