​NBA YoungBoy - Tell Me: YoungBoy dropped a new project this week called “Realer 2” and it’s one of my all time fav YB drops. A lot of fun upbeat bangers and of course some tracks dedicated to the ladies. “Tell Me” is one of the latter. He implores his shawty to “Tell Me who you love”. Beat dope and YB uses a melodic flow to bare his soul to his main thang (presumably Jaz, hit currently pregnant gf and only feature on the project). Check out “Realer 2” and these highlights:
Put It On Me
Dangerous Love
I Don’t Like It
Fresh Prince of Utah
Never Lie
Poppin Shit (ft. Jaz)
Survive

Sleepy Hallow - 2 Minutes of Pain: One of NY’s princes of Drill dropped this track. It’s got a Caribbean twist to it. Sleep has a lot of pain but he doesn’t like to admit it. He don’t care about the fame, he just wants the cheese. He lets the opps know they may have the sauce, but they don’t know how to use it.

Ari Lennox ft. Lucky Daye - Boy Bye: A week after dropping an EP, Dreamville songstress Ari Lennox dropped a full-length album called “age/sex/location”. It’s a treat for R&B lovers and I loved the whole album. One of my favorites is the Lucky Daye collab “Boy Bye”. It’s a duet as they go back and forth. Downtempo, LD spots something nice and asks to walk her home. She declines (saying Boy Bye) then he asks for the digits and she says she has a man. Sometimes you shoot your shot and it misses but it’s better than wondering “What if?” Do yourself a favor and go give “age/sex/location” a listen and don’t miss these standouts:
POF
Hoodie
Pressure
Mean Mug
Stop By
Blocking You
Queen Space (with Summer Walker)

Meek Mill - Early Mornings: This the Meek we know and love. Beat stupid, dope soul sample. Meek talks his shit about beating the odds, going from being down bad to rubbing elbows with billionaires. He’s all about stacking paper and he knows that hanging in the hood is risky but he loves it. Tough Tune.

Lil Jairmy ft. Lil Keed - Can’t Dress Me: Houston’s Lil Jairmy dropped a project this week called “GasGod 2”. He was able to get some big features including Future & Moneybagg Yo. My favorite track is “Can’t Dress Me” featuring the gone but not forgotten Lil Keed (RIP, Free YSL too). The track bumps, the beat is triumphant. The guys are not impressed by the opps and they know it’s dangerous out there so they move carefully. Jairmy just had a threesome and bought an Audemars Piguet watch with the money he just acquired. He vows to defend himself by any means necessary, he will not be finessed. Keed loved drank, lean and the hoes. He didn’t let the hoes dress him (his fashion sense was impeccable. He didn’t need assistance). Other highlights from “Gas God 2”: 
Serving Everything
Supercharge (ft. Moneybagg Yo)
On Me (ft. Future)
Everything

Bryson Tiller - Outside: Listen, as I’ve stated many many times before: I’m a sucker for a sample. And the A1 vocals of Bryson Tiller + a re-rocked version of the Ying Yang Twins’ “Wait (The Whisper Song)” equals a Certified hit!

Yeat ft. Lil Uzi Vert - Flawlëss: Yeat dropped a new project this week called “Lyfë”. It starts off with this Uzi collab “Flawless” and it’s just that. Haunting beat, with “Flawless” chanted on the chorus. Uzi rocks Cartier Buffs and even though a girlie might fall in love, he’s heartless. He loves playing golf and is a great player. Even though his name is Uzi, he keeps a Glock with a switch. He got racks in his pants and occasionally pops a Perc. Yeat making millions and he bout to double it. He likes to push a Bentley Mulsanne and also enjoys a Perc from time to time. Check out “Lyfë” and these standouts:
Up off X
Wat it feel lykë
Talk

EST Gee ft. Future - Shoot It Myself: According to the iTunes store, EST Gee finna drop an album soon. I’m guessing this track will be on there and is one of the lead up singles. From the title, “Shoot It Myself” you know what type of time these gentlemen are on, either they spinning the block or they decided to make an adult film with one (or more) of their shawtys and decided to film it themselves. I’ll let you listen to the track to decide.

