J. Cole will officially executive produce Young Thug’s forthcoming album, according to Complex. Sources close to Thugger confirmed the two have started initial recording sessions in New York.

Considering Cole has been critical of mumble rappers in the past, he raised a few eyebrows when he announced Thug would be joining him on his massive 2018 KOD Tour. In a candid 2018 interview with Angie Martinez, Cole explained what he sees in the Jeffery mastermind.

“If you want to talk about Young Thug as an artist, he’s an innovator,” Cole said. “If you know skills, you call him a mumble rapper all you want, but if you know skills and you know the art of rapping, that dude is a genius.”

Thug has already teased numerous projects, including Barter 7 and Hy!£UN35. His upcoming project will serve as the follow-up to 2017’s Beautiful Thugger Girls.

Meanwhile, Cole is working on his next solo album as well. Dreamville Records announced the news last month.