Hip Hop News

Chika Lights Up On “Once Upon a Time” EP Ft. BJ The Chicago Kid

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Days ahead of the 63rd Grammy Award ceremony, Chika returns with her EP, Once Upon a Time. The lyricist is celebrating her first nomination this year for Best New Artist, and as she awaits the news about who will take home the big win, the Alabama rapper shares her applause-worthy project. Chika has a reputation for being an emcee with a strong lyrical game, and with each release, fans and critics alike can’t help but take notice.

Once Upon a Time follows Chika’s 2020 featureless release Industry Games and she shows her growth on her latest. She opens with her BJ The Chicago Kid-assisted “Fairy Tales” that takes you on a harmonious R&B journey before quickly switching to a fast-flowing production. The EP only hosts that one feature as Chika holds things down solo, once again. Stream Once Upon a Time and let us know what you think.

Tracklist

1. Fairy Tales ft. BJ The Chicago Kid
2. Hickory Dickory
3.Cinderella, Pt. 1
4. Cinderella, Pt. 2
5. FWB
6. Save You

Blxst Surprises Fans With 2-Pack “Just For Clarity” Ft. Russ & Drakeo The Ruler

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West Coast artist Blxst has been an artist to watch for years, and after he shared his debut EP No Love Lost in 2020, his buzz continues to build. Fans received a surprise from the rapper-singer on Friday (March 12) after he shared an EP with Drakeo The Ruler and Russ titled Just for Clarity. The two-pack project is short and sweet as Blxst and Drakeo hold down “Don’t Forget,” a track that addresses the climb up the ladder of success and some of the pitfalls one may encounter on the way to the top.

Russ joins Blxst on “Fck Boys,” a take on dating or interacting with women who have endured their fair share of men who are only interested in playing games. As far as Blxst and Russ are concerned, “f*ck boys” are making life difficult for real men. Stream Just for Clarity and let us know which track stands out to you.

Tracklist

1. Don’t Forget
2. Fck Boys

Giveon’s Grieving ‘Heartbreak Anniversary’ Video Arrives With His Lustful New Single, ‘All To Me’

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After the success his two 2020 projects brought him last year, it’s only right that Giveon is making sure his Take Time and When It’s All Said And Done EPs are celebrated in the new year. The Long Beach singer ensured this would happen in three ways. First, he shared a new video for his Take Time standout, “Heartbreak Anniversary.” The visual reflects on the highs and lows Giveon experienced with an old lover, played by Samantha Logan who many might recognize by the name of Olivia Baker from the TV drama, All-American. Giveon transitions between his lonely present and his turbulent past with his old love interest as he sings about the day their relationship came to an end.

Secondly, in addition to the video, he shared his latest single, “All To Me.” Similar to his prior releases, “Favorite Mistake” and “Still Your Best,” Giveon arrives with a bit of toxicity for listeners on the new effort. He finds himself in the presence of a woman who is not treated well by her partner. Looking to make matters better for this woman, Giveon offers to step in and be the ideal companion she’s wanted for a lifetime. Lastly, Giveon dropped a deluxe reissue of Take Time and When It’s All Said And Done, which combines the two EPs and “All To Me” into one effort titled, When It’s All Said And Done… Take Time.

You can watch the “Heartbreak Anniversary” video and listen to “All To Me” above.

When It’s All Said And Done… Take Time is out now via Epic Records. Get it here.

Blxst Collabs With Russ And Drakeo The Ruler On His ‘Just For Clarity’ EP

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Blxst is certainly in for a big year after gaining great popularity as a result of a thrilling 2020. While his plans for the forthcoming months remain to be seen, Blxst is kicking things off with a pair of new singles. The West Coast native returns with his Just For Clarity EP supported by contributions from Drakeo The Ruler and Russ. Blxst connects with Drakeo The Ruler for “Don’t Forget,” a silky-smooth effort that sees both artists discussing the skepticism they encountered on their way to the top. While they’ve forgiven their doubters, the duo declares that they won’t be forgotten as it fuels their motivation to continue thriving.

The second song of EP presents Russ alongside Blxst for “Fck Boys.” On this track, they both find themselves in relationships with women who are damaged due to sub-par experiences with men they encountered prior to them. Despite these hardships, the duo declares that they’re the man their female companions have been waiting for. To add to their point, Russ questions “who the f*ck is he to f*ck up your whole life” while Blxst reminds listeners that “f*ck boys f*ck it up for real n****s.”

The songs arrive after Blxst shared a deluxe reissue of No Love Lost at the end of last year. Since then the singer has also delivered videos for “Got It All” and “No Love Lost.”

Press play on both tracks in the videos above.

Brent Faiyaz Counters His Perceived Toxicity With The Wholesome Single, ‘Show U Off’

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Despite just a few toxic tracks to his discography, Brent Faiyaz has been placed in that category of men thanks to his 2020 album, F*ck The World. Lines like “All my b*tches know I’m leavin’ at some point / Whether there’s a reason or not / Don’t try givin’ me reasons to stop,” from “Clouded” have caused fans to appreciate his music in a different light. Now, more than a year removed from that project, Faiyaz is back on the wholesome side of things with his new single, “Show U Off.”

The effort presents the singer on the positive side of things. Faiyaz pours his heart on wax for an unnamed woman and promises to treat her as best as he can. “Who’s gonna call you, baby? / And never make you feel small,” he sings. “Who’s gonna love you crazy? / I’m never gonna let you fall.” Elsewhere, he promises to raise her up and show her off to the masses as a way to prove his love is real and true. The song also comes with an accompanying video that follows a woman through her interactions with family, friends, and parts of the world. In the end, Brent appears beside the large group of ladies to signal that they are all a part of his real-life family.

