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We’re always delighted to hear new music from Brent Faiyaz and the R&B scene is blessed with another release. On Friday (March 12), Brent shared his latest single “Show U Off,” a song that arrived with a music video filled with women of all ages as the singer celebrates Women’s History Month and International Women’s Day (March 8). It’s clear that Faiyaz is readying his forthcoming project and we’re excited to receive more music from the 25-year-old artist.

In a recent interview with Pharrell, Brent revealed why he remains independent. “I’m the type to hold grudges,” he reportedly said. “So if I went and did a meeting with you and you offered me some bullsh*t, I’m gonna remember that and now I got something to prove.” Stream “Show U Off” by Brent Faiyaz and let us know what you think.

Quotable Lyrics

But if you’re lookin’
Then look no further
Because you’re worth it, girl
I got all this love for you
But you deserve it (F*ck them if they don’t see)
You’re Black and perfect

[via]

The song of the season is SpotemGottem’s “BeatBox” as it is the latest track to take social media by storm. Rappers have been borrowing the beat to add their own bars to the mix, and after hinting that she had some new heat on the way, Mulatto shares her addition to the wave. SpotemGottem is climbing the charts thanks to TikTok challenges and his fellow rappers shining a light on the single, and Mulatto threw her hat in the ring.

Along with the Georgia rapper’s “BeatBox Freestyle” comes an accompanying visual where Mulatto takes viewers on a behind-the-scenes look at what it’s like for her on the set of a photoshoot. She dons different looks as she spits her usual boastful bars and fans may recognize a few of those wardrobe changes because the rapper has been sharing photos from the video shoot to her Instagram. Check out Mulatto’s “BeatBox Freestyle” and let us know how you think she measures up.

Quotable Lyrics

Show ’em, the end of the road, I ain’t into turnin’ boys to me
Walkthrough, there’s forty bands, red bottoms like Toya man (Yeah)
Who cut a n*gga off quicker than me? Sh*t, not even Lori can (On God)
Who she think she is? She don’t win big, so well, b*tch, I did (I did)
B*tches ain’t on sh*t but d*ck, I’m pullin’ triggеrs, not no wigs (Yeah)

Seven years ago today, Young Money released its second compilation Rise Of An Empire. Arriving roughly six years after the record label’s first compilation We Are Young Money, Rise Of An Empire found Young Money in a completely different position than when the label initially rose to prominence. The label’s darling discoveries Drake and Nicki Minaj were now members of the upper echelon of Hip-Hop and no longer needed the label, and that same year Tyga began lashing out at Young Money for holding him back. Thus, Rise Of An Empire was a mixed bag and of a commercial misstep for the label. Still, the compilation album did feature some pretty decent tracks, including Drake’s Nothing Was The Same throwaway “Trophies.”

“Trophies” is built upon a fanfare more so than a mere beat. Hit-Boy’s production is grand and victorious, which perfectly suited Drake’s commercial dominance following the release of Nothing Was The Same. The song finds Drake bragging about his progression as an artist as well as his overall influence in Hip-Hop, but “Trophies” is at its best when Drake is stripped of his bravado and admits that his most meaningful accomplishments are the ones that aren’t commemorated with headlines or awards. 

“Trophies” may have been Drake’s only contribution to Young Money’s Rise Of An Empire album, but it was easily one of the most impressive performances on the Young Money compilation. What is your favorite cut from Rise Of An Empire?

Quotable Lyrics

I’m just tryna stay alive and take care of my people
And they don’t have no award for that
Trophies, trophies
And they don’t have no award for that
Shit don’t come with trophies, ain’t no envelopes to open
I just do it cause I’m ‘sposed to, nigga

Arkansas’ own Bankroll Freddie has officially revisited his recent From Trap to Rap single “Rich Off Grass,” coming through with a Young Dolph assisted Remix. And while Freddie doesn’t opt to deliver any new verses for the occasion, the addition of Dolph is enough to imbue this version with more than enough character. 

