I'm the Problem (K. Michelle album)

I'm the Problem
Studio album by
K. Michelle
ReleasedSeptember 22, 2023
GenreR&B[1]
Length59:56
Labels
K. Michelle chronology
All Monsters Are Human
(2020)		 I'm the Problem
(2023)		 Jesus & Whiskey
(2026)
Singles from I'm the Problem
  1. "Scooch"
    Released: February 11, 2022
  2. "You"
    Released: March 17, 2023
  3. "Wherever the D May Land"
    Released: April 14, 2023
  4. "Blame Yourself"
    Released: September 1, 2023

I'm the Problem is the sixth studio album by American singer-songwriter K. Michelle, released on September 22, 2023.[2][3] The album was reportedly her final R&B album before a transition toward country music.[4]

Promotion

The album's lead single "Scooch" reached number one on the Billboard Adult R&B Songs chart, becoming K. Michelle’s first number-one on the chart..[5][6] Following its release, K. Michelle performed "Scooch" on The Real.[7] It was followed by the singles "You", "Wherever the D May Land" (featuring Gloss Up), and "Blame Yourself", alongside the promotional single "Tennessee".[8][9]

Promotional music videos were also released for "Hurt Shit," "Same Damn Show," and "This Man."[10]

On December 14, 2022, K. Michelle announced the I’m the Problem Tour and its dates.[11][12]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusicStarStarStar[13]

Andy Kellman of AllMusic gave the album a 3 out of 5-star rating. He noted that the album reflects K. Michelle’s stated intention to transition away from R&B toward country music, describing it as “the emptying of a clip” that emphasizes emotional and stylistic variety. Kellman highlighted tracks such as “Scooch,” which he described as “sophisti-funk”-influenced, “You,” which evokes late-1990s R&B production styles, and “Blame Yourself,” which incorporates trap influences. He also observed that much of the album consists of emotionally charged ballads centered on themes of anguish, resilience, and confrontation, concluding that the project feels like an “unvarnished outpouring” of emotion.[14]

Flisadam Pointer of ThisisRnB described I'm the Problem as a “bittersweet goodbye” to R&B, noting it as K. Michelle’s final album in the genre before her transition to country music. Pointer wrote that the album reflects the various aspects of the artist’s identity, including K. Michelle, Kimberly Pate, and her country alter ego Puddin, and characterized it as her most intentional project to date. She praised the album’s vocal performances, songwriting, and musicianship, highlighting its mix of ballads, commercially oriented tracks such as “Scooch,” and collaborations including “Wherever the D May Land” featuring Gloss Up. Pointer also discussed the album’s thematic focus on personal reflection and industry challenges, though she noted that its sequencing and cohesion were inconsistent.[15]

Mya Abraham of Vibe described I’m the Problem as a project reflecting K. Michelle’s personal growth and self-reflection, highlighting themes of accountability, emotional honesty, and life transitions throughout the album.[She noted that the album chronicles the singer’s experiences with relationships and personal healing, and emphasized its role in marking a shift in her artistic and personal direction.[16]

Antwane Folk of Rated R&B highlighted “God Knew,” “No Pain,” “This Man,” “You,” and “Gangsta In Me” as standout tracks, and noted that the album explores themes of heartbreak, emotional resilience, and empowerment.[17]

Track listing

I'm the Problem track listing
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Intro: Lot of Nothing, Pt. 1"
  • Ling
  • Ferguson
  • Herothaproducer
1:16
2."Memphis"
  • Charlie Clark Jr.
  • Pate
SeQuence Clark2:57
3."No Pain"
3:30
4."Blame Yourself"
  • Filip Lynah, Jr.
  • Jeremiah "Sickpen" Bethea
  • Pate
  • Rafael Dewayne Ishman
  • Ronnie Jackson
Lil Ronnie4:09
5."Love Language"
KP2:55
6."You"
  • Demetrius K. Sims
  • Jonathan L. Jackson
  • Keyiara Sallie
  • Pate
  • Milton Adams II
  • Tony
  • Herothaproducer
  • Double J
  • Troy Oliver
4:00
7."Lot of Nothing, Pt. 2"
  • Ling
  • Sims
  • Pate
  • Ferguson
  • Ling
  • Ferguson
  • Herothaproducer
0:44
8."Big Deal"
  • Aaron Lockhart
  • Pate
  • Michael Laury
  • Dubba-AA
  • Mike Laury
2:35
9."Wherever the D May Land" (featuring Gloss Up)
  • Payro
  • Pate
  • Peter Whitley Eddins
  • Roy Keisha Rockette
  • Stephen Kirk
  • Matthews
  • Eddins
  • KP
3:33
10."Hurt Shit"
  • Lockhart
  • Pate
  • Laury
  • Matthews
  • Dubba-AA
  • Mike Laury
3:15
11."I Cheat"
  • Aaron G. Mayfield
  • Bethea
  • Pate
  • Lynah Jr.
  • Ishman
  • Jackson
  • Rockette
Lil Ronnie4:57
12."Only One"
  • Gauntelette Alexander Jr.
  • Sallie
  • Pate
  • Adams II
  • Matthews
Versace P3:49
13."Gangsta in Me"
  • Jeremy Eudovique
  • Pate
  • Matthews
Vique3:21
14."Lot of Nothing, Pt. 3"
  • Ling
  • Sims
  • Pate
  • Ferguson
  • Ling
  • Ferguson
  • Herothaproducer
1:21
15."This Man"
  • Bethea
  • Joshua Cassius Jay Cross
  • Sallie
  • Pate
  • Sean Pen McMillon
  • Matthews
Cassius J3:48
16."Scooch"
  • Mayfield
  • Daniel Bryant
  • Bethea
  • Pate
  • Lynah Jr.
  • Ishman
  • Jackson
Lil Ronnie3:33
17."God Knew"
Drumma Boy3:44
18."Same Damn Show"
  • Stephen Kirk
  • Aaron Pearce
  • Pate
  • Rockette
Aaron Pierce3:12
Bonus track
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
19."Tennessee"
3:17
Total length:59:56

