​21 Savage - all of me: So 21 announced his new album “american dream” with a trailer for an accompanying movie starring Donald Glover and Caleb McLaughlin (Stranger Things) and (allegedly) dropping on 4th of July. Well, the album dropped this week and it’s special. The opening track “all of me” (with the “Wishing on a Star” sample) was featured in the rollout video and it’s my favorite so far. My other favorite part of the album is when he gets into his R&B bag (he’s a true Rhythm & Blues fan) and he effortlessly transitions from Faceshot Gang to Backshot Gang. Check out “american dream” and these highlights:
see the real
prove it (with Summer Walker)
should’ve wore a bonnet (with Brent Faiyaz)

Benny The Butcher - BRON: Benny is set to drop his new album in 2 weeks (Jan 26). It’s also his debut on Def Jam. He dropped “BRON” as the lead up single. Because he’s one of the best lyricists in the game right now, the bars were expectedly top tier. Of course it’s a boom bap beat, but the thing that makes this track special is Benny’s delivery. He uses a pause flow where he drops out for a bar then hits the punchline hard (pause). 

Kid Cudi - ELECTROWAVEBABY: Cudders dropped his new project “INSANO” this week after some reported clearance hurdles. Dope project, I love the Thugger collab “RAGER BOYZ”. The last track “HIT THE STREETZ IN MY NIKES” slaps (I had to run it back a few times). “ELECTROWAVEBABY” is special too. It has Reggae vibes and the signature Cudi humming. KC raps about getting to Friday night and letting loose. He meets a special someone and they catch a vibe. The Na-na-na’s and the flute really sauce this one up. Other standouts from “INSANO”:
RAGER BOYZ (with Young Thug)
HIT THE STREETZ IN MY NIKES

310babii & Kalan.FrFr - Stuck: I’ve got this one Stuck in my head (I’ll see myself out). This track from 310babii and his Cali brethren Kalan is a certified bop. It has that New West Coast sound, it’s radio-ready, and it’s super catchy. Shawty is pressure and she’s stuck on her guy. The guys please her like no one else can.

Boldy James & Nicholas Craven - Straight As: These 2 are back with a new project this week called “Penalty of Leadership”. After their first new track dropped, I knew they had something cooking and after the most recent drop, there were no more doubts. This rapper/producer duo is right up there with Nas and Hit-Boy with the quality of music they’ve been able to create together and how they seem to elevate each other’s games synergistically. Whole album slaps, “Straight As” might be my favorite. The soul sample, the hi-hat, the way the beat builds and smooths out again. Boldy’s bars are elite as usual and he surfs the beat like Kelly Slater. Do yourself a favor and check out “Penalty of Leadership” and these highlights:
Jack Frost
No Pun Intended
Brand New Chanel Kicks
Early Worms Get Birds (ft. Double Dee)

Wyclef Jean ft. Pusha T, Lola Brooke, Capella Grey, Flau’jae - Paper Right: Candidly, I saw all these names on this track and said “DaFuq?” but I gave it a chance, pressed play, and it turned out to be a pleasant surprise. Capella Grey on the hook is becoming a cheat code kinda like having Kalan on the hook. The rappers compliment each other well, the vibe is optimistic, and the message is to work toward Financial Freedom and Generation Wealth (everything is Up, they all got their Paper Right). Add in Wyclef’s supporting vocals and production and this one should get massive radio spins for the rest of this year. 

K CAMP - Chosen One: Sir CAMP dropped a new project this week called “Float 2 London”. Camp gets in his melodic bag throughout the project and tracks like “Shrooms On My Ass” have him taking artistic risks while also rapping his truth (that one’s a super standout). “Chosen One” is easily a highlight. He raps about being the Chosen One, and he’s surprised it took everyone to notice him. He bigs up everyone who stayed down (he owes them one). He got some bars for his shawty (she knows he’s a vibe, that he’s legendary). Laidback track, definitely one you can smoke and cruise to. Other highlights from “Float 2 London”:
Young & Free
Over & Over
Last Forever/Honda Accord (with Hunxho)
Shrooms on My Ass
Treat Me Like a God (with Vory)
Spin the Block

DaeMoney ft. BabyTron - MAFIA & MILITIA: This the first track I heard from DaeMoney and he’s batting a thousand so far (that means he don’t miss). This one has that new Detroit sound (I don’t know if he’s from there). Funky beat, Dae shouts out Shitty Boyz (Tron’s crew) and they both deliver quality verses.

