About two weeks ago, one of hip-hop’s most beloved and personable producers Kenny Beats wiped both his Instagram and Twitter clean. Immediately after, he began posting minute-long teaser videos for upcoming music, mysteriously captioning each of the snippets “Louie.”
After confused, yet excited fans had some time to let these previewed tracks marinate, Kenny finally put all the questions to rest. After announcing the project last week on Aug. 25, he released his debut studio album Louie at midnight on Aug. 31, which includes a 17-song track list.
On Monday morning (Aug. 29), Kenny uploaded a video that tells the story of the album’s title, where he explains that he’s gone by the nickname “Louie” his entire life because he resembled his parents’ bald friend named Lou.
Created in December 2021 upon learning that his father was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, Kenny basically made the album as a gift for his dad, which he depicts in the skit he posted simultaneously with the release. While there are no features shown on any of the songs, and with it primarily being a beat tape that sprinkles in vocals every now and then, Kenny still showed gratitude to the stacked list of contributors that helped him craft Louie. This list includes Mac Demarco, Vince Staples, Clairo, Thundercat, slowthai, Paris Texas, Omar Apollo, Fousheé and many more.
“I always said that I wouldn’t do a solo album because I didn’t have anything to say. Finally, I did. Something dark turned into something beautiful. This album encapsulated the feeling of that one month.”
Kenny Beats via release
Although Kenny has crafted collaborative projects like UNLOCKED with Denzel Curry, Netflix & Deal with 03 Greedo, Anger Management with Rico Nasty and more, this solo showing will launches the next phase of his career, as he has finally dropped music under solely his artist name.
Check out ‘Louie’ by Kenny Beats below!
