Dark Times (album)
| Dark Times | ||||
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| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | May 24, 2024 | |||
| Genre | West Coast hip hop | |||
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| Producer |
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| Vince Staples chronology | ||||
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| Singles from Dark Times | ||||
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Dark Times is the upcoming sixth studio album by American rapper Vince Staples. It will be released on May 24, 2024, through Blacksmith Records and Def Jam Recordings, and will be his final release with the latter label after more than 10 years.
Background[edit]
Vince Staples was discovered by Dijon "LaVish" Samo and Chuck Wun, alongside his cousin Campbell Emerson. LaVish took Staples on a trip to Los Angeles, where he befriended the Odd Future collective's members Syd tha Kyd, Mike G, and Earl Sweatshirt. Although he had not intended to become a rapper, he made some guest appearances on their songs, most notably "epaR" from Earl Sweatshirt's March 2010 mixtape Earl. Staples released his official debut mixtape Shyne Coldchain Vol. 1 on December 30, 2011, via applebird.com;[1] and also released a collaborative mixtape with producer Michael Uzowuru, titled Winter in Prague in October 2012.[2] After making three appearances on Earl's debut studio album Doris the next year, including the single "Hive", the liner notes revealed Staples had recently signed to the hip hop record label Def Jam Recordings, falling under producer No I.D.'s ARTium imprint, as well as Blacksmith Records.[2] The mixtape Shyne Coldchain II was released on March 13, 2014, seven months after the signing was revealed.
After releasing his first three albums Summertime '06, Big Fish Theory and FM! on Def Jam, Staples signed a new deal with the Motown record label, releasing his eponymous fourth album and Ramona Park Broke My Heart respectively in 2021 and 2022. In March 2024, Staples announced a European tour called Black in Europa, which would be scheduled to kick off in June in Cologne.[3] When interviewed by radio DJ Big Boy the next month, Staples revealed that he would release a new album before his tour.[4]
On May 19, 2024, Staples announced the album's title, cover and tracklist via X and Instagram, while also prewiring a snippet of the lead single "Shame on the Devil", which would be released the following day, with vocals from Baby Rose.[5]
Track listing[edit]
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Close Your Eyes and Swing" | |||
| 2. | "Black&Blue" | |||
| 3. | "Government Cheese" | |||
| 4. | "Children's Song" | |||
| 5. | "Shame on the Devil" |
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| 3:25 |
| 6. | "Étoufée" | |||
| 7. | "Liars" | |||
| 8. | "Justin" | |||
| 9. | "Radio" |
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| 10. | "Nothing Matters" | |||
| 11. | "Little Homies" | |||
| 12. | "Freeman" | |||
| 13. | "Why Won't the Sun Come Out?" |
References[edit]
- ^ "Vince Staples". Archived from the original on January 17, 2013. Retrieved February 20, 2014.
- ^ a b "Vince Staples Def Jam Signing". Complex l. August 31, 2013. Retrieved February 20, 2014.
- ^ Mendez, Marisa. "Vince Staples Set to Take On Europe in First Headlining Tour in 5 Years". HipHopDX. Retrieved May 20, 2024.
- ^ Hawkins, Ruth. "Vince Staples Gives Promising Update On New Album: "I'm Close"". HipHopDX. Retrieved May 20, 2024.
- ^ "Vince Staples announces new album". Retrieved May 20, 2024.