Earlier this year, we noted how productive Future’s run has been in 2016, contrary to the steady chitchat about whether or not the man behind 2015’s four-peat triumph (Beast Mode, 56 Nights, DS2, What A Time to Be Alive), still had the juice.
The Future era is not over
On the surface, 2016 may not have overshadowed the foundation that he laid forth with the legendary spree of ’15 releases, but the interior of what Fewtch pulled off this year is synonymous with a little hook he gave us in the spring… “They gon’ think I won a Grammy.”
Releasing just as many projects within the last 12 months as last year, Future once again flooded the net and charts with a series of street sweepers. Where Beast Mode and 56 Nights opened up 2015, Purple Reign and EVOL kicked off the ’16 lap, while Project E.T. with DJ Esco and Free Bricks 2 (Zone 6) with Gucci Mane closed out another four-peat run. In total, these releases accumulated over a hundred million streams via plays on Spotify and SoundCloud. The rapper also scored six Top 50 records on the Billboard Hot 100, including “Low Life” with The Weeknd (No. 18), “Wicked” (No. 41), “Used to This” with Drake (No. 14), “Do You Mind” for DJ Khaled (No. 27), as well as “I Got the Keys” (No. 30) and “X” with 21 Savage and Metro Boomin (currently at No. 43).
But the biggest narrative for the Year in Future wasn’t just music releases — it was the accolades.
In addition to headlining festivals like Broccoli City Fest, Neon Desert Fest, and Roots Picnic to name a few, the ATLien’s 2016 also included a debut on “Saturday Night Live” as musical guest, becoming the fastest artist to chart three number one albums on the Billboard 200 (since the 2010 “Glee” soundtrack), receiving a slew of RIAA certifications, including a double-platinum plaque for “Low Life,” gracing the cover of Rolling Stone, co-headlining one of the highest-grossing tours of 2016, and joining forces with Reebok for Freebandz Clothing.
Insider Access | Future x Reebok Classic Instapump Fury
The ’16 report card for Fewtch also included his collaboration with Jay Z for the gold certified “I Got the Keys,” one of the many hits from DJ Khaled’s Major Key album and delivering Bugatti talk with Giorgio Armani for GQ. Clearly, the EVOL genius’ year was all business — with little room for play.
But now as the new year approaches, Future appears to be spending the last week of 2016 by gearing up for phase three of this run. Aside from rumors of a collaborative project with new BFF Young Thug, the last 48 hours produced new music from the rap astronaut, such as “Buy Love” and the most recent cut “That’s a Check” featuring Rick Ross.
These two standout records follow up three other previously premiered cuts that arrived in the fall, including “Used to This” with Drake, “Poppin’ Tags” and “Ain’t Tryin.”
And as disciples of the #FutureHive will know, the new batch of records comes as an imminent January project stands in the horizon. Like he’s done over the past five years, beginning with 2011’s Dirty Sprite through last year’s Purple Reign, Fewtch’s habit of dropping year-opening mixtapes is expected to continue on to early 2017. So as the clock ticks and anticipation builds, all eyes will be fixed on Future’s ’17 plans.
Cue the Beast Mode intro, game on.