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Brent Faiyaz Drops New Single “Have To” and Reveals Icon Album Cancellation

Brent Faiyaz is rewriting his comeback story. The R&B singer surprised fans on October 31 with the release of “Have To,” his first single in nearly two years — but what truly shocked listeners was his announcement that he had scrapped his long-awaited album Icon just hours before its scheduled September 19 release. In the…

InMusic

October 31, 2025

Brent Faiyaz is rewriting his comeback story. The R&B singer surprised fans on October 31 with the release of “Have To,” his first single in nearly two years — but what truly shocked listeners was his announcement that he had scrapped his long-awaited album Icon just hours before its scheduled September 19 release.

In the self-directed video for “Have To,” a title card reveals that the Maryland artist had completed Icon and planned its rollout through his ISO Supremacy label and UnitedMasters before abruptly pulling the plug. “Brent Faiyaz had Icon recorded and scheduled to release on September 19, 2025. The night before, Brent sent us a group text pulling the plug on the album. He also had another lead single and music video. He scrapped those too.”

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The decision marks a major creative pivot for Faiyaz, whose third studio album was poised to follow the acclaimed Wasteland (2022) and Larger Than Life (2023). Icon was expected to feature previously released singles “Tony Soprano” and “Peter Pan,” both of which showcased his sleek blend of R&B, soul, and minimalist production. Fans anticipated one of 2025’s biggest chart battles, as Icon was set to drop the same day as Cardi B’s Am I the Drama?

Instead, Faiyaz pressed reset. In his new single “Have To,” the 30-year-old singer introduces a different sound. In the chorus, he sings: “I’ll pack and ship myself / If I have to, I’ll drive this ship myself / If I have to, you can’t be by yourself / If you don’t have to, I’ll do what I have to / So you won’t have to / I’ll pack and ship myself / If I have to, I’ll drive this ship myself / If I have to, you can’t be yourself / If you don’t have to, I’ll do what I have to / So you won’t have to.”

Reactions online have been swift and emotional. “Yeah, I’m loving this new Brent Faiyaz — probably my favorite single he’s dropped this year,” one fan wrote on X. Another commented, “Brent Faiyaz scrapped his album last month and is already rolling out the new one?? We need this man.” The responses reflect both admiration for his artistic freedom and disappointment over the loss of Icon, which had been teased for months.

Before its cancellation, Icon was rumored to include contributions from Elliot Davy, Hardheaded, Nascent, AR, and Chidozie Michael Arah.

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