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Just months after delivering on their critically-received Bad For Press debut album, Van Buren Records has returned to drop off their newest “CASH RULES” track, a hard-hitting posse cut that finds the band of rappers sparring over the AzizTheShake-produced backdrop.

It’s a menacing output that, once again, finds Van Buren putting all ears on high alert. A nod to VB’s consistent trajectory, new priorities are made clear as Luke Bar$ opens affirmatively: “Labels wanna sign me, better bring that Brinks trunk/Or my dawgs shooting like Andrei Kirilenko.”

Bar$ is joined on the track by Saint Lyor, Jiles, FELIX! (fka Lord Felix), Andrew Regis, and Meech BOLD in a thrilling exercise that finds all six emcees in a relay race that firmly places the larger collective of 12 on the map.

Quotable Lyrics

Money-making off an iPad
Couple business deals, we decline that
Trying to own shit on my own shit
Build up a network, on my OWN shit
And you “So Sick” like ’06
At a dead end and you hopeless

-Meech BOLD

Following up on last year’s TRANSLATION album, The Black Eyed Peas have returned to deliver on their newest “HIT IT” track, pulling talents from Saweetie and Lele Pons to complete the track.

Produced by will.i.am Johnny Goldstein, and Ammo, the hard-hitting effort follow sup on the energy left behind by TRANSLATION which found the crew dipping into Latin-influenced soundscapes, calling on the likes of from J Balvin, French Montana, Ozuna, Shakira, Nicky Jam, Tyga, and El Alfa among others.

The output resulted in a top-five peak for the project on the Billboard Top Latin album charts.

Next up, fans overseas can look forward to seeing the Black Eyed Peas on the Paris leg of the Global Citizen Live tour alongside names that include Ed Sheeran, Doja Cat, H.E.R., and DJ Snake.

Quotable Lyrics

My other nigga I’m dubbin’
I tell him I’m with my cousin
He tell me he with my cousin
Oh shit, what do I do?
Boy, you gotta bounce
Said, go and get your shoes
I think he on the way
I need a shower, clean my room

The Alchemist, though he has a long history in the hip-hop world, has quickly become one of the most sought after producters in the game over the past few years. This comes after successful collaboration albums with the likes of the Griselda crew as well as Freddie Gibbs. His latest venture comes in the form of the new Boldy James LP Bo Jackson, a dark and eerie collection of somber tracks. “Photographic Memories,” which includes an Earl Sweatshirt feature and a Roc Marciano appearance, establishes itself immediately as a favorite on the album.

The Alchemist takes the cake so quickly on “Photographic Memories” that it seems unfair- the beat is just too good! Though the production is relatively simple, it’s elegant and features a beautiful vocal sample that drives the track. That being said, Boldy James definitely impresses with his verse. He goes in and out of cold flows as he discusses the violence in his earlier years and the “photographic memories” that haunt him.

Earl Sweatshirt does a great job picking up where Boldy leaves off, taking his flow and altering it just slightly to fill up the middle of the song. Earl is all-too-comfortable on an alchemist beat and “Photographic memories” proves so, as the rapper fills his verse with metaphors and poetic language. 

Check out the track below:

Quotable Lyrics:

In any case, if I seem distanced and reserved, then give me space
Heavy pinch of herb send me on my way
Head of the herd, making’ sure everyone got a plate
Left here disturbed with the look on my face

Nearly a year after the track first appeared, sister duo VanJess have tapped labelmate Lucky Daye to deliver on the remix to their “Slow Down” offering.

The sultry track once more sits over the Lafayette Afro Rock Band sample as the Keep Cool signees complement each other in the best of ways. The original cut was housed on the duo’s Homegrown EP. The full project arrived in February of this year with features from the likes of Phony Ppl, Garren, Jimi Tents, and Devin Morrison.

It’s the latest appearance from Daye, who has been lending vocals to a handful of his contemporaries lately after tending to fans with his Table For Two album of duets, also released in February.

Quotable Lyrics

Got me takin’ my time, pressin’ rewind
Just to make the moment longer (Oh, oh)
Can you slow down the time?
Like from nine to nine, love how you’ve been makin’ me stronger

Fat Joe’s return to the studio has been nothing if not long-awaited and special- thankfully, the rapper didn’t disappoint. The rapper’s 11th studio album, What Would Big Do 2021?, is an incredible blast from the past that features Fat Joe’s classic New York rapping style with production from Fat Joe collaborators Cool & Dre. Overseeing it all is DJ Drama, who brought a similar hip-hop-focused direction to Tyler, The Creator’s most recent project. “Diamonds,” which Dre raps on as well, proves to be a standout on the tracklist as Fat Joe gives one of his best performances in recent years over a soulful beat. 

“I’m the big daddy came with the raw, fool/ now what you want, huh? Dog food?” sets the tone for Fat Joe’s cutthroat verse on the =first leg of the track. It seems the New York native hasn’t lost that fire that pushed him to the top of the rap game in the 1990s. Dre brings similar energy, though making references to Biggie and his influence on the rap scene. Needless to say, there are a plethora of bars to sort through between both vocalists. 

Check out the track here:

Quotable Lyrics:

Pain don’t care about Sun, put your lights out
Know how many homies I seen died when it’s nice out?
I’m the big daddy came with the raw, fool
Now what you want, huh? Dog food?

