I. Introduction
Lay 02 Sheep is the first studio album by Chinese rapper and singer Lay. It was released on October 7, 2017.
II. Background & Release
With his growing career in China and rising political tensions between China and South Korea, Lay announced in June 2017 that he would not take part in EXO's next album and would focus on his solo career in mainland China. He is still listed as formally in the group, but has been absent from EXO albums and public appearances from June 2017 to June 2021, although he still maintains relationships with members and often publicly supports their own solo and group activities in social media. He participated in the June 2021 EXO release Don't Fight the Feeling, including the album and music video.
This album featured 10 songs in Chinese and was released on October 7, 2017. The single "I Need U" was prereleased ahead of the album as a gift to his grandparents on their 50th wedding anniversary on Sept. 25, 2017. Hansol, a member of the pre-debut group SM Rookies featured in the series NCT Life in Bangkok, is a backup dancer in this video. The album's second single, "Sheep," was released on October 7, 2017.
Lay served as producer, as well as working on composition, arrangement and lyric writing and directing the album's music videos.
III. Track List
Title | Lyrics | Music | Arrangement | Length |
"Sheep (羊)" | Dom.T, Lay | Lay, Devine Channel, JDODD | Lay, Devine Channel | 3:25 |
"I Need U (需要你)" | Zhou Wei Jie, Lay | Lay, Devine Channel, | Lay, Devine Channel | 3:39 |
"Peach (桃)" | Devine Channel, J Skillz, JDODD | Lay, Devine Channel, J Skillz, JDODD | Lay, Devine Channel | 3:26 |
"Hand (匕首)" | Liu Yuan, Lay | Lay, Julien Maurice Moore, MZMC | Lay | 3:23 |
"Boss (老大)" | Max Song, Jenesis | Lay, Command Freaks | Lay, Command Freaks | 2:59 |
"Shake (摇摆)" | Dom.T, Lay | Lay, Devine Channel | Lay | 3:07 |
"Too Much (太多)" | Dom.T, Lay | Lay, Devine Channel | Lay | 3:02 |
"Mask (面罩)" | Dom.T, Lay | Lay, Julien Maurice Moore, MZMC, Andrew Bazzi | Lay | 3:06 |
"Director (导演) | Lay | Lay, Devine Channel, TONY, Casper | Devine Channel, Lay | 3:25 |
"X Back (兴迷)" | Wang YaJun, Lay | The Stereotypes, Lay | The Stereotypes, Lay | 3:22 |
IV. Spotify Playlist
V. Videos
Sheep Teaser
"I Need U"
"Sheep"
I Need You
Sheep
VI. Reception
The album broke 5 records on QQ Music in China, reaching Gold (¥250,000) in 30 seconds, Double Gold (¥500,000) in 45 seconds, Triple Gold (¥750,000) in 52 seconds, Platinum (¥1 million) in 1 minute 10 seconds and Diamond (¥5 million) in 9 hours 11 minutes. The album later broke a Double Diamond (¥70 million) record in May, 2018.
The album reached #1 on YinYueTai in China, #4 on the U.S. Billboard World Albums Chart and #10 on Gaon Charts in South Korea.
The album also debuted at #1 on iTunes in 12 countries and regions. It also entered iTunes Worldwide Top 10 albums list, becoming the first Chinese singer to do so. The first single "I Need U" charted in 17 countries and ranked #1 on iTunes in 12 countries and regions.
VII. Awards
The album won Album of the Year at the 2017 Tencent Video Star Awards and 25th ERC Chinese Top Ten Awards. He also won Producer of the Year at the ERC Awards.