​03 Greedo - Rich On Grape Street: 03 Greedo was trending this week from rumors that he was shot to death in Cali. He’s less than 2 years removed from being incarcerated in Texas so that would not have been a great ending to his story. Glad to say, the rumors were false. He just so happened to drop a new track this week as well. It has summertime vibes and that new Cali bounce. He reps his set. He got rich off Grape Street, and that petty shit don’t phase him. He got it out the bricks, now he riding with the sticks. He got rich, now all his haters jealous.

Burna Boy - Normal: The African Giant dropped a new album this week called a “I Told Them…” Super duper dope project with no skips. Definitely an album you can cruise to, my favorite track is “Normal” an Afrofusion track through and through. I don’t understand all the lyrics but the beat and BB’s melodic vocals are catchy as fuck. Loco-coco and all that good shit.

Lil Bean - Ten Toes: This is the song I’ve played the second most this week and on any normal week it would be my favorite track (and will definitely be the one I listen to the most in the future because that other one be making me cry… more on that in the “Fridayy” section). Lil Bner is set to drop a new project “4THECULTURE2” next month and he’s been dropping heavy in the lead up (and he also cut off his dreads, except for 1 of em). Right now it looks like this track is not on the tracklist, but I’m hoping that changes because this is my favorite of the handful of songs he’s dropped this summer. It has that Bay Area bounce and finds Bean talking that shit. He’s 10 Toes down in his Balenciagas. He ain’t trying to die young so he’s ridin with them choppas. He got it out the mud, now he shining. The ladies love all his songs because he’s honest, and some cats only come around because he poppin. NOTE: Lil Bean, we not hatin on Infinitis. We not doing that, full stop.

Sugarhill Ddot - Shake It: NY Driller and Universal signee Sugarhill D Dot dropped a new track that sounds like it samples Donnell Jones’ classic “Shorty” aka Quarter Past 3. It’s an NY Drill track and he spits to the baddies. He implores her to just Shake It. She ain’t basic so he tells her to put her hips into it and do that little dance. 

Fridayy ft. Maverick City Music & My Mom - Came Too Far: This is the song I’ve listened to most this week. It’s off of Fridayy’s self-titled debut album which dropped this week. He broke onto the scene with his feature on the Grammy-nominated “God Did” and now he’s carving out his own lane with his distinct vocals. This album had no skips for me as it’s in that Gospel/Soul bag that I grew up listening to. “Came Too Far” is a motivational track (and features a choir and his mom). It’s about persevering when things get tough. Knowing that all eyes are on you and keeping the faith. Shit literally made me cry (I’m tearing up just thinking about it). Check out “Fridayy” by Fridayy and make sure to listen to this track (it’s the 1st track, can’t miss it!)

Vic Mensa - Blue Eyes: This is one that immediately gripped me. Mr. Mensa is set to drop a new album “Victor” soon. This is the first single in the leadup and he talks about his struggles growing up bi-racial in a world that puts euro-centric beauty standards on a pedestal. He always wanted Blue Eyes. He wondered why he didn’t look like either of his parents. He battled with self-identity issues and he made this song for anyone who has or is currently battling with the same issues. He shows that there is light at the end of the tunnel.

DB Boutabag - DB Type Beat: DB Boutabag dropped a new project called “Shit Talk > Rap”. Dope project, I became aware of DB through his work with Ralfy The Plug (Drakeo’s brother) and I had to check this one. My favorite track “DB Type Beat” samples The Gap Band’s smash hit “Burn Rubber” and has that New Cali sound. DB talks that slick talk, he got hella bands in his Nike Tech, and a crisp pair of Supreme kicks. If you got Wocky for the low, lock in with him. He’s a breadwinner and he fed niggas. Check out “Shit Talk > Rap” and these highlights:
Boutabag Section
Numbers
Old Friends
Like 2Pac (ft. K Flex)
Bring Racks Home
Let This Demon Go

Kevin Gates - Rumors: Speaking of Breadwinners, Get Em Gates dropped a new loosie called “Rumors”. This is the track where he references his most recent viral clip where he said “Find me them 2 niggas. One that said he stuck his dick in me, and one that said that I told on em”. He basically saying he ain’t gay and he never snitched on anybody. I think these were Rumors about him over the past few years, and he says if you can prove this to be true, he’ll blow his own brains out. He also sends prayers to his Muslim brother Gillie Da King (after Gillie’s son was tragically murdered).

Bktheruler & NBA YoungBoy - Crazy Girl P2: BKtheruler dropped a sequel to “Crazy Girl” a track that appeared on her most recent album “LVL5 P1”. This version adds YoungBoy and keeps the original beat. Smooth, wavy track where BK raps about one of her tings. She thinks BK is Crazy but she don’t even know. YB’s girl cries for him all night. He’s really rich, and he doesn’t fuck with hoe ass niggas. 

Digga D - Fighting For My Soul: UK spitter Digga D dropped a new album this week called “Back To Square One”. Dope project, there’s a good balance of introspective bars and shit talking. My favorite track “Fighting For My Soul” has a snap beat with soulful keys and Digga talks about struggling with suicidal thoughts and his relationship with God. He also calls for Thugger to be free. The Devil’s draggin him to places he doesn’t want to go. He’s Fighting For his Soul, this ain’t no joke. Other standouts from ““Back To Square One”:
Braids
Baby Mums Crib (with M Huncho)
Bine On ‘Em
Cherish God More

38 Spesh, Conway The Machine, Lloyd Banks - Latex Gloves: 3 of the best lyricists doing it dropped a hard, grimy NY track this week. All 3 gents are at home over the boom bap beat and they talk that money talk and that pop-a-opp talk (they rock Latex Gloves when they load the K).

