What's Ab-Soul been up to in the past two years? Since releasing his third studio album, These Days.., in June 2014, the TDE rapper has been unusually quiet, only dropping two tracks that he had stashed in the vault ("47 Bars" and "House Of Sin"), appearing on one other TDE release (Jay Rock's "Vice City" posse cut), and remaining very quiet about future projects.
We've also seen him complain about being a "benchwarmer" for TDE on a few occasions, which makes his future look even more uncertain. So just as we did for another mysteriously-absent rapper (Danny Brown) last month, we're giving you an update on all things Ab-Soul, gleaned from his social media presence, guest verses, and other extracurricular activities.
Read on to see five things Ab-Soul's been doing other than releasing more solo music in the past 24 months.
Cooking
No, not like in the studio cooking, but actual food preparation. Soulo may not have the extensive food lyrics and gourmet pedigree of his frequent collaborator Action Bronson, but he's steadily upping his game. Last year, he appeared on weed-themed cooking show "Smoke In The Kitchen" to prepare some delicious-looking Sicilian Cauliflower:
Elsewhere, the Black Lip Pastor has been sharing menus from meals that should have everyone in the world, regardless of palette, envious:
Pomegranate Lamb chops, truffle Parmesan potatoes, grilled shrimp, red wine, creme brulee, and some dussy
Despite the fact that he's learned his way around the kitchen, that doesn't mean he's opposed to letting others cook for him:
Promoting the music of other TDE members, as well as Asaad
Despite whatever gripes he may have with his label and the delays it may or may not be costing his next album, Ab-Soul has remained very loyal to TDE when it comes to promoting its other artists. Browse through his Twitter and Instagram and you'll find that almost half of his profile is devoted to sharing the music of other artists, mainly those on TDE:
GET TOP ON THE PHONE
I ain't even tryinna be sentimental but 1 mo time for my brother K Dot on everything!!! Still my biggest inspiration!!! #HiiiPoWeR x #TDE
In addition to his labelmates, Ab has also been fervently promoting the music of one Asaad, a Philly rapper who's currently on the 84th day of a song-a-day release schedule. A devoted fan and friend, Soulo has retweeted every single one of them. If things don't pan out with TDE, we could definitely see him linking up with Asaad for some type of joint venture.
Recording guest verses
In addition to the previously-mentioned Black Hippy posse cut "Vice City," Ab-Soul's also popped up on a handful of songs by other artists, as well as a few loosies of his own, in the past two years. Below is a complete list, with highlights in bold:
2014 (Post-"These Days...")
Statik Selektah - Alarm Clock Feat. Ab-Soul, Logic & Jon Connor
Kembe X - As I Unfold Feat. Ab-Soul & Alex Wiley
Short DaWG - 10 Pints Feat. Ab-Soul & Mac Miller
UTK - Talk To Em Feat. Ab-Soul & Loaded Lux
Nikki Jean - Champagne Water Feat. Ab-Soul
JR Donato - Should've Never Feat. Ab-Soul, Wiz Khalifa & Smoke DZA
Short DaWG - Addiction Feat. Ab-Soul
2015
Lupe Fiasco - They. Resurrect. Over. New. Feat. Ab-Soul & Troi
Bad Lucc - Top Of The Diamond Feat. Problem, Ab-Soul & Punch
Statik Selektah - All You Need Feat. Action Bronson, Ab-Soul & Elle Varner
Jay Rock - Vice City Feat. Kendrick Lamar, Schoolboy Q & Ab-Soul
Kevo Hendricks - 2morrow Feat. Ab-Soul & Kenhood
2016
Ab-Soul - House Of Sin Feat. King Rich
Smoking
If Ab-Soul's music releases have tapered off in months past, his affinity for Backwoods certainly has not. here are a few IG shots that'll give you a good idea of the massive amount he smokes:
S/O 2 my @super_smacked_brothers420 tho! You see me @hopexlord??? Ha! #BLKOutBoyz4L
Completing an unnamed album
Although he's kept us in the dark about pretty much all aspects of his next project, Ab-Soul has made it clear that something is very much in the works. Back in July 2015, just 13 months after These Days... dropped, the Black Lip Pastor said the album was "almost done" and shared a few details:
My albums almost done...
It's a love story.
Church. #DWTW https://t.co/RbsmLzyTms
After about half a year passed without hide nor hair of a project, he let us know that he was still working on it in January of this year:
Now back 2 da dope, my album that is... #TDE
And then gave a very unhelpful clue as to when it would come out:
After da Super Bowl for sure... https://t.co/Q6QJbVhpCu
So it's clear that something's coming, but our guess is as good as yours as to when it'll arrive. Hopefully, TDE's busy 2016 release schedule can stay on track.
