idk
The Best Albums of 2022 (So Far)
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Image via Publicist Jack Harlow, ‘Come Home the Kids Miss You’
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Image via Defcee & Boathouse Defcee & Boathouse, ‘For All Debts Public and Private’
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Image via Publicist Leikeli47, ‘Shape Up’
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Image via Publicist Curren$y & The Alchemist, ‘Continuance’
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Image via Publicist Dreamville, ‘D-Day: A Gangsta Grillz Mixtape’
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Image via Publicist YoungBoy Never Broke Again, ‘Colors’
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Image via Publicist Toro Y Moi, ‘MAHAL’
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Image via Publicist NIGO, ‘I Know NIGO!’
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Image via Publicist Babyface Ray, ‘Face’
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Image via Publicist Fly Anakin, ‘Frank’
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Image via Publicist Ella Mai, ‘Heart on My Sleeve’
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Image via Warner Records IDK, ‘Simple.’
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Image via DTLA Records WiFiGawd, ‘Chain of Command’
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Image via Atlantic Records Ravyn Lenae, ‘HYPNOS’
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Image via Publicist Lucky Daye, ‘Candydrip’
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Image via Publicist Black Star, ‘No Fear of Time’
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Image via Publicist Syd, ‘Broken Hearts Club’
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Image via AWAL/ Warner Records Omar Apollo, ‘Ivory’
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Image via Tidal Rex Orange County, ‘Who Cares’
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Image via Publicist Bad Bunny, ‘Un Verano Sin Ti’
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Image via Publicist Latto, ‘777’
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Image via Tidal 42 Dugg & EST Gee, ‘Last Ones Left’
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Image via Freebandz/Epic Records Future, ‘I Never Liked You’
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Image via Tidal Buddy, ‘Superghetto’
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Image via Publicist Lil Durk, ‘7220’
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Image via Publicist Yeat, ‘2 Alivë’
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Image via Publicist Saba, ‘Few Good Things’
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Image via Columbia/Erskine Records Harry Styles, ‘Harry’s House’
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Image via Publicist FKA Twigs, ‘Caprisongs’
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Image via RRR Music Group YL & Zoomo, ‘In Memory Of’
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Image via Publicist EarthGang, ‘Ghetto Gods’
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Image via Publicist Mike Dimes, ‘In Dimes We Trust’
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Image via Publicist $NOT, ‘Ethereal’
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Image via Hvmor Records Redveil, ‘Learn 2 Swim’
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Image via GDF Records/The Freeminded Records/EMPIRE Jay Worthy & Larry June, ‘2 P’z in a Pod’
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Image via Publicist Benny the Butcher, ‘Tana Talk 4’
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Image via Publicist Action Bronson, ‘Cocodrillo Turbo’
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Image via Publicist Koffee, ‘Gifted’
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Image via T.C.F Music Group Che Noir, ‘Food For Thought’
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Image via Tidal Blxst, ‘Before You Go’
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Image via Backwoodz Studioz billy woods, ‘Aethiopes’
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Image via Publicist Conway the Machine, ‘God Don’t Make Mistakes’
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Image via Publicist Denzel Curry, ‘Melt My Eyez See Your Future’
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Image via Publicist Rosalía, ‘Motomami’
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Image via Tidal Earl Sweatshirt, ‘Sick!’
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Image via Instagram Gunna, ‘DS4EVER’
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Image via The Weeknd XO, Inc./Republic Records The Weeknd, ‘Dawn FM’
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Image via Blacksmith Recordings/Motown Records Vince Staples, ‘Ramona Park Broke My Heart’
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Image via Sterling Ruby Pusha-T, ‘It’s Almost Dry’
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Image via pgLang/Top Dawg Entertainment/Aftermath/Interscope Kendrick Lamar, ‘Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers’
Your Favorite Artists Are Rapping About Therapy
IDK Is Bringing ‘Simple’ And His Other Projects On A World Tour Starting This Summer
DMV rapper IDK earned himself a big moment at the end of 2019 with the release of his major-label debut album Is He Real? The project, unfortunately, came at the wrong time in the world as the coronavirus pandemic arrived just three months later. With that, tours and live concerts alike were paused, which stopped artists from capitalizing on their work with performances in front of their fans. Despite the inconvenience, IDK kept pushing full-stream ahead as he released three more projects in that time period: IDK & Friends 2, USee4Yourself, and the recently-released Simple with Kaytranada. Now that the time is right, IDK is ready to bring impressive discography on a worldwide tour.
Starting this summer, IDK will hit the road for the Simple World Tour. A flyer for the tour reveals that IDK plans to perform IWasVeryBad, Is He Real?, USee4Yourself, and Simple while he’s on the road. The string of shows begins at the end of June with a performance in Switzerland followed by two festival sets in Netherlands and Germany. IDK will then return to the states to continue the tour alongside Charlotte rapper Mavi. After concluding the North American section of his tour at the end of August with a show in Boston, IDK will bring things back to Europe at the end of October for a collection of shows that goes through November.