Brady Watt, Ransom & RJ Payne - Soldier’s Payne: More A1 bars for ya headtop. Multi-hyphenate Brady Watt (not to be confused with Bray Wyatt, RIP) cheffed up a track with some sick guitar runs. Ransom starts off describing his come up and the pain he’s overcome. He’s dodged bullets, avoided mines, and made it to Hip-Hop’s stratosphere. Brady handles the hook and sings about the Soldier’s pain and being a loner. He just wants you to feel his love. RJ came from the gutter and also lost his mother and brother. He even went to war with Tuberculosis and won. He’s been in Hell dreamin about Heaven. Luckily he had help from his dogs and got the monkey off his back.

Victoria Monét - I’m The One: Songstress Victoria Monét dropped a new album this week called “JAGUAR II”. It’s a great project that all the R&B-heads will love. I loved the features and the album cut “I’m The One” belongs on one of your playlists. The imagery in the opening line: “I could be riding horseback toward you, slow motion on the beach, titties bouncing and everythang”. She makes it easy to see that she’s the one you need. Check out “JAGUAR II” and these standouts: 
Smoke (ft. Lucky Daye)
Party Girls (t. Buju Banton)
On My Mama

TOBi ft. Kenny Mason - Flatline: Two super dope artists on the same track. I don’t think I would have ever thought up this combo. I actually heard the track before I saw who the artists were, but I knew it was special. Nigerian born, Canadian raised artist Tobi goes in over what might be the best beat of the week. He talks that slick talk, gold cuff links, shining. He got the city on his back. He beating the haters by a landslide. He bodied the track, it’s a Flatline (facts). ATL’s Kenny Mason bars it up on the 3rd verse. He’s from the bottom but you gotta pay him top dolla. He stays with the chopper and he’s an opp dropper. 

Sauce Walka & 44 Mike Deezy - Steady Poppin It: Sauce Walka dropped a new album called “Dat Boy Den”. It’s full of his signature sound and a bunch of “Ooo-Wee”s. My favorite track “Steady Poppin It” is super catchy. He talks that money talk and that pimp talk. He Steady Poppin It (poppin shit that is). He steady coming down, drip droppin, big poppin. Deezy got all kinds of Margiela and everybody in the city knows he be poppin it like a kettle.

Gucci Mane ft. J. Cole & Mike Will Made-It - There I Go: Gucci’s new album “Breath of Fresh Air” is set to have like 25 tracks (and he dropped bout half of em already). This week he got a beat from Mike Will and a J. Cole feature. Cole slid on this one and encouraged us to indulge in the things that help us unwind. He also reminds us that there’s always plenty of fish in the sea (so don’t be pressed bout a bitty). They woke Gucci out of hibernation and he took the beat and slayed it. He’s an advocate of slow motion because he knows life is a marathon and not a sprint.

Hunxho - Your Friends: After coming off what could be his biggest feature yet (on Quavo Huncho’s “Rocket Power” album) this generation’s king of auto-tune is back with a loosie. He expressed disdain for his woman’s friend group. None of them have a man or a plan. None of them is really fucking with his girl the long way. They all tried to smash Hunxho. Instead of spending time with them birds he suggests they skate off to Paris.

A.R. The Mermaid - Watt We Doingg: Another week, another great find on the Apple Music New Hip-Hop Playlist. This week it comes from Memphis rapper A.R. The Mermaid. It samples the Rick James classic “Give It To Me Baby” and on it, AR talks that freaky talk. She's a baddie and she lookie for the chewin. She a big dog, she be fucking shit up. If she shoot her shot, she scoring. She be fucking to the morning and also likes to put a thumb in the booty.

Terrace Martin & James Fauntleroy ft. Robert Glasper - Witchcraft: Multi-hyphenate Terrace Martin dropped a collab EP with the elusive James Fauntleroy called “Nova”. It’s a dope, jazzy, soulful project with live instrumentation. My favorite track “Witchcraft” features their homeboy and fellow multi-hyphenate Robert Glasper and has a bit of a Latin twist to it. James sings about a shawty that had him under her spell. She gave him some potion (he thought she was joking). There’s a mini jam session in the middle as Robert gets in his bag on the keys. Faunt’s body is glowin, he feels like he’s floatin. He was mad about something but he can’t quite put his finger on it (because he’s under shawty’s spell). Sax solo takes us out.

Dave & Tiakola - Meridian: Santan Dave dropped a two pack with Tiakola (who I think is spitting bars in French on this one). My favorite of the two is ”Meridian” and that seems to be the one getting all the love. Dave uses a melodic flow to talk about when he was 21. He warns the opps to talk to him nicely because he got the flame on him (or his man does). The beat has a Caribbean vibe and Tiakola uses a melodic delivery to rap in French (about what exactly, I don’t know). Dave mixes in some English and the finished product is a Top Tier Tune.

Paul Wall & Termanology - Talk About It: The Iceman Paul Wall and Termanology are set to drop a collab project next month. I thought Term was White but on this track he reps Puerto Rico. Regardless of race, they both slid on this one. It’s a boom-bap beat (done by Large Professor I believe). It has a light, summer time vibe, something to cruise to. Paul talks about the road him and his crew paved but also gives the glory to God. He been bout it. Term talks about sippin champagne with his lil mama and gives a moment of silence for all his haters. They both leveling up and doing big things. I can’t wait to hear the full project.

Other Tracks/Projects That Dropped This Week

Lil Yachty - TESLA

City Girls - Face Down

Iggy Azalea - Money Come

French Montana & Swae Lee - Wish U Well

Tyga & YG - PARTy T1M3

Fredo Bang - Bang Man

Luh Tyler - Rapper of the Year

Nyck Caution - NYCKSTAPE (Album)