Follow Me Home is the debut studio album

Studio album

A studio album is an album made up of tracks recorded in the controlled environment of a recording studio. A studio album contains newly written and recorded or previously unreleased or remixed material, distinguishing itself from a compilation or reissue album of previously recorded material, or...

 by rapper Jay Rock

Jay Rock

Johnny Reed McKinzie Jr. , better known by his stage name Jay Rock, is an American rapper. He was named one of the top 13 most street artists by XXL. His voice has been called a cross between Immortal Technique and Rick Ross. He is a part of the rap group Black Hippy which also features Kendrick...

, released on July 26, 2011 by Top Dawg Entertainment and Strange Music

Strange Music

Strange Music is an American independent record label specializing in hip hop music. It was founded by Tech N9ne and Travis O'Guin in 1999. It is currently distributed through Fontana Distribution.-History:...

. The album is backed by the singles "All My Life (In the Ghetto)

All My Life (In the Ghetto)

All My Life is the first single by American West Coast rapper Jay Rock off his Follow Me Home album. The song was released under Warner Bros. Records. It was produced by Cool & Dre and features Lil Wayne and will.i.am...

" and "Hood Gone Love It". Guest appearances come from Lil Wayne

Lil Wayne

Dwayne Michael Carter, Jr. , better known by his stage name Lil Wayne, is an American rapper. At the age of nine, Lil Wayne joined Cash Money Records as the youngest member of the label, and half of the duo, The B.G.'z, with B.G.. In 1997, Lil Wayne joined the group Hot Boys, which also included...

, Chris Brown, Tech N9ne

Tech N9ne

Aaron Dontez Yates , better known by his stage name Tech N9ne , is an American rapper from Kansas City, Missouri. In 1999, Yates and Travis O'Guin founded the record label Strange Music. Throughout his career, Yates has sold over one million albums and has had his music featured in film,...

, Rick Ross

Rick Ross (rapper)

William Leonard Roberts II , better known by his stage name Rick Ross, is an American rapper. He derived his stage name from the drug trafficker "Freeway" Ricky Ross, to whom he has no connection...

 and others. Production was handled by Cool & Dre

Cool & Dre

Cool & Dre are a team of hip hop producers from Miami, Florida, consisting of Marcello "Cool" Valenzano and Andre "Dre" Christopher Lyon.-Epidemic Records:...

, Dae One, Focus...

Focus...

Bernard "Focus..." Edwards, Jr is a Atlanta-based Grammy Award–winning producer who first rose to fame when signed to Dr. Dre's Aftermath Entertainment. Since then he has produced tracks for Christina Aguilera, Jennifer Lopez, Beyoncé Knowles, Busta Rhymes, Bishop Lamont, Tony Yayo, Stat Quo,...

, J. LBS, J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League

J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League

J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League, which stands for Just Undeniably Some of The Illest Composers Ever, are a Grammy winning group of producers and instrumentalists from Tampa, Florida. The group consists of members Rook, Colione, and Kenny "Barto" Bartolomei. Most recently, they have been producing for Drake,...

, Keith The Beast, Phonix Beats, Rob E, Sounwave, Terrace Martin, Tha Bizness and Willie B. The album sold 5,300 its first week

Background

Jay Rock stated that if you have been through a struggle, you are going to feel this album. He has described the album as being his story, coming from nothing and gunning for the top. He compared his album to N.W.A's albums, as he's making the album for the hood - it's not for the radio, nor is it for the club. Though signed to Strange Music

Strange Music

Strange Music is an American independent record label specializing in hip hop music. It was founded by Tech N9ne and Travis O'Guin in 1999. It is currently distributed through Fontana Distribution.-History:...

, Jay Rock still worked with mainstream artists and producers on the album.

Guests

Jay Rock has worked with a number of artists on the album, including Lil Wayne

Lil Wayne

Dwayne Michael Carter, Jr. , better known by his stage name Lil Wayne, is an American rapper. At the age of nine, Lil Wayne joined Cash Money Records as the youngest member of the label, and half of the duo, The B.G.'z, with B.G.. In 1997, Lil Wayne joined the group Hot Boys, which also included...

, Will.i.am

Will.i.am

William James Adams, Jr. , better known by his stage name will.i.am and occasionally by his other stage name Zuper Blahq, is an American rapper, musician, songwriter, singer, actor and producer...

