Rexx Life Raj, Wale & Fireboy DML - Beauty In The Madness: Favorite song of the week. The track is Fire Boy! (see what I did there). Rexx and Wale have to be two of the most underappreciated artists in Hip-Hop History. Smooth Island vibes, Wale starts the party by flowing about his shawty and Rexx gets in his singing bag and asks his main damie to help him find the Beauty in the Madness. He knows the sun don’t always shine (won’t always be good times), but he looking for somebody that’ll dance with him in the rain (be there when things are gray). Fireboy sings about his melanated queen and his sound fits so perfectly on the track. 

Lucky Daye - Fever: Lucky Daye released what seems to be his debut album this week “Candydrip”. He’s been buzzing for years and this is the culmination of his hard work and determination. My favorite track is Fever. It’s a breakup-ish track. He got Fever and he don’t know how to leave her (I suggest a text or email, give y’all both time to think of your responses). Nah, but he’s hoping they can reconcile and just wants her to come back but is finding it hard to let go. All my R&B heads give “Candydrip” a spin.

Benny The Butcher ft. Boldy James - Weekends In The Perry’s: The recent Def Jam signee released the long awaited “Tana Talk 4” this week and it’s been garnering hella praise. It’s got dope features and that quintessential Griselda sound. I loved Weekend’s In The Perry’s and it features Boldy James (who Benny pays his respects to on the first track). TT4 is TT approved go check out the whole project.

Wiz Khalifa, Big K.R.I.T., Smoke DZA & Girl Talk - Put You On: So the streets saying this crew is about to put out a collab album and if so, I’m here for it! The first single “Put You On” is a teaser of what these very different entities bring to the table. With a soul sampled beat cooked up by Girl Talk, the guys smoke trees, ride in the dopest rides, stack paper and get icy. Foot on the pedal they never gon’ let up and they’ll Put You On for real.

Lil Durk - Barbarian: Smirk released “7220” this week after originally announcing that the album would drop on 2-22-22 to go head up with Ye. The album is flames. This one stood out because he talk about erasing the opps, losing homies, and also about anal sex and how it have shawty sitting different. The man’s honest and tells his truth. Beat dope too.

Aitch & Ashanti - Baby: Aitch is becoming one of my favorite young White rappers (with Yung Pinch). After sampling Destiny's Child “Say My Name” he’s back again with a song dedicated to his shawty on a beat that samples Ashanti’s Rock Wit U (Awww Baby). Poppy, radio ready and hella catchy. Sampling works so great because there’s already familiarity with the sound. If the artist who’s sampling  adds some spicy sauce, everybody’s in for a treat and that’s what we got on “Baby”.

Dave East ft. Kalan.FrFr. - No Cocaine: Dave East released a project this week called “HDIGH” (How Did I Get Here) and I really dug it. On “No Cocaine” Dave’s raspy raps offer a nice contrast to the smooth beat and Kalan’s harmonic chorus. He gets in his storytelling bag, talks about how he has a No Cocaine policy while he’s shooting his many projects in LA. He also knows the movie industry (like the music business) can get you caught up so he moves cautiously. Kalan was stressing til God cleared his road. He sees all snakes ‘cause his grass is cut low. Now he has blessings since God cleared his soul. He’s holding on. Tough Tune.

Steelo Brim ft. Arin Ray & Buddy - My Love: When first hearing this track I was like “damn this fire” who’s this, not even realizing I just listened to the whole “Brilliant Idiots” podcast with brodie on as a special guest. For the uninitiated Steelo Brim is one of the hosts of MTV’s Ridiculousness (one of their longest running shows). He’s been an A&R at labels and dabbled in music making himself. On the pod, he announced he has a project dropping soon and this must be the first single. It samples Avant’s “My First Love” and feels like a West-Coast version of Fresh Prince & Jazzy Jeff’s “Summertime”. SB reminisces, tells stories and flows effortlessly on the track. Dude’s talented.

Mooski - Rocket: Mooski released his debut album “Melodic Therapy 4 The Broken” this week and he more than delivered. He gained a massive fanbase thanks to his hit song “Trackstar” (which is featured on this project along with a Chris Brown, A Boogie-assisted remix). One of my favorite tracks is “Rocket” which starts off with keys and leads into Mooski describing his ascension as taking off like a Rocket. He made a way through the impossible and ain’t no way to stop him. Everybody got a story and even though his pockets got swole, he remains the same.

Fredo Bang - Federal Raid: Another one of my favorite up and comers, Fredo Bang, released a loosie. A melodic loop in the back adds some flavor to the minimalist beat. Fredo talks that talk and gets introspective about niggas switching up and chicks not holding it down. He asks “Give me your hand when I’m lonely, I give em my love, but they just can’t love me”. It’s a track about lack of reciprocation. He just wanna know where’s the love. He’s looking for something real ‘cause everything around him look phony.

KayCyy - THE SUN: KayCyy, who I first came across when he worked with Ye on Donda, released a 3 pack with French DJ Gesaffelstein this week called “TW20 50”. My favorite was “THE SUN” (prolly KC’s fav too as he chose this one for a music video). The track is haunting, has synth-y keys and a bouncy beat and KayCyy sings and vows to be the spark that shawty really wants. He can help her see further than she really thought. She don’t need no space from him. She rather be where he’s at, ‘cause he’ll bring her The Sun.


Other Tracks/Projects to Drop This Week

Method Man & RJ Payne - The Butterfly Effect

Tory Lanez - Cap

Megan Thee Stallion & Dua Lipa - Sweetest Pie

Krayzie Bone - Alone In A Crowded Room

Mariah The Scientist - Buckles Laboratories Presents: The Intermission (EP)

Shenseea - ALPHA (Album)