Herbert (album)

Herbert is the fifth studio album by American rapper Ab-Soul. It was released on December 16, 2022 by Top Dawg Entertainment (TDE). It features guest appearances by Ambré, Alemeda, Big Sean, Fre$h, Jhené Aiko, Joey Badass, Lance Skiiiwalker, Punch, Russ, SiR and Zacari. It includes notable productions by Boi-1da, DJ Dahi, DJ Premier, Hit-Boy, Jahaan Sweet, James Blake and Sounwave, among others. Titled after Ab-Soul’s birth name, Herbert Anthony Stevens IV, the album marks his return to music after a six-year absence following Do What Thou Wilt. in December 2016.

Background and release
On April 22, 2022, Ab-Soul released "Hollandaise", the lead single from his then-upcoming yet-to-be-titled album.

On September 16, 2022, he released the second single from the album titled “Moonshooter”, which he co-wrote with his TDE label-mate Zacari. With the future release of the album, the song would eventually include a feature by fellow American rapper Joey Badass.

On October 21, 2022, he released the album’s third single, "Do Better", which features a guest appearance by Zacari. A black-and-white music video directed by Omar Jones was released for the single the same day.

On November 18, 2022, he announced via Twitter that his next album Herbert would be released on December 16, 2022. He also released the fourth single "Gang'Nem", which features Fresh, a frequent collaborator of Ab-Soul.

On December 7, 2022, he officially unveiled the cover art and the tracklist for the album.

Track listing
Notes
 * $undefined$ signifies a co-producer.
 * $undefined$ signifies an assistant producer.

Personnel
Musicians


 * Ab-Soul – vocals
 * Anthony "Top Dawg" Tiffith – background vocals (track 1)
 * Helen Anderson – background vocals (1)
 * Richard Gray – background vocals (2)
 * Umi – background vocals (2, 17)
 * Maurice David – background vocals (3)
 * Ambré – background vocals (5, 10)
 * Rich the Kid – background vocals (5)
 * Schoolboy Q – background vocals (5)
 * Henry Was – bass (6)
 * Amaire Johnson – strings (7)
 * David Young – trumpet (7)
 * Gionardo Burg – background vocals (8)
 * Markeith Nelson – background vocals (8)
 * Russ – background vocals (9, 16)
 * Danielle Rich – background vocals (10)
 * Armani – background vocals (13)
 * Noleac Yashin – background vocals (13, 15)
 * Jasmine "Sistar Outspoken" Pitcher – background vocals (14)
 * Kendrick Lamar – background vocals (14)
 * Yaris Sanchez – background vocals (14)
 * Kailey Galvin – background vocals (15)
 * Kiera Gavin – background vocals (15)
 * Jordan Brooks – bass (16)
 * Phillip Whack – trumpet (16)
 * Zacari – background vocals (17)

Technical
 * Nicolas De Porcel – mastering
 * Andrew Boyd – mixing, engineering
 * Rory Behr – mixing, engineering
 * James Hunt – mixing (3, 4, 7, 14, 15)
 * Sedrick Moore II – engineering (1, 9, 11, 13)
 * Bert Gervis – engineering (4, 7)
 * Hari Bhatt – engineering (6)
 * Keaton Smith – engineering (10, 11)
 * Milan Beker – engineering (12)
 * Tom Kahre – engineering (12)
 * Arnulfo Reyes III – engineering (13)
 * King of Chill – engineering (18)
 * Parks & Nef – engineering (18)
 * Sir Darryl Farris – engineering (16)
 * Demitrius Lewis II – mastering assistance
 * Ashod Oshagan – additional engineering (3)
 * Devin Ragsdale – engineering assistance (8)