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Skepta recently announced the arrival of his upcoming EP All In, and today marks the arrival of his brand new single “Nirvana.” Featuring the talents of J Balvin, Skeppy’s latest is a low-key and relatively melodic look from the UK heavyweight rhymer. “Good pussy keep me awake,” he raps, over a smooth guitar lick. “Got them big racks make the milk shake / and I don’t discriminate, but if she a snack that’s a dinner date.”

Following Skepta’s opening verse, J Balvin holds it down with the follow-up, adding an interesting contrast with some Spanish bars. Despite the language difference, the chemistry on wax is clear, and it should be interesting to see how much momentum “Nirvana” gains before the big EP drop. Speaking of which, look for Skepta’s All In EP to drop off tomorrow, featuring additional guest appearances from Kid Cudi and Teezee.

How do you feel about Skepta and J Balvin’s “Nirvana?”

QUOTABLE LYRICS

Good pussy keep me awake
Got them big racks make the milk shake
And I don’t discriminate, but if she a snack that’s a dinner date

We’re only one day away from the release of Isaiah Rashad’s The House Is Burning, and today the rapper has offered up a final glimpse of what’s to come. “From The Garden” with Lil Uzi Vert is officially here, and off the bat, it’s clear that we’re looking at a banger. Over a mischievous bass-driven beat from Kal Banx, Rashad sets it off with a rapid-fire machine gun flow. 

“They gon shit talk when we ain’t around,” he raps. “Ni**as be hating with feet on the ground / Got the lil jet with the beat on the couch / nut on the Gucci and beat on her mouth.” Lil Uzi Vert holds it down for the second verse, swerve from Rashad’s flow scheme and bringing some interesting swagger to the mix. “Quality bitches, they look good to me, but I fuck the same girl cuz I don’t even cheat,” he raps. “That is a lie, repetitive freak.” 

It’s not quite what they’re saying, but how they’re saying it — and damned if both parties aren’t having the time of their lives. Check out “From The Garden” now, and sound off in the comments with your thoughts on Zay’s latest single. 

QUOTABLE LYRICS

Quality bitches, they look good to me
But I fuck the same girl cuz I don’t even cheat
That is a lie, repetitive freak
I ain’t even look, No I ain’t even seek
I ain’t even peek
G5, G5, competitive Jeep

Everybody loves to hate on the double album, but in reality, hip-hop has given us plenty of great ones over the years. That includes the incredible Art Of War from Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, which officially celebrates twenty-four years of existence today.

Boasting no shortage of material from the Cleveland crew, it’s hard to single out a specific highlight to showcase. Being that we’ve already celebrated the 2Pac-assisted “Thug Luv” and the tone-setting “Handle The Vibe,” it’s time to shine a light on the west-coast influenced banger that is “Wasteland Warriors.” Over a hard-hitting g-funk banger from DJ U-Neek, Krayzie, Bizzy, Layzie, and special guest Souljah Boy (the first rapper to be named Souljah Boy, as it were), proceed to put in work like only they can.

While some newer fans might be wary of revisiting a project that’s turning twenty-four, hip-hop heads can rest assured that Bone Thugs’ third studio album is aging like a fine wine. Check out “Wasteland Warriors” now, and sound off with your thoughts on The Art Of War and the influence it has had on the greater hip-hop landscape.

QUOTABLE LYRICS

What if we slowed it down?
Then n***a, you would hear me
I know n**as would fuck around
And say we tried to steal your style
Come on to funky town, that’s where we get the rawest
Thuggish-ruggish Bone, so sho’ nuff that’s what they call us

We’ve seen countless rap battles come and go, but seldom does an emcee step up to wage war against himself. Yet clearly, Lupe Fiasco is a rare breed of emcee, one whose creativity basically knows no boundaries. Though he was briefly on the precipice of war with his former podcast co-host Royce Da 5’9″, it would appear that Lu’s “Steve Jobs” was the final shot. Evidently, Nickel didn’t want to escalate the situation any further, leaving Lu to contemplate his next move.

With his blood still boiling for battle, Lupe opted to do the next best thing — find an opponent willing to face off with him. And being that he’s among the most lyrically elite and creative emcees in the game, the crop of potential foes is rather thin. Therefore, the only logical conclusion was to keep firing shots until somebody rises to the occasion.

Last night, Lupe dropped off two new freestyles, “Repo Pe” and “SBA Lu.” Though some originally speculated that “Repo Pe” was aimed at Royce, it soon became clear that Lupe was actually sparring with himself, dropping off “SBA” as a rebuttal. That’s not to say there aren’t a few Nickle jabs to be found — but being that it’s unlikely that Royce will clap back on wax, it feels like Lupe is simply keeping his blades sharp in case of an emergency.

No matter what, it’s a great time to be a Fiasco fan right now. Check out the pair of freestyles here, and sound off if you think a round-two between Royce and Lupe is needed. 

QUOTABLE LYRICS

For the fans, why hit him with kabams 
When the germaphobe jams can wash a n***a with hands
I am not in my feelings I’m in my glands
I am not no bitch, I’m in a trance
Pandemic gimmicks got n***as all into scams
Panhandling brilliance, put lyrics all in they hands

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Mobile, Alabama is having a moment right now. With artists like Yung Bleu and Rylo Rodriguez propping up the city, Mobile is producing some incredible talent right now. OMB Peezy has certainly been a significant player in the local scene whose seen success across the country. These days, he’s keeping the streets locked with tons of new music, though it might be difficult to find it on DSPs. Instead, he’s been taking it back to basics by unleashing new tracks on his YouTube page.