“A fortune off them bags got rich off that gas,” raps Dolph, his baritone vocals commanding a domineering presence. “From riches to rags, when they pull up to the spot they bring they whole stash / she introduce me to the plug, I bought that hoe a Jag / fuck that, I don’t wanna talk about the past.” Though he doesn’t spit too many bars, Dolph sticks around long enough to make the remix feel distinct — especially when paired with some new visuals to match. Check out “Rich Off Grass Remix” now, and keep an eye out for his upcoming album Big Bank, set to arrive on April 2nd. 

QUOTABLE LYRICS

From riches to rags,
When they pull up to the spot they bring they whole stash
She introduce me to the plug, I bought that hoe a Jag
Fuck that, I don’t wanna talk about the past

In 2016, Frank Ocean pulled off one of the biggest coups in the history of the American music industry when he finessed his independence with the back-to-back releases of Endless and Blonde. By fulfilling his contractual obligations with the Apple Exclusive Endless, Frank was able to release Blonde one day later as an independent artist and make a killing from the album’s commercial success. It’s an achievement that has nearly become a modern legend, but it was not the last bold move that the former Odd Future artist would make. Nearly seven months after unleashing Blonde, Frank returned with the nonheteronormative anthem “Chanel.”

“Chanel” has a lot of amazing qualities squeezed into its three-and-a-half-minute runtime. Its moody piano-driven production yields moments of infectious bravado, sheer honesty regarding Ocean’s bisexuality, and pure tenderness. The song notably kicks off with the legendary line “My guy pretty like a girl/And he got fight stories to tell,” which, while empowering, was an unprecedented thing for a mainstream R&B and Hip-Hop artist to say at the time. The song’s “See both sides like Chanel” chorus is equally iconic, and it remains a subtle, yet lyrically robust reference to one’s sexuality, outlook on life, and so much more.

Four years later, are you still bumping Frank Ocean’s “Chanel?”

Quotable Lyrics

V both sides of the 12
Steam both sides of the L
Freeze smoke rings and they hail
Sleet snow grind for the wealth
Whole team diamonds is real
Showed ’em how to shine by theirselves

Michigan-based rapper NF is one of the leaders in his field, ushering in a new era of lyrical rap that the masses have connected with. The chart-topping artist is known to sell out arenas on any given day, exciting fans with the recent announcement of his upcoming CLOUDS mixtape. The introspective releases that have preceded his latest drop have piqued people’s curiosity and, on Thursday, NF came through with yet another single to lead us into his new tape.

Dropping “LOST” with Los Angeles-based rapper Hopsin, NF speaks about finding himself, walking through the Colorado mountains with a number of black balloons tied to him. 

This is the latest release from CLOUDS, which will be out on March 26, 2021. Listen to it below and let us know what you think.

Quotable Lyrics:

I love to pack arenas and all
But what I really wanna do is learn to handle my thoughts
And put the reigns on ’em, show ’em I’m the one that’s the boss
And pull ’em back when they get out of hand, I’m breakin’ they jaws
I’m takin’ the flaws, that told me I could never evolve
Then pull a Bane on ’em, ask ’em, “Oh, you think you’re in charge?”
You oughta know better, ain’t no way around it, I’m flawed
The traits that I want, they say I can’t afford what it cost

The Drake, Ultimate Rap League (URL), and Caffeine streaming collaboration is the Hip-Hop gift that keeps giving, as fans of battle rap have been continuously treated with high-profile events and unforgettable moments. In 2020 alone, URL’s battles notched over 8.7 million total viewers on Caffeine’s platform, and this year, the collaboration shows no sign of stopping. One of last month’s premier events was a battle of the sexes style program titled Kings vs. Queens 2, and in honor of the event, Hip-Hop heavyweights Remy Ma and Papoose stopped by to perform a freestyle.

Now the Remy Ma and Papoose’s “Smack/URL Freestyle” is available on YouTube, giving fans who aren’t subscribed to Caffeine the opportunity to enjoy the couple’s joint performance. The two artists take turns over hard-hitting nostalgic production courtesy of Rain, with Remy going first and Papoose closing things out. In the spirit of Kings vs. Queens 2, Remy and Pap keep their joint freestyle competitive by giving their respective verses all that they’ve got, from Remy’s aggressive and slick lyricism to Papoose’s witty, tongue-twisting delivery.

