mixtape

Throughout his career, Aesop Rock has frequently collaborated with producer Blockhead, but now, for the first time, the two have created an entire album together. At midnight, the artists dropped Garbology, a 14-track project that sees Aesop rap over some of his friend’s finest beats.

In the past, Blockhead has produced some of the recording artist’s most popular songs, including “None Shall Pass” and “Daylight,” and over the course of the pandemic, they had the chance to work together again. Aesop was processing the loss of a friend back in January of 2020, and felt stuck in a creative block, but once he was inspired to write again, he knew exactly who to go to for beats.

“The world got real weird during those months. I knew at some point I had to get back to making something. Make a beat. Draw a picture. Write. Just go. But the idea of making a beat felt like math homework, and drawing is just so hard. Writing is hard too, but at some point I had to pick one,” the 45-year-old explained.

The album sees just one feature from Homeboy Sandman on “All Day Breakfast.” The remainder of the release is carried solely by Aesop’s larger-than-life persona that comes through in his lyrics, and Blockhead’s unique production.

Check out Garbology below and drop your first impressions in the comments.

Tracklist:

1. Only Picture
2. Jazz Hands
3. Wolf Piss
4. Legerdemain
5. Difficult
6. All the Smartest People
7. Oh Fudge
8. More Cycles
9. Flamingo Pink
10. All Day Breakfast (feat. Homeboy Sandman)
11. Fizz
12. That is Not a Wizard
13. The Sea
14. Abandoned Malls

Toronto rapper Smiley has had the city on lock for a while but with Drake’s co-sign, he’s finally crossing over to the States. He remains one of the hottest rising artists in Canada and with his motivational messages, unique vocal stylings, and eclectic take on rap, he’s pushing to become a household name internationally in the coming years. His journey continues with the release of Buy Or Bye 2.

Many music fans were introduced to Smiley through his “Over The Top” collaboration with Drake this year, which has become a meme on social media. People love to poke fun at Smiley’s unconventional rap voice and his ad-libs, which sometimes sound a little suggestive. On his new fifteen-track project, Smiley shows people that he’s more than a one-hit-wonder, dropping new collaborations with Yung Bleu, as well as Toronto natives Pressa and Duvy. 

Check out the 24-year-old’s inimitable flow on Buy Or Bye 2 below.

Tracklist:

1. When I Die
2. In My Zone
3. Moving Different
4. Venice Beach (feat. Golde London)
5. 38 (feat. Pressa)
6. Over The Top (feat. Drake)
7. Krazy Girl
8. Valet
9. Beat It (feat. Yung Bleu)
10. Breakdown
11. Streets
12. Ghetto
13. How Can I Miss (feat. OhGeesy)
14. Made It
15. Topic (feat. Duvy)

Rapper Money Man made history this week, becoming the first artist to receive a label advance fully in Bitcoin. Working out a new deal with EMPIRE with a $1 million advance, Money Man communicated his terms and made sure that he was setting himself for even more financial gains in the future, receiving a Bitcoin bag and influencing rappers including Meek Mill to possibly do the same in future deals.

The consistent rapper has been celebrated for years and with the success of last year’s “24” with Lil Baby, fans have been waiting to see where Money Man would go next. He’s officially come through with the release of his new album Blockchain, which features MoneyBagg Yo, Jackboy, and Yung Bleu.

Check out Money Man’s new album below and let us know where this ranks in his discography.

Tracklist:

1. Numb To The Pain
2. Petty Money
3. Trading Places
4. Numerology
5. LLC (feat. MoneyBagg Yo)
6. Blockchain
7. No Fema (with Jackboy)
8. Tip Off
9. Worthless (with Yung Bleu)
10. Lil Feature
11. Water
12. Elusive
13. Transform

Another beast emcee has returned with an applause-worthy project. Joell Ortiz is a veteran in Hip Hop who is respected among peers, critics, and fans, and the New York rapper entered the New Music Friday chat with his brand new album, Autograph. The album features looks from a few familiar faces: KXNG Crooked, Cyhi The Prynce, Sheek Louch, and Pastor LBS.

“My creative process is pretty simple. I write to the music that moves me and speak my truth. That’s never wavered. Once I feel like I got all of my thoughts out, I put the pen down and listen to everything in its entirety. That’s usually where I figure out things like title and artwork,” Ortiz said according to The Source.

“After listening to this body of work, I realized that I shared a lot of personal feelings, stories, and ideas. Everything is authentic. This is signature me. Hence, the title. Autograph is an album from me to you. The old me, the current me, all of me. As usual, I hope you enjoy.”

Stream Autograph and let us know what you think.

Tracklist

1. In My Feelings
2. Uncle Chris Car
3. Housing Authority ft. KXNG Crooked
4. One Day
5. Masked Up
6. Sincerely Yours
7. OG
8. Lifeline
9. Goin Thru It
10. Holy Ghost ft. Cyhi The Prynce
11. Therapeutic
12. Love is Love ft. Sheek Louch
13. Doors Up ft. Pastor LBS

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This has been an album that fans have been begging for throughout the year and now, we have finally received Silk Sonic’s project. The dynamic collective consists of Anderson .Paak, Bruno Mars, and their team of talented musicians who have effortlessly blended the retro sounds of the ‘70s with a modern take on R&B. When they first formally announced their collaboration with “Leave the Door Open,” fans couldn’t get enough of the single. On Friday (November 12), they have returned with An Evening with Silk Sonic, and Paak and Mars caught up with Rolling Stone months ago to explain why they wanted to make “feel good” music.

