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G Herbo has been hitting a new stride in his career recently. Projects like PTSD and 2021’s 25 made up for the lackluster affair that was Swervin and Still Servin. Nonetheless, Herbo’s sharpened his sword and has practically been annihilating every single beat he hops on, as we’ve seen during his Funk Flex freestyle last month.

This week, the rapper came through for the assist alongside UK rapper M1llionz and The Plug for their new collaboration, “Father Figure.” The two rappers explore the concept of fatherhood, whether it comes to imitators of their style or their own familial duties. 

“Father Figure” is a raw record that further bridges the regional gaps of drill between its hometown of Chicago and its current hotspot in London.

Check the record out below.

Quotable Lyrics
Youngin’ pulled the trigger quick on a lick
He was starvin’
20 deep while throwing the opps for a hit
We was mobbin’

Toronto’s Top5 became one of the most notorious figures to emerge out of the city’s hip-hop scene. The rapper is currently on the lam for a first-degree murder charge but that hasn’t prevented him from releasing new music. On Friday, the rapper returned with his latest offering, “Movie” ft. WhyG and Bundog, Pressa’s older brother. The drill-influenced song takes its cue from Fivio Foreign’s ad-libs while Top5 boasts about his infamy. 

“If you were waiting on a movie all year, this is the one you have been waiting for,” Top5 said in a statement via Complex. “Get your popcorn and make your way to the cinema at midnight because these dangerous humans look like they are going viral.”

Ahead of the single’s release, Top5 invited Toronto Mayor John Tory to a one-on-one sitdown where they can spit their facts. Tory later responded to Top5 in a statement to a local news outlet. “I know the devastation and trauma that murders in our city have caused families and neighbourhoods and it is very troubling to know someone charged with murder has so far not made himself available to the authorities,” Tory said.

Check out Top5’s new single below.

Quotable Lyrics
Before you check my IG, better check the stats
‘Cause I could really name you, packs on packs
And I could really show you, straps on straps
I caught that n***a slipping, shot him in the back

Nas is hitting another stride in his career. The release of the Kanye West-produced Nasir left many fans disappointed and Lost Tapes 2 didn’t necessarily make up for it. However, it feels like Hit-Boy has truly been working hard at bringing the best out of Nas in the past two years. 2020’s King’s Disease was the album that earned Nas his long-overdue Grammy and this year, they maintained the momentum they built with the official release of a sequel.

“Rare” was one of the few records we got to hear a snippet of before the album and the full version of the record is just as glorious as expected. Hit-Boy’s production breaks down the record into three parts that allows Nas to showcase his versatility. He weaves through the production detailing his longevity in the game and the authenticity that he’s maintained, even in the face of commercial success.

Peep the record below.

Quotable Lyrics
Big dawg affair, no kids involved
Roundtable havin’ war council
Press one button, it’ll change the world around you
Too rare, nothin’ to see here, Cuban over my streetwear
You’re nobody ’til somebody kills you just to be fair
It’s okay to keep the mystique, I learned that in the street
On me, solo or deep, I’m puttin’ on for the G’s

Weeks ago, Iggy Azalea announced that she would be taking a break from her music career. The rapper has been building her brand for years in the entertainment industry, and she stated that she has decided to shine a light on her other interests for a time before returning to the studio. With the announcement came an explanation regarding her next album End of an Era that is slated to drop next week.

“’End of an Era’ is so special to me because after I drop my album next month I am going to take a few years to focus on other creative projects and things I’m feeling passionate and inspired by, beyond music,” she wrote at the time. “I’m excited for you guys to see different sides to me in the future. Shifting my energy and focus to what I’m most excited about is what is right for me and I hope you’ll continue to support whatever creative projects I’m out here doing!”

She’s recently shared the album’s tracklist and on Friday (August 6), Iggy delivered her latest single, “Sex on the Beach.” She previously shared her track “I Am the Strip Club,” and this time around, Iggy added singer Sophia Scott to the mix, bringing a dance-ready, summer vibe. It seems that Iggy is closing this chapter with more club-type hits, so stream “Sex on the Beach” and share your thoughts.

Quotable Lyrics

Calling my line party outside
Top of the hill Hollywood sign
Sex on the beach no stress have a drink
I left on a boat shake ass to the beat
Smile at the moon as we get lost
Use my talent the room turn to red sauce

Rico Nasty has been steadily showcasing her versatility throughout the years, and while she can certainly spit bars when so inclined, sometimes the occasion calls for a vibe. Yet no matter which style she opts to tackle, it’s always unique. Her latest single “Buss” is no different. Fueled by a glitchy Game-Boy instrumental by Menoh Beats, the off-kilter banger takes Rico into some interesting new sonic territory.

Though the track’s direction may seem obvious at first, Rico quickly flies off the handle with some explosive vocals; it’s the exact sort of unpredictability that makes her such a dynamic artist — if a little on the niche end. Still, it can’t be denied that she’s among the game’s most original new voices, and her penchant for not giving a damn is downright respectable. “You can catch me smokin’ some expensive cannabis,” she sneers. “I used to hide it in my mattress / And if they could, they would dislike my pics / Tell a hoe, “Get off my clit’.” 

Check out “Buss” now, and sound off if you enjoy this new direction from Rico Nasty. 

QUOTABLE LYRICS

You can catch me smokin’ some expensive cannabis
I used to hide it in my mattress
And if they could, they would dislike my pics 
Tell a hoe, “Get off my clit’ 

After being arrested in Miami a few weeks ago, Baton Rouge native Fredo Bang decided to thank his fans for their unyielding support by dropping a new full-length album. Titled Murder Made Me, Fredo’s latest project arrives just five months after his star-studded Steppa Music EP. And similar to his last work, Murder Me has plenty of big names attached to it as well, with Mozzy, BIG30, Coi Leray, and Polo G all making guest appearances on the record.