Check out their freestyle below to see whether Remy Ma or Papoose had the harder verse.

Quotable Lyrics

I ride on ’em in a second, you must got a deathwish
My n*ggas is hungry, you lookin’ like breakfast
Y’all n*ggas be textin’, y’all think that’s a weapon?
Spray ya momma crib, now that’s how you send a message

Sage The Gemini has officially connected with Chris Brown to bless his new single “Baby” with some dulcet tones. Following a recently-teased snippet of the Superiors-laced track, the song has officially landed in select international markets, with a full release set to hit DSPs tomorrow. Musically, the track provides both artists with space to flex their respective styles, though the up-tempo production does give this one a decidedly radio-friendly feel.

“Whole minute on the ‘Gram, you know I keep a full clip,” raps Sage, in the opening verse. “Every time I hit, I do some new shit / I go down, she speaks in tongues / Now I’m preachin’ from the pulpit.” In Breezy’s case, he makes sure to outline some of his driving philosophies, which paint monogamy as a bit of a one-sided concept. “She do not see other men, but my baby understands a man gon’ be a man,” he sings, all but shrugging on wax. In addition to previous collaborations “Buss It,” “Outy When I Drive / Blamed,” and the Tank-assisted “#BDay,” Baby makes for another strong outing from Breezy and Sage. 

Be sure to check this one out now, and sound off if you’re feeling this melodically-charged meeting of the minds. 

QUOTABLE LYRICS

Ayy, I just took her to Jamaica
Tell her ex to get his cake up
I’ve been drippin’ with the flavor
Cartier’s on my face
My bitch look good without the makeup

Sonny Digital has an extensive catalog as a producer, having worked with Grammy Award-winning, platinum-certified, and chart-topping acts such as Beyoncé, Travis Scott, Kanye West, 21 Savage, and countless other well-known artists. Throughout his success as a producer, however, Sonny Digital has slowly been creeping towards the microphone as well, thus giving his career a second life as a solo artist. Recently, in honor of the Atlanta-based artist’s 30th birthday, he has unleashed a new track that’s sure to slash through any preconceived notions you had about his artistry.

Sonny Digital’s latest single “Dance,” apart from its gorgeous production, is a surface-level track about wanting to dance. The funky, disco-inspired song kicks off with the producer’s signature “Sonny rollin’ grams of wax” tax before settling into a vibe that evokes the same feeling that made Pharrell and Daft Punk’s “Get Lucky” such a smash record, so it’s an unexpected, yet tasteful, new sonic direction for the well-known Hip-Hop producer to embark upon. At a runtime of four minutes, getting lost in the nostalgic simplicity of “Dance” is joyously unavoidable, making Sonny Digital’s new single an easy addition to any party or kickback playlists.

Are you feeling the Grammy-nominated producer and artist’s latest release?

Quotable Lyrics

If it’s a limit, then we gon’ go
But it ain’t no limit, to where I can go
And my love is like a black hole
‘Cause you never know where that go
Go to dance every twenty-four
If you want to move get up on the floor, yeah

Quando Rondo has been everywhere over the past few months, despite being under scrutiny for his connection to the death of King Von. He wasn’t charged or arrested but he has been vocal about the issue, recently stating that King Von “got his self in that situation.” The backlash isn’t enough to take a step back from the game and he’s continued to make sure his fans are receiving a steady stream of content.

Earlier today, the rapper returned with his latest single, “Okay.” Bringing out the bluesy tones, the rapper reflects on gun violence as a product of the paranoia that comes from the street and the use of substances to cope with the hardships. However, the message of the song reflects on maintaining a strong sense of resilience and always bouncing back during the worst times.

Quotable Lyrics
Live by the gun, die by the knife
Glock on my hip, no holster
Up by the sun, down by the night
I swear the street life bogus