This week, the rapper came through with his latest track, “Godly.” Maintaining his signature meldoci delivery, he tackles production carried by warm piano chords as he details the losses but more importantly, the triumphs. “Standin’ at the top of the building, I’m feelin’ Godly/ From the bottom, ain’t gotta show you no proof, we had it the hardest,” he raps on the song.

Peep the latest from OMB Peezy below. 

Quotable Lyrics
Don’t pull up on his block for nothin’
We servin’ rock and choppa clutchin’
Poppin’ something, ain’t got this glock for nothin’

Fans might be eagerly awaiting the arrival of a new album from Cardi B but she blessed fans with a new verse last week when she appeared on Normani’s “Wild Side.” The single was yet another affirmation that the former Fifth Harmony singer has always been a star in her own right. Plus, the Aaliyah sample on the record further turned the song into an intergenerational smash.

This week, King Los continued his hot streak with new freestyle over “Wild Side.” The rapper tackles the downtempo, atmospheric production with slick flows showcasing his incredible wordplay and lyricism.

King Los has been dropping some dope freestyles this year. Last month, he shared his take on Drake and Rick Ross’ “Lemon Pepper Freestyle” as well as Pooh Shiesty and Lil Durk’s “Back In Blood.”

Quotable Lyrics
I can never ever ever ever be a memory
‘Cause you had to forget me to remember me
Who cold as me?
I’mma bring the Jodeci and Floetry

Bobby Shmurda has been out for months but fans have been eagerly awaiting his post-prison release. In the months back home, he’s made plenty of public appearances stirring up excitement for new music. Over the weekend, he made his inaugural performance at Rolling Loud where he served as a special guest and breezed through plenty of classics that continue to rattle speakers.

Today, he officially returned with his appearance on Eladio Carrion and J Balvin’s “TATA” alongside Daddy Yankee. Teaming up with the biggest artist in Reggaeton and Latin Trap, Shmurda tackles the elegant piano-laced drill production with a triplet flow and menacing ab-libs.

This makes Bobby’s first appearance on wax since his release from prison. His feature on “TATA” is bound to drum up the anticipation for his official album.

Peep the record below.

Quotable Lyrics
Just came home off a lock-up 
“Grr” anything when I pop up
Blowin’ that nina, throw that thing up
Roll everything I see up

Tory Lanez recently sparked a debate about “why the f*ck was rap started,” and although he received some mixed reactions due to his own controversies, the topic is an interesting one regardless. Different artists use the impactful genre for various different reasons, and while some use Hip-Hop to help people through tough times or inspire resistance amongst persecuted groups of people, other rappers are more than satisfied with using the rap art form to entertain.

DaBaby appears to fall on the latter part of that spectrum because even during a 72-hour period in which he has been publicly blasted, boycotted, and reprimanded for making offensive and homophobic comments at Rolling Loud, the BLAME IT ON BABY has not sheered away from the spotlight. In an extremely surprising move, DaBaby has released a new song and music video titled “Giving What It’s Supposed To Give,” and throughout it, he reiterates all of the disrespectful comments that he’s currently being “canceled” for.

Taking a moment to contextualize his outlandish and disrespectful new release, DaBaby says, “Filmed the day before my Rolling Loud performance. It never seizes to amaze me the way God puts me in situations I’m already equipped to handle. Enjoy. 😴🍿 #ITSONLYONEOFME.”

Watch the music video for “Giving What It’s Supposed To Give” below, and let us know in the comments if you think this was all one big, elaborate publicity stunt by the Charlotte, North Carolina rapper.

Quotable Lyrics

He’s a runner, he’s a track star
These tough a** niggas that rap ain’t really that, these niggas just act hard
I came in this bitch too real, I had to chill, almost got blackballed
Just talked to my CPA, said I’m approved for my new Black Card

Chicago rapper SoloSam remains one of the most skilled storytellers on the underground scene, showing off his sharp flows over a mid-tempo beat for “Motorbike Freestyle.”

The rapper has been rising up for the last few years, becoming a creative staple in Chicago’s underground rap scene, always putting on for his city. Following the release of his latest single “Traffic Jam,” SoloSam has released his new self-produced “Motorbike Freestyle.” Much as the title suggests, the freestyle lacks a traditional song structure, placing a focus on the verses before introducing a simple hook, which repeats at the end of the record. The young rapper is definitely in his bag though.

SoloSam was previously featured as one of our artists to watch, and he continues to prove us right with each new release. His time is coming.

What do you think of “Motorbike Freestyle?”

Quotable Lyrics:

We are not the same, check the frame, I’m an XL
When I put my spread to the sheet, watch me Excel
N***as cannot breathe in my heat, I just exhale
What it’s like to take an L? Ask how my ex feel

Compton’s YS has been a thriving voice to emerge out of Compton, though the new generation of rappers aren’t limiting themselves to regional sounds. YS has shown a tremendous amount of versatility through his ear for production that’s rooted in his stomping grounds of California.

This week, the rapper returned with a brand new single that further cements the relationship between California and the Midwest. “Hate Me” is a smooth banger that shares the thumping bass lines of the West and Detroit with Babyface Ray and Fenix Flexin’ delivering some assistance. All three rappers use the record as a moment to bask in their success, foreshadow their goals, and talk their shit.

Check out the latest offering from YS below and sound off with your thoughts in the comments.

Quotable Lyrics
I’m a Motor City young OG
I can get this shit off words, used to run OT
I get paper ’round the clock, I don’t do no sleep
We be traveling ’round for traps, but ain’t got no beef