Although Fredo Bang unfortunately still remains behind bars at this time, Coi Leray is celebrating the reelease project as well their new collaboration “Oou Oou” enough for the both of them.

In a recent post, Coi Leray is seen executing some pretty impressive choreography while her and Fredo Bang’s catchy new song plays in the background. “Oou Oou” is possibly one of Fredo Bang’s most commercially viable songs yet, and considering that his bubbly track is a bonafide earworm, it’s probably safe to say that Fredo and Coi have a hit on their hands.

Listen to Fredo Bang’s Coi Leray-assisted track “Oou Oou” below. What’s your favorite song from Murder Made Me?

Quotable Lyrics

Bad but that don’t matter though, bitch, what’s your credit score?
I treat hoes like whack-a-mole, I beat then leave ’em lone
Fine lil’ bitch with pretty teeth, tryna give you what you need
If you fucking, gotta be discrete, sit this dick right on your teeth

Nelly may have shifted his genre of choice over the years, but albums like Country Grammar and Nellyville have forever cemented him as a hip-hop legend. Now, Nelly is gearing up for the release of his new country-inspired album Heartland, setting the stage with the Benny Blanco & Breland-assisted single “High Horse.”

Seemingly tailor-made for radio play, Nelly’s latest may not be for those seeking a return to “E.I” or “Midwest Swing.” But for those who can appreciate an artist making the music they want to make, “High Horse” is a feel-good return for the diamond-selling St. Louis native. It’s also an important one for Nelly, who opened up about some of his inspiration behind the upcoming project during an interview on Apple Music’s Land Of The Bre. 

“I hope it opens people’s eyes up as far as some of those minds that might’ve been closed to having the idea of Black folk being in country as much as possible,” he explains. “But then also inviting more Black artists that are into country. Because I don’t know if they know, but we’re everywhere!”

Check out “High Horse” now, and show some love to Nelly in the comments below.

QUOTABLE LYRICS

Testimony, alimony, call it what it is
The houses on the prairie to the mansions in the hill

Russ continues to keep the onslaught of new music coming. For the 14th straight week, following up “Fate,” the ATL artist decides to return to the scene and share another song called “Italy,” which he dubbed as the “hardest song of the year.”

Over production from DillyGotItBumpin, Darko, and Joe Stanley, Russ reflects on his native land of Italy while weaving in and out of some flexing. “I just got back from the motherland, I just ran up another hundred grand/ Women try to get in my pants, I don’t dance, but I made a couple rappers do the Running Man,” he raps.

The song surfaces just a couple weeks after Russ announced his “Tour Before The Tour,” where he’s visiting cities around the country that he won’t be visiting in 2022. Check those dates out (below) and let us know what you think of “Italy” in the comments.

Quotable Lyrics:

How are you a boss, but you got a boss?
Why you so mad at me? I just say the truth, y’all are just shutting us off 
I’m in Italy drinking wine ‘til I throw up, rappers still flexing Miami trips, chicks need to grow up
I remember my first million, I remember my first million (Haha)

– Russ

Though only a fool would be a fully committed optimist when it comes to Top Dawg Entertainment, though perhaps we’ve been given enough ground to be hopeful. Not only did we recently receive a new album from Isaiah Rashad titled The House Is Burning — read our full review right here — but now we’ve got a posse cut by Zacari, Rashad, and Buddy (who as his name may imply, is a buddy to all).

“Rainy Day” arrives courtesy of Zacari, a bouncy new single that may very well an upcoming body of work is on the horizon. Vocally, Zacari taps into a vibe that The Weeknd may have inspired, his voice blending nicely with the low timbre of the bass. Rashad brings his casual swagger to the mix with a smooth verse, kicking some double-time bars with little effort. After a pitched-down chorus, Buddy steps in to close it out with a well-constructed contribution.

As we wait for further instructions on what TDE’s next move might be, give “Rainy Day” a spin and voice your predictions below.

QUOTABLE LYRICS

You know my MO was to put it down and get it crackin’
And a Top Dawg can’t fuck ’round with no has-been
What’s happenin’?
And the rain turns to flood, even God would say that’s tragic

Yes, for the third time in a row, Kanye West has not dropped his highly anticipated tenth studio album on the date that he previously confirmed it would be released on. However, that does not mean that fans of Mr. West haven’t been treated to new music from the evasive DONDA artist. In fact, fans of Kanye’s 2000s-era output will be thrilled to learn that he has produced every song on the legendary Chicago Hip-Hop duo Abstract Mindstate’s comeback album Dreams Still Inspire.

In addition to serving as the executive producer for Olskool Ice-Gre and E.P Da Hellcat’s first album together in decades, Kanye also makes a surprise appearance on the project’s penultimate track, “The Brenda Song.”

Marcus Ingram/Getty Images

The short track falls under three minutes, and although it doesn’t feature a full verse from Yeezy, “The Brenda Song” boasts dramatic production, an uplifting hook from Kanye West, and expertly penned verses from both members of Abstract Mindstate.

Listen to “The Brenda Song” from Abstract Mindstate’s Dreams Still Inspire below.

Quotable Lyrics

Spirit down, my diction open, pit of fire, sea of smoke
Pullin’ from a place that’s broken, glued together, that’s the notion
I will only spew the truth, be the light, teach the youth
The basement days over now, far from when I claimed uncool