Pardison Fontaine, real name Jorden Kyle Lanier Thorpe, has been a consistent force in the R&B and hip-hop world for years now. Whether he’s front and center with his beloved romance with Megan Thee Stallion or behind the scenes with a plethora of songwriting credits for the industry’s biggest names. However, Fontaine is shifting the focus onto himself with his new release “By Myself.”

Despite his seemingly perfect relationship with Megan Thee Stallion, “By Myself” is a sad R&B slow jam that finds Fontaine lonely and scared of ending up all alone. Still, the track definitely feels perfect for a Summertime drive or a late night looking at the stars with its gentle guitars and simple beat. Surprisingly enough, Fontaine chooses a drill-like drum pattern to sing over, though it’s hard to tell because of Fontaine’s prominent melodies. 

“By Myself” marks Fontaine’s first single since last year. The singer hasn’t dropped an extended project since 2019.

Check out the track below:

Quotable Lyrics:

If I catch a lick I put my dog on
Girl you are the sleeve I put my heart on
And when I need, who do I call o-o-on
I might end up by myself

Karlae, Young Stoner Life Records rapper and longtime girlfriend of prolific rapper Young Thug, has often been cast aside in the industry as a non-threatening force in the industry and a rapper largely on the sidelines. With only a very small discography amassed over two years, many wonder if her label is doing enough to support the career of the female rapper. However, Karlae took to her own YouTube channel this week to release a studio session of her song “Pockets,” and it seems she’s just as energetic and aggressive as her fans are. 

Karlae holds nothing back in “Pockets”, which finds her attacking everything from her love life to her contemporaries in the rap game (though she mentions no specific names. It seems that Karla has achieved an elevated kind of tunnel vision, as she isn’t caught up with anything except her career and the bag she’s trying to make. The song exudes confidence and is sure to become an anthem for self-love and respect. 

Check out the track below:

Quotable Lyrics: 

Cuttin’ his pockets, they bleed
I’m a goat with it
I can’t trust a n**** that ain’t making no deposits
Rings on froze but your partners be stoppin’

Hip-hop veteran and longtime Nas collaborator AZ has finally returned from an almost 12 year hiatus from the rap game. 49-year-old AZ, real name Anthony Cruz, found his way through the rap game in the 1990’s alongside Nas and as part of their hip-hop collective The Firm. A lot has changed in the hip-hop world since AZ took a break after his 2009 Legendary release, though AZ is ready to bring his signature sound back to the game as he teases his new album Doe or Die 2. “The Wheel,” the first single for the upcoming album, sets the tone for the album perfectly as AZ mixes the soulful voice of Jahiem and cutthroat bars over a boom-bap beat. 

It’s clear from “The Wheel” that AZ surely hasn’t lost any talent over the years as he cuts through the track with ruthless and sometimes introspective bars. This compliments Jahiem’s singing very well, and the track presents itself as a contemporary take on old-school soulful hip-hop. 

Doe or Die 2 will drop on September 10th- 25 years after its predecessor was released. 

Check out the track below and let us know what you think!

Quotable Lyrics:

And we’re all just spokes in a big ol’ wheel
Hopin’, turnin’, tryna roll uphill
Twist that cap, nigga, pop that steel
If the purp’ don’t get ’em, then the cocaine will

BIG30, the 21-year-old up-and-coming Memphis rapper, has been trying to make a name for himself in the growing Memphis rap scene with childhood friends and frequent collaborator Pooh Shiesty. While his friend remains in jail, for the time being, it seems it’s BIG30’s chance to temporarily lead the sound that has exploded out of Memphis. With “Backseat Of The Rolls Truck,” it seems BIG30 is attempting to do just that. 

Upon first listen, casual rap fans who may have heard “Back in Blood” in passing may think “Backseat Of The Rolls Truck” is simply another track out of Pooh Shiesty’s discography. With the eccentric “Blrrrrrrd” ad-libs shouted at the beginning of the track and the understated piano beat, BIG30’s more energetic vocal tone is truly what casts him aside from his contemporaries. 

BIG30’s flow is not too distant from those utilized by contemporaries like Pooh Shiesty and Gucci Mane, but the Memphis sound is still new enough to provide plenty of room for this repetition. All in all, “Backseat Of The Rolls Truck” is an admirable addition to the Memphis sound.

Check out the track here:

Quotable Lyrics:

Backseat of the rolls truck keep pourin’ up
The more drank the I pour up the deeper I get in my Bentley
He raps, he just an image gotta know that I’m still spinning.

DC The Don has been releasing music since 2017 and his style certainly reflects that time period. His melodic and braggadocios tracks will have you feeling nostalgic for those days when things were a lot less complicated. Over the years, his output has remained consistent and fans are always excited to hear what he’s been working on. Just yesterday, DC The Don blessed his fans with a new song called “Notice Me,” and it’s already proving to be a hit amongst his supporters.

With this track, we get some upbeat trap production that allows DC The Don to shine all the way throughout. The artist flexes all over the track as he celebrates his success all while speaking on his relationships with women. The track is an undeniable banger and the melodies help elevate it to fan-favorite status.

You can stream the new track, below.

Quotable Lyrics:

Ain’t it crazy how I wake up and turn into a new one? (Yeah)
She said “You a jerk”, but, now you met the cool onеs
It’s been way too many mood swings, it’s time to move on
Like shе be hawkin’ n****s down, it’s hard for me to move on