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Following the release of “You Are” with Corinne Bailey Rae and Umi, decorated DJ producer and Smoko Ono returns with his second single of the summer, titled “Winners.” Like “You Are,” Smoko Ono’s latest track also comes packaged in some vibrant cover art courtesy of Chicago artist and Savemoney affiliate Nikko Washington.

Although it arrives right at the cusp of autumn, “Winners” is an afrobeat-inspired bop that’s bolstered by an infectious hook from British rapper and singer Yxng Bane. Smoko Ono also taps Joey Purp and Chance The Rapper, two of his frequent Chicago-based collaborators, for the upbeat record, and both artists sound completely at home over his bright production.

Give Smoko Ono’s tacked new single a listen below, and let us know in the comments who you think had the best verse on “Winners.”

Quotable Lyrics

Man I swear this shit is cutthroat, even though I give no fucks though (Ah)
They claimed the money changed me they didn’t even like me when I was broke
Say I’m sleeping on ’em they didn’t even like me when I was woke
Say I’m falling off but you ain’t like me when I was dope

Phase Four of the Marvel Cinematic Universe continues this weekend with the release of Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, and just as the movie — which stars Simu Liu, Awkwafina, Tony Leung Chiu-wai, and Tim Roth — hits theatres, its accompanying soundtrack hits streaming services as well.

In addition to the previously heard single “In The Dark” with Jhené Aiko and Swae Lee, one of the early highlights from Shang-Chi & The Legend of the Ten Rings: The Album is a romantic new solo track from Anderson .Paak.

Throughout 2021, the music industry has waited with bated breath for Anderson .Paak and Bruno Mars’ highly anticipated joint Silk Sonic album, and now that the group has confirmed that their collab project won’t be dropping until 2022, fans can at least enjoy this new sentimental track from the Oxnard artist. 

Check out Anderson .Paak’s “Fire In The Sky” below, and listen to the rest of Shang-Chi & The Legend of the Ten Rings: The Album here.

Quotable Lyrics

We was movin’ kinda fast, but the feelin’ was right
We should cruise out to Nevada, get married tonight
Life is simple, ‘long as you in my life
Watchin’ fireworks in the sky

Phase Four of the Marvel Cinematic Universe continues this weekend with the release of Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, and just as the movie — which stars Simu Liu, Awkwafina, Tony Leung Chiu-wai, and Tim Roth — hits theatres, its accompanying soundtrack hits streaming services as well.

In addition to the previously heard single “In The Dark” with Jhené Aiko and Swae Lee, one of the early highlights from Shang-Chi & The Legend of the Ten Rings: The Album is a romantic new solo track from Anderson .Paak.

Throughout 2021, the music industry has waited with bated breath for Anderson .Paak and Bruno Mars’ highly anticipated joint Silk Sonic album, and now that the group has confirmed that their collab project won’t be dropping until 2022, fans can at least enjoy this new sentimental track from the Oxnard artist. 

Check out Anderson .Paak’s “Fire In The Sky” below, and listen to the rest of Shang-Chi & The Legend of the Ten Rings: The Album here.

Quotable Lyrics

We was movin’ kinda fast, but the feelin’ was right
We should cruise out to Nevada, get married tonight
Life is simple, ‘long as you in my life
Watchin’ fireworks in the sky

Memphis rapper BIG30 recently delivered his new album King Of Killbranch, a project that features guest appearances from Future, Offset, Lil Durk, Moneybagg Yo, Pooh Shiesty, and more. Now, we’re highlighting another highlight from the drop, this one being the penultimate track “Fuck The Opps 4L,”  arriving complete with a verse from Offset. 

Over an up-tempo piano-driven beat, Offset and BIG30 hold it down while trading verses; though their respective styles are notably different, it helps make for dynamic chemistry. Where the former is quicker, prone to triplet flows and aquatic delivery, the latter opts to take his time and let his words resonate. It’s certainly worth checking out if you’re a fan of either rapper, and should you enjoy this one, there’s much more where that came from on King Of Killbranch. 

Quotable Lyrics

These n***as bitches for real
He gettin’ fifty for kills
M’s in the back give me chills
We got ARs inside the Lears
Used to bust down a lick now I bust down my wrist, n***as really wan’ live how I live
Keep the fire when you live in that field, you can see in his eyes he’ll kill

With Ralo currently incarcerated on marijuana charges, artists like Drake and Meek Mill continue to rally in the name of his freedom. Now, Ralo has come through to deliver some new music, teaming up with T.I, 2 Chainz, and London On Da Track to deliver “Fall Apart.” The track arrives as part of his upcoming album Political Prisoner, which is set to land in full on September 10th.

All three parties sound slick over London’s luxurious production, with Ralo settings things off with a tone-setting verse. 2 Chainz and T.I. pick up where he leaves off, with both Atlanta veterans holding it down ahead of their upcoming albums. It’s a collaboration that should please fans of all three rappers, and a promising sign of what’s to come when Ralo’s Political Prison project touches down next week. 

Quotable Lyrics

My, connect let me eat, let me show my respect 
Cards stacked against me, I’m cuttin’ the deck 
She from the Dec’, got a fine silhouette

The late Phife Dawg lives on through his music, and today marks the release of “French Kiss Trois,” an update to part “Deux” that brings the legendary Redman into the mix. It’s not the first time Reggie Noble has hopped onto a posthumous Phife Dawg release, having previously held it down with some bars on “Nutshell Pt. 2” with Busta Rhymes.

