F65 (album)
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| F65 | ||||
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| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | May 5, 2023 | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 52:52 | |||
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| Producer |
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| IDK chronology | ||||
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| Singles from F65 | ||||
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| Review scores | |
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| Source | Rating |
| ByteFM | 7.0[3] |
| Legends Will Never Die | 3/5[4] |
| HipHopDX | 3.7/5[5] |
| The Observer |   [6] |
F65 is the fourth studio album by American rapper IDK. It was released on May 5, 2023, through his Clue label and Warner Records. Primarily a hip-hop record with influences of jazz music, it features collaborations with Fat Trel, NLE Choppa, Jucee Froot, Saucy Santana, Tay Iwar, Musiq Soulchild, Rich the Kid, Snoop Dogg, and Benny the Butcher. Production was primarily handled by IDK himself, alongside collaborators including Blwyrmnd, Rascal, Efosa Beloved, and CashMoneyAP.
IDK described F65's musical concept as "com[ing] from my love for juxtaposition", stating "the feeling of driving my Mercedes AMG at high speeds to calming jazz music" created a contrast that became the album's "melodic influence": "Every melody was meant to feel like you're speeding to jazz music".[3] He envisioned the album as "a more mature version" of his second mixtape, Subtrap (2015).[7]
Promotion
In promotion of the album, IDK revealed special "Free Coast" colorways for the Nike Air Max 95 and Air Max 97,[8][9][10] as well as a custom 59Fifty baseball cap design in collaboration with Lids HD.[11] The design incorporates elements of the flags of Ghana and Sierra Leone, which hold special significance, being his parents' home countries[11] as well as being vital countries in the Atlantic slave trade.[8][9] This sentiment is also prevalent in the album's composition, as IDK wrote in a press release; "Often times African-Americans are questioned and even ridiculed for not understanding their history [...] 'Free Coast' is a world created to bring awareness to Cape Coast, Ghana (where slaves were taken from West Africa to America) and Freetown, Sierra Leone (where slaves were freed) through combining both flags and their historic components to make one movement".[12] He additionally appeared in a custom Lanvin racing suit[13] (pictured on the cover art) for his performance at Coachella 2023.[8]
The 65 Tour was also announced, starting in Paris, France, on June 23, 2023, and ending in Toronto, Canada, on October 29.[14]
Singles
"Radioactive" was released on February 17, 2023, as the album's lead single.[15] "850 (We on Top)", which features Rich the Kid, was given a surprise release on March 24.[16] "Mr. Police" was released on April 20, with its music video receiving a premiere on MSNBC's The Beat with Ari Melber.[17][18][13] "Salty" featuring NLE Choppa was released five days before the album on May 1, and is the only single not to have an accompanying music video.[19]