Lucky Daye Releases Bold New Album Aloud! Ahead of Highly Anticipated Johannesburg Performance This December

WATCH THE VIDEO FOR "MOUF SAY" 

FEAT. PUSHA T HERE 

The GRAMMY Award-winning R&B star embraces creative freedom on his new 15-track album before taking the stage at Once Upon A Time in Joburg on 5 December 2026.

Featuring Leon Thomas, Pusha T, Muni Long, The Paradox, and Akeem Ali, and with production from longtime collaborator D’Mile and an all-star roster of producers, ALOUD! is available now via Warner Records. Listen HERE. 

Johannesburg, South Africa – 16 October 2026 | GRAMMY Award-winning singer, songwriter and producer Lucky Daye ushers in an exciting new chapter with the release of his highly anticipated album, ALOUD!, arriving just weeks before his first-ever visit to South Africa for a headline performance at Once Upon A Time in Joburg on Saturday, 5 December 2026.

The New Orleans-born R&B star will take the stage at the Johannesburg Botanical Gardens in Emmarentia alongside fellow American artists Smino and Baby Rose, bringing together some of contemporary R&B, soul and alternative hip-hop's most distinctive voices for one of Johannesburg's anticipated summer music events.

Once Upon A Time in Joburg has established itself as a destination for South Africa's growing community of R&B and neo-soul enthusiasts. Having previously welcomed international artists including SiR, Xavier Omär, GoldLink and dvsn, the festival continues to connect local audiences with the artists shaping the global R&B landscape. This December's edition promises a full day of live music, culture and community, with additional performers still to be announced.

Lucky Daye's upcoming Johannesburg performance arrives at a defining moment in his career, giving South African fans an opportunity to experience his latest musical evolution live as he introduces ALOUD! to the world.

Listen to ALOUD! HERE.

Released via Warner Records, ALOUD! is a bold, sensual and unapologetically personal 15-track body of work that finds Lucky embracing complete creative freedom. Featuring collaborations with Leon Thomas, Pusha T, Muni Long, The Paradox and Akeem Ali, alongside production from longtime collaborator D'Mile and an accomplished roster of producers, the album pushes the boundaries of contemporary R&B while remaining grounded in the emotional honesty and musical sophistication that have defined his artistry.

Drawing its title from the tension between the words "allowed" and "aloud," the project explores self-expression, liberation and the courage to live without seeking permission. Conceived during an unexpected sabbatical in Brazil, ALOUD! captures an artist rediscovering the joy of making music on his own terms, moving effortlessly between intimate R&B, electronic textures, smoky grooves and raw rock-soul influences.

"I used to think I wasn't allowed to do a lot of what I wanted, but I realized I had to allow myself to live ALOUD!" says Lucky. "Don't let anybody silence you or tell you who you're supposed to be. Say what you want, move how you want, and dance your way through the hard times."

Among the album's standout moments is "Mouf Say" featuring Pusha T, a seductive, jazz-inflected slow burn that showcases Lucky's effortless vocal delivery. "Fly U Out" reunites him with longtime collaborator Leon Thomas for a sultry exploration of desire, while "Knockin" featuring Muni Long and The Paradox introduces a grittier, rock-influenced edge to his evolving sound. Across the project, Lucky balances musical experimentation with the vulnerability, romance and emotional complexity that have made him one of modern R&B's most compelling voices.

The album follows an impressive run of releases and collaborations. His single "Nowhere Fast" has climbed into the Top 10 at R&B radio in the US, while "Talk To Me" further showcases his ability to translate romantic tension into richly textured songwriting. Beyond his solo catalogue, Lucky continues to expand his creative reach through collaborations including Teyana Taylor's VMA-nominated "Hard Part" and Chris Brown's "Slow Jamz."

To celebrate the album's arrival, Lucky recently appeared at GRAMMY Museum Presents: The Drop, delivering a special performance and participating in an intimate conversation moderated by media personality Gia Peppers.

ALOUD! Is out now. Stream here.