new album

New York’s MIKE Drops New Album, “Beware Of The Monkey”

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MIKE continues to be a shining star amongst the underground hip-hop scene.

Making music since 2015, he’s one of the leaders in the wave of abstract artists rapping over looped, sample-heavy production.

On Wednesday (December 21), the New York emcee officially dropped his latest offering, Beware of the Monkey.

The project contains 13 tracks, including its three priorly-released singles from earlier this year, “nuthin i can do is wrng,” “What Do I Do?” and “Stop Worry!”

Additionally, guest appearances come from Jadasea, Klein, King Carter and Jamaican dancehall singer, Sister Nancy.

The latter is a feature on the aforementioned “Stop Worry!” and is particularly known for her 1982 hit, “Bam Bam.”

The single finds MIKE getting introspective when reflecting on his vices and his increase in popularity. “Grab a cup and let my face drown, accompanied with trees / Stu-Stuttering away, cause the company to leave / Just need something I could break down, budge against the heat / Buckle up, we ’bout to change routes, never changing speed,” he raps explicitly in the opening verse.

Furthermore, Beware of the Monkey continues the New York rapper’s trend of dropping a new project on a yearly basis since at least 2017. It serves as the follow-up to his masterpiece from June of last year, Disco!

He subsequently made an appearance on The Alchemist‘s EP, This Thing Of Ours 2. MIKE serves as the sole feature on the second track, “Lossless.” Altogether, the short project boasts other features from the likes of Vince Staples, MAVI and Bruiser Brigade.

The duo linked up just a few weeks earlier for last month’s three-song EP, One More Time with fellow New York rapper, Wiki.

Along with the fresh album release, also came another new music video for one of the tracks, “No Curse Lifted (rivers of love).”

Despite having an otherwise quiet year outside of the singles, the new album arrives just in time to further complicate your year-end lists.

He certainly doesn’t let his fans down, as the new album further cements him as one of underground rap’s best storytellers.

Finally, make sure to stream Beware of the Monkey on Spotify or Apple Music soon. Let us know your top three songs in the comments afterwards.

Beware of the Monkey Tracklist:

  1. nuthin i can do is wrng
  2. As 4 Me
  3. Eczema
  4. Light (if u can’t see) [feat. Jadasea]
  5. No Curse Lifted (rivers of love)
  6. What Do I Do?
  7. Ipari Park (feat. Klein)
  8. Swoosh 23
  9. Tapestry
  10. Stop Worry! (feat. Sister Nancy)
  11. WEARY LOVE
  12. Concrète (feat. King Carter)
  13. Closing Credits

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Kid Cudi Says He & Young Thug Have 2 Songs Coming Out

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Kid Cudi confirmed that he has two collaborations with Young Thug coming out in the near future. Speaking to his fans on Twitter, Cudi explained that he will include one on his next album, while Thug will release the other.

“I got 2 songs w Thug I did last year,” Cudi tweeted. “1 of them goin on the new album the other he’ll use. These songs are fuckin INSANE. Im tellin u. U have no idea.”

MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA – JULY 22: Rapper Kid Cudi performs onstage during day one of Rolling Loud Miami 2022 at Hard Rock Stadium on July 22, 2022 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Jason Koerner/Getty Images)

Young Thug is currently awaiting trial for the massive YSL RICO case, which is set to kick off next year.

New of more music from Cudi comes just months after his eighth studio album, Entergalactic. At the time, Cudi hinted at being done with music while speaking with Apple Music’s Zane Lowe in September. He said he’s gotten “bored of making albums” and needs something “different.”

“The Kid Cudi stuff, I think I want to put it on the back burner and chill out with that,” he said. “I think, I want to be done with it. I think, closing the chapter on Kid Cudi. The goal for Entergalactic, I was bored of making albums.

“Just, doing an album, two music videos and that’s it,” he further added. “And I was like, ‘Man, I went into this wanting to do something epic and different.’ And now, that I’ve done that, I just… I’ve made a lot of music, man.”

Earlier in the week on Twitter, Cudi recalled going on a two-week-long “cocaine run” after filming his music video for “Frequency.”

