"Lil Kel Is Back — And Ready to Rule with ‘King of Shootanooga’"

Tennessee rapper Lil Kel is back and bolder than ever, announcing the release of his long-awaited mixtape “King of Shootanooga” set to drop this Friday, September 26. The project marks his first major release since his 2023 breakout EP “Murda Music”, and fans have been eagerly waiting to see what the self-proclaimed king of his city has been cooking up.

Lil Kel, known for his gritty street anthems and raw storytelling, has built a name in the Southern rap scene for his authenticity and relentless energy. While“Murda Music”  introduced the world to Kel’s dark soundscapes and lyrical tenacity,“King of Shootanooga” promises to be a full-fledged return — a definitive statement that he’s not just another rapper out of Tennessee, but the one leading the charge.

There’s also speculation of a surprise feature from a well-known Atlanta artist, which has only fueled more hype.

Lyrically, “King of Shootanooga” is expected to double down on Kel’s themes of survival, loyalty, street codes, and ambition — with a more evolved, mature sound than we’ve heard before.

Lil Kel’s momentum has been steadily building since “Murda Music”, which turned his buzz into a broader spotlight. Singles like “News Channel 9” and “24K’s” racked up and put his name into conversations alongside some of the South’s most promising new voices.

Over the past year, Kel has stayed active in the studio — doing shows, dropping music and teasing snippets on social media, and most importantly, crafting “King of Shootanooga” as a personal and sonic evolution.

“King of Shootanooga” will be available on all major streaming platforms — including Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube — at midnight on Friday, September 26. Physical copies and limited merch bundles are also expected to drop via Lil Kel’s official website.