Dark Times

about this album

Dark Times is the sixth studio album by American rapper Vince Staples. It was released on May 24, 2024, through Blacksmith Records and Def Jam Recordings, and is his final release with the latter label after more than 10 years. Vince Staples was discovered by Dijon "LaVish" Samo and Chuck Wun, alongside his cousin Campbell Emerson. LaVish took Staples on a trip to Los Angeles, where he befriended the Odd Future collective's members Syd tha Kyd, Mike G, and Earl Sweatshirt. Although he had not intended to become a rapper, he made some guest appearances on their songs, most notably "epaR" from Earl Sweatshirt's March 2010 mixtape Earl. Staples released his official debut mixtape Shyne Coldchain Vol. 1 on December 30, 2011, via applebird.com; and also released a collaborative mixtape with producer Michael Uzowuru, titled Winter in Prague in October 2012. After making three appearances on Earl's debut studio album Doris the next year, including the single "Hive", the liner notes revealed Staples had recently signed to the hip-hop record label Def Jam Recordings, falling under producer No I.D.'s ARTium imprint, as well as Blacksmith Records. The mixtape Shyne Coldchain II was released on March 13, 2014, seven months after the signing was revealed. After releasing his first three albums Summertime '06, Big Fish Theory and FM! on Def Jam, Staples signed a new deal with the Motown record label, releasing his eponymous fourth album and Ramona Park Broke My Heart respectively in 2021

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tracks

more from Vince Staples

Big Fish Theory

Summertime '06

Ramona Park Broke My Heart

Vince Staples

Yo Love (From "Queen & Slim: The Soundtrack")

FM!