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Opium (record label)

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Opium
Parent companyUniversal Music Group (UMG)
Founded2019; 5 years ago (2019)
FounderPlayboi Carti
Distributor(s)
Genre
Country of originUnited States
LocationAtlanta, Georgia
Official websiteopiumopium.com

Opium is an American record label and rap collective that was founded in 2019 by American rapper Playboi Carti.[1] The label, which is based in Atlanta, Georgia, currently holds three acts all of whom are natives to the city; rappers Ken Carson, Destroy Lonely, and the duo Homixide Gang. The label is also affiliated with a variety of producers including KP Beatz and F1lthy, who all worked extensively on Playboi Carti's second studio album, Whole Lotta Red.[2]

Opium artists usually feature a dark rap sound and aesthetic that is built upon the Atlanta rage rap scene and is influenced by the 70s and 80s punk rock era. The niche style of its artists strays away from mainstream trap rappers and has garnered its own cultlike fanbase.[3]

History

[edit]

On July 8th 2022, Ken Carson, who signed to Opium in 2019, released his second studio album X, which debuted at number 115 on the US Billboard 200 chart, and number 50 on the US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart.[4][5][6] On August 12th 2022, Destroy Lonely, who signed to Opium in 2021, released his fifth mixtape No Stylist, which debuted at number 91 on the US Billboard 200 and number 57 on the US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart.[5][6][7][8] In October 2022, Ken Carson released deluxe edition to X, titled Xtended, containing 5 additional tracks.[9][10] In November 2022, Destroy Lonely released a deluxe edition to No Stylist, titled NS+ (Ultra), containing several new tracks.[11][12]

In May 2023, Destroy Lonely released his debut studio album If Looks Could Kill,[13][14][15] which was supported by the lead single of the same name, released on March 3, 2023, after the unreleased snippet became viral on TikTok.[16][17] The single debuted at number 30 on the US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.[18] If Looks Could Kill received mostly positive reviews from music critics. The album debuted at number 18 on the US Billboard 200, earning 29,000 album-equivalent units in its first week, becoming Lonely's highest-charting album.[19][20] In July 2023, Playboi Carti announced the dates for a global tour called "Antagonist Tour", alongside Ken Carson, Destroy Lonely, and Homixide Gang.[21][22] Later in September 2023, the U.S. leg of the tour was rescheduled to early 2024.[23][24][25][26][27]

In September 2023, Destroy Lonely released the deluxe edition of If Looks Could Kill, subtitled Director's Cut, containing all tracks from every edition (including vinyl, CD and digital versions).[28][29] In October 2023, Ken Carson released his third studio album A Great Chaos, which debuted at number 11 on the US Billboard 200, earning 49,000 album-equivalent units in its first week, and becoming Carson's first US top 20 album.[30] The album was supported by the release of one single: "I Need U", which released on Valentine's Day.[31] On May 31, 2024, Homixide Gang released their third studio album I5u5we5, being the duo’s first release under Interscope Records.[32][33] On July 5, 2024, Ken Carson released the deluxe version of A Great Chaos, containing 7 new additional tracks; one of them being the single, "Overseas".[34][35]

Destroy Lonely released his second studio album, Love Lasts Forever, on August 30, 2024.[36] The album debuted atop of the US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, marking his first number one on the chart. The album had also debuted at number 10 on the US Billboard 200, earning 37,500 album-equivalent units in its first week.[37] On September 4th, 2024, Destroy Lonely released the deluxe version of his album Love Lasts Forever subtitled V2.5 which added 10 new tracks to the project.[38]

Current artists

[edit]
Artists Year

signed

Releases

under the label

Notes
Ken Carson 2019 3 Jointly with Interscope, formerly with Foundation
Destroy Lonely 2021 3 Jointly with Interscope and Ingrooves
Homixide Gang 4 Jointly with Interscope, formerly with Foundation and Ingrooves

Discography

[edit]

Seven studio albums and two mixtapes have been released through the label.

Albums

[edit]

Studio albums

[edit]
Artist Album Details
Ken Carson Project X[39]

(released with Foundation)

  • Released: July 11, 2021
  • Chart position: —
  • RIAA Certification: —
Ken Carson X[40]

(released with Interscope)

  • Released: July 8, 2022
  • Chart position: #115 U.S.[41]
  • RIAA Certification: —
Homixide Gang Homixide Lifestyle[42]

(released with Foundation)

  • Released: November 22, 2022
  • Chart position: —
  • RIAA Certification: —
Homixide Gang Snot or Not[43]

(released with Foundation)

  • Released: April 27, 2023
  • Chart position: —
  • RIAA Certification: —
Destroy Lonely If Looks Could Kill[44]

(released with Interscope)

  • Released: May 5, 2023
  • Chart position: #18 U.S.[45]
  • RIAA Certification: —
Ken Carson A Great Chaos[46]

(released with Interscope)

  • Released: October 13, 2023
  • Chart position: #11 U.S.[30]
  • RIAA Certification: —
Homixide Gang I5u5we5

(released with Interscope)

