Designer Junkie
| Designer Junkie | ||||
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| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | February 11, 2026 | |||
| Recorded | 2024–2026[1] | |||
| Genres | ||||
| Length | 47:02 | |||
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| Producers |
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| Sk8star chronology | ||||
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| Singles from Designer Junkie | ||||
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Designer Junkie is the debut studio album by American rapper Sk8star through W4th Records and Island Records on February 11, 2026. The album was executively produced by Richie Souf, and featured other production credits from 44preme, Cade, Nosaint, and Taurus, among others. The album features guest appearances from his Ø Way partners and YSL artists Tezzus and Diamond*. Designer Junkie was preceded by its lead singles "2 Sexy" and "ForMyFolks".
The album was in the making for the past two years and underwent five different revisions before being officially released. Upon release, the album received a positive reception with media critics such as The Fader and Pitchfork praising Sk8star's experimentation, distinct vocals, and his chemistry with Richie Souf throughout the project.
Background and recording
[edit]"The funniest session was the songs I have with Tezzus and diamond*, "NSD" and "YEAAN." [...] But the craziest session is definitely "Designer Junkie"
Sk8star began working on Designer Junkie as early as 2024 and continued it over two years.[1] According to Sk8star, it went through five different revisions during its development, with Sk8star repeatedly altering its direction and composition.[1] During the album's development, Sk8star directly reached out to music producer Richie Souf, asking the producer if the two could collaborate. After initially receiving no response, Souf later contacted Sk8star in 2025 and sent him beats to rap to.[1] Over time, the two began communicating frequently and working closely throughout the project's creation.[1] Souf later became the lead architect of the project's sound and would guide Sk8star toward new creative decisions, which ultimately became one of the major factors for the album's development.[1]
Additionally, several recording sessions for the album included fellow Ø Way affiliates Tezzus and Diamond* for "NSD" and "Yeannn".[1] Tezzus participated despite suffering from exhaustion after a month-long tour schedule, while Diamond* was ill from the flu. According to Sk8star, Tezzus recorded his contribution before immediately returning to sleep, a moment he described as emblematic of the dedication shown by his collaborators.[1][2] "NSD" was made after "Yeannn"; according to Tezzus, it was a legendary recording session, where they "came, handled business, and left". "Real hitman", in his own words.[2]
The title track, "Designer Junkie", was recorded following a trip to a jewelry store where he and fellow American rapper and Ø Way affiliate Diorvsyou spent thousands of dollars on jewelery.[1] According to Sk8star, the session was a symbolic milestone in his career, reflecting on his financial struggles before achieving recognition.[1]
The album was preceded by two lead singles, titled "2 Sexy", which was released on December 10, 2025, and "ForMyFolks", which was released on January 21, 2026.[3] The album was then released on February 11, 2026.[1][4]
Composition
[edit]Overview
[edit]Designer Junkie is a rage and trap album.[5] It features twenty tracks and two features from Tezzus and Diamond*;[5][6] the album's sound expands on the Atlanta hip-hop scene while seeing Sk8star use his "unique voice" and "experimentation" across music production from Richie Souf, 44preme, Cade, Cashheart, Ediba Deville, Fourteen, Lobeats, Mack Got The Heat, Nosaint, Oh Ross, Rosen Beatz, Safari, Taurus, and Jvsper.[6][7][8]
Songs and lyricism
