mixtape

Oakland rapper ALLBLACK has been a mainstay on the West Coast for years. He’s released all kinds of impactful music, helping to shape the sound of California by collaborating with a who’s who of rappers from the Golden State. Aiming to make everyone in The Town proud, ALLBLACK has officially released his debut album, titled TY4FWM.   

The album’s title is an acronym thanking his fanbase for f*cking with him over the years, showing love to everyone that has supported his dreams. ALLBLACK considers this album a mantra of gratitude for those that have taken the time to listen to him, his city, and everything that rap has brought him in his life. 

TY4FWM features guest appearances from Vince Staples, Drakeo The Ruler, E-40, G-Eazy, Sada Baby, Mozzy, Guapdad 400, and more. Production was handled by some of the most celebrated musicians, including P-Lo, Kenny Beats, Cal-A, DTB, and more.

Listen to ALLBLACK’s debut album below and let us know what you think.

Tracklist:

1. Life Of A P (feat. Kossisko)
2. Get Yo Money Sis
3. 10 Toes (feat. E-40 & G-Eazy)
4. Cobra Kai
5. War Stories (feat. Mozzy & Peezy)
6. P’s & Q’s 2
7. How I Feel (feat. P-Lo & ShooterGang Kony)
8. Anejo
9. Cleat Check (feat. Rexx Life Raj & Guapdad 4000)
10. Ego (feat. Kenny Beats & Drakeo The Ruler)
11. Save Me
12. Do Or Die (feat. Sada Baby & Carrie.)
13. We Straight (feat. Vince Staples)
14. Ride (feat. Dom The President)

Tory Lanez has been keeping it moving, having recently dropped off his new Playboy capsule at the beginning of March. At the time, Lanez broke down his inspiration behind the R&B project as follows: “This R&B Capsule ‘PlayBoy‘ was made off of pure pain, heartbreak, and hard liquor. Tread lightly listening.” Being so clearly a personal release for the Canadian melodist, it’s no wonder he opted to explore it further with a subsequent live version, officially released today.

Though generally similar to the studio version in many regards, Playboy Live has the advantage of being fueled by live instrumentation, which in itself breathes new life into an arrangement; new emotions can surface in unexpected places as unspoken camaraderie between musicians is explored. On the vocal front, Tory allows his vocals room to shine, his passionate cadence blending effectively over guitars, drums, bass, and keyboards. In some ways, it can be argued that this live Playboy variant is an improvement over its predecessor, as there’s a rawness throughout that captures the very pain that inspired its creation in the first place.

Should you be among those still loyal to Lanez’s cause, consider Playboy Live a welcome addition to his catalog, and an artistic showcase that finds him comfortably in his element. One has to wonder if he’ll consider bringing this project to the live stage once the world opens up again. What do you think of Playboy Live? 

It’s been two years since Ottawa-bred rapper Night Lovell blessed his cult-like following with GOODNIGHT LOVELL, and since that time, he’s inked a new record deal with G59 Records, the same imprint that is home to $uicideboys, Shakewell, Ramirez, and Germ– so it’s clear with Lovell’s equally dark and sinister style that he’ll fit right in among his labelmates. Although it’s worth noting, none make an appearance on this particular project — nor do any other features.

The rapper has been exploring the depths of his voice while pushing the atmospheric melodies forward ever since his debut with Red Teenage Melody, and it’s territory he hasn’t left behind on Just Say You Don’t Care, either. The new album contains 14 records, including lead singles like “Counting Down the List,” “Bottom Top” and “Alone.”

We also featured Night as On the Come Up back in 2018– if you missed that, or are unfamiliar, catch up below.

Check out Just Say You Don’t Care and let us know if you’ll be keeping it on rotation this weekend. Any immediate stand-outs? Drop them in the comments.

