Dave East Talks Upcoming Project ‘Kairi Chanel’, Hints at Potential Feature On Nas’ Next Album

Ashley Monae
·1 min read
  • Oops!
    Something went wrong.
    Please try again later.
  • Oops!
    Something went wrong.
    Please try again later.

Dave East has been building a name and fanbase in hip-hop as a raw lyricist on the rise. 2016 has undeniably been a breakout year for the Mass Appeal signee, who earned a spot on XXL’s Freshman Class alongside Desiigner, Anderson .Paak and Lil Uzi Vert, and dropped the impressive 2015 mixtape Hate Me Now. Now, the East Harlem native plans to continue his takeover with the upcoming release of his forthcoming project Kairi Chanel.

“[Kairi Chanel] I feel is my best work to date. I named it after my daughter, because she’s the greatest and most defining moment of my life,” East shared with Billboard on the red carpet at the Sept. 17 taping of the 2016 BET Hip Hop Awards, where he showcased his thorough bars in a fiery cypher. “Everything I’ve done up until now has led me to her, so I translated that into music.”

More from Billboard

Desiigner, Lil Yachty & More Rising Rappers Bring the Hype to XXL’s 2016 Freshmen Show in NYC

For the project, East has also called on a slew of industry VIPs to add their flavor to his distinctive storytelling, including Fabolous, 2 Chainz, Beanie Sigel, The Game, Sevyn Streeter and Cam’ron. While mentor and label boss Nas isn’t yet on that list, there’s still hope for another collaborative gem like their 2015 offering “Forbes List.” When asked about the possibility of working with the Queens rapper for the veteran’s forthcoming twelfth studio album — of which East simply says, “It’s fire” — he hints with a laugh, “I might be on it.”

Dave East’s Kairi Chanel drops next Friday, Sept. 30.

Best of Billboard