Caroline and Chicago rapper/lyricist Joey Purp have entered into what they describe as a collaborative partnership, which kicks in on Friday (9/7) with the release of QUARTERTHING (Joey Purp LLC/Caroline).

The album, Purp’s first release since his 2016 iiiDrops mixtape, features Rayvn Lenae, The RZA and The GZA among others, with production from longtime collaborator Knox Fortune, along with Smoko Ono, Thelonious Martin, Nez & Rio, DJ Khalil and more. QUARTERTHING contains new single “Elastic” and the recently released, Nez & Rio-produced “Bag Talk“ (video below).

The artist expressed his excitement about teaming with Caroline on the project, which he promises will “bring something new to the table of independent music.”

In her quote, Caroline prexy Jacqueline Saturn welcomed Purp and his team to the family and stated, “He epitomizes the true independent, and we could not be more thrilled about this partnership.”

Purp first made his mark in the Windy City as part of rap duo Leather Corduroys, part of the SaveMoney collective along with Chance the Rapper, Vic Mensa, Towkio and Kami, whose projects featured the newcomer. The subsequent iiiDrops drew widespread attention and landed Purp a tour slot supporting Vic Mensa, as well as two headlining tours in Europe and festivals worldwide Lollapalooza, FYF Fest, Pitchfork Music Festival and Sasquatch.

Purp is managed by Kevin Zheng and Steph Hanson. Nate Fox, Nico Segal and Peter Cottontale are the executive producers on the album.

Photo: Alec Basse