Tyga was sneakily one of hip hop’s most reliable hitmakers in the 2010s. He dropped a smash single every couple years, and bagged a trio of crossover top ten hits in the process. It’s been a long time since Tyga has released a full body of work, however. The rapper hasn’t dropped a solo album since Legendary in 2019, which contained “Taste.” There were rumors of Tyga working on something, but December 19th yielded proof. The rapper unveiled the album cover, title, and release date for his upcoming album.
Tyga uploaded the artwork for the album on Instagram Thursday morning. It sees the rapper looking into the distance, while two women wait for him in bed. The title supports this lewd aesthetic: Not Suitable for Work, of NSFW. Tyga has always thrived when it comes to making NSFW anthems like “Make It Nasty” or the aforementioned “Taste,” so the new branding makes complete sense. Tyga released pre-order links for the album, which is scheduled for release on January 31. This means there’l be a staggering six year gap between Tyga’s solo albums.
Tyga had given plenty of indicators of a new album in the last few months. The rapper dropped promo singles like “Bops Goin’ Brazy” in 2023 and “Sensei” in 2024. He also hyped up the prospect of music during a recent interview with Rolling Loud. “New album, new album,” he revealed, when asked his plans for 2025. “I’m mixing it right now. So, album, tour.” Tyga was hesitant to reveal any more info about the album, but he did confirm that he’ll have some notable collaborators. “We just got to see, you know?,” the rapper remarked. “Working on a few features.” The rapper may not have been dropping new solo music, but he has continued to pop up on other people’s songs.
Tyga dropped a guest verse on the breakout Tinashe smash “Nasty” in July. The singer told People Magazine that Tyga was the perfect artist to get on the single, given its NSFW topic. “Tyga has a legacy of making nasty bops,” Tinashe explained. “He has a history of nasty-related themes, so I felt like he was perfect and fit that West Coast vibe in that sense.” Hopefully he can continue his legacy and give fans a few more hits in the new year.
Lil Baby has never been the most prolific rapper. He’s released music at a steady pace since breaking out in the late 2010s. He’s never equalled the release rate of mentors like Future or Young Thug. Well, before 2025. Lil Baby recently went on Lil Yachty’s A Safe Place Podcast to discuss his plans for the upcoming year. He revealed that he has not only one, but two albums in store. Furthermore, he confirmed the titles and release dates for both releases.
Lil Baby claimed that he originally planned to drop an album called Dominique. The recording sessions for the album proved so fruitful, however, that he decided to create a brand new project to accompany it. “Now I’m gonna drop a WHAM album and a Dominique album,” he told Lil Yachty. “Completely different album.” Yachty asked whether the two albums would be spread out throughout 2025. Lil Baby is going to try and dominate the first couple months of the year, however. He revealed that the WHAM album will be dropping on January 3. Dominque is expected to drop a month later, in February.
Lil Baby admitted that it was difficult to determine which songs should end up on which album. “I still put some of the songs I was gonna use for Dominique on WHAM,” he stated. “I know my fanbase really want to hearing them certain songs.” He went on to identify WHAM as the more aggressive sounding album of the two. “WHAM is more like me on some young n**ga sh*t,” Lil Baby asserted. “Fast cars, girls, jewelry. The turnt lifestyle.” Dominique, on the other hand, will be more “serious” in tone and subject matter. “Its more personal,” he concluded.
Lil Baby has not had the easiest year, so the “serious” tone makes sense. The rapper returned from a lengthy hiatus with the single “5AM” in November. He promoted the single on Instagram, along with a message detailing the issues he’d been dealing with in years prior. “I had the darkest period of my life these last two years,” he admitted. “But I stayed down and overcame that sh*t. Now I’m back to f*ckin sh*t up as usual.” The way Lil Baby signed off the message: “Who hard as me. Let’s go,” denotes that he’s ready to dominate the rap game.
Playboi Carti is the most unpredictable man in hip hop. Which is saying a lot, since Kanye West and Kendrick Lamar exist. Carti is a cut above the other two when it comes to saying one thing in relation to an album and then doing the complete opposite. He has been teasing the release of I AM MUSIC for a few years now, and it doesn’t feel as though we’re any closer to it becoming a reality. Or maybe it will drop over the holidays, like Whole Lotta Red. Playboi Carti delights in confusing his fans, and he did so once again on December 18.