“We had a record that was, I guess the word is ‘heavier’ content, as far as subject matter,” said Bruno Mars. “Me and him were harmonizing and singing the sh*t out of it, but I remember having a conversation, saying, ‘Man, I don’t know if we want to take this turn on this album.’ We’re producing a feeling, and an emotion, so let’s sleep on this. After the session, Andy went to his house, and I’m playing the record, and I go to this song and I say, ‘I gotta stop by Andy’s.’ I drive over there and tell him, ‘Come outside.’”

“He gets in the car, I press play, and immediately he says, ‘Turn. That. Sh*t. Off’.” The track went in the trash that night. “We’ve been working on this song for weeks, but hearing it outside the walls of the studio, it was that quick. ‘I don’t wanna feel like this! Why are you guys making me feel like this?’”

Stream An Evening with Silk Sonic and let us know which track is your favorite.

Tracklist

1. Silk Sonic Intro
2. Leave the Door Open
3. Fly As Me
4. After Last Night with Thundercat & Bootsy Collins
5. Smokin Out The Window
6. Put On A Smile
7. 777
8. Skate
9. Blast Off

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A little scandal won’t stop DaBaby’s show and the rapper has returned with a vengeance. DaBaby had a rough summer following his Rolling Loud debacle and the aftermath left his name being trashed on social media. Lines were divided as his dedicated fans stood by his side and as debates were raging online, DaBaby was carefully plotting out his next move.

Now, the rapper is set for his tour that just happens to be sponsored by Rolling Loud and is back with a six-track project, Back on My Baby Jesus Sh!t Again. DaBaby has decided to only add two other artists as features—Kodak Black and 21 Savage—and some believe this is a brief introduction into the new Baby era. 

Make sure to keep a lookout for DaBaby on his Live Show Killa Tour which kicks off at the end of the month. In the meantime, stream Back on My Baby Jesus Sh!t Again and let us know what you think.

Tracklist

1. Draws
2. 5 For a Dub
3. Levels ft. Kodak Black
4. Roof
5. Look Like Sumn
6. Sticked Up ft. 21 Savage

The string of singles HVN delivered this year has formally culminated in the release of his new EP, ALL GIRLS GO TO HEAVEN. Laced up with a total of eight songs, the latest project from the Houston rapper showcases his versatility in full. One moment, he’s bringing high-energy bangers with punchy quotable for bars, like on the project’s intro, “HELLSCAT,” and the next, he’s diving into his melodic bag with songs like, “SIMPLE.” 

Things have been shaping up in 2021 for HVN to propel his career to the top. The rapper’s earned a string of co-signs from Virgil Abloh, Kevin Abstract, and more while also making an appearance alongside SoFaygo on Don Toliver’s Life Of A Don highlight, “Smoke.”

Peep the project and full tracklist below. 

1. HELLSCAT
2. MARINE
3. SIMPLE
4. EYES CLOSED
5. HISNEYLAND
6. RIGHT
7. 4AM
8. SOUTH

While retirement is on the horizon for Papoose, he’s going out with a bang. The rapper has been delivering one project every month since the top of 2021. While there are only a few months left in the year, each project is a reminder of why he’s one of the skilled rappers to step to the mic. He’s gone bar-for-bar from some of the greatest and enlisted iconic producers for beats.

Pap just came through with his latest tape, October. This one includes seven tracks in total with minimal features. Fabolous links up with Pap on “I Got A Plan” while Manson, Downtown, and Capo earn credits on the final song, “Comrades.”

Check out the latest project from Papoose below and sound off in the comments with your favorite track. 

With his new album, The Joy Tape, Curtis Roach is spreading a little love to listeners. The 10-track release includes features from the Detroit Youth Choir, Whyandotte, Chuck Inglish, Kynzi, Tally Schwenk, and Jamila Woods, and is exactly what you need to boost your mood this month.

The project initially dropped on November 4th, followed by an Instagram post from Roach thanking everyone who was involved in the album making process, from his girlfriend, who helped craft the name, to his dad, who is watching over him from above while he creates greatness.

“Most importantly, thank YOU! To everyone who has been supportive and rocking with me through this journey. I know some of y’all been waiting for this for a long time and I hope this was worth the wait. JOY TAPE OUT NOW ON ALL STREAMING PLATFORMS,” the “Bored In The House” hitmaker concluded his sentimental upload.

Back in 2019, Roach shared his debut project, “Lellow,” which saw seven tracks and just one feature from Nolan The Ninja. In the years since he’s obviously grown a lot as an artist, honing in on his talents and now, spreading Joy to the rest of the world.

What’s your favourite song on The Joy Tape? Let us know below.

Tracklist:

1. Joy (Intro) (feat. Detroit Youth Choir)

2. Stimmy

3. Comma$ (feat. Whyandotte)

4. Stressed Out

5. U Thot (feat. Chuck Inglish)

6. Beach Bum (Interlude)

7. Rose Tea (feat. Kynzi)

8. What We Doing

9. March 4th (feat. Tally Schwenk)

10. Joy (Outro) (feat. Jamila Woods)

Oliver El-Khatib remains committed to highlighting the best new music and breaking unknown records on every episode of OVO Sound Radio. Since its days on Apple Music, its been a hub to celebrate new, emerging artists, as well as some of the acts on the roster. 

This week, Oliver El-Khatib, along with frequent guest DJ GoHomeRoger, returned to the SiriusXM soundwaves for season 3 episode 15 of OVO Sound Radio. As reported on Saturday (Nov. 6th), Drake debuted a brand new single on OVO Sound Radio this week titled, “Neatly.” Though it hadn’t been uploaded to any streaming services, it’s finally available to listen to on Oliver’s latest mix.

Other highlights from this week’s episode include new music from Smiley, BluebucksClan, Moneybagg Yo, and more.

Check the tracklist below.