The Voice of the Heroes is a collaborative studio album featuring the American rappers Lil Baby and Lil Durk. This joint project, released on June 4, 2021, under Quality Control Music, 4 Pockets Full, Only the Family, and Alamo Records, derives its name from the childhood nicknames of its creators.
Lil Durk, also known as “The Voice,” and Lil Baby, affectionately called “The Hero” by Durk, joined forces for this remarkable album. Notably, it includes guest appearances by artists such as Travis Scott, Meek Mill, Young Thug, and Rod Wave, with production contributions from the likes of London on da Track, Wheezy, Turbo, and Murda Beatz. The album’s lead single, “Voice of the Heroes,” was released on May 31, 2021, serving as both the title track and the opening song.
Background and Recording:
The inspiration for this collaboration began in February 2021 when Durk shared images from the video shoot for their song “Finesse Out the Gang Way,” playfully referring to themselves as “The Voice” and “The Hero.” A month later, in a social media post, Durk set a challenge: if the post received 100,000 comments, he and Lil Baby would drop their joint project. Baby confirmed the album’s title, “The Voice of the Heroes,” during an interview with MTV News on March 15. In April, fans got a sneak peek of the collaboration when Lil Baby was seen recording with Travis Scott. Initially slated for release on May 28, the album’s launch was postponed in favor of DMX’s posthumous album “Exodus,” as announced by Swizz Beatz. On May 23, Lil Baby shared on Twitter that the album had been completed and would be released on June 4, 2021.
Release and Promotion:
To build anticipation for the album’s release, the title track, “Voice of the Heroes,” was unveiled on May 31, 2021, along with a captivating music video. On June 2, the tracklist for the album was revealed, showcasing exciting features from Travis Scott, Meek Mill, Young Thug, and Rod Wave. The full album was made available to the public on June 4, 2021. The day following the release, the music video for “How It Feels” was shared with fans.
Critical Reception:
“The Voice of the Heroes” received positive reviews from contemporary music critics who highlighted the dynamic synergy between Lil Baby and Lil Durk. According to Metacritic, an aggregator of professional reviews, the album achieved an average score of 67, based on six reviews.
Robin Murray of Clash praised the album, stating, “It’s a testament to the mutual respect and friendship between Lil Baby and Lil Durk that ‘The Voice Of The Heroes’ presents a united front, with both artists working collaboratively towards a shared vision. While it’s not without its flaws, primarily due to its lengthy 18-track runtime, the chemistry between the two artists shines through.”
Fred Thomas, in his review for AllMusic, acknowledged that the album’s nearly hour-long duration might seem a bit long, with some tracks that could have been omitted. Nevertheless, he lauded the project, stating that “The Voice of the Heroes is primarily carried by the compelling chemistry between Durk and Baby as they adapt to each other’s styles without compromising their individuality.”
