Made You Think I Was Gone ...But

Two unreleased songs from Tory Lanez had appeared on the internet before the album’s release.^[4] It was alleged that the songs were real, leading to rumors about him releasing new music while in prison.^[5] On July 15 Lanez announced the album through social media with the message "Made You Think I Was Gone...BUT 7.17",^[6][7][8] revealing that it would be divided into two discs^[9] labelled "Disc 1: Rap" (Fargo’s Revenge) and "Disc 2: R&B." (Fargo’s Heartbreak).^[10] Made You Think I Was Gone ...But was released on July 17, 2026, through Lanez's independent label, One Umbrella.^[11]

The album artwork references the prison stabbing Lanez said he survived in May 2025,^[12] depicting a bandaged figure that alludes to the injuries he sustained during the attack.^[5]

Writing for Ratings Game Music, Quincy praised the album's versatility, highlighting Lanez's vocal performances, production, and ability to alternate between rap and R&B across the project's two discs. While noting that several tracks felt reminiscent of the artist's earlier work, the review concluded that the album remained a strong release, particularly commending its production quality and emotional range.^[13] HotNewHipHop described the project as a return to the dual musical approach that has characterized much of Lanez's career, with the first disc focusing on hip hop and the second emphasizing melodic R&B. The publication noted that the 23-track album revisits the sounds that established his fanbase.^[14]