Rated Love is the fourth studio album by American R&B singer Keke Wyatt. It was released on April 22, 2016, by Aratek Entertainment and INgrooves via Universal Music Group. The album was preceded by the release of three singles,including "Sexy Song", "Love Me" and "Jodeci".
Promotion
"Sexy Song" was released as the album's lead single on November 20, 2015.[1] It peaked at number 26 on the US Adult R&B Songs chart.[2] A music video for "Sexy Song" was released on Wyatt's YouTube channel on February 18, 2016, directed by Steven C. Pitts and filmed by Rite Media Group.[3]
Wyatt performed an impromptu version of the song at SOB's in New York City.[4] Wyatt also performed "Sexy Song" at the Capitale night club in Washington, DC on December 12, 2015, and on Essence Live on February 12, 2016.[5][6]
On March 18, 2016, Wyatt took to social media to announce "Love Me" as the second single from Rated Love.[7][8][9] It was released on March 18, 2016.[10] On October 13, 2016, Wyatt revealed "Jodeci" as the third single from th album, stating: "I think we got a new one with my new single Jodeci!!! I wanna know what ya'll think" revealing it would be released with a deluxe version of her album Rated Love on October 21, 2016.[11] A music video for the song was released to Wyatt's YouTube channel on October 17, 2016.[12]
Soul in Stereo gave the album a 3.5 rating, stating that "If the album’s title wasn’t enough to clue you in on this album’s themes, the tracks themselves tell the story: “Love Me,” “Dumb Love,” Still Have Love,” “Love Reigns” — KeKe's fourth album is an audio love letter, with the mistress of ceremonies simply narrating life's emotional rollercoasters.[13]Centric wrote: "Her single "Love Me," perfectly captures the ups and downs of marriage and relationships, particularly when you're faced with conflict but yet can't help but be with the one you love. Another standout record on the album, "If It Ain't You" — among many others — is a beautiful ballad that showcases Keke's natural ability to breathe life into a love song like no other."[14]
SoulTracks editor Melody Charles felt that "with its adept pacing, experimentation in style approaches and enthusiastic delivery, Rated Love showcases why KeKe Wyatt will continue rise and to personify that "80/20 rule" that so often applied to relationships: admitted flaws and irritants don't justify going without when you truly have a good thing." She further noted: "Co-writing the bulk of Rated allows the full spectrum of [Wyatt's] gifts to shine, whether she's getting the groove on ("Sexy Song"), detailing how sprung she is (the tangy groove "On Repeat") or explaining precisely why ol' boy's clothes are spilling out of trash bags out on the porch (the soaring lump-in-the-throat ballads "24 Hours" and "No Peace")."[15]
Commercial performance
On February 19, 2016, Wyatt announced on Twitter, that the album would be available for pre-order on digital music stores, while also revealing the album cover.[16] In the week of May 14, 2016, Rated Love debuted at number 11 on the US Billboard'sTop R&B Albums,[17] number 16 on Billboard'sTop Independent Album,[18] and number 19 on Billboard'sTop R&B/Hip-Hop Albums charts.[19] It also charted at number eighty on the Top Current Albums chart.[20]
