Opium (record label)

Last updated

Opium
Opium - Logo (cropped).png
Parent company Universal Music Group (UMG)
Founded2019;5 years ago (2019)
Founder Playboi Carti
Distributor(s)
Genre
Country of originUnited States
Location Atlanta, Georgia
Official website opiumopium.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]

Contents

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

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

ArtistsYear

signed

Releases

under the label

Notes
Ken Carson 20193Jointly with Interscope, formerly with Foundation
Destroy Lonely 20213Jointly with Interscope and Ingrooves
Homixide Gang4Jointly with Interscope, formerly with Foundation and Ingrooves

Discography

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

Albums

Studio albums

ArtistAlbumDetails
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 GangHomixide Lifestyle [42]

(released with Foundation)

  • Released: November 22, 2022
  • Chart position: —
  • RIAA Certification: —
Homixide GangSnot 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 GangI5u5we5

(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

ArtistAlbumDetails
Destroy Lonely No Stylist [48]

(released with Interscope and Ingrooves)

  • Released: August 12, 2022
  • Chart position: #91 U.S. [49]
  • RIAA Certification: —
Homixide Gang5th Amndmnt

(released with Ingrooves)

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

See also

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