Bruiser Wolf ft. Danny Brown & Zelooperz - 2 Bad: So usually if there’s a new project by an artist I haven’t heard of, I’ll look at the features (and/or the label) and if I recognize the features, I’ll give it a listen. Bruiser Wolf’s new album “My Story Got Stories” is a breath of fresh air. It’s unique in sound and content plus buddy sounds a bit like Suga Free to me and has them real pimp/player bars. My favorite track is the Danny Brown collab “2 Bad” that samples A$AP Rocky’s “1 Train” (which also features Danny) and has the guys getting into some 3-way action with 2 Bad bitches.

22Gz - Oath: NY Driller 22Gz dropped a new project this week called “Growth & Development 2”. My favorite track “Oath” got immediately added to my playlist and has been in heavy rotation ever since the album dropped. The strings give it a cinematic feel (almost like a Mafia movie’s soundtrack). 22 is a general (military) and a stepper. He been in the field forever, he keeps the blicky for the opps and he’ll crash out for the cheddar. He ball like he play for the Nets.

D-Block Europe - Still Outside: D Block Europe dropped a new project this week called “Rolling Stone” and it’s a gem. Anybody with the last name Williams is going to enjoy “Go Go Gang”. “Still Outside” is the track I’ve been bumping the most. Wavy vibes as the guys sing to that special someone. She ain’t with them for the bread, and because of that, they buy her anything she wants. Her ex hurt her bad and they promise not to ever treat her like that. Check out “Rolling Stone” and these standouts:
Go Go Gang
Eagle (with Noizy)
Still Play Valorant (with Kodak Black)

GMO Stax ft. Babyface Ray - Rep The Brand: This was another new artist for me and I saw he had A-list features so I gave his new project “Youngest N Charge II” a listen. Dope project, the Babyface Ray collab got added to the playlist expeditiously. Ray is on double duty handling the hook and a verse. This shit is real life for the guys, so ride with them or get left in the dust. They praying for war and dodging peace. If it’s up, it’s up. Other highlights from “Youngest N Charge II”: 
Missing My Niggas
Only Option (ft. Rob49, Luh Tyler & Loe Shimmy)

Teezo Touchdown - Third Coast: Teezo dropped a Deluxe to his most recent project “How Do You Sleep At Night” this week. 3 new tracks (and I believe they’re his 1st solo tracks since he got the Drake stimulus package). “Third Coast” is special, especially once the beat flips. The title is a reference to Texas (where he’s from;Texas is known in Hip-Hop as the Third Coast after  East Coast and West Coast). He got bitties everywhere and one of them he calls Port Arthur because she got that wetty. Whenever he wants some cheeks, shawty is his go-to. The beat flips a 2nd time and Teezo gives us a taste of the sauce that he added to Drake’s “For All The Dogs”.

Ether Da Connect ft. Fetty Wap - Respect: And yet another new artist (for me) who had a new project drop (“Just Different”) with heavy hitters as features. This track with Fetty stood out. It has an NY Drill beat and has EDC rapping about his growth and evolution. He’s gonna do whatever it takes to elevate. Fetty’s on the hook and shouts out Ether by name and demands we show them both Respect. 

Preme - Big Shot: The Canadian Artist formerly known as P Reign dropped a new project this week called “Penthouse”. He hasn’t lost a step and “Big Shot” is evidence of that. It has some soulful vibes and Preme flexes hard, rapping about everything from his wide variety of women to his big body Benzs and big bank rolls. If anybody ain't down with his program, they can kick rocks.