Fans are anticipating the return of Kendrick Lamar after his record label, Top Dawg Entertainment, posted a cryptic announcement on Wednesday (April 28). The post, shared on the label’s official Instagram page, simply reads, “THE WAIT IS OVA!!” and lists the date May 7, 2021.

The post sent fans into a flurry on Twitter, with many hoping for new music from either Kung Fu Kenny, SZA or Isaiah Rashad, who are also on the TDE roster.

“I really hope it’s Kendrick dropping because I need dat album,” one person tweeted.

“I’m equally as excited for a SZA or Isaiah Rashad album tbh,” another commented. “I just need new music from them man.”

Others were hesitant to expect new music from Kendrick, as rumors about his return have taken several turns in the past.

Nearly one year ago, Top Dawg Entertainment CEO Anthony “Top Dawg” Tiffith claimed the elusive rapper would be releasing new music “soon.”

“Stay patient,” he told fans during an Instagram Live chat. “King Kendrick will return soon.”

Later in the year, TDE President Terrence “Punch” Henderson speculated on rumors surrounding a possible joint album between Kendrick and J. Cole. After declaring the alleged project was “never going to happen,” the label executive changed his tune and claimed, “It might still happen; I want it to happen.”

Fans haven’t heard from Kendrick since 2018, when the Pulitzer Prize-winning rapper appeared on soundtracks for Creed II and Black Panther. He released his last studio album, DAMN., in 2017.

In November, Kendrick’s engineer, MixedByAli, said he’s sitting on about six albums worth of unreleased music.

“For Kendrick alone, let me say I think we could put together like six albums,” MixedByAli revealed on “The ETCs” podcast. “Everyone’s the same way. It’s all about just understanding that you could always do something better. It’s having that mindset to just strive for the best possible version of you.”

See TDE’s cryptic announcement and fans’ reactions below.