song

Meek Mill is about to deliver his brand new album Expensive Pain on October 1st — this Friday. Therefore, it feels appropriate to highlight one of Meek’s many mixtape classics, given that his Dreamchasers 3 project has officially turned the corner on its eighth year of existence. Though there are certainly many gems worth revisiting on the third chapter of his beloved series, it’s hard to resist the stacked posse cut that is “Money Ain’t No Issue,” featuring Fabolous and Future.

Especially interesting given that his upcoming album is titled Expensive Pain, the ode to frivolous balling benefitted from an interesting blend of three stylistically different artists. Holding them together is a creepy harpsichord-driven banger, and Meek, Future, and Fab play their part in holding it down for the cause. While a standout verse will likely come down to personal preference, it’s hard not to appreciate Fab’s slick blend of clever punchlines and charismatic delivery, given a contemporary touch through the subtlest autotune.  

Happy anniversary to Meek Mill’s Dreamchasers 3, and sound off if you appreciate the Philly rapper’s artistic evolution. 

Quotable Lyrics

I done fucked around and got used to money
Fuck game I just use the money
All the suckers get is middle fingers
And the bum bitches get deuces from me
So if you getting money, I salute you I’m saluting
And if you getting mad I rebuke you, final solution

It’s been well over a year since Rick Ross announced his album, Richer Than I’ve Ever Been but there’s yet to be an actual release date announced. He continuously says it’s coming soon, though at this point, that even feels like an empty promise. Fortunately, we’re not left entirely without new music from Ross. He’s shared a few guest verses in recent times, including a brand new collaboration with Anthony Hamilton. The R&B singer tapped the boss for his latest project, Love Is The New Black on the highlight, “Real Love.” With 9th Wonder on the production, Hamilton’s silky voice meets Ross’ opulent baritone delivery as they detail their own versions of what real love is.

Check out the record below and sound off in the comments.

Quotable Lyrics
She rockin’ cornrows and I’m so amazed
Cartier bracelets for every court case
She lookin’ like a movie, yeah Scorcese
Tryna build a mansion out in Lil Haiti

Throughout the ups and downs of his career, ILoveMakonnen has never allowed negativity to seep into his creative process. Though singles like the breakout hit “Tuesday” propelled him towards the pop charts, he’s pushed the boundaries of pop and trap music at a time when electronic music was beginning to influence every other genre of music. His latest single, “On The Edge,” leans far more towards his pop side with 80s electro influence bleeding through the production. 

His latest single arrives ahead of the release of his forthcoming project, DMW007 which has yet to secure a release date. However, it looks like we’ll likely get a few more singles before the body of work finally drops.

Check out the latest from Makonnen below and sound off with your thoughts in the comments.

Quotable Lyrics
Live my nights
By no rules
I got dimes
And the juice

Atlanta native Slimelife Shawty has been one of the most consistent rising rappers for years, so it’s only a matter of time before he rightfully blows up. With the release of his new single “Where’s The Love,” it feels like he’s inching that much closer to superstardom.

The 21-year-old rapper is close with Lil Durk, Young Thug, and more of hip-hop’s biggest names. This year, he’s been experiencing one of his best campaigns to date with “Clappers,” for which the remix with 42 Dugg hit over 15 million streams. With a new project on the way, we’re highlighting Slimelife’s new single “Where’s The Love,” which came out on Wednesday.

The new song sees the young rap star rhyming over a symphony of pianos and violins, singing about themes of paranoia, loss, and more. This song will appear on Slimelife’s upcoming project Better Livin, which is out next month via Alamo.

Check out the new record below and let us know what you think.

Quotable Lyrics:

Fuck the other side, put ’em on TVs about my dawg
Soldiery and bloody tees, Glock with beams ’bout my dawg
Cause a scene ’bout my dawg
Clear the scene ’bout my dawg
He fuck with them, can’t fuck with me, no, he is not my dawg
Where the love at?

In updating her 2020 album Sin Miedo (del Amor y Otros Demonios) last week, giving us a new version of the project, singer and songwriter Kali Uchis opened a ton of doors for new music, as well as further exploration into her own records and sounds she had already used. 

Today, Uchis blessed us with a brand-new version of her track “fue mejor” (formerly featuring PartyNextDoor) and enlisted TDE songstress SZA to hop on the remix with her. 

Seamlessly bouncing between Spanish and English, Uchis sets the scene with steamy vocals and lyrics that flow perfectly together and follow the ups and downs of getting a former lover. SZA slides through, molding her powerful yet elegant vocals into Spanish sentences that convey the exact headspace she is in following a breakup. 

Both Uchis and SZA do a phenomenal job using their voices to create an almost angelic environment but potent lyrics cut through the beauty to let whoever is on the receiving end of these messages know that it’s really over. 

Quotable Lyrics
Take a little sip, take a little puff
Don’t want to think, don’t want to talk, no
Is it enough, is it too much, oh
I’m not dead, so I’m not done

Check out the updated version of “fue mejor” featuring SZA below and let us know what you think in the comments.