Playboi Carti decided to post new photos of him alongside Metro Boomin on Instagram. The two posed in front of a jeep, while Carti used a hat to cover up his face. There wasn’t any mention of a collab, but Carti did write “Me N Tro 2 Tough Fr.” We all know Playboi Carti is working on a new album, so the decision to link up with Metro Boomin feels very intentional. The rapper knows that it will drum up attention for I AM MUSIC. Playboi Carti and Metro Boomin have proven to be a formidable duo in the past. They worked on “Minute” with NAV and “Type Sh*t” with Future and Travis Scott. Carti was also featured on “Popular,” a song that was scrapped from Metro’s Heroes vs Villains album.
Metro Boomin is the latest superstar to be teased as an I AM MUSIC collaborator. Playboi Carti took to Instagram last week to hint at upcoming collaborations with the likes of Lil Baby and Mustard. He posted a screenshot of a text conversation with Lil Baby’s manager, implying that the rappers plan to connect in the near future. Playboi Carti also posted a screenshot of an Instagram DM from Mustard. The man who made “Not Like Us” suggested that he and Carti link up to make some magic in the studio.
Then there’s the aforementioned Kanye West. Metro Boomin announced that West will be producing all over I AM MUSIC during a recent Las Vegas performance. “Shout out to my n**ga Kanye, you know what I’m saying,” the rapper stated. “He over here making beats and sh*t. That album gonna be [wild], I can’t wait to show y’all n**gas.” Playboi Carti previously claimed that he wanted I AM MUSIC to be something he made on his own, he’s clearly changed his mind and gone the collaboration route. At least, it looks that way. Who really knows?
MadeinTYO quietly had the busiest year of 2024. Rappers like Future and Kendrick Lamar may have made more noise, but MadeinTYO dropped three full length projects and an EP. That’s some serious work ethic. YOKOSUKA BOY is the latest release from this bunch, and its the shortest by design. The brief length does not reflect a lack of ideas, though. YOKOSUKA BOY EP is a contemplative batch of songs that sees MadeinTYO wax poetic about traveling the world and missing the ones you love.
“Fan mail” details the messages that MadeinTYO receives from fans. It also gives him an opportunity to take stock of his place in the rap game. The things he’s managed to achieve, and the places where he’s fallen short. It’s a surprisingly frank song, and one made all the compelling by its understated deliver. The other songs on the EP follow this understated template. The beats on “fragment levis” and “thinking to myself” are wistful and sweet. They feel at once nostalgic and gnawingly self-aware. MadeinTYO’s lyrics further these conflicting feelings. It’s an emotionally dense and musically lush album. Fans are going to love it. Those unfamiliar with with MadeinTYO’s music will also find plenty to like here if they decide to give it a chance.
Let us know what you think of this brand new album, in the comments section down below. Additionally, stay tuned to HNHH for the latest news and updates from around the music world. We will continue to keep you informed on all of your favorite artists and their upcoming projects.
Ab-Soul is a great rapper. Anybody who has listened to a single verse from the TDE veteran can attest to it. Soul has struggled to attain the icon status of Kendrick Lamar, however, or even the crossover success of fellow Black Hippy members Jay Rock and ScHoolboy Q. He’s the odd man out, and he’s tired of being nice about it. Ab-Soul took to Twitter on December 16 and stakes his claim to be taken seriously as an artist. He urged fans to give his talent, and his latest album, the attention they deserve.
Ab-Soul is nothing if not articulate, and he knew his statement was going to come off as arrogant to many. “This may be distasteful for me to say to say on my own,” he posited. “Given the insatiable state of social media.” The rapper then let followers and onlookers have it. “F*cc it,” he wrote. “Soul Burger is a phenomenal body of work. I put it all on the table.” The statement then switched from the album to his perception as an artist in general. “Stop pretending to overlook me,” he demanded. “It’s unbecoming of the culture.”
THIS MAY BE DISTASTEFUL FOR ME TO SAY ON MY OWN, GIVEN THE INSATIABLE STATE OF SOCIAL MEDIA. BUT, FUCC IT. “SOUL BURGER” IS A PHENOMENAL BODY OF WORK. I PUT IT ALL ON THE TABLE. STOP PRETENDING TO OVERLOOK ME. ITS UNBECOMING OF THE CULTURE.
