mixtape

Netflix has been releasing a boatload of content this year, and one of its most recent releases is the highly anticipated anime series Yasuke. Starring LaKeith Stanfield and directed by LeSean Thomas (of The Boondocks, Cannon Busters, and Black Dynamite fame), Netflix’s new anime is inspired by the life story of the real-life Black Samurai known as Yasuke.

Netflix summarizes the show’s premise as, “A peaceful boatman once known as the Black Samurai is pulled back into conflict when takes a little girl with mysterious powers under his wing.”

In addition to Yasuke hitting Netflix this week, a full soundtrack has also hit DSPs, and none other than documented anime lover Flying Lotus is at the helm of the new anime’s score. Today, Flying Lotus shares the 26-track soundtrack to Yasuke, which features guest appearances from Niki Randa, Denzel Curry, and FlyLo’s frequent collaborator Thundercat.

Tasia Wells/Getty Images

Check out Flying Lotus’ soundtrack for Netflix’s new anime “Yasuke” below.

Tracklist:

1. War at the Door
2. Black Gold (feat. Thundercat)
3. Your Lord
4. Shoreline Sus
5. Hiding in the Shadows (feat. Niki Randa)
6. Crust
7. Fighting Without Honor
8. Pain and Blood
9. War Lords
10. Sachi
11. Your Screams
12. Using What You Got
13. African Samurai (feat. Denzel Curry)
14. Where’s the Girl?
15. Kurosaka Strikes!
16. This Cursed Life
17. RoBomb
18. Taiko Time // Sacrifice
19. Your Day Off
20. Your Armour
21. Enchanted
22. Mind Flight
23. Survivors
24. Your Head // We Won
25. The Eyes of Vengeance
26. Between Memories (feat. Niki Randa)

Does Lil Eazzyy live up to his debut mixtape’s title? In short, he very well may. The rap newcomer from Chicago has been opening eyes nationally since the release of his breakout single “Onna Come Up,” which went so hard that his hometown hero G Herbo hopped on the remix. 

Deeming himself the Rookie Of The Year, Lil Eazzyy obviously wanted to come through with one of the strongest projects of the entire year and it feels like he definitely makes his case. With a focus on strong production from the likes of Tay Keith, Nick Mira, Hugo Black, and more. Much of the tape sees Eazzyy taking the lonely road, including a handful of features from Bizzy Banks, IV JAY, and G Herbo.

“I love basketball, so I always knew the title was going to be Rookie of the Year,” said Lil Eazzyy about the new project. “This is literally my rookie year in rap, and I believe I’m the best person getting into the business right now.”

Listen to his debut project below and let us know what you think of it. Is Lil Eazzyy the rookie of the year?

Quotable Lyrics:

1. Introduction
2. Spinnin (feat. Tay Keith)
3. Why
4. Hunnid Or Better (feat. Bizzy Banks)
5. MVP
6. Trials
7. Ride Together
8. Warning
9. Play For Keeps
10. Freestyle
11. Pain For This
12. Yes Or No (feat. IV JAY)
13. Outta Pocket
14. Onna Come Up (feat. G Herbo) [Remix]

The artist formerly known as D.R.A.M. has been on a lengthy hiatus following his eclectic debut album Big Baby DRAM in 2016, but five years later Shelley FKA DRAM is back, refocused, and better than ever. Side-stepping the viral enthusiasm of “Cha Cha” and “Brocolli” that initially helped him break onto the music scene, Shelley returns with a significantly more mature sound, the byproduct of spending the last few years by not only working on new music, but also himself.

His long-awaited sophomore effort is a self-titled record that arrives on his mother’s birthday, who Shelley recently revealed passed away last year. Shelly FKA DRAM is his “gift back to her” and the follow-through on his “promise to play it for the world.”

Although Shelley FKA DRAM is the LVRN artist‘s first album in nearly five full years, Shelley’s new project is a much more lean effort than many fans likely expected. At 10 tracks, Shelley’s sophomore album is so far one of the cleanest albums and most personal albums of the year, and it also boasts a few soulful guest appearances from artists such as Summer Walker, H.E.R., Watt, and Erykah Badu.

“Thank you so much for listening to my first offering of Shelley,” the R&B artist says during the final moments of the album’s penultimate track “Remedies,” “but this is the first of many more offerings to come. Soon, too! We finna flood the streets with love and grief. Oh, and P.S. — if you owe Big Baby DRAM anything, keep that lil’ funky a** sh*t.”

