DJ Chose Calls On Gucci Mane To Round Out “You A Dime”
DJ Chose
Houston meets Atlanta on this collaboration about the ladies in their lives.
Houston artist DJ Chose’s last much-talked-about collaboration came from his fellow H-Town native, Megan Thee Stallion. The rapper hopped on the remix to his viral “Thick” single, and now Chose returns with Gucci Mane for their joint effort, “You a Dime.” The pair of artists trade verses about the women in their life, telling them that they’re deserving of the life of luxury while also dropping a few explicit bars for good measure.
If you happened to have been in Miami on Thursday (January 21) evening, you could have checked out DJ Chose live as he performed at a club in the bustling city. We’re sure he highlighted his newly-released, self-produced single, so stream “You A Dime” featuring Gucci Mane and share your thoughts.
Quotable Lyrics
All that body, baby girl, can’t keep it on the shelf (No)
And when she come around, can’t keep my hands to myself (Yeah)
She got me goin’ so hard that it got me out of breath (Ha)
Designer sheets for my lil’ freak, Versace when we slept
Robin Thicke Rejoins With Pharrell To Craft “Take Me Higher”
YouTube
The award-winning singer is readying his forthcoming album “On Earth, and in Heaven.”
They made magic when they came together for their mega-hit “Blurred Lines,” and Robin Thick and Pharrell Williams are hoping to repeat their previous successes. Robin has been slowly releasing new music and recently, he announced his forthcoming project, On Earth, and in Heaven. Earlier this month, Thicke explained the inspiration behind the album.
“I feel like I’m finally the person I set out to be. I’m able to laugh at anything, which I’ve realized is the greatest superpower. I’ve fully embraced it, and nothing has been better for my soul,” said Thicke. “When I saw the phrase On Earth, and in Heaven, I realized that’s what I’m singing about: the people who aren’t here and the people who are here that made me who I am. This music is the sunshine coming out after the rain.”
Thicke has shared “Take Me Higher,” a The Neptunes-produced track with Pharrell at the helm. Fans are praising this reunion, so stream “Take Me Higher,” a track that sample’s “Ladie’s Night” by Kool & the Gang, and let us know if Robin Thicke has another hit on his hands.
Quotable Lyrics
I’m so in love
Girl, you’re like the morning sun
When I’m down you lift me up
I wanna overdose on your touch
Ashanti Shares Sexy Single “235 (2:35 I Want You)” During “Verzuz”
Ashanti
The R&B singer released her new slow jam as she was performing on “Verzuz” with Keyshia Cole.
Moments ago, Ashanti and Keyshia Cole‘s Verzuz came to a close, but social media is still buzzing about the event. Unfortunately, some portions of the celebration of R&B music was accelerated due to Keyshia being over an hour late, but in the end, it was still a match-up that fans were excited to witness. O.T. Genasis made an appearance during Cole’s smash hit “Love,” and the ladies praised one another’s talents as they performed and grooved along to some of our favorite hits.
During the Verzuz, Ashanti previewed her track “235 (2:35 I Want You)” before releasing the single on streaming services. It’s always good to hear new music from the award-winning artist and songwriter, and even Keyshia Cole said that she loved the slow jam after hearing it on Verzuz with the rest of the world.Stream Ashanti’s “235 (2:35 I Want You)” and let us know what you think.
Quotable Lyrics
I don’t wanna FaceTime anymore, I just want you at that door
And I swear Imma meet you there with nothing on
I don’t know if I’m wrong for saying this, wait, wait a minute, let mе think
Don’t wanna make a move too soon, don’t wanna ruin wherе this could go
Tiësto & Ty Dolla $ign Create A Superstar Collab With “The Business Part II”
Atlantic Records / Lede Company
The two artists combine their genres for “The Business Part II.”
Tiësto will keep riding his wave of success with his newest single “The Business Part II”, which he released in collaboration with Grammy-nominated R&B artist Ty Dolla Sign. Tiësto’s popular single “The Business” was originally released in September 2020, accumulating hundreds of millions of streams and music video views since then. It only seemed natural that Tiësto team up with another accomplished artist to create a sequel to the single. Ty Dolla $ign’s smooth vocals are the perfect accompaniment to Tiësto’s electric, dance-worthy beat.
Tiësto is truly an artist who needs no introduction, garnering over 8 billion streams across platforms, currently holding the title of “Greatest DJ Of All Time” courtesy of MixMag. Ty Dolla $ign was called “one of the richest R&B talents of the last decade” by the New York Times and has been nominated for multiple Grammy awards throughout his monumental music career.
When asked about what drew him to create a second part to “The Business,” Tiësto said, “The world-wide response to ‘The Business’ has been incredible. There is nothing better than combining diverse sounds and genres to create something truly special and Ty’s smooth R&B vocals really takes this track to the next level. I have always been a huge fan of Ty’s work… he’s an exceptional talent and I am thrilled we got to collab on this. I am very excited to share this new version with both of our fans around the world!”
Listen to the track and watch the official lyric video as well.
Quotable Lyrics
Made a hundred mill I couldn’t keep my grades up
Upgrade my (BITCH) still I never change up
Upgrade my whips and my crib and my key
Let’s just get down to this business you dig
Fat Joe spits some motivational bars on the Amorphous-produced “Sunshine,” which features mashed-up vocals from Rihanna’s “Kiss It Better.”
It’s been a busy month for Fat Joe, who recently took the plunge into the world of OnlyFans alongside DJ Khaled. And while the news certainly sparked no shortage of amusing memes, captions, and deliberate misunderstandings of the expected content, Joe simply wanted to provide a platform for uplifting motivation. In fact, the legendary Terror Squad rapper has been embracing his inner guru — not only on social media, but in the booth as well. Look no further than his new single “Sunshine,” featuring a mash-up instrumental from DJ Khaled, Cool & Dre, and Amorphous – not to mention video cameos from Diddy, DJ Khaled, and Cool & Dre.
Over a breezy instrumental, the likes of which would be perfect for a summertime cruise, Joey Crack finds himself being courted by a “pretty young thing” that seems intrigued by his OG persona. “Straight savage when I got my Fenty on, Do the D’USSÉ with a touch of DeLеón,” spits Joe, unfazed by the love triangle he’s inserted himself into. “She got a man and he stuck in the fеds, He said he gon’ kill me ’cause she up in my bed.” Should you be looking for some good vibes from Joe, while remaining hesitant to take the OnlyFans plunge, perhaps it’s time to look to “The Light.”
QUOTABLE LYRICS
Straight savage when I got my Fenty on
Do the D’USSÉ with a touch of DeLеón
She got a man and he stuck in the fеds
He said he gon’ kill me ’cause she up in my bed
Joey Bada$$ Drops A Birthday Gem With “Let It Breathe”
Via YouTube
Joey Bada$$ & Statik Selektah reunite on “Let It Breathe.”
Happy Birthday, Joey Bada$$. The Brooklyn-bred rapper celebrates his 26th year on this planet, and we’ve all been fortunate enough to be on this journey with him for the past few years. Since 17, he’s been in the game. That’s nearly a decade. Even if he’s been relatively low-key in recent times, he let fans know that he was coming through with something. And he didn’t fail to deliver on his promise.
Joey Bada$$ is back with his long-awaited return with the release of one of his first solo tracks in a minute, “Let It Breathe. Produced by Statik Selektah, the rapper offers an introspective take on his career to date, from the highs to the lows while showcasing that his pen is still sharper than ever. “They throw dirt up on my name like I’m already buried/ Graveyard shifts, ’til they put me in a cemetary/ Until then, I’m gettin’ better every January,” he raps on the first verse.
Peep the latest offering from Joey Bada$$ below. Are you excited for his next album?
Quotable Lyrics Tell them group of broads not to call now
They tellin’ me to calm down
But bein’ humble was the first mistake I ever made
Not knowin’ my worth was the biggest price I ever paid
So ’til I leave this earth, I’ma shine on n***as everyday
Lil Wayne Discusses Legal Troubles On “Ain’t Got Time” Ft. Fousheé
YouTube
The rapper, who was recently pardoned by Trump, addresses his 2019 arrest.
We’re sure that today, Lil Wayne is breathing just a little bit easier. The rap icon recently received the news that he’d been pardoned by former President Donald Trump after Wayne pleaded guilty to weapons charges. The run-in with the law occurred in December 2019 when Weezy’s plane was searched by authorities and a firearm, as well as drugs, were allegedly found on board. Wayne filed his guilty plea a year later, but Trump’s pardon rids him of his legal woes.
At the stroke of midnight on Thursday (January 21), Lil Wayne released his Fousheé-assisted single “Ain’t Got Time.” The rapper repeatedly references his recent legal troubles on the track while spitting bars about the mental and emotional struggles he endures. It’s another impressive offering from Weezy that deserves a few spins, so stream “Ain’t Got Time” and share your thoughts.
Quotable Lyrics
The feds, they hot on us, one hundred on the thermometer
They raided my private plane, I went got one that’s more privater
R.I.P. Juice WRLD, wrote that one on two
‘Cause pour out a lil’ juice for ’em, sh*t gave me goosebumps
N*gga been through too much, lookin’ in the rearview to see the future
Talib Kweli & Diamond D Connect With A.F.R.O. On “Far Out Bar Out”
Marc Millman/Getty Images
Talib Kweli and Diamond D release a new track from their upcoming collaborative project, “Gotham: A Hip-Hop Love Letter To New York City.”
One of the greatest MCs of all time will be linking up with the legendary Diamond D of the Diggin’ In The Crates Crew for an ode to New York City. The rapper and producer announced that they would be releasing a joint project titled, Gotham: A Hip-Hop Love Letter To New York City. The album’s due out sometime this year, though a release date hasn’t been set. Until we get that, they’ve served up a new single to get us excited for what they have in store this year. The two teamed up for the single, “Far Out Bar Out” featuring A.F.R.O. Kweli and A.F.R.O. go bar-for-bar over the classic East Coast production.
Peep the single below and sound off with your thoughts in the comments.
Quotable Lyrics I’m never subtle
and I love it when they fumble they words
And start to mumble, and I’m still calm and humble
Joey Bada$$ Joins Lous And The Yakuza On “Amigo (Remix)”
2021 Sony Music France
Joey Bada$$ joins Lous and the Yakuza for a remix to “Amigo,” a percussive and lush bilingual banger.
It’s been literal years since Joey Bada$$ dropped off a new album, though his involvement in Beast Coast’s Escape From New York was a welcome holdover. And while he has been consistent in his assurances that his All Amerikkkan Bada$$ follow-up is imminent, Joey has pledged to keep active by way of a feature run — this time linking up with Congolese-Belgian artist Lous And The Yakuza for a remix to her percussive dance banger “Amigo.”
For the remix, the Badmon opts to switch up his style, getting melodic and spitting some patois game. It’s not exactly what you might expect from the New York lyricist, but it remains a testament to his versatility — not to mention a one-way ticket to the clubs, were they indeed open for business. “Don’t make me pick and choose, I don’t wanna be confused,” he sings, his voice tinged in autotune. “Badmon no play by rules, gyal you can be my muse.” A different side of Joey Bada$$, but let’s not forget that this is the man who played a pivotal role in bringing Post Malone’s “Rockstar” to life behind the scenes.
Should you be looking for something to vibe out to, look no further than the percussive and lush bilingual banger “Amigo (Remix),” featuring some smooth vocals from Joey Bada$$.
QUOTABLE LYRICS
Don’t make me pick and choose, I don’t wanna be confused
Badmon no play by rules, gyal you can be my muse
Damn , We lost a hip-hop legend , A true villain producer , Rapper .
He Worked with J Dilla, Madlib , De La Soul , Ghostface Killah among many others .
May His Soul Rest In Peace 😢🎶
Here’s MF Doom
Daniel Dumile(/ˈduːmiːleɪ/DOOM-ee-lay; January 9, 1971 – October 31, 2020), best known by his stage name MF Doom or simply Doom (both stylized in all caps), was a British-American rapper and record producer. Famed for his intricate wordplay, signature metal mask, and “supervillain” stage persona, Dumile became a major figure of underground hip hop in the mid-2000s.
