​Usher & H.E.R. - Risk It All: This past week, Ursh promised Nia Long that his Vegas residency would continue and he also dropped a new track which is a part of the new “Color Purple” soundtrack. It’s a love ballad, downtempo, with only piano keys and the voices of these two megastars. The message is simple: for that special someone, they’d gladly Risk It All.

Nicki Minaj ft. J. Cole - Let Me Calm Down: Nicki dropped her much anticipated album “Pink Friday 2” this week and it’s truly special. The samples all slap, the Uzi feature is a smash, and the way she gets into her entire bag with both her melodic flow and bars make this one of the best projects of 2023. My favorite track is this collab with Cole. The beat knocks, and Nicki smokes her verse. Cole delivers another top tier verse adding to his already legendary feature run this year. Check out “Pink Friday 2” and these highlights:
Barbie Dangerous
Fallin 4 U
RNB (ft. Lil Wayne & Tate Kobang)
Needle (ft. Drake)
Everybody (ft. Lil Uzi Vert)
Red Ruby Da Sleeze
Pink Friday Girls
Super Freaky Girl

Boldy James & Nicholas Craven - No Pun Intended: So these two definitely got a new collab album coming. Recently, all my favorite Boldy tracks have come on Nicholas Craven production. “No Pun Intended” follows their tried and true formula with his gritty bars over an airy boom-bap light beat. The chipmunked soul sample sauces this up and the muted drums give this one a unique sound. If these two new tracks are any indication, this new project from them is about to be a monster.

Kalan Fr.Fr - High Vibrations: Cali’s Kalan dropped a new EP this week called “NOT HARD 2 UNDERSTAND”. Dope project, “HIGH VIBRATIONS” stood out immediately and I immediately added it to my playlist. The snap beat and the delivery that sounds like a 90’s R&B track (and “Sweeterman”) and the subject matter (vibrating at a high frequency) is what got me. Kalan sings to his main damie, he encourages her to keep things between them two and not let anyone else in the loop and keep it cool.

Sarz ft. Asake & Gunna - Happiness: So this is the first track I’ve heard from Sarz but Asake and Gunna been on fire the last year. This track is catchy AF. I think Sarz is the producer because we only got verses from Asake (in Nigerian) and Wunna. It’s an upbeat, feel-good track. If you need a pick me up and don’t care to know what all the words mean exactly, this is a great track for you.

Terrace Martin & 24K Goldn - Madness: After dropping 2 albums 2 weeks ago, multi-hyphenate Terrace Martin is back with a loosie and got fellow Californian 24K Goldn to provide the vocals. It’s funky and Goldn sings about trying to find the beauty in the madness. The shawty he singing about is smoking cigarettes (she got a habit), and she looking at the mirror like what happened. Track is a vibe. Especially during the solos.

Bizzy Crook - 5711: Flisci dropped a new EP this week called “I Never Forget A Face”. Dope project, I’m still bumping his “Flisci, Flisci”  track that dropped earlier this year. This track samples that “All I Need” soul track that Meek sampled on “Early Mornings Freestyle” and 38 Spesh sampled on “Crowned King”. BC raps about people switching up on him and this re-rock of the beat may be my favorite (with the Sax really saucing it up). Good luck Flisci.

Tay B ft. Payroll Giovanni - Boss Yo Life Up: Detroit’s Tay B dropped a new album this week called “1 of None”. I’ve had the track “Duh” on repeat since the album dropped. Another track that I’ve been spinning is “Boss Yo Life Up” with Payroll. The guys are iced up and they came up off white stuff. Everybody piped up and they can put any bad bitty on payroll and Boss they Life Up.

Jack Harlow & Dave - Stop Giving Me Advice: This is a Lyrical Lemonade collab (so there’s obviously an A1 Video out for it). Jack and Dave rap about the trappings of fame, the criticism, and call all their haters broke and washed. I imagine it was cathartic for them both and the honesty and vulnerability helped make it a great tune.

James Fauntleroy - Body Heat: So the Cocaine 80’s crooner dropped what I heard is his debut solo project (how is that possible) this week called “The Warmest Winter Ever”. Yes it’s a Christmas album but it’s more like a Top Tier R&B album that is Christmas themed. This shit is fire. “Unwrapped” goes (it dropped a few weeks ago) and “Body Heat” needs to be on your late night playlist. Do yourself a favor and check out “The Warmest Winter Ever” and these standouts:
Unwrapped
Magic
It Rains Everywhere
Christmas Everyday
Give You Love

Fred again & Baby Keem - leavemealone: This is an EDM track and it’s got that bop. They use Baby Keem vocals to tell everyone to leave (them) alone. Fuck off and farewell. Tough Tune.

