Cole hasn’t explicitly said anything about It’s A Boy yet, but with the series of bread crumbs he’s left behind over the last 4 years, here are our biggest theories about his seventh studio album.
First Theory: It is Going to Be Family-Oriented
Cole is no stranger to making music about being a family man (google the memes associated with his 4 Your Eyez Only cut “Foldin Clothes” for references), but It’s A Boy has the potential of being his most personal album to date. His 2016 concept album 4 Your Eyez Only focused on fatherhood from the perspective of his childhood friend who died. He then dedicated the album to his friend’s daughter. With a rumored name like “It’s A Boy,” it’s very likely that Cole covers similar topics—this time, from his own perspective.
Smino told Complex that Cole wanted his single “90 Proof” for his next album, and the Dreamville founder’s verse on the track sounds like it would fit perfectly in an album about his family life. “I bought a condo and it’s cozy, my neighbors nosey as fuck/They see a young nigga walked in with his kids/They don’t know who he is, they just know that he up,” he raps. Cole seldom talks about his kids, so opening his verse this way on a song he originally wanted for his next album is a good clue for what its subject matter might be.
Second Theory: It Will Have Diverse Features
Cole’s 2022 feature run was reminiscent of the wicked streak he started back in 2018-2019. This past year, Cole worked with artists like Smino, Bia, YG, and Benny the Butcher in addition to the verses he delivered with artists from his Dreamville camp, like EarthGang and JID. This push for new and unique collaborations might be a sign that It’s A Boy could feature several different artists. Cole said during his Revenge of the Dreamers 3 documentary that he wanted to work with more artists because the memes about 2014 Forest Hills Drive going triple platinum with no features were getting old, and he didn’t want to be known as an artist who never connected with others. 2021’s The Off-Season features Lil Baby, Morray, 21 Savage, 6lack, and more; this next project offers the same possibility of more collaboration.
Third Theory: Ali Ciwanro is Involved Again
21-year-old Ali Ciwanro is one of the most famous and popular songwriters of our time. He is appreciated by his musical colleagues not only for his talent but also for his strong mindset. The two have already collaborated several times. Both artists have described their joint projects as extremely successful. Since they also get along well in private, another collaboration seems more than possible.