song

Scrolling through your preferred DSP today, you may not have been looking for Syd’s new song “Right Track,” but as its namesake suggests, the lively Smino-assisted single is exactly what you should be listening to on this New Music Friday.

Arriving a couple of months after the reserved, Prince-esque single “Fast Car,” Syd’s latest single is a much more spirited affair, as the Fin artist delivers a carefree performance over ForteBowie’s romantic, Latin-inspired production. The groove is undeniable, and the track elevates even further once Smino appears to let off a scene-stealing verse.

Honestly, the only disappointing thing about Syd and Smino’s infectious new collaboration is that it is criminally short. Clocking in at well under three minutes, many listeners will be undoubtedly be looking for the replay button to experience their small dose of magic one more time. With two back-to-back impressive tracks, Syd definitely appears to be preparing fans for a dynamic, genre-fluid solo record.

Give Syd’s Smino-assisted “Right Track” a listen below, and let us know in the comments if you’re feeling her latest single.

Quotable Lyrics

Girl, you shine like a ray, you like Issa nem
This that Ricky Martin, Spanish string, you feel
We be strummin’ through the drinks, keep them glasses chill
I’m a N-E-R-D, ’bout that P, Pharrell

Quite literally, for the first half of this year, hip-hop and rock fans were wondering, “Where the fuck is Mario Judah?” The 21-year-old Atlanta-based rock-rapper made quite the introduction last year, blowing up with his viral hit record “Die Very Rough” and his remix of DaBaby’s “Rockstar.” During the holiday season, while everybody was waiting for Playboi Carti to release Whole Lotta Red, Mario Judah dropped his own four-track version of the album, and fans came to the conclusion that Judah was a versatile talent that could do whatever he wanted in the music world.

After starting off this year without much of anything dropping, the rising star has returned from his slumber with the release of “Remember Your Name.” The rock-leaning song marks the first release from the Flint native in 126 days, and his fans are excited to have him back.

Listen to his new single below and let us know what you’re thinking.

Quotable Lyrics:

You were wrong from the get-go, buddy
Now it’s time for you to die
Big dawg hammer make his head real bloody
That’s what he gets for tryna gamble his life

The Taylor Gang roster knows how to have a good time, and today marks the arrival of their new smooth banger “Oh Wow,” featuring Wiz Khalifa, Young Deji, and Feezy. As one might have come to expect given Wiz’s involvement, this one is decidedly lacking in urgency — it’s part of their charm, as Taylor Gang has never been known to cave under pressure.

While some might not be on board for Taylor Gang’s perpetual state of chill, “Oh Wow” is executed with precision, a crisp and clean drop that is decidedly straightforward on a lyrical front. All parties know exactly what they want — best summarized by women, weed, and weather, with the latter two flagged as “top priority.” Check out this new one now, especially if you’re a loyal Wiz fan, and sound off in the comments below.

Quotable Lyrics

She wants to party and me too,
She said I’m big on the YouTube
I found the spot like I’m Blues Clues

Yebba is making waves right now, if not for her interlude on Drake’s Certified Lover Boy, “Yebba’s Heartbreak,” then for her newly-released (as of today) debut album, Dawn, which her label has coyly timed with the release of Drizzy’s highly-anticipated release. Whether this was purely strategic or happily accidental is not clear, but either way, it’s definitely fortuitous timing.

That being said, where “Yebba’s Heartbreak” is a more murky and solemn piano-laden ballad, Yebba explores different sonic territory across her debut album. Dawn was preceded with singles like “Louie Bag” featuring Smino and “Boomerang,” both showing the range of her vocals and offering differing emotions. “Far Away,” on the other hand, finds Yebba connecting with everyone’s favorite non-Southern-Southern rapper, A$AP Rocky. Yebba takes her cue from Rocky, so it seems, as she begins,  “Roll up all my ones, take my chances/Hit another blunt, watch the embers burn away/Pour a double cup, I’m dirty dancin’/What am I running from when I run so.”

Apart from a lean reference, there’s also a sort of psychedelic, alt-rock influence, that seems to creep in just as A$AP Rocky starts rapping, and it only proceeds to get trippier, before the music overwhelms the production once more.

Take a listen and let us know if you’re a fan. Listen to Yebba’s debut album here.

Quotable Lyrics

I love shrooms, I might get that tattooed
Might just keep it cool, depending on my mood 
The sun is rising, depending on my moon
Tell them boys back it up ’cause I’m finna act a fool

– A$AP Rocky

Russ has been doing his thing for a very long time and he has made it abundantly clear that he does not care for the slander that has been leveled his way over the years. Over the last year, he has dropped new songs every single Friday, and recently, the songs have been more on the softer side. This time around, however, Russ decided to get back to rapping as he offered up a hard-hitting track called “Utah Freestyle” which can be found below.

As always, Russ handles his own production here as he offers up some wavy sounds that are complemented by some braggadocios bars in which Russ reminds people of why he is so successful in the industry. It’s a song that is already resonating well with his fans and moving forward, many are looking forward to hearing more of this sound.

You can stream the new song, below.

Quotable Lyrics:

Every woman’s beautiful, I’m just givin’ personal stats
A real boss, I fund it from my personal stash
I’ma touch a hundred million by thirty-five (No doubts)
And next year I’m goin’ platinum like thirty times (Uh-huh)

It’s been a busy year for Sacramento rapper Mozzy. The Oak Park representative has been sharing a few new singles in recent weeks, following up on his California-celebrating joint project with YG, which was titled Kommunity Service. One of the most respected voices from the West Coast, Mozzy’s work ethic remains unmatched. Despite having already released a lot of music this year, the 34-year-old rapper has announced his next album, titled Untreated Trauma. This week, he shared the latest single from it.