  • Released: May 31, 2024
  • Chart position: —
  • RIAA Certification: —
Destroy Lonely Love Lasts Forever

(released with Interscope)

  • Released: August 30, 2024
  • Chart position: #10 U.S.[47]
  • RIAA Certification: —

Mixtapes

[edit]
Artist Album Details
Destroy Lonely No Stylist[48]

(released with Interscope and Ingrooves)

  • Released: August 12, 2022
  • Chart position: #91 U.S.[49]
  • RIAA Certification: —
Homixide Gang 5th Amndmnt

(released with Ingrooves)

  • Released: October 27, 2023
  • Chart position: —
  • RIAA Certification: —

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Satten, Vanessa (April 12, 2022). "Playboi Carti Gives Rare Interview on New Music, Fatherhood, More". XXL Mag. Archived from the original on March 5, 2023. Retrieved August 23, 2022.
  2. ^ "Recording Academy Unveils The 2023 Class Of #GRAMMYsNextGen Ambassadors & Advisors | GRAMMY.com". www.grammy.com. Retrieved January 25, 2024.
  3. ^ McMackon, Cassidy (September 12, 2023). "The Opium aesthetic is spreading like wildfire". The Queen's Journal. Archived from the original on November 6, 2023. Retrieved November 5, 2023.
  4. ^ Quincy (July 8, 2022). "Listen To "X" By Ken Carson". RATINGS GAME MUSIC. Archived from the original on September 30, 2022. Retrieved November 10, 2023.
  5. ^ a b Cabison, Rosalie (January 2, 2013). "Billboard 200™". Billboard. Archived from the original on December 13, 2021. Retrieved November 10, 2023.
  6. ^ a b devops (January 2, 2013). "Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums". Billboard. Archived from the original on November 10, 2023. Retrieved November 10, 2023.
  7. ^ Schube, Will (August 13, 2022). "Destroy Lonely Returns With New Project, 'No Stylist". uDiscoverMusic. Archived from the original on September 14, 2022. Retrieved September 14, 2022.
  8. ^ "Music - Destroy Lonely". Destroy Lonely. August 12, 2022. Archived from the original on March 2, 2023. Retrieved March 1, 2023.
  9. ^ Barlas, Jon (October 30, 2022). "Ken Carson drops 'Xtended' version of album 'X'". Our Generation Music. Archived from the original on October 31, 2022. Retrieved October 31, 2022.
  10. ^ "Ken Carson Relishes Dangerous Thrills On New Song "Freestyle 3"". Genius. Archived from the original on December 26, 2022. Retrieved November 10, 2023.
  11. ^ "Playboi Carti Signee Destroy Lonely Drops New Project 'NS+ (ULTRA)'". Hypebeast. November 22, 2022. Archived from the original on June 2, 2023. Retrieved November 10, 2023.
  12. ^ Galindo, Thomas (November 17, 2022). "Destroy Lonely delivers five new songs on 'NS+ ULTRA'". Our Generation Music. Archived from the original on November 18, 2022. Retrieved November 18, 2022.
  13. ^ "Destroy Lonely's 'If Looks Could Kill' set to drop on May 5". Our Generation Music. Archived from the original on March 21, 2023. Retrieved April 29, 2023.
  14. ^ "Destroy Lonely Drops 'If Looks Could Kill' Album With A Bloody Short Film". iHeart. Archived from the original on November 10, 2023. Retrieved November 10, 2023.
  15. ^ Williams, Aaron (May 5, 2023). "The Best New Hip-Hop This Week". UPROXX. Archived from the original on November 10, 2023. Retrieved November 10, 2023.
  16. ^ "Destroy Lonely kicks off a new era with the hazy single "if looks could kill"". Alternative Press. Archived from the original on March 3, 2023. Retrieved April 29, 2022.
  17. ^ Cowen, Trace William. "Destroy Lonely Drops Long-Awaited Track "If Looks Could Kill"". Complex. Archived from the original on August 1, 2023. Retrieved November 10, 2023.
  18. ^ devops (January 2, 2013). "Bubbling Under Hot 100". Billboard. Archived from the original on July 21, 2022. Retrieved November 9, 2023.
  19. ^ @billboardcharts (May 15, 2023). "Debuts on this week's #Billboard200..." (Tweet). Retrieved May 16, 2023 – via Twitter.
  20. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on November 10, 2023. Retrieved November 10, 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  21. ^ "Playboi Carti announces 'Antagonist' 2023 tour". Crack Magazine. July 12, 2023. Archived from the original on November 9, 2023. Retrieved November 10, 2023.
  22. ^ Garcia, Thania (July 12, 2023). "Playboi Carti Sets Dates for Global 'Antagonist' Arena Tour". Variety. Archived from the original on November 5, 2023. Retrieved November 10, 2023.
  23. ^ "Playboi Carti Reschedules Antagonist Tour Into 2024". Pitchfork. August 31, 2023. Archived from the original on November 10, 2023. Retrieved November 10, 2023.
