Denzel Curry and Kenny Beats have released UNLOCKED 1.5, the sequel to their collaborative cult classic album, UNLOCKED. To create UNLOCKED 1.5 — a brand new release inspired by Denzel and Kenny’s original, the pair have enlisted Robert Glasper, The Alchemist, Georgia Anne Muldrow, Jay Versace, Charlie Heat and Sango to completely flip songs with assistance from Joey Bada$$, Smino, Benny The Butcher, Arlo Parks and Kenny Mason. The new project was recently teased with a comical trailer starring Denzel, Kenny Beats and a number of the album’s guests and preceded by the release of “So.Incredible.pkg (Robert Glasper Version)” Ft. Smino and “‘Cosmic’.m4a (Alchemist Version)” Ft. Joey Bada$$.
Denzel is also set to perform an UNLOCKED 1.5 Neon Release Show, on Thursday, March 11 at 5pm EST via his YouTube channel. The set was filmed at Harun Coffee in Leimert Park, Los Angeles. Music direction and keys will be provided by Robert Glasper and the set will feature Justin Tyson on drums, Dominique Sanders on bass, and DJ Jahi Sundance.
In February 2020, Denzel Curry and Kenny Beats packed the now-defunct downtown NYC club China Chalet to the brim. With the ceiling dripping sweat and floor buckling the crowd rapped along every lyric as Denzel and Kenny celebrated the release of their 8-song EP UNLOCKED. Just a couple weeks earlier, the producer and rapper caught fans by surprise, releasing a 24 minute animated film coupled with 8 new songs. UNLOCKED was the product of a manic 3-day studio session that found the artists making music that stood out from either of their catalogues sonically. Denzel sounded like a ghost of ODB at times and a revitalized DMX at others, while Kenny’s production paid homage to the holy trinity of Madlib, J Dilla & MF DOOM. One year later, UNLOCKED 1.5 arrives as a sequel to their cult hit, completely reimagining a number of UNLOCKED highlights. With a crystal clear vision and groundbreaking bodies of work, Denzel continues to chart his own path, animating the universe that orbits him.
Denzel is also releasing a limited edition triple LP in a triple gatefold jacket featuring the original UNLOCKED, UNLOCKED 1.5, and UNLOCKED Instrumentals. Also available is a limited edition Denzel Curry x Kenny Beats UNLOCKED Presspop inc. figurine set, a limited edition UNLOCKED 1.5 cassette tape, and a limited edition UNLOCKED 1.5 merch capsule.