Born in London, Dumile moved to Long Island, New York, at a young age. He began his musical career in 1988 as a member of KMD, performing under the name Zev Love X; the group disbanded in 1993 upon the death of member DJ Subroc (Dumile’s brother). After a hiatus from music, Dumile reemerged in the late 1990s when he began performing at open mic events while wearing a metal mask resembling that of Marvel Comics supervillain Doctor Doom, who is depicted on the cover of his 1999 debut solo album Operation: Doomsday. He adopted the MF Doom persona and rarely made unmasked public appearances thereafter.
Dumile’s most prolific period was in the early-mid 2000s, when between 2003 and 2005 he released four studio albums (including 2004’s Mm..Food) and two collaborative albums, using the MF Doom moniker as well as the pseudonyms King Geedorah and Viktor Vaughn. His sixth and final solo studio album, Born Like This, was released in 2009. Dumile relocated to London in the 2010s, where he mostly worked in collaboration with other rappers.
Danny Brown Assists Bruiser Brigade’s J.U.S On “Have Mercy”
Via TIDAL
It’s a Bruiser Brigade affair on this hazy collaboration from J.U.S. & Danny Brown.
It’s been only a year and some change since Danny Brown released his last project, Uknowhatimsayin? Since then, he’s hit the road and held up his album obligations but he’s been relatively low-key throughout the pandemic. And that’s largely due to the fact that he’s also dropping projects from other artists on the Bruiser Brigade imprint.
This week, J.U.S dropped off his new project, GOD GOKU JAY-Z through Bruiser Brigade Records. If you aren’t familiar with his work, he’s a vivid storyteller and his project offers any hip-hop fan something to get them excited. With Danny appearing three times across the tracklist, he links up with J.U.S on their hazy collab, “Have Mercy.” The song is produced by Squadda B who serves up a lo-fi, off-kilter, smoked-out instrumental fitting for the two rappers left-field approach to their craft.
Peep the track below.
Quotable Lyrics Amsterdam, we on that Summer Sam, that Killa Cam
God damn, against me and you, you’ll get your shit blammed
Oh man, pork on that coal, we’ll have a luau
God damn, you disrepect, we’ll have a shootout
Wale Aims To Start The Year With Some “Good Vibes”
2021 Warner Records
Wale analyzes the current state of affairs, setting his sights on lopsided politics and misguided rap trends on “Good Vibes.”
With a new year comes new music, and Wale is already set to kick things off on a productive note. Today, the rapper has come through to deliver his first single of the year in “Good Vibes (Za),” an indication of his mentality moving forward. Though some have wanted to see Wale embrace his inner lyricist and snap on wax, it would appear that he’s been focused on finding inner peace; that’s not to say his bars aren’t sharp, but it’s clear that he’s had it up to here with chaos. That’s not to say he doesn’t have a few grievances to air, however.
Over a smooth bassline and some vibey percussion, Wale blends melodies and flows as he tackles some of the current political tumult that’s been transpiring across the United States — not to mention the priorities that appear to be alarming him. “Losing my cool I’m losing my patience / You using your stimulus just to lose it in Vegas,” he raps. “I see a lotta APs, I see a lotta Rolexes / I’ma buy ’em off of these ni*gas right after the ‘demic.” As the track continues, Wale looks to some of hip-hop’s fallen, shouting out Nipsey Hussle and Pop Smoke — check it out now, and sound off in the comments.
QUOTABLE LYRICS
Losing my cool I’m losing my patience
You using your stimulus just to lose it in Vegas
I see a lotta APs, I see a lotta Rolexes
I’ma buy ’em off of these ni*gas right after the ‘demic
Ali Shaheed Muhammed (of A Tribe Called Quest) and Adrian Younge are two of the most respected composers in hip-hop. They first collaborated in 2013 on the Souls of Mischief album There Is Only Now before tackling the score for Marvel’s Luke Cage. Their work on that Netflix show actually postponed a project Muhammed and Younge had begun around the time There Is Only Now was released, but now they’ve finally finished what they started. Today, the duo has announced its self-titled debut album as the newly formed The Midnight Hour.
Due out June 8th via Linear Labs, The Midnight Hour is a guest-heavy affair described as “an ode to the cultural sophistication that the Harlem Renaissance established for its people.” The 20-track record explores the jazz, soul, and funk sounds that became the bedrock on which producers in the ’80s and ’90s built hip-hop. Muhammed and Younge gathered a jazz rhythm section and a full orchestra in the studio, as well as guest contributors including Raphael Saadiq, Marsha Ambrosius, Bilal, Eryn Allen Kane, Questlove, and more. There’s even a reimagining of Luther Vandross’ 1986 single “So Amazing” that reuses the original vocal stems.
As a first taste, The Midnight Hour have broken off “Questions”, featuring CeeLo Green. Astute listeners may think the composition feels familiar, and they’d be right: Kendrick Lamar heard an early demo of the song and wanted to sample it on To Pimp a Butterfly. The resulting track didn’t end up on the seminal album, though it did live on as the untitled unmastered. track “untitled 06 | 06.30.2014”. Take a listen to the fully realized version below.
Pre-orders for The Midnight Hour are now live. You can also hear more from Muhammad and Younge when Luke Cage Season 2 hits Netflix on June 22nd, featuring another score and more original music by the duo that promises “a lot of special surprises.”
The Midnight Hour Artwork:
The Midnight Hour Tracklist: 01. Black Beacon
02. Mare (feat. Ladybug Mecca)
03. It’s You (feat. Raphael Saadiq)
04. Questions (feat. CeeLo Green)
05. So Amazing (feat. Luther Vandross)
06. Gate 54
07. Do It Together (feat. Bilal)
08. Redneph in B Minor
09. Better Endeavor
10. Smiling For Me (feat. Karolina)
11. Don’t Keep Me Waiting (feat. Marsha Ambrosius)
12. Bitches Do Voodoo (feat. Angela Muno)
13. Possibilities (feat. Eryn Allen Kane)
14. Mission
15. Dans Un Moment D’errance (feat. Laetitia Sadier, Questlove & Keyon Harrold)
16. Love is Free (feat. Eryn Allen Kane)
17. Together Again ft. No I
18. Feel Alive (feat. Karolina & Loren Oden)
19. There Is No Greater Love (feat. Loren Oden & Saudia Yasmein)
20. Ravens
A highlight off of the OVO duo’s “Amusing Her Feelings.”
In the era of deluxe editions, it felt weird leaving 2020 knowing that dvsn dropped one of the best R&B projects of the year yet didn’t slide through with an additional few songs. They did, however, release a few singles towards the end of the year before blessing us with Amusing Her Feelings on Friday. The deluxe edition only includes four new songs — two of which were already released — yet it doesn’t feel like there’s any way to kick off the year. The set kicks off with “She Said,” an electrifying anthem that dives a bit deeper into rock influences with a dash of NOLA bounce on the bridge. It seemingly serves as part one of two, later followed by the single, “He Said” ft. Miguel.
Peep the song below.
Quotable Lyrics You say I’m so nice
But knowin’ all my vices
I can steer you right but
I won’t take advice myself
Sia & Burna Boy Join Forces On Fiery New Track “Hey Boy”
Image via Sia
Burna Boy is the only feature on Sia’s upcoming album.
Sia is one of the biggest pop artists in the world and is known for her unique writing ability. She is currently in the midst of coming out with her very own movie and there is a soundtrack to go with it called Songs From And Inspired By The Motion Picture. This project has yet to release although the artist has made sure to drop some singles first, including “Hey Boy” which features the likes of Burna Boy.
This track is an undeniable pop hit that sees Sia carrying the track for most of the duration, all while Burna Boy adds his unique touch through ad-libs and a verse in the latter half of the song. If you’re a fan of either of these two artists, this is a must-listen.
Quotable Lyrics:
Not going to be single, not tonight
Am I going to be single all my life?
I want you to stop and come on by
‘Cause you know what us single women like
Dave East Shuts Up The Naysayers With “Child Of The Ghetto”
Via YouTube
Dave East drops off his latest record, “Child Of The Ghetto.”
There’s been a lot of speculation regarding Dave East‘s next move. He’s certainly an exceptional lyricist but Hollywood could be calling for him sooner rather than later. He has been diving deeper into acting and he has expressed his desire to get more involved with film and television. However, he’s still great at what he does as a rapper and he proves his naysayers wrong with his latest offering, “Child Of The Ghetto.” The rapper’s verses cut through the frenetic production with conviction as he reflects on his come-up from poverty to rap stardom.
Released as short film, Dave East showcases both his strengths as a rapper and an actor in “Child Of The Ghetto.” Check out the rapper’s latest offering below and sound off in the comments.
Quotable Lyrics Find me out in Cabo when the climate is 80 degrees
Hermes the hoodie, Hermes the sleeve
If the devil wears Prada, just Louis Vuitton me
That shit from overseas
Special delivery, damn a n***a glittery
Run The Jewels’ “Ooh La La” Remixed By Mexican Institution Of Sound
2020 Jewel Runners LLC
El-P and Killer Mike’s “Ooh La La” gets a new remix from the Mexican Institute Of Sound, featuring additional contributions from Santa Fe Klan.
While Run The Jewels‘ RTJ4 single “Ooh La La” took a page out of French culture, this latest remix by the Mexican Institute Of Sound takes things south of the border for a revised version. Also featuring guest contributions from the Santa Fe Klan, this latest remix from the Jewel Runner camp leans headlong into the Mexican vibe, implementing horns and additional emphasis on percussion into the mix.
While there isn’t much to unpack about the track itself, given how it’s become quite familiar to RTJ fans, it’s always interesting to see how other artists visualize their existing music. In fact, it’s a testament to the versatility of both El-P and Killer Mike, both of whom tend to sound at home no matter what style of instrumental their over — hell, El-P once reimagined their entire debut album using only cat sounds. Check out the Mexican Institute Of Sound Remix to “Ooh La La” right here, and sound off if you’ve been keeping RTJ4 in steady rotation.
QUOTABLE LYRICS
Lookin’ for M’s like I lost a friend
Jump out of my bed like “Where the bread?”
You gon’ hold the egg, waiter bring the check
When we talk, we Kalashnikov, keep us in your thoughts
Fully dressed at the crack of dawn, weapons letting off
I can hear them from the block, see them creeping through the fog
The singer is returning to the music with his latest single “Comeback.”
Gallant has been relatively absent from the music sphere through 2020 as he dealt with problems with his label Warner Records before recently parting ways with them. Under the label, he released two full-length projects, Ology in 2016 and Sweet Insomnia in 2019 with appearances from fellow alt-R&B peers 6LACK and Sabrina Claudio. Now, the singer is finally emerging from his label departure with new music.
“Comeback.” marks the first independent release from the Maryland native, and his first release since 2019. The apologetic hymn features Gallant begging for forgiveness from a partner after committing infidelity in their union and is the first offering from his forthcoming EP titled Neptune. Therelease date for the project has yet to be announced, but it is expected to come soon after now that the rollout is underway.
Earlier this week, Gallant posted a link to a countdown on Twitter that revealed that the lead single off the tape, “Comeback.,” would drop on January 16, 2021.
The video for the track is scheduled to drop today, Friday the 15th at noon. In the meantime, check out the new single and let us know how you feel about it in the comments.
Quotable Lyrics:
So hard, see my mistakes with you in front of me
The risk of you judgin’ me, but I’ll attempt an apology, ah
But the planets are indifferent to astrology
I was destined to monogamy
Lil Wayne Drops Off “Green And Yellow” Hype Song For Green Bay Packers
YouTube
He’s never made it a secret that he’s a superfan of the team and continues to prove it with his latest release.
There were murmurs that Lil Wayne was up to something and planned on releasing new music today (January 15), and we finally know what it is. The sports fan has reportedly released a new version of his 2011 hype song, “Green and Yellow,” in honor of the Green Bay Packers’ playoff game against the Los Angeles Rams.