[edit]The album starts with "Incognito"; the track features drum production from Richie Souf, and lyrically sees Sk8star rap about taking losses and playing his part within his community and life.[9] It follows with lows with "Brazy Brazy Ho", on the track, Sk8star goes through numerous different flows with a voice that Serge Selenou of Pitchfork found to be very reminiscent of Beast Mode-era Future.[7] On the track, Sk8star accentuates his syllables with a raspy voice. Selenou labeled the track as a gritty Atlanta trap-style song.[7] On "ForMyFolks", Selenou labeled how the track sees Sk8star rap as if he has Hubba Bubba gum in his mouth.[7] He writes how the zany instincts help bridge the gap between cosplay and genuine advancement.[7] On "Muse", the track sees Sk8star slightly expand on the regalia subgenre, where he lyrically raps about trying to make a "bad bitch" his source of inspiration.[9] According to Antonio Johri of Complex, he wrote how Sk8star sounds "robotic," and his voice is reminiscent of that of Mr Krabs.[8] On the title track "Designer Junkie", Sk8star approaches a track filled with synthesizers and hi-hats in courtesy of Cashheart.[9] He reflects on his journey from being poor to making ample amounts of money and being able to support himself and others, marking it a milestone in his career.[1]
On "No Compadre", Sk8star approaches a rage instrumental to rap about how everything he does is the greatest.[9] On "Yeannn" with Tezzus, the track sees the duo turn a "little piece of onomatopoeia" into the "centerpiece of a hit" according to Olivier Lafontant of Pitchfork.[10] The track sees the duo deploy "yawns that stretch like a bungee over Zaytoven-type keys", with Sk8star rapping about money. In contrast, Tezzus raps about sex and money,[9] he takes the majority of the track with his coarse, creaking melodies.[10] Lafontant wrote how the track is "funny as hell" and how "haphazardly genius" it is.[10] "Beret" goes heavy into hyper trap.[9] On "BleedLike Me", Sk8star takes a cloud rap direction sonically and raps about how he puts in more "blood, sweat, and tears" into his craft compared to others in the scene.[9] Additionally, Sk8star has "long-winded croons" which Selenou found to be reminiscent of those of the late Lil Keed.[7] Sk8star also "hustle raps" throughout the track, which is similar to that of Lil Baby to the top.[7] On "PlayYaPart", Sk8star raps over a psychedelic trap instrumental from Cade, reflecting on dropping out of school to make money from music.[9] On "2 Sexy", the track interpolates the Right Said Fred track "I'm Too Sexy".[9] According to Vivian Medithi of The Fader, he praised the track, writing how Sk8star's pinched melodies seem to coexist and work very well on the "shimmering" Nosaint instrumental provided.[11] Lyrically, Sk8star raps about living a hedonistic life.[9] According to Medithi, Sk8star's airy lyricism makes simple lyrics sound so catchy.[11]
On "Slatt Slatt", the track sees Sk8star rap about being fresh over a synth-driven instrumental.[9] On "NSD" (Niggas Start Dyin'), Sk8star reunites with Tezzus. Still, it brings in Diamond*,[9] and the track sees the trio rap about telling their haters to worry about themselves rather than worrying about the rappers' luxurious lifestyles.[9] "Macon" is a hometown ode to where Sk8star came from.[5] The track sees Sk8star go back to rapping on a trap instrumental, something he's done throughout the album. Lyrically, he raps about making it out of his titular city due to his rise in the music industry and being able to financially support himself.[9] On "Upper Echelon", the track sees Sk8star rap on a trap beat yet once again from Taurus while talking about reaching higher levels of quality within the past three and a half years.[9] Sonically, the track features twinkling piano keys hanging in the background which amplifies Sk8star's vocals.[7] On "Roxy Paparrazi", Sk8star goes fully Pluggnb admiring his girl's beauty.[9] Selenou finds that Sk8star's repeated "doe-eyed" refrain of "I'm tryna make her mine" makes the track feel genuine and pure due to the "fairytale-like whistles beneath it.[7] "All In" blends cloud rap, trap, and pop rap with lyrics about hedonistic lifestyles such as telling a stripper to twerk on a pole.[9] "Black Sheep" continues to pull inspiration from the regalia subgenre and sees Sk8star talking about his own personal experiences of feeling like an outcast.[9][1] "RipScooter" sees Sk8star pay homage to Young Scooter,[5] while "leaning into the futuristic swag era revival of the last year [2025]", the track features rapid fire hi-hats and helps serve as a runway for Sk8star's "octane and flexy quips".[9] Lastly, the closing track, "Nameless" sees Sk8star "cloudily" rap about not wanting to change anything if he ever had the chance to rewind time,[9] ending it off on a more sentimental note.[9]
