Eminem couldn’t stay away. The rapper has made a habit of dropping deluxe versions of his albums after the dust has settled on the initial release. He basically dropped a whole other album when he put out the “Side B” collection for Music to Be Murdered By. The Expanded Mourner’s Edition of The Death of Slim Shady is a bit more streamlined, though. There are only five more tracks, and one of them is a skit with Steve Berman. Not much to say on the skit front. You know what Berman sounds like.
The rest of the songs on the Expanded Mourner’s Edition are fun. It’s fantastic to hear Eminem rap with Westside Boogie and Gun on “Fuel,” especially given the song’s propulsive beat. There’s a lot going on, but fans of dense bars are going to get their money’s worth. “Like My Sh*t” is a cool collaboration with FIFTEENAFTER, especially given how different the sounds of both artists are on paper. It doesn’t totally mesh together, but it’s still listenable. Much better is the 2 Chainz song “Kyrie & Luka.” Eminem and 2 Chainz may seem like another odd pairing, but they clearly have fun feeding off each other’s energy. We’d go as far as to call it the standout bonus track here.
Alexandria, Virginia resident of Colombian descent, Kali Uchis, put out one of her most substantial releases of her career at the beginning of 2024 with ORQUIDEAS. It’s a record that hears her plunge more into her Spanish roots with just a few instances of her English coming out. Fans and critics were still digging it, including us. So much so that the album was widely acclaimed and sold 31,000 copies in its first week. Vinyl sales were the catalyst, with over 20,000 customers accounting for that number. That led Kali to achieving the largest week for a Spanish-language album on vinyl in the modern era. Because of all of that success, Kali Uchis is giving her Kuchis (her fanbase), a PARTE 2 of ORQUIDEAS.
Compared to the original version, this “deluxe” edition includes four new tracks, which according to the LA Times are a set of demos. So, that means there are now 18 songs instead of 14. They kick in after “Heladito”, the second to last track. After that, you get titles such as “Adicto”, “Young Rich & In Love – KAYTRANADA Remix”, “Simple”, “Como Debe Ser”. Fans were assuming this PARTE 2 was going to a remix LP of sorts. However, Kali shut that down. “Isee people saying Orquídeas parte 2 is a remix project its notttt… Its Orquídeas demos for my Kuchis along with the Kaytra remix”. That’s still more than enough for us to revisit this stellar project and it should be for you too.
Doja Cat has dropped Scarlet 2 CLAUDE, the deluxe edition of her 2023 album Scarlet. The project has seven tracks with features from A$AP Rocky and Teezo Touchdown. The rollout was not quite as elaborate as Scarlet’s, though that’s to be expected with a deluxe edition of any project. Unfortunately, it also suffered from an online leak, though Doja remained unphased. Naturally, that attitude carries across Scarlet 2 CLAUDE as Doja continues to address her naysayers through creatively produced and arranged bangers. Like the original, the atmosphere of the songs ranges from aggressive to fun and everything in between.
Doja Cat’s Scarlet 2 CLAUDE continues to push the boundaries by expounding her sound with influences outside of hip-hop. The opener “ACKNOWLEDGE ME” leans into soulful territory with crisp harmonies and flows that shine through massive production. Ultimately, Doja’s ear for production remains unmatched, especially how she weaves her vocals around sounds, like on “DISRESPECTFUL,” where the claps center around the hook. Doja’s verses here are delivered with a relaxed confidence as she raps over a melodic piano. While this track may resonate more with rap purists, “OKLOSER” is one for those who prefer Doja’s eccentricity. An accessible and jovial delivery made this one a fan favorite. However, the weakest moments come on “PISS” where a questionable hook combines with an overdose of layered background vocals and tranquil production that doesn’t quite come together how it should.
On the project closer “HEADHIGH,” she dials things all the way back to the dreamy soundscapes people have heard from her before. Over several guitars, Doja sings a soothing hook and with a slight vocal filter, drops a vulnerable verse. The energy she had throughout most of the album returns on the second verse but this track is still comparatively a comedown.
Complimentary Features
There are only two features on Scarlet 2 CLAUDE. This is not surprising considering Scarlet had zero features. On the A$AP Rocky featuring “URRRGE!!!!!!!!!!” Doja raps on a track that opens with a Shawty Pimp sample. Over warping bass, unnerving piano keys, and a faint siren, Doja takes a playful approach that pairs well with the track’s atmosphere. Meanwhile, Rocky has some fun of his own with bars like “His blood look orange, call him Dev Hynes.”
On “MASC,” Doja Cat replicates Teezo Touchdown’s vocal style by extending almost every word in the track’s simple hook. She takes a soft rap-sung approach to the verse, contrasting the stuttering and clattering drums. Though the piano overpowers the percussion, Teezo cuts through it with his distinguished voice. Towards the end of his contribution, the song reaches a brief crescendo as a myriad of sounds blend with his voice, almost to an overwhelming extent. This moment ends almost as soon as it arrives and the entire song ends moments later. Had this portion been extended and Doja’s final hook removed, the track could have had a truly powerful conclusion.
