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Chika’s been the one to look out for over the past few years. Ever since she showed out with her post-electionC freestyle in 2016, many have been championing her as they await for her moment to truly blow up. It seems like that moment is truly beginning to occur these days, especially after releasing her 2020 project, INDUSTRY GAMES. 

On Friday, she returned with her latest EP, Once Upon A Time. She teams up with BJ The Chicago Kid to set the tone for the project on the intro track, “Fairy Tales.” BJ’s vocals make a declaration over triumphant horns before Chika’s melodious flow offers an insightful yet broad reflection of representation in the media, especially for young Black children. “Let’s make a couple hits for all the kids that need a symbol/ Let’s remind them that they matter, the media can chatter/ And peer into their lives to form statistics, like we data,” Chika raps on the record.

Quotable Lyrics
Pied Piper gone to jail because the streets talk, n***a
Role models only real until the beat stop, n***a
Karens love the coloreds if it’s Deepak, n***a
But her walls so dry, call it sheet rock, n***a

Juice WRLD’s passing was a real tragedy that left the music industry without one of its up-and-coming stars. There were numerous artists who were impacted by Juice WRLD, including Alabama artist Clever, who recently released his new album called Crazy which just so happens to be dedicated to Juice. Perhaps the biggest tribute on the album is the interlude “Dreams” which is a poem to the star.

In this poem, Clever speaks about his final conversation with Juice WRLD and how he told the artist about how he saved his life. Clever felt like it was he himself who was about to die and he is forever grateful for how Juice impacted him. It’s a powerful sequence on the album that just goes to show how much Juice meant to the industry.

You can read our most recent interview with Clever, right here.

Quotable Lyrics:

Had a dream last night ’bout Juice last flight
But the plane touched down, he was holding Ally tight
No medics were in sight, no tears on the cheek
Me and George was on good terms, it was love when we speak

Bones has been notorious over the years for his monotone and menacing bangers that are filled with depressing lyrics and dark undertones. These approaches to music have been him a cult hero and to this day, he continues to deliver new music. At the end of the month, he will be dropping a collaborative project with Deergod called Pushing Up Daisies and the first single to come from it is called “PopRocks.”

This track is one of those menacing songs Bones is known for although with the instrumental we get something both dark and hypnotic. Bones offers up his usual brooding flow all while Deergod spits some bars that have a more old-school feel. It’s a unique mixture of styles and it’s a great little teaser for their upcoming project.

Quotable Lyrics:

Like pop rocks I pop y’all
Pull it out my pocket and poppin’ it, knock your block off
Shots like Top Gun
No witness, no cop cars
I pop up like an ad, look around like who popped y’all?

TikTok is already a necessary tool to succeed in the music industry but it certainly feels like some of these songs are being forced down our throats with manufactured challenges. However, there are many artists who’ve had organic growths through the platform that eventually led to nationwide airplay. Cookiee Kawaii blasted to success with “Vibe” which later received a remix with Tyga. 

Even though she’s been relatively low-key since the top of the year, she emerged on Friday with the release of her latest single, “Hey DJ.” It’s an upbeat record that finds Cookiee weaving through the laidback production with flows and melodies. While it does lean more towards electronic than it does hip-hop, Cookiee Kawaii is proving to be a master at tying both together in an authentic way.

Quotable Lyrics
Bang it out
Speed it up
Get low, let me see them shoulders roll
Let me show you how this go

Giveon has been a busy man as of late as he continues to be praised by some of the biggest artists out there. His smooth brand of r&b is something to behold and over the past year, he has released two EPs in Take Time and When It’s All Said And Done. Recently, Giveon decided to merge these projects with When It’s All Said And Done… Take Time. There is one new track to be found here call “All To Me” and as one can imagine, it’s a continuation of his crisp songwriting and fantastic singing.

With this track, Giveon delivers a gorgeous love song where he is down-tuned vocals are on full display. He delivers a more lowkey approach all while bringing out some vibes that are perfect for any weekend spent indoors. Giveon has yet to disappoint and this new song is yet another example of what he can bring to the table.

Let us know what you think, in the comments below.

Quotable Lyrics:

Oh, he still don’t make you feel beautiful (Ooh, ooh-ooh)
I know, but I do, just know I got you (Ooh, ooh-ooh)
He still don’t even give you enough (Ooh, ooh-ooh)
It’s true, in my room, I ain’t gon’ stop you (Ooh, ooh-ooh)

We’re ushering in the weekend with some new R&Bish vibes thanks to Vado. The New York rapper called on fellow emcee Lloyd Banks and singer Shemon Luster to round out his new single “It’s Alright,” and the track’s production gives a nostalgic, East Coast Hip Hop feel that the trio takes on with perfection. Vado and Banks spit verses directly to the women in their lives as they speak on the often unnecessary ups and downs they’re facing in their relationships.

Saturday (March 13) marks Vado’s birthday, and as many artists do, he decided to gift fans with new music as a present to himself. Over on Instagram, the rapper shared a photo where he’s seen enjoying a few birthday cocktails as he’s presented with a Cartier watch. “Another lap around da sun which means a lot of heat for y’all,” he wrote in the caption. Stream Vado’s “It’s Alright” featuring Lloyd Banks and Shemon Luster and let us know what you think.