John Legend ft. Jhene Aiko & Ty Dolla $ign - Splash: John Legend dropped a new project this week called “LEGEND”. It’s a 2 parter with the 1st part having more upbeat, pop bops and the 2nd part more downtempo, traditional R&B. I loved tracks from both parts (with “Nervous” on Part 2 being my favorite). I also really love the Ty Dolla, Jhene Aiko collab “Splash”. John just tryna slide through on a Sunday and have his main damie rain down on him. He wanna be baptized and purified in that holy water (by taking a dive and tasting her thighs). He wanna swim in it and have it bring him back to life. Go check out “LEGEND” and these standouts: 
Rounds (ft. Rick Ross)
Dope (ft. JID)
All She Wanna Do (with Saweetie)
Nervous

midwxst ft. BabyTron - 223’s: midwxst dropped a new project this week called “BACK IN ACTION 3.0” and it’s his second project of 2022 (mad two’s). 223’s with BabyTron is a bit of a change of pace as he usually has a more emo rap vibe (like Juice or XXX) but he snapped over this Detroit type beat. XXL Freshman BabyTron is in his bag on this one, these the kinda beats he got poppin on. Other highlights from “BACK IN ACTION 3.0”:
Mad
Home Run
Redacted

Coi Leray - Fly Sh!t: Coi caught another one! Sweet beat laced with the flute. “It’s going down, going down, I’ma make you feel special, let me show you how” Only “Fly Sh!t”, Coi wakes up and makes deposits. She got options but only fucks with VVS diamonds. She sports Gucci heels and ain’t nothing on her basic. One of Coi’s superpowers is that her melodic flow is top tier and she can spit bars like the best of them.

Sampa The Great ft. Angelique Kidjo - Let Me Be Great: Zambian artist Sampa the Great dropped a new project this week called “As Above, So Below”. I’ve heard her music before (especially tracks she was featured on) and gave this one a listen. It’s packed with sounds from the Motherland. I didn’t know where she was from before listening and quickly realized “Oh, she African”. Dope project, my favorite track was “Lane” with Denzel Curry and they got the beat from Power so of course it’s a banger. I also love “Let Me Be Great” with Angelique Kidjo. The message is simple: let her be great. She got the vision and is dedicated to the mission so getcha popcorn ready and enjoy the show. A flower needs space to grow. Force is the opposite of flow and she is just trying to elevate forever ever.  Check out “As Above, So Below” and don’t miss these highlights:
Lane (with Denzel Curry & Powers Pleasant)
Mask On (ft. Joey Bada$$)
Bona
Tilibobo
Lo Rain (ft. Mwanje)

Cordae x Hit-Boy - Checkmate: Okay one, this is some of Cordae’s best work. The flow is there, the bars are always gonna be thought provoking and on a Hit-Boy beat? Flames! “You ain’t made it ‘til all the top models are topping you” (I guess I ain’t made it yet…) The crazy part of this track as it was made for the Madden 23 soundtrack (and usually Soundtrack tracks are a bit watered down to appeal to the masses). He talks about chilling on yachts in DR with sex workers, getting toppy, working at TGI Fridays and selling weed. He feels unstoppable and with tracks like these, he most certainly is.

38 Spesh - Can’t Show Love, Pt. 2: Bro! 38 Spesh dropped a new project called “7 Shots” and there is not one skip on the whole thing. I know it’s 8 tracks but still, this is that raw uncut, no filler, no throwaways, every track goes. And I’m not a boom-bap guy, but when it’s fire, it’s going on my playlist and this is currently in heavy rotation. Even the God KD gave Spesh a shoutout on Twitter. Do yourself the biggest of favors and check out “7 Shots” and instead of thanking me, go tell a friend. (Fun Fact: this dropped on the 7th and is called “7 Shots” but is 8 tracks (and not the obvious 7). I’m guessing Spesh couldn’t leave any of these off and I don’t blame him).