Here, Redman is charged with closing out the classy jam, a tribute to all the French ladies from both Montreal and France. For the occasion, he opts to get a little bit serious about the love of his life– though not without sprinkling in his signature sense of humor throughout. “I’m so in love with ya,” he raps. “The type of woman that will fart in the tub with ya.” Clearly, Red is a man that knows what he wants, and you have no choice but to respect that. 

Rest in peace to Phife Dawg — check out “French Kiss Trois” right here.

Quotable Lyrics

I’m so in love with ya
The type of woman that will fart in the tub with ya
She not on IG, Facebook, or Twitter
You try to hit her, she’ll right hook a n***a

Is there anything Idris Elba can’t do? Not only is he an acclaimed actor in both film and television, but he’s held it down as a DJ behind the turntables, stepped into the ring for his kickboxing debut, and — most recently — rocked the mic to unleash some “Daily Duppy” bars. And damned if he doesn’t sound like a complete natural, letting off flexes that would make your favorite rapper nod in admiration.

Taking flicks with girlfriends, sisters, aunties, and mothers — check. Forty-eight and still capable of beating up the average dad — check. DJ setlists with Calvin Harris and David Guetta — check. Freestyles with Chip, Storm, and Dave Santan — check. DC and Marvel — check. Margot Robbie on speed-dial — check. The first Black James Bond — not quite part of the plan, but still, there’s plenty more where that came from. 

Check out Idris Elba’s brand new “Daily Duppy” freestyle, and sound off if you think he’s a natural in the booth.

Quotable Lyrics

Talent is a blessing and that’s my religion
Forty-eight years old, and I can beat up your dad
Old enough to know better, jet setter, go-getter
I.E, O.B.E, three letters
Bout to do a set with Calvin and Guetta, cause I can
Take the piss cause I can, quote a bar ’cause I can
Black face Rolie, got more than one
Might do a freestyle with Chip, Storm, and Santan

Drake’s Certified Lover Boy is here, and while it might not be the “straight-up rap album” across the board, there are certainly plenty of bars to unpack in these early listening sessions. Naturally, “7am On Bridle Path” is one of the hardest tracks in that regard, a four-minute occasion for Drizzy to snap — and that he does, as expected given the reputation of the series. 

Between clever allusions to Canada’s current Prime Minister and Nipsey Hussle tributes, Drake uses the majority of “7am” to address his longtime rival Kanye West. Though he doesn’t single the DONDA artist out by name, many of his bars are directly aimed at Kanye, who previously made headlines after leaking Drake’s home address. “You ni**as hot to them little kids, you ain’t famous to me,” he raps. “Told you I’m aimin’ straight for the head, not aiming to please / I could give a fuck about who designing your sneakers and tees.”

“Give that address to your driver, make it your destination,” he continues. “Stead of just a post out of desperation / This me reachin’ the deepest state of my meditation / While you over there tryna impress the nation.” Overall, “7am On Bridle Path” is a potential album highlight, at least in these early days. Check it out for yourself now, and share your thoughts in the comments below.

Quotable Lyrics

Isn’t that an ironic revelation?
Give that address to your driver, make it your destination
Stead of just a post out of desperation
This me reachin’ the deepest state of my meditation
While you over there tryna impress the nation
Mind’s runnin’ wild with the speculation
Why the fuck we peacemakin’, doin’ the explanations
If we just gon’ be right back in that bitch without hesitation?

Yes, we’re aware that we are all standing in the thick of Drake mania at the moment, but after months of waiting on news about Certified Lover Boy’s arrival, fans can’t help but storm social media with their first takes on the record. Drake connects with several of his famous friends like Lil Wayne, Rick Ross, Jay-Z, Future, 21 Savage, Young Thug, and Kid Cudi, but prior to the album’s release, fans were hyped to see that Drizzy would reunite with Travis Scott.

The rappers know how to craft a hit together as “Sicko Mode” continues to be a fan favorite. Their previous collaboration appeared on Scott’s acclaimed Astroworld project, and after hearing these two on Certified Lover Boy‘s “Fair Trade,” fans have a sneaking suspicion that Drizzy may just show up on Scott’s forthcoming album.

On “Fair Trade,” Drake and Travis speak about tightening their circles as they move more cautiously, and even with friends dropping left and right, they don’t seem to mind when loyalty is the goal. Stream “Fair Trade” and let us know what you think.

Quotable Lyrics

Bein’ everything they said I wouldn’t be and couldn’t be
I don’t know what happened to them guys that said they would be
I still see you at the top and they misunderstood me
I hold no resentment in my heart, that’s that maturity
And we don’t keep on us anymore, it’s with security

The line-up on this track alone should tell you that it was going to be a standout. Drake called on two of his favorite rappers, Rick Ross and Lil Wayne, to help round out the features on Certified Lover Boy and it only makes sense that the trio appeared on the same track. Weezy helped develop Drake into the superstar that he is today and Rozay has collaborated with the OVO Sound artist for over a decade. 

Speaking of decades, it was 10 years ago when Drake, Lil Wayne, and Tyga linked up for “The Motto,” a single that was featured on Drake’s Take Care, and now we see that you don’t only live once, as was suggested. “You Only Live Twice” is a boastful track from Drake, Rozay, and Weezy where they drop bars about the boss life that the trio knows oh-so-well.

Stream “You Only Live Twice” and share your thoughts.

Quotable Lyrics

Still runnin’ the game, don’t ask me about the practice
Ho, you go on vacation, don’t ask me about relaxin’
Not sure if you know but I’m actually Michael Jackson
The man I see in the mirror is actually goin’ platinum
Unthinkable when I think of the way these n*ggas been actin’