  24. ^ Blistein, Jon (September 1, 2023). "Playboi Carti Postpones 'Antagonist' Tour to 2024". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on September 21, 2023. Retrieved November 10, 2023.
  25. ^ "Playboi Carti Pushes 'Antagonist Tour' U.S. Dates to 2024". Hypebeast. September 1, 2023. Archived from the original on November 10, 2023. Retrieved November 10, 2023.
  26. ^ "Playboi Carti reschedules U.S. leg of Antagonist Tour. See revised complete schedule and more". The Economic Times. September 1, 2023. ISSN 0013-0389. Archived from the original on November 10, 2023. Retrieved November 10, 2023.
  27. ^ Kaufman, Gil (September 1, 2023). "Playboi Carti Reschedules U.S. Leg of Antagonist Tour For Early 2024". Billboard. Archived from the original on November 10, 2023. Retrieved November 10, 2023.
  28. ^ Schube, Will (September 30, 2023). "Destroy Lonely Shares 'If Looks Could Kill (Directors Cut)'". uDiscover Music. Archived from the original on November 3, 2023. Retrieved November 10, 2023.
  29. ^ "Destroy Lonely surprises with six new songs on 'If Looks Could Kill (Director's Cut)'". Our Generation Music. September 29, 2023. Archived from the original on November 10, 2023. Retrieved November 10, 2023.
  30. ^ a b @STRAPPEDUS (October 21, 2023). "Ken Carson's new album 'A Great Chaos' sold 49K units in its first week 🎉💿" (Tweet). Retrieved October 21, 2023 – via Twitter.
  31. ^ "Here's what went down at Ken Carson's sold-out London show". Crack. September 3, 2023. Archived from the original on October 18, 2023. Retrieved October 10, 2023.
  32. ^ "Atlanta's Dynamic Rap Duo, Homixide Gang, Release Highly Anticipated Project "I5U5WE5"". www.newwavemagazine.com. Retrieved August 17, 2024.
  33. ^ "Homixide Gang Unleashes 'i5u5we5'". Hypebeast. June 1, 2024. Retrieved August 17, 2024.
  34. ^ "Ken Carson Unleashes 'A Great Chaos' Deluxe Edition". www.complex.com. Retrieved August 17, 2024.
  35. ^ Horvath, Zachary (July 5, 2024). "Ken Carson Lets "A Great Chaos" Rage On With Seven New Deluxe Cuts". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved August 17, 2024.
  36. ^ Kearns, Sarah (August 30, 2024). "Destroy Lonely Drops 'LOVE LASTS FOREVER' LP Featuring Lil Uzi Vert, Don Toliver and Ken Carson". Hypebeast. Retrieved September 18, 2024.
  37. ^ Anderson, Trevor (September 11, 2024). "Destroy Lonely's 'Love Lasts Forever' Leads Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums Chart". Billboard. Retrieved September 18, 2024.
  38. ^ "When did Destroy Lonely release LOVE LASTS FOREVER V2.5?". Genius. Retrieved October 1, 2024.
  39. ^ "Project X 2021 - Apple Music". July 23, 2021. Archived from the original on April 2, 2023. Retrieved July 23, 2021 – via Apple Music.
  40. ^ "X by Ken Carson on Apple Music". July 8, 2022. Archived from the original on July 8, 2022. Retrieved July 8, 2022 – via Apple Music.
  41. ^ "DISCUSSION - PLAYBOI CARTI - Ken Carson new album debuts at #115 on the Billboard 200". LEAKED. July 18, 2022. Archived from the original on June 10, 2023. Retrieved June 10, 2023.
  42. ^ "Homixide Lifestyle by Homixide Gang on Apple Music". November 22, 2022. Archived from the original on November 22, 2022. Retrieved November 22, 2022 – via Apple Music.
  43. ^ "Snot or Not by Homixide Gang on Apple Music". April 27, 2023. Archived from the original on May 2, 2023. Retrieved April 27, 2023 – via Apple Music.
  44. ^ "Destroy Lonely announces debut album 'If Looks Could Kill' - GRUNGECAKE™". grungecake.com. April 28, 2023. Archived from the original on November 9, 2023. Retrieved November 9, 2023.
  45. ^ "If Looks Could Kill by Destroy Lonely - Music Charts". acharts.co. Archived from the original on June 10, 2023. Retrieved June 10, 2023.
  46. ^ Armstrong, Sam (October 8, 2023). "Ken Carson Announces New Album 'A Great Chaos'". uDiscover Music. Archived from the original on October 18, 2023. Retrieved November 9, 2023.
  47. ^ "Destroy Lonely Earns His First Top 10 Album With 'Love Lasts Forever'". Hypebeast. September 9, 2024. Retrieved October 8, 2024.
  48. ^ "NO STYLIST by Destroy Lonely on Apple Music". August 12, 2022. Archived from the original on March 25, 2023. Retrieved August 12, 2022 – via Apple Music.
  49. ^ "Billboard 200: Week of August 27, 2022". Billboard. Archived from the original on November 2, 2022. Retrieved September 14, 2022.


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