Hit-Boy’s prolific 2023 carries on. It’s not even halfway through the year and the artist/producer already has dozens of songs and numerous albums under his belt. This new one is surely the most important and personal yet. SURF OR DROWN Vol. 2 is named like a sequel to his album SURF OR DROWN earlier this year but there’s one big difference. Vol. 2 is a full-length collaboration with Hit-Boy’s own father Big Hit. The album features 10 songs and their 10 instrumental versions. It also sports features from Big Sean, Dom Kennedy, and Garren.
The album was led off by the single “Reckless & Ratchet,” an infectious summer jam. It was made with Hit-Boy’s father just after he was released from a nine-year stint in prison. SURF OR DROWN VOL. 2 follows its predecessor which dropped in March. The album saw Hit-Boy teaming up with a number of collaborators across its 21 tracks. Included in the feature list are The Alchemist, Curren$y, James Faultenroy, Nas, Dom Kennedy, and many more.
Hit-Boy And Big-Hit Team Up
In a recent podcast appearance, Hit-Boy reminisced on working with Nipsey Hussle before his death. He also revealed he has material with the late rapper that is currently unreleased. Hit-Boy has also been subject to an ongoing beef with fellow producer Hitmaka. Both producers have been pulling out receipts of their work in back and forth Instagram posts.
Last month as soon as Big Hit was released from prison, he went directly to the studio. Clearly, the pair got to work quickly as they’ve just dropped an entire album together. What do you think of Hit-Boy’s new full-length collaboration with his dad? Let us know in the comment section below. Also, stay tuned for more from the music world. We will always be sure to keep you informed.
Tracklist:
01. Grindin’ My Whole Life Pt. 2 02. YKWSF 03. Sunrise 04. Monte Carlo 05. RECKLESS & RATCHET 06. Show Me 07. Tony Fontana 4 08. Police 09. Wake Your Game Up 10. More 4 Me 11. Grindin’ My Whole Life Pt. 2 (Instrumental) 12. YKWSF (Instrumental) 13. Sunrise (Instrumental) 14. Monte Carlo (Instrumental) 15. RECKLESS & RATCHET (Instrumental) 16. Show Me (Instrumental) 17. Tony Fontana 4 (Instrumental) 18. Police (Instrumental) 19. Wake Your Game Up (Instrumental) 20. More 4 Me (Instrumental)
Metro Boomin has had a busy schedule recently. At the end of 2022, he dropped his 2nd studio album Heroes & Villains which was stacked with great collaborators. His song “Creepin’” alongside 21 Savage and The Weeknd has been a top 5 hit for months and the album debuted at number one. He followed it up last month with his Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse soundtrack. That album was also stacked wall to wall with high-profile features. “Calling” with Swae Lee, Nav, and A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie debuted at number 41 on the Hot 100 this week.
Despite the prolific streak that led him here, Metro Boomin isn’t done. In a recent interview with Complex, he talked about what’s next. In a move that should have fans salivating, Metro has a full album with Future in the works. “The ultimate album right now is about to be the one with me and Future,” he told the publication. “Now that Spider-Man is out and people are loving and resonating with it, my focus can go to what me and Pluto got coming out. I’m not doing anything until that gets done” he continued.
The statement comes a few months after Metro Boomin first confirmed that they had a joint project in the works. It also comes only a few days after he treated fans to a preview of one of the album‘s new songs. “It’s tunnel vision on that one because I was spreading myself thin between Heroes & Villains, Spider-Man, Coachella, and still shooting videos for Heroes. But now the focus is on this album and we’ve been working.”
Metro Boomin didn’t just get to do the soundtrack for Spider-Man, he actually makes a cameo in the film himself. A clip of Metro reacting to seeing his cameo made the rounds on social media last week. In an interview, he also talked about how much fun it was to make his cameo happen. What do you think about a new Metro Boomin and Future album coming soon? Let us know in the comment section below.
Metro Boomin says that his collaborative album with Future will be his next project. When asked what he’ll be working on after the release of his Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Versesoundtrack, Metro further teased the upcoming joint album.
“So now that the soundtrack is out… when’s the album with Future,” one user asked Metro on Twitter. He replied: “Next up,” without giving any additional details.
