Imperial (Denzel Curry album) explained

Imperial is the second studio album by American rapper Denzel Curry. It was released and made available for free download and streaming on SoundCloud on March 9, 2016, then re-released later on Spotify as the deluxe version on October 14, 2016.^{[1] [2]} The album features guest appearances from Rick Ross, Joey Bada$$, Twelve'len and Nell. The album was supported by the single: "Knotty Head" featuring Rick Ross.

The re-released version of the album removes the tracks "Narcotics" and "Pure Enough" and replaces them with "Me Now" and "Good Night". The placement of "This Life" was also changed, with it being moved from track #9 to track #7.

Singles

"Knotty Head" was released as the album's lead single on February 17, 2016 on Curry's SoundCloud.^[3] The album version features a guest appearance from rapper Rick Ross, while the single release only featured Curry. The production was provided by FNZ and Ronny J.^[4]

Critical reception

Imperial received critical acclaim. Stereogum described the album as "a hazy, gurgling rap record that's clearly the work of an active mind".^[5]

Track listing

Credits adapted from Denzel Curry's official SoundCloud account and digital booklet.^[6]

Notes

• signifies an additional producer.
• "Sick & Tired" contains two parts, "Green Store Skit" features vocals by Vares of Twelve'Len and DJ Chief Pound
• "Pure Enough" features additional vocals by Vares of Twelve'Len
• "If Tomorrow's Not Here" features additional vocals by Steve Lacy

Sample credits

• "ULT" contains a sample of "Sweet Nothin's", as performed by Brenda Lee and samples of "What You Will See (Heavenly Garden)" from Tekken Tag Tournament 2 soundtrack.
• "Narcotics" contains a sample of "Fuck tha Police", as performed by N.W.A, excerpts of a documentary film "The Murder of Fred Hampton", excerpts of a 1964 Malcolm X interview and excerpts of 1994 Tupac Shakur interview.
• "Story: No Title" contains a sample of "Crash Goes Love (Yell Apella) by Loleatta Holloway.

Notes and References

1. Web site: Stream Denzel Curry's new "Imperial" album. Hypetrak. March 9, 2016. March 11, 2016.
2. Web site: Denzel Curry - Imperial - Stream - DJBooth . V . Brendan . March 9, 2016 . March 26, 2016 . March 20, 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160320102749/http://djbooth.net/albums/review/03096-denzel-curry-imperial . dead .
3. Web site: Denzel Curry - Knotty Head (Prod. FNZ & Ronny J). 25 December 2021. Soundcloud.com.
4. Web site: Denzel Curry (Ft. Rick Ross) – Knotty Head. 25 December 2021. Genius.com.
5. Web site: Stereogum Stream Denzel Curry Imperial . Breihan . Tom. Stereogum.com . March 9, 2016 . March 26, 2016.
6. Web site: Denzel Curry's Imperial playlist. SoundCloud.com. March 9, 2016. March 11, 2016.