It's Been Awful

Isaiah Rashad's third studio album, It's Been Awful, was released on May 1, 2026, through Top Dawg Entertainment and Warner Records. It follows The House Is Burning by five years, the longest gap between albums in his catalog. A pre-order campaign ran through the album's own site, itsbeenawful.com, which advertised limited copies ahead of the release date.

Production credits include Julian Sintonia, Kal Banx, Hollywood Cole, and Jansport J. Guest features come from SZA, Dominic Fike, and Sintonia. SZA appears on the hazy "DUI," while Fike's turn on "Bad Habit" pushes toward indie rock. Rashad remains the gravitational center throughout, rapping in a low, conversational murmur about relapse, strained relationships, and the weight of expectation.

Critics described the record as woozy, wounded, and bruising, with Rashad trading the polished hooks of his earlier work for bleary introspection. The title itself sets a self-deprecating, weary tone. Reviewers noted that the album is not a triumphant comeback and does not try to be; instead it presents flaws and confessions without framing Rashad as someone who has simply survived his dark past. [edit]