Tyler, The Creator’s handwritten note accompanying 2019’sIGORserved as an inspiration for Stormzy’s new album, This Is What I Mean.
While he prefers to let his music do the talking, the Merky rapper took a page out of Tyler’s book and penned a note to accompany the release of his new album, which hit streaming services on Friday (November 25).
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“When Tyler, The Creator released the masterpiece that is IGOR, he shared a message with it and I wanted to do the same but I was hesitant. Mainly because I would love for my music to do the talking but I thought I’d share this message anyway,” he began.
“I feel like I overshare, which makes me feel naked at times. But I do it so that you guys can understand me a bit better and to give the art that I make some context… I pray you listen to this album with an open heart and if you hate it after I promise to God I’m perfectly fine with that, I’m just grateful you listened with openness.”
Stormzy’s This Is What I Mean boasts 12 guestless tracks, with the piercing intro “Fire + Ice” finding him reflecting on his breakup with Maya Jama which he’s compared to “death” in the past.
Tyler unleashed his IGOR album in May 2019 and he penned a note to fans hours prior to its arrival explaining that this project wasn’t similar to any of his previous work and that it wasn’t a pure rap album either.
“Don’t go into this expecting a rap album. Don’t go into this expecting any album. Just go, jump into it. I believe the first listen works best all the way through, no skips,” he wrote.
IGOR went on to win Best Rap Album honors at the 2020 Grammy Awards. His most recent album, Call Me If You Get Lost, which he recorded with DJ Drama, also won Best Rap Album at this year’s Grammy Awards.
Meanwhile, Freddie Gibbs has hinted that he may have a joint project on the way with Tyler, The Creator, who he praised for being fearless and “amazing.”
Gibbs was asked about the potential collaboration on a recent episode of the Rap Caviar Podcast. His response indicated that he and Tyler, The Creator have discussed the idea before.
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“We can do it Tyler,” Freddie Gibbs said, repeating his name. “I’mma call his mama and make it happen. She’ll get him to do it.”