During his recent visit to Skip and Shannon: Undisputed, Weezy reportedly shared that he’d completed the track this week. “I worked on it for three days, too. I don’t do that,” he said. The track references many of the team’s players and within the first hour of sharing a snippet of the song to his Instagram page, Wayne has amassed nearly 200K likes alone.
Check out Packers superfan Lil Wayne‘s “Green and Yellow” and let us know what you think of this updated version.
Quotable Lyrics
Green Bay, Green Bay
It gets scary, Halloween day, Scream face
Bloody Mary, secondary
Jordan mean face
Smoke DZA and Conway The Machine slide through to kick some bars on “Lavish,” produced by 38 Spesh.
Smoke DZA, Jayy Grams, Nym Lo, 183rd, and OT The Real recently connected for their new nine-track collaborative album R.F.C. Money Is The Motive, which you can check out right here. While the entire project is consistent from start to finish, it’s hard to resist an appearance from heavyweight Griselda lyricist Conway The Machine, who slides through to hold it down on “Lavish.”
Taking to a minimalist sample-beat from 38 Spesh, Conway sets things off with some bars like only he can. “I drop the bag, you pop it in, your top is splashing / the glock is plastic, green beam on the top that’s flashing,” he spits. “We going overboard with it, we not relaxing / we whacked him, went to his funeral shot up his casket.” Following his laid-back verse is Smoke DZA, who keeps the bars coming with a few gems of his own. “Painting houses like I’m Fred Sheeran, play pinata with your melon,” raps DZA. “You and your dude, send your homie on an errand / we more felon, you more Ellen.”
Check out the track now, and sound off with your comments below.
QUOTABLE LYRICS
Painting houses like I’m Fred Sheeran,
Play pinata with your melon
You and your dude, send your homie on an errand
We more felon, you more Ellen
Funk Flex & Fivio Foreign Collide On Drill-Heavy Single “Game Time”
Instagram
The pair blaze through the single that’s said to be featured on Flex’s upcoming project.
Be prepared to hear more from Funk Flex as he rolls out singles from his forthcoming album. Just a month after sharing his posthumous single and video for his track “Lurkin” featuring the late King Von who was murdered back in November 2020, Funk Flex returns with another look from his project. He’s promised that his series of releases would feature heavy hitters, and on Friday (January 15) he shared “Game Time” with Fivio Foreign.
The famed Hot97 DJ has been kicking up dust lately over his comments regarding Jay-Z and Drake, but he’s taken a break from the controversy to give us his drill-laced single with one of the leading forces from the New York Drill scene. Flex’s accompanying visual is much like that of his video with Von as he and Fivio keep things minimal because of the pandemic. Check out “Game Time” and let us know what you think.
Quotable Lyrics
Fivio Foreign the greatest (Greatest)
Good moves, evasive (Ayy)
I’m on Perc’ too (Perc’ too), I’m faded (Faded)
F*ckin’ up the situation (Ayy, ayy, ayy)
My n*ggas armed and dangerous (We all), uh
This gun, I gotta catch a stain with it (Baow)
That’s the motto, call me Cain with it
Ariana Grande, Megan Thee Stallion, & Doja Cat Are A Triple Threat On “34+35 (Remix)
Instagram
The three women trade verses about how they like it in the bedroom.
As fans expected, Ariana Grande is giving her viral hit “34+35” an upgrade with the help of Megan Thee Stallion and Doja Cat. There have been requests for these ladies to hop on a track together for months as each of their dedicated fan bases has flooded social media with requests, and on Thursday (January 14), Ariana revealed that she’d obliged.
Grande’s hit single “34+35” arrived courtesy of her chart-topping album Positions that she shared the day before Halloween last year. The single would have been a pop hit without the help of TikTok, but having the song go viral on the popular app certainly helped. Megan and Doja add their flavor to Ariana’s pop princess mix, so check out their remix to “34+35” and let us know what you think.
Quotable Lyrics
Can we stay up all night
F*ck a jet lag
You bring your fine ass
An overnight bag
Add up the numbers or get behind that
Play and rewind that
Listen you’ll find that
I want that six nine
Without Tekashi
Pusha T & Vince Staples Join DIVINE On “Jungle Mantra”
YouTube
The single is from the forthcoming Netflix drama “White Tiger.”
Netflix is slated to premiere the film adaptation of White Tiger on January 22, so the streaming service has begun sharing music from the silver screen project. On Friday (January 14), Indian rapper DIVINE delivered his addition to the soundtrack, a single titled “jungle Mantra” that includes features from Vince Staples and Pusha T. The Mumbai rapper shares his stage with the acclaimed emcees as they trade verses over a vibrant production.
White Tiger is described as a “dark humor” style drama film that takes place in India. The movie follows a young man determined to rebel against a system that has pigeon-holed him into being a servant as he takes on a quest to reach new heights. We expect to hear more from this soundtrack in days to come, but in the meantime, stream “Jungle Mantra” and let us know what you think.
Quotable Lyrics
Slaves to the bag, just hatin’ my blackness all ‘cross the atlas
Fatal attraction, money like magnets
Yeah, I gotta have it, I’m a fanatic
Chasin’ it, takin’ it, playin’ in traffic
Get it and stack it, you livin’ average, not in my bracket
Hustling a habit, then put what I earn in my casket, ashes to ashes
Flo Milli Samples A Musical On Kenny Beats-Produced Single “Roaring 20s”
Flo Milli
The Southern-bred rapper is back to prove that she’s the next big thing in the rap game.
Rising artist Flo Milli is said to be next in line when it comes to the conversation about women in the rap game, and she’s ready for her seat at the table. The Alabama-raised rapper has been catching the attention of rap fans worldwide, especially after she made an appearance at last year’s BET Hip Hop Awards where she dropped a few bars during one of the network’s coveted cyphers.
The newly-21-year-old artist has returned with another single, “Roaring 20s,” a track that boasts a production from Kenny Beats. If the sample sounds familiar, it’s because Beats has switched up the popular show tune “If I Were A Rich Man” from the famed musical Fiddler on the Roof. Fans have already begun flooding Flo Milli’s social media with praise, so check out “Roaring 20s” and let us know what you think.
Quotable Lyrics
Stupid sh*t, it’s just a double standard
I made my own lane and I took advantage (Flo Milli shit)
You can’t hate on p*ssy if it rule the planet (Yeah, yeah)
I just came in the game and I’m doin’ damage (If I was a rich man)
Benny The Butcher Provides Buffalo Bills’ Theme Music “Bills Mafia Anthem”
Benny The Butcher
Benny The Butcher releases his theme music for the Buffalo Bills.
Finally, Buffalo is getting some looks in the rap game. With the emergence of Griselda a few years ago, Westside Gunn, Benny The Butcher, and Conway The Machine brought new eyes to the region as one of the hottest breeding grounds for young, up-and-coming rappers. The group continues to shine bright in the new year, with Benny leading the charge, releasing the new theme music for his hometown Buffalo Bills.
Currently leading the AFC East, the Bills brought home a win against the Colts on Saturday, and they look poised for a deep run in the NFL Playoffs. Benny The Butcher released a new track to motivate Tre Davis and the rest of the squad with the “Bills Mafia Anthem”.
The short record runs just over a minute with Benny boasting about the team’s success and how they’re bound to shine this year.
Do you think this will energize the team before their game against the Ravens next weekend?
Quotable Lyrics:
You know who the beasts in the AFC East
We gon’ grind this thing out for seventeen weeks, yeah
You hatin’ on the Bills then you way off
Talk is cheap, meet us in the playoffs
Jazmine Sullivan Reveals The Key To Her Love On “Put It Down”
Via TIDAL
Another highlight off of “Heaux Tales.”
It’s been a long time coming but Jazmine Sulivan finally came through with a new project. Following a year where R&B took the world by storm, Jazmine Sullivan’s Heaux Tales is a perfect way to kick off the year. She offers trails of gospel throughout her R&B stylings while elements of trap and hip-hop bubble through at some points. More than anything, Jazmine’s ability to capture emotions and relay them in a relatable fashion through her songwriting is showcased at its best. “Put It Down” is a perfect example of this. On the record, the singer find herself exploring the topic of bummy men who do as the song’s title suggests. The hook’s conversational tone adds a personal effect to the song as she reflects on why she’s a sucker for her man who apparently still lives with his mother.
Check the track out below.
Quotable Lyrics Yeah, I know better, but he got me trippin’
My friends think I’m crazy, they say that I’m slippin’
Damn it, I know that I’m right
Westside Gunn, Benny The Butcher, & Armani Caesar Link On “Mission Accomplished”
2021 Griselda Records
Griselda spitters Westside Gunn, Armani Caesar, and Benny The Butcher unite over an eerie banger for “Mission Accomplished.”
The first Griselda soundtrack is officially here with Conflicted, a project that features new music from Westside Gunn, Armani Caesar, Benny The Butcher, Boldy James, Dave East, Lloyd Banks, Heem, Flee Lord, Ransom, and more. And while we’ve already taken a moment to highlight the first Lloyd Banks solo track he’s dropped in a minute, it’s important to show some love to one of the project’s Griselda team-ups. Penultimate cut “Mission Accomplished” features Westside Gunn, Armani Caesar, and Benny The Butcher, all of whom put in serious work over an eerie beat from Cee Gee.
Though seldom given due credit for his bars, Westside Gunn kicks things off with an incendiary opening verse, his charisma and character oozing as he fires off violent warnings. “Seen the best fold, some turned for a dollar,” he spits. “Some turned state courtroom like an opera.” Armani picks up where he left off, a cold and calculating counterpart to Gunn’s wild-card persona. At this point, it’s all but expected that Benny The Butcher will line his chopping block with bars. “Two diamond rings on the hand that fed sharks,” he raps. “I’m like Dre, Jay Electronica, and Marsh,” he raps. “Whole team lit, this what you get when you playin’ smart / When you got integrity, longevity, and heart .”
Check out the full Conflicted soundtrack right here.
QUOTABLE LYRICS
I got the Louis V kicks, the trench, and scarf
I’m like Dre, Jay Electronica, and Marc’, uh
Whole team lit, this what you get when you playin’ smart
When you got integrity, longevity, and heart
Lloyd Banks once again reps the Griselda movement with “Element Of Surprise, a standout cut off the brand new “Conflicted” soundtrack.
Don’t call it a comeback, but Lloyd Banks has officially returned with a new solo track. Arriving courtesy of Griselda and Black Soprano Family’s brand new Conflicted film soundtrack, “Element Of Surprise” finds Banks once again picking up his punchline crown and stepping into the booth. Having recently turned in a stellar verse on Conway The Machine’s “Juvenile Hell,” it’s clear that Banks has been finding common ground with the Griselda movement, relishing in the grimy production and emphasis on bars.
Here, Banks does what he does best, taking to a raw instrumental from Nothing But M’s and letting fly some hard-hitting lyricism. “How you gon’ threaten me with relevance, I left already / separated from entertainment now my head is steady,” raps Banks. “The industry can SMD, I keep the letters ready / always been disciplined but dedication’s necessary.” Though we’ll always be happy for some new Banks, receiving his music in such sporadic doses is certain an exercise in patience. Perhaps the day will come when we see a new mixtape from the PLK, and who knows — maybe he’ll take his growing Griselda affiliation to its logical conclusion.
QUOTABLE LYRICS
How you gon’ threaten me with real events, I left already
Separated from entertainment now my head is steady
The industry can SMD, I keep the letters ready
Aways been disciplined but dedication’s necessary.”
Now, Sullivan is back in full-swing giving the gworls a rollout and errthang–thank you 2021. Heaux Tales plays like an intimate conversation between sister-friends about lust and love and everything in-between. We’ve already heard singles “Pick Up Your Feelings”, “Lost One” and “Girl Like Me” featuring H.E.R and now, the next stand-out record includes none other than Ari Lennox.
“On It” ironically features the shea butter baby as her and Sullivan’s hues blend seamlessly together like butter. The two contemplate a very vital decision in the making of any entanglement turned relationship–whether or not they should sit on the d***. Of course, to rid themselves of ridicule and personal disappointment, Jazmine And Ari consider society’s unwritten rules of how a woman should behave and demand that he proves why he deserves the goods. Listen below and let us know what you think.