NAV & Don Toliver ft. Future - One Time: Canadian artist NAV dropped a new project this week called “Demons Protected By Angels”. He collabed with some of the biggest artists and producers in the game and produced a special project. One of my favorites is “One Time” with Don Toliver and Future. It’s a smooth track where Nav talks that rich Brown Boy shit to a young lady. He asks her to drop the pin so he can pull up. He got options because he’s famous. He can’t be seen in public with shawty because the streets is hot. He sees in her eyes that she wants the peen, but if she does, she’s gotta decide quickly since he’s on the move. Future’s main thang is a lucky charm. Pressure makes diamonds and she’s so icy. He’s dripped in chinchilla and Louis Vuitton and likes to sip Wockesha in his free time. He makes money even on his days off. Go give “Demons Protected By Angels” a listen and make sure to play these standouts:
Count On Me (Intro)
Baby
Playa (with Gunna)
My Dawg (with Lil Durk)
Interstellar (with Lil Uzi Vert)
Lost Me (with RealestK)
Destiny
Ball In Peace (Outro) 

Prodigy ft. DJ Premier - Walk Out: RIP to king Prodigy, one half of the Infamous Mobb Deep. P musta had hella tracks in the tuck as his estate is about to drop his 2nd posthumous album. The “Walk Out” beat is classic Preme, boom-bap, scratches, and Prodigy’s bars are crisp and this track is super hard. Tough Tune.

Black Soprano Family, Heem B$F & Rick Hyde ft. OT the Real - Danger Zone: Buffalo’s Black Soprano Family dropped a new project this week called “Long Live DJ Shay” paying homage to their crew’s DJ/Producer who passed away after the Covid pandemic swept across the globe. The project is A1 and it really serves as a showcase for Heem & rapper/producer Rick Hyde to really flex their skills. I really loved “Danger Zone” with OT the Real. Piano keys lace the boom-bap beat as the guys talk about their time in the streets (posted in the Danger Zone). Moving weight and keeping the heat ready for the opps was day to day life for them. Rest In Power DJ Shay. Check out “Long Live DJ Shay” and these standouts: 
Shay Face (ft. Benny the Butcher & Rick Hyde)
Bastard Child (with Heem B$F)
Times Is Rough (with Benny The Butcher & DJ Premier ft. Heem B$F & Rick Hyde)
Mustachios (ft. Boldy James & Chase Fetti)
Bigger BSF (with Heem B$F & Rick Hyde ft. Benny The Butcher & Armani Caesar)

Big30 - On My Mama: Bigg Brrrr! Memphis’ Big30 has been poppin for a minute, even in the absence of his main man Pooh Sheisty. This beat is hard and on it, Big30 slides with his Draco (his preferred firearm). He’s the king of his hood and doesn’t hesitate to spin the block on an opp. He’s a real G and when he shoots it’s only face shots. Nobody gave him anything so he tells his people not to hit his line with that begging shit. He got it out the mud and encourages us to do the same.

Lil B - Fuck A 9 to 5: Lil B the Based aka Lil Boss dropped a new project on SoundCloud this week called “Thraxxx Kiss”. If you love the Based God you’ll love this project. Some tracks were made years ago but this is their official release. I like “Fuck a 9 to 5” and its message. Anybody who’s ever worked a 9 to 5 has felt this way before and every artist who works a 9 to 5 to pay the bills while they glow up, definitely can relate. Other highlights from “Thraxxx Kiss”:
Get Brains Everyday
Bonafied Hustler
All Night Long
Already

Roddy Ricch ft. Doe Boy & G Herbo - Ghetto Superstar: So much talent on one record. Mustard and Southside of 808 Mafia on the beat? Herbo, Doe Boy & Roddy? If that’s not enough to entice you to check this out, go to your nearest otolaryngologist and get your motherfucking ears checked.

