Kendrick Lamar - The Heart Part 5: Holy fucking shit Batman! Sunday night Kendrick Lamar dropped one of the best songs of the year and arguably the best music video of the year. Using deepfakes to appear as OJ Simpson, Jussie Smollett, Ye, Will Smith, Kobe Bryant, Nipsey Hussle. He starts off talking about the problems of the hood and I’m thinking “I aight playa we heard this shit a million times” but then he goes full Kendrick, drops the drums out and starts rapping about everything from “hurt people hurt people” as Will Smith to spitting a whole verse as Nipsey letting Nip’s loved ones know that he’s watching over them. I was amazed. I caught a flight that night and there was a Caucasian gentleman telling his boy about the video, equally as amazed as I was. That shit had been out for like 3 hours. If this the heat K Dot is coming with, his upcoming album “Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers” is gonna set the world on fire.

Jack Harlow - I’d Do Anything To Make You Smile: Jack Harlow dropped his sophomore effort “Come Home The Kids Miss You” this week. I enjoyed it, it’s full of poppy bops perfect for the radio. I really like “I’d Do Anything To Make You Smile” which finds Jack talking that rich shit (not trick shit) to his main damie in what can only be described as a Drake-esque flow. Check out these other highlights from “Come Home The Kids Miss You”:
Side Piece
Movie Star (ft. Pharrell Williams)
Churchill Downs (ft. Drake)
Like a Blade of Grass

Bad Bunny ft. Jhay Cortez- Tarot: Bad Bunny dropped a surprise album this week called “Un Verano Sin Ti” (A Summer Without You). I had heard BB songs before but never a full project and this shit is a vibe. I listened to the whole thing all the way through (all 1 hour and 22 minutes of it). I can see why he’s one of the biggest artists in the world. There’s something on it for everyone. Traditional Latin sounds, hip-hop elements, country elements, pop grooves, rhythm & blues. Grammy’s will rain down on this project. I loved just about every track but especially “Tarot”. Since I don’t know the lyrics, It’s prolly because it has the Afrobeat drums like on French & Swae Lee’s “Unforgettable” (these drums are also used in Latin music but you hear it alot on Afrobeat tracks). Go check out “Un Verano Sin Ti” or better yet purchase it outright and thank me later.

Future ft. Young Scooter - Stayed Down: This week, Future re-released his album from last week “I Never Liked You” with 6 bonus tracks. “Stayed Down” features Young Scooter who set the streets (and the clubs) on fire with his track “Colombia”. This is melodic Future on a downtempo, cinematic beat carried by strings (guitar and what sounds like violin). Future’s got fast whips, pink diamonds and he likes to splurge. Scooter has the trap jumping and is blowing the za-est of za. He only patronizes the finest of jewelry stores (Eliantte to be exact) and the haters can’t stand him.

Shaun Sloan & G Herbo - In The Sun: New artist alert! (new to me at least). A1 beat, keys with a melodic vocal sample in the back. Shaun Sloan reminisces about the past and about the loved ones he’s lost. Heartfelt music. He thinks about them when he stares In The Sun (hopefully with polarized sunglasses on). G Herbo talks about dealing with death and pain and feeling like he’s going insane. He wants to protect his family and knows the only way he can do that is to take care of his mental health. He’s trying to find his balance. He’s still working, finding his purpose, and though he’s had to grind solo since he lost his main man, he’s still pushing.

Ella Mai - Trying: This week British songstress Ella Mai dropped, “Heart On My Sleeve”, her sophomore album. Project is dope, lots of breakup and makeup music. I love “Trying” which has a snap beat (vintage Mustard) and finds EM commending her man for actually Trying. Mans been putting in effort and she’s letting him know “I see you playa, keep it up!” Other standouts from “Heart On My Sleeve”:
Break My Heart
Fallen Angel
How (ft. Roddy Ricch)
Feels Like

Shy Glizzy & EST Gee - Borderline: DC Sniper Young Jefe dropped a single this week with one of the rising stars in the rap games EST Gee. He calls out some of the new rappers and claims they ain’t getting money like they say they do. He believes that he has more money than them. And he calls them pussy and says they aint’ talking bout shit. He’s moving weight state to state country to country and they can meet him at the Borderline. Trenches turned EST Gee into a lion so he’s protecting his pride. Opps come from everywhere so he carries his blower everywhere. He’ll slide then double back just to make sure the job is done.