In conclusion, Doja Cat’s Scarlet 2 CLAUDE, offers some supplementary tracks for those who truly loved the predecessor. With seven tracks, the deluxe is EP length, making it an easy listen without feeling like another album entirely. While nothing on the project is exceptional, Doja doubled down on her commitment to shifting her music to the rap lane. Her unphased confidence and commentary on what people say about her fuels each verse. This is an example of her behavior on social media lining up with what she says in the booth.
The music continues to set itself apart from the other artists within hip-hop, and it shows how effortlessly she stands out. She continues to show that she can exist both in the pop and rap lanes and no matter what she does – people will be tuned in. The project’s pros outweigh its cons, making it a worthy listen for anyone still doubting her rap abilities.
Last month, Kid Cudireleased his new album INSANO. The project was originally announced last year and passed through numerous release dates before eventually dropping in early January. The album sports a stacked feature list with Travis Scott, Lil Yachty, Lil Wayne, A$AP Rocky, Pharrell, XXXTENTACION, and Young Thug all making appearances. But just a month later he’s unleashed an entire new project.
NITRO MEGA is a pseudo-deluxe edition of INSANO that presents a full hour of new material spaced across 18 tracks. The album adds Wiz Khalifa, Pusha T, and more to the list of big features. But fans looking to stream the album the moment it dropped found that it didn’t arrive on time. A few hours before it was due to drop Cudi took to Twitter in an attempt to explain why it wouldn’t be arriving on time. He blamed his label for being late uploading the project, something he was clearly pretty frustrated by. Check out his full tweet on the situation below.
Hey fam, the label fucked up and didnt start loading my album up in time, so it wont be out at midnight. Im workin on this now in real time and my plan is that it comes out tonight just a bit later. Im waitin on a time and ima keep yall posted. Im thoroughly pissed, especially…
Hey fam, the label f*cked up and didnt start loading my album up in time, so it wont be out at midnight. Im workin on this now in real time and my plan is that it comes out tonight just a bit later. Im waitin on a time and ima keep yall posted,” Cudi’s tweet explaining the situation begins. He goes on to explain how frustrated he is with the entire thing. “Im thoroughly pissed, especially cuz i get this call just hours before its to drop. such bullsh*t, but i promise u this album is droppin tonight. So roll up, get a drink, binge a show, do something to pass the time, and then, WE RAGE. I love you.”
What do you think of Kid Cudi’s explanation for his album dropping late? Do you think his label dropped the ball by waiting too long to upload it? Let us know in the comment section below.
The deluxe edition of INSANO will have 18 tracks, according to Kid Cudi. “The deluxe is pretty much a whole nother album, in the spirit of INSANO, but a continuation, a elevation of the vibes. 18 tracks. #INSANO,” Cudi wrote on Twitter. However, Cudi didn’t reveal anything else, such as new features on the deluxe or what the new tracks entail. However, fans appear excited about the prospect of Cudi in the near future. Many fans responded to his news with stories of listening to INSANO while under the influence.
INSANO was released in mid-January to mostly favorable reviews. However, it flagged in terms of sales and only peaked at No. 13 on the Billboard Album 200. That matched the peak of 2022’s Entergalatic but also tied the lowest peak for a Cudi album since 2015’s Speedin Bullet 2 Heaven (No. 38). How do you feel about INSANO? Are you looking for looking forward to the deluxe edition?
Meanwhile, Cudi is returning to acting with a new animated vehicle, Slime. The Cleveland musician is set to star in and produce the film about two individuals who set off on a quest to find a cure for the side effects of a medical trial. The film will serve as the directorial debut of Jeron Braxton, an animator best known for Baby Demon. The script is the work of Brian Ash, best known for The Boondocks.
Cudi is set to play Glenn, a lab worker kidnapped by protagonist Muna as she searches for a cure for the trial that she underwent and that Glenn was involved in. It has not been revealed at this time who will be voicing Muna. This year, Cudi won an Emmy for his work in the trippy Netflix special, Entergalatic. He also had a supporting role in the Disney+ series Crater. However, the series was controversially pulled by the streaming platform after just a few weeks.
Damian Lillard is known for killing it on the hardwood. He is one of the most prolific scorers in the NBA. But, if you did not know, he has consistently been scorching hot on the mic since 2015. The Milwaukee Bucks point guard came out with his first full project The Letter O in 2016 and one of the standout moments from that record was “Loyal to the Soil” with Lil Wayne.
