song

We will soon receive a new album from Kehlani, and the singer is kicking off her rollout season with a new single. This week, the Bay Area songbird shared that Blue Water Road would arrive this winter, and earlier today, Kehlani delivered “Altar,” a new single that arrived with an accompanying music video. The visual moves like an ethereal period piece and shows Kehlani enjoying the fruits of nature and what looks to be a woman portraying her spiritual support, much like a loved one that was lost or an ancestor.

Kehlani tweeted about the response she’s received about the song: “I’ve had an overwhelmingly emotional day. SO many people have reached out to me to say what the song has done for them and it’s been unreal. the words i’ve received today i will never take for granted. i’m doing what i’m supposed to be doing. I owe it all to spirit.”

Stream “Altar” and let us know what you think.

Quotable Lyrics

Holdin’ on to anything from you
That you’ve been leaving here
Now I believe I swear
I can smell your perfume
Picking up your signal like a phonebooth
Keeping you alive and I do it ’cause I want to

Not long after her longtime friend and collaborator Fat Joe went toe-to-toe with Ja Rule in a Veruz battle, Remy Ma came through to deliver her brand new single “GodMother.” Off the bat, it’s clear that Remy is bringing nothing but aggressive energy to this one, taking to the drill-inspired production with a vengeance. 

“I’m a demon in a Demon,” she snarls. “Blew 60k at Neiman’s, took the bulletproof vest off my chest cause I’m still breastfeedin’ / got a forty-inch weave in / leave a muthafucka bleedin’ / cause it’s hot out this bitch, that’s a good enough reason.” Note the sly homage to 50 Cent’s “Heat” — exactly the sort of banger you’d expect Remy to keep on rotation. Be sure to check out “GodMother” now, especially if you’re looking for some hard-hitting new music from the Terror Squad veteran. 

Quotable Lyrics

I’m a demon in a Demon
Blew 60k at Neiman’s,
Took the bulletproof vest off my chest cause I’m still breastfeedin’
Got a forty-inch weave in
Leave a muthafucka bleedin’
Cause it’s hot out this bitch, that’s a good enough reason

Mariana Velletto might not be a name that you’re familiar with right now, but it’s time to check her out because she’s got the potential to become the next big superstar in the R&B world.

The 21-year-old New York-born singer has seen some success over the last few years with her songs “For Me” and “Hold Him Down,” but she’s set for an elevated path following the release of her latest single “Crazy.” The track came out a few weeks ago, but the new music video came out on Wednesday, and it’s showing fans why Mariana Velletto is the truth.

Bringing her “bad bitch” energy to the screen, Mariana quickly convinces the audience of her “Crazy” side, which can be prompted by cheating, or simply by doing her dirty. “I’m better than your average, average girl/You’re fucking with a bad bitch, savage now,” she sings in the hook.

Recently, Mariana has been making big moves in the music business, linking up with Bobby Shmurda in the studio and teasing something special coming soon. As we wait to hear more, check out the “Crazy” music video below.

Quotable Lyrics:

Type to keep it gangsta, I can’t crash out, crash out
I be lowkey, steady coolin’
But you don’t wanna see me go stupid
You don’t wanna make me lose it
So I’m about to show you what the truth is

Anytime Drake drops an album, or even a song, it’s bound to pick up steam one way or another. The rapper’s ear for beats, specifically, has spurred plenty of freestyles, whether it’s a song like “0 to 100” or “Started From The Bottom.” Certified Lover Boy presented plenty of opportunities for MCs to show-and-prove over Drake’s choice of production. So far, it seems as if the intro track “Champagne Poetry” is earning quite some attraction from elite MCs who are putting their own spin on the record.

This week, IDK slid through with his own rendition of “Champagne Poetry.” Before getting into the bars, he does flex his vocal chops over the smooth Masego sample. The impressive display of lyrical exercise was apparently entirely off the top of the dome as IDK stated in the comment section of the song’s YouTube page.

Check out the freestyle below.

Quotable Lyrics
I should be modest
Maybe being top 10 was not it
The thought of even trying make me vomit
Mom’s spaghetti but I’m armed and ready
Ran out of bullets, machete

Though Kid Cudi isn’t always associated with his lyricism, his debut album Man On The Moon — which officially turns twelve today — featured some truly impressive penmanship. Nowhere is that more evident than on “Soundtrack 2 My Life,” an autobiographical reflection on his past and present delivered with impeccable attention to detail. 

It’s especially interesting given the knowledge of Cudi’s story we have since gained in hindsight and examining this track (which previously made it to the final two in HNHH’s official Kid Cudi song bracket) as the first chapter of a long and winding road gives it al the more significance. Even those who drifted away from Cudi during the more experimental years will likely find solace in the honest simplicity of this Man On The Moon highlight, as enjoyable today as it was when it first dropped in 2009.

Happy anniversary to an album that many fans can confidently call a classic.

Quotable Lyrics

I’m super paranoid, like a sixth sense
Since my father died, I ain’t been right since
And I tried to piece the puzzle of the universe
Split an eighth of shrooms just so I could see the universe
I try and think about myself as a sacrifice
Just to show the kids they ain’t the only ones who up at night
The moon will illuminate my room
And soon I’m consumed by my doom

The Los Angeles rap duo BlueBucksClan, consisting of DJ and Jeeezy, is closing off their summer on a high note. The two kicked off the month headlining two sold-out shows, and are set to join Bino Rideaux on his upcoming On My Soul tour in Dallas on Oct. 10. The two friends, who met in high school on the football field, entered the scene together in 2019, and have since made waves. Their latest project, Clan Virus 2, has gathered over 35 million streams and hit No. 9 on Billboard‘s Heatseekers Albums Chart. 

