Maps of Music

Welcome to O'Block (2020)

Where the lyrics of Welcome to O'Block take you, and where it was really made.

The debut album came out a week before King Von's death, and it was the only studio album he lived to see released.

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Welcome to O'Block: debut studio album by American rapper King Von
The only studio album released during his lifetime
Released October 30, 2020 by Only the Family and Empire Distribution
Released a week before King Von's death on November 6, 2020, after the album's official release party
Chief production by Chopsquad DJ, with Hitmaka, Tay Keith and Wheezy also producing
Guest appearances by Polo G, Lil Durk, Dreezy, Moneybagg Yo, Fivio Foreign and Prince Dre
Six singles: "Why He Told", "All These Niggas", "How It Go", "I Am What I Am", "Gleesh Place" and "The Code"

The "O'Block" in the title refers to the Parkway Gardens complex in the Greater Grand Crossing community area on Chicago's South Side, where Von was raised
The album came after Levon James, his second mixtape, released in March 2020
Von said that through perseverance and hard work, the album would surpass his earlier projects in quality
In an Uproxx interview he said the music was dedicated to people in his neighborhood who lived lives of hardship and danger
He said his storytelling raps came from his time in prison, where he read books and urban novels most of the time

Credits list recording by CakeBoy Bally, Darth Moon, Kiid Maestro, EY3ZLOWBEATZ and JaymeWorld, among others
Mixing credits include Shawn "Source" Jarrett, Shepard Hues, Justiiice, JaymeWorld and JTK
Mastering by Joe LaPorta and Heavy L Beatz

Dayvon Daquan Bennett, known as King Von, was an American rapper from Chicago, Illinois, associated with the drill scene of the South Side.
He was signed to Lil Durk's label Only the Family in December 2017 after his release from jail.
His breakout single "Crazy Story" (2018) reached number 81 on the Billboard Hot 100 and was praised for its vivid storytelling.
His debut studio album Welcome to O'Block (2020) peaked at number five on the Billboard 200.
He was fatally shot in Atlanta, Georgia, on November 6, 2020, at age 26.
Posthumous albums What It Means to Be King (2022) and Grandson (2023) both debuted near the top of the Billboard 200.

Described as a drill artist known for narrative songwriting and sharp lyricism.
Critics noted his ability to tell coherent stories with dialogue inserted into his verses.

Critics gave the album positive reviews
Complex said the album shows Von reflecting with sharp lyrical clarity on his rise and on how newfound fame could affect his life and the lives of his loved ones
Revolt wrote that the album paints a vivid picture through cinematic lyrics and stand-out cadences
AllMusic's Fred Thomas praised Von's storytelling and the humanization of the album's characters, highlighting "Back Again", "The Code", "Demon" and "How It Go"
HipHopDX's Josh Svetz called the album versatile, ranging from energetic drill songs to harmonized tracks and sentimental ballads
Pitchfork's Dean Van Nguyen described a more nuanced set than Levon James and highlighted "All These Niggas" and the last three tracks
Stereogum's Tom Brehian called "Wayne's Story" Von's best work to date

Iii Williams named "Can't Relate", "Demon" and "The Code" as the best songs on the album
Williams wrote that the album is one of the most important projects in Chicago's history and one of the most impressive projects of 2020
Pitchfork wrote that Von's passing makes the bleak world he wrote about even more so

Peaked at number 5 on the US Billboard 200
First week over 26,000 album-equivalent units, including 1,000 pure album sales
Second week over 46,000 units
Number 1 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart
Number 1 on the Top Independent Albums chart
Number 12 on the Top 100 Canadian albums chart
RIAA platinum certification on December 20, 2024, with over one million copies sold in the US
BPI gold certification for selling over 100,000 copies in the UK

Von discussed his life in Parkway Garden in a CivilTV video released three days before the album, also previewing some details of the album
The "Armed & Dangerous" video was first scheduled for November 6, 2020, but was postponed to January 11, 2021 after his death
The "Wayne's Story" video was published on December 8, 2020, barely a month after his death
The "Demon" video came out on August 9, 2021, the day of his hypothetical 27th birthday
Lil Durk does not appear in the "All These Niggas" video because the two could not stay in the same place