6LACK is returning to the music scene with a new project seemingly titled Mr. Valentine, and he enlisted some of the popular ATL water boys to help promote it.
Keen-eyed fans saw that 6LACK’s Instagram page was wiped clean this week except for a few posts about his previous two albums. Cleaning out an Instagram page has become the go-to tactic for artists to signal they have a new album on the way.
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Upon visiting his official website, fans are met with a countdown clock that ends this coming weekend and an image of 6LACK split into two.
6LACK’s label LVRN took things further and posted a promo video on its Instagram page that showed some of the Atlanta water boys handing out roses to women instead of the water bottles they’ve become known for.
“Love, Mr. Valentine @6lack,” the caption under the post read.
6LACK has had a pretty slow output for the last two years, only dropping a handful of singles and features. His last full-length album came in 2018 with his sophomore effort East Atlanta Love Letter, which debuted at No. 3 on the Billboard 200 chart, earning 77,000 album-equivalent units in its first week.
The album was also certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) in December 2020. His debut album, Free 6LACK, was released in 2016 and was nominated at the 60th Annual Grammy Awards for Best Urban Contemporary Album.
While he was away from the music scene, 6lack was busy working on his philanthropy and building up his mental health campaign. In October 2021, he announced a partnership with Mental Health America of Los Angeles and the global therapy service BetterHelp to provide mental health resources and information for Black communities.
As part of the initiative, 6LACK and BetterHelp donated six months of therapy sessions to 50 BIPOC (black, indigenous, and other people of color) students in MHALA’s Transition-Age Youth Program, which helps young adults with mental health needs, as well as those who are homeless or on the brink of homelessness, integrate into society.
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“The last few years have been pretty tough on the brain, heart, and spirit,” 6LACK wrote on Instagram, along with a video message announcing his mental health partnership. “I’m blessed enough to have access to mental health resources and a support system of friends and family, but I recognize that not everyone from my community is that fortunate.
“I wanted to do my part to help create a support system for others to start their mental health journey, and so I’ve partnered with MHALA & BetterHelp to help destigmatize the conversation, and provide resources to those who need it most — our youth. Tap in and see if there’s anything that speaks to you, or for anyone you know.”