Quotable Lyrics

I know you want it all
I know you want my heart
I know you know what’s pure
I know what you adore and what you lookin’ for
I know you want me to call, just to hit ignore

It’s about that time for Yungeen Ace to drop his debut studio album. This is an exciting moment for any artist and the rapper is making sure that he rolls out the record with perfection. Last summer, Ace dropped off his Don Dada project that hosted one lone feature from King Von. The world didn’t know that five months later Von’s life would end, making the album that much more special.

On Friday (March 12), Yungeen delivered his third single of the year, “Gun Em Down.” Along with the release comes a music video where Ace is seen flashing luxury vehicles and expensive jewelry as he spits bars about the struggles from the streets to where he is now. As far as when his debut Life of Betrayal 2x will arrive, the rapper shared on Instagram that it’s “coming soon.” Stream Yungeen Ace’s “Gun Em Down” and let us know if you’re looking forward to Life of Betrayal 2x.

Quotable Lyrics

Аll thеm nіghtѕ thеу lеft mе trаumаtіzеd
Саn’t ѕее mу mоmmа сrуіng
Саn’t lеt јuѕt аnуbоdу соmе аrоund
Іt’ѕ lіkе еvеrу dау аnоthеr hоmісіdе
Аіn’t trуnа ѕее mу раrtnеrѕ dіе
Тhеу ѕау mу nаmе wе gоttа gun ’еm dоwn

He decided to double things up on Friday (March 12) by releasing two new singles, and Price did not disappoint. Last year, Price dropped his Boi-1da-produced debut solo album CLRD., and this year, it’s reported that he’s slated to release his follow-up, F.O.E.S. From the sounds of his newly released tracks, Price is honing in those already impressive skills and isn’t worried about the rumors of a sophomore slump.

On “Selfish,” Price is joined by Dreamville powerhouse Bas and music legend Wyclef Jean. “’Selfish’ is a song that was made to inspire people to take time out for themselves, better themselves while doing it, and love themselves in the process,” he said of the song. “We’re often looked at as selfish for doing these things for ourselves, so I wanted to shed light and present people with a different way of looking at it.” Stream “Selfish” and share your thoughts.

Quotable Lyrics

Tired of being low, so now I’m climbing
Tired of feeling lost, exhausted I am
Burdened by the weight of my objective
Body following my mind directives
Carriage dangle tracking my incentives
Fuck the game and use the contraceptives

[via]

KSI follows his previous single “Don’t Play” with a shocking new release featuring YUNGBLOOD and Polo G. Titled “Patience,” the UK artist’s new single serves as a preview of his upcoming follow-up to his acclaimed 2020 album Dissimulation, and its disparate line-up of artist surprisingly makes for an amazing collaboration and a sleek pop crossover record.

“Patience” is a massive ensemble track that features all three artists shining on a fresh pop-sensible record. Similar to Sonny Digital’s recently released single “Dance,” the KSI, YUNGBLUD, and Polo G collaboration gives a nod to pop nostalgia and heavily channels a disco vibe. “Patience” begins with an impressive Polo G feature, that remains heartfelt and brutally honest despite the Chicago rapper’s sonic experimentation. 

Although YUNGBLUD doesn’t get a verse of his own, the weird! artist absolutely crushes the chorus and furthers the single’s magnetic vibe. As the lead artist, KSI takes a slight backseat to his collaborators, but his performances on the song’s second verse and bridge fit the song perfectly. With Polo G, YUNGBLUD, and KSI’s contributions all put together, “Patience” is an unexpectedly superb collaboration.

Listen to KSI’s latest single below, and get ready for the artist’s second album.

Quotable Lyrics

No patience, I’ve had enough
Spent too much time through these phases, it’s just not addin’ up
Felt all alone on those stages, wanna get my passion up
It’s over, pack it up

Having released a collab album with Casey Veggies as well as a full-length solo project, Rockie Fresh stayed busy all throughout 2020, but he isn’t letting his foot off the gas quite yet. His new single “Racer” arrives nearly a month following his “Gucci” single with Tobi Lou and Jeff Kalle, and this time, the former MMG rapper is linking up with Roc Nation’s outspoken artist Vic Mensa.

On “Racer,” the rapper’s verses are separated by a repetitive refrain built upon the line “I push the coupe like a racer,” but each of their individual performances proves that Rockie Fresh‘s latest single is not simply a watered-down single about driving fast sports cars. Rockie’s reserved verse is inspired by the dangers that come with his career, from women looking to date rappers solely for their riches to people making attempts on rappers’ lives. In contrast, Vic Mensa‘s verse turns the aggression up a few notches, as he taunts detracts and full-on welcomes beef with an unknown adversary.

Check out the collaboration between Rockie Fresh and Vic Mensa below.

Quotable Lyrics

We ain’t seen you niggas outside with your dawgs, that shit’s a Scooby-Doo mystery
She in my DMs but she your BM, she swallow my kids she ain’t kissing me (*smooth,* *smooth*)
It’s just the Prince in me, my Ralph Lauren Purple Label
I’m making Young Money, Freeky got the DRACO
Hit yo boy up now it’s blood on my ‘Fazos