Check out Kid Cudi’s recent tweet below.

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BabyK Osama Drops Off 13 Tracks On “BabyK 3” Project

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Plenty of hip-hop legends have returned with new music in the last month of 2022, but this weekend specifically, we’ve been hearing a lot from some of the younger names in the game. Previously today we recommended 20-year-old PGF Nuk’s “Sko” single. Now, we’re finally sharing 19-year-old BabyK Osama’s latest EP for your consideration.

BabyK3 initially landed on Wednesday (December 14). It was preceded by singles like “No Attempts” with Anti Da Menace as well as “All fa da Fame.” Additionally, the Jacksonville native gave fans a music video for the fourth title, “Raq,” along with his release.

The 13-track project boasts two other guest features. One comes from Backstreet TK on “Keep Counting,” and the other from 7milekory on “Kall My Cousin.”

Aside from those, Osama keeps things rolling by himself on titles like “Limbo,” “Last Minute,” and “2AM IN HOUSTON.”

Thus far, “I Miss You” has emerged as a standout track. As he rhymes, BabyK markedly mourns the loss of a fallen friend. Behind him, listeners hear “a brooding, bluesy instrumental carried by a sorrowful bass and whining keyboard.”

In the past, the rising rapper has earned co-signs from names like Yungeen Ace, Jdot Breezy, and GMK. Seeing as his new EP finds him exploring new sonic textures and expanding lyrically, it’s likely that list will only continue to grow.

His own personal influences include Kodak Black and Lil Durk, though he grew up on names like J. Cole and Kendrick Lamar.

Stream BabyK Osama’s BabyK3 on Spotify or Apple Music below. Afterward, let us know which of the songs is your favourite in the comments.

BabyK 3 Tracklist:

  1. Bad Bitch
  2. I Miss You
  3. Kall My Cousin (with 7milekory)
  4. Raq
  5. Limbo
  6. Rental
  7. Gorillas
  8. Dog Walked
  9. Last Minute
  10. 2AM IN HOUSTON
  11. All fa da Fame
  12. Keep Counting (with Backstreet TK)
  13. No Attempts (feat. Anti Da Menace)

Morray Discusses J. Cole Being A Mentor To Him

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Morray says that J. Cole has had him scrap several albums while mentoring him. The Street Sermons rapper reflected on his relationship with Cole during a new interview with HipHopDX.

“I can call Cole right now and he’ll be like, ‘What’s the issue?’ But I gotta be prepared for the answer,” he began. “That’s the thing about Cole, he gon’ give you Cole. But I love that because he’s not afraid to tell you what you don’t wanna hear to make you better.”

ATLANTA, GEORGIA – SEPTEMBER 27: Recording artist Morray performs onstage at State Farm Arena on September 27, 2021 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images)

He continued: “I’ve presented hella albums, I’ve been ready for an album, don’t get me wrong, I’ve been ready. I’ve presented to Cole, he told me, ‘N***a, you’re not ready.’ Do you know how hard it is to take that from somebody you look up to? I think I’m done and you’re telling me I’m not? Back to the drawing board? But I appreciate him, because this album is staying.”

From there, Morray explained that he’s not showing Cole his newest album. Instead of getting advice, Morray is confident enough that he wants Cole to be surprised by the result when it drops.

“I feel like him being a solid mentor is more than anything,” he further said. “It doesn’t matter if we never do anything else, it don’t matter if no opportunities come with J. Cole, the fact that I can call him and get quick advice, and the fact that you answer the phone… salute, big bro.”

Both rappers hail from Fayetteville, North Carolina. The two first interacted in October 2020, after the release of Morray’s “Quicksand.”

Check out Morray’s comments on getting advice from J. Cole below.

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SZA Recalls How Phoebe Bridgers Collab Come Together

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SZA says that she and Phoebe Bridgers had the “best conversations” together while collaborating on “Ghost in the Machine.” The track is featured on SZA’s newest album, SOS, which she released last Friday.

“We had been playing festivals together recently, but [our sets were] at the same time so we never got to meet,” SZA explained to Consequence for a new cover story.

