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Austin Fortson Brings The Night To Life On Step Out Nights

  • Paul Riley
  • 1 day ago
  • 2 min read
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Austin Fortson’s new album Step Out Nights feels like a city that never sleeps. Across 17 tracks, the Charlotte rapper builds a world where the energy of the club collides with the stillness of late-night drives, and where confidence, humour, and raw honesty flow through every verse. It is a project that was carefully shaped over a year and a half in his home studio, yet it never sounds overworked. Instead, it feels alive, moving in real time, like the soundtrack to an unpredictable night out.


From the jump, Fortson shows how naturally he can shift gears. The album delivers explosive, bass-heavy songs designed to get bodies moving, but it also knows when to slow down and make space for reflection. Tracks like “Too Easy” and “Here & Now” bring high-octane energy built for packed dancefloors, while “No Trouble” and “Regular Dumb” slide into a more laid-back, ride-home kind of mood. The project’s quieter moments, including “Toxics” and “The Ropes,” bring an unexpected tenderness, showing that Fortson is just as comfortable digging into personal territory as he is hyping up a crowd. That balance is what gives Step Out Nights its staying power.


The centrepiece of the album is “Christmas In July,” a song that blends playful wordplay with a confident swagger that makes it impossible to ignore. When Fortson raps, “The money and power I’m taking em both, I’m taking these shots like we order in bulk,” it is a statement of hunger and ambition, wrapped inside a track that feels tailor-made for summer nights out. Elsewhere, he slips in lines like “Know we too grown to be playing like we shy still, know your ex mad he ain’t doing it like I will,” showing off his sharp wit and unapologetic bravado. It is catchy without being shallow, and it showcases the charisma that sets him apart. This track already feels like a defining moment, the kind of song that people will point to when they talk about why Austin Fortson matters.


What stands out most about Step Out Nights is its versatility. Fortson has created an album that can live in multiple spaces at once. It can be the backdrop for a night out with friends, a companion for a solo cruise through the city, or something to play when the noise dies down and you are left with your own thoughts. That kind of versatility is rare, and it reflects not only his skill as a rapper but also his instincts as a storyteller. Every track feels like it is part of a larger picture, a mosaic of moods and moments that capture what the night really feels like.


With this release, Austin Fortson proves he is more than just another rapper on the rise. He is a curator of vibes, a voice from Charlotte with a perspective that feels both specific and universal. Step Out Nights is bold, thoughtful, and endlessly replayable. Whether you are chasing the high of the dancefloor or winding down after midnight, this album delivers. It is music made for the night, but it shines just as bright in the light of day.



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