Just Say You Don’t Care Tracklist

1. Trying to Float

2. Smoke Screen

3. Bandage

4. I Know Your Ways

5. You Motherfucker

6. Call Me Water

7. Sadly I Cannot Control

8. Ten Wishes

9. Bottom Top

10. Puppet

11. On the Hill

12. Crawl

13. Counting Down the List

14. Alone

CZARFACE (7L & Esoteric) and MF DOOM have returned with a concentrated dose of new music, surprising the masses with a new album called Super What? Originally recorded in April of 2020, Esoteric opened up about the project during a reveal announcement on Instagram. “I speak for everyone involved when I say we were incredibly fortunate to have collaborated with DOOM,” he states. “He was a one-of-a-kind, never-to-be-duplicated emcee, producer, and visionary.”

As the first posthumous project from the late MF DOOM, Super What? already feels like it holds a special significance. Of course, it doesn’t hurt that the album is incredibly produced from start to finish, an immersive and delightfully underground body of work featuring impeccable lyricism from all contributing parties.

As expected given the artwork, there’s an undercurrent of geek-friendly themes and imagery throughout, exemplified in titles like “Mando Calrissian,” “This Is Canon Now,” and “Jason & The Czargonauts.” Insofar as the bars go, Deck, Esoteric, and DOOM keep the standard elevated, lining up punchlines incorporating everything from Game Of Thrones to AEW to Bojack Horseman. It’s certainly welcome to hear the triumphant return of the Vaudeville Villain in what may very well be among his final recorded material, giving Super What? an added significance.

Should you appreciate the underground aesthetic — best summarized for beginners as raw-sample-based production and dense penmanship — Czarface & MF DOOM’s latest crossover special is essential listening. Be sure to sound off with your favorite songs in the comments below. Rest in peace MF DOOM. 

Syracuse-born, Raleigh-based artist Toosii has officially released his latest mixtape, titled Thank You For Believing. The new project was released today via South Coast Music Group.

The self-proclaimed rookie of the year, Toosii continues to impress with yet another solid display of his raw talent, unpeeling even more layers of his personality and his pain on the tape. The project features DaBaby, Mulatto, and Key Glock. Production was handled by the likes of Zaytoven, Ambezza, OG Parker, Foreign Teck, Yung Lan, and more. 

“I just wanted to make beautiful songs,” said Toosii about the new music. “Right now, I’m the rookie of the year. I’m aiming for all-time status.”

Listen to Toosii’s new mixtape below and let us know what you think of it.

Tracklist:

1. in my eyes
2. be cautious
3. 5’5 (feat. Latto)
4. windows down
5. shop (feat. DaBaby)
6. f*ck marry kill
7. what it cost
8. end of discussion
9. greater storm
10. tic tic
11. rich n***a (feat. Key Glock)
12. back together
13. red die

It has been a rough six months for Quando Rondo. It was back in November that he was involved in a physical altercation that resulted in the death of King Von, and since that time, Rondo has endured some frightening moments. Just recently, it was shared that his latest concert was void of fans because it was alleged that they were concerned for their safety at one of the rapper’s shows. Then, days later, reports surfaced that Rondo had been shot at with a member of his crew sustaining an injury.

Still, Quando Rondo has pressed forward and on Friday (May 7), he returned with his Still Taking Risks project. It looks like Rondo is sending the message that he can stand alone because he offers the record with no features. Last week, when he shared the tracklist, Rondo penned a caption that spoke to his current emotional state.

“The Last If Not The First [pleading sad face emoji] This MusiC Sh*t Brung So Many Problems In My Life,” the rapper wrote. “I WatCh So Many People Change Up On Me . Family , Cripz , Homies This Sh*t Just made me notice Ain’t No Love I’m Prepared For The Worst Tho.” Stream Still Taking Risks and let us know what you think.