, Chris Brown, Tech N9ne

Tech N9ne

Aaron Dontez Yates , better known by his stage name Tech N9ne , is an American rapper from Kansas City, Missouri. In 1999, Yates and Travis O'Guin founded the record label Strange Music. Throughout his career, Yates has sold over one million albums and has had his music featured in film,...

, Rick Ross

Rick Ross (rapper)

William Leonard Roberts II , better known by his stage name Rick Ross, is an American rapper. He derived his stage name from the drug trafficker "Freeway" Ricky Ross, to whom he has no connection...

, Kendrick Lamar

Kendrick Lamar

Kendrick Lamar , formerly known by his stage name K. Dot, is an American rapper, and songwriter. He first gained major attention after the release of his 2010 mixtape O D. In 2011, his album Section.80, released exclusively through iTunes, instantly ranked as one of the top digital hip-hop releases...

, Schoolboy Q

Schoolboy Q

Quincy Matthew Hanley , better known by his stage name ScHoolboy Q is an American recording hip hop artist. Hanley is signed to Top Dawg Entertainment and is a member of Black Hippy along with Jay Rock, Kendrick Lamar and Ab-Soul...

 and Ab-Soul.

Production

The album features production from Cool & Dre

Cool & Dre

Cool & Dre are a team of hip hop producers from Miami, Florida, consisting of Marcello "Cool" Valenzano and Andre "Dre" Christopher Lyon.-Epidemic Records:...

, Dae One, Focus...

Focus...

Bernard "Focus..." Edwards, Jr is a Atlanta-based Grammy Award–winning producer who first rose to fame when signed to Dr. Dre's Aftermath Entertainment. Since then he has produced tracks for Christina Aguilera, Jennifer Lopez, Beyoncé Knowles, Busta Rhymes, Bishop Lamont, Tony Yayo, Stat Quo,...

, J. LBS, J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League

J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League

J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League, which stands for Just Undeniably Some of The Illest Composers Ever, are a Grammy winning group of producers and instrumentalists from Tampa, Florida. The group consists of members Rook, Colione, and Kenny "Barto" Bartolomei. Most recently, they have been producing for Drake,...

, Keith The Beast, Phonix Beats, Rob E, Sounwave, Terrace Martin, Tha Bizness, Willie B.

Promotion

Jay Rock was an opening act with Nipsey Hussle on The L.A.X. Tour in promotion of The Game's third studio album L.A.X. in 2009. In 2010 Jay Rock went on tour with G-Unit

G-Unit

G-Unit is an American hip hop group originating from New York City formed by 50 Cents. G-Unit emerged on the New York scene by independently releasing several mix tapes...

 and American rapper 50 Cent

50 Cent

Curtis James Jackson III , better known by his stage name 50 Cent, is an American rapper, entrepreneur, investor, record producer, and actor. He rose to fame with the release of his albums Get Rich or Die Tryin and The Massacre . Get Rich or Die Tryin has been certified eight times platinum by...

 on The Invitation Tour

The Invitation Tour

The Invitation Tour was a tour by rapper 50 Cent in support of his latest/upcoming studio albums, Before I Self Destruct, Black Magic and his fifth studio album respectively. The tour also features, G-Unit artists Tony Yayo, Lloyd Banks, 40 Glocc, Spider Loc, Trav and Governor...

 in promotion of the album. After that tour wrapped up he went on tour with Tech N9ne

Tech N9ne

Aaron Dontez Yates , better known by his stage name Tech N9ne , is an American rapper from Kansas City, Missouri. In 1999, Yates and Travis O'Guin founded the record label Strange Music. Throughout his career, Yates has sold over one million albums and has had his music featured in film,...

, E-40

E-40

Earl Stevens , better known by his stage name E-40, is an American rapper, entrepreneur, and investor from Vallejo, California. He is also part of the rap group The Click and the founder of Sick Wid It Records. His solo debut album, Federal, was released in November 1992, after The Click's debut...

, Glasses Malone

Glasses Malone

Charles Phillipivory Penniman , better known by his stage name Glasses Malone, is an American rapper from Los Angeles, California.-Early life:Glasses Malone grew up in the Watts and Compton neighborhoods in Los Angeles County...

 and Kutt Calhoun

Kutt Calhoun

Melvin Calhoun Jr., better known by his stage name Kutt Calhoun, is an American rapper from Kansas City, Missouri. His second album, Feature Presentation, debuted at #60 on the Billboard "Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums" chart in its first week of release...

 on the Independent Grind Tour.

