Young Thug is heading into his ‘PUNK’ era — complete with new pink dreads and a revitalized swagger unmatched from his previous personas.
After unveiling a new song “Tick Tock” during his Rolling Loud performance this past weekend, Thug has since shared his upcoming album PUNK will release Oct. 15 — seen on the back of his shirt during his Tiny Desk performance Tuesday.
The YSL rapper performed four new songs during his stripped down at-home set, which was recorded in the gardens of the Houdini Estate in Los Angeles. Joined by Blink-182’s Travis Barker and rock band Damaged Goods, Jeffrey performed a rock version of his Slime Language 2 hit “Ski” as well as new PUNK cuts in “Die Slow,” “Droppin Jewels,” “Hate the Game,” and “Tick Tock.”
His last solo project, So Much Fun, was released in 2019 as PUNK is set to be the arrival of a new sound for Thugger. He spoke with Rolling Stone in 2019 about the album’s concepts and more, saying that it was going to be the “best album” ever put out.
“This album Punk that I’m going to put out soon is probably going to be the best album, because it really teaches you, gives you life situations, it’s teaching I’m human. I am you. I am him. It’s very verbal. I think it’ll probably be the best album even though it’s not out.”
Young Thug, Rolling Stone (2019)
Thugger seems more than comfortable in this new rock element, as he is the latest rapper to curate a fresh, punk-rock sound with Travis Barker. Other artists in MGK, Kenny Hoopla, Trippie Redd and UnoTheActivist all have recruited Barker for their rock-orientated LPs in recent years.
As Jeffrey looks forward to a new chapter in his discography, expect ‘PUNK’ to be everything he says it will be and more.
