“Crunk Rock” (Universal Republic)
Release Date: June 8
R&B/hip-hop. Pop. Rock. Reggae. Brazilian rhythms. And, of course, crunk. Lil Jon has something for everyone on his first post-TVT outing with new label Universal Republic.
Fans already got a taste of what’s in store thanks to several buzz tracks: the electrified “Outta Your Mind” with LMFAO (Jon returned the favor on the duo’s single, “Shots”), strip-club gyrator “Pop Dat Pussy,” street-pumper “Throw It Up Part 2” and the hypnotic “Machuka,” featuring Brazil’s Mulher Filé and Mr. Catra. “He’s been pushing the envelope for the past 18 months,” Universal Republic A&R executive Wendy Goldstein told Billboard earlier this year, referencing Jon’s LMFAO ties plus his work on the remix of David Guetta‘s “Sexy Bitch” with Akon. The first major push behind “Crunk Rock” got under way in January when “Miss Chocolate,” featuring R. Kelly and Mario, went to urban radio. On the pop front, look for a song featuring Dr. Luke and 3OH!3. Additional guests and producers include DJ Chucky, Will.i.am, Game, Ice Cube, Elephant Man and siblings Damian and Stephen Marley, who guest on “On the Grind.”