IDK’s ‘F65’ album arrives May 5.
idk
IDK Makes A Statement With “Mr. Police” Single & Music Video
As per usual, the weekend has brought with it plenty of new releases for your consideration. The most popular albums to drop came from names like Swizz Beatz and NBA YoungBoy, while singles from the likes of Latto, Moneybagg Yo, and Belly have been doing numbers. Elsewhere this week, we heard from IDK on Thursday (April 20) with his political “Mr. Police” single. The song was accompanied by a visual depicting some of the horrors that can occur when Black folks are stopped by authorities in America.
“Mr. Police, how are you? / Just like your clothes, you make me blue / I look both ways, I cross the street / There was no one around, how did you see me?” the Maryland native innocently asks as his song begins. Things become more heated on the chorus as IDK continues, “And I’m like, what the f*ck he mean? Got a n*gga f*cked up / Ain’t no way that I believe, I’ll be shit out of luck / All these pigs wanna test me, tryna put me in the cuffs.”
IDK’s “Mr. Police” Visual is Here
As HipHopDX notes, the lyricist took a similar statement-making approach with his last release before “Mr. Police.” At the time, he and Rich The Kid came together for the first time on “850 (We On Top).” The collab hears IDK chiefly reflect on his past and the years he spent in the trap. He’s obviously since been able to turn his life around, visiting cities like Los Angeles, Japan, France, and Spain while spreading an important message with his music. Back in February, he also gave us his “Radioactive” single, which came alongside an energetic visual.
Watch IDK’s “Mr. Police” video on YouTube above, or add the song to your playlist on Spotify/Apple Music. Afterward, tell us which of this week’s new arrivals you’ve been loving so far in the comments. For more HNHH release recommendations, tap into our latest Fire Emoji update here.
Quotable Lyrics:
Mr. Police, how are you?
I know my rights, I’m no fool
You question me, I don’t know shit
My lawyer told me to close my lips
[Via]
IDK & Rich The Kid Connect For “850” Single
IDK’s ‘F65’ project arrives May 5.
IDK And Rich The Kid Flawlessly Switch Up Their Styles On Their New Single, ‘850 (We On Top)’
Ahead of his appearance at Coachella next month, IDK has shared a new song called “850.” On “850,” IDK, which stands for Ignorantly Delivering Knowledge, delivers celebratory bars over a hypnotic, ominous, beat.
“You was just stopped, now you want to have a revolution / now you’ve changed / that ain’t a problem / Just don’t bring the thought to me, unless it’s with the brain / lay flat in the plane / Go to sleep in LA / Then I wake up in Spain,” he raps.
Midway through the song IDK and his collaborator, Rich The Kid, switch up their flows, as the beat changes after a brief interlude.
Over the years, IDK has demonstrated his range as a rapper, a singer, and a producer. In an interview with BET last year, IDK expressed the desire to cultivate a sense of perseverance within his community.
“Community, to me, is the most important thing to have,” he said. “Some people, especially if you’re an artist from the hood — let’s say you’re from Memphis — rely on the people that relate to you. That’s your community. You want to have Memphis behind you. These are the people who are going to have your back no matter what. It’s always important to have that. But in order to have solid community support, you have to be of it, and the person representing the community has to be real.”
You can listen to “850” above.
IDK is a Warner Music artist. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.
IDK Releases New Single “Radioactive” With Energetic Video: Watch
IDK taps into dance music in his new drop, “Radioactive.” The British-American rapper explores his multi-culture roots with this new release by taking on Baltimore’s dance club vibes and shooting the music video in London. “Radioactive” expands IDK’s usual rap style by fusing trap and dance into one big hit. The new song proceeds IDK’s upcoming first-time performance at Coachella.
The music video for “Radioactive” seemingly conveys the same upbeat nature of IDK’s track. Starting with the 30-year-old rapper enthusiastically chanting the song’s name with his entourage, the video casually follows the group around North London. The video is co-directed by both IDK and Meeks & Frost. Overall, both the song and video elicit incredible vibes that create excitement and a desire to dance.
IDK Showcases London’s Energy In “Radioactive” Video
“Radioactive” follows IDK’s Kaytranada-produced 2022 studio album Simple. which featured Denzel Curry and Mike Dimes. Complex also reports that the London-born rapper recently took to Instagram to announce that Simple., along with his other two albums Is He Real, and USee4Yourself will be available on vinyl. In the post to share the exciting news for vinyl fans, IDK noted “You are not fans you are fam. Anyway, I love you AND appreciate you so much that I’ve chosen not to ignore your constant, and I mean CONSTANT requests for vinyl records.”