Critical reception
[edit]| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| Pitchfork | 7.2/10[7] |
| Legends Never Die | 4/5[9] |
Reviews for Designer Junkie were fairly positive,[5][6] with Serge Selenou of Pitchfork rating the album a 7.2 out of 10, writing how experimental the project is, and how it just does not see Sk8star mimic his predecessors from the Atlanta hip-hop scene, the album manages to find a unique voice that outruns its origins.[7] A reviewer from Legends Never Die wrote how the project is well refined and showcases Sk8star's growth over the years. The reviewer also highlighted Sk8star's chemistry with producer Richie Souf.[9] Additionally, Sk8star's track, "2 Sexy", was ranked as one of the best songs of 2025 by The Fader.[11] While his other track "Slatt Slatt" made it on Pitchfork's Weekly Select Playlist.[12]
Track listing
[edit]Track listing adapted from Tidal.[13]
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Incognito" |
|
| 3:01 |
| 2. | "Brazy Brazy Ho" |
|
| 2:05 |
| 3. | "ForMyFolks" |
|
| 2:19 |
| 4. | "Muse" |
|
| 2:35 |
| 5. | "Designer Junkie" |
|
| 3:09 |
| 6. | "No Compadre" |
|
| 2:04 |
| 7. | "Yeannn" (featuring Tezzus) |
|
| 1:52 |
| 8. | "Beret" |
| NoSaint | 1:24 |
| 9. | "BleedLike Me" |
|
| 2:11 |
| 10. | "PlayYaPart" |
|
| 2:24 |
| 11. | "2 Sexy" |
|
| 2:19 |
| 12. | "Slatt Slatt" |
|
| 2:41 |
| 13. | "NSD" (featuring Tezzus and Diamond*) |
|
| 2:03 |
| 14. | "Macon" |
|
| 2:07 |
| 15. | "Upper Echelon" |
|
| 3:08 |
| 16. | "Roxy Paparazzi" |
|
| 3:00 |
| 17. | "All In" |
|
| 2:04 |
| 18. | "Black Sheep" |
|
| 2:23 |
| 19. | "RipScooter" |
|
| 1:48 |
| 20. | "Nameless" |
|
| 2:18 |
| Total length: | 47:02 | |||
Notes
[edit]- "2 Sexy" interpolates Right Said Fred's track "I'm Too Sexy".[9]
- "ForMyFolks and "RipScooter feature no spaces in the track title name.
- The track "NSD" is an acronym for "Niggas Start Dyin'"
Additional credits
[edit]- Philippe Goudiaby - mixing, engineering, and mastering.
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Medithi, Vivian (February 9, 2026). "Sk8star talks Young Thug, Richie Souf, and Designer Junkie". The FADER. Retrieved June 6, 2026.
- 1 2 Williams, Kylah; Yoo, Hajin (April 21, 2026). "diamond* and Tezzus on Young Thug, "ØWay Cypher," and UY SCUTI BØYZ". The FADER. Retrieved June 6, 2026.
- ↑ Cole, Alexander (January 17, 2026). "ForMyFolks – Song by Sk8star". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved June 6, 2026.
- ↑ Bernstein, Elaina (February 20, 2026). "Everything We Loved in Music This Week: February 20". Hypebeast. Retrieved June 6, 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 5 Corcoran, Nina; Lindert, Hattie; Mickles, Kiana (February 13, 2026). "12 New Albums You Should Listen to Now: Charli XCX, Feng, and More". Pitchfork. Retrieved June 6, 2026.
- 1 2 3 Cole, Alexander (February 12, 2026). "Designer Junkie – Album by Sk8star". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved June 6, 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Selenou, Serge (March 3, 2026). "Sk8star: Designer Junkie Album Review". Pitchfork. Retrieved June 6, 2026.
- 1 2 Johri, Antonio (July 29, 2026). "Meet ØWAY: The Young Thug-Affiliated Collective Taking Over Atlanta's Underground". Complex. Retrieved July 29, 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 "Sk8star - Designer Junkie review". Legends Will Never Die. Retrieved June 6, 2026.
- 1 2 3 "Sk8star: "Yeannn" [ft. Tezzus]". Pitchfork. February 13, 2026. Retrieved June 6, 2026.
- 1 2 3 "The 20 best rap songs of December 2025". The FADER. December 29, 2025. Retrieved June 6, 2026.
- ↑ "Sk8star, Jill Scott, Venturing, and More: This Week's Pitchfork Selects Playlist". Pitchfork. February 17, 2026. Retrieved June 6, 2026.
- ↑ "Designer Junkie Credits". TIDAL. TIDAL Music AS. Retrieved June 6, 2026.