Saweetie on Why She’s Taking Her Time With Her Debut Album: “I Want It to Be a Masterpiece”

It’s hard to believe that after four certified-platinum singles, two Grammy nominations, multiple acting gigs, and mounting brand deals, Saweetie still hasn’t dropped her debut album. But according to the “Icy Grl” rapper, there’s a perfectly logical explanation.

In an exclusive interview with POPSUGAR, Saweetie – whose debut album has been delayed for some years now after an original June 2021 release date – explained that she’s treating her first LP like a make-it-or-break-it moment, noting that “an album is really a true introduction to the world.” “I really want to take my time with it because I want it to be a masterpiece,” she adds. “Now, after people listen to it, I want them to feel like they know who Saweetie or who Diamonté is.”

Previously, Saweetie (birth name Diamonté Harper) has released singles like “My Type,” “Tap In,” and “Best Friend” with Doja Cat, as well as four short EPs (“High Maintenance,” “Icy,” “Pretty Summer Playlist: Season 1,” and “The Single Life”). Saweetie says those releases don’t speak to the overall album tone, which she doesn’t want to solely be “a whole bunch of hits, vibes, and club records.” “I really want to put a true ensemble together,” she adds.

This isn’t the first time Saweetie has addressed her album delay. In June 2022, she shared a message for her fans on her Instagram Story detailing why she’s continued to push its release date. “Dear Icy family, these past couple of years have been a growing experience for me as an artist, human, but most importantly as a WOMAN,” she wrote, per Rolling Stone. “I have realized my purpose with the platform God has given me which is why I have taken my time with releasing music this time around.”

She added, “Through hours of self-reflection, I have realized that Pretty B.*.T.C.H music is not an album – it’s a movement. It’s a culture. It’s a language. It’s a lifestyle. We not rushing art, we taking our time!”

But don’t worry, Saweetie fans: all hope isn’t lost. The rapper tells POPSUGAR that she has new music queued up to drop before this summer. “I’m a summer girl. ‘Icy Grl,’ ‘Tap In,’ ‘My Type’ all dropped before the summer, so I have a couple of singles that I’m dropping before the summertime,” she confirms.

As we wait for more details (and music), read ahead to find out everything else Saweetie shared about her debut album plans.

Related: Saweetie Has a Vision For Her Next Acting Role: “We Need More Black Girl Superheroes and Supervillains”

Saweetie’s Debut Album Title

Ever since she first teased the LP in 2020, Saweetie’s debut album has been known to be titled “Pretty B*tch Music.”

Saweetie’s Debut Album Release Date

An exact release date for the album is still unknown, but Saweetie says she hopes it drops “before the end of this year.”

Will Saweetie’s Debut Album Have Any Features?

Though Saweetie remains tight-lipped about who exactly will be featured on her debut album, she did confirm to POPSUGAR that she has a list of names she needs to “finalize.” In the meantime, she teased that she’s manifesting a dream collaboration: with Rihanna!