Since the new year, record label OVO Sound has been using the “new sound all 2023” sentence across their social media platforms to promote new music from their artists. So far, new sounds are ringing true for October’s Very Own and with their rapid start to the year, the OVO Sound label is primed for a busy 2023.
Here’s what the artists on OVO Sound currently have planned for 2023.
Drake
Drake is gearing up to tour in 2023. He announced it on a Stake livestream and teased new music coming at the Apollo show in New York. There is no official release yet, but maybe Scary Hours 3?
Partynextdoor
PND made a comeback on Diddy’s “Sex In The Porsche” and, most recently, “Her Old Friends.” He’s been popping out in public lately and will be on stage on May 6 at Lovers & Friends. Party is known for staying behind the scenes, so this could be a sign of something new coming. The Toronto artist did also preview some music on his socials in late December before wiping his feed.
Popcaan
Popcaan just released new album Great Is He, featuring Drake, Burna Boy, and Chronic Law. We can anticipate Popcaan to announce the return of his annual Unruly Fest in Jamaica, which was cancelled last year.
Roy Woods
There’s optimism that his new album Mixed Emotions will finally be out this year after its initial Aug. 5 release date announced last summer was pushed back. Roy said in an interview that Drake is an executive producer on the album. Woods also appears on the new single “Luces” with Fuego and Polimá Westcoast.
Dvsn
Daniel Daley and Nineteen85 are currently bringing their vibes on the Working On My Karma tour spanning from January to April across Europe, the USA, and Canada. Who knows what they’ll do in the latter half of this year?
Naomi Sharon
OVO welcomed their first female act under the label, Naomi Sharon, with singles “Another Life” and “Celestial.” OVO Sound co-founder Noah “40” Shebib said, “I’m honoured to be a part of this journey [...] and can’t wait for the world to hear the rest of what you’ve been working on.” Drake also posted his excitement on social media, saying: “I been waiting for this day for too long now where the world finally gets to digest the insane amount of work you have put in since we met,” Drake wrote. “My dear friend just dropped her single Another Life on OVO SOUND.”
Baka Not Nice
While Drake announced on ‘Table For One’ that Baka Not Nice’s album was coming soon, there hasn’t been any announcement since. Baka hinted at it on Instagram as well. He returned last September with single “Body & a Face.”
Majid Jordan
There’s been no full-length project from Majid Jordan since Wildest Dreams in 2021, but the pair dropped “Different” with Nonso Amadi a year ago.
Smiley
There still haven’t been any announcements about new sounds coming from Smiley. But we know Ice Spice is waiting.
OVO Fest 2023
Last year, OVO held an All-Canadian North Stars show and a Young Money reunion. This year is the 10th anniversary since the first OVO Fest, and he did suggest going on tour with OVO Fest to celebrate in a since-deleted IG post. We’ll have to wait and see what he’s got planned.