Quotable Lyrics:
I need more than a text message
You gon’ have to pull off somethin’ impressive
Curves got you drivin’ reckless
Take this water and hydrate, b*****
Last Days and Benny The Butcher get to the money on “Tradition.”
Griselda was on a hot streak all 2020. Conway, Westside Gunn, and Benny The Butcher all delivered solid bodies of work throughout the year, and their feature game was equally impressive. Collaborations that have landed them on Grammy-nominated albums but they’ve continued to keep their imprint in the underground. Some of them may have flown under your radar.
Benny The Butcher linked up with Last Days towards the tail end of 2020 for a brand new record titled, “Tradition.” An anthem for the hustlers and go-getters, Last Days describes only knowing the grind just as he’s seen from his parents coming up. Benny The Butcher swoops in on the last verse with another display of his natural ability to demolish a verse.
Press play on Last Days new track “Tradition” below.
Quotable Lyrics Street n***as run the world, I’m active, we bias
Nowadays, you got to talk to a rapper like he wired
Word to every half I flipped, I earned all the cash I get
Money under mattresses from cocaine establishments
Saweetie & Doja Cat Are Double Trouble In “Best Friend” Visual
Image Via Publicist
The ladies trade verses about being beautiful besties.
After her label served a pump fake release last month, Saweetie has finally shared her collaboration with Doja Cat. It was this time in December when we briefly received the track “Best Friend,” and immediately after it was uploaded to streaming services, Saweetie took to social media to call out her record label for sharing the song prematurely. Ahead of the Friday releases that are squared away from a midnight drop, Saweetie and Doja decided to reveal their official collab on Thursday (January 7) afternoon along with a colorful visual.
The pair of pop-rap stars have recently faced criticism over “Best Friend” after Roc Nation’s sister duo Ceraadi suggested that the song and the music video were eerily similar to their September 2020 release, “BFF.” Saweetie issued a sarcastic response by commenting, “Omg we’ll totallyyyy add you in the credz! MY IDOLS.” While fans continue to chat about those comparisons, Saweetie prepares for her forthcoming debut album Pretty B*tch Musicthat will be released via ICY/Warner Records. Stream Saweetie and Doja Cat‘s “Best Friend” and let us know what you think.
Quotable Lyrics
Got me steppin’ out that Jeep, got Manolo’s
When we pull up to the scene, they be filled with jealousy
If a b*tch get finicky, she gon’ bring that energy (Pop-pop-pop)
I hit her phone with the tea, like, “B*tch, guess what?”
All the rich ass boys wanna f*ck on us
All this ass suckin’ up, you can look, don’t touch
Desiigner Returns With Quick-Rapping Single “AMEN”
YouTube
The NYC rapper stands alone on his first offering of 2021.
The new year has caused many artists to craft out a year of the “takeover,” and Desiigner is adding his name to the list. The New York rapper burst onto the scene years ago with his smash hit “Panda,” but since that time, he has had a few ups and downs in his career. In May 2020, Desiigner claimed that he cut ties with his label,Kanye West‘s G.O.O.D. Music, because he “felt uncomfortable,” and now he’s releasing new music under his umbrella, LOD.
Desiigner’s first offering for 2021 is “AMEN,” a quick-rapping track where he spits rhymes about his fame and street cred. Ahead of its release in the United States, Desiigner shared screenshots of compliments he received on the record from other countries who were already enjoying the release. We’ll let you give it a few spins to judge for yourself, so stream “AMEN” by Desiigner and we’ll keep you updated on any news related to a possible upcoming project.
Quotable Lyrics
N*ggas say I sound like Future, huh, no, I’m not him (No, I’m not him)
N*gga, I am the future, huh, no more top ten (No more top ten), huh
N*gga, I’m from New York where we get it poppin’ (Get it poppin’)
I got n*ggas in New York, yeah, my n*ggas grindin’ (Niggas grindin’)
N*gga go and state my humble shIt, they’re not tryin’ (They’re not tryin’)
YG Links With 4Hunnid Artists Day Sulan & D3szn For “Hit Em Up”
Yahoo
It’s clear that 4Hunnid is looking to make its mark in 2021.
In August, YG and his 4Hunnid artist Day Sulan united on their single Equinox, and now they’ve returned with another collaboration. The Los Angeles rapper has been carefully crafting out the career of his rising artist, making sure that he proves that Compton’s First Lady of 4Hunnid reputation is well deserved.
YG, Day Sulan, and newest 4Hunnid artist D3szn joined forces for their single “Hit Em Up,” and each artist blazes through their hard bars as they set the tone for the upcoming year. We expect to hear much more from YG and his 4Hunnid crew, so we’ll make sure to keep you posted on what’s to come. “I knew I was going to blow eventually. I’m not there yet, but I always had that confidence,” Sulan told Revolt last August. “I knew it’s going to be some time but the way social media works nowadays, things happen a lot quicker.”
Steam “Hit Em Up” and let us know what you think.
Quotable Lyrics
Slide, slide, they do the toosie
Put ’em down, difference in the score up (Up)
It’s a number game, b*tch, and we four up (Up)
He a cameraman, he shoot close-up
Pop-pop-pop to thе Range Rover (Pop-pop)
They likе, “Boy, you gotta chill” (Chill)
I’m like, “Chill, ice out the grill” (Bitch)
dvsn Reimagines Two Kings Of Leon Hits On “Use Somebody” Single
Image Provided By Publicist
The track is featured on the R&B duo’s January 15 release, “Amusing Her Feelings.”
Canadian R&B duo dvsn is reportedly cooking up something new as it’s been shared that their forthcoming album, Amusing Her Feelings, is set to arrive next week courtesy of OVO Sound. The project is a continuation of their third studio album A Muse In Her Feelings, and as they prepare for their next release, they’ve returned with their latest single, “Use Somebody.”
On “Use Somebody,” dvsn gets inventive as they both cover and blend two hit songs by alt-rock band King of Leon: “Use Somebody” and “Sex On Fire.” Daniel Daley’s resounding vocals and Nineteen85’s multi-layered production creates a sonic space that will soon be hailed as a bedroom anthem. As we wait for the release of Amusing Her Feelings on January 15, stream “Use Somebody” by dvsn and share your thoughts.
Quotable Lyrics
Off in the night, while you live it up, I’m off to sleep
And I’m waging wars to shape the poet and the beat, yeah
I hope it’s gonna make you notice
I hopе it’s gonna make you no-, make you notice
Madlib drops a new track called “Hopprock” from his upcoming project “Sound Ancestors”.
Following the release of his latest record “Road Of The Lonely Ones“, legendary producer Madlib has returned with more new music from his upcoming project Sound Ancestors.
Known for his outstanding work with artists like Freddie Gibbs, J Dilla, and the late MF DOOM, Madlib has been widely recognized as one of the best beatmakers in hip-hop for decades. He continues his reign with his recent output, coming through this week with the release of his new song “Hopprock”, which is mostly instrumental aside from a voicemail recording at the beginning of the track.
This record will be included on Sound Ancestors, which is expected to be out this month, or in the coming weeks.
Listen to the soundscape below and let us know what you think.
Conway’s already gunning for the title of Rapper Of The Year in 2021. Check out Conway & Big Ghost LTD.’s new track off of their forthcoming project, “IF IT BLEEDS IT CAN BE KILLED.”
Griselda had one hell of a run in 2020. Ending out the year prior with WWCD, they stormed through the 2020 with numerous releases from Westside Gunn, Conway, and Benny The Butcher, along with debuts from their latest Griselda signees. They really kept pressure on the rap game for a whole 365 + days and they don’t seem to be slowing down anytime soon.
It already seems like Conway has new heat in the cut for the year. The rapper teamed up with Big Ghost LTD., again, for another new collaborative project titled, IF IT BLEEDS IT CAN BE KILLED which is due out later this year. Kicking the campaign for the project off is, “Toast.” Big Ghost LTD. delivers an spacious and soulful production while Conway makes a case as to why 2021 will, once again, be a year of dominance. “I ain’t no rapper, don’t think we the same/ ‘Cause we gon’ clip one of you n***as if you leave your lane.”
Excellent raps. Excellent production. IF IT BLEEDS IT CAN BE KILLED is definitely a project to keep your eyes out for this year.
Quotable Lyrics Lot of blemishes in your records, it’s a few errors
So you built a brand off of cap like New Era
Still a $2000 shoe-wearer
Christian Loubs, I got few pair of, two-door coupe steerer
New Fear Of God on my body, something to shoot near it
If its a booth near, I’m in that bitch spittin’ truth serum
Westside Gunn, Wale, & Smoke DZA Link On “The Hurt Business” From “Conflicted” Soundtrack
YouTube
The film is set for release on Amazon Prime on January 15.
In a little over a week, Griselda will take the silver screen by storm with their film Conflicted. The project was teased last summer and will finally hit Amazon Prime on January 15, and in conjunction with the film’s release, Westside Gunn and the Griselda crew are also delivering a soundtrack. Gunn and Benny The Butcher star in the movie and other than knowing that the film will tackle subject matter that they’ve rapped about in their catalogs, we’ll have to wait and see what they’ve come up with. Meanwhile, Westside Gunn has linked with Smoke DZA and Wale to bring “The Hurt Business,” a single featured on the forthcoming soundtrack.
“The movie is a hood classic and we gonna give u that street shut on this soundtrack,” Gunn penned on Instagram. “They don’t even make soundtracks anymore this is the Culture, this is Also executive prod by DJ Shay he was working on this when he Past.” Check out “The Hurt Business” and let us know if you’re looking forward to Conflicted.
Quotable Lyrics
Got a kilo on my neck, n*gga, average a brick
Your b*tch face painted on my pants, Ravishing Rick (Uh)
How stylish is this? No hate, no malice is this
Whippin’ heavy, all these carats on wrists
Thousand dollar bottle sprays, my whole palate is rich
Dave East’s hustle is unmatched. Check out “No Lucc.”
Dave East‘s penchant for lyricism has been his strongest suits. He isn’t a rapper that’s necessarily in need of a catchy hook or a hot feature to get his point across which is why fans still gravitate towards the EastMix offerings. The rapper often takes popular tracks and flips them into his own. This series, specifically, marked why he’s often been held in high regards as an MC.
This week, the rapper slid through with his latest offering, “No Lucc.” The short track runs for a little under a minute in a half, though that’s all he really needs to get his point across. Tackling soul samples, Dave East reflects on the hustle to the top of the food chain.
Quotable Lyrics I’m the same one who got it
Came from change in my pockets
To Copenhagen, me and Shooter exchanges them dollas
I know they told me to keep it calm but I came with the wilders
Almost went insane in the projects,
Not from San Fran but I came with some Niners
Jazmine Sullivan & H.E.R. Question Whether Being A Good Girl Is Worth It On “Girl Like Me”
Jazmine Sullivan
The track is featured on Sullivan’s upcoming album, “Heaux Tales.”
Philly singer Jazmine Sullivan will soon release her much-awaited album Heaux Tales, and fans have been enjoying her R&B rollout. She’s given us singles “Pick Up Your Feelings” and “Lost One,” and for her third release just days ahead of the album’s unveiling, Jazmine Sullivan returns with “Girl Like Me” featuring celebrated Bay Area singer H.E.R. The two powerhouse vocalists collide on the guitar-backed track, emphasizing their talents with a toned-down production.
The lyrics match the somber mood of the haunting single as both ladies share a tale of a romantic relationship that has ended after the man leaves his woman for someone else. As insecurities arise about their physical appearance, they question whether or not being a good girl is worth the time and effort if they only get abandoned in the end. Stream “Girl Like Me” by Jazmine Sullivan featuring H.E.R. and let us know what you think.
Quotable Lyrics
Yeah, you gon’ make me a gold digger (Gold digger)
Maybe I should look like a stripper
Wearin’ Fashion Nova dresses
All these dudes be so pressed and impressed with it
You leave me with no choice (Oh, oh)
I can’t do this good girl sh*t no more
Wiz Khalifa Pulls Up On Paper Planes On “Palm Trees”
Via YouTube
Wiz Khalifa offers some laidback vibes from his “#FUCC2020” mixtape.
