Life of a Dark Rose is the first major-label mixtape from Pennsylvania-born rapper Lil Skies, who signed to Atlantic Records after singles such as "Signs of Jealousy" and "Change Ya Life" racked up millions of streams in 2017. The 40-minute release generally feels easy, relaxed, and uncomplicated, with hazy trap beats accompanied by Skies' straightforward, Auto-Tune-free rapping/singing. Two of the release's most popular tracks, "Nowadays" and "Red Roses," feature guest vocals by Landon Cube. Life of a Dark Rose reached the Top Ten of Billboard's Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart in January of 2018.