Lil Bean & ZayBang ft. 22nd Jim - White Toes & Lemon Drops: Lil Bean and and ZayBang dropped a collab album this week called “Benzes & Trackhawks” and it’s super hard. They have contrasting sounds but they found beats that fit them both well. This track with 22nd Jim stood out and they dedicated it to the baddies with they toes painted white and who like to sip on Lemon Drops (the adult beverage) Check out “Benzes & Trackhawks” and these highlights from:
Benzes & Trackhawks
Shot Caller
STK
DO YOU LOVE ME (ft. 23peezy)
Russian Chop

KayCyy & Katranada - Not Over: Fresh off a 2 pack, Kaytra is back with another funky track, this time with KayCyy providing the vocals. The snare loop gives it a jazzy vibe as KayCyy sings to his ex-bae. It’s been way too long, he still has feelings and he’s trying to take her love international. She can take her pick and he’ll fly her anywhere on the globe.

Berner & OhGeesy - Another Line: Another Cali collab project, this one from cannabis entrepreneur and rapper Young Bern and Shoreline Mafia’s OhGeesy called “Trophies”. My favorite track is “Another Line” where the guys rap about smoking big, stacking pape, and smashing the baddies. They crazy rich and are enjoying the fruits of their labor. Other standouts from “Trophies”:
The 5
Clouds

Toosii - IDGAF: Toosii dropped a loosie (oohh bars) and it’s a heartfelt, introspective track. He talks about being on the edge and someone who was close to him leaving him for dead. Fool him once, shame on him, but he won’t let it happen twice. He’s working to become the world’s greatest and he knows patience is a virtue. He’s optimistic and knows he’ll be alright.

Tems - Not An Angel: The songstress dropped a new soulful track. It’s signature Tems, Afrobeats vibes, and she sings to an old flame. She don’t need duke looking for her. He offered nothing and just caused chaos in her life. She admits that she’s Not An Angel and she couldn’t save him (nor should she have needed to). She did all she could do. 

D. Savage - Breathe: D. Savage dropped a new loosie this week and it’s a vibe. It has that Emo Rap sound with the distorted vocals and downtempo beat but it also has summertime vibes. D. Sav sips wock, smashes the sneezes, and gets hella cash. He’s smoking za in the droptop trying to keep his mental straight while continuing his money mission.

Li Rye - Copping Out: Li Rye dropped a new album this week called “Li Rye vs Li Reezy”. Great project, my favorite track “Copping Out” has a funky beat and Rye’s aggressive flow lets the opps know that he’s popping out with the stick if they think shit’s sweet. That 556 will call all the pussy boy’s bluff. Other highlights from “Li Rye vs Li Reezy”:
Cruising
Caught Up Thuggin

Tokischa ft. Sexyy Red - Daddy: Look, I don’t speak Spanish (or understand it, mostly) but I know a good song when I hear one and this is one of them. I’ve seen Tokisha go viral over the last year or two (I think for some nudie pics) but the music slaps. And Big Sexy fits in seamlessly on the Club beat.

Kenny Mason - FACTS: ATL’s Kenny Mason dropped a 3-Pack this week called “HIGHWAY 9”. “FACTS” stood out to me as Kenny gets in his storytelling bag and describes a typical day and how he gets down. The guitar loop helps make this one special and Kenny’s bars on the verses and melodic flow on the hook give the track balance.

Buddy - You 2 Thank: Cali’s Buddy dropped a celebratory new track where he encourages us to have a good time. Light something up, get money, fall in love, Buddy wants us to let go and let loose. Hustle, motivate, kiss somebody (with consent), just don’t hurt nobody. He pays homage to a special someone by singing he has (You) 2 Thank for all that he has right now. He’s so grateful.

Yung Bans - Mr. Solo Dolo: Yung Bans dropped a new album this week called “Vol. 6”. My favorite album cut is “Mr. Solo Dolo”. The keys (both piano and organ) give this one a certain feel. Bans raps about that lone wolf lifestyle. He don’t need nobody and couldn’t care less if the chickens ain’t clucking. The hating ass niggas can’t kill his mojo, and he’s come way too far to stop swimming now.

Robb Bank$ - Back on My Grizzy: Robb really kicked up this year. He dropped a concept album (with a deluxe) and now he’s back with a new uptempo track. It kinda has a 2000’s hip-hop sound (that Trick Daddy/Trina Slip-N-Slide Sound). This one is great for the whip and can get asses shaking in the club. YK Osiris catches a stray too. With his 2023 output he’s definitely Back on his Grizzy.

Other Tracks/Projects That Dropped This Week

French Montana & Lil Baby - Okay

Benny The Butcher & Stove God Cooks - One Foot In

Pharrell, Swae Lee & Rauw Alejandro - Airplane Ticket

NLE Choppa - Shotta Flow 7

Lil Gotit - How I’m Pose To Live

Southside & Lil Yachty - Gimme Da Lite

K Camp & Sleazy World Go - Spend The Bag

Mike G ft. Offset & G-Eazy - Girls Gone Wild

Rowdy Rebel - Back Outside (Album)

Night Lovell - I HOPE YOU’RE HAPPY (Album)