Certain facts, like it or not, can’t be denied, especially with bottom line numbers being used as supporting evidence. For an artist who managed to bang out three solo projects (“Beast Mode,” “56 Nights,” “Dirty Sprite 2”), as well as a duet album (“What a Time to Be Alive”) with one of the most elite artists in the current music landscape, bar none, Drake, in 2015 alone, it’s only right that millions of eyes will be fixed upon you with heavy expectations attached for your future endeavors. Or shall we say Future endeavors.
First, let’s take a look back on his past year, which created the fervor. Future just closed out an historic 2015, releasing not one but two No. 1 Billboard Top 200 albums, namely “DS2” and his collaboration with Drake, “What a Time to Be Alive.” He was one of two artists to accomplish that in 2015. Moreover, he landed on numerous year-end lists.
Rolling Stone pegged “DS2” at No. 26 on its “50 Best Albums of 2015,” and Noisey dubbed him “Artist of the Year,” including “DS2” as No. 2 and “56 Nights” as No. 21 on the “50 Best Albums of 2015.” He took a whopping three spots on Complex’s “Best Albums of 2015” with “DS2” at No. 2, “56 Nights” at No. 33, and “What a Time to Be Alive” at No. 50. NPR placed “DS2” on “NPR Music’s Favorite Albums of 2015.”
Meanwhile, “DS2” notched No. 17 on Spin magazine’s “50 Best Albums of 2015,” and “Thought It Was a Drought” took No. 20 and “F*ck Up Some Commas” captured No. 54 on their “101 Best Songs of 2015” list in addition to Future being named their “2015 Rapper of the Year.” Aside from such media accolades, even his peers have noticed the movement. Kendrick Lamar said in a recent article New York Times article, “Of course Future killed it. He smashed. Drake smashed. Future’s work ethic was crazy.
“This is the thing about hip-hop music and where people get it most misconstrued: It’s all hip-hop. You can’t say that just what I do is hip-hop, because hip-hop is all energies. James Brown can get on the track and mumble all day. But guess what, you felt his soul on those records.”
When your peers take note and acknowledge, that’s work. With that kind of momentum, it’s only right that Future would kick off 2016 in style. Possessing a huge social media fan base known as FutureHive, the artist unveiled dates for his highly anticipated “Purple Reign” tour.
The nationwide trek commences Wednesday, Feb. 17 in Madison, Wis., with support coming courtesy of Los Angeles R&B artist Ty Dolla $ign. The show reaches the tristate area Feb. 25 in Ledyard, Conn., at the Grand Theater in Foxwoods Resort Casino and Feb. 27 at the Hammerstein Ballroom (311 W. 34th St.). Tickets are scarce but do a periodical check at foxwoods.com and ticketmaster.com respectively to see if anything becomes available.
Over and done. I’m out. Holla next week. Till then, enjoy the nightlife.