Just a few weeks ago Faiyaz teamed up with Tyler The Creator for their “Gravity” single, which was released in partnership with Adidas for their Songs From Scratch series. Prior to that, his last musical contribution came in the form of a guest feature with Kanye West on 2 Chainz’s “Feel A Way.”

Listen to the new song above.

Benny The Butcher & Harry Fraud Drop “Thanksgiving” From “The Plugs I Met II”

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Two of the hardest working artists in the business are back and they’re in full album release mode. Next week, Benny The Butcher and Harry Fraud will share their latest project, The Plugs I Met II, a follow-up to their 2019 collaboration, The Plugs I Met. The first installment of their joint effort has been praised far and wide, and with good reason, and by the sound of their single “Thanksgiving,” Pt. II won’t disappoint.

Fraud holds down an impressive production and The Butcher blazes through his hard-hitting bars about running the streets and the less glamorous side of making money. The Plugs I Met II arrives on Friday, March 19, and features guests including 2 Chainz, Fat Joe, French Montana, Jim Jones, Rick Hyde, and a posthumous look from the late New York emcee, Chinx. Stream “Thanksgiving” and let us know your thoughts on this one.

Quotable Lyrics

Went and did that lil’ bid, now my hoes ain’t actin’ the same (Damn)
Stressin’, I did them sentences without stackin’ no change
Gettin’ high inside, knowin’ my pride ain’t matchin’ my wage
Let me take you back to that blue building, back in the day
Where I trapped them two for fifteens, plus that was my age

Clever Shares Debut Album “Crazy” Ft. Lil Wayne, Juice WRLD, Lil Baby, Chris Brown, Post Malone, & Isaiah Lyric

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After sharing the posthumous Juice WRLD collaboration with Post Malone, Clever returns with his debut studio album. The singer, rapper, and songwriter is Malone’s signee on the rise who hails from Alabama. His eclectic style has captured the attention of Hip Hop and Rap fans and finally, his anticipated debut album Crazy has arrived.

Clever has been making a way when there seemed to be no way for some time, engaging in freestyle and rap battles whenever an opportunity arose. It led to a friendship with Juice WRLD and phone calls from Justin Bieber, and now, his debut album even has a feature from Lil Wayne. In addition to his late friend and Weezy, other appearances on Crazy include looks from Lil Baby, Chris Brown, Post Malone, and Isaiah Lyric. Stream Clever’s debut and let us know what you think.

Tracklist

1. July
2. Use Again
3. In My Ear
4. Call Me Nobody ft. Lil Wayne, Isaiah Lyric
5. Everything Beautiful
. Way Out
7. Rolls Royce Umbrella ft. Chris Brown
8. Life’s a Mess II (Juice WRLD with Clever & Post Malone)
9. 99
10. Dreams
11. It’s All Bad
12. Skittles ft. Lil Baby
13. Alive

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Brent Faiyaz Celebrates Women In Visual To “Show U Off” Single

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We’re always delighted to hear new music from Brent Faiyaz and the R&B scene is blessed with another release. On Friday (March 12), Brent shared his latest single “Show U Off,” a song that arrived with a music video filled with women of all ages as the singer celebrates Women’s History Month and International Women’s Day (March 8). It’s clear that Faiyaz is readying his forthcoming project and we’re excited to receive more music from the 25-year-old artist.

In a recent interview with Pharrell, Brent revealed why he remains independent. “I’m the type to hold grudges,” he reportedly said. “So if I went and did a meeting with you and you offered me some bullsh*t, I’m gonna remember that and now I got something to prove.” Stream “Show U Off” by Brent Faiyaz and let us know what you think.

Quotable Lyrics

But if you’re lookin’
Then look no further
Because you’re worth it, girl
I got all this love for you
But you deserve it (F*ck them if they don’t see)
You’re Black and perfect

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Justin Bieber Doesn’t Own Cellphone: “I Learned How To Have Boundaries”

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It’s Bieber Mania season now that we’re on the countdown to the release of Justin Bieber’s album Justice. The project is slated to arrive next Friday and the singer has been in full promotion mode as he prepares for his takeover. It was just last night (March 10) when Bieber shared the potential tracklist to the album that includes features from Chance The Rapper, Giveon, Daniel Caesar, and The Kid LAROI, and his fans haven’t stopped speculating as to what they can expect. Bieber covers the most recent issue of Billboard where he speaks about his new record and cutting back on cellphone usage.

The singer shared with Billboard that he uses an iPad to communicate with people and doesn’t even own a cellphone anymore. “I definitely learned how to have boundaries, and I just don’t feel like I owe anybody anything,” said Bieber. “That has helped me to be able to just say no and just be firm in it and know that my heart [wants] to help people, but I can’t do everything. I want to sometimes, but it’s just not sustainable.”

Justice will mark Bieber’s sixth studio album and the release follows last year’s R&B-ish project, Changes. “I think this is the first time in my life where I’ve actually enjoyed the process of releasing an album,” said the singer. He also reflected on his past mistakes. “I can talk about that part of my life and not feel like, ‘Oh, man. I was such a bad person,’ because I’m not that person anymore,” he adde. “I also have done the work to know why I was making those decisions. I know where that pain was coming from, that caused me to act the way I was acting.”

“Everything was about success, benchmarks and such, and then I was just still empty, you know? All my relationships were suffering, but I had all this success and all of this money, and it just wasn’t fulfilling for me.”

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