PARIS, FRANCE – JANUARY 17: (L-R) Producer Metro Boomin and Rapper Future aka Nayvadius DeMun Wilburn attend the “YSL Beauty Hotel” event during Paris Fashion Week Menswear Fall/Winter 2018-2019 on January 17, 2018 in Paris, France. (Photo by Bertrand Rindoff Petroff/Getty Images for YSL Beaute)
Metro first teased the idea of dropping a full project with Future following the release of the rapper’s 2022 album I NEVER LIKED YOU, on which Metro is noticeably absent. Speaking with Ebro Darden, he explained why the two didn’t link up for the album. “Let me tell you why. [Future] actually finished most of the album at my studio in LA,” he told Darden at the time. “That’s my brother, but we’re working on some things. At first, we were going to put a couple of songs with me and him on the album, but we had took them off because I had talked to him. I was like, ‘Look, the last time anybody’s really heard a song from me and you was ‘Mask Off.’ So instead of us randomly throwing one or two songs we did on here, we got to wait and just give them a joint.’”
Things cooled off for a time as Metro worked on the Across the Spider-Verse soundtrack, but earlier this year, he confirmed that the collaborative album will drop by the end of 2023.
Metro and Future have worked together numerous times over the years. While performing together at Atlanta’s State Farm Arena in January, Metro reflected on their relationship. “You know, Pluto, that’s my brother. We’ve been at it for a long time. This whole superhero moment, it’s like the beginning of our phase two,” he said. “We haven’t had a song out since ‘Mask Off,’ they’ve been on our heads. With this, and then the whole State Farm thing, it’s starting to slowly put people on notice: we crankin’ that shit back up too.”
Hip-hop joint albums are special whenever they release. Collaborations can occur between a rapper and producer, two rappers, a rapper and a singer—the list goes on. These collaborations can bring two artists from the same musical world, or it may seem unexpected on paper but work out surprisingly well. When these pairings happen, the discussions of who was the “best” is a popular and fun debate.
The chemistry between the artists matters most, and the better it is, the better the music will be. In hip-hop, joint albums are a staple. From rap’s inception, artists have long partnered with each other. Who reigns supreme is debatable, but we’ve pulled together five joint projects that have excelled over others.
This is one of the biggest and most celebrated hip-hop joint projects ever. Released in September 2015, What A Time To Be Alive brought together two of the hottest rappers in the game. They recorded the project in six days. It was birthed from their collaborative song “Where Ya At.”
After creating that song, the duo locked in and recorded even more. Composed of 11 tracks, the project has no features. The final two tracks are solo cuts from each artist. While not officially credited as a collaboration with Metro Boomin, he produced eight songs on the project. Amongst these was the project’s biggest hit “Jumpman.” This project capitalized on the popularity of two figures in the rap game and how their styles could complement each other.
This hip-hop joint album dropped when the two artists were at their peak. Lil Baby and Gunna are both artists from Atlanta and are at the helm of modern artists from the city. Their collab dropped in October 2018, the year both of them released several solo projects. Fittingly, the project’s name combines the titles from their respective solo project series’ Drip Season and Harder. They have featured on each other’s music multiple times before. Listeners praised the melodic flows from both artists and their ongoing chemistry with producers Wheezy, Turbo, and Tay Keith. For many listeners, this album was one of the best trap projects of the year, containing the hits “Drip Too Hard” and the Drake-assisted “Never Recover.”
SAVAGE MODE II – Metro Boomin & 21 Savage (2020)
This hip-hop joint album was speculated for years before it was released. However, once it was officially announced, listeners were excited.Savage Mode II was released in October 2020 and is the sequel to Metro Boomin and 21 Savage’s collab project Savage Mode. For many people, the first project was their introduction to 21’s music. The size of 21’s audience had nearly tripled when they released the sequel. Metro Boomin had fully established himself as a talented producer too. Like most of Metro’s work, this album had an excellent promo. A trailer, directed by Gibson Hazard and narrated by Morgan Freeman, preceded the album’s release. Freeman also does narration throughout the project itself. The project balanced the eerie sounds the duo was known for with a few R&B tracks and even an old school-inspired one.