It’s officially 2021 and Wiz Khalifa rang in the new year with a farewell to 2020. The rapper unleashed his latest project #FUCC2020 on Friday with little to no warning but it was a splendid surprise for Wiz fans. Hosted by Wiz Khalifa/DJ Daddykat (his alter ego), he came through with 24 songs in total that offered a vibe for everyone.
“Palm Trees” kicks the project off on a high note. Wiz takes on muddy and spacey trap production as he reflects on the finer things in life: women, weed, money, etc. Wiz is talkin’ his shit on this record, reminding his peers and the generation that follows that he’s in a whole other league of his own.
Quotable Lyrics I’m shoppin’ and makin’ my clothes
They sayin’ I’m too hard
I told you that I was gon’ win
As soon as I open the door and they lettin’ me star
And they takin’ one look at my wrist
Get hella impressed, they don’t even know what it cost
Uncle Murda & Benny The Butcher Get To A “Whole Lotta Money”
Via TIDAL
Uncle Murda connects with Que Banz, Moe Chipps and Benny The Butcher on “Don’t Come Outside, Vol. 3.”
There has never been a more appropriate time for Uncle Murda to release an installment of his Don’t Come Outside mixtape series. While a global pandemic still rages on, it’s a better time than any to stay inside. The rapper just dropped off Don’t Come Outside Vol. 3this past weekend which included the release of his annual “Rap Up” record where he essentially addresses everything that’s gone on over the course of the year.
Aside from “Rap Up 2020,” he offers a few massive records on the project including two featuring members of the Griselda camp. Yesterday, we highlighted “Nothing Like Me” ft. Conway and Dios Moreno. Murda connects with Benny The Butcher, Que Banz, and Moe Chipps on “Whole Lotta Money,” a celebratory anthem for the hustlers. Murda swoops in with a retrospective look on his days hustling as Benny The Butcher bounces off of this idea with his own tales from the streets.
Quotable Lyrics When they invested in stock, we just bought bricks
The plug pulled up to the spot with a forklift
Rap money cool but I made more in the driver’s seat
Get them wholesale, cost 10 racks to bother me
Guilty Simpson & Self Serve Want To “Live Forever”
Immortality wishes.
Most of us wish we can live forever, and that we can give immortality to our loved ones as well. Immortality is has been a huge interest for humans, who struggle with the concept of death so much that we created endless stories from different cultures to try and explain it. One thing we do know, is the finality of it. Guilty Simpson tackles these topics and vents a bit about his own struggles on “Live Forever.”
Simpson raps over an introspective instrumental. There is a mix of pianos, soft xylophones, and a tasty bass line. At some points, the beat does sound somber, however, Simpson’s flow and the sample of “forever” being dropped in the back give the track some life. The rapper speaks about a close loss that left him shook. This is a track you light one up to and just relax and contemplate life.
Quotable Lyrics Lost bro, felt like my right hand
Felt like I would never write again
Time heal but you on my mind still
So quick, you never got to write a will
Florida up and comer Boss Wood has teamed up with Big KRIT to brings fans “Spaceships.” This track has strong spiritual vibes mixed with a head-nodding banger. The instrumental features a sample of a singing female ran through a few filters to warp her voice into a mystical sounding synth. A spacious bassline meshes with an expanding synth over those twisted vocals to create this mysterious sound that is very intriguing.
Man, we need more Big KRIT. His bars lay beautifully in the pocket of the beat on this one. The base of his voice mixed with his message hits so deep, it makes us miss the days where KRIT was dropping music more consistently. Stream “Spaceships” now and let us know what you think below.
Quotable Lyrics Feast your eyes
If not, my words can feed the blind
I recline, In a bucket that don’t start when I crank it
Gripping the wheel, why would I fix it?
When I need more maintenance
They’ve worked with Busta Rhymes , Consequence , R&B Singers Tammy Lucas , Faith Evans , Raphael Saadiq among others.
Sampling Bob Dylan’s “A Walk On The Wild Side” which became a hit single “Can I Kick It” , Sampling late R&B\Soul Singer Minnie Ripperton of her song “Inside My Love” which got a twisted vibe on “Lyrics To Go” among more other samples they used on their songs.
This is a story of 4 friends from Queens, New York which became legends .
A Tribe Called Quest (ATCQ) – A.E.I.O.U and sometimes Y…
In 1991, the group released its jazz-influenced second album, The Low End Theory, regarded for helping shape alternative hip hop in the 1990s. In 1998, the group broke up shortly before releasing its fifth album, The Love Movement, but in 2006, the group’s original members reunited and toured the United States. In 2016, the group released its sixth and final album, We Got It from Here… Thank You 4 Your Service, which was still incomplete when Phife Dawg died suddenly in March 2016, and was completed by the other members after his death. A Tribe Called Quest was the most commercially successful act in the Native Tongues collective, with all six of its albums certified either gold or platinum.
1985–1990: Formation, Native Tongues and People’s Instinctive Travels
The neighborhood of St. Albans, Queens, where Tip and Phife grew up together.
Q-Tip (Kamaal Fareed) and Phife Dawg (Malik Taylor) were childhood friends who grew up together in the St. Albans neighborhood of Queens, New York City. Initially, Q-Tip performed as a battle rapper, under the name MC Love Child, occasionally teaming up with high school friend Ali Shaheed Muhammad as a rapper and DJ duo.In 1985, the duo began making demos over Q-Tip’s pause tape beats. Phife Dawg later joined them, though he didn’t become a full member until neighborhood friend Jarobi White joined; the group dubbed themselves “Crush Connection” and later “Quest”. The group’s final name, A Tribe Called Quest, was coined in 1988 by Jungle Brothers, who attended the same high school as Q-Tip and Muhammad; that year, Q-Tip made his first recorded appearances on Jungle Brothers’ songs “Black Is Black” and “The Promo”. Shortly after, A Tribe Called Quest, Jungle Brothers, De La Soul, Queen Latifah and Monie Love formed the Native Tongues collective, known for their like-minded Afrocentrism, positivity and eclectic sampling. In 1989, Phife Dawg made his first recorded appearance on the song “Buddy (Native Tongue Decision)”, the remix of De La Soul’s single “Buddy“.
In early 1989, they signed a demo deal with Geffen Records and produced a five-song demo, which included future single “I Left My Wallet in El Segundo“.Geffen decided against offering the group a recording contract, and the group was granted permission to shop for a deal elsewhere. After receiving lucrative offers for multi-album deals from a variety of labels, the group opted for a modest deal offered by Jive Records. Jive was then known as an independent rap label that partly owed its success to building the careers of artists Boogie Down Productions and Too Short. Later that year, the group released their first 12″ single, “Description of a Fool”.
Their debut album, People’s Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm, released on April 10, 1990, It was marked by a playful lyrical approach and light-hearted content such as safe sex, vegetarianism and youthful experiences. The music was an eclectic mix of jazz, funk, soul and rock samples. The album was met with critical acclaim; The Source rated it five mics, becoming the first album to receive the magazine’s highest rating.NME‘s review stated that “This is not rap, it’s near perfection.” The album only gained momentum after the release of the singles “Bonita Applebum” and “Can I Kick It?“, eventually achieving gold certification in 1996.
1991–1993: The Low End Theory, Midnight Marauders and commercial success
Phife Dawg’s breakout performance on The Low End Theory marked the beginning of the group’s successful run in the 1990s
A Tribe Called Quest’s second album, The Low End Theory, was released on September 24, 1991, with “Check the Rhime” as the lead single; the song largely established the lyrical interplay between Q-Tip and Phife Dawg. Until then, most of the group’s songs had only featured vocals by Q-Tip, but Q-Tip encouraged Phife Dawg to increase his participation despite his recent diabetes diagnosis. Musically, the album fused hip hop with the laid-back atmosphere of jazz, particularly bebop and hard bop, combined with a minimalist approach to production that stripped the sound down to vocals, drums and bass. Mixing engineer Bob Power played a major role on the album, as he was tasked with removing surface noise and static that is typically heard on hip hop songs sampled from old vinyl records. During the recording sessions, White left the group to pursue a career in culinary arts.
Lyrically, the group focused on a range of social issues, from date rape (“The Infamous Date Rape”) to consumerism (“Skypager”), while also criticizing the hip hop industry on several songs. Guests on the album included Leaders of the New School, Brand Nubian, Vinia Mojica and Ron Carter, who played double bass on the song “Verses from the Abstract”. Additional singles included “Jazz (We’ve Got)” and “Scenario“; a live performance of “Scenario” with Leaders of the New School on The Arsenio Hall Show led to greater popularity. Leaders member Busta Rhymes attracted attention with his verse in the song, which led to him launching a successful solo career.
The Low End Theory received widespread acclaim from critics.The Source gave the group its second consecutive five mic rating, praising their “progressive sound” and “streetwise edge”, also noting that “Those who questioned Phife’s microphone techniques on the first album will swallow those doubts as he practically steals the show on this one.” The album peaked at #45 on the Billboard 200 and was certified gold on February 19, 1992; it reached platinum status by 1995. In the aftermath of their success, the group contributed the song “Hot Sex” to the soundtrack for the film Boomerang in 1992.
A Tribe Called Quest released their third album, Midnight Marauders, on November 9, 1993. The lead single, “Award Tour“, became the group’s highest charting single and helped to land the album at #8 on the Billboard 200. The production, still rooted in jazz, was a return to the eclectic sounds found on People’s Instinctive Travels, with a more prominent funk influence, including grittier drums. The voice of a “tour guide”, on the intro and at the end of several tracks, added further cohesion to the album.
Midnight Marauders saw improved lyrical interplay between Phife Dawg and Q-Tip,[31] as evidenced on the singles “Electric Relaxation” and “Oh My God“; the popularity of “Electric Relaxation” led to it becoming the opening theme song for the sitcom The Wayans Bros., from 1995 to 1996.Topics on the album include police harassment (“Midnight”), religious faith (“God Lives Through”), hip hop (“We Can Get Down”) and use of the word nigga (“Sucka Nigga”).Guests on the album include Large Professor, Busta Rhymes and Raphael Saadiq (credited as Raphael Wiggins).
The album received widespread acclaim from critics.Entertainment Weekly called the album “as fresh as their first”,while Melody Maker stated “A Tribe Called Quest have expanded their vision with a lyrical gravitas and a musical lightness of touch that has hitherto eluded them across a whole album”. The album was ranked #21 by The Village Voice in that year’s Pazz & Jop critics’ poll. Midnight Marauders became A Tribe Called Quest’s fastest-selling album; it was certified platinum on January 11, 1995, only 14 months after its release.
1994–1995: Intermission and the Ummah
In 1994, at The Source Awards, Tupac Shakur performed his song “Out on Bail”, interrupting A Tribe Called Quest as they accepted the award for Group of the Year; it was later found that this apparent act of disrespect was accidental. That summer, the group performed as one of a handful of hip hop acts on the Lollapalooza tour, among acts such as The Smashing Pumpkins, Stereolab and The Verve.While on tour, keyboardist Amp Fiddler introduced Q-Tip to a young producer from Detroit named Jay Dee. At the suggestion of Q-Tip, Jay Dee later joined him and Muhammad, forming a production unit known as The Ummah (Arabic for “the [worldwide] Muslim community”), in which each member produced songs individually and received a songwriting credit for their work. The Ummah handled the production of The Tribe’s two albums.
During this period, group members contributed to several notable outside projects with production and guest verses. Phife Dawg, who rapped on “Oh My God” that he owned “more condoms than TLC“, made an appearance on the song “Intro-lude” from that group’s album, CrazySexyCool, in 1994.That year, Q-Tip produced the single “One Love” from Nas‘ debut album Illmatic and appeared on the song “Get It Together” by Beastie Boys, from their album Ill Communication. In 1995, Muhammad co-produced the single “Brown Sugar” from D’Angelo‘s debut album of the same name, and Q-Tip produced three songs for Mobb Deep while serving as a mixing engineer for their album The Infamous.The group contributed “Glamour and Glitz” to The Show: The Soundtrack that year, before returning the following year with their next album.
