Chicago’s Joey Purp is making his long-awaited return to the hip-hop scene this Friday (Sept. 7) with his forthcoming project, QUARTERTHING. We haven’t heard much from Purp besides a pair of loosies (“March 12th”, “Bag Talk”) and a few guest features with Vic Mensa (“Down for Some Ignorance”)and more over the last two years. But make no mistake, Purp has been hard at work crafting the follow-up to his promising 2016 mixtape, iiiDrops.
To celebrate the impending release, Purp took to New York City’s Golden Unicorn in Chinatown Thursday night (Sept. 5) to host an intimate listening party for the project. Draped in an Adidas track jacket, black pants, and a pair of white Nike Air Force Ones, Purp was in high spirits throughout the night, mingling and taking pictures with those in attendance. While the space felt like a mix between a high school reunion and a karaoke bash, Chicago’s essence was felt by way of Purp’s crew and beer provided by Chicago-based brewery, Goose Island. It was a festive affair as guests took in Purp’s new music with head nods and a few dance moves showing their approval of the project.
“QUARTERTHING” is about life,” Purp said on the concept of his new project. “My life and the lives of people that I know. It’s just about us in every sense of the word.” The 14-track project features rap royalty like RZA and GZA, with fellow Chi-town wunderkinds like Queen Key, CDOT Honcho, and Ravyn Lenae.
What’s sure to bring in new fans are the variety of production on QUARTERTHING being handled by Smoko Ono, DJ Khalil, Thelonious Martin, Knox Fortune, and Nate Fox of The Social Experiment.
The biggest reactions from the project came from the hard-hitting “God Body Pt. 2” featuring RZA and introspective “24/k Gold/Sanctified” featuring Ravyn Lenae. There’s a little bit of everything on the album from braggadocious raps on “Look At My Wrist” to the speaker rattling records like “QUARTERTHING.” Purp explained the diverse music scene he was exposed to growing up in Chicago helped inspire the sound of the project as he was applauded for incorporating Chicago house music on “Elastic” and Chicago Juke on “Aw S**t!” The record “Lebron James” received the most adulation as Purp is heard rapping over gritty production reminiscent of the early 90s hip-hop scene.
“It’s cool seeing everybody here. I’m grateful. Grateful for the love and people that are interested in hearing this project,” Purp tells VIBE after the event. Despite being absent from the limelight, Purp is confident in his path.
“Whatever God has in store for me I’m ready. Whether it’s being on top of the world or at the bottom of the bottom. That’s what’s meant to happen and it’s going to happen.”
Purp recently released “Elastic,” which also features a perfect Billy Squire sample. QUARTERTHING arrives on streaming platforms Friday.
In the meantime, jam to “Elastic” below.
QUARTERTHING tracklist
1 “24/k Gold/Sanctified” (Feat. Rayvn Lenae)
2 “God Body Pt. 2 (Feat. RZA)
3 “Hallelujah”
4 “Elastic”
5 “Aw Shit!”
6 “QUARTERTHING”
7 “Paint Thinner”
8 “Look @ My Wrist” (Feat. CDot Honcho)
9 “2012”
10 “Fessional/Diamonds Dancing” (Feat. Queen Key)
11 “Karl Malone”
12 “Bag Talk”
13 “LeBron James (Thelonious Martin)”
14 “In The Morning” (Feat. GZA)
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