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With Chika having recently secured her first Grammy nomination for Best New Artist, Spotify has opted to spotlight her work as part of the ongoing Spotify Singles series. Now, Chika has delivered two reimagined versions of both “U Should” and “My Future,” with the former kicking off the two-pack. While this new interpretation retains the same laid-back energy as the album version, the Spotify take of “U Should” is even more stripped-down than its predecessor.

Over a delicately finger-picked acoustic guitar progression and some lush production flourishes, Chika’s vocal chops are given room to soar, highlighting her versatility. As she transitions into rapping, the percussion enters the mix, imbuing the track with the spirit of an old-school jam session. What really shines however is Chika herself, who delivers each line with a refreshing clarity not often seen in a live rap performance. While it’s not entirely different from the studio version, the Spotify version of “U Should” emphasizes how talented Chika really is, and we can only hope she continues to explore this acoustic sound on further releases.

QUOTABLE LYRICS

I’m always in the position
Of sipping my drink, tryna make a decision
Of how I can shoot my damn shot with precision
I swear that it’s harder than what I envisioned
Cause mama got ass for days
But hold herself well, she got class for days

No matter what ends up happening on March 9th, today will forever be marred by the death of The Notorious B.I.G, who died on this day twenty-four years ago. By now, it’s no secret that Biggie is a lyrical genius, easily one of the culture’s defining writers and an enduring example of excellent penmanship. It feels appropriate to highlight one of the rapper’s many brilliant tracks — as well as one of his most depraved — in “Dead Wrong,” a posthumous collaboration with Eminem. 

Over an unsettling horn-driven beat, Biggie gives all the way into his villainous urges, embracing all the thrills of hedonism and violence as he spits methodical and brutal bars. “Biggie Smalls for mayor, the rap slayer,” he spits, introducing himself to the unaware. “The hooker layer, motherfucker, say your prayers / Hail Mary, full of grace, smack the bitch in the face.” Not long after, he declares himself to be more ruthless than Lucifer himself, leaving little reason to doubt him. “Disrespect me, my potency is deadly,” he warns. “I’m shooting babies — no ifs, ands or maybes.” 

Who better to match Biggie’s madcap depravity than Slim Shady himself, who steps in to close things off with a dexterous verse. By now, his opening stanza has become iconic. “There’s several different levels to Devil worshiping,” he spits. “Horses’ heads, human sacrifices, cannibalism, candles and exorcism / Animals, having sex with ’em, camels, mammals and rabbits / But I don’t get into that, I kicked the habit.”

Easily one of the most twisted duets in hip-hop history, especially when you factor in the combined level of lyrical excellence, “Dead Wrong” remains an essential part of both Biggie and Slim’s respective catalogs. Check it out for yourself now, and show some love to the late, great Notorious B.I.G in the comments below. 

QUOTABLE LYRICS

Disrespect me, my potency is deadly
I’m shooting babies — no ifs, ands or maybes
Hit mummy in the tummy if the hooker plays a dummy
Slit the wrist of little sis after she sucked the dick

Brent Faiyaz and Tyler, The Creator’s single “Gravity” was released in late January, and it’s still maintaining a solid rotation over on this end. The two have an incredible track record together whenever they team up but their latest offering is looking like it could carry on until the end of the year as a song of the year contender. We’ll have to see when the time’s right but clearly, IDK appreciates the song a lot or else he wouldn’t have covered it. The artist returned with a cover of the single today as part of a two-pack that included a freestyle over Pooh Shiesty and Lil Durk’s “Back In Blood.”

Check IDK’s cover of Brent Faiyaz & Tyler, The Creator’s collaboration “Gravity” and sound off in the comments with your thoughts.

Quotable Lyrics
He aimed it at my heart but shot my mothafuckin’ top
Now my love’s stupid, fuck it I’ll do it
Climb on up the ladder honey 

After an incredible run in 2020, Calboy isn’t slowing down his hustle, at all. Most artists of his caliber keep their good material for their albums while building the anticipation. Calboy’s taken an alternative route, flooding the streets with music, most of which you can’t even find on streaming services. However, fans are always delighted to hear new music from the rapper.

This weekend, he quietly teamed up with JD On The Track for their brand new collaboration, “These Days.” Calboy’s sing-rap flow details pain while also reflecting on the number of wins he’s had in recent times.

The latest from Calboy arrives just a month after he tackled SpottemGottem’s viral record, “BeatBox.” We’re excited to hear what Calboy has up his sleeves for the remainder of 2021.

Quotable Lyrics
You know I stay 10 toes
Pull up on your block
But we don’t shoot at windows
Girl exotic, smell that hot pack when the wind blows

It’s been roughly a year since she released her debut single but singer/songwriter Foushée is already making her impact felt through her hypnotizing melodies and genre-bending approach to her craft. It was “Deep End” that ultimately propelled her career, as well as the sample that was used in Sleepy Hallow’s hit record, “Deep End Freestyle.” 

Gearing up for 2021, she’s evidently maintaining the momentum at a high. Not only did she appear on Weezy’s “Ain’t Got Time, but she also delivered “single af” earlier this year. Now, she’s back with her latest offering, “sing about love.” The singer takes on jazz influences while her vocal prowess leaves you in a trance.

Along with the single, she was also named VEVO DSCVR artist and performed both of her latest singles for the series.

Check the latest from Foushée below.

Quotable Lyrics
It’s been since forever
Swore I would never
I’ll probably regret this but I
I can finally sing about love again

If there’s one thing rappers love more than anything, it’s being back. Songs have celebrated the art of the return for decades, and it’s unlikely that will end anytime soon. Case in point, Jeezy and longtime collaborator Shawty Redd have officially joined forces for their new single “Back To The Basics,” which Redd recently premiered on his Instagram page. With a rumored new project in the works, it’s possible that this one marks the first glimpse at what’s to come — and a promising glimpse at that. 

