2016 has been a pretty great year for music, and the summer months have also given us notable albums from YG, ScHoolboy Q, Gucci Mane, and more. Even with all the new music we've been getting lately, there's still a whole lot more to look forward to this summer, and we've decided to give you a brief reminder, specifically of the studio albums that are headed your way in the next two months.
We've selected 5 LPs we're looking forward to -- some will arrive in less than a week, and others will take a little longer, but we're sure a few of them will be soundtracking your August and September. Let us know which of the projects (on the list or otherwise) you're still looking forward to in summer sixteen.
Travis Scott - Birds in the Trap Sing McKnight
Release Date: August 5
Travis Scott has told us that Birds In The Trap Sing McKnight, his follow-up to 2015's Rodeo, would be arriving in a week's time on multiple occasions, and while the promise has gone unfulfilled so far, it seems this Friday will truly see the album's release. We've already heard "Pick Up The Phone," a glorious collaboration with Young Thug that may or may not appear on the album (it was repackaged as a single by "Young Thug and Travis Scott" after Travis first shared it as his own record). As recently as last week, he was still working on the project, according to frequent collaborator, Mike Dean, so hopefully he's made the deadline this time around.
Travis recently spoke to Billboard about the title and concept of the project. "My next album, Birds in the Trap Sing McKnight is basically about all my friends and growing up here [in Missouri City]. I'm not saying that it's a trap -- we not in the fucking projects but it's like a social trap. It's a social connection trap from what you want to do and how you want to express yourself. I feel like everyone just gets constricted by their parents or just, life."
According to Scott, a project called Astroworld will follow the release of Birds, but let's all just focus on what's directly in front of us for now.
Rae Sremmurd
Rae Sremmurd - SremmLife 2
Release Date: August 12
At some point, Mike WiLL announced that SremmLife 2 would not be released until Rae Sremmurd's 2015 debut, SremmLife went platinum. While there were naysayers around that possibility, the album, along with 5 of its singles has earned the verification, and SL2 is now on the way. Initially planned for a June release, before being pushed to July, the LP now has a street date of August 12, and with the addition of two huge records -- "#DoYoga" and "Black Beatles" with Gucci Mane, it seems it will be more than worth the wait. Add those to the pre-release bangers, "By Chance," "Look Alive," and "Over Here," and it's looking like the Sremm boys have a worthy sequel on their hands.
PartyNextDoor
PartyNextDoor- PartyNextDoor 3
Release Date: August 12
With PartyNextDoor popping up as a writer on Rihanna's "Work" and "Sex With Me," as well as collaborations with Drake, Jeremih, and more, there's been a lot of anticipation for P3. Of course, as big as the buzz was, it seemed clear that PND wouldn't be getting a release date until VIEWS, released in April, was given some room to breathe. That breathing room has been established, and PartyNextDoor 3 is officially on its way August 12th, being led by singles "Not Nice" and "Come And See Me." It'll be going head to head with SremmLife 2, paving the way for one hell of a party that Friday.
Tory Lanez
Tory Lanez - I Told You
Release Date: August 19
Later in August, Tory Lanez will be sharing his debut album, I Told You, which is preceded by eclectic singles like "Say It," "Luv," and "Flex." It's a moment he's building up to for a long time now, releasing many mixtapes over the last few years. It seems the project will be completely featureless, unless of course there are some surprise guests that have yet to be announced, and should be the chance for Tory to prove himself as a worthy competitor for Toronto's rap throne. He told you.
Mac Miller
Mac Miller - The Divine Feminine
Release Date: September 16
Just announced last week, Mac Miller has decided to quickly follow up his October 2015 album, GO:OD AM, with his fourth LP, The Divine Feminine. We don't know very much about the project so far, but its lead single shows a lot of promise, pairing Mac with Anderson Paak, and making a late bid for song of the summer. The project is also set to feature collaborations with Cee-Lo, Rovert Glasper, and most notably, Kendrick Lamar, so don't count summer sixteen out until you've heard the latest from the Pittsburgh rapper, which will be capping off the season September 16.