Tory Lanez released his eighth studio album, “PETERSON,” on March 7th, a project notable for its personal and groundbreaking nature. Recorded entirely from behind bars during his 10-year sentence at the California Correctional Institution, this album marks a historic milestone: the first professionally recorded, real-time prison album.
Released under his independent label, One Umbrella Records, PETERSON sold 24,000 units in its first week, landing at #22 on the Billboard 200 and securing Lanez his tenth charting album.
While the first-week sales represent a slight increase over his 2022 album “Sorry 4 What” (23,000 units), they are considerably lower than his commercial peak with 2019’s “Chixtape 5” (83,000 units).
The album itself is a raw, emotional journey. A sequel to 2020’s Daystar, PETERSON blends soulful R&B, hard-hitting hip-hop, and introspective lyricism, showcasing Lanez’s versatility even under constraint. Standout tracks like “Slipping x Failing” and “$ailor Moon” highlight his knack for melody and intricate rhyme schemes, while features from family members—his son Kai’Lon, father Sonstar, and siblings DSTNY and Yoko Gold—add a deeply personal layer.
Lanez confronts his reality head-on, weaving narratives of prison life, faith, and resilience throughout the 20-track, 87-minute album.
