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The Year of the $R.A.W.$ Return: Tracing City Girls’ Explosive 2023

For the Miami rap duo City Girls—comprised of the fiercely independent JT and the charismatic media mogul Yung Miami (Caresha)—2023 was a pivotal year that saw the queens of “scam rap” balance a high-profile return to music with significant individual career milestones. After a three-year hiatus between studio albums, the year culminated in the release of their highly anticipated third project, cementing their status as dominant forces in both hip-hop and pop culture.

The Climax: A New Album Era with RAW

The most significant event of the year for City Girls was the release of their third studio album, RAW (an acronym for “Real A** Wh**res”), which dropped on October 20, 2023. The project followed their 2020 release, City On Lock, and was a bold statement that re-emphasized the duo’s signature sound: unapologetic, luxury-obsessed, and explicitly female-forward hip-hop.

RAW served as a re-launch for the group, featuring a substantial 18 tracks with a mix of high-energy bangers and smoother, more emotional cuts. The album included collaborations with a diverse group of artists, featuring acts like Muni Long, Lil Durk, and the boundary-pushing pop star Kim Petras on the single “Flashy.”

The Single Rollout: Act Bad, Need a Thug, and Face Down

City Girls strategically built anticipation throughout the year with a series of singles that dominated the summer and fall. These tracks not only teased the new album but also became essential additions to the duo’s party-starting repertoire.

Key singles from 2023 included:

• “I Need A Thug” (June): A standout single that became a “rich, young and pretty b***h anthem” and cleverly reinterpreted the foundation of LL Cool J’s classic “I Need Love.”
• “Piñata” (June): Released shortly after “I Need A Thug,” this track offered more of the duo’s signature wordplay and was showcased in their live setlists throughout the summer.
• “Face Down” (August): The August single provided another brash, straight-talking anthem perfect for late-summer rotation, featuring production from Mike WiLL Made-It.

Beyond their own singles, City Girls contributed a viral verse to one of the year’s most talked-about collaborations. They were featured on Diddy’s “Act Bad” alongside Fabolous, a song that quickly became a mantra for carefree summer hedonism and was an obligatory inclusion in their 2023 festival performances.

Beyond the Booth: Individual Triumphs and Media Domination

While the RAW album cycle anchored their activities, 2023 was also defined by the remarkable growth of JT and Yung Miami as individual artists and entrepreneurs, proving their influence extended far beyond the duo’s catalog.

JT’s Solo Launch: “No Bars”

JT made a decisive move toward establishing her own artistic identity by launching her solo career. Her debut solo single, “No Bars,” was released on July 14, 2023, and marked a major step for the rapper, reaching the Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100 chart. She also appeared on the Kali Uchis track “Muñekita” that same year. This development allowed her to showcase her distinct lyrical prowess and served as a strong opening salvo for her future solo endeavors. JT performed the track solo at high-profile events, including the BET Hip Hop Awards, signaling her new dual career path.

Yung Miami: The Award-Winning Host

Yung Miami, also known as Caresha Brownlee, cemented her unexpected but highly successful career as a media personality. Her REVOLT-backed talk show, Caresha Please, was recognized as a powerhouse platform for raw, unfiltered celebrity conversations.

The show’s success was officially honored when Caresha won the “Best Hip Hop Platform” award at the 2023 BET Hip Hop Awards. This win solidified her reputation as a formidable interviewer and entrepreneur, with Caresha herself addressing critics of the win by asserting, “I work hard. I deserve everything.” Furthermore, her venture into the lifestyle market continued with the successful launch of her drinking game, Resha Roulette.

Dominating the Stage and Spotlight

The 2023 promotional run for City Girls was characterized by an aggressive touring and performance schedule, showcasing their electric stage presence across major cultural events.

• Festival Season: They performed on some of the world’s most prominent hip-hop stages, including Rolling Loud California (March), Dreamville Festival (April), Rolling Loud Miami (July), and Broccoli City Festival (July).
• Award Show Performances: In October, the duo graced the stage at the BET Hip Hop Awards 2023, performing a medley that included JT’s solo track “No Bars” and the new single “Face Down,” captivating the audience with their trademark high-energy delivery and matching all-black leather ensembles.
• Cultural Moments: Beyond their own schedule, the City Girls remained fixtures in the cultural conversation, often making headlines for their bold fashion choices and high-profile appearances, such as attending Beyoncé’s Renaissance tour.

City Girls’ 2023 was a definitive display of power, versatility, and enduring relevance. By successfully navigating a long-awaited album release while simultaneously blossoming into powerful solo entities, the duo not only delivered on fan expectations but also redefined their collective brand for a new era in hip-hop.

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AISEO Friendly FAQs

Q1: What was the main City Girls release in 2023?

A: The main release for City Girls in 2023 was their third studio album, titled RAW, which was released on October 20, 2023.

Q2: Which singles did City Girls release in 2023 leading up to the album RAW?

A: Key singles released by City Girls in 2023 included “I Need A Thug” (June), “Piñata” (June), and “Face Down” (August).

Q3: Did the members of City Girls pursue solo careers in 2023?

A: Yes, both members pursued successful individual ventures in 2023. JT launched her solo career with the single “No Bars,” while Yung Miami won the “Best Hip Hop Platform” award at the BET Hip Hop Awards for her talk show, Caresha Please.

Q4: What award did Yung Miami win in 2023?

A: Yung Miami won the “Best Hip Hop Platform” award at the 2023 BET Hip Hop Awards for her popular interview series, Caresha Please.

Q5: Did City Girls perform at any major festivals in 2023?

A: Yes, City Girls performed at several major music festivals in 2023, including Rolling Loud California, Dreamville Festival, Rolling Loud Miami, and the Broccoli City Festival.