Misplaced Pages

Crabs in a Bucket
Studio album by Nines
Released	28 August 2020
Recorded	2019–2020
Genre	British hip hop trap
Length	52:56
Label	Zino Warner
Producer	Maestro 1st Born Da Beatfreakz DopeBoyzMusic EY Harrijay Jabari on the Beat Josh King Karlos Kz Lord Kimo M.O. on the Beats N2theA Quincy Tellem Rudimental Ruby Retro Sean Murdz Show N Prove Steel Banglez Sxber Sounds the Young Nav Michael the Elements
Nines chronology
Crop Circle (2018) Crabs in a Bucket (2020) Crop Circle 2 (2023)
Singles from Crabs in a Bucket
"Clout" Released: 10 August 2020 "Airplane Mode" Released: 20 August 2020

Crabs in a Bucket is the third studio album by English rapper Nines, released on 28 August 2020 by Zino Records and Warner Records. It is the follow-up to Nines' second album Crop Circle (2018). The album features guest appearances from Headie One, Roy Woods, Nafe Smallz, NorthSideBenji, NSG, Tiggs da Author, among others. It reached number one on the UK Albums Chart. Nines won the MOBO Awards for Album of the Year and Best Hip-Hop Act for the album.

The album was supported by lead single "Clout", peaking at number 49 on the UK Singles Chart, and "Airplane Mode" featuring NSG.

Recording

The album was recorded in various locations, with Nines saying: "I was in different countries—Spain, Paris, Dubai—when I was making this album. That's why it took a bit of time. I would go sometimes three months without recording. But you know what they say: When you're uninspired, the best thing is to do other things."

Promotion

The lead single, "Clout", was released on 10 August 2020 for digital download. A music video was released on the same day directed by Charli Di Placido, recreating iconic album covers for various hip hop albums, such as Doggystyle by Snoop Dogg, Stillmatic by Nas and Get Rich or Die Tryin' by 50 Cent. The second single, "Airplane Mode" featuring NSG, was released on 20 August 2020 alongside a music video.

The release of official merchandise for Crabs in a Bucket was also released alongside the CD copy on 28 August 2020 via Warner Music & Nines' official site.

A short film written and directed by Nines titled after the album was released on 27 August 2020.

Critical reception

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
Clash	8/10
Evening Standard
Pitchfork	7.0/10

Crabs in a Bucket received positive reviews from critics. For Clash, Tochi Imo complimented Nines' consistency in his musical approach: "Whilst greater experimentation would've been met with appreciation, one of Nines' most notable characteristics is his ability to stay true to his experiences despite growing commercial success, so I can’t be disappointed with a tape that exudes such authenticity. Although the whole album has clear themes, each track tells a story of its own and here, Nines anchors himself as one of the UK's best storytellers."

Commercial performance

In the chart week ending 4 September 2020, Crabs in a Bucket debuted at number 1 on the UK Albums Chart. It was the most streamed and most downloaded album of the chart week, overtaking the midweek chart topper S&M2 by Metallica in the final day of sales by 2,000 units. The album was involved in a tight chart race that ended with 5,000 sale units between the top five. The peak consolidated Nines as one of the few UK rappers to achieve a number one album, alongside Tinie Tempah, Stormzy, Dave, Plan B, The Streets and J Hus.

Track listing

Sample credits

• "Don't Change" contains a sample of "Don't Change", written by Eric McCaine, Athena Cage, Lavonn Battle and Tabitha Duncan, and performed by Kut Klose.

Personnel

• Nines – vocals
• Frank 'Maestro' Yamoah - Engineering (Dubai/Spain)
• Adam Lunn – Engineering, mixing
• Jay Reynolds – Mixing (all tracks except "Intro"), additional production ("Airplane Mode")
• Christopher Hewitt – Mixing Assistant (all tracks except "Intro"), Vocal Engineer ("Ringaling")
• Kevin Tuffy - Mastering

Charts

Certifications

Release history

References

1. "Crop Circle by Nines". iTunes. Retrieved 21 April 2018.
2. "Nines Confirms New Album 'Crabs In A Bucket'". Mixmag. 7 August 2020. Retrieved 28 August 2020.
3. "Nines announces new album 'Crabs in a Bucket'". Clash. 7 August 2020. Retrieved 28 August 2020.
4. Beaumont-Thomas, Ben (9 December 2020). "Nines and Mahalia top winners at 2020 Mobo awards". The Guardian. Retrieved 28 April 2023.
5. ^ "Clout by Nines on Apple Music". Apple Music. Retrieved 28 August 2020.
6. "Nines Recreates Iconic Hip-Hop Album Covers In The Video For "Clout"". Complex. 11 August 2020. Retrieved 28 August 2020.
7. "Crabs In A Bucket T-Shirt Nines". eurostore.warnermusic.com. Retrieved 3 September 2020.
8. "Nines - Official Webstore". store.ninesofficial.com. Retrieved 3 September 2020.
9. "Crabs in a Bucket - A Film By Nines". 27 August 2020. Retrieved 28 August 2020 – via YouTube.
10. ^ Tochi Imo (28 August 2020). "Nines - Crabs in a Bucket". Clash. Retrieved 28 August 2020.
11. Harry Fletcher (28 August 2020). "Nines - Crabs in a Bucket review: London rapper mixes darkness in with the light on record rooted in the city". Evening Standard. Retrieved 28 August 2020.
12. Will Pritchard (28 August 2020). "Nines: Crabs in a Bucket Album Review". Pitchfork. Retrieved 28 August 2020.
13. "Nines lands first Official Albums Chart Number 1 with Crabs In A Bucket: "I still can't believe I'm Number 1"". Official Charts. 4 September 2020. Retrieved 4 September 2020.
14. "Official Irish Albums Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 4 September 2020.
15. "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 4 September 2020.
16. "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 4 September 2020.
17. "British album certifications – Nines – Crabs in a Bucket". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 22 January 2023.

• 2020 albums
• Nines (rapper) albums