Sir Elton John has a career that spans over seven decades, beginning in 1969 with his official debut studio album Empty Sky. Over 30 studio efforts later, the rock music icon is preparing a new album called The Lockdown Sessions, a nod to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
On Wednesday (September 1), the multi-platinum singer tweeted the albumâs tracklist, which comes with some surprising features from Nicki Minaj, Lil Nas X, Young Thug and 6LACK.
âThe last thing I expected to do during lockdown was make an album but here it is,â he wrote in the caption. âThank you to everyone who came together to make it happen. I canât wait for you all to hear âThe Lockdown Sessionsâ when itâs released on 22 October, but for now, preorder it from today.â
The last thing I expected to do during lockdown was make an album but here it is. Thank you to everyone who came together to make it happen.
I canât wait for you all to hear âThe Lockdown Sessionsâ when itâs released on 22 October, but for now, preorder it from today. pic.twitter.com/u8Qfvuk1Fk
â Elton John (@eltonofficial) September 1, 2021
Of course, this isnât the first time Elton John has tapped into the Hip Hop/Rap world. Who could forget his explosive performance with Eminem at the 2001 MTV Video Music Awards where they did a duet of âStan?â
AD LOADING...
At the time, the collaboration sparked intense scrutiny from activist groups such as the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD), which released a statement saying it was âappalled that John would share the stage with Eminem, whose words and actions promote hate and violenceâ against gays and lesbians.
But John remained steadfast, telling the Los Angeles Times he would ârather tear down walls between people than build them up. If I thought for one minute that he was hateful, I wouldnât do it.â
The two music behemoths have become close friends over the years, and John has played an integral role in Slim Shadyâs road to sobriety.Â
AD LOADING...
But one person who isnât going to be featured on The Lockdown Sessions is DaBaby. John was extremely disappointed by the KIRK rapperâs homophobic comments at Rolling Loud Miami in July.
âWeâve been shocked to read about the HIV misinformation and homophobic statements made at a recent DaBaby show,â the Elton John AIDS Foundation wrote on Johnâs social media last month. âThis fuels stigma and discrimination and is the opposite of what our world needs to fight the AIDS epidemic.âŁâ
AD LOADING...
DaBaby has since attempt to make amends with the LGBTQ community and reportedly met with Black leaders from nine HIV organizations on Tuesday (August 31), including the Black AIDS Institute, GLAAD, National Minority AIDS Council (NMAC), and The Normal Anomaly Initiative.
The Lockdown Sessions is expected to arrive on October 22 with additional non-rap contributions from Pearl Jamâs Eddie Vedder, Dua Lipa, Brandi Carlile, Stevie Wonder, Fleetwood Macâs Stevie Nicks and more.