Ant Clemons Unpacks His Highs & Lows On New Single “Story Of My Life”

Grammy Award-winning artist Ant Clemons is officially back and he’s introducing himself with the introspective new single “Story Of My Life”.

Fresh off his latest win at the Grammy Awards for his work on Kanye West’s Jesus Is King, Ant Clemons has released his new song, which unpacks the highs and lows of his life so far. Exploring the hardships that have designed him as a human being, Ant also speaks on his work with Kanye West, Pharrell, and more of his idols. He speaks directly to his parents on the record, explaining why a 9-5 job wouldn’t have worked out for him and making himself known as a son, a king, and a best friend.

Listen to the new single from Ant Clemons below to learn more about him.

Quotable Lyrics:

My path ain’t in no 9-5
I made a plan and talked to God
He said there’s pages left to write
This is the story of my life
Some chapters I thought I might die
Had my heart broke a couple times
I don’t complain cause I survived
This just the story of my life

Method Man & Streetlife Spit Bars On “Story Of My Life”

Streetlife and Method Man have been collaborating for years now, and that loyalty has endured to this day. A few weeks ago — alas, we missed this one at initial release — the pair came through to deliver a new single called “Story Of My Life,” which is set to appear on Streetlife’s upcoming album of the same name. Taking to a vintage sample-driven beat by producer KDef, the track wastes little time in setting a tone.

Streetlife sets it off with some reflective bars, musing with an air of contentment on the fruits of his labor. “I separated the street from the artist, now the top of the chart be the target,” he raps. “You gotta make em love you, fear you, or respect you / I got em’ all checked so let’s start it.” Method Man steps in to close out the track with a verse, his signature flow as sharp as the Shaolin sword he still deftly bears. “I probably robbed your father for his chain,” he muses, without a hint of remorse. “And I probably die a martyr cause I started with a bang / take another’s garments, get retarded with the slang.”

Check it out for yourself now, and look for Streetlife’s Story Of My Life to drop later this summer. 

QUOTABLE LYRICS

93′ Lp told you to Enter The
You sus got a stick in your butt, told you to enema
The story of my life uncut, its like a cinema,
Consider this considerably, I don’t consider ya

XXXTentacion’s “Moonlight” Still Shines On “?” Album Anniversary

XXXTentacion has nearly been gone for three years. The Florida-based rap artist served as one of the strongest voices of his generation, sharing music that truly connected to a group of young adults that have experienced the highest percentages of depression and anxiety in recent years. The late 20-year-old knew how to speak to the youth, piecing together his words and melodies in a hypnotic way, crafting some of the best songs written in the 2010s. 

With over a billion streams on Spotify, we look back on “Moonlight” as we celebrate the 3-year anniversary of XXXTentacion’s top-selling album ?. One of the most popular songs on the album, “Moonlight” has gone 6-times platinum in the United States. Produced by John Cunningham, the song peaked at #13 on the Billboard Hot 100, but its global reach could be felt in the years following its initial success.

A smooth love song, “Moonlight” sees XXXTentacion dealing with his own mental health issues, as well as his jealousy and anger problems. The hypnotic loop by John Cunningham is the true star of the song, but X’s handling of the track’s melodies and flows were perfectly-executed.

If you’re just getting into XXX’s discography, this album is a great place to start before diving into his earlier material.

Re-visit “Moonlight” below and be sure to give ? a spin on its 3-year anniversary.

Quotable Lyrics:

Feel like I’m destined
I don’t need no Smith & Wesson, no
Boy, who you testin’?
F*ck a Scantron, here’s your lesson, oh

Knife in intestine
Takin’ shots at all your brethren, no

Feel like I’m damaged
Girl I know you f*cking planned this

Cypress Hill Link With Black Milk For “Champion Sound”

The legendary Cypress Hill has come through with a new single, linking up with Detroit producer Black Milk for “Champion Sound.” With the track arriving as part of the upcoming RBI Baseball 21 soundtrack, a video game that hits consoles and PC today, it doesn’t necessarily signal a forthcoming release from the west coast collective. Yet Cypress Hill previously teased that their upcoming album would be produced in its entirety by Black Milk, so perhaps we’re looking at an early glimpse.

