Hip-Hop Lives Here
Hip-Hop Lives Here
It's about time. Ski Mask the Slump God was part of the Soundcloud generation that broke out in the 2010s. He worked closely with other Florida rappers like XXXTentacion and Denzel Curry, while at the same time carving out his own eccentric lane. His debut album, Stokeley, was a testament to this. The thing is, Stokeley came out in 2018. Fans have waited six years to hear new Ski Mask music. Thankfully, the wait is over. His sophomore album, 11th Dimension, is almost here.
Ski Mask the Slump God dropped an album teaser on June 1. The teaser opens on complete darkness, while an elderly voice asks the rapper where he's been. Then there's a hard cut to his face in close up, which is shrouded in darkness. The elderly voice continues to question Ski Mask's absence. "They are asking where you are," the voice states. "Asking where you have been." The rapper then turns his head up, showing that half of his face is scarred. "Said I'm fighting my demons," he says, before giving us a glimpse of a verse from the album.
The most unexpected part of the teaser, however, comes at the tail end. The camera zooms out to show Ski Mask the Slump God sitting on the floor of an empty white room. He can be seen wearing white angel wings, and his arms are tied. Hard cut to the release date, which is June 7. This is a thrilling development for an album that was first announced in 2021. Ski Mask revealed the album title, 11th Dimension, a year later, and there have been two singles released thus far. "Shibuya" dropped in March, and "Headrush" in May.
Ski Mask the Slump God has kept his inspiration behind a secret, but he did tease a dream list of collabs for 11th Dimension back in 2021. "I want to try and have Tyler, the Creator on it," he told XXL. "I want to try and have Don Toliver, try and have Dominic Fike. He’s somebody I’ve always wanted to work with… I want to try and work with Post [Malone] at least." There hasn't been an official tracklist released, so it's unclear whether Ski Mask was able to secure any of these features for the finished product.
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For artists, industry professionals and music fans alike, the second Thursday of April means one thing: arriving in Indio, California. Once again this year, Billboard is setting the tone for the big weekend by hosting The Arrival, a private, invite only event created to welcome select artists and key figures from the music world just ahead of the festival.
Held at an upscale private estate in Indio, the gathering will spotlight performances from a curated group of electronic acts. The lineup includes fan favorites Louis The Child, UK hitmaker Jonas Blue and rising dance music talent Arlo, all scheduled to take the stage.
Louis The Child plan to mix some of their most recognized tracks such as “It’s Strange” and “Better Not” with brand new material during their performance. The Chicago pair are also preparing to release their sophomore studio album later this year. At the same time, internationally known producer Jonas Blue will deliver a set filled with his signature dance sound, including his 2025 hit “Edge of Desire.” Additional performers who have not yet been revealed are also expected to appear during the night.
Throughout the evening, guests will be able to enjoy a selection of drinks along with a specially curated food menu from Jimmy John’s Dream Rotation lineup. The popular supper club Mary Lou’s, known for its presence in Palm Beach, Miami, Montauk and Aspen among other destinations, will also provide exclusive VIP dining experiences.
The Arrival is intended to serve as a space where leaders from media, music and entertainment can meet and build relationships ahead of three of the most talked about days in the desert. Past editions of the event have attracted notable names such as Charli xcx, Sydney Sweeney, Saweetie, Halsey, Patrick Schwarzenegger, Paris Jackson, G Eazy, Victoria Justice and other well known personalities.
Additional partners helping bring The Arrival to life include Skechers U.S.A., Inc, FanUp, Buldak Ramen, Bandero Tequila, Adobe, Blind Lemon Hard Lemonade, The Beast, Haku Vodka, 196 Vodka Seltzer, Voss Water and Monster Energy. Guests will also have access to a beauty lounge presented in collaboration with ESW Beauty, PanicPanties, Fazit and Clutch Glue.
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