LVRN has come through to deliver the debut single from their new signee Eli Derby, a young talent who seems to fit in quite nicely with the label’s established roster. Today marks the arrival of “Gaslight,” a melodic offering that showcases Derby’s vocal chops and vulnerability — if that wasn’t enough to convince newcomers, the accompanying video also features some impressive choreography, sure to spark intrigue about his potential star power.

“I don’t want to know what you’re doing, who you’re talking to,” he sings, reflecting on a love torn asunder. “Where you’re making moves, not going through your phone / cause if I did, would be bad news / I won’t forgive myself.” While the song certainly paints a picture on its own, Derby’s tale of heartbreak truly comes alive when watched with the official visuals — check that out for yourself right now, and sound off if you’re enjoying Love Renaissance’s new addition.

Quotable Lyrics

I don’t want to know what you’re doing, who you’re talking to
Where you’re making moves, not going through your phone 
Cause if I did, would be bad news 
I won’t forgive myself

FaZe Clan has been leading the world of e-sports as one of the most prominent groups. Offset serves as an investor behind the team but the ties to the music industry is deeper than the celebrity financial backing. This week, FaZe Clan debuted their first in-house music artist’s single, “Made A Way” alongside two of the biggest names in rap.

Lil Durk and Future join FaZe Kaysan for his debut single, “Made A Way.” Kaysan, who serves as a DJ, producer, and artist, linked up with Wondagurl to produce the moody, trap record.

“It was a lot of fun connecting with Kaysan on this project,” said Wondagurl of the collab. “He has a great vibe and is super enthusiastic, two things that are really important to me when I’m working with new artists. Kaysan has a vision for himself and is driven to succeed and make his mark.”

 Peep the record below.

Quotable Lyrics
I dun made it out the mud, I’m with my gang, I don’t recoup
Y’aint never gon’ see my clubbin’, I bring the hoes to the stu
Y’ain’t never see me shop but I bring the stores to the stu
When you see me with my Glock, I’m like Cole Bennett when I shoot

Yung Mal has come through with a brand new single “One Night,” and from the moment the track kicks in, it’s clear he’s looking to make a statement. Fueled by an anthemic and defiant instrumental, the Atlanta-based rapper holds it down with a steady flow, reflecting on the road he’s taken throughout his life and career. 

“I’m the definition of a real young boss, put on a beat and I walk,” he raps, his gravelly cadence blending nicely with the piano. “Foreign cars ain’t no more walkin, play with me I leave him in white chalk / got more birds than Atlanta Hawk.” For the most part, “One Night” plays out like a freestyle, setting the stage for a bigger reveal to come. Perhaps Mal is simply warming up for his next endeavor, and based on this latest drop, he’s got a few things to get off his chest.

Check out “One Night” now.

Quotable Lyrics

I’m the definition of a real young boss, put on a beat and I walk
Foreign cars ain’t no more walkin,
play with me I leave him in white chalk 
Got more birds than Atlanta Hawk

Roy Woods has officially come through with an interesting new take on Juvenile’s classic “Back That Azz Up.” Now, Woods has decided to expand on the foundation with “Gyalis,” a SoundCloud loosie that highlights his melodic chops.

Given the subject matter of the two aforementioned tracks, it’s not entirely surprising that Woods opts for a more intimate approach on this one. “Lots of freaky things on your brain girl, and I feel the same, I been thinking these things,” he sings. “So just keep that vision, won’t you keep that energy, keep that energy when you come see me.” Overall, it’s an enjoyable new drop from Roy Woods, and it will be interesting to see how he comes through on his next body of work. 

Quotable Lyrics

Lots of freaky things on your brain girl,
And I feel the same, I been thinking these things,
So just keep that vision, won’t you keep that energy,
Keep that energy when you come see me

A longtime veteran in the game, Grafh is gearing up to release what may be his most anticipated album yet with Stop Calling Art Content. Produced entirely by the late DJ Shay, the man who mentored the Griselda trifecta and a legend in the Buffalo rap scene and beyond, Grafh’s new body of work will be curated by none other than Benny The Butcher.

Perhaps appropriately, it’s Benny who holds it down on the album’s first single “Very Different,” a track that sets a promising tone. Over a soulful horn-driven beat from Shay, Grafh lets fly a methodical flow lined with technical complexities and hard-hitting bars. His energy is matched by The Butcher — who never fails to put in work when paired with a fellow lyricist.

Check out “Very Different” now, and be sure to keep an eye out for the complete project to land on October 15th. The full tracklist lies below.

Intro
God Bless
Very Different Feat Benny The Butcher
No Reason
Chosen
Out The Pot
Promise Feat Rick Hyde & Heem
Slums Feat CyHi The Prynce & 3D Na’Tee
From The Start Feat Bun B, Styles P & ElCamino
Bellini
Crystals
Valid Feat Sheek Louch & Ransom
God Must Love Me

Quotable Lyrics

Now it’s center stage, you proud you bout to get that raise?
I’m in the market shopping for houses, bout to get a maid
Four bricks in a month, that’s five ounces in a day
The weed strand from a farmer that I scouted in the Bay