Since, then Dame D.O.L.L.A, which is his rap alter ego, has continued to drop quite a bit of material. In fact, four more tapes have been released since that point. Dame definitely enjoys stepping into the booth and finding that creative release whenever possible. He was able to do that once again this year with Don D.O.L.L.A.
Listen To Don D.O.L.L.A. Life Lately Edition By Dame D.O.L.L.A
That came out in middle to late August and featured more verses from Weezy, as well as Rick Ross, Ty Dolla $ign and more. Now, very recently, Dame decided to come back with a bit of a deluxe version, calling it the Life Lately Edition. Here, you will find five new cuts with some more features from guests who were heavily involved in the OG version. You can check it out above.
What are your initial thoughts on these songs from Damian Lillard’s Don D.O.L.L.A. Life Lately Edition? Do these tracks add or take away from the original listening experience? Is Dame the best athlete rapper in the game? We would like to hear what you have to say. Be sure to leave your takes in the comments section. Additionally, keep it locked with HNHH for all of the latest news around Dame D.O.L.L.A.
Don D.O.L.L.A. Life Lately Edition Tracklist:
Lillard University
I Ain’t Perfect
Noble (feat. Rick Ross & Sy Ari Da Kid)
The Way It Goes
Don D.O.L.L.A. (feat. Rexx Life Raj)
Mike Breen (feat. Brookfield Duece & Yxung Rell)
Da One (feat. Lil Wayne)
Cabo (feat. Sy Ari Da Kid)
Is It You (feat. Ivory Scott, Christina Mackey & King Sis)
Long Live Free (feat. Mozzy)
Paid In Full (feat. Tobe Nwigwe)
My Daddy’s Son (feat. Lil Wayne)
Judgement Day
Back Home (feat. Ivory Scott)
Giant (feat. Ty Dolla $ign & Jordin Sparks)
Envy (feat. Ivory Scott & Prentice Powell)
New Beginnings (feat. Prentice Powell)
Second Act (feat. Sy Ari Da Kid & Prentice Powell)
Memphis rapper Key Glock has dropped off a new, deluxe edition of his 2023 LP Glockoma 2. Glockoma 2 (Deluxe) follows the original’s release in February, as well as the 2018 release of the series’ first installment, Glockoma. Earlier this week, Key Glock shared his single from the album, “Presidential Rolex,” alongside an accompanying music video.
He packs a punch with Glockoma 2 (Deluxe), providing fans with eight new tracks on the Tay Keith-produced LP. It notably includes zero guest features, as referenced on the track “F*ck A Feature.” After dropping Glockoma 2, he toured in support of the album alongside TiaCorine, Kenny Muney, and Jay Fizzle. The tour featured over 30 stops across the U.S., with notable dates in Queens, Chicago, Detroit, and more. Key Glock has previously worked with the likes of Gucci Mane, Megan Thee Stallion, Denzel Curry, Babyface Ray, and more.
Following Glockoma 2, Key Glock spoke to Esquire about his cousin, Young Dolph, who was murdered in 2021. He revealed that Young Dolph laid a strong foundation for his success, which he says “really just happened out of the blue.” “It wasn’t even a plan,” he told the outlet, “I got into some trouble. I got incarcerated. And then close to the time for me to come home, my auntie was married to Young Dolph’s uncle. She told him, ‘You know, Key doing his thing… He just reached out to me and it went from there.”
The rapper went on to discuss his own personal philosophy, explaining how, “No matter what it was. Music or just everything in life,” he goes by his own rules. He continued, telling the outlet, “You know, I don’t mean to disrespect anybody. It’s just how I move. Play by my own rules.”
1. Sucker Free 2. Let’s Go 3. No Hook 4. Penny 5. MaMa Said 6. Presidential Rolex 7. Lean Habits 8. Last Man Standing 9. Dirt 10. Work 11. Randy Orton 12. Chromosomes 13. 2 For 1 14. Pop My Sh*t 15. Designer Down 16. From Nothing 17. Key Rex 18. In & Outta Town 19. F*ck Dat Sh*t 20. Money Over Hoes 21. Ratchet 22. Homicide Gvng 23. F*ck A Feature
Daft Punk broke the hearts of dance music fans everywhere when they announced their break-up as a duo. Last month, they dropped the 10th anniversary edition of their final album Random Access Memories. Accompanying the release is a series of documentary shorts highlighting how some of the album’s collaborations came to be. Episode 4 of the series was all about Pharrell who collaborated with Daft Punk on their smash hit “Get Lucky.”
In the video, Pharrell tells a series of stories about meeting the duo, who he refers to as “the robots.” They first met at a party thrown by Madonna where Pharrell expressed his interest in working with them. Pharrell meets them in Paris while they’re working on new material and expresses his love for Nile Rogers. Coincidentally, Daft Punk had already recruited Rogers to play on one of their songs. The track ultimately became a full collaboration between the four that resulted in the Grammy-winning mega-hit “Get Lucky.”
