Summer is right around the corner. A lot of great rap albums are set to be released in May and June. We’ve gathered a list of albums for you to keep your eyes out for in the coming month. They could end up being the soundtrack for your summer!
Upcoming Album Releases to Kick Off Your Summer
Almost Healed – Lil Durk
Lil Durk will release his rap album Almost Healed on May 26th. This will be his eighth studio album. Durk released the lead single “All My Life” featuring J. Cole on May 12th and a music video followed. The song is a reflection of how far the rapper has come since his childhood in the South Side of Chicago and his rise into the scene in the early 2010s. The concept of the title Almost Healed came from a conversation Durk had with a friend where they discussed never fully being healed from pain. When discussing the album Lil Durk said, “There’s a lot of energy on it, it’s a new experience for me. It’s the same Durk, just growth.”
Almighty So 2 – Chief Keef
Chief Keef will release his highly anticipated album Almighty So 2 on June 9th. The release date has been pushed back twice from the original December 2022 and April 2023 dates. Almighty So 2 is the official sequel to Chief Keef’s 2013 album Almighty So and is following up his 2021 album 4NEM. Chief Keef has released two tracks from the album, “Racks Stuffed Inna Couch,” and “Tony Montana Flow.”
Mumble Rap 2 – Belly
The Palestinian-Canadian rapper Belly will release his new record Mumble Rap 2 on May 19th. It will be the sequel to his 2017 album Mumble Rap, which peaked at number 55 on the Canadian Albums (Billboard). Belly has been teasing the new album since July of 2022 through twitter. Belly has released two tracks from the album, “Ambiance” and “American Nightmare.” Hit-Boy produced the album and there will be various artists featured, including Gucci Mane, Rick Ross, and Nav.
Fast X (Soundtrack) – Various Artists
The twelfth installment of the Fast and Furious movies, Fast X is coming to U.S. theaters on May 19th. The soundtrack will be released the same day. The soundtrack will be a rap album containing 21 tracks performed by some of the biggest rap and hip-hop artists in the world. This includes J Balvin, $uicideboy$, and Notorious B.I.G. Four previously released tracks will be on the soundtrack including, “Toretto” by J Balvin, “Gasolina,” by Ramon Luis Ayala, “Let’s Ride,” by YG and Notorious B.I.G. and “Won’t Back Down,” by Bailey Zimmerman and Dermot Kennedy. The previous Fast and Furious soundtracks have produced some of the biggest hits of the past decades. This soundtrack will undoubtedly contain some of the biggest songs of the year.
Real B*tches Don’t Die – Kari Faux
Kari Faux will release her fourth studio album Real B*tches Don’t Die on May 26th. Faux is an Arkansas native and this rap album is a clear reference to her Southern roots as well as her dominant energy. She has released three tracks from the album “Turnin’ Heads,” “Make a Wish,” and “Me First.” Faux has had a lot of success collaborating with other artists in the past including Childish Gambino and Pivot Gang. This album has followed suit with many features including Big K.R.I.T, Jazz Cartier, Devin the Dude and more.
Michael – Killer Mike
The American rapper Killer Mike will release his new album, Michael on June 16th. Michael will be his first solo album since he released R.A.P. Music in 2012. This album will definitely be worth the wait. He has released two singles from the album so far, “Don’t Let the Devil,” and “Motherless.” Both are receiving lots of attention from fans. So far, two music videos have been released.
Utopia – Travis Scott
Travis Scott is rumored to release his fourth album Utopia in June. The album will follow his 2018 album Astroworld, which was a phenomenal success. Scott revealed the album title in June of 2020 on Instagram. Utopia will be one of the most anticipated albums of the year. When Travis Scott was asked about the sound of the new album he said, “I’m in the new album mode where it’s like psychedelic rock.”
Black Elvis 2 – Kool Keith
Kool Keith will release his new album Black Elvis 2 on June 16th. Black Elvis 2 will be the sequel to his 1999 album Black Elvis / Lost in Space. He worked with Mark Live on the album, who he also worked with on the first Black Elvis album. The first track from the album, “Black Elvis 2 (Intro)” is released. Some of the features on the album include Ice-T, Agallah, and Dynamite.
