Unexpected Arrival is the debut studio album by American rapper Diggy Simmons. It was released on March 20, 2012, by Atlantic Records. Recording sessions took place from 2010 to 2011, at various locations, while the production on the album was handled by Da Internz, Osinachi Nwaneri, Pop & Oak, Happy Perez, and Soundz, among others.

Unexpected Arrival was supported by five singles; including three official ("Copy, Paste", "Do It Like You" and "4 Letter Word") and two promotional singles ("88" and "Two Up").

Upon the release, the album received generally positive reviews from music critics. The album debuted at number 13 on the US Billboard 200. On June 22, 2013, the album has sold 89,750 copies in the United States.

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic
HipHopDX
XXL

Upon its release, Unexpected Arrival received generally positive reviews from music critics. Christian Mordi of XXL praised the album's production and Diggy's lyrical skills for coming off more like a seasoned veteran saying, "Unlike many young artists, Diggy stays away from a lot of catchy, jingle-esque hooks and songs about trends on this project. Clearly the young MC wants to be taken seriously by casual and hardcore fans alike." AllMusic editor David Jeffries also praised the album for its production and Diggy's accessibility as a rapper concluding that, "Kid-tested and parent-approved, this well-done debut makes hating on Diggy as ridiculous as it sounds." Edwin Ortiz of HipHopDX was mixed about Diggy's talent as an emcee, singling out his age and limited view on the world for the subpar content. He concluded that, "To Diggy's credit, Unexpected Arrival plays to his adolescent strengths without hindering his opportunity to build upon his brand as an adult."

Brandon Soderberg of Spin gave credit to some of the tracks, singling out "Unforgivable Blackness" for being "a sophisticated song that actually tries to confront [Diggy] Simmons’ lack of street cred," but found the rest of the album hollow and generic and followed a formula to market an underdog rapper, saying that, "Unexpected Arrival feels like the end of the rap album. The musical narrative is executed so effectively, hitting all the requisite marks, but it doesn’t matter in the least."

Track listing

No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."The Arrival (Intro)"Diggy SimmonsMichael JacksonDernst Emile IID'Mile1:15
2."Hello World"SimmonsBrandon GreenJohn "D.O.E." MaultsbyM. JacksonNathan "Happy" PérezHappy Perez3:11
3."I Need to Know"SimmonsEmile IIClarence Coffee, Jr.Alexander IzquierdoMaultsbyMatthew SamuelsD'Mile3:34
4."88" (featuring Jadakiss)SimmonsKeith JamesJason PhillipsShawn CarterLonnie Liston SmithNasir JonesPeter PhillipsDavid WillisErnest ClarkMarcos PalaciosDa Internz3:05
5."Two Up"SimmonsEmile IICoffee, Jr.IzquierdoMaultsbyD'Mile3:30
6."Unforgivable Blackness"SimmonsCoffee, Jr.MaultsbyOsinachi NwaneriNwaneri4:15
7."Special Occasion" (featuring Tank)SimmonsCarlos BatteySteven BatteyKevin CroweErik OrtizKenneth BartolomeiPerry JonesMaultsbyDurell BabbsJ.U.S.T.I.C.E. League3:52
8."Glow in the Dark"SimmonsC. BatteyS. BatteyEmile IIMaultsbyD'Mile5:59
9."4 Letter Word"Aubrey GrahamKenneth CobyBrian "The Rockstars" CohenJacob LutrellChase LettChris "The Rockstars" LlewellynMaultsbySoundz3:39
10."Do It Like You" (featuring Jeremih)SimmonsJeremih FeltonMaultsbyMcGeeAndrew "Pop" WanselDexter WanselWarren "Oak" FelderPop & Oak3:53
11."Tom Edison"SimmonsEmile IIIzquierdoMaultsbyD'Mile3:32
12."The Reign"SimmonsCynthia BiggsSam HookMaultsbyA. WanselD. WanselFelderPop & Oak3:59
Total length:43:34
iTunes Store bonus track
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
13."Copy, Paste"SimmonsFelderMaultsbyA. WanselPop & Oak2:55
Best Buy bonus tracks
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
13."Knowing Me, Knowing You"
14."What's Going On"
15."MSG"SimmonsMaultsbyIzquierdoCobyLlewellynCohenSoundzThe Rockstars3:45

Sample credits

  • "88" contains a sample from "Dance (A$$)" performed by Big Sean.
  • "Do It Like You" contains a sample from "Theme From the Planets", written and performed by Dexter Wansel.

Personnel

Credits for Unexpected Arrival adapted from AllMusic.

John Armstrong – engineer Paul Bailey – engineer Shawn Barron – A&R Carlos Centel Battey – composer Steven Andre Battey – composer Cynthia Biggs – composer Nick Bilardello – art direction, design The Jackie Boyz – vocals Tanisha Broadwater – production coordination Mike Caren – A&R Shawn Carter – composer Kenneth Coby – composer Clarence Coffee, Jr. – composer, vocals Brian Cohen – composer Da Internz – producer Dernst "D'Mile" Emile – additional production, composer, executive producer, producer Laurie Dobbins – management Lanre Gaba – A&R Chris Galland – assistant Jesus Garnica – assistant Chris Gehringer – mastering Dionne Harper – marketing Patrick Hoelck – photography Sam Hook – composer, vocals Israel – engineer Alexander Izquierdo – composer Keith James – composer Jaycen Joshua – mixing Brandon Jones – keyboardsEben "Critical" Jones – engineer Nasir Jones – composer Perry Jones – composer John "J-Banga" Kercy – mixing Cara Lewis – booking Chris Lighty – management Chris Llewellyn – composer Daniel Luttrell – vocals Jacob Luttrell – composer Bei Maejor – composer Connie Makita – illustrations Manny Marroquin – mixing John Maultsby – composer Donnie Meadows – production coordination Latoya Murray-Berry – stylist Nathan Perez – composer Osinachi Nwaneri – composer, producer Happy Perez – Producer Jayson Phillips – composer Peter O. Phillips – composer The Rockstars – guitar, keyboards, producer Matthew Samuels – composer Diggy Simmons – executive producer, composer Skylar – engineer Lonnie Liston Smith – composer Soundz – producer Dexter Wansel – composer Pop Wansel – composer, instrumentation, producer David A. Willis – composer Cathryn Marie - publicist

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (2012)Peak position
US Billboard 20013
US R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard)3
US Rap Albums (Billboard)2

Year-end charts

Chart (2012)Position
US R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard)80