Saba & No ID Release Long-Awaited Joint Album From the Private Collection of Saba & No ID

Saba and No ID’s long-anticipated joint album, From the Private Collection of Saba & No ID, has finally arrived. Clocking in at 15 tracks, the project features an impressive lineup of guest appearances, including R&B legends Raphael Saadiq and Kelly Rowland. Frequent Saba collaborators like Smino, BJ The Chicago Kid, Jean Deaux, and Eryn Allen Kane also contribute to the album’s dynamic sound.

Saba’s Pivot Gang crew makes their presence felt as well, with members MFnMelo, Frsh Waters, and Joseph Chilliams lending their talents. On the production side, No ID takes the lead, with additional contributions from Saba, daedaePIVOT, and Daoud.

The Journey to From the Private Collection

The album, years in the making, originally started as a mixtape in 2022. No ID, who first met Saba when attempting to sign him to Capitol Records, sent the Chicago rapper a collection of 100 beats that Saba began working on while touring. Over time, the project evolved into a full-fledged album, though it faced numerous obstacles before release.

Among the challenges was the tragic passing of Saba’s uncle, producer Tommy Skillfinger, as well as the rapper’s relentless pursuit of musical perfection. Additionally, a last-minute mission to clear a sample from Janet Jackson’s “I Get Lonely” nearly derailed the album’s release.

According to Audiomack’s Brian Zisook, Saba and his team tracked down legendary producer Jimmy Jam at a music industry event in January 2025—just one day before the album’s originally planned release. While Jimmy warned that getting Janet’s approval wouldn’t be easy, a phone call between him and No ID ultimately secured the clearance. A month later, the sample was officially cleared for use on the song “Breakdown.”

Reflecting on the moment, Saba told Zisook, “The amount of relief I felt that day… I can’t even really explain it.”

A Unique Concept Album

Speaking with Billboard, Saba explained the album’s concept:

“I would say that this idea of The Private Collection is almost like snapshots; each song has its own texture. They all feel different, so I guess they’re only connected in the sense that it is a private collection.

“I think all of these songs are like small worlds of their own. That’s part of the mixtape nature of it; it’s an album now, but I didn’t want it to be like my other albums that are so concept-based. This one, the concept is just me and No ID having fun through the artform, showcasing how we hear Hip Hop in 2025.”

Adding to a Legacy

From the Private Collection of Saba & No ID marks Saba’s fourth studio album, following acclaimed projects like Care For Me and Few Good Things. For No ID, it adds to an esteemed production catalog that includes JAY-Z’s 4:44 and The Blueprint 3, Nas’ Life Is Good, and several albums with Common, such as Resurrection, The Dreamer/The Believer, and Nobody’s Smiling.

With the album now officially out, fans can finally experience the creative synergy between these two Chicago powerhouses.