LOS ANGELES, CA – JUNE 25: SZA performs onstage at 2017 BET Awards at Microsoft Theater on June 25, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images )

However, they were able to get in touch with each other through social media DMs.

“She popped on by,” she said. “She was cool as f—.”

SZA added that they had the “best conversations” during the experience.

“It was interesting to bring us both together,” she explained.

Other artists featured on SOS include Don Toliver, and Travis Scott, as well as Ol’ Dirty Bastard. Speaking with Consequence, SZA detailed how she chose ODB to appear on the song, “Forgiveless.”

“I thought it was so crazy because I tried to find a feature for that song and no one responded in time,” SZA said “It turns out ODB just sounded the coolest before I could even think about anything else.”

Elsewhere in the interview, SZA discussed being called an “R&B artist,” a label she finds disrespectful.

“I’m so tired of being pegged as [an] R&B artist,” she admitted. “I feel like that’s super disrespectful, because people are just like, ‘Oh, ’cause you’re Black, this is what you have to be’ — like, put in a box. And I hate that. With songs on this album, it’s supposed to help round out the picture and the story.”

Check out SZA’s collaboration with Phoebe Bridgers, “Ghost in the Machine,” below.

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Bun B &Statik Selektah Release “Trillstatik 2”

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Two hip-hop heavy-hitters from different scenes have joined forces once again. Bun B and Statik Selektah have teamed up for their latest collaborative project, Trillstatik 2. Along with Bun’s Houston drawl and charisma and Statik’s classy East Coast production, there’s a host of amazing features. Some have returned from their first album together, like Big K.R.I.T, Smoke DZA, Haile Supreme, Termanology, and Paul Wall. Also, there are new exciting names like Boldy James, Dave East, Styles P, 38 Spesh, and Papoose.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – DECEMBER 07: Bun B attends Trillstatik 2Live Recording Session on December 07, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Johnny Nunez/WireImage/Getty Images)

While this release is surely exciting and successful for the Houston icon, it’s also a time of sad reminiscence. Recently, Bun B posted on Instagram on the 15-year anniversary of his partner Pimp C’s tragic passing. He wrote a touching message for his fellow UGK star, acknowledging how making music has been different for him ever since.

“Not a day goes by that I don’t feel the loss,” he expressed. “I just find better ways to cope with it. Missed and loved but appreciated for the time we did have with you. Your spirit lives on in your music and your legacy lives on through your kids. The trillest ever born. They’ll never be another. Love you bro. And it’s still UGK For Life! #LongLiveThePimp.

“I haven’t really enjoyed making music since Pimp passed away,” he confessed to HipHopDX earlier this year. “And so now that I get to make music with friends and I’m not under any contractual obligation, I make music because I want to not because I have to, so it’s a different experience for me. For me, it just has to be fun or I’m not going to do it. I just don’t want to do it.”

Meanwhile, the fun and passion really comes through on Trillstatik 2. For example, the beats are lush and structured to perfection, with Statik slowing down his New York sound just a bit for Bun’s flow. The variety of guests on the project also makes it feel like a dynamic listen. However, maybe the most mind-blowing part about this album is that it was recorded and streamed live from scratch on December 7th. What’s more is that Bun B teases a third installment on the very last track.

Also, you’ll probably recognize a few great samples on this record that you’ve heard on other gems this year. For example, “In My Hand” has the same sample as redveil’s “pg baby” from this year’s excellent learn 2 swim. Moreover, on the lyrical end, Bun B’s as sharp as ever. He’s demonstrated his evergreen skill on other cuts like this year’s “BULLETZ AND BROKEN GLASS” with RJ Payne and fellow legend Ice-T.

What did you think of this album? Let us know in the comments below. If you haven’t checked it out yet, you can find Bun B and Statik Selektah’s Trillstatik 2 on your preferred streaming service. Also, check out the tracklist below and stay tuned to HNHH for the latest drops from the game’s greatest.

