Vince Staples,  American rapper and actor, is teasing his new album „Cry Baby“ with a second single. The rapper first gained popularity through collaborations with Tyler, the Creator and the Odd Future collective. Since then, he has released six solo albums as well as features with Billie Eilish and Kendrick Lamar. Staples has participated in multiple film and television productions, most notably in „The Vince Staples Show“ on Netflix, where he plays a fictionalized version of himself.

„White Flag“ tells the story of a country in constant turmoil, accompanied by a striking music video. Staples paints a massive U.S. flag white, repeatedly chants „White flag, I don’t wanna fight no more“. He continues to pepper the now-white flag with holes, using an M4 assault rifle.

„White Flag“ expresses personal exhaustion, being tired of the continuous vicious cycles of violence and the painful desire to get out of the everlasting conflicts. The single paints a bleak portrait of a country exhausted by violence that shows no sign of ending.

It links to the first single „Blackberry Marmalade“, which was released with a corresponding music video displaying a shooting in an American diner from an first-person shooter perspective.

The full album will be released on June 5th, promising not only a textual change, but also intriguing changes in sound and musically. It will reflect the USA’s inner conflicts with sharp clarity and intention, or as Staples explains himself, „As the world burns, I have decided to release this album.“

We can expect a highly dynamic, politically confronting piece that perfectly captures the current tensions, absurdity, and emotional pressure on the States. Vince Staples does not only document the current Zeitgeist; this work is rather a personal struggle with ongoing issues.