Guapdad4000 - Black Iverson: The year is 2022 and legendary scammer and Bay Area artist Guapdad4000 releases a response to Post Malone’s “White Iverson”. The beat is saucy, perfect for cruising in the whip with the moonroof open. When Guapdad started balling he was slight as shit. He was in the club before he was 21. Now he wit a savage and she 21. He rocks a durag and a beater, just like Iverson. He’s put in work (10,00 hours plus 15 more to be exact). He ain’t foolin wit no niggas who ain’t in the game and he encourages them to sit on the sideline like the spectators they are instead of trying to be all in the mix.

IDK - Zaza Tree: IDK released a collab project with Grammy-winning Canadian producer KAYTRANADA called “Simple.” Zaza Tree stood out to me for IDK’s melodic delivery and the layered beat. DK lets shawty know that she definitely has it and he definitely wants it. I also really like the track “Drugstore”. Go give “Simple.” a spin if your mama ever found a bottle of liquor in your room and you told her you were holding it for a friend.

070 Shake - Web: Once a year NJ artist 070 Shake drops an Earth shattering track that gets inserted into my Serrato and never leaves (pause?). The vocal loop (What is? Your Favorite. Flower) is immaculate. Gives it a 80’s pop feel along with the synth. Shake finds herself at a crossroad with a lover. Their words and actions aren’t in alignment. She’s looking for clarity and she knows questions become answers and answers become lessons. Tough Tune.

Roy Woods - Insecure: Canadian crooner Roy Woods is back with an acoustic bop for your headtop. This one is dedicated to his ride or die. He won’t leave her because he needs her. He wants her to believe him. She brings all the good out of him and anything she wants to know she’ll get it out of him.

Lil Gotit ft. Ty Dolla $ign - Night 2 Remember: YSL’s Lil Gotit released a new album this week called “The Cheater”. It has two Ty Dolla features and my favorite track is this one that has a Carti-esque beat and finds the guys planning a memorable evening for their chica. A night full of 1942, cruising in exotic whips and spending money all around town, and ends with some passionate love making. Go give “The Cheater” a listen. 

A$AP Rocky - D.M.B.: OK, I think it’s safe to discuss this relationship at this point. Rocky dropped an ode to his muse Rih-Rih called DMB (Dat’s My Bish). On it he asks her to roll his blunt, fill his cup, rub his gut, be his slut. It finds them venturing through Harlem (and chilling on a stoop). In the video, the shots give it a retry feel and in the end he uses a custom grill to say “Marry Me” while Rih’s grill says “I Do”. Then they walk holding hands through a group of loved ones cheering them on (like couples do right after the wedding). Wedding or not Rocky and Rih look like they’re in it for the long haul.

Raheem DeVaughn - Anytime: Raheem DeVaughn released a new project this week called “From Lust Till Dawn“ and as the title suggests it’s full of R&B, love-making music. Although this song looks to have been made years ago, it gets an official release on this album. I’m a sucker for a sample and this one is a flip of Janet Jackson’s “Any Time, Any Place”. It’s dope because it’s a male perspective and even though Kung Fu Kenny sampled it on Poetic Justice (ft. Drake) “Anytime” is more true to the original. Check out from “Lust to Dawn” if you've ever been unexpectedly aroused in the middle of the day for no apparent reason at all.

Morray - Momma’s Love: Mother’s Day was Sunday and what a perfect time for Morray to drop this song dedicated to the people who carried us right before we entered the world (and carried us for years and years after). Morray’s momma prayed and he made it. He can’t give her everything but he can try. He can't pay her back because he owes her his life. He loves her food, especially on Sundays. He’s a momma’s boy and he loves her with his whole soul. She encouraged him to have pride, no fear and now they out the hood now, eating good now. Morray didn’t have a man around to look up to but momma taught him everything he needed to know. Happy belated Momma’s Day to all the matriarchs out there!

Other Tracks/Projects That Dropped This Week

Juicy J ft. Duke Deuce - Step Back

El Camino & Curren$y - Better Than Love

Logic ft. Russ - Therapy Music

Doja Cat - Vegas

Tyga - Sheikh Talk

NBA Youngboy ft. Quavo - Don’t Race Me

Flee Lord - Pray For The Evil 3 (Album)

Kenyon Dixon - Closer (Album)

Sabrina Claudio - Based On A Feeling (Album)