Sincerely Yours is the debut studio album by American rapper Iamsu!. The album was released on May 13, 2014, by HBK Gang and Warner Music Group's Alternative Distribution Alliance. Recording for the album took place during 2013 and 2014. The album's production was handled by Iamsu!, other members of The Invasion, Tha Bizness, Jake One, Trackademicks and Chase N. Cashe, among others. Iamsu! collaborated with various artists on the album including 2 Chainz, Wiz Khalifa, Too Short, E-40, Berner, Dizzy Wright, along with HBK Gang members Sage the Gemini, Kool John and Skipper. The album was supported by the singles, "Only That Real" featuring 2 Chainz and Sage the Gemini and "I Love My Squad".
Background
In May 2013, Iamsu! began his first headlining tour, in promotion of his mixtape Kilt II. On June 6, 2013, Iamsu! released Kilt II. Production on the mixtape was primarily handled by Iamsu! along with other members of The Invasion. It was met with generally positive reviews from music critics.
In January 2014, Iamsu! announced the album during his freestyle over YG's "Who Do You Love?". In the song Iamsu! raps, "Did the tour, got signed, now the album coming." Four days later, Iamsu! elaborated about the album to hip hop magazine XXL, revealing the title and the projected release date of April 2014. He describes the work as an autobiographical concept album.
Recording and production
In 2013, the album's recording process began following the release of his mixtape Kilt II and concluded in 2014. The first collaboration was with HBK Gang member Sage the Gemini. In March 2014, during his appearance at SXSW, Iamsu! revealed Wiz Khalifa, 2 Chainz, the entire HBK Gang, E-40, Too Short, Chase N. Cashe, Jake One and Tha Bizness would be contributing to the album. The final version of the album featured guest appearances from 2 Chainz, Wiz Khalifa, Too Short, E-40, Berner, Dizzy Wright along with HBK Gang members Sage the Gemini, Kool John and Skipper. Other collaborators included Andre Nickatina, Problem and Dave Steezy. He said his favorite feature on the album was Kool John's. A song titled "Lifetime" was recorded but not included on the final track listing.
On the production side, Iamsu! produced four tracks on the album, and executive produced it. He told XXL "I wanted it to sound like one of those classic Aftermath albums, like the first album on the label that Dr. Dre puts out for an artist. I wanted to have some of those moments where it was like, scary good. And have that definitive moment, where they encapsulate what their movement and their culture is." The Invasion, Tha Bizness, Jake One, Trackademicks and Chase N. Cashe contributed production to the final version of the album.
Release and promotion
During 2013, Iamsu! built his buzz by releasing multiple mixtapes including Million Dollar Afro with rapper Problem, Kilt II and the HBK Gang compilation Gang Forever. All three were released for retail sale via digital download retailers. They were met with generally positive reviews from music critics.
On February 5, 2014, Iamsu! released "Yesterday". It was released as a thank you to fans following the retail release of "Only That Real". Then in mid-February 2014, HBK Gang released their Heartbreak Camo Pack clothing line in San Francisco, California. Guests at the launch were treated to a surprise show by Iamsu! and a physical copy of a new EP titled Camo, which Iamsu! then uploaded to SoundCloud. The three song EP featured guest appearances from rappers Dizzy Wright and Sage The Gemini. Production on Camo was provided by Iamsu!, Sage, and YPOnTheBeat. Also during February 2014, Iamsu! officially signed a deal with Warner Music Group-owned Alternative Distribution Alliance who will promote his album, while he maintains creative control, but with an industry edge to get his music into physical stores. On March 26, he hosted a listening party at the 333 Recording studio in New York City for Sincerely Yours.