Charts

Chart (2023) Peak
position
US Independent Albums (Billboard)[18]21
US Top Album Sales (Billboard)[19]69

Release history

Release dates and format(s) for I'm the Problem
Region Date Format(s) Label Ref.
Various September 22, 2023
[20]

References

  1. ↑ Hudson, Tanay (January 11, 2022). "K. Michelle Announces Her Sixth Album Will Be Her Last R&B Album Titled I'm The Problem". MadameNoire. Archived from the original on January 27, 2022. Retrieved April 14, 2022.
  2. ↑ Folk, Antwane (September 1, 2023). "K. Michelle Announces 'I'm the Problem' Album Release Date, Shares New Song 'Blame Yourself'".
  3. ↑ Folk, Antwane (September 22, 2023). "K. Michelle Releases Final R&B Album 'I'm the Problem'". Rated R&B. Retrieved May 20, 2026.
  4. ↑ Folk, Antwane (March 8, 2022). "K. Michelle Talks New Lifetime Series, New Music and Support From Brandy: Interview". Rated R&B. Retrieved May 20, 2026.
  5. ↑ Anderson, Trevor (July 21, 2022). "K. Michelle 'Scooch' Secures Her First No. 1 Song: 'I'm Over-the-Moon Grateful'". Billboard.
  6. ↑ Folk, Antwane (September 22, 2023). "K. Michelle Releases Final R&B Album 'I'm the Problem'".
  7. ↑ "Did You Miss It? K. Michelle Rocked 'The Real' with 'Scooch' Live & Dished on 'Farewell' R&B Album". ..::That Grape Juice.net::.. - Thirsty?. February 14, 2022. Retrieved May 20, 2026.
  8. ↑ Folk, Antwane (March 17, 2023). "K. Michelle Can't Get Over 'You' on New Song". Rated R&B. Retrieved May 20, 2026.
  9. ↑ Folk, Antwane (April 14, 2023). "K. Michelle and Gloss Up Share New Song 'Wherever The D May Land'". Rated R&B. Retrieved May 20, 2026.
  10. ↑ Folk, Antwane (September 29, 2023). "K. Michelle Releases 'Same Damn Show' Video". Rated R&B. Retrieved May 20, 2026.
  11. ↑ Samuels, Keithan (December 15, 2022). "K. Michelle Announces 'I'm The Problem Tour' 2023 Dates".
  12. ↑ Kan, Toni (December 15, 2022). "Dates announced for K. Michelle's "I'm The Problem" Tour".
  13. ↑ Kellman, Andy. "I'm the Problem - K. Michelle". Album. AllMusic.
  14. ↑ I'm the Problem - K. Michelle | Album | AllMusic, retrieved May 20, 2026
  15. ↑ "Review: K. Michelle's 'I'm The Problem' Highlights One Of The Genre's Biggest Issue – Artist Retention". ThisisRnB.com - New R&B Music, Artists, Playlists, Lyrics. October 25, 2023. Retrieved May 20, 2026.
  16. ↑ Corrine, Amber (March 10, 2023). "K. Michelle Might Be The Problem, And Maybe That's A Good Thing". VIBE.com. Retrieved May 20, 2026.
  17. ↑ Folk, Antwane (September 22, 2023). "K. Michelle Releases Final R&B Album 'I'm the Problem'". Rated R&B. Retrieved May 20, 2026.
  18. ↑ "K. Michelle Chart History (Independent Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved October 4, 2023.
  19. ↑ "K. Michelle Chart History (Top Album Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved October 4, 2023.
  20. ↑ "I'm the Problem by K. Michelle (CD)". Barnes & Noble. Retrieved September 20, 2023.
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