Pharrell Talks Working With Daft Punk
Back in February, Pharrell was announced as the head designer of Louis Vitton’s Men’s collection. He stepped into the role left by Virgil Abloh who passed away in 2021. Last month, the brand confirmed that the unveiling of his first collection as head designer would take place on June 10th. It will make its debut during the Louie Vitton show at Paris Fashion Week. It follows fashion collaborations Pharrell has made with Adidas in the past. He also created the streetwear brand Billionaire Boys Club with Nigo.
Pharrell is also rumored to be one of the producers working on Busta Rhymes’ new album. In an Instagram post made by Swizz Beats, the rapper claimed that a number of legendary producers were involved in his new project and cited Pharrell by name. Earlier this year Pharrell featured on the irresistible hip-house song “4EVA” from Amine and Kaytranada. The song served as the lead single for the pair’s joint album KAYTRAMINE which dropped last month. What do you think of Pharrell’s stories about meeting and recording with Daft Punk? Let us know in the comment section below.
Lil Durk hinted at dropping a deluxe edition of his latest album, Almost Healed, on Twitter, Tuesday. In doing so, he described it as having “The Voice vibes,” referencing his sixth studio album from 2020. He dropped an expanded version of that project in 2021 with additional guest appearances from Lil Baby, Pooh Shiesty, and Sydny August.
As for the current version of Almost Healed, featured artists include Alicia Keys, J. Cole, Chief Wuk, Future, 21 Savage, Kodak Black, Rob49, the late Juice Wrld, and Morgan Wallen. For the production, he worked with Keys as well as Metro Boomin, Dr. Luke, Zaytoven, ATL Jacob, Chopsquad DJ, LilJuMadeDaBeat, and many more artists. Durk didn’t note who else would appear on a deluxe version.
ATLANTA, GEORGIA – APRIL 20: Rapper Lil Durk performs onstage during his “The 7220” tour at Coca-Cola Roxy on April 20, 2022 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images)
Durk had originally intended to title his new album, The Voice 2.0. However, he and his team made a last-minute adjustment after getting advice from ASAP Rocky. Speaking with the Los Angeles Times for a new interview, Durk’s manager, Peter Jideonwo, recalled Rocky saying, “‘Y’all need to call it something else, ‘The Voice’ doesn’t really do nothing.’ We had this powerful conversation that was almost three hours long, and Durk said the words ‘almost healed.’ We decided to go with that.” Durk also discussed his choice to start therapy with the outlet. He explained, “On a microphone, I’m just having fun, rapping about whatever I’m going through. In therapy, I’m going into the details of why, or when, or how.”
Lil Durk Announces Deluxe Version Of “Almost Healed”
The announcement of a deluxe version of Almost Healed comes ahead of Durk’s Sorry For The Dought Tour. He’ll be traveling for concerts in Atlanta, Brooklyn, Chicago, Austin, Los Angeles, and many more cities across North America. For the shows, Durk will be bringing along Kodak Black and NLE Choppa for the majority of the dates.
German-born rapper J. Cole has announced that he plans to celebrate the 10-year anniversary of his second studio album, Born Sinner. The artist plans to celebrate the anniversary by releasing a gold deluxe vinyl edition of the album, which is available for preorder now. The special edition albums will ship on June 16, 2023. Dreamville Records, founded by J. Cole, announced the special edition on Instagram yesterday.
The post also gives fans a sneak peek of the special edition vinyl, featuring the album’s cover art along with an exclusive gold pressing. The caption reads, “Born Sinner turns 10 next month!” It then goes on to say, “in celebration we’re releasing a gold deluxe vinyl edition available for preorder now! #Dreamville #ColeWorld.”
Earlier this year, Chicago rapper Lil Durk announced he would collaborate with Cole on the single “All My Life.” Lil Durk announced the collaboration on April 1, leading many fans to believe the announcement was an April Fools’ Joke. The announcement from Lil Durk took place at Cole’s label’s Dreamville Fest during a sit-down panel. The speculation proved to be untrue, as Lil Durk shared the song along with an accompanying music video last week. “All My Life” will appear on Lil Durk’s upcoming album, Almost Healed. Almost Healed is set to be released May 26 of this year. The track has also been met with high praise, receiving shout outs from people like DJ Akademiks.
Cole also collaborated with BTS’ J-Hope on the song “On The Street.” The song has lyrics in both English and Korean, melding the artists’ two worlds together. During a conversation on the Lead By Example podcast, Cole shared that he is “envious of people who don’t have a strong desire or strong vision.” He went on to claim that “They live a peaceful life and an enjoyable life.” He also criticized “Hustle culture,” describing how “people could feel almost guilty or insufficient for not having some great dream to dream.” Cole then later called it “a blessing to be satisfied, to be at peace, to be content with life.”
