The LOX Discuss What To Expect From Their First Album In 16 Years
Just four days in, the month of December is already off to a torrid start. J. Cole has announced he is releasing his next album on Friday (December 9), Run The Jewels have confirmed the release date for Run The Jewels 3 (January 13) and revealed the tracklist, and Pete Rock announced he and CL Smooth will be releasing their first album since 1994’s The Main Ingredient, sometime in 2017.
The LOX Have Signed To Roc Nation & Are Releasing A New Album This Month
If that weren’t enough, on December 1, The LOX, the trio of Jadakiss, Styles P and Sheek Louch, announced a new partnership with Jay Z’s Roc Nation, as well as the release date for their first album since 2000’s We Are The Streets, on December 16. The album will be titled Filthy America…it’s beautiful, and will feature production from DJ Premier, Pete Rock, Dame Grease and more. Shortly after the news, The LOX released the album’s first two songs, “Don’t You Cry” and “What Else I Need To Know,” and they are certified bangers.
Recently, Jada, Styles and Sheek spoke with Billboard about the album’s title, themes and what to expect from it, sonically. In describing the LP, Styles P said “I would say [this project is] more for our core fan base but with a newer feel. Same vibe, music, but we didn’t go with old school-sounding beats. We not trying to sell you the ’90s. We just selling you good rap.”
The LOX Drop 2 New Songs & Prove They’re Back in a Major Way (Audio)
Sheek spoke about the themes covered on the album. Despite its suggestive title, particularly in this year’s political context, Sheek says “We didn’t want to get too political. And when we say, ‘Oh, filthy America, it’s beautiful,’ it’s basically being out the country, you see a lot is going on right here. It’s real terrible here, but when you get to other places, you appreciate it. But don’t look for a whole political album.”
One of the biggest revelations about the new album is that it is not in lieu of the long-anticipated We Are The Streets 2, which had been rumored to be dropping in 2016. Sheek confirmed that album was still very much in the works, saying “For We Are the Streets 2, we kinda picking up from when you heard that 16 years ago…Even though you getting it on this [album], We Are the Streets 2 is gonna be for all those [fans] who have kids now. They’re gonna remember that whole flow.”