Milk’s sonic fingerprints are all over this one, as dusty samples combine with crisp drum and a groovy bassline. Though their previous effort Elephants On Acid found Cypress Hill exploring a more experimental sound, this track finds them employing a more straightforward approach — which is to say, Sen Dog and B-Real spitting bars over a grimy instrumental. “It ain’t a riddle, we never play in the middle,” spits B, catching a slick pocket. “We spin it, you feel a little / Hesitation, you’re so riddled.”

Check out “Champion Sound” now, and sound off if you’re excited to see what Cypress Hill and Black Milk have been cooking up these past few years. 

QUOTABLE LYRICS

And you could never stop runnin’
When you see me pop
When you could predict the outcome
Hands raised, I’m the champion
It ain’t a riddle, we never play in the middle

Rich Brian Reflects On New Single “Sydney”

Rich Brian quietly rebranded himself and has become one of the most well-respected and skilled artists in the game. The 21-year-old Indonesian rapper released one of the best projects of 2019 with his album The Sailor, following up with his 1999 EP last year. Fans have been patient as they wait for the 88rising-signed artist’s upcoming moves, which have arrived this week through the release of “Sydney”.

The new single marks the official return from Rich Brian, who reflects on the self-produced record. The song discusses his trips overseas, how he views himself as a legend, and everyone thinking they know him when, in reality, they don’t even know where his story starts. 

Listen to Rich Brian’s new song “Sydney” below and let us know what you think of it. Stay tuned for more new music from him this year.

Quotable Lyrics:

Man, my life cannot bother me, I did this sh*t properly
I didn’t let my problems break me, that sh*t f*cking guided me
Talkin’ bout you gon’ do this, and that, man speak with honesty
Your life is like a movie, but the trailer’s way too long to see
I don’t write lyrics, I be writing scriptures
My mouth is impulsive when I talk I never think first
I listen to Lil Wayne, his music is my English teacher
I show my love to legends that’s why I like my own pictures

Mick Jenkins & Kaytranada Reunite For “Designer Frames”

The last we heard from Mick Jenkins, specifically in a concentrated dose, was upon the release of early 2020 gem The Circus. Though originally meant to be the prelude to a deeper conceptual narrative, Mick opted to let his project breathe, delaying the follow-up effort indefinitely. Today, the elite lyricist has decided to drop off a new loosie, reuniting with his longtime collaborator (and now Grammy-winning producer) Kaytranada for “Designer Frames.”

Released alongside a promise that his new album is “on the way,” Mick’s new release is a welcome reminder of how effortlessly he shines behind the mic. “I could give a fuck being Frank, I be laughing like I’m off the novocaine,” he spits, over Kaytra’s percussive arrangement. “Hold the weight of the team, I might have to do like Kappa, grab a cane / all the pain we ascertain from chocolate rain and acid rain.” When it comes to vocabulary and sheer scope of references, few can stand with Mick Jenkins in that department

Check out “Designer Frames” now, and keep a watchful eye for updates on Mick Jenkins’ third studio album as they surface.

QUOTABLE LYRICS

I could give a fuck being Frank, I be laughing like I’m off the novocaine
Hold the weight of the team, I might have to do like Kappa, grab a cane 
All the pain we ascertain from chocolate rain and acid rain

Kevin George Drops “101 Freestyle”

Kevin George continues to blur the lines in his music. As an artist who takes inspiration from artists like Prince and Tame Impala, as well as R&B and hip-hop, it’s hard to put his music in a box but that’s what’s so refreshing about it in the first place. Projects like Hopeless Romantic helped introduce the world to his creativity and how his brain connects elements from different genres to breed his own unique sound that’s both gritty and poppy.

