“I’m focused,” 42 Dugg said sternly over the phone. Even through the receiver, his tunnel vision is evident, and the silence that follows his declaration only amplifies his determination.
Born Dion Marquise Hayes, Dugg’s renewed drive is undeniably fueled by two significant events: his release from an 18-month prison stint in late 2023 and his forthcoming album, Forever Us, Never Them, set to drop soon. This album marks his first solo release in three years and his first project since the collaborative mixtape Last Ones Left with EST Gee two years ago.
Although he has dropped several singles, including “Wock N Red” and the most recent summer anthem, “Win Wit Us,” Dugg’s delayed releases have been noted by both fans and his mentor and CMG label boss Yo Gotti.
“I’ve learned a lot of lessons from [Gotti], but the latest one has been to release the music. He been on me heavy about that,” the Detroit spitter told Andscape. “I just be taking my time. But he was like, ‘You ain’t drop in years.’”
Now, the moment is almost here, and 42 Dugg hints that fans will experience different sounds and vibes from his new project. While there will be more “turnt” tracks, including a collaboration with Sexyy Red, the album also features vulnerable records reflecting on his time behind bars.
42 Dugg spoke with Andscape just a week before the release of Forever Us, Never Them, where he shared stories behind the making of his album, his thoughts on rap beef, and teased unreleased music featuring Playboi Carti, Veeze, Lil Baby, and more.
Our conversation has been lightly edited and condensed.
42 Dugg’s new album marks his first solo release in three years.
CMG Records
How are you feeling? Your album drops in another week, but I’m sure you’re excited.
Yeah, I am excited. Right now, we’re tweaking the last little mixes, hearing everything, and making sure everything is good. We’re definitely excited for y’all to listen to it.
You announced the title, Forever Us, Never Them. What inspired that name?
Just being from Detroit. Where I came from, everybody felt like it was us against the world. Detroit vs. everybody. I put a little spin on it.
You’ve helped boost Detroit’s position in the game, but do you still feel like people exclude your city from conversations about dominant rap scenes?
I wouldn’t say counting out. It’s just easily overlooked. But right now, it’s the best it’s ever been for Detroit [rap].
Do you feel any pressure with dropping this new album or to continue putting on for Detroit?
I don’t want to say pressure, but I always want to do my best for the fans. I feel like pressure for myself to just do better. But as far as everybody else, nah, I don’t feel no pressure. I know I’m going to be okay.
Let’s talk more about the album process. When did you record this project?
I’ve just been recording it since I got out. Some songs I got on there are from before I got out. I just recorded it since I got out at my house, wherever I’m at. Miami, wherever.
How much music did you record over this time?
30 to 40 songs.
How did you narrow it down to a concise project?
I went with how I felt.
“Win Wit Us” dropped on May 16, and it sounds like it could be in contention for song of the summer. Is there a story about how that came together?
I was at home, and we were just talking about different stuff. You know how different people pop out of nowhere? Somebody was talking about that, and then I listened to the beat, and I was just like, “They wanna win with us.”
What would you say is your favorite song on the album?
My favorite song is probably this song called “Need You.” It’s really sentimental and deep. Those be my favorite songs.
What’s the message you want people to take away from “Need You?”
It will make people think about the people they lost, the people they miss.
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A clip of you and Sexyy Red shooting a music video has been circulating on social media. What can you share about that collaboration and video shoot?
Sexyy Red was just turnt and dancing. She’s real cool.
It seems like a perfect collaboration because both of you make pretty energetic music. Did you discuss the possibility of working on more music in the future?
Yeah, for sure. I’m in a car, telling her my different ideas about what we should do going forward.
You mentioned liking the more sentimental records. Are you interested in collaborating with an R&B artist on a romantic song?
For sure. I’ve been trying to think about doing slow songs. I wanted to do them on this album, but everything is moving so fast. We could really get to where we needed to. But I got a few songs with Jacquees and stuff like that.
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At your Welcome Home concert in January, many people said you helped squash the beef between rap groups Team Eastside and Doughboyz Cashout. Why was this an important moment, and why was it important that it happened at your show?
It was an inside Detroit thing. It was like you always had to pick sides. They were constantly pitting the two groups against each other. So I said, how about we just settle it on stage through music? Shake hands. Yeah, it was cool. I wouldn’t necessarily say I ended the beef. I just ended the conversation of who’s better.
It was a great moment for Detroit and rap fans, though. What are your thoughts on rap beef today? We just witnessed one of the biggest ones between Drake vs. Kendrick Lamar.
It was necessary as far as competition goes, and it’s good for music. It’s tricky, though, because people have to choose sides.
Would you like to share anything else about the album process? Do any other memories come to mind?
It came together being around my family and friends and the different emotions and feelings we all went through. I just kind of put them into the music—about how I was feeling in jail, stuff like that.
You seem like you have a great support system. Did you feel love from the fans and industry at large?
Yeah for sure. Even Sexyy Red with her baby daddy being locked up. She was telling me they’d play “Free Merey.” I love hearing that type of stuff because that’s the type of feeling I was trying to get.
Playboi Carti shared a video on Instagram Stories when you, Playboy Carti, Veeze, and Lil Baby were in the studio. Do you guys have any songs together?
We always making music. We got about ten songs altogether.
When are you planning to release any of them?
I’m waiting like you!
Jessica McKinney is a journalist who specializes in music and entertainment. Her work includes premium features such as interviews, profiles, and reported essays for publications like Complex, VIBE, MTV, BET and others.
