Rocket Power is the second studio album by American rapper Quavo. It was released on August 18, 2023, by Quality Control Music and Motown. The album features guest appearances from the late Takeoff, Future, Young Thug, Hunxho, and BabyDrill.
Background
Rocket Power is dedicated to Takeoff, who was shot and killed shortly after the release of collaboratory album Only Built for Infinity Links. Quavo has described creating the album as a form of therapy for him, writing:
This album is for the Rocket, our true fans, and also, this is my therapy. This album is a true reflection of how I feel right now. Sometimes I’m good, sometimes I’m down, sometimes I’m disappointed, sometimes I fall apart, but then I always find my strength again. I know everything might not be alright right now, but the Rocket showed me a way to make it right![2][3]
On February 22, 2023, Quavo released the album's lead single, titled "Greatness".[4] On April 5, 2023, Quavo announced the album title, dedicating it to Takeoff.[5][6] On July 14, 2023, Quavo released the second single of the album, "Turn Yo Clic Up", a collaboration with fellow American rapper Future.[7] On July 24, 2023, Quavo released the trailer for the album and discussed the album's themes stating: "This Album Is Embodying All My Emotions. Through the process of healing I've learned to turn tragedy into triumph. I had to dig deep into my purpose and find the power to keep striving".[8] On August 1, 2023, Quavo announced that the album would be delayed by exactly two weeks and now be released 17 days later instead of three.[9] Quavo announced the album's track listing on August 17, 2023, the day before it was released.[10]
Rocket Power was met with generally positive reviews. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from professional publications, the album received an average score of 73, based on five reviews, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[11]
Robin Murray of Clash gave a positive review, stating "In the end, Rocket Power isn't perfect, but it's definitely rewarding. For fans, it's simply emotional to hear Quavo in the studio again, doing what he does best. After unimaginable grief, he's able to look to the future – and that in itself is worth cherishing".[13] Steve 'Flash' Juon from RapReviews stated, "The focus of Quavo's Rocket Power is on him – as it should be".[16]HipHopDX critic Will Schube said, "It, like so many mainstream rap records, could be five songs shorter, and would be more successful if some of this fat was trimmed. Even though some of the material sounds like it was left over for solo work pre-tragedy, or supposed to be on the second Unc & Phewtape, it holds back an album that could have been in the best of the year conversation".[14]
Dylan Green of Pitchfork said, "Listening to him navigate those raw emotions while staying the diamond-encrusted course makes for some of his messiest and most mature music yet".[15] Publication AllMusic said, "While the beats are huge and the songs are full of energetic hooks and smooth, snaking flows, a sense of loss and mourning touches all of it".[12]