With Redd lacing up a spooky piano-driven instrumental that wouldn’t sound out of place in an old-school horror flick soundtrack, Jeezy steps up. “I’m in the zone with the zones, must have had bout twenty phones / shit it’s cold in the streets that’s why I’m wearing long Johns,” he raps, his flow methodical. “Got that grind on my mind, all my heroes doing time / Popeyes chicken sandwich at the spot I got a line.” 

As of now, it’s unclear as to whether the pair intend on releasing this one to DSPS — either way, it certainly bodes well for fans of Jeezy and Shawty Redd’s chemistry, especially with the anniversary of last year’s collaborative Twenty/20 Pyrex Vision tape.  Check out “Back To THe Basics” now, and sound off if you’re hoping for more from Jeezy and Redd.

QUOTABLE LYRICS

I’m in the zone with the zones, must have had bout twenty phones
Shit it’s cold in the streets that’s why I’m wearing long Johns
Got that grind on my mind, all my heroes doing time
Popeyes chicken sandwich at the spot I got a line

Pooh Shiesty and Lil Durk have a hit record on their hands with “Back In Blood”. The entire world (aside from Yaya Mayweather) seems to have fallen in love with the rising Memphis rapper and the Chicago veteran’s single, which has taken Pooh’s career to new heights. Selling over a million units, the rapper has his first platinum plaque, and Smurk has yet another to line his studio’s walls. With the song having such a tremendous impact on hip-hop this year, a number of respected rappers are itching to put some work in over the YC-produced beat, which brings us to IDK’s latest freestyle.

Uploading two new videos on YouTube, IDK is officially back with the release of his new freestyle over “Back In Blood”. He filmed a music video to go alongside the bars-heavy release, which runs just over a minute. 

IDK just continues to impress with his flows. Listen to his “Back In Blood” freestyle below.

Quotable Lyrics:

I bought a crib and a chain in a pandemic
Got an AMG and not a Panamera
Got a twin-turbo in the hood
Like I’m in the trenches next to Tia and Tamera
Drippin’ chlorophyll like I’m sippin’ syrup
Fresh up out the salon, I’ma f*ck her hair up

Jay Critch hasn’t gone pop or sold his soul. He’s remained true to being the Hood Favorite, as he asserted on his 2018 debut. Unfortunately, his dealings with Rich Forever haven’t necessarily worked in his favor but he’s been steadily growing the Talk Money Ent. label where he released 2020’s Signed With Love. 

It appears that Jay Critch is keeping the momentum going into 2021. This weekend, the rapper returned with his latest single, “Go Wherever.” He dabbles deeper into the melodies on this record as taps into his pain with some self-reflection of how far he’s come in the game.

We’re excited to hear what Jay Critch has up his sleeves for the remainder of the year. Hopefully, there’s a new project set to arrive in the future.

Quotable Lyrics
He caught a case after school
Judge ain’t dismiss it
Bail 350 thou and he ain’t got no digits
Where is everyone now when it comes down to business
We bailed him out, he went back in the system

Maryland melodist REI AMI has returned with her new single “Do It Right,” which finds her tapping in with Aminé for the intimate and reflective duet. Over a vibey instrumental fueled by the twang of guitar chords, REI’s airy vocals open up as the bass slides into the mix. “It’s about everything it feels to be in a relationship,” explains the singer, in an official press release. “It’s about when you’re so deeply in love with somebody you kind of lose a sense of yourself and also the mental battle of being in a toxic relationship.”

While he’s certainly capable of bringing an animated presence to any track he blesses, Aminé opts to scale things back for this one, matching REI’s introspective energy. “I’m rolling up this J, cause I don’t do pipes,” he reflects. “It’s a lonely day, it’s got me stuck tonight / this ain’t just a phase, I feel it in my bones and all / got me feeling like I need alcohol.” Despite the breezy exterior, there are certainly darker themes at play, and it’s certainly interesting to see how everything comes together.

Check out REI AMI and Aminé’s emotionally-charged duet “Do It Right” here, and sound off in the comments with your thoughts. 

QUOTABLE LYRICS

I’m rollin’ up this J’cause I don’t do pipes
It’s a lonely day, you got me stuck tonight
This ain’t just a phase, I feel it in my bones and all
Got me feelin’ like I need alcohol

Two years ago to this day, Juice WRLD delivered his debut A Death Race For Love. Following its release, Juice himself appeared displeased with the project, insinuating that he had rushed certain elements and would seek to improve on his subsequent release. Unfortunately, his premature passing prevented that from happening, leaving Death Race as the lone studio album he released while alive. As such, his fans have sought comfort in the musically diverse project, which highlights Juice’s versatility in a major way.

While his melodic and emotionally fueled tracks tend to be his most popular, there are many who appreciate the moments where Juice dives headfirst into the bars, as he does on the Hit-Boy produced highlight “Out My Way.” Shades of the classic Chicago sound can be heard as Juice takes to the creeping instrumental with plenty of character, pairing clever references with menacing threats. “Last bitch said I wasn’t shit, she wanna let me cram,” he raps. “Hit it from the back, oh yes I am / Chopper make your brains turn to eggs, Sam-I-Am.”

In celebration of this milestone anniversary, check out Juice WRLD’s “Out My Way” now and show some love to the late rapper in the comments below. 

QUOTABLE LYRICS

Free my n**gas in that jam 
I don’t give a shit, and I don’t give a Hoover damn
Last bitch said I wasn’t shit, she wanna let me cram
Hit it from the back, oh yes I am
Chopper make your brains turn to eggs, Sam-I-Am
I had a feelin’ they was gon’ switch up, ​will.i.am