KIDS SEE GHOSTS – KIDS SEE GHOSTS (2018)
This hip-hop joint project was part of a very popular season for Kanye West – Summer of 2018. This was one of the five projects from the “Wyoming Sessions.” This one finds him with a longtime collaborator and mentee, Kid Cudi. The duo has since ended their relationship. This album was only seven songs, but the impact was strong for many listeners. It showcased both artists at their most vulnerable, and through this, they created motivational songs.
They spoke about their mental struggles, and the album takes listeners on a journey of their struggles but eventual triumphs. The duo performed multiple tracks from the album at Camp Flog Gnaw 2018 while suspended in what appeared to be a clear shipping container. This album serves as a time capsule for the year they released it and for the duo’s relationship both inside and outside of the music.
This hip-hop joint album brought together two titans in the rap world. Everything about it catered to their established legacy. Many rap listeners knew about the friendship between Jay-Z and Kanye West. Watch The Throne was released in August 2011. The running theme around it was luxury in every sense of the word. The recording process, location, album cover, music videos, and verses all kept this theme going strong.
The album cover was designed by Givenchy’s Riccardo Tisci and the late Virgil Abloh. One of the most notable moments from this album is the music video for the hit single “Otis,” in which the duo modified a Maybach and drove it with reckless bliss. During a single show during their tour, the duo performed their hit “Paris” over ten times. Few have come close to the extravagance of this album.
Metro Boomin is easily the biggest producer in the world right now. Overall, his Heroes & Villains album was one of the best-performing projects of 2022. Moreover, he always seems to secure features from the best artists. They know what he can do with his production, and he continues to blow people away. That was especially true over the last two weekends at Coachella. Metro’s sets were some of the highlights of the entire weekend, and he teased a bunch of new music.
For instance, Metro Boomin continues to make mention of a potential album between himself and none other than Future. Prior to Heroes & Villains, it had actually been quite some time since they had teamed up. However, it appears as though they are back on their grind. The name for this album is reportedly going to be Metro Pluto. Overall, this is the perfect name for the project, and we’re sure fans agree. Today on his Instagram story, Metro continued to tease the album, with some potential cover art.
In the album cover, you can see how both artists appear to be on fire. Future is on the mic, while Metro Boomin is on the keys. Ultimately, it remains to be seen whether or not this is the actual album cover. Although, the Parental Advisory label on the cover definitely tells us a story. Perhaps the album is actually on the way a lot sooner than many had originally believed. However, there is no exact indication as to when this album will drop. No matter what, it is crystal clear that fans want to see this, and fast. It has been a slow start to the year in terms of releases, and that promises to change, very soon.
Hopefully, Metro Boomin and Future provide more clarity on this upcoming project, soon. Overall, it would have to be one of the most hyped-up projects of the entire year. Moreover, we can only imagine what kind of features would be on here. Let us know your expectations for the project, in the comments below. Additionally, stay tuned to HNHH for more news and updates from around the music world.
When it’s time to get gains, rappers often focus just as much on the strength of their pen as they do on the strength of their bodies. Now, four New York MCs are teaming up to bring those two worlds together for a full project- and really show the weight of their work. Moreover, Jim Jones, Fabolous, Maino, and Dave East are reportedly working on a gym-inspired album titled Fit Lit. If you recognize that title, it might be because they released a song of the same name on Jones and DJ Drama’s collab tape, We Set The Trends.
Furthermore, this new information comes straight from Maino, who spoke to the Amazing AllHipHopPodcast. Although he didn’t share a release date, he said that the album is almost done. “I’m gonna tell you some secretive shit that I’ve never talked about,” he revealed to the hosts. “It’s actually an album that’s I’ll say 85 percent done. Me, Jim, Fabolous and Dave East. Fit Lit– it’s us together because we be working out. That’s our little Fit Lit Club. We got some heat.”
Jim Jones, Dave East, Maino & Fabolous’ Fit Lit Album Inspired By Working Out
In addition, the quartet also dropped a music video for their collaborative track, directed by Will G, Shula The Don, and Jim Jones himself. In it, all four trade bars inside the Impact Zone Fitness and Sports Performance gym in Norwood, New Jersey. Not only that, but their fits in the visual actually call back to a viral clip of Capo and Maino roasting Fabolous for his gym wear. Of course, that was ironic because just about a week later, Maino roasted Jim for his outfit while working out.
