California-based MC
Ab-Soul released his fourth studio album,
Do What Thou Wilt., in late 2016. A sprawling 77-minute epic, the release features guest appearances from
ScHoolboy Q,
Mac Miller,
Thundercat, and several others. The album had been in production since early 2015 and was preceded by the singles "Huey Knew" (listed as "Huey Knew THEN" on the album's track listing) and "Braille." He described the album as "a love story," and its lyrics contain feminist themes. His complex wordplay also references conspiracy theories, and the album's title alludes to
Aleister Crowley, who is namechecked in the album's lyrics. The album charted in the Top 40 of the Billboard 200 following its release.