Photo by Brad Barket/Getty Images.
Bobby Shmurda announced on Tuesday that he'll be dropping They Don't Know, the first multi-track project he's made since the December 2014 arrest that led to him spending the next seven years behind bars, on April 29. His decision to release the record independently and on such short notice raised eyebrows among some Instagram commenters who urged him to spend more time marketing it, but Shmurda responded that labels were refusing to work with him after his recent split with Epic Records.
"F*** that I got major Lables jumping me Blackballing me and shittttt and I’m from the hood young and rich black as shittt and don’t give a 😂 about both and they Scare of me and I love that ishhh," the Brooklyn drill pioneer wrote. "I’m only 27 one year fresh Outta six years they got 400 employees😢😂😂😂 tell them boys stop playing me Homieee and I do no marketing that all my shit natural ahhhhh #FThemPeople I’m gone✌🏿”
Shmurda left prison in February 2021 and released four tracks — "No Time For Sleep," "Cartier Lens," "Splash," and "Shmoney" in September, October, November, and December, respectively, all while still signed to Epic Records. But in February, he made it clear he wanted out of the deal. "I still feel like I’m in prison," he wrote in a since-deleted Instagram caption. In late March, his wish was granted. "I just sign my release papers," he posted in an Instagram story.
Now free of his label obligations, he has the ability to release music at his own pace — but without the industry's promotional support.
The FADER has reached out to a representative of Bobby Shmurda for further comment on the situation.