It comes as no surprise why IDK fans have been desiring this new formatting option. Just as he has proven with the release of “Radioactive,” IDK religiously produces energetic beats and is not afraid of experimenting behind his normal means. Other times the rapper showcased his versatility can be seen in Simple.‘s “Drugstore” and “Taco.” IDK’s new dance/rap genre-blend of music has been fully asserted with “Radioactive,” and we can’t wait to see what he choices to fuse together next!
Quotable Lyrics:
Hop in a freak, go infinity (Ooh)
Up on a shirt where you finna be (Ooh)
Heard that you said you gon’ finish me (Ooh)
Why he be movin’ so finicky? (Hey)
N*gga be talkin’ that talk now
Ride but you said that you walked down
Where all the guns that you bought now? (Like Marvin)
Let’s get it on now
IDK Goes Full ‘Top Boy’ In His London-Based, Drill-Infused ‘Radioactive’ Video
Drill music has been taking over lately as more and more US rap artists tap into the crunchy, upbeat instrumentals that define the sound pioneered by UK producers. Maryland rapper IDK is no exception, but in the video for his new track “Radioactive,” he heads straight to the source, running the “endz” of London as he tries out his new rap style.
The scenery and wardrobe look straight out of Top Boy as IDK, bundled in a down jacket, surrounds himself with roadman dem to goad any wannabe bullies to come see him on the block. The estate houses loom in the background, suggesting the strong connection between hoods on both sides of the pond.
IDK’s latest stylistic departure should come as no surprise to anyone who’s been following his career. The PG County native has switched through hip-hop subgenres like school clothes from MF DOOM homage “Monsieur Dior” to the dancefloor groove of his and Kaytranada’s album Simple (with part two coming soon!) Also, funnily enough, IDK was actually born in London, much like 21 Savage.
If IDK’s first song of 2023 is any indication of his future output, his next project could see him going back to his roots. Stay tuned.
Watch IDK’s video for “Radioactive” above.
The Best New Music This Week: JID, Lil Tjay, DJ Khaled, and More
DJ Khaled f/ Rick Ross, John Legend, Lil Wayne, & Jay-Z, “God Did”
JID f/ Ari Lennox, “Can’t Make You Change”
Lil Tjay, “Beat Da Odds”
Offset f/ Moneybagg Yo, “CODE”
Quavo, Takeoff & Birdman, “Big Stunna”
Pi’erre Bourne, “Good Movie”
03 Greedo, Mike Free f/ KenTheMan, “Drop Down”
IDK, “Free Slime”
The Best New Music This Week: JID, Lil Tjay, DJ Khaled, and More
DJ Khaled f/ Rick Ross, John Legend, Lil Wayne, & Jay-Z, “God Did”
JID f/ Ari Lennox, “Can’t Make You Change”
Lil Tjay, “Beat Da Odds”
Offset f/ Moneybagg Yo, “CODE”
Quavo, Takeoff & Birdman, “Big Stunna”
Pi’erre Bourne, “Good Movie”
03 Greedo, Mike Free f/ KenTheMan, “Drop Down”
IDK, “Free Slime”
IDK’s Dual Single ‘W13’ Offers Two Completely Different Vibes With ‘Drive’ And ‘Free Slime’
In the midst of an absolutely packed New Music Friday that included releases from the recovering Lil Tjay, the newly solo Offset, remaining Migos members Takeoff and Quavo, and a DJ Khaled set with huge new contributions from both Eminem and Jay-Z, DMV rapper IDK returns with a new dual single of his own titled “W13.” Consisting of the separate tracks “Drive” and “Free Slime,” “W13” enters the fray with two completely different vibes, demonstrating IDK’s growing versatility.
In “Drive,” which you can play above, Jay utilizes a jazz-laced, flute-driven instrumental to deliver a heartfelt love letter to the lady in his life. “I’d rather be with no life than without you, baby,” he croons. “I could never doubt you lady.”
Then, on “Free Slime,” he switches gears with a soulful, Dilla-esque beat that morphs into a more forceful blend of boom-bap and trap. Here, he talks gangsta, spitting menacing threats of dubious reality — perhaps as a way to comment on the way Young Thug’s lyrics have been used against him in an ongoing racketeering case. You can check that one out below.
“W13” is IDK’s first new music release since May, when he dropped the Kaytranada-produced Simple featuring singles “Taco,” “Dog Food,” and “Breathe.”