“Bro, nah, don’t take the coat off now,” Jim joked about Fab’s look. “Yo, look how he come out! We in the gym, bro! Yo bro, why we coming to work out? You got all your s**t laid out for the week?” Hopefully, that playful and friendly banter made for compelling and entertaining bars on Fit Lit. Regardless, we’re sure they’ll update us on gym hijinks along the way. For the latest on Jim Jones, Fabolous, Dave East, and Maino, stay logged into HNHH.
Larry June and The Alchemist are coming through with an early contender for Album Of The Year, and they’ve enlisted Big Sean for their latest single. With The Greatness due out on Friday, June and Alc’ came through with their breezy new track, “Palisades, CA.” The Alchemist’s ethereal production leads the way, filled with an eerie vocal sample and enchanting strings before June comes through with eloquent lifestyle bars.
June’s motivational bars pair perfectly with The Alchemist’s production. However, it’s Big Sean that drives the point home. The Detroit spitter brings a velvety, lax flow before jumping into a double-time delivery where he comes through with a mind-blowing verse. As June closes out his verse describing the importance of betting on oneself, Sean Don details reaping the benefits of his labor. More noticeably, Sean indicates on his verse that he’ll be “dropping soon.” This marks Big Sean’s first time touching a beat from The Alchemist, so hopefully, this could open the doors for further collaborations between the two on the Detroit rapper’s next project.
Larry June & Big Sean Lock In Over The Alchemist’s Production
It sounds like Larry June and The Alchemist have cooked up a special project from their recent offerings. Earlier this month, they announced the project with the release of “89 Earthquake,” bringing together Alchemist’s unique ear for production with June’s laidback California vibes. Then, they slid through with “60 Days,” which found The Alchemist making a return to the booth to trade bars with June.
At this point, neither Alchemist nor Larry June has unveiled the official tracklist for the project but we could only imagine that it’ll be filled with some heavy hitters. Between Alchemist’s expansive network of rappers he’s worked with in recent times, and June’s prolific output over the years that found him working alongside everyone from Curren$y to Money Man, we expect that they’ll have a stacked tracklist on The Greatness, which arrives on March 31st.
Quotable Lyrics Some people can’t piece life together, it’s really puzzlin’ Talkin’ ’bout “Trust me, I got you”, but I’m not trustin’ it Commercial real-estate by The Fox, yeah, they constructin” it Business flowin’ like the symphony orchestra, I’m conductin’ it
Hip-hop oddballs Danny Brown and JPEGMAFIA are gearing up to finally deliver their joint project,Scaring The Hoes Vol. 1. The two rappers formed an incredible bond over the years, though it wasn’t limited to music. In a sense, JPEGMAFIA looked up to Danny Brown as a mentor while the Detroit legend regarded Peggy as an exciting new voice in the rap game. Though they collaborated in the past, Scaring The Hoes Vol. 1 will mark their first collaborative joint together.
When Danny Brown dropped his last studio album, he told HotNewHipHop that he didn’t actually want to do a joint project with JPEGMAFIA. “I think the joint project stuff is getting a little corny. If anything, we’ll just keep this relationship musically forever. I’m always on his shit, he always on my shit,” he explained, though he admitted they bring the best out of each other. “There’s strength in numbers, man, if you got your brothers with you. You’ll make doper shit. You bounce off of each other, you inspire each other.”
Danny Brown and JPEGMAFIA Share Title Track Off Of “Scaring The Hoes Vol. 1”
Danny Brown and JPEGMAFIA debuted the first single off fo the project last week, “Lean Beef Patty.” The glitchy banger allowed both of their weirdness to thrive but today, they’ve given fans a bit more insight into what to expect. Danny and Peggy shared the title track off of the project, alongside a new visual. Though another short effort, Danny and Peggy come through with punk rock energy and plenty of bars.
The latest offering from the project delves deeper into the strange pockets of Internet absurdity that they admittedly linger. The video opens up with Danny paying homage to the infamous Unforgivable series before he and JPEGMAFIA utilize breakbeats and jazz horns for a huge anthem. The two will finally reveal the project, Scaring The Hoes Vol. 1 this Friday.
