Chicago drill rapper King Von was gunned down on November 6, 2020, just days after releasing his debut album, Welcome to the O’Block. In the aftermath of the tragic shooting, fans remembered the 26-year-old for his forceful delivery and sharp storytelling skills—both of which are in evidence on the brand-new What It Means to Be King, Von’s second studio album and the first posthumous release.
What It Means to Be King includes the pre-release singles “War” and “Don’t Play That,” the latter of which features 21 Savage. The 19-track collection also features guest appearances by Lil Durk, Fivio Foreign, Moneybagg Yo, Dreezy, G Herbo, and A Boogie wit da Hoodie, among others.
The release of What It Means to Be King is somewhat bittersweet, as it’s a reminder of what the music world lost with Von’s death. “Von’s potential for stardom was more than evident,” reads a press release, “and What It Means To Be King is another milestone in his legacy as a fiercely talented rapper and an inspiration to strivers in O’Block and beyond.”