On their latest single, “Come Again,” the duo trade bold and blunt bars over heavy bass bumps. Check it out below, and peep their tour dates to see if you can catch them live.

TOUR DATES

10/7     Dallas, TX                         Trees

10/9     Houston, TX                    Studio @ Warehouse

10/12   Portland, OR                   Hawthorne Theater

10/14   Seattle, WA                     Neumos

10/15   Vancouver, BC                Fortune Nightclub

10/17   Fresno, CA                       Strummers

10/19   Santa Cruz, CA                Atrium

10/20   Sacramento, CA              Harlow

10/23   Tempe, AZ                       Aura

11/1     Boston, MA                     Brighton Music Hall

11/2     New York, NY                  SOB’s

11/3     Washington, DC             Union Stage

11/5     Atlanta, GA                      Masquerade

12/18   Los Angeles, CA              Once Upon A Time In LA Festival

Quotable Lyrics

A lotta bad bitches beggin’ me to leave it in
Last time she was loudmouthin’, she can’t come again
I don’t understand yo broke language
N*gga come again

Lakeyah recently announced her third project, a DJ Drama-hosted mixtape that’s set to release on September 24. This follows the release of her debut album Time’s Up and subsequent mixtape In Due Time. The Milwaukee rapper has clearly been busy — her last project is only five months old. A new face in the rap scene, Lakeyah was included on XXL‘s 2021 Freshmen Class, a list of up and coming rappers that has famously featured artists like Kendrick Lamar, Travis Scott, Chance the Rapper, and Megan Thee Stallion in the past. 

Ahead of the release of her very Gangsta Grillz mixtape, Lakeyah dropped her latest “550 Degrees Keymix,” a remix to Louisville rapper EST Gee’s “5500 Degrees.” Following her rapid ascent to fame after going viral with her first freestyle over the song “We Paid” by 42 Dugg and Lil Baby, the rapper hopes to ride this momentum for her upcoming mixtape.

Check the song out below, and let us know what you think of Lakeyah. Is she next up from Quality Control?

Quotable Lyrics

Pull up with the stars
My new zodiac the dollar sign
Can’t be f*cked with
I’m ’bout to drop it
I’mma give these hoes a reason to hate me

Nine years ago, Kanye West assembled his G.O.O.D Music Avengers for Cruel Summer, a compilation filled with stacked collaborations across the board. With the project having recently celebrated another year of existence, it feels appropriate to highlight one of the definitive tracks, which also happens to be a relatively straightforward banger — “Clique,” featuring Big Sean, JAY-Z, and Kanye West.

Given the talent of lyricists on deck, you already know that “Clique” will shine in the bars department. And while Sean and HOV certainly hold it down, it’s Kanye West who absolutely snaps in the final verse. His signature wit and slick flow are on full display, and though it might sound shocking to some, he’s actually refreshingly self-aware on this one. “He wasn’t really drunk, he just had a frew brews,” he raps, setting up an effortless scheme. “Pass the refreshments, a cool, cool beverage / Everything I do need a news crew’s presence.”

Though it might lack the poignancy to truly resonate as one of Kanye’s finest verses, his work on “Clique” highlights his many strengths as an emcee. Nine years removed from Cruel Summer, how do you feel the compilation album has aged?

Quotable Lyrics

Blame it on the pigment, we livin’ no limits
Them gold Master P ceilings was just a figment
Of our imagination, MTV cribs
Now I’m lookin’ at a crib right next to where TC lives
That’s Tom Cruise, whatever she accuse
He wasn’t really drunk, he just had a frew brews
Pass the refreshments, a cool, cool beverage
Everything I do need a news crew’s presence

Riding the momentum of an impressive interlude on Drake’s Certified Lover Boy, Tems has come through to deliver her new EP If Orange Was A Place. Though short enough to be enjoyed in one cohesive sitting, “Replay” feels like an early standout, an uptempo melodic vibe that highlights her confident vocal presence and playful, intimate lyricism.

“Even on days, when they tried to arrest me, but if you live a lie, there’s no way you could get me,” she sings, her vocals blending beautifully with the lush production — even more so when she slides effortlessly into a lovely falsetto. “Pissed em off, they locked up in a celly / Then shock dem when they see me on the telly.” It’s certainly worth checking out, and if you like what you’re hearing, be sure to show Tems some love by checking out her brand new EP right here.

Quotable Lyrics

Even on days, when they tried to arrest me,
But if you live a lie, there’s no way you could get me
Pissed em off, they locked up in a celly 
Then shock dem when they see me on the telly

Kitty Ca$h, Love Renaissance producer and DJ, has come through with her debut single “Just Fine,” enlisting the talents of Kiana Ledé on vocals. With lyrics in both English and Spanish, the bilingual approach was a big selling point for Ledé, who opened up about the collaboration in an official press release.

“When I first heard this song, I was so excited Kitty Ca$h asked me to be on it because it would be my first time singing in Spanish,” explains Ledé. “I’m Mexican but was never taught Spanish, so I love that Kitty Ca$h gave me a chance to connect more with my culture on this song.” On a production tip, Ca$h showcases a deft talent for creating a vibe, aiming to deliver one that could resonate on several levels. “I hope this song evokes an effortless vibe of freedom and moves you to feel good,” she explains. “Whether you’re home with the fam or out with the girls I wanted to make a record that you could make memories of and dance to!”

Check out “Just Fine” now, and sound off if you’re eager to hear more new music from Love Renaissance’s multitalented Kitty Ca$h.

Quotable Lyrics

Young and we clueless, the world according to them
But if we stay true to it, we’ll be fine
You’re coming closer, reading your mind again
Follow me, follow, let’s go