II (Denzel Curry and Kenneth Blume album)

In 2020, Denzel Curry and Kenneth Blume (then known as Kenny Beats) released the collaborative extended play (EP), Unlocked. Released without a prior announcement,^[2] the project was recorded in a three-day studio session, following Curry's appearance on Kenny Beats' YouTube series, The Cave.^[3] It received critical acclaim from music critics^[4] and was accompanied with an animated short film.^[2] The following year, Curry and Kenny Beats released the remix extended play (EP), Unlocked 1.5, which features guest appearances from Smino, Joey Badass, and Benny the Butcher.^[5]

Following the release of Unlocked, Curry went on to release two studio albums—Melt My Eyez See Your Future (2022)^[6] and King of the Mischievous South Vol. 2 (2024)^[7]—with both receiving positive reviews from music critics.^[8][9] Kenny Beats also went on the produce for bands such as Idles, Fcukers,^[10] Geese, and Weezer,^[3] while collaborating with Rico Nasty on their joint project—RX— and release the collaborative album—Fathers (2026)—with musicians Nate Smith, Carrtoons, and Kiefer.^[11] In 2026, Curry collaborated with Knocked Loose on "Hive Mind", released the collaborative album—Strictly 4 the Scythe—with a rap supergroup the Scythe,^[3] performed at Fred Again's concerts in New York City, and supported Deftones during the European leg of their tour.^[12][11]

During the production of II, Curry and Blume got into personal disputes over the project before simplifying its production, using only an SP-404 and a cheap microphone.^[3]

On August 11, 2026, Curry and Blume teased a sequel to Unlocked with a video of themselves walking through the mountains, while talking about their legacy and impact.^[13] The project was officially announced under the title II the following day, with a release date of August 21.^[12] The same day of the album's announcement, they released its lead single "Difference" with an accompanied music video featuring Yebba.^[14][3] The music video showcases a "crackly VHS-style split-screen" of Curry and Kenny Beats starting their days.^[3]

In promotion of the album, Curry is set to embark on a concert tour, which is set to begin on September 26, in Newport and conclude on November 13, in Springfield.^[11] Physical sales for II were also made available,^[15] including limited edition "galaxy colored" and "gatefold picture disc" vinyl, CD, and orange cassette. Additional merchandise includes shirts, a puzzle set, vinyl slipmat, cap, keychain, hoodie, beanie, and thermal.^[16] The album was released on August 21.^[17]

II received generally positive reviews from critics. Clash called the album "compact [but] fully developed" and "incredibly impactful", writing: "Funny, biting, and seethingly intelligent, it feels like two generational artists throwing down the gauntlet to their peers."^[18]

Tracks are produced by Kenneth Blume, except where listed.

Credits adapted from Tidal.^[21]

Musicians

• Denzel Curry – vocals, writing, executive production (all tracks)
• Kenneth Blume – writing, production, executive production (all tracks)
• Björn Gislason – writing (tracks 1, 10)
• Raymond Scott – writing (track 1)
• Barrington Hendricks – vocals, writing (track 2)
• Homer Steinweiss – writing (tracks 2, 4); production (track 2)
• Paul Castelluzzo – writing, production (track 2)
• Ray Mason – writing, production (track 2)
• Leon Michels – writing, production (track 2)
• Nick Movshon – writing, production (track 2)
• Janko Nilovic – writing (track 3)
• Benny Soebardja – writing (track 3)
• Matthew Cassell – writing (track 4)
• Onaje Gumbs (J. Robb) – writing, production (track 5)
• Rick Asikpo – writing (track 7)
• Ian Curnow – writing (track 7)
• Paul Lewis – writing (track 7)
• Alvin Worthy – vocals, writing (track 8)
• Patrick Adams – writing (track 8)
• Stuart Bascombe – writing (track 8)
• Leroy Burgess – writing (track 8)
• Russell Patterson – writing (track 8)
• Abigail Smith – vocals, writing (track 9)

Technical

• Kenneth Blume – recording
• Nathan Burgess – mixing
• Ruairi O'Flaherty – mastering