1996–1998: Beats, Rhymes and Life, The Love Movement and breakup
Q-Tip’s conversion to Islam in the mid-1990s influenced the philosophical direction of the group’s music on Beats, Rhymes and Life
Beats, Rhymes and Life, the group’s fourth album, was released on July 30, 1996, supported by the singles “1nce Again” and “Stressed Out“. It was recorded during the turbulent East Coast–West Coast hip hop rivalry, with the tracks “Get a Hold”, “Keeping It Moving” and “Baby Phife’s Return” referring to it The Ummah’s production style, a minimalist R&B and jazz-infused sound, was a departure from the group’s previous albums. Jay Dee, a big fan of A Tribe Called Quest, contributed five beats to the album, including both singles.Lyrically, the album featured a less playful, more philosophical approach by the group.Consequence, Q-Tip’s cousin, and an aspiring rapper, was present on six songs.Phife Dawg later stated that this was when he began to lose interest in the group:
I really felt like with Midnight Marauders I came into my own. By the time when Beats, Rhymes and Life came out I started feelin’ like I didn’t fit in any more. Q-Tip and Ali had converted to Islam and I didn’t. Music felt like a job; like I was just doin’ it to pay bills. I never want my music to feel like just a job. They would schedule studio time at the last minute. I’d catch a plane from Atlanta to be in New York and when I got to the studio, no one would be there. They would have canceled the session without telling me. Seemed like the management was concerned with other folks not me. But I never lost my confidence.
The album debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200 and went gold before the end of the year; it was certified platinum in 1998.Critical reception was divided, but mostly positive; Rolling Stone called the album “near-flawless”, while The Source awarded it four mics.Melody Maker felt that it provided “both their best and worst thus far.” It was nominated for Best Rap Album and “1nce Again” was nominated for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group at the 1997 Grammy Awards.
In 1997, the group appeared on the soundtrack Men in Black: The Album, with the song “Same Ol’ Thing”. In Europe, they released The Jam EP, which included the aforementioned song, “Mardi Gras at Midnight” (featuring Rah Digga) and two songs from Beats, Rhymes and Life, “Get a Hold” and “Jam”. That year also saw the first reunion of the three Native Tongues groups since 1989, when Jungle Brothers invited A Tribe Called Quest and De La Soul to guest on “How Ya Want It We Got It”, a song from their album Raw Deluxe.
A month before The Love Movement was released on September 29, 1998, the group announced that it would be their final album The group cited their frustration with Jive as a significant factor in the breakup. The album, which was centered on the theme of love, was promoted by the single “Find a Way“, a song that “innocently wonders about the point at which friendship spills over into sex.” Musically, the album saw the return of The Ummah’s stripped-down production style from Beats, Rhymes and Life. Guest appearances by Busta Rhymes, Redman and Noreaga helped to balance the subdued tone of the album.
The Love Movement was certified gold on November 1, 1998, just over a month after its release. Critical reception was mostly positive; Rolling Stone remarked that “the mature, accomplished niceness of The Love Movement proves that the Tribe still have the skills – they’re just short on thrills.The album was nominated for Best Rap Album at the 1999 Grammy Awards.
1999–2005: Solo projects and brief return to recording
Under the management of Violator, Q-Tip launched a successful solo career, which saw two Billboard Hot 100 hits, “Vivrant Thing” and “Breathe and Stop“, and the release of the gold-certified album Amplified in late 1999.The album featured production by Q-Tip, Jay Dee and DJ Scratch. Despite receiving mostly positive reviews, the album was criticized by the hip hop community for its mainstream sound. The most notable of Q-Tip’s critics was Phife Dawg, who took his former partner to task on his solo album Ventilation: Da LP, released in 2000.Hi-Tek-produced lead single, “Flawless“, contained the lines “Go ‘head, play yourself with them ho-like hooks / sing ballads if it’s all about the Maxwell look”.Ventilation included production by Jay Dee and Pete Rock.
Teaming up with two other artists from former groups, Raphael Saadiq of Tony! Toni! Toné! and Dawn Robinson of En Vogue, Muhammad’s next project was Lucy Pearl. The group scored two hit singles with “Dance Tonight” and “Don’t Mess with My Man“, from their self-titled album, which was certified gold a few months after its release in 2000. Following a dispute between Saadiq and Robinson, the latter left the group and was replaced by Joi; however, this new incarnation would only last for the remainder of touring.
In 2001, Q-Tip changed directions and recorded Kamaal the Abstract, an album which saw him in the role of singer and bandleader. Unlike his work with A Tribe Called Quest, or his previous solo work, Kamaal was constructed around live music and abstract song concepts. Arista Records refused to release the album, doubting its commercial potential, resulting in Q-Tip leaving the label.The following year, he recorded the song “What Lies Beneath” for the Soundbombing III compilation, in which he responded to Phife Dawg’s comments on “Flawless”.
In 2003, Q-Tip and Phife Dawg put aside their differences and A Tribe Called Quest briefly returned to the studio, recording the song “I C U (Doin’ It)”, featuring Erykah Badu. It was intended to be the first single from the Violator compilation, V3: The Good, The Bad & The Ugly, however, the album was not released. Undeterred by the shelving of Kamaal the Abstract, Q-Tip recorded Open in late 2003, planning to release it the next year. It featured contributions from André 3000, Common and D’Angelo.However, his label, DreamWorks Records, got bought out by Universal Music Group, which eventually led to Open also getting shelved.
On August 27, 2004, A Tribe Called Quest headlined the Street Scene music festival in San Diego.Muhammad focused on developing a stable of artists, most of whom were showcased on his debut solo album, Shaheedullah and Stereotypes, released later that year. In 2005, the group received the Founders Award at the Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Awards in Atlanta.
2006–2013: Reunion and touring
In 2006, the group reunited as a touring band, in part, to help Phife Dawg with his mounting medical expenses.They co-headlined that year’s Bumbershoot festival in Seattle and performed several sold-out concerts in the U.S., Canada and Japan. The group also appeared on the 2K Sports Bounce Tour, promoting the NBA 2K7 video game, with a Dan the Automator remix of their song “Lyrics to Go” appearing on the game’s soundtrack. According to Phife Dawg at the time, A Tribe Called Quest planned to release an album, as they owed Jive one more in their six-album contract. Speaking about the possibility of a new album showing up that year, Phife Dawg said:
Man, we was only 18–19 when we first got started. [When] we broke up we were still like 28. Now we are 35–36. It’d be real different being in the studio. It would be real interesting to see where Q-Tip is. It would all be on a much higher level. But we are all into such different stuff from way back then. We’d need at least a solid month to work on something. Trying to get all of us together for that much time … I don’t see that happening.
The group co-headlined the 2010 Rock the Bells tour. Phife Dawg planned to release his follow-up album, Songs in the Key of Phife: Volume 1 (Cheryl’s Big Son), that year; however, his health issues delayed the release of the album. In 2012, Q-Tip signed to Kanye West‘s GOOD Music label and prepared the release of his new album, The Last Zulu, which later became heavily delayed.
In 2013, the group performed at a handful of select festivals throughout the summer, including Yahoo! Wireless in London,Splash! in Germany, OpenAir Frauenfeld in Switzerland,and H2O Music Festival in Los Angeles. In November 2013, two of the four New York shows for West’s Yeezus Tour featured A Tribe Called Quest as supporting acts.According to statements made by Q-Tip at the time, these were intended to be A Tribe Called Quest’s final performances.
2015–2017: We Got It from Here, death of Phife Dawg and final tour
The surviving members of A Tribe Called Quest performing on their final tour
On November 13, 2015, A Tribe Called Quest reunited to perform on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.That day, the group reissued People’s Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm, in commemoration of its 25th anniversary. The reissue included remixes by Pharrell Williams, J. Cole and CeeLo Green. In addition, they participated in an AMA on Reddit, where users asked the group questions. On the night of their Tonight Show appearance, the same night of the terrorist attacks in Paris, the group felt “charged” and put aside their differences, deciding to record a new album, We Got It from Here… Thank You 4 Your Service, in secrecy. Muhammad was unable to attend recording sessions for the album, as he was producing the Luke Cage soundtrack with Adrian Younge at the time.
Phife Dawg died on March 22, 2016, due to complications relating to diabetes. The album was incomplete when Phife Dawg died, but the surviving members continued to work on it following his death. That August, Epic Records CEO L.A. Reid revealed that the label would be releasing a new A Tribe Called Quest album in the near future.We Got It from Here… Thank You 4 Your Service was subsequently announced in October, with a release date of November 11, 2016; it became the group’s second album to debut at #1 on the Billboard 200. The day after its release, the group appeared on Saturday Night Live and performed in front of a mural of Phife Dawg.
We Got It from Here featured guest appearances by André 3000, Kendrick Lamar, Jack White, Elton John, Kanye West, Anderson Paak, Talib Kweli, Consequence and Busta Rhymes. Promoted by the hit single “We the People….“, which opposed Donald Trump‘s presidential campaign, the album received widespread acclaim from critics.Lyrically, Rolling Stone believed that the group “maintain the attitude of the Bohemian everydude funkonauts” that inspired many prominent hip hop artists.AllMusic praised the album’s “visionary and pleasingly weird production”, which drew from several different genres and sample sources. Speaking with Billboard, Q-Tip revealed plans for the group to do a final world tour, to promote the album and honor Phife Dawg, before permanently disbanding. It was also announced that a new Phife Dawg solo album, Forever, completed before his death, would be released in the near future.
On February 12, 2017, A Tribe Called Quest performed alongside Anderson Paak, Busta Rhymes and Consequence at the 59th Annual Grammy Awards. Later that month, the group won the award for best International Group at the 2017 Brit Awards. On May 22, 2017, We Got It from Here achieved gold certification, making all six of the group’s albums RIAA-certified. The group performed at a number of festivals throughout the summer; they performed their final concert on September 9, 2017 at Bestival in Dorset, England. After disbanding, a short film for the album’s opening track, “The Space Program“, was released on March 29, 2018 and billed as the group’s final video.
Conway The Machine Teams Up With Uncle Murda On “Nothing Like Me”
Via TIDAL
Uncle Murda taps Dios Morena and Conway The Machine for a highlight on “Don’t Come Outside, Vol. 3.”
Though the holidays are often slow when it comes to new music, Uncle Murda has remained one of the most reliable rappers around this time of year. Fans can always look forward to his annual Rap Up records where he strings together all of the biggest moments of the year into a 10 min. + song.
Of course, with everything that’s occurred this year, it only made sense that he’d unleash “Rap Up 2020” as we enter the new year. However, it arrived alongside the third installment of the Don’t Come Outside series. With 12 songs in total, he enlists Griselda’s Conway The Machine to assist him and Dios Morena on the Jahlil Beats-produced banger, “Nothing Like Me” where they deliver braggadocious bars. Conway, once again, uses the opportunity to prove that he was, indeed, the hardest rapper bar-for-bar in 2020.
Quotable Lyrics There ain’t one n***a that I fear
I got hit, it ain’t one n***a that I spare
It’s my year, one of the illest n***as heard in nine years
Christopher Wallace mixed with Nasir
Papoose Pays Respect To Those Who Passed On “Obituary 2020”
Phillip Faraone/Getty Images
Papoose reflects on the legacies of Kobe Bryant, King Von, Fred The Godson, Pop Smoke, Alex Trebek, Breonna Taylor and more on “Obituary 2020.”
2020 is officially in the past. It was a long, strenuous year that was filled with a lot of grim news. The coronavirus pandemic continues to claim lives by the thousands across the world daily but there were also plenty of losses among some of the most respected and prominent figures in pop culture, music, sports, and beyond.
As artists drop off their own annual wrap-up tracks, Papoose returned with “Obituary 2020.” Instead of looking back on the biggest viral moments, he paid homage to all those that died this year from Kobe Bryant, Pop Smoke, Sean Connery, George Floyd, and more. Though MF DOOM didn’t necessarily get a shout out in the song, Pap did include some footage of the masked rapper at the beginning of the video.