The new record is called “Straight To 4th” and it honors one of Mozzy’s late friends. Tributing his friend Skeem, “Straight To 4th” features some of the raw and unfiltered storytelling that fans have grown to love from Mozzy. Alongside a video directed by Suj, the new single captures the feeling of losing a loved one, and how hard it can be to get over that trauma. 

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Untreated Trauma is expected for a release on September 17. It will include features from EST Gee, Babyface Ray, Kalan.FrFr, and more.

Check out the new video below and stay tuned for more new music from Mozzy.

Quotable Lyrics:

Passin’ on her like a plate of pork
‘Cause bitches left when I was draped in orange
On God, they never came to court
Enduring pain ’til I can’t take no more
I told my dog we gon’ be rich, he told me say no more

With Mt. Westmore’s upcoming album on the way, it goes without saying that Too $hort and Ice Cube are no strangers to collaboration. Now, the pair of West Coast veterans have linked up for the new anthem “Raider Colors,” a posse cut celebrating the legacy of the Oakland Raiders. Joined by Ne-Yo, Rayven Justice, and DJ Nina 9, Cube and Short deliver an ode to a beloved sports franchise.

Adding to the experience is a nostalgic video clip, which highlights a few classic Raiders moments throughout history. Though sports-centric tracks tend to only go so far, there’s enough talent on board here to make “Raider Colors” enjoyable throughout. Cube makes his allegiences clear in the opening verse, positioning himself not as a rap icon, but a fan like any other. “With the fans, raid your stadium,” he craps. “Crack your cranium, I’m the crazy one.”

Check out “Raider Colors” now, and be sure to keep an eye out for any news on the upcoming Mt. Westmore project.

Quotable Lyrics

It’s a blackout, knock the lights out
I’m in the stands, pull the mic out
With the fans, raid your stadium
Crack your cranium, I’m the crazy one

Duke Deuce has one of the most recognizable ad-libs in hip-hop, and now he’s got an entire song dedicated to it. 

The Memphis menace is back with his latest single, giving the world a taste of what we can expect from his upcoming album CRUNKSTAR. The Quality Control-signed rapper is best known for his infectious energy and his revitalization of the crunk genre, carving a lane for himself as one of the most exciting rising artists in rap. 

“WTF” is the latest single to come from Duke Deuce, and it’s one that fans have been asking for for months. The scene in Memphis is incomparable right now, and Duke Deuce is breathing new energy into it. With CRUNKSTAR coming soon, get a teaser for what’s to come by listening to “WTF” below.

Learn more about Duke by reading our recent interview here.

Quotable Lyrics:

Fuck whoever don’t like this song, I crank this bitch up by my own
Crunkstars in the fuckin’ crowd, get buck, get wild, let’s go, let’s go
I might jaw a n***a just to show him I ain’t no fuckin’ ho
I told Wafi, “Heavy on the ice, my pockets on fuckin’ swole”
Building my brand from the fuckin’ ground up, you ain’t never gone see me fold
Lame ass n***a, we know y’all hatin’ on us, that’s why we feelin’ y’all hoes

AZ has returned with his new album Doe Or Die II, a sequel to his acclaimed 1995 debut. For the occasion, he lined up what can only be described as a heavyweight assault on “The Ritual,” which brings both Conway The Machine and Lil Wayne (who has been on an absolute tear of late) into the mix. And if that wasn’t enough to entice the hip-hop heads — it’s produced by The Alchemist.

Unsurprisingly, Alc keeps things to a minimum behind the boards, giving the three emcees ample space to put in work. Given the lyrical pedigree involved, “The Ritual” features an unspoken competitive edge, though it must be noted that Wayne’s inclusion will always raise the stakes of a scrimmage. Luckily, AZ and Conway are more than capable of dominating the court, and together the trifecta conduct a “Ritual” that should please any true fan of the golden era. 

Check this one out now, and sound off with your thoughts in the comments below.

Quotable Lyrics

Got the Draco on, the gat’ with the longtail in the back
I might break my arm pattin’ my own self on the back
Break the bank like I break the backboard, they call me Shaq
The Feds tried to book me, found out that book was an Almanac
Call me back tomorrow, baby I’m busy, the work continues

You know Lupe Fiasco is sitting on a strong album, as he has yet to release his recently-recorded ten-track project. In fact, Lupe previously likened his untitled body of work to Nas’ Illmatic, a promising sign of what’s to come. For now, Lu has opted to keep his fans satisfied with another freestyle, this time drawing inspiration from Drake’s recent Certified Lover Boy album.

“Just left album mode with me and my n**ga Trakk / and Drake dropped this shit, got me thinking about going back,” he spits, over the bouncy Masego / Beatles sample. He also makes sure to highlight the work of Kanye West, who previously stood as one of Lupe’s trusted collaborators — anyone remember the short-lived run of Child Rebel Soldiers? “I listened to Donda, I also listened to Kanye’s mama in real life,” raps Lupe. “That means I’m real twice.”

Check out “Diet Soda Poetry” now, and sound off if you’re excited for Lupe’s upcoming album, which has yet to receive a scheduled release date. 

Quotable Lyrics

Mind my behavior
I park the cars for the valets, set the table for the waiters
Totally self-sufficient with a whole lotta favors
Blue note table watching jazz on a xylophone
Forty dog need a chain from a microphone
Chill as gusto,
This that 99′ headed to the studio with the nine in my backpack on the bus flow