Realness is the eighth studio album from singer and drag queen RuPaul. It was released on March 2, 2015 and is RuPaul's first album to feature a Parental Advisory warning label. The album was released to coincide with the seventh season premiere of RuPaul's Drag Race, which premiered the same day as the album's release. The album features guest appearances from Michelle Visage, Rebecca Romijn and Dave Audé, among others. Upon its release, the album charted at number 6 on the Billboard Dance/Electronic Albums, and 38 on the Independent Albums. The album sees RuPaul reuniting with producer Eric Kupper, producer of his debut album Supermodel of the World.

Realness
Studio album by
ReleasedMarch 2, 2015 (2015-03-02)
Recorded2014–15
Genre
Length41:45
LabelRuCo Inc.
Producer
RuPaul chronology
RuPaul Presents: The CoverGurlz 2
(2015)
Realness
(2015)
Slay Belles
(2015)
Singles from Realness
  1. ""Born Naked" (Stadium Remix)"
    Released: May 18, 2015
  2. "The Realness"
    Released: May 2, 2016

Background edit

Realness was first mentioned in a Billboard interview with RuPaul on February 24, 2015, in which he commented on the titles meaning, saying "when drag talks about realness, it's always with a wink because, you know, here I am, a drag queen talking about looking and feeling real, which is the joke itself." Sonically, the album is heavily influenced by 1990s House music and diva house.[1] The album was released for pre-order later, and eventually released on March 2, 2015.[2]

Track listing edit

Adapted from iTunes metadata.[2]

All tracks are written by RuPaul

No.TitleLength
1."L.A. Rhythm" (featuring Michelle Visage and JROB)4:41
2."Color Me Love" (featuring Rebecca Romijn and Markaholic)3:34
3."I Met Him On the Dance Floor" (Interlude)0:45
4."I Blame You" (featuring Ellis Miah)5:19
5."Throw Ya Hands Up (2015)" (featuring Lady Bunny and Ellis Miah)3:54
6."This Is a Picnic" (Interlude)0:52
7."Die Tomorrow" (featuring Frankmusik)3:06
8."The Realness" (featuring Eric Kupper)3:25
9."A Dream You're Having" (Interlude)0:26
10."L.A. Rhythm" (featuring Michelle Visage and Matt Moss)3:38
11."Born Naked" (Stadium Remix) (featuring Clairy Browne)2:46
12."Drag Mocks Identity" (Interlude)0:19
13."Step It Up" (featuring Dave Audé)3:33
14."LGBT" (featuring Chi Chi LaRue & Markaholic)3:56
15."Thorns of a Rose" (Interlude)1:31

Charts edit

Chart (2015) Peak
position
US Billboard Dance/Electronic Albums[3] 6
US Billboard Independent Albums[4] 38

Release history edit

Region Date Label Format
Worldwide March 2, 2015[2] RuCo Inc. Digital download

References edit

  1. ^ "RuPaul on 'Drag Race,' Brand-New Album & the 'Gayest' Show on TV". Billboard. Retrieved March 29, 2015.
  2. ^ a b c "RuPaul - Realness". iTunes Store (GB). Retrieved March 29, 2015.
  3. ^ "RuPaul Album & Song Chart History - Dance/Electronic Albums". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved March 29, 2015.
  4. ^ "RuPaul - Chart History - Independent Albums". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved March 29, 2015.