Some fans may be taken aback by Ab-Soul’s bold claim, but the rapper has always been confident in his abilities. Soul received arguably the most flattering shoutout of any Black Hippy member on the Kendrick Lamar “heart pt. 6.” Lamar claimed that he honed his rhyming style by trying to copy Ab-Soul, and was blown away by the Carson City rapper’s wordplay. Soulo went on Instagram Live to address his feelings on the song and his impact. He gave props to Lamar and admitted he learned from Lamar as much as K. Dot learned from him.
Ab-Soul did, however, claim that he was the better rapper. Not only better than Kendrick Lamar, but any other person walking the planet. “I am the B.O.A.T,” Ab-Soul explained. “I am the best rapper, that’s it. Ask anyone.” The rapper assured fans that he’s not just talking to talk. Soul genuinely feels he can take out anybody who dares challenge him. “I say that humbly,” the rapper concluded. “It’s not from a place of arrogance. I really do this.”
Trae Tha Truth has been going a period of personal turmoil. The rapper’s daughter has gone missing, and he’s tried everything he can to get the word out. Trae Tha Truth broke the news via social media, but there have yet to be any major developments in his daughter’s whereabouts. The rapper then decided to do what he does best, which is air his feelings out in song. The Texas legend dropped the song “Letter to Truth, Pt. 2” on December 12. In it he details his emotional state, and his desire to see his child again.
Trae Tha Truth does not attempt to hide the meaning of the song behind metaphor or allegory. He writes a plain, and emotionally gutting tribute to his daughter, Truth. “Thinking of you, I just gotta be great,” Trae raps. “You’re looking for me, I don’t want to be late.” Elsewhere in the song, Trae Tha Truth admits he has been waiting on a call regarding Truth’s location for weeks. “You ain’t gotta worry about it, I’m coming to get ya,” the rapper spits. “Wanna smile, but I know they gonna mess up the picture. Every morning, I got G.T. reading me Scripture, I been waiting on a call, I hope I don’t miss ya.”
It’s heavy material, but it makes complete sense given the context. Trae Tha Truth claims that he last saw his daughter when she was picked up by her mother. He theorized that the mother is responsible for the young girl’s disappearance. In the Instagram post detailing Truth’s disappearance, Trae went at the mom of his child and criticized her behavior. “She lied to courts,” Trae Tha Truth claimed. “And accused me of assault, sexual assault, threatening my child with a gun and more… Her mom took her and felt it was ok to keep her away from a [sic] active father.”
Trae Tha Truth has urged any fans who may have information about his daughter’s whereabouts to reach out to him. He also provided a heartfelt description of “Letter to Truth, Pt. 2” in the YouTube information section. “I pray God let every word in this letter,” the Texas rapper proclaimed. “Hep those who need it the most and reach those who really dealing wit pain and hurt. I now understand it’s ok to cry and let it all out.” We hope Trae That Truth and his daughter are eventually reunited.
The last year may have been marred with some of the most viral feuds in hip-hop history, but that doesn’t mean 2024 wasn’t filled with phenomenal hip-hop collaborations as well. Even while sparking one of the biggest rifts in years, Kendrick Lamar worked with both Metro Boomin and Future to kick off his war of words with Drake. Anderson .Paak and Knxwledge finally reunited for a new NxWorries album, Boldy James once again partnered with Nicholas Craven, and ASAP Rocky even reached outside of the genre to tap the elusive folk singer, Jessica Pratt, for his Don’t Be Dumb lead single. Altogether, the following hip-hop collaborations have helped lead 2024 to be one of the strongest stretches for hip-hop in recent memory.
Future, Metro Boomin, Kendrick Lamar – “Like That”
Arguably the most important song on this list for defining this year in hip-hop came from Future, Metro Boomin, and especially Kendrick Lamar. “Like That” launched one of the biggest feuds in the history of the genre, serving as an impetus for countless diss tracks including what may well be the song of the year. Lamar’s fiery verse alone was so headline-grabbing, you might forget Metro Boomin and Future put together an amazing song around it. In what has amounted to a busy year for Future, he gave one of his best choruses when it mattered most.
“#RICHAXXHAITIAN” is a show of force for Mach-Hommy. Teaming up with Kaytranada’s quick-hitting, colorful production for a second time following 2021’s “$payforhaiti,” the underground rapper showcases his hypnotic flows in his most accessible way yet while staying true to his unparalleled lyrical and thematic depth. 03 Greedo chimes in to make singing along to the hook irresistible.
