song

When one opts to sample a hip-hop classic, one has no choice but to come correct. In the case of EST Gee’s new banger “5500 Degrees,” a Bigger Than Life Or Death highlight that flips Juvenile’s “400 Degreez,” the Louisville rapper does exactly that. Fans of Juvie’s 400 Degreez will recognize the instrumental immediately, and Gee, 42 Dugg, Rylo Rodriguez, and Lil Baby each hold it down effectively.

Though each party shines with a strong verse apiece, Lil Baby’s closing effort may very well be the standout effort. “I’m going too crazy, I’m the Wayne of this new generation,” he spits, bringing the Cash Money connection full circle. “N***as fugazi, they can’t fuck with us no types of ways/ these n***as too lazy / I’m cut from a different cloth, I don’t know who raised em’.”

Don’t get it twisted, however — “5500 Degreez” is a posse cut that should please fans of street-heavy hip-hop. Check it out for yourself now, and sound off in the comments below.

QUOTABLE LYRICS

I’m going too crazy, I’m the Wayne of this new generation
N***as fugazi, they can’t fuck with us no types of ways
These n***as too lazy 
I’m cut from a different cloth, I don’t know who raised em’

Pop Smoke was well on his way to becoming one of the world’s biggest artists before tragedy hit. His story is one of the most harrowing in recent hip-hop history, losing his life in a vicious manner following a home invasion in Los Angeles, and his team has worked very hard to continue expanding on his legacy by sharing his music posthumously. Last week, the late Brooklyn rapper’s label released his second posthumous album Faith, which is packed with features and a foreword by Pop’s mother, and they’ve already doubled up with a deluxe edition on streaming services being added on Wednesday morning. 

Four new songs have been added onto the backend of Pop Smoke’s new album, including features from G Herbo and others. One of the standouts from the new crop of records has to be the solo joint “Questions,” which follows in the same line as Pop’s hit song “What You Know Bout Love.”

At the time of his death, Pop was exploring different ways of expressing himself in the studio, which could be heard most vividly on his first posthumous release Shoot For The Stars, Aim For The Moon. The rapper got more emotional and vulnerable on some of his love songs, connecting with his Cancer energy and releasing songs like “Something Special” and “Enjoy Yourself.” “Questions” can be mentioned in the same vein as those records, interpolating parts of 50 Cent’s “21 Questions.”

Check out the latest Pop Smoke track below.

Quotable Lyrics:

If I was still up on my ass would you give me a last four?
If I was on the ground would you help me off the floor?
If I ain’t smell so good, would you still hug me?
If I ain’t had no money, would you still love me?
Look, if I got locked up today would you write me mail?
If I got locked up today would you have my back?

Brooklyn drill has gone viral, as Fivio Foreign would say. The budding sound has undoubtedly had an influence on the sound of music right now. It’s largely due to the commercial success of Pop Smoke but the authenticity and the grittiness remain in the streets of Brooklyn. Bizzy Banks have been red hot this year with each of his releases proving better than the last. He raps with a sense of urgency that emboldens his rawness and aggression.

Fresh off of the Pop Smoke-assisted remix of “30” that landed on Faith, Bizzy Banks continues to make strides ahead of the release of his upcoming project, Same Energy. This week, he shared his new single, “My Sh*t,” a glossy drill banger co-produced by Flossy Draco, Benz Musik, and BS BEATS.

Peep the new single below. 

Quotable Lyrics
I tell ’em my pain just to win
Better watch how you flexin’
N***a, this is not a gym
My n***a shootin’ at the rim

Through a slew of releases, 500rax has been bubbling up from Compton and beyond, showing tons of potential of becoming the next star to blow out of the city. Singles like “Get In” and “Fall Through” with Seddy Hendrinx have continued to bubble throughout the internet airwaves but now, she’s returned with a brand new remix to her 2020 record, “Dump Truck.” The song originally appeared on her project, 500 Summers. This time, Tyga hops on with a smooth, effortless flow, detailing the lavish lifestyle he leads.

Though it’s been two years since the release of Legendary, Tyga has been keeping a steady stream of music on deck. Most recently, he teamed up with Moneybagg Yo for their collaborative effort, “Splash” and also assisted Iggy Azalea on “Sip It.”

Check out 500raxx’s new collab with Tyga below.

Quotable Lyrics
Don’t do shit for clout, bitch, I’m on
I could break the internet with shit on my phone
I don’t really trust hoes, only bank roll
Large amounts, take it out ’til the bank close

Whether or not you like Soulja Boy, there’s no denying his hustle. In the past week and a half alone, he’s unleashed several new singles including the remix to “Rick N Morty” with both Rich The Kid and Tory Lanez. Yesterday, he finally unveiled the long-awaited “She Make It Clap” remix with French Montana that first debuted at Verzuz. Each release takes us closer and closer to his forthcoming album, Draco which is supposedly due out next week.

It looks like the rapper isn’t slowing down ahead of the album’s release. Today, he slid through with the release of his new single, “Did What?!” where he delivers a more concise and expressive flow that sounds influenced by the rising generation of Southern rappers.

Check his new single below.