Singles

Two singles were released for the album: "All My Life (In the Ghetto)

All My Life (In the Ghetto)

All My Life is the first single by American West Coast rapper Jay Rock off his Follow Me Home album. The song was released under Warner Bros. Records. It was produced by Cool & Dre and features Lil Wayne and will.i.am...

" and "Hood Gone Love It. "All My Life" features Lil Wayne

Lil Wayne

Dwayne Michael Carter, Jr. , better known by his stage name Lil Wayne, is an American rapper. At the age of nine, Lil Wayne joined Cash Money Records as the youngest member of the label, and half of the duo, The B.G.'z, with B.G.. In 1997, Lil Wayne joined the group Hot Boys, which also included...

 and Will.i.am

Will.i.am

William James Adams, Jr. , better known by his stage name will.i.am and occasionally by his other stage name Zuper Blahq, is an American rapper, musician, songwriter, singer, actor and producer...

 and "Hood Gone Love It" features Kendrick Lamar. "All My Life" is the only one to chart on a Billboard

Billboard (magazine)

Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis...

 chart. The official remix of "All My Life" features Busta Rhymes

Busta Rhymes

Trevor Tahiem Smith, Jr., better known by his stage name Busta Rhymes ,Smith is an American rapper, producer and actor. Chuck D of Public Enemy gave him the alias Busta Rhymes after NFL wide receiver George "Buster" Rhymes...

, The Game and Gorilla Zoe

Gorilla Zoe

Alonzo Mathis better known by his stage name Gorilla Zoe is an American rapper and member of rap group Boyz N Da Hood. His solo debut album Welcome to the Zoo came out in 2007.-Biography:...

 while the official remix of "Hood Gone Love It" features Rick Ross

Rick Ross (rapper)

William Leonard Roberts II , better known by his stage name Rick Ross, is an American rapper. He derived his stage name from the drug trafficker "Freeway" Ricky Ross, to whom he has no connection...

 and Birdman.

Music videos

On June 24 a music video was released via MTV for the single "Hood Gone Love It". Videos for album tracks "All My Life

All My Life (In the Ghetto)

All My Life is the first single by American West Coast rapper Jay Rock off his Follow Me Home album. The song was released under Warner Bros. Records. It was produced by Cool & Dre and features Lil Wayne and will.i.am...

, "Life's a Gamble", "Say Wassup" (feat. Ab-Soul, Kendrick Lamar

Kendrick Lamar

Kendrick Lamar , formerly known by his stage name K. Dot, is an American rapper, and songwriter. He first gained major attention after the release of his 2010 mixtape O D. In 2011, his album Section.80, released exclusively through iTunes, instantly ranked as one of the top digital hip-hop releases...

 & Schoolboy Q

Schoolboy Q

Quincy Matthew Hanley , better known by his stage name ScHoolboy Q is an American recording hip hop artist. Hanley is signed to Top Dawg Entertainment and is a member of Black Hippy along with Jay Rock, Kendrick Lamar and Ab-Soul...

) and "Just Like Me" were filmed and all released before the album to create a buzz.

Reception

Follow me home received mainly good reactions from critics, praising his lyrical and narrative skills.

Track listing

The track listing for Follow Me Home was confirmed by the website HipHopDX.

Charts

Chart (2011)	Peak position
US Billboard 200 Billboard 200 The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists...	83
US Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums is a chart published by Billboard magazine that ranks R&B and hip hop albums based on sales compiled by Nielsen SoundScan. The name of the chart was changed from Top R&B Albums in 1999...	18
US Billboard Top Rap Albums Top Rap Albums Top Rap Albums is a record chart published by Billboard magazine that ranks Rap and hip-hop albums based on sales compiled by Nielsen SoundScan. The chart began publication for the week of November 13, 2004....	10
US Billboard Top Independent Albums Independent Albums The Billboard Independent Albums is a chart of the highest-selling independent music albums and extended plays in the United States, compiled by Nielsen SoundScan and published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is used to list artists who are not signed to major labels...	14