Quotable Lyrics Fuck that hip-hop and that old man flow Where the autotune at? Give a fuck about a trash ‘Cause the art is for the scams, catch up old man Said it ain’t about the bars, cause it’s all about the brand
Danny Brown & JPEGMAFIA’s upcoming collab album just got a leaked release date of March 24th. According to online discussion and alleged leaks, they’ll drop two new singles for the project on March 13th and 21st, respectively. Of course, a lot of these rumors come from leaks and not directly from the artists, so take them with a grain of salt. Still, there is a lot we do know about the album that Peggy and Danny confirmed previously. For example, they teased “Lean Beef Patty” as the first single, the album is completed, and yes, that is the legit title.
Following these teases on The Danny Brown Show (plus a killer snippet), some new information spread on Twitter this week. Not only did those release dates seemingly leak, but we have a tracklist and cover art to inspect. Some standouts from the tracklist are “Steppa Pig,” “Shut Yo B***h A** Up / Muddy Waters,” and “Jack Harlow Combo Meal.” Again, take these titles as truth with caution, but they sound quite in line with their sense of humor. After all, one of Peggy’s most well-known songs is “Jesus Forgive Me, I Am A Thot.”
Danny Brown & JPEGMAFIA’s Collab Album Is Coming Soon
The official tracklist for JPEGMAFIA & Danny Brown’s upcoming collab project “SCARING THE HOES” pic.twitter.com/vAe2FinRUJ
Even though many of these details are still online speculation, fans know that this project will bring some absolute heat. Moreover, both artists will apparently drop three album each this year, including their collab. On his end, Peggy’s already expressed that he’s in solo album mode after finishing Scaring TheH*es. On the other hand, Danny’s found incredible success through his extracurricular endeavors: shows, streaming, podcasts, you name it. Still, don’t get it twisted: he remains one of the hardest rappers working today.
If you’ve never gotten into either artist, this outing might actually be a great place to start. They both bring incredibly raw energy and a strong charisma, and mix chronic Internet use with grimy hip-hop. While these incredible MCs seem ready to take on the world, there’s no way we’re ready for what they crafted. Regardless, log back into HNHH for the latest news and updates on Danny Brown and JPEGMAFIA.
Denzel Curry just took to Twitter to tease that his next project will be a collab album, which should get fans rabid for more information. Moreover, the Miami rapper addressed previous hints that his next album would be Designed By Angels. According to Curry, his next album will no longer be that, but rather a collaborative effort titled ULT Or Die. While he didn’t say when or with who this album would be releasing, he did give fans a mission. After teasing them, he asked fans to bring his song “Walkin” past 60 million streams on Spotify, and if they do, he’ll spill the beans.
“AT THIS POINT RIGHT NOW DESIGNED BY ANGELS WILL NOT BE THE NEXT ALBUM,” he tweeted early Friday morning (March 10). “THE COLLAB TAPE WILL BE THE NEXT THING THAT DROPS BUT I DONT KNOW WHEN. IT MIGHT IN A YEAR IT MIGHT BE TONIGHT WHO KNOWS. ULT OR DIE COLLAB TAPE COMING SOON WITH… NONE OF YO GAWTDAMN BUSINESS. GET THIS PAST 60 MILLION AND ILL LET YOU HEAR WHAT IM WORKING ON.“
Of course, it’s not like the “CLOUT COBAIN” MC has stayed completely silent since last year’s excellent Melt My Eyez See Your Future. Not only did he release an expanded edition of the album with soulful and jazzy live instrumentation, but he’s been on quite the feature run. His most recent venture was assisting midwxst’s “Tally,” which showed him on his typical cold, smooth flows. As one of the most consistently impressive artists working today, anything he drops is a treat for hip-hop fans.
Still, that doesn’t mean that he should be complacent with the success and acclaim he’s already experienced and received. Moreover, he expressed disappointment in the Grammy nominations in rap categories this year. Not only did they miss out on his album, but also the greatness of JID, Freddie Gibbs, and many more. Even though the Recording Academy might not give these leaders their flowers, they’re referred to as leaders for a reason. Regardless, check back in with HNHH for the latest news and updates on Denzel Curry.
(@nojumper)