Quotable Lyrics
N***a, what?! What?! N***a, you did what?!
What’s the location, n***a, you slid what?!
Young n***as comin’ through you know you gon’ get hit up
Murda gang and Money Gang, pussy boy, it’s a stick up

Pink Siifu is gearing up for the release of his new album GUMBO! — complete with guest appearances from The Alchemist and Lance Skiiwalker — due out for release on August 3rd. Now, Siifu has dropped off a single from the album, “lng hair dnt care,” which clocks in at an impressive five-minute runtime. 

Siifu fans are quite possibly familiar with the track already, being that was originally included as part of the Adult Swim Singles 2021 program. Musically, the production of Ted Kamal is synthy and atmospheric, a non-invasive backdrop for Siifu’s unfettered delivery. “Brody always tell me invest,” he raps, his delivery quick. “Fuck a bitch gone get a check, fuck them n**gas, gon get a check.”

It’s certainly an interesting listen from Siifu, who has consistently kept it refreshing with his original approach. Expect further innovation on GUMBO! when that drops at the beginning of August.  

QUOTABLE LYRICS

Brody always tell me invest
Fuck a bitch gone get a check, fuck them n**gas, gon get a check

Homeboy Sandman and Aesop Rock are two lyricists who really make you think. It’s why they make for such a compelling duo whenever they connect on wax, as they have for the brand new duet “Lice Team, Baby.”

Being that the title is a real head-scratcher, no pun intended, it’s important to note that the single’s cover art sheds some light on what we’re dealing with. “Lice was actually the first-ever inter-racial Siamese twins ever,” it explains, a screencap from Aes and Sandman’s iMessage chat. “Scientists separated them at birth, but they were drawn to each other later in life.” 

The song itself is an absolute barn-burner, a raw instrumental over which the elite lyricists put on an absolute clinic. By now, if you came here you likely know what both Homeboy Sandman and Aesop Rock are all about, and rest assured that they both deliver with impressive dexterity. Check out “Lice Team, Baby,” and look for Sandman to strike again on his upcoming Anjelitu EP, as well as his final studio album Don’t Feed The Monster.

QUOTABLE LYRICS

With the book of life, last chapter’s happening
Fattening the parasite of my past life,
First cat to put my hat on backwards
Before that, I trained Raptors

Homeboy Sandman and Aesop Rock are two lyricists who really make you think. It’s why they make for such a compelling duo whenever they connect on wax, as they have for the brand new duet “Lice Team, Baby.”

Being that the title is a real head-scratcher, no pun intended, it’s important to note that the single’s cover art sheds some light on what we’re dealing with. “Lice was actually the first-ever inter-racial Siamese twins ever,” it explains, a screencap from Aes and Sandman’s iMessage chat. “Scientists separated them at birth, but they were drawn to each other later in life.” 

The song itself is an absolute barn-burner, a raw instrumental over which the elite lyricists put on an absolute clinic. By now, if you came here you likely know what both Homeboy Sandman and Aesop Rock are all about, and rest assured that they both deliver with impressive dexterity. Check out “Lice Team, Baby,” and look for Sandman to strike again on his upcoming Anjelitu EP, as well as his final studio album Don’t Feed The Monster.

QUOTABLE LYRICS

With the book of life, last chapter’s happening
Fattening the parasite of my past life,
First cat to put my hat on backwards
Before that, I trained Raptors

In 2019, Alabama Shakes singer-songwriter Brittany Howard dropped off her acclaimed album Jaime, which went on to secure multiple Grammy nominations. Now, Howard will be dropping off Jaime Reimagined on Friday, featuring updated songs with appearances from Bon Iver, BadBadNotGood, EarthGang, and Childish Gambino. It’s the latter who shines on Howard’s latest release, the official “Childish Gambino Version” of “Stay High.”

Though it might not be the full-fledged Gambino return that some fans have been hoping for, it’s always welcome to hear the dulcet tones of Donald Glover. Shifting Howard’s arrangement into digital territory, Gambino flexes his smooth falsetto over warm synthesizers and strings. Stylistically, it feels as if Gambino is comfortable over tracks like this, and perhaps we’ll see him exploring this sound further if and when he drops a new album. 

Check out the Childish Gambino version of Brittany Howards’ Stay High now, and look for her Jaime Reimagined to drop this Friday. 

QUOTABLE LYRICS 

Where I come from, we work hard
And we grind, and we hustle all day, don’t we?
There comes a time, there comes a time
At night where we can play
And we’ll be smiling, laughing, joking, clapping
And yell and holler and just feel great

There are a few YouTubers who’ve transitioned from social media personalities into rappers. Though many of them have been able to succeed through recognized features, others have carved their own lane without much help. DDG, specifically, has been proving everyone who doubted him wrong. The release of his project, Die For Respect with OG Parker put people on notice that DDG is serious about his musical effort.

While the rapper has announced his retirement from YouTube following his celebrity boxing match, he came through this week with his latest offering, “Midwest Flow.” The rapper pays homage to his home state and its influential sound on his latest offering. He rips through the beat with incredulous flexes detailing his sexcapades, wealth, and success for a little less than two minutes. 

Check out DDG’s latest below.

Quotable Lyrics
Yaktown shit, I’m from Michigan
Tried to put a couple n***as on, they wasn’t listenin’
I be on the road, never home, I be missn’ it
I just told my bitch she got a mall when she kissin’ it