Scroll down to check out Shelley’s long-awaited sophomore album Shelley FKA DRAM.

Tracklist:

1. All Pride Aside (with Summer Walker)
2. Exposure
3. Something About Us
4. Beautiful
5. The Lay Down (with H.E.R. & Watt)
6. ’93 Acura Vigor (with Erykah Badu)
7. Married Woman
8. Cooking With Grease
9. Remedies
10. Rich & Famous

The Alchemist has been a busy man of late, having concocted entire albums for artists like Armand Hammer, Freddie Gibbs, Boldy James, Conway The Machine, and more. Not to mention his own solo work, which includes his recent Carry The Fire project, a conceptual journey that brought the story of the Olympic torch to life. Today, Alc has come through to deliver yet another new release, this time serving up an EP titled This Thing Of Ours, featuring Maxo, Boldy James, Earl Sweatshirt, Navy Blue, and Pink Siifu.

While eagle-eyed listeners have doubtless caught a few cuts already, as “Loose Change” and “Nobles” were previously released as singles, listening to them in the context of an album gives them a new meaning. Production-wise, Alchemist stays comfortable within his wheelhouse, masterfully flipping samples and seldom going overly rambunctious with the percussion. As such, there’s an immersive and easy-going feel to a lot of his music, which in turn allows listeners to center their attention on the bars.

Though it might have been nice to see Alchemist return to his compilation album days — it’s certainly been a while since Chemical Warfare dropped in 2009 — this latest drop is certainly a welcome addition to his already stacked repertoire. And receiving not one, but two new verses from the elusive Earl Sweatshirt never hurts. Be sure to check out This Thing Of Ours, which features four new tracks and their instrumental variants from The Alchemist.

For the past few years, Yelawolf has been hard at work creating new music, a process that has culminated in an impressive four-album streak. Having delivered projects every week in April, the final drop — the long-awaited Mud Mouth — may very well hold the most significance for some, being that it’s his latest studio album. Featuring a respectable fourteen tracks and production across the board by Jim Jonsin, Mud Mouth finds Yela returning to his more melodic sound, as previously explored on drops like Ghetto Cowboy and the acclaimed Love Story.

That’s not to say the bars aren’t present, as Yela has been in fine form in that regard. Yet where previous releases like the DJ Muggs’ produced Mile Zero found Yela operating exclusively as an emcee, Mud Mouth is more centered around the duality of his artistry. Songs often navigate between sections, luring listeners into a false sense of security before pulling the lever to the trapdoor. As per usual, Yela’s unique swagger and penchant for all things Slumerican pack his music with distinctive imagery; what other rapper could conceivably put together a track called “Hillbilly Einstein?”

There’s plenty to unpack on Mud Mouth, and fans would be wise to throw this one on and immerse themselves from start to finish. It’s clear that Yela designed this one as a linear listening experience, and as an artist who still values the album as an art form, such an approach should be celebrated. Check out Mud Mouth now, and catch up on your April Yelawolf drops with TURQUOiSE TORNADO, Slumafia, and Mile Zero. 

It’s obvious that DJ Khaled pulled out all the stops for this one. The famed producer has been teasing Khaled Khaled for months, but earlier this week, he officially announced the album’s release. Soon to follow came a stacked list of features that no one could believe, including seeing former foes Nas and Jay-Z on a track together.

Immediately after issuing the tracklist, Khaled returned with an updated version to include a last-minute addition from his “Wish Wish” collaborator, Cardi B. You’ll hear familiar songs like DJ Khaled’s two previous releases with Drake, “Greece” and “Popstar,” and it’s clear that the West The Best mogul is hoping for a summer Khaled Khaled takeover.

Aside from the aforementioned artists, other features on the record include Lil Wayne, Jeremih, Lil Baby, Lil Durk, H.E.R., Migos, Post Malone, Megan Thee Stallion, DaBaby, Justin Bieber, 21 Savage, Bryson Tiller, Roddy Ricch, Drake, A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie, Big Sean, Rick Ross, Diddy, Nas, Jay-Z, James Fauntleroy, Harmonies By the Hive, Justin Timberlake, Meek Mill, Buju Banton, Capleton, Bounty Killer, and Barrington Levy.

Stream Khaled Khaled and let us know what you think.

