A collection of our favorite songs of the week.
Alchemist
The Best New Music This Week: Tyler, The Creator, Quavo, DJ Drama, & More
Tyler, The Creator, “Sorry Not Sorry”
Quavo, “Honey Bun”
DJ Drama f/ Lil Uzi Vert & 42 Dugg, “Free Game”
Morray f/ Lil Tjay, “High Price”
Chlöe f/ Future & Joey Bada$$, “Cheatback”
Larry June & The Alchemist f/ Joey Bada$$ & Curren$y, “Barragán Lighting”
Rod Wave, “Fight the Feeling”
Nardo Wick f/ Lil Baby, “Hot Boy”
Luh Tyler, “You Was Laughing”
Jesse®, “Rainbow”
Larry June & The Alchemist Execute ‘The Great Escape’ On New Album
With help from Curren$y, Action Bronson, Joey Bada$$ and more.
Larry June And The Alchemist Post Up In ‘Palisades, CA’ With Big Sean In Their Cinematic Video
Larry June is scheduled to visit six Californian cities on his recently announced Larry’s Market Run Tour this spring and summer, but he brought everyone to the Palisades today, March 22, by way of the video for “Palisades, CA” with Big Sean and The Alchemist.
“Palisades, chillin’ in the shade, might take the Bent,” June coolly raps toward the end of the first verse. “Bettin’ on myself, and every time, n***a, it’s a hit.” Junes passes the flow off to Big Sean, who delivers a spoken interlude: “We off in the Palisades / Bettin’ on myself, every time, n***a, it’s a hit / You know, we talkin’ armed guards, gated communities, man / Royal family-type sh*t.”
Big Sean added on Instagram, “My dawgs @larryjuneftm n @alanthechemist ft. Me song + video ‘PALISADES, CA.’ Sh*t make me wanna count some money n take my vitamins, healthy! GOOD JOB LARRY [orange emoji, fire emoji, Earth emoji].”
“Palisades, CA” is the latest in a string of ambitious and indulgent singles from June and The Alchemist ahead of their collaborative project, The Great Escape. “60 Days,” “’89 Earthquake,” and now, “Palisades, CA” perfectly marry escapist visuals with brutally honest lyrics depicting the harsh journey necessary to bask in such luxuries.
“I show a different side of the city,” June told Uproxx last fall, speaking of his native San Francisco. “I’m from Hunter’s Point. I didn’t see too much of the Pier, or the nice avenues. I’ve never been to Alcatraz. I was just biking and sh*t. Now I’m just showing that a person of my color can do different sh*t. And I definitely belong.”
Watch the “Palisades, CA” video above.
Larry June, Alchemist, Big Sean Connect For “Palisades, CA” Single
Larry and Al’s ‘The Great Escape’ album arrives March 31.
Larry June & Alchemist Announce Joint Project, Share “89 Earthquake” Single
Larry & Al’s collaborative project arrives later in March 2023.
Larry June & Alchemist Connect For “60 Days” Single
Luxury cars and living.
Today In Hip Hop History: Nas’ Sixth Studio Album ‘God’s Son’ Turns 20 Years Old!
On this day in Hip-Hop history, Nas released his sixth studio album, God’s Son, in 2002. This may be Nas’ most emotional album coming at a rough time in his personal life. With the passing of his mother and his bout with fellow New York rapper Jay-Z at its height, Nas catered his lyricism to be more introspective in relation to his own trials and tribulations. Nas crowned himself “God’s Son” in tribute to his mother’s legacy and to point out a self-acclaimed likeness to Jesus Christ.
The production Nas collected for this project was astounding. Working with The Alchemist, Salaam Remi, Eminem, and even Alicia Keys helped to create a sound true to New York Hip-Hop with its own modern twist. Salaam Remi produced the bulk of the album and in a time when rap was something for the club and a Neptunes’ beat was a signature this soulfully classic sound was refreshing. The beats alone were critically acclaimed being mentioned in Vibe and Stylus Magazine and by countless critics.
Lyrically, Nas went in the opposite direction of what was popular at the time. As always, there was a true and necessary message behind everything that was said on the album, not to mention his flow and delivery were impeccable. The content was also deeply connected to what was going on in his own life. His references on songs like “Warrior” and “Last Real N***** Alive” were in reverence of his recent past mother. He even dedicated the track “Dance” to his mom. There were also a lot of Christian undertones throughout the album. Whether it be through titles of a song or metaphorically in bars spat, Nas’s religious views were intertwined with the majority of this album. Some of the other lyricists featured on the album were Alicia Keys and Nas’s ex-wife Kelis.
Commercially, this album was successful as well. It was certified platinum on January 14, 2003, and peaked at #18 on the US Billboard 200 chart. It also claimed the #1 spot on the Billboard Hip Hop/ R&B chart. The singles from this album, “Made You Look”, “I Can”, and “Get Down,” were also hits. Two of the Three released claimed spots on the Billboard Hot 100. “Made You Look” peaked at #32 and “I Can” peaked at #12. “I Can” has become a timeless song in Hip Hop over the years being an anthem of lifelong success for children in the black community.
The post Today In Hip Hop History: Nas’ Sixth Studio Album ‘God’s Son’ Turns 20 Years Old! appeared first on The Source.
Eminem, Drake, And Others Honor Esteemed Battle Rapper Pat Stay After His Death
Pat Stay, a Canadian battle rapper (often hailed as one of the best) from Nova Scotia, died at 36 years old this weekend. TMZ reports he was the victim of a stabbing in downtown Halifax early Sunday (September 4) morning, and later died in a hospital from his injuries.
Stay was widely respected in the hip-hop community, so some of the biggest figures in it have taken a moment to pay tribute to the late rapper.
After hearing the news, Eminem took to Twitter to write, “hiphop lost one of the best battlers of all time … RIP @patstay .. KINGS NEVER DIE!!”
hiphop lost one of the best battlers of all time … RIP @patstay .. KINGS NEVER DIE
— Marshall Mathers (@Eminem) September 5, 2022
Drake also praised Stay on his Instagram Story, writing, “RIP to the Sucka Free Boss @patstay902 one of my fav rappers ever.”
The Alchemist also shared his thoughts, writing, ‘“I can moonwalk with steel toe boots on’ Rest in peace Pat Stay. Battle Rap icon and king. If u know me u know i always thought he was the best. I’m hurt.”
Immortal Technique also tweeted, “Rest in Power Pat Stay. I may not have known him as well as many other of my friends who are broken and in a lot of pain. But I met him in passing and he was a cool down to earth dude.”
Check out reactions above and below.
“I can moonwalk with steel toe boots on” Rest in peace Pat Stay. Battle Rap icon and king. If u know me u know i always thought he was the best. I’m hurt.
— Alchemist Type Beat (@Alchemist) September 4, 2022
Rest in Power Pat Stay. I may not have known him as well as many other of my friends who are broken and in a lot of pain. But I met him in passing and he was a cool down to earth dude. pic.twitter.com/ZinH0PluBG
— Immortal Technique (@ImmortalTech) September 4, 2022
I just heard the shocking news about Pat Stay, Rest In Peace to a hilarious smart confident really great battle MC/monster also a very cool person and a family man. My condolences to his loved ones.
— R.A. the Rugged Man (@RAtheRuggedMan) September 4, 2022
Roc Marciano & Alchemist Share “The Horns Of Abraxas” Video
‘The Elephant Man’s Bones,’ out now.