1TakeJay - Baby Boy: Cali’s 1TakeJay dropped a new project this week called “Compton Globetrotter”. I was geeked to check it out because I discovered one of his old tracks when it came up on Apple Music’s shuffle (“Baby” with Kalan Frfr). I’ve had “Baby” on repeat since I heard it and now I got “Baby Boy” from this new album in heavy rotation. On “Baby Boy” he expresses his mother’s concern for him (he’s her Baby Boy). And the thooters out here trying to catch 1TJ’s raw nut as they are trying to have his Baby Boy. He’s smart though, he uses rubbers because some of the ladies he messes with be givin the coochie out all willy nilly. He does admit he did fuck raw a couple times but, thank the Lord, he came out unscathed. Once he finds him a bad bittie all these other bops will get ignored. Go give “Compton Globetrotter” a spin and don’t miss these highlights:
Arco 3
Social Media (ft. BlueBucksClan)
Woman Crush
Fuck Love (ft. Kalan.FrFr)
What U Mad For (ft. Mozzy)
Unemployment
Proud Of U (Remix) [ft. Blueface]

TOBi & Mikky Ekko - Before We Panic: Nigerian-born, Canadian-raised artist TOBi dropped a jazzy, soulful loosie this week with Mikky Ekko. The guys encourage us to remember who we are. We are rare, unique and we should stay focused. “We all God’s children, but the Devil working overtime” (Ain’t that the truth…) TOBi knows that part of who we are wasn’t chosen by us, but we should all come together to work for a brighter future. Don’t let the truth go over your head.

Chris Brickley, Dave East & Jadakiss - Comfortable: NY’s finest on this one. So I googled Chris Brickley and he’s a renowned basketball trainer who’s been dabbling in Hip-Hop (akin to what Kawhi’s doing with Culture Jam). He got former hooper Dave East and the King of Verzuz Jadakiss on this new track “Comfortable”. It also looks like he got legendary producer Don Cannon to chef the beat and you know if Cannon cooked it, it’s a banger. Dave advises us not to get too comfortable. Stash some money away just in case, stay on your toes,  and watch for the D’s. (pause, unpause) Jadakiss says if you come for him you gonna need backup (he’s not going out sad). He doesn't eat pork, pushes matte black foreigns (no gloss), and he never cuts the stove off. 

YG - Alone: Y Gizzle gearing up for an album drop. He’s released quite a few tracks over the past few months and I think I saw a preorder link in the iTunes Store. He gets introspective on this loosie “Alone”. The overarching message: Gotta leave the streets alone. He got a lot of dead homies, locked up in the feds homies, pill-head homies. He wonders if his past life will affect his future goals and wonders if he gotta get shot again (he’s hoping no). Nice lil snap beat with a catchy vocal sample on the chorus. Can’t wait for the album to drop.

Kruk One & Rayven Justice - Lonesome: My favorite part of the list! The great discoveries from the Apple Music New Hip-Hop playlist. I already had Rayven Justice in the serrato but this is my first time hearing Kruk One on their collab “Lonesome”. Like I said earlier (and say all the time) I’m a sucker for a sample and this one samples Ne-Yo’s smash hit “So Sick”. They re-rocked the beat and added some snaps (hard). The track is dedicated to Kruk One’s ex-bae. He was a savage but he realizes his mistakes now, is sorry for what transpired, and hopes to spin the block if shawty will take him back. Until then, KO is Lonesome. Rayven’s vocals serve as the outro and he laments messing up a good thing as well.

Rockness Monsta & Ron Browz - The Answer: Another one! Found this joint on the Apple Music New Hip-Hop playlist too. We all know Ron Browz as the producer of the legendary Nas diss track Ether, and the hit record “Pop Champagne” with Jim Jones. I was hooked in the first couple seconds with the soul sample. Drums drop in and I knew we was lit. Rock is puffing good trees and meditating. He’s putting the industry on notice and encourages all opposition to stay in they lane. Cats be thinking shit sweet, but it’s about to get real. He salutes AI (The Answer) and encourages us to trust our gut. Always be prepared for the smoke and keep your heat close. It’s his time and he proclaims it loudly.

Other Tracks/Albums to Drop This Week

G Herbo ft. A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie - Me Myself & I

Russ - That Was Me

Nicki Minaj ft. JT, Bia, Malibu Mitch, Katie Got Bandz & Akbar V - Super Freaky Girl (Queen Mix)

Kid Ink - Make Some Friends

BRS Kash ft. Lil Poppa & Morray - Team Player

Kane Brown - Different Man (Album)

Boogie - Deluxxxe (Album)