Tracklist

1. Thankful ft. Lil Wayne & Jeremih
2. Every Chance I Get ft. Lil Baby & Lil Durk
3. Big Paper ft. Cardi B
4. We Going Crazy ft. H.E.R. & Migos
5. I Did It ft. Post Malone, Megan Thee Stallion, Lil Baby, & DaBaby
6. Let It Go ft. Justin Bieber & 21 Savage
7. Body in Motion ft. Bryson Tiller, Lil Baby, & Roddy Ricch
8. Popstar ft. Drake
9. This is My Year ft. A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie, Big Sean, Rick Ross, & Puff Daddy
10. Sorry Not Sorry ft. Nas, Jay-Z, James Fauntleroy, & Harmonies By the Hive
11. Just Be ft. Justin Timberlake
12. I Can Have It All ft. Bryson Tiller, H.E.R., & Meek Mill
13. Greece ft. Drake
14. Where You Come From ft. Buju Banton, Capleton, Bounty Killer, & Barrington Levy

Morray is a breath of fresh air in the ever-expanding rap game. He’s not entangled in any gang activity, but he’s still moving through life with togetherness as the main priority for him. Describing himself as a husband first and a rapper second, Morray is all about his family and his EBF (Everybody’s Family) crew. The rising rapper from Fayetteville, North Carolina is humbly telling the world his story with melodic and authentic rhymes about his rise to fame, as well as the troubles he’s faced along the way. You can hear it all with his latest thirteen-song mixtape Street Sermons. 

Proving to be one of the most talented up-and-coming rappers/singers in the business, the North Carolina native is showing just why he received co-signs from J. Cole, Juicy J, and plenty of others before signing a deal with Interscope Records. On Street Sermons, there are no features– it’s just Morray. He uplifts the hood with his spiritual preachings, showing off his church-trained singing at the same time.

Listen to Morray’s new mixtape Street Sermons below and let us know what you think of it. Be sure to also check out the rising star on Apple Music’s Next Up series, which includes an interview with Ebro Darden and a short film here. Watch the video for “Can’t Use Me” above.

Tracklist:

1. Mistakes
2. Trenches
3. Quicksand
4. That’s On God
5. Nothing Now
6. Reflections
7. Big Decisions
8. Can’t Use Me
9. Kingdom
10. Switched Up
11. Facade
12. Real Ones
13. Bigger Things

There are a few revolutionary stoners in hip-hop that led the way towards normalizing cannabis in the culture. Cypress Hill, Snoop Dogg, Method Man, and Redman are the most notable but Bone Thugs-N-Harmony deserves their credit as well. From songs like “Budsmokers Only” to “Weed Song,” they’ve been advocates for the plant throughout their career.

Krayzie Bone is just on the cusp of dropping a new strain called “First Of The Month,” named after the BTNH record, on Friday. Ahead of its release, the rapper unleashed his latest body of work, Leaves Of Legend. The latest project from the Bone Thugs member is 12 tracks of pure smoked-out vibes with appearances from Gangsta Boo, Lady Smoker, Rhia, Pozition, and many more.

Check the latest from Krayzie Bone below. 

Coming straight out of Oakland, CA, Philthy Rich has been putting his city on his back everywhere he goes. The rapper’s coming off of a highly productive 2020 that included the release of several projects including Real Hate. The rapper’s maintained that momentum throughout 2021 but he’s also been expanding beyond California. Just a few months ago, he highlighted the extraordinary talent out of Michigan on Welcome To Detroit. 

This week, the rapper offered his latest Texas-inspired project titled, Weekend In Houston. The three-song project highlights both the legends that came out of H-Town and some current faces. Slim Thug, Lil Flip Maxo Kream, Sauce Walka, and Rizzo Rizzo are among the names attached to the short tracklist.

Check out Philthy Rich’s new project Welcome To Houston below. 

Lil Reese faced a serious scare in 2019 after he was shot in the neck. The rapper survived but it faced the misfortune of having his entire rap career derailed since he wasn’t able to talk. The rapper has since recovered and is back to the grind. On Friday, he unveiled his latest project, Lamron 2. It’s a short EP with five songs and appearances from Meechiee Columbia and JL300. The rapper dives into the grim and gritty sounds of drill on his new project while exercising his recovered vocals.

The rapper’s new project serves as the sequel to his 2020 project that he released in September. Although Lamron 2 is a short EP, we’re hoping Reese has some more music in the pipeline for later in the year.

Check his new project below.