Check out Pap’s latest below.
Quotable Lyrics Five-time champion, all-time scorer, a father
18 time All-Star, the Black Mamba
The cause of his death? Helicopter crash
He died with his daughter Gianna, how sad
Wiz Khalifa surprised everyone when he dropped off a mixtape to welcome in the new year. Alongside DJ DaddyKat, Wiz is back with FUCC2020. The 24 track project seems massive, but most of the songs only run for 1-2 minutes. That gives the project a real different vibe than what we are used to from Wiz. One track that really stands out is “Say A Prayer.”
A funny baseline tied in with playful synths set the background on this chill banger. Wiz jumps rights into the track, wasting no time for an instrumental solo on the intro. The bars are slow and steady, a style that Wiz has perfected over the years. Peep “Say A Prayer” and let us know what you think below.
Quotable Lyrics Say she broke, but don’t say she gotta boyfriend
Tipsy before the night end, rolling them up and lightin
Her GPS guided
She made it to my crib and say that it’s so exciting
Reason Grabs Joey Bada$$, Westside Boogie, Denzel Curry, & Jack Harlow For “Extinct (Extended)”
Reason
A tribute to MF Doom
Reason blessed his fans with a New Year’s Eve treat hours before midnight with the new single “Extinct (Extended).” The new edition of the already dope track features Joey Bada$$, Westside Boogie, Denzel Curry, and Jack Harlow. Reason announced the song on his social media, along with the message, “Rest In Power MF DOOM.”
“Extinct (Extended)” samples “Pennyroyal,” which MF DOOM produced under the alias Metal Fingers. Doom’s wife Jasmine shared a statement revealing that he had passed away on October 31st. “My world will never be the same without you. Words will never express what you and Malachi mean to me,” she wrote. “I love both and adore you always. May THE ALL continue to bless you, our family and the planet.”
Stream the new single into the New Year and let us know what you think about it below.
Quotable Lyrics Niggas want my old shit
Buy my old album
And tell your favorite rappers come see me and peep the outcome
I’ll put an X right beside his name like Malcolm
And give his head to the nigga that he stole his style from
Uncle Murda is back with a wrap up of 2020. Titled “Rap Up 2020,” the track takes a turn away from his normal routine. In the past, Uncle Murda has run down a list of all the events that took place over the year. In a year like 2020, where the social commentary from celebrities and media was at an all-time high, Murda decided to take a different route.
“Rap Up 2020” finds Uncle Murda rapping about his own year, and the things he went through personally. He even reminisces a bit. Things get deep as he touches on family, COVID-19, deals gone wrong, and more. The instrumental is comprised of a gorgeously sampled singing woman over beautiful piano keys. The sweet croon of the vocals gives the lyrics an extra gut-punch.
Quotable Lyrics At that point in my life my attitude was “fuck everything”
The streets proposed to me, I accepted the wedding ring
These all facts, these ain’t lies
This is back when the three best MC’s out was Biggie, Jay-Z, and Nas
Lupe Fiasco Pays Tribute To MF DOOM With “Crosshairs” Freestyle
Jim Dyson/Redferns/Getty Images
Following MF DOOM’s tragic death at the age of 49, Lupe Fiasco took a moment to spit some bars in the late rapper’s honor.
Yesterday evening, it was confirmed that the legendary MF Doom had passed away at the age of 49. Given his status as one of hip-hop’s best lyricists of all time, it wasn’t surprising to see tributes arising from all corners of the rap game. Those who value their penmanship were especially appreciative of everything DOOM brought to the table, a plentiful feast jammed with clever punchlines, sharp observations, villainous references, and brilliant wordplay. In honor of the man’s legacy, Lupe Fiasco took to Twitter to pay homage in a suitable fashion: by spitting bars.
“Thanx DOOM…I learned so much from you about the art of rapping,” writes Lupe, sharing a freestyle over DOOM’s “Crosshairs” instrumental. “Studied and analyzed you for years as recently as a few days ago. I wish I could’ve met you to tell you that.” Over the slick beat from DOOM and Danger Mouse’s The Mouse & The Mask, Lupe actually channels MF’s cadence as he pens a “message from the DOOM fans.” As he spits, it’s clear that his flow is inspired by the stylings of Viktor Vaughn, firing off apparent non-sequiturs that actually brim with deeper meaning. A fitting tribute from one hip-hop intellectual to another — rest in peace to MF DOOM, the mind behind Madvillany, MM…Food, and many more.
QUOTABLE LYRICS
Scram, quick before the portal ends
Mind the coral, especially round’ your dorsal fins Cause he horrible, you can go from adorable to barely audible
I’m just warning you
Jonezy, Benny The Butcher, & Last Days Drop “Conversation Cost”
Image via YouTube
Benny The Butcher connects with Jonezy and Last Days for the bar heavy BSF single “Conversation Cost.”
The Black Soprano Family is in the building. As of today, Benny The Butcher, Jonezy, and Last Days have connected to deliver a new single, the bar-heavy “Conversation Cost.” Off the bat, producer ChupTheProducer sets a nostalgic tone with a smooth, sample-based beat — the perfect backdrop for The Butcher to put in work. And that he does, as expected. “We don’t affiliate, the CPA don’t know how much I really make,” spits Benny, in his opening lines. “Stretched every twenty-eight like I’m Billy Blanks.”
After Last Days puts in work with the second verse, Jonezy steps through to close things out. “Keep that shit a buck all the time, that’s necessary / what Buff done to rap, I call that shit legendary,” he raps. “When Conway in the booth, it’s spooky, it’s getting scary.” There’s an effortless quality to his bars, and all three parties combine to make “Conversation Cost” a street single worth checking out. Especially if you’re into the foundation the Black Soprano Family has been in the process of laying.
QUOTABLE LYRICS
We don’t affiliate, the CPA don’t know how much I really make
Stretched every twenty-eight like I’m Billy Blanks The plug know where I really stay
Benny play for keeps and in the streets I fathered the white girl like I was Billy Ray
Bun B and LE$ dropped off Distanton New Years, giving fans some new music to rock into 2021 with. The short EP is just a taster after going all of 2020 without a Bun B project, however, it makes up for quantity with quality. One stand out track on the EP is “Maintain.” The introspective chill track is a vibe all on its own.
The instrumental is comprised of a wonky sounding synth that pans from ear to ear, giving the beat a wobbly feeling. A passionate bassline fills out the body of the track, while skeletal percussions do the most by doing the least. The minimalism of the beat allows Bun B and LE$ to really go in, letting each bar really hit home as it is delivered. If Distant isn’t in your rotation right now, “Maintain” should be there at the least.
Quotable Lyrics Under pecan trees, I can feel the wind blow
A summer breeze, it smells like blue bonnet and endo
And I just need a little time to be left alone
Give me a quiet place under the sun just to rome
The vibe is right and the moment is perfecto
The usual festival and outdoor madness that takes place on New Year’s Eve have been somewhat shut down due to the ongoing pandemic. However, live music fans are being treated to virtual shows that cost them nothing from the comfort of their homes. There are a few options for New Year’s Eve entertainment, and YouTube is bringing their own program to the party. This year, as part of the YouTube Originals series, the streaming giant is releasing a five-part series called “Hello 2021.”
“With the world ready to move past an extremely challenging year, YouTube will use its global reach to celebrate the hope and promise of 2021,” Global Head of Original Content for YouTube Susanne Daniels stated in a press release. Along with the American release, there will also be “Hello 2021: UK,” “Hello 2021: Korea,” “Hello 2021: Japan,” and “Hello 2021: India.” These events will all usher in the New Year around the world. “We look forward to closing the book on 2020 and throwing a worldwide celebration that our YouTube community can safely enjoy from home,” Daniels continued.
The “Hello 2021: Americas” New Year’s Eve special starts at 10:30 PM EST and is hosted by Storm Reid and Juanpa Zurita. YG is set to perform, along with Dua Lipa, J Balvin, Karol G, and Kane Brown. YG recently saw a surge in the streams for his single “FDT” after the election that pushed the song to number one on iTunes. Matthew McConaughey, RuPaul, Demi Lovato, Jimmy Fallon, and more are expected to make guest appearances as well. Check it out below.
This month , The 2020 Soul Train Music Awards took place and aired live on BET, BET HER, Vh1 and MTV2 to recognize the best in soul, R&B and Hip-Hop music. The ceremony was hosted by actors Tisha Campbell & Tichina Arnold for the third time this year in a row . The nominations were announced on November 11, 2020 with H.E.R. leading with eight nominations, followed by Chris Brown with seven nominations only .
Soul Cypher this year is all ’bout quality within’ the artists that takin’ part of it , Live Performances are amazin’, New Artists & Legendary as well , all in one show .
Written by Cameron Devaun Murphy, Christopher Brown, Dounia Aznou, Jeffrey Lamar Williams, Johnny Kelvin, Kaniel Castaneda, Omari Akinlolu, OrvilleHall, Patrizio Pigliapoco, Phillip Price, Said Aznou, Soraya Benjelloun, Tre Samuels, Turell Sims, Wayne Samuels, Zakaria Kharbouch
He’s so soulful , Reminds me of the young Stevie Wonder which he is influenced by him and started to sing among other great and talented artists , a Grammy Winner .
On his latest albums “Paul” & “Gumbo” within its live album version and earlier years , He’s been working with female R&B Singer JoJo , Jazmine Sullivan , YEBBA , Rapsody , Stevie Wonder , Busta Rhymes , BJ The Chicago Kid , The Hamiltones and more .
Here’s PJ Morton .
Born as Paul Morton Jr. on March 29, 1981 , He’s a singer, songwriter and record producer. Since 2012, he has been one of the keyboardists, alongside Jesse Carmichael, for the pop rock band Maroon 5. Morton originally joined the band as a touring member in 2010 and became an official member in 2012 after Carmichael went on indefinite hiatus (he returned to the lineup in 2014).
Released his debut solo EP, Following My First Mind, in March 2012, through the record label Young Money. Adam Levine and James Valentine were featured on the lead single, “Heavy”. In May 2013, Morton released his first major-label debut album, New Orleans. In 2016, he released his mixtape Bounce & Soul Vol. 1 in March and the Sticking to My Guns EP in July. On April 14, 2017, Morton released his first self-released studio album Gumbo, earning Morton two Grammy Award nominations for Best R&B Album and Best R&B Song at the 60th Annual Grammy Awards
In April 2019, Morton said he would begin a project to restore the New Orleans home of jazz pioneer Buddy Bolden and create a museum and community space at the site. Bolden’s former home has been owned by his father’s church for more than a decade, and was sited for demolition by neglect.
He was born in New Orleans, Louisiana. His father is Canadian-born American gospel singer and Founder of the Full Gospel Baptist Fellowship, Bishop Paul S. Morton. His mother is Dr. Debra Brown Morton, pastor of Greater St. Stephen Full Gospel Baptist Church. He is married to Kortni Morton.
Morton graduated St. Augustine High School and majored in marketing at Morehouse College, graduating in 2003.
Morton was also noticed by AR Rahman, composer for Slumdog Millionaire, who asked Morton to contribute “Sajna” to the soundtrack and movie for the Vince Vaughn comedy Couples Retreat. Morton has also produced and written for musicians such as Jermaine Dupri, LL Cool J, Jagged Edge, Monica, India.Arie, gospel musicians Fred Hammond, Men of Standard, Brian Courtney Wilson, and Heather Headley. In 2009, he published a book entitled Why Can’t I Sing About Love?
She worked with Snoop Dogg, Missy Elliott , Robert Glasper and more .
She released her second studio album, Love Me Back, in 2010. The album was critically well received and surpassed the success of her debut, earning her another Grammy nomination for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance for the lead single “Holding You Down (Goin’ in Circles) at the 53rd Annual Grammy Awards in 2011. The album debuted at number 17 on the Billboard 200 chart. She is one of the female R&B artists to have three albums in the top five of the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums and have three singles in the top five of Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, as well as in the history of the Grammy Awards to have three simultaneous Grammy-nominated singles, with “Need U Bad“, “Bust Your Windows“, and “Lions, Tigers & Bears“, all of which also topped the charts. Fearless is the longest-running number one album by a female R&B artist in the history of the US Album Charts.
