Vince Staples has released his seventh studio album, ‘Cry Baby,’ a rock-influenced project that marks his debut for Loma Vista Recordings and his first independent release after leaving Def Jam. The 10-track album arrived June 5, 2026, and signals a bold artistic shift for the Long Beach rapper, blending hard-rock instrumentals with sharp social commentary.
The album’s sound drew some initial surprise from listeners unfamiliar with Staples’ earlier work. In response, he pointed to his 2013 EP ‘Hell Can Wait’ as a precedent, telling fans on social media that the rock-influenced direction wasn’t new to his catalog. “All you #newbooties mad about the sound would’ve hated me in 2013 but that’s before yall was off the porch,” he wrote, defending the stylistic choice.
The lead single, “Blackberry Marmalade,” exemplifies the album’s approach—brash, hard-rock instrumentation paired with Staples’ incisive lyrics. According to Everything Is Noise, tracks like “Go! Go! Gorilla” tackle police racism, brutality, and dehumanization over a slick, bouncy rock beat. The album’s political focus is unrelenting; Okayplayer noted that Staples turns most of his attention toward police and the racist system that empowers them, with hardly a song that doesn’t engage these themes.
NME described the release as Staples’ “most passionately political release to date,” arriving after he was freed from his Def Jam obligations. The album explores America’s enduring racism through a rap-rock lens, addressing systemic inequality, media manipulation, war, and the absurdity of the American dream. Reviewers highlighted how the album’s themes cut into race, policing, media conditioning, and the emotional fatigue of navigating modern American life.
This release comes two years after ‘Dark Times,’ Staples’ final album with Def Jam, which dropped in May 2024. The gap between projects underscores the transition to independence—’Cry Baby’ represents Staples’ first project with full creative autonomy, released through Loma Vista Recordings in partnership with his own label. The album’s arrival marks the beginning of what Loma Vista describes as Staples’ “autonomous era” in his career.
Sources
- NME — confirmed the album as Staples’ most passionately political release, his first since leaving Def Jam
- Everything Is Noise — detailed track-by-track analysis, including “Go! Go! Gorilla” addressing police racism and brutality
- Okayplayer — identified the album’s focus on police and racist systems, with commentary on each track
- Wikipedia — confirmed Cry Baby as his seventh studio album, debut for Loma Vista, and first independent release
- New Industry Focus — reported Staples joining Loma Vista Recordings for the album’s June 5 release
- Pitchfork — announced the album and confirmed the 10-track count
- Instagram (Hypetrak and others) — documented Staples’ statement about the 2013 ‘Hell Can Wait’ EP as inspiration
- Complex — confirmed ‘Dark Times’ (May 2024) as his final Def Jam release