Tracklist

  1. Right Back At It
  2. Building Bridges (with Paul Wall & Terminology)
  3. In My Hand (with Big K.R.I.T. & Cal Wayne)
  4. We Live (with Dave East & Jinell)
  5. Devastating (with Styles P & Propain)
  6. Every Hour (with Nems & Papoose)
  7. Only Life I Know (with Smoke DZA, Flee Lord & Haile Supreme)
  8. Acetone (with Boldy James)
  9. Ain’t No Tellin (with 38 Spesh, Grafh & Haile Supreme)
  10. There Comes a Time (with Armand Assante)

Rasheed Chappell Makes A Statement With 11-Track “A Portrait Of” Album

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Among the many new albums that came in this New Music Friday is a must-listen cut from Rasheed Chappell. On December 9th, the New Jersey artist shared his A Portrait Of project, complete with 11 songs that find him reflecting on the ups and downs of his life so far.

Production from Little Vic provides a release full of soulful sonics that only get better thanks to the east coast star’s contemplative lyrics. Many of his rhymes markedly include honest thoughts, career insights, and hopes for a brighter future.

“This album arose from a place of loss and mourning with Rasheed’s father passing away earlier this year,” a press release explains. Because of this shocking loss, Chappell was left with no choice but to assume a new role within his family’s dynamic.

Though the pain was undeniably hard, it ultimately inspired him to create A Portrait Of. Before releasing the album, the TRUST Gang member shared singles like “Manna From Heaven” and “Narcan,” the former of which earned a shoutout on Joe Budden’s podcast.

On “Two Masters,” Chappell’s wordplay shines while he paints a vivid but daunting photo of what it was like to grow up in Jersey. His stories detail previously hustling to achieve success, losing those closest to him, and being “forced to fight for survival.”

Additionally, for those seeking a more romantic joint, “Save Room” is a perfect recommendation. Consequently, the song is all about maintaining intimate relationships and boasts plenty of soulful instrumentation.

Finally, stream Rasheed Chappell’s A Portrait Of on Spotify or Apple Music below. Afterward, let us know what your top three favourite tracks are in the comments.

A Portrait Of Tracklist:

  1. Spitting Images
  2. Two Masters
  3. Save Room (feat. Lamar Tyree)
  4. Narcan
  5. Praise (feat. Yolanda Sargeant and Aidan)
  6. Avocado Toast (feat. Dyani Star Myles)
  7. Tanisha (feat. Aidan)
  8. The Vision
  9. Manna From Heaven
  10. Tax Free
  11. BEcoming (feat. Aidan)

Boosie Badazz Praises R. Kelly’s New Album, “I Admit It”

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Boosie Badazz praised R. Kelly on social media, Friday, after his album, I Admit It, was released without warning. Additionally, Boosie called for the disgraced singer’s freedom as he serves his 30-year prison sentence.

“R.Kelly TALKING DAT SHIll. THE BEST TO EVER DO IT. YOU BETTER GO LISTEN TO THE ALBUM. NUMBER 1 FAN -BOOSIE BADAZZ,” Boosie captioned a video of himself listening to the music.

COLLEGE PARK, GEORGIA – AUGUST 15: Boosie Badazz performs onstage during The Parking Lot Concert Series at Georgia International Convention Center on August 15, 2020 in College Park, Georgia. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images)

He added in another video: “THIS MF R.KELLY IS THE GREATEST. IM LIT TODAY‼ #FreeRKellyAsap.”

Kelly’s lawyer, Jennifer Bonjean, confirmed that the disgraced singer had nothing to do with the album’s release.

Kelly is currently in prison following a jury’s decision to find him guilty of racketeering and sex trafficking in a New York federal court. He also faces charges in Minnesota and Illinois.

Boosie previously called for Kelly’s freedom during an interview with VladTV, last year.

“This is how I feel about that. Everything was pushed to another level. You know, I just feel like R. Kelly like the young bitches,” Boosie said at the time.

He further argued: “All that shit, seducing and kidnapping and all this shit in somebody house, if you leave a bitch at the house and you go on tour for two weeks and she don’t go nowhere, that bitch ain’t been kidnapped. She waiting on daddy to come home.”