MIKE has become a staple on year-end lists this decade and 2024 is no different. Teaming up with fellow Brooklyn producer Tony Seltzer, MIKE’s latest project, Pinball, feels like a short and sweet victory lap following the biggest album of his career, Burning Desire. Across just 21 minutes, MIKE bounces over Seltzer’s vibrant, shifting beats for some of his most confidently energetic music yet.
El Cousteau included only one feature on his new album, Merci, Non Merci, but it alone was strong enough to position him among the best of the year. For “Words2LiveBy,” he teamed up with the elusive Earl Sweatshirt to drop a career-best single. Earl’s contribution has been getting ample attention on social media and rightfully so. With politically charged bars like “Free Gaza, we on the corner like Israelites,” mixed with emotional proclamations such as, “I’m not okay, but I’m gon’ be all right,” he takes the song’s title to heart. Cousteau’s verse is nothing to slouch at either with its raspily delivered bars about dodging task forces and smoking more than Bob Marley.
Boldy James & Nicholas Craven – “Penalty of Leadership”
Penalty of Leadership arrived at the start of 2024, a year after Boldy James’ near-fatal car accident that left him with broken vertebrae. The incident is everpresent across the project, whether it be a simple glance at the artwork or recognized through the languished vocals Boldy uses to deliver blunt bars about the incident on tracks like “Brand New Chanel Kicks.” Together with Nicholas Craven’s penchant for finding the perfect sample, Boldy easily dropped one of the best collaborative projects of the year.
Finally following up on their iconic 2016 collaboration, Yes Lawd!, Anderson .Paak and Knxwledge proved why they’ve been able to retain excitement for a sophomore album for nearly a decade with the release of Why Lawd? Over the last eight years, .Paak has honed his craft with the release of several critically acclaimed albums, including the massively successful An Evening With Silk Sonic with Bruno Mars, and the maturity shines through in 2024. The new effort features some of .Paak’s most emotionally candid and vulnerable music yet, while Knxwledge provides a beautifully strung web of production for him to bare his soul across.
This year may have been a bit quieter for Sampha than 2023, but it’s telling that he decided to work with Little Simz for the first single from the deluxe edition of his album, Lahai. “She’s one of my favourite artists,” Sampha said of Simz in a press release caught by Rolling Stone. “Her confidence and creative bravery are so refreshing, it’s amazing to see someone giving so much to their art.” Reworking the original version of “Satellite Business,” Simz joins in to give the track a bolstered level of passion through her existential verse, elevating it to one of the best collaborations of the year.
It’s been a career year for Doechii, who dropped her critically acclaimed third mixtape, Alligator Bites Never Heal, while also lending her talents to songs from high-profile artists such as Tyler, The Creator and Ab-Soul. The effort resulted in several Grammy nominations, including Best New Artist. But before all that, she previewed the year that was to come with her single, “Alter Ego,” with JT. Prophetically, the track kicks open with her emphatic bars announcing the arrival of “Doechii season.”
While 2024 has come and gone without the long-awaited release of ASAP Rocky’s fourth studio album, Don’t Be Dumb, he has held fans over with some of his best music in years. On “HIGHJACK,” he brags over beautiful backing vocals about his influence in both hip-hop and fashion while noting his marriage to Rihanna. He even seemingly throws a quick jab Drake’s way by referencing the aforementioned, “Like That.” And this is all before Jessica Pratt, who has been having a huge year of her own, fades in to close out the track with some of the best vocals on a hip-hop song this year.
It’s not too often we get to see two hip-hop legends with as much experience as Common and Pete Rock collaborate for an entire album like The Auditorium Vol. 1. On the new project, they work in tandem to recapture the glory days of hip-hop as they see it, with dense lyricism and crisp production. It’s no surprise Common labeled the project the best in his storied discography during an interview ahead of its release.
KA$HDAMI has a great ear for production. He sounds contemporary, yet harkens back to the airier, cloud rap instrumentals that dominated the early 2010s. He’s managed to put a modern sheen on the style, as evidenced by his catchy new single “SEANCE.” KA$HDAMI rides a start-and-stop instrumental that gives him space to find different flow pockets and drop slick bars around his cash flow. It’s catnip for fans of the rapper, but those unfamiliar with KA$HDAMI will still be able to connect with the stellar chorus.