Tracklist

1. Blue Man
2. Red Eye
3. Drop Sum
4. Devil on My Shoulder
5. I Thought
6. Purple Baby
7. Okay
8. 21
9. Angel Wings
10. Still Doing Wrong
11. Cest Friends
12. No More
13. DND 2 Airplanes
14. Soul Reaper
15. Stand On It
16. End of Story (Bonus)
17. Street Life (Bonus)
18. Go That Way (Bonus)

When a troll tried to get under Tee Grizzley’s skin, the Detroit rapper kept his cool. “You fell off,” a Twitter user wrote to the rapper last month. Grizzley simply responded, “I made it out tho bro that was the goal.” Tee Grizzley has been moving carefully in the industry, forging relationships with his fellow artists and linking for collaborations that continue to help him build his empire. On Friday (May 7), he shared his latest album Built For Whatever, a project that shows he has reached his goal and is ready for more.

Built For Whatever hosts a bevy of features including appearances from Big Sean, Quavo, Young Dolph, YNW Melly, Lil Durk, Lil Tjay, G Herbo, AllStar Lee, and Mu. There is also a posthumous appearance by King Von and two looks from Grizzley’s brother, Baby Grizzley. Tee and Baby recently reunited after Baby served five years in prison and was released, however, he found himself facing more legal issues earlier this year, hence the album’s closing track, “Free Baby Grizzley.”

Stream Built For Whatever and let us know what you think.

Tracklist

1. Grizzley Talk
2. Not Gone Play ft. King Von
3. Built to Last
4. In My Feelings ft. Quavo & Young Dolph
5. Careless ft. YNW Melly
6. White Lows Off Designer ft. Lil Durk 
7. Mad At Us
8. Life Insurance ft. Lil Tjay
9. Evictions
10. Left Wrist Icey ft. Baby Grizzley
11. High Speed
12. Never Bend Never Fold ft. G Herbo
13. Less Talking More Action 
14. White Dior Tee ft. Allstar Lee & Mu
15. What We On ft. Big Sean
16. Quit Trappin
17. Change
18. Late Night Calls
19. Free Baby Grizzley ft. Baby Grizzley

Jay Critch is applying pressure on the game this year. The rapper’s been consistently delivering hear over the months, even after releasing his project Signed With Love in 2020. Last night, the rapper gave fans short notice with the release of his album that he stated would be arriving today. Though many were disappointed that they couldn’t find it at the wee hours of the morning, he still kept his promise.

The rapper came through with his latest project, Critch Tape just hours ago. The rapper’s latest body of work boasts 23 songs in total with some assistance from artists like Fivio Foreign, Lil Tjay, and Drakeo The Ruler. 

Check out the latest project from Jay Critch below and sound off with your favorite track off of Critch Tape in the comments.

Nino Man has been embodying the raw and uncut energy of New York rap. The rapper’s had a slow-burning grind but he’s cemented himself in the underground. The rapper’s signed to Jadakiss’ So Raspy imprint where he released projects like 2019’s Juu Hurd. The album found him connecting with kindred spirits in the New York circuit including Lil Tjay and Jim Jones. 

Following the success of 2020’s Hunger For Success 3, the rapper came back to bless fans with a quick body of work titled, No Turning Back. With no features attached on the tracklist, Nino Man unveils a seven-song tracklist showcasing his penmanship over gritty New York production.

Check the tracklist and project below. 

1. No Turning Back
2. No Draco
3. 5-O
4. Downtown
5. Smooth Operator
6. Whoa 
7. Higher

2020 was a quiet year for R&B singer Rochelle Jordan but she made sure the wait for new music was well worth it. Each month since the beginning of the year, Jordan offered brand new singles like, “Something,” “Next 2 You,” “All Along,” and “Got Em.” Finally, she’s unveiled her new project Play With Changes in its entirety. The 12-track finds Jordan embracing electronic, UK Garage-influenced sounds infused into her own string of R&B.

“Play With the Changes represents all the things I love about creating music,” Jordan said of the project, which marks her first since 2014’s 1021. “Freedom, imagination, colors, blending sounds, frequency, and feeling. Every story I wrote of self-discovery, anxiety, blackness, control, boldness, and honesty are all pieces of what I personally needed to learn and understand over the past few years. All the sides of my style, sound, and my desire this time around to knit R&B and dance music together in my own way, on one record.”

Check it out below.