Boosie later admitted, “He just fucked up on the age part…if he did it. I’m not saying he’s guilty or if he did do it, it’s because of the age. The rest of that shit, they exaggerating, bro.”

Check out Boosie’s recent Instagram posts below.

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Gucci Mane Shares 80-Song Album, “So Icy Boyz: The Finale”

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Gucci Mane has delivered a colossal, 80-track album titled, So Icy Boyz: The Finale. The project clocks in at three hours and 51 minutes all-in-all. It boasts both new music and previously released work.

Across the massive tracklist, Lil Baby, Jeremih, Trey Songz, 2 Chainz, Offset, Quavo, and more make appearances. Additionally, the project welcomes plenty of 1017 talent including KATO2x, Li Rye, Mac Critter, Sett, and TLE Cinco.

SANTA ANA, CA – OCTOBER 23: Rapper Gucci Mane performs onstage during the Beach Goth Festival at The Observatory on October 23, 2016 in Santa Ana, California. (Photo by Scott Dudelson/Getty Images)

Among the songs is Gucci Mane’s tribute to the late Migos rapper, Takeoff, “Letter to Takeoff.”

“How the fuck we gon’ lose Takeoff? Damn, he didn’t deserve it/We don’t supposed to question God, but damn, Takeoff was perfect,” he raps on the song.

Other highlights include “Sh*t Crazy (Remix),” “Spin,” “1 of 1,” and more.

Users on social media had plenty of jokes in response to the album’s length. “Literally dropped an Avengers flick length album,” one user said. At three hours and 51 minutes, So Icy Boyz: The Finale is longer than The Titanic, Avengers: Endgame, and Avatar: The Way of Water.

Another joked, “Gucci Mane dropped a 80 song album … Chris Brown has 24 hours to respond.” They had been referencing Brown’s 45-track album, Heartbreak on a Full Moon.

The new album comes less than two months after Gucci Mane shared, So Icy Boyz 22. Other projects Gucci has released in the series include So Icy Gang: The Reup, So Icy Christmas, So Icy Boyz (Deluxe), Ice Daddy, and So Icy Summer.

As for what Gucci Mane has in store for the future, Zaytoven recently teased collaborating with him on Twitter. “Me and @gucci1017 need to do A ENTIRE PROJECT again!” he wrote. “What y’all think?”

Check out So Icy Boyz: The Finale below.

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R. Kelly’s “I Admit It” Removed From Streaming Services

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Spotify and Apple Music have pulled R. Kelly’s new album, I Admit It, from their respective platforms. The disgraced singer’s lawyer, Jennifer Bonjean, says he wasn’t involved in the project’s release.

“It’s stolen music,” Bonjean told The Hollywood Reporter. “A police report was filed some time ago because his masters were stolen, but there’s not much of an appetite to investigate these things. People have had access to his intellectual property rights that they are attempting to profit off of, but unfortunately that does not include Mr. Kelly.”

LOS ANGELES, CA – JUNE 30: R. Kelly performs onstage during R. Kelly, New Edition and The Jacksons at the 2013 BET Experience at Staples Center on June 30, 2013 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Earl Gibson III/Getty Images for BET)

She continued: “When he was arrested, he had studio equipment that was taken. His masters are missing. The music is somewhere out there, but who has it and who has profited off it — we don’t know entirely.”

The 13-song album hit streaming services by complete surprise on Friday. Ingrooves, a distributor owned by Universal Music Group and without ties to Sony Music, released the album, according to Billboard.

In the lyrics, Kelly addresses the various allegations leveled against him that have landed him a 30-year prison sentence.

“What’s the definition of a cult? What’s the definition of a sex slave?” Kelly asks on one of the tracks. “Go to the dictionary, look it up/Let me know, I’ll be here waiting … I’m not gonna let y’all steal my joy/I’m just gon’ keep on doin’ me/Now I don’t know what else to say except ‘I’m so falsely accused.’”

Kelly is currently in prison following a jury’s decision to find him guilty of racketeering and sex trafficking in a New York federal court.

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