Brent Faiyaz is about to turn Black History Month upside down.

Brent Faiyaz’s long-anticipated project ICON finally has a release date: February 18. The timing feels intentional. It drops four days after Valentine’s Day — just enough time for the roses to wilt, the feelings to fade, and Brent to remind everyone why his brand of R&B is rarely about happy endings.

At this point, Brent Faiyaz’s legacy is already cemented. He’s one of the most influential voices in modern R&B, reshaping the genre with raw honesty, emotional detachment, and an unapologetically toxic edge that still somehow feels poetic. From Sonder Son to Wasteland, Brent has built a catalog that prioritizes mood, autonomy, and uncomfortable truths over radio-friendly polish.

We’ve already gotten a taste of ICON through a run of singles released late in 2025, including “have to.”, “tony soprano.”, and “peter pan.” Each track leaned into Brent’s cold confidence and minimalist storytelling, hinting at an album that’s more about control than confession. The project was originally set to drop months ago, only for Brent to pull it at the last minute — a very on-brand move for an artist who plays by his own rules.

His last major release, Larger Than Life (2023), featured names like Missy Elliott, Coco Jones, and Tommy Richman, with tracks such as “Upset,” “Forever Yours,” and “Best Time” quietly racking up serious momentum.

Shoveling snow in DC while listening to Brent Faiyaz’s music has to be an euphoric experience.

Quincy

Quincy is the creator of Ratings Game Music. He loves writing about music, taking long walks on beaches, and spaghetti that fights him back.