Oct
Prime Feature
Young Thug Announces R&B Album Inspired by Mary J. Blige, Teases New Drake Collaborations
Mumbai, 8th October 2026: Young Thug is stepping into a more pronounced R&B era, revealing plans to release a new R&B album later this year. The Atlanta rapper made the announcement during an appearance on The Crew Has It, explaining that the project is inspired by Mary J. Blige and will lean heavily into melody and romantic themes. The upcoming album will mark a new direction for an artist whose music has long blurred the lines between hip-hop, trap and R&B.
Young Thug described the forthcoming project as a largely feel-good record, revealing that most of the songs will explore sexual and romantic themes, while only a few will focus on heartbreak. He connected the album’s direction to his current state of mind, saying that being “super in love” with his fiancée, R&B singer Mariah the Scientist, has influenced his desire to create music that feels more celebratory than melancholic.
The Mary J. Blige influence gives the project an interesting reference point for Young Thug, whose melodic approach has already featured prominently throughout his career. His 2017 project Beautiful Thugger Girls explored softer, more melodic territory, while his collaborations across hip-hop and R&B have continued to showcase his versatility. Young Thug also expressed interest in collaborating directly with Blige, and appeared enthusiastic when podcast host Gianni Paolo offered to help make the connection.
The rapper also teased new collaborations with Drake, suggesting that multiple songs between the two artists could be released in the future. Young Thug hinted at a possible joint project titled ‘What a Time to Be a Slime’, playing on Drake and Future’s 2015 collaborative album What a Time to Be Alive. His upcoming R&B album would follow his 2025 solo project UY SCUTI, which debuted at No. 6 on the Billboard 200, while a potential Drake collaboration adds another major chapter to Young Thug’s evolving musical comeback.