You can view the full list of dates for the Simple World Tour above.
IDK is a Warner Music artist. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.
IDK Keeps Things ‘Simple’ In His At-Home Tiny Desk Concert Featuring Mike Dean
One of the most fun elements of NPR’s Tiny Desk Concerts has always been the crowd interactions — something that has been missing ever since the series went to an at-home format as a result of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. However, as restrictions have eased up and vaccination levels increase, it looks like we’ll start to receive something of a hybrid approach whenever it’s possible. IDK’s new Tiny Desk Concert brings back the live audience feel as he invites neighbors and friends to his Los Angeles home to perform new songs from his recently released album Simple.
Opening with the soulful “Puerto Rico,” IDK opts to set the mood with the smooth, melodic gem from USEE4YOURSELF rather than one of his harder-hitting rap tracks, which allows him to present himself as a “sweet guy” and adds to the overall inviting mood. Meanwhile, Kaytranada’s jazzy, house-influenced production from Simple proves to translate beautifully to the stripped-down set, where some synthesized baby grand sets the groove as IDK’s friend thumps out the beat on a coffee table. Mike Dean also makes an appearance to contribute a ripping guitar solo to IDK’s latest single, “Breathe.”
Watch IDK’s Tiny Desk Concert above.
IDK is a Warner Music artist. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.
IDK & KAYTRANADA Share “Breathe” Video
Let me catch my breath.
IDK And Kaytranada’s ‘Breathe’ Video Gives Some Strong ‘E.T.’ Vibes
The first thing that pops into mind watching the video for “Breathe” from IDK‘s newly released, Kaytranad-produced album Simple is E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial. Just as the title character’s telekinetic abilities make for the breathtaking visual of a band of bicycles soaring across the sky in Steven Spielberg’s 1982 classic, IDK sends a fleet of cyclists skyward in his own music video.
Shot in Paris, the video makes a point of showing the sense of freedom one can find even in the midst of doing something as mundane as delivering food. The cyclists in the video also find liberation in their sense of camaraderie with one another as they team up to cruise through one of the city’s tunnels, one of them presumably blasting the laid-back track via speakers attached to their saddle.
The song itself is a marked departure from some of IDK’s older, more aggressive material — and even the cooler grooves offered by his EDM pioneer collaborator. Rather than rapping, IDK sings the airy vocals, offering the reassuring advice to just breathe through it all. While other songs from the album, like “Taco” and “Dog Food,” blended his harder-edged sensibilities with the groovier production of Kaytranada, this song sees IDK truly branching out and showing his full range.
Watch IDK and Kaytranada’s “Breathe” video above.
Simple is out now on Clue with Warner Records. Get it here.
IDK is a Warner Music artist. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.
Denzel Curry Called Himself ‘The Best Rapper Alive,’ And As A Result, IDK Wants To Battle
Denzel Curry is a little over a month removed from the release of his fifth album Melt My Eyez See Your Future. The project was his first release since 2021’s Unlocked 1.5 with Kenny Beats and his first solo effort since 2019’s Zuu. Through the 14 songs on Melt My Eyez See Your Future, Curry gets help from Robert Glasper, T-Pain, 6lack, Rico Nasty, JID, Slowthai, and more. Curry seems to be feeling very confident after his fifth album, and he made it quite clear during a recent interview with XXL.
Battle me @denzelcurry https://t.co/dCy9ETCJGd
— IDK (@IDK) May 9, 2022
“Just look out for me,” Curry said during the sit-down. “Look out for any of the next projects that’s ’bout to come out. I’m ’bout to shake the whole game up. I don’t care what anybody gotta say, bro. I’m the best rapper alive. Point blank, period.” While Curry is completely in his right to believe that, one of his frequent collaborators, DMV rapper IDK, isn’t about to let him claim the title without a fight. IDK responded to Curry’s comments on Twitter, writing, “Battle me @denzelcurry.”
You don’t want that homie https://t.co/XM8fS3V9gs
— Denzel Curry (@denzelcurry) May 10, 2022
Curry wouldn’t take long to issue a response to IDK, writing back, “You don’t want that homie.”
Curry and IDK’s back and forth comes after they collaborated on the Kaytranada-produced “Dog Food.”
You can view Curry and IDK’s interaction in the posts above.
Some artists covered here are Warner Music artists. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.
Weekly Dope: Kendrick Lamar, IDK, Method Man, Jack Harlow & More
A collection of our favorite songs of the week.
Best New Music This Week: ASAP Rocky, Jack Harlow, Bad Bunny, and More
ASAP Rocky, “D.M.B.”
Jack Harlow f/ Drake, “Churchill Downs”
Doja Cat, “Vegas”
Bad Bunny, “Moscow Mule”
IDK f/ Mike Dimes, “The Code”
Duke Deuce, “Crunkstarz”
SiR, “Satisfaction”