Description
Denzel Curry – Imperial – Vinyl Record
Released on March 9, 2016, Imperial is Denzel Curry’s second studio album and marked a significant step forward from his 2015 double EP 32 Zel/Planet Shrooms. Initially self-released via SoundCloud and available for free download, the album was later reissued in a deluxe edition on October 14, 2016, through Loma Vista Recordings, replacing two original tracks (“Narcotics,” “Pure Enough”) with “Me Now” and “Good Night” and reshuffling the track order.
Recorded between 2015 and early 2016, Imperial blends Southern hip-hop grit, cloud-rap atmospherics, and conscious-rap lyricism. Executive-produced by Curry himself alongside Lower East Coast and Ronny J, the project features production from a diverse roster—including FNZ, DJ Dahi, SpaceGhostPurrp, Steve Lacy, BloodPop, and Freebase—resulting in a soundscape that ranges from the ominous bass of “ULT” and the frenetic percussion of “Sick & Tired” to the moody, minimalist grooves that underpin “Gook”.
Guest appearances punctuate the record’s intensity: Rick Ross delivers a booming verse on lead single “Knotty Head,” while Joey Bada$$ lends his signature cadence to the contemplative “Zenith.” Lesser-known Florida MCs Twelve’Len and Nell appear on “Good Night,” showcasing Curry’s commitment to spotlighting his local scene even as he courts broader audiences. The re-release’s bonus track “Me Now” further emphasizes Curry’s lyrical dexterity, pairing stark piano stabs with reflections on self-determination.
Imperial was lauded as a breakthrough. Stereogum hailed it as “a hazy, gurgling rap record that’s clearly the work of an active mind,” noting Curry’s ability to balance introspective storytelling with raw energy. Although it didn’t chart on the Billboard 200, the album solidified Curry’s reputation as one of the most dynamic voices in modern hip-hop and set the stage for his later projects—culminating in the Grammy-nominated Melt My Eyez See Your Future in 2022.
Brand new, never played and still in the factory plastic sealed
Track Listing
ULT
Gook
Sick & Tired
Knotty Head Featuring – Rick Ross
Me Now
Story: No Title
This Life
Zenith Featuring – Joey Bada$$
Good Night Featuring – Nell, Twelve’Len
If Tomorrow’s Not Here Featuring – Twelve’Len