Today, the rapper emerged with his latest offering, “101 Freestyle.” The short track runs for a little under 2 minutes as the rapper pops his shit over frenetic and upbeat production.

Check out the latest track from Kevin George, “101 Freestyle” below” and sound off in the comments with your thoughts.

Quotable Lyrics
She so pretty, come fuck with me
Love the way you move it
Really a dime, I just hit my prime
Yeah, wait, the bitch is mine
That bitch really mine

Courtney Bell & Icewear Vezzo Are On Their Bully On “Deebo”

It’s only been a few months since Detroit rapper unleashed his project, Poverty Stricken. The rapper’s body of work includes appearances from artists like REASON and DCMBR, as well as production from !llmind and Justice League, among others. Regardless of who’s on the track, Courtney Bell always holds his own, showcasing his emotional depth and lyrical abilities all at the same time.

This morning, the rapper returned with his latest single inspired by the protagonist of Ice Cube’s cult classic, Friday. Bell pairs up with fellow Detroit native Icewear Vezzo on “Deebo,” a menacing banger with production that’s equal parts sinister and animated. Bell and Icewear Vezzo pop their shit without hesitancy, detailing the ways of the streets and their status as rappers.

Check it out below.

Quotable Lyrics
Tried to leave but they need healin’
Who gon’ speak if I don’t stop ’em?
Fuck a chain, I bought the hood
Built a block up with my patnas
Find a all town and lock it when you playin’ with them outlets

Soulja Boy Turns The Strip Club Upside Down On “She Make It Clap”

It’s hard to get lost in Soulja Boy’s catalog. With an endless amount of music released over the years, including collaborative projects and loose singles, he’s left his mark on the rap game, even if he doesn’t get his dues. However, you got to applaud the fact that even without the accolades and recognition he feels he deserves, he continues to flood his Soundcloud page with new music on a regular basis.

Over the past few months, the rapper has been offering tons of music including his latest projects, Soulja World and Swag 3. Over the weekend, he slid through with a bass-rumbling banger titled, “She Make It Clap.” The rapper details his array of firearms and women that he keeps close by while offering insight into his typical ventures into the booty club.

Check out his new single below.

Quotable Lyrics
I walk in the club and whip out them racks
I’m blowing on gas, she doin’ her dance
She makin’ it clap, I might have a heart attack
I walk in the club and I’m makin’ it rain with them stacks

Kendrick Lamar Embraced West Coast Vibes On “You Ain’t Gotta Lie”

Kendrick Lamar’s masterpiece — one of many, as it were — To Pimp A Butterfly, has officially turned six years of age. Widely hailed as a stellar body of work from the Compton mastermind, many singles have long withstood the test of time, easily standing as some of Kendrick’s best work. Yet one of the project’s many highlights arrives by way of a deeper cut, the up-tempo and unapologetically west-coast “You Ain’t Gotta Lie,” one of the album’s grooviest jams by far.  

Over a bouncy instrumental from producer LoveDragon, Kendrick takes to the beat with two distinct approaches. The first is more melodic in nature, a laid-back delivery that speaks to the track’s casual and carefree air. His pace quickens around the halfway point as he switches to a livelier flow, delivered with robotic precision and a zenlike cadence. “So loud rich ni**as got low money, and loud broke ni**as got no money,” he raps. “The irony behind it is so funny, and I seen it all this past year.” Closing out with some Roger-Troutman-esque vocoder vocals, “You Ain’t Gotta Lie” shines as a cautionary tale of sorts, breaking down the high cost of playing it cool. 

Happy anniversary to Kendrick Lamar and To Pimp A Butterfly, one of the genre-defining projects of the past decade — and arguably ever, depending on who you ask. Where do you think “You Ain’t Gotta Lie” holds up alongside the discography?

QUOTABLE LYRICS

What do you got to offer?
Tell me before we off ya, put you deep in the coffin
Been allergic to talkin’, been a virgin to bullshit
And sell a dream in the auction, tell me just who your boss is