After taking a three-year break, Sullivan announced her third studio album, Reality Show, in 2014. The album was later released on January 13, 2015. It peaked at number one at the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums. Reality Show was her first studio album to be released under RCA Records and earned her three Grammy Award nominations, including Best R&B Album, and a NAACP Image Award, which was NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Song. The lead single, “Let It Burn“, became her first song in the US to sell over one digital copies within a week of its release. Her concert tour, The Reality Show Tour, visited North America and concluded with finale concerts at the House of Blues in March 2015.
Here’s the recent Cyphers through the years of 2015-2020 of BET’s Soul Train Awards .
Enjoy 🙂
Don Cornelius (Host of Soul Train Show) – We Wishin’ you , Love Peace & Soul
Soul Cypher 2015
Artists : KCi Hailey (Jodeci\KCi & JoJO) , Eddie Levert (The OJays) , Lalah Hattaway ,Chrisette Michelle .
DJ : Erykah Badu
Rhodes,Piano & Keys: Omar Edwards
Beat Playing in Background : Mobb Deep’s Shook Ones\The Roof Remix (With Mariah Carey)
Soul Cypher 2016
Artists : Angie Stone , Tyrese , Ne-Yo & The Legendary Gladys Knight (Gladys Knight & The Pips)
DJ : Erykah Badu
Rhodes,Piano & Keys: Robert Glasper
Soul Cypher 2017
Artists : Mali Music,Fantasia,Bilal,Faith Evans
DJ : Erykah Badu
Rhodes,Piano & Keys: Robert Glasper
Beat Playing in Background : The Isley Brothers – Footsteps In The Dark
Soul Cypher 2018
Artists : Kelly Price, BJ The Chicago Kid, Luke James, Queen Naija
DJ : Erykah Badu
Rhodes,Piano & Keys: Robert Glasper
Soul Cypher 2019
Artists : Keyshia Cole, Le’Andria Johnson, Anthony Hamilton & Carl Thomas
DJ : Erykah Badu
Rhodes,Piano & Keys: Robert Glasper
Soul Cypher 2020
Artists : PJ Morton ,Shanice, Chante’ Moore & Stokley
Drums: Stokley (Mint Condition)
Rhodes,Piano & Keys: PJ Morton
Beat Playing in Background : Erykah Badu Feat. Common – Love Of My Life
Chika Celebrates Her Success On New Track “GOLD MEDALS”
Image via Chika
Chika’s new track “GOLD MEDALS” contains references to her recent Grammy nomination.
Chika has been having an impressive 2020 as the artist was named to the XXL Freshman list while also picking up a Grammy nomination for Best New Artist. These are massive accomplishments and fans couldn’t be any happier about Chika’s meteoric rise to fame. As a way to reflect on this new success, the artist has released a brand new song called “GOLD MEDALS,” and if one thing is clear, it’s that she is going to be just fine, even if she doesn’t nab that Grammy.
Throughout the song, Chika reflects on all of her success from the past couple of years and notes that she fully intends on continuing her grind. The artist also speaks on her Grammy nomination saying that while it’s an honor, she’ll be okay if she doesn’t take home the grand prize because what she’s building right now is much bigger.
Give this track a spin, below.
Quotable Lyrics:
I’ve been thinking about the time I wasted
Trying to find my place, the lonely nights, the things they don’t see
I’m going to be the greatest of the latest
Even if that mean no gold medal for me
Lil Wayne Takes On Lil Baby’s “Low Down” On “NC3 – B Sides”
Via Lil Wayne
Lil Wayne remixes a few Lil Baby songs on “No Ceilings 3 – B Sides” including “Low Down.”
It’s been an interesting year for Lil Wayne. Between his political alignment allegedly interfering with his love life and the recent revelations of the mishandlings of his, Drake and Nicki Minaj‘s catalogs, Weezy F. Baby has returned to what he does best — rapping. Over the past few weeks, he’s unveiled two installments of No Ceilings 3, hosted by DJ Khaled. With the B-Sides dropping on Friday, the rapper tackled a slew of records from some of the biggest artists. His appreciation for Lil Baby, though, was taken to wax with remixes of “Sum 2 Prove” as well as “Low Down.”
Though Wayne is arguably in his bag throughout the project, he takes on the latter instrumental from Baby and transforms it into something of his own. Over the course of two and a half minutes, Wayne zones in with humorous sexual puns, slick gun talk, and references to his favorite purple potion.
Check out the record below. Did Weezy kill it? Sound off in the comments.
Quotable Lyrics I ran through the pack like it’s inches on fourth down
Pour me some Actavis, I watch it pour down
I drip every day just to stay in my own house
A n***a just trying to stay out the courthouse
Eminem offers his honest take on the rap game and pop culture on “Zeus.”
The past week has been filled with rumors of a potential new album from Eminem. And typically, these rumors are duds, resulting in nothing but disappointment. However, before the year came to an end, Em dropped off an additional 16-songs for “Side B” of Music To Be Murdered By. The rumored tracklist proved fake, though the song titled, “Demons & Zeus” seemed to be included on the final tracklist of the project as “Zeus.”
The song was among the most talked-about off of the project, largely due to Em name-dropping massive pop cultural figures as well as addressing some of his own controversies that he’s been engulfed in this past year including the leaked bar to Rihanna. But before he even gets into that, he fires shots at Tekashi 6ix9ine and Machine Gun Kelly within the first minute.
Later on in the song, Em offers some insight into longevity to Drizzy which you can read more about here.
Quotable Lyrics Next they’ll be mentionin’ Future in the past tense
Or sayin’ “Adios” to Migos
I ain’t dissin’, I’m just tryna keep this shit a C-note
Same people been tryna do this shit to me, so
I call them peephole
Because they’re so easy to see through ’em
But a fighter’s all I knew how to be
I got the shit beat out of me
Tripped and fell and blew out a knee (Pop)
Popped it back in and hopped up like, “Fuck it
Best two out of three”
Benny The Butcher & Westside Gunn Join Conway On “Spurs 3”
Conway
The Griselda Dynasty
The Spurs spent most of the late 90s and 2000s establishing themselves as a dynasty. The trio of Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, and Manu Ginobili was almost unstoppable. So it makes sense that Conway decides to grab his two Griselda labelmates for “Spurs 3.” The single is a standout onFrom King To A God, and we highlighted it although it isn’t one of the new tracks on the new deluxe edition. The Griselda dynasty is being built before our very eyes, and Benny the Butcher and Westside Gunn make that apparent.
The grimy lyricism meshes well with the gutter instrumental. Produced by Beat Butcha, “Spurs 3” features a haunting piano and an eerie xylophone that helps create this truly sinister street vibe. Of course, the Griselda-mates all hold their own, dropping bars about dripping jewelry, promiscuous women, and trigger fingers.
Quotable Lyrics For pots with powder ’round the edges, this the grind that I perfected (Uh-huh)
I had to dodge a lot of questions from crooked homicide detectives
In a raid, white boys with vestes piled ’round the exits (Remember that)
Sawed-off shotgun, double barrel, I filed it down symmetric, yeah (Nigga, ah)
I snap a finger, Scram’ll clap the nina (Clap the nina)
You lost your bitch, I haven’t seen her, the cash I bring in attractin’ singers (Hahahaha)
Ari Lennox & GoldLink Speak For The People On “Sorrow, Tears, And Blood”
YouTube
The collab comes from Global Citizen’s “Stand Up” compilation.
Usher in the weekend with some Funk and Soul courtesy of Ari Lennox and GoldLink‘s latest collaboration. Global Citizen has rangled some leading voices in the R&B circuit to help round out their compilation, Stand Up. Included on the eight-track project is a standout from Dreamville’s First Lady and GoldLink as the two DMV artists unite on wax for the first time. Their “Sorrow, Tears, and Blood” collab pays homage to those 1970s grooves that we love—just given with a smooth, contemporary twist.
Months ago, Global Citizen entertained a quarantined global audience with their “Together At Home” livestream concert, so it doesn’t surprise anyone that the collective has asked artists to use their efforts once again for the unifying Stand Up project. Others on the record include Masego, PJ Morton, Big Freedia, Jordin Sparks, Lucky Day, and more. Stream “Sorrow, Tears, and Blood” by GoldLink and Ari Lennox, and let us know what you think.
Quotable Lyrics
Everybody run, run, run (Yeah)
Everybody scatter, scatter (Yeah)
Some people lost some bread (Yeah)
Someone nearly die (Yeah)
Someone just die (Yeah)
Police they come, army they come, uh (Yeah)
Confusion everywhere (Yeah)
G Herbo Denies Culpability On “Statement” As He Flexes Hard Bars
YouTube
The rapper defends his name as he blazes through the track.
Weeks after reports of his legal troubles surfaced, G Herbo has a few things to get off of his chest. We previously reported on the news that Herbo and several of his associates are facing federal fraud charges. Herbo is accused of being involved in a stolen identity scam where he and members of his entourage allegedly spent stolen money on vacations and pets, but the rapper released a statement denying all allegations against him.
As Herbo prepares to fight the feds, the Chicago rapper released “Statement” where he seemed to address the controversy. According to Herbo, he’s always kept it real and isn’t guilty of any illegal activities. Listen to G Herbo, who is preparing to welcome a child with girlfriend Taina Williams, according to his lawyer—make his official “Statement” and let us know what you think of his latest single.
Quotable Lyrics
Heard they lookin’ for me, I’m like, “Oh, I’m on the way”
Bond money, know I’m straight
I spent a 130K at the gate (Yeah)
They like, “Swervo stay safe”, I’m like, “Man, y’all late” (Y’all late)
Y’all like, “Free me”, I’m like, “I’ve been in the crib all day”
Yo Gotti Gets In The Christmas Spirit On New Track “Wish List”
Image via Yo Gotti
Yo Gotti compares himself to Santa Claus on his brand new Christmas-inspired track “Wish List.”
Yo Gotti is always coming through for his fans and on Thursday, he did so once again, this time with a Christmas banger that will certainly get you in that Christmas spirit. The track is called “Wish List” and it sees the rapper taking on the responsibilities of Saint Nick as he delivers bars about handing out gifts to the neighborhood.
The Memphis rapper likens himself to Santa Claus at numerous points throughout the song with some braggadocios bars that feature some obvious Christmas references. From his Lambo that resembles a sled to his emerald diamonds, Yo Gotti is trying to embrace the Holidays in the flashiest way possible.
Check out the track below, and let us know what you think in the comments section.
Quotable Lyrics:
This ain’t a sled but I bet I got the roof off
I got that super loud, that’s a new cough
The emerald diamonds, that’s a new frost
I got gifts to ship, just sent a few off
Tyla Yaweh Taps Gunna & Wiz Khalifa For “All The Smoke” Single
YouTube
The track will reportedly be featured on Tyla’s debut studio album, “RAGER BØY.”
You’ll have to wait a few more weeks to see the official music video for “All The Smoke,” but Tyla Yaweh gave his followers a sneak peek into what they can expect to come. Over on his Instagram page, Tyla shared clips of the visual to his Gunna and Wiz Khalifa-assisted single just prior to officially dropping the melodic track on Friday (December 18). The Hitmaka-produced single’s lyrics complement the song’s cover art as the three artists touch on topics related to the fast life: luxury items, women, and cars.
Meanwhile, Tyla Yaweh is steadily preparing for the release of his debut studio album, c. It’s reported that the project is slated for release sometime early next year, so we’ll keep you updated as the time approaches. Check out “All The Smoke” by Tyla Yaweh ft. Gunna and Wiz Khalifa and let us know what you think.
Quotable Lyrics
Yeah, in a Porsche, yeah, ‘ventador, yeah
She might wanna ride but it better be a foreign, yeah
Make it roar, yeah, yeah
Said her ex was a joker, no locked doors
Takin’ what you want from me
Tell her “B*tch, throw it back like it’s all yours”
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