August Alsina

The EP marked his first entry on the Billboard 200 and was preceded by his debut single "I Luv This Shit" (featuring Trinidad James), which peaked within the top 50 of the Billboard Hot 100 and received double platinum certification by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).

His 2014 follow-up single, "No Love (Remix)" (featuring Nicki Minaj) was met with similar commercial success, likewise receiving double platinum certification.

Both songs were issued as lead singles for Alsina's debut studio album Testimony (2014), which peaked at number two on the Billboard 200 and saw positive critical reception.

[5] His second album, This Thing Called Life (2015) released the following year and was less commercially-oriented, but was met with continued critical praise.

During this time, Alsina notably guest performed on DJ Khaled's hit singles "Hold You Down" in 2014 and "Do You Mind" in 2016.

After a long-tenured hiatus and departure from Def Jam, he independently released his third album, The Product III: State of Emergency in June 2020.

[10] With both his father and stepfather battling crack cocaine addiction, Alsina's mother moved him to Houston, Texas, in search of a fresh start after Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

After his older brother, Melvin La'Branch III, was shot and killed on August 31, 2010, he became more committed to his music, and relocated to Atlanta in 2011.

[23] On January 14, 2014, Alsina released "Make It Home" featuring Jeezy, as the lead single from his debut studio album.

The singer announced that the album highlights "the struggle in my life, my upbringing as a crack baby, losing my father and sister, and becoming the guardian for my three nieces", as well as his battle with the auto-immune disease that affected him.