KA$HDAMI applies the meaning of “SEANCE,” which alludes to communicating with the dead, to his money. “Talk to the money, talk dead, like a seance,” he spits. “T-Talk to the money, talk dead, like a seance.” It’s the sort of earworm that you’ll find yourself rapping along to by the time you’re done with the first listen. The glittering synths on the chorus really put the song over the top. But it’s the outro that proves to be the song’s secret weapon. “SEANCE” slows things down, and takes on an even cloudier vibe during the last 15 seconds. KA$HDAMI has a new album around the corner, and if this single is any indication of what’s in store, then we’re in for a treat.
Let us know what you think of this brand-new track, in the comments section down below. Additionally, stay tuned to HNHH for the latest news and updates from around the music world. We will continue to keep you informed on all of your favorite artists and their upcoming projects.
Rage has really come to define a large chunk of hip hop. The subgenre is built on frenetic beats and unhinged vocals from the likes of Playboi Carti, Yeat, and others. Dro Kenji fits neatly under the rage bill. He possesses the intensity to pull the style off, and his ability to weave in and out of instrumentals that would utterly baffle other rappers is undeniable. “Amsterdam” is the latest Dro Kenji offering, and it proves to be one of his most hypnotic releases to date.
Dro Kenji’s delivery trounces his lyrics. His vocals demand attention from the moment he gets on the track. That said, the rapper has a knack for finding extremely catchy pockets. “She pulled up with two big BBLs, I’m like, Damn, I want that,’” he raps. “I woke up with diamonds in my ears, yeah, I Alex Moss’d ’em. She get freaky often, had me fantasizin’ ’bout it, but I’m capital P.” The way Dro Kenji delivers these bars makes the difference between a passable one and an extremely catchy one. Like we said, though, the production plays a crucial role in making “Amsterdam” success. The synth line that repeats during Dro Kenji’s verses is a masterstroke of simplicity. It’s impossible to listen to this instrumental and not want to bob your head.
Let us know what you think of this brand-new track, in the comments section down below. Additionally, stay tuned to HNHH for the latest news and updates from around the music world. We will continue to keep you informed on all of your favorite artists and their upcoming projects.
Dro Kenji Showcases His Vocal Chops On Latest Single
Quotable Lyrics:
It’s like 4 a.m. in Amsterdam, we finally found the weed She like fifteen n**gas deep right now, she finally choosin’ me I’m like one, two, three, four M’s, I know this bitch won’t bring me peace
The Lil Wayne and Kendrick Lamar conflict has been a fascinating addendum to the Drake and Lamar battle. Lamar has made it clear that he does not respect the 6 God in any regard. Lil Wayne, on the other hand, is someone he grew up listening to. He even rapped about the irony of letting Weezy down on the first song of his new album, GNX. Fans have gone back and forth as to whether the reference was meant to be a diss towards Wayne or a tacit acknowledgment of the fact that he will be playing the Super Bowl Halftime Show in Lil Wayne’s hometown. Well, Weezy has finally given his two cents on the matter.
Lil Wayne went on The Skip Bayless Show to explain what transpired between him and Kendrick Lamar. He absolved the Compton rapper of any fault in the upcoming Super Bowl Halftime Show. He did not feel slighted by the fact that Dot referenced him by name on “wacced out murals.” “Used to bump Tha Carter III, I held my Rollie chain proud,” Lamar spits. “Irony, I think my hard work let Lil Wayne down.” Lil Wayne clarified that he had not actually heard the song prior to the Bayless interview. Upon having the lyrics read to him, however, he took it as a sign of mutual respect.
“He’s a fan like I’m a fan,” the rapper stated. “He saw like everybody else, he saw how much it meant to me. I think that’s all he mean.” Lil Wayne went to say that he understood what Lamar meant, especially with regard to his hard work. “I understand those words,” Weezy assured the host. “He made it there… His hard work is the reason he made it there.” Wayne’s good faith read of the song makes a lot of sense given that Kendrick Lamar dubbed him the “greatest” in a 2022 interview with The Coveteur.
The Compton rapper, who worked with Wayne on 2018’s “Mona Lisa,” told the outlet that Weezy’s impact on hip hop culture is immeasurable. “We was just huge, still to this day, huge Lil Wayne fans,” he explained. “Lil Wayne is the greatest. Not only because of his music but also because of the culture he put behind it. It was a big part of what he was talking about, so we always hold Wayne in high regards.” Wayne responded to the interview by calling Lamar a “real one” on Twitter.
‘WHAM’ — January 3rd, 2025
