song

Days after roasting her boyfriend Big Sean on the sixth anniversary of his fan-favorite album Dark Sky Paradise, Jhené Aiko returns with some new music of her own. A week ahead of the release of Disney’s next animated film Raya and the Last Dragon, the Chilombo artist has released “Lead The Way,” the album opener for the upcoming movie’s soundtrack.

Jhené’s contribution to Raya and the Last Dragon‘s original motion picture soundtrack is a heartfelt song about the importance of following one’s heart. “Lead The Way” is packed with themes such as trust, family, love, and perseverance, and the bright, lush production is the perfect soundscape for this inspirational effort. Despite it being one of the biggest songs on the soundtrack for a kid’s movie, “Lead The Way” is still an impressive release from Jhené that isn’t too far off from her own musical output.

Does Jhené Aiko’s new song make you want to check out Raya and the Last Dragon when it hits theatres and Disney Plus next Friday?

Quotable Lyrics

When you’re broken, open up your heart and feel
There’s no difference, we’re all family here
It’s ’bout all of our doubts, all our up and downs
There is never really anything to fear

Rising melodist Joyce Wrice has been making moves of late, and now she has officially connected with Grammy-nominated Freddie Gibbs on her new single “On One.” Immediately kicking off with an infectious bounce, Wrice’s vocals shine as she reflects on a relationship, her confidence and swagger certainly evident. It certainly bodes well for her imminent album Overgrown (March 19th), which features additional guest appearances from Westside Gunn, Lucky Daye, KAYTRANADA, and more. 

While not quite the expected sound from Gangsta Gibbs, it’s a testament to his versatility to see him tackling a good-old-fashioned “thug luv” duet. That’s not to say his sharp bars are dulled in the slightest. “Your last n***a hit ya and quit ya now you can’t find homes, had your mind blown, n***a diamonds ashy like rhinestones,” he raps, gliding over the bassline and guitar. “Fuck the runway, I’m running hoes, fashion week / French bitch from Ivory Coast, pussy magnifique.”

Check out the new collaboration from Joyce Wrice and Freddie Gibbs now, and sound off if you’ll be putting the singer on your radar moving forward.

QUOTABLE LYRICS

Your last n***a hit ya and quit ya now you can’t find homes,
Had your mind blown, n***a diamonds ashy like rhinestones
Fuck the runway, I’m running hoes, fashion week
French bitch from Ivory Coast, pussy magnifique

After releasing his topical two-pack THE 2K STIMULUS in January, Louisville, Kentucky-based rapper 2KBABY is officially back with his new single “Like This” featuring Marshmello.

Through his emotional delivery and succinct storytelling, the 20-year-old rising star has built an impressive base for himself to make some major moves in the music business, and today, he’s coming through with one of his most exciting tracks yet, collaborating with Marshmello for “Like This”. Until now, 2K has been scratching at his potential but it feels like, with this record, he’s reaching new heights with perfectly-delivered vocals and huge production, which could very well result in a hit for the young artist.

Listen to the new 2KBABY below and let us know if you’ll be adding “Like This” to your playlist.

Quotable Lyrics:

I been through too much just to live like this
Double up my cup, you can’t sip like this
I fill my pockets ’til they stuffed so they fit like this
Now she know I’m up ’cause I drip like this
I won’t give a f*ck, let it rip like this
Hop up in my truck and I whip like this
And now they know I’m up ’cause my wrist like this
No, I can’t get enough ’cause I’m sick like this, yeah

Tee Grizzley is a man of many talents, and one of the most impressive tools in his kit remains his underrated storytelling ability. In fact, it’s part of what drew Timbaland to collaborate with the Detroit emcee in the first place. Today, Grizzley has come through to continue a prior saga with his new single “Robbery Part Two,” an explosive vignette that places the rapper directly in the midst of a bloody fray. 

Insofar as a moral compass is concerned, Tee has no time for neither honor nor virtue. Instead, he uses brute force and intimidation to achieve his goals, yet his undeniable charisma makes it difficult to root against him. Even amidst the carnage, Tee Grizzley’s playful sense of macabre humor still shines through, though not at the expense of the tale’s urgency. What makes “Robbery Part 2” so enthralling is the fact that Tee isn’t speaking as an omniscient narrator, but rather the one directly driving the action. 

Check out “Robbery Part Two” now.

QUOTABLE LYRICS

Bitch get the fuck up and stop screaming, shut the fuck up
Where that n***a that you close to, you lie to me I’ma smoke you
Matter fact we bout to get the fuck on, I pulled up thought it was him and hit that boy in his dome
She like listen Tee I ain’t nothing wrong
I’m like listen I know, but there’s somebody that you know that’s gotta go

Friday (February 6) made for an intense night of releases as artists near and far shared new music, including Noname who surprised fans with her poetic offering titled “RAINFOREST.” The Kount-produced track is Noname’s first single of the year, and like much of her catalog, the Chicago native touches on socio-political issues that plague marginalized communities.

“RAINFOREST” follows Noname’s lone release for 2020, “Song33,” that seemed to be an indirect response to J. Cole’s “Snow on tha Bluff.” The pair traded a few bars about activism before they both gracefully bowed out of the lyrical discussion. This year, Noname’s fans can expect to receive her forthcoming project Factory Baby, so we will keep you updated about that as more information is shared. 

Stream “RAINFOREST” and let us know what you think.

Tracklist

I said baby, come on
You know this flesh is only temporary, brittle as bone
Why don’t you empty out your love for me, then chisel the stone?
These are ten Black commandments, a property loan
‘Cause every bladed grass of earth, we don’t actually own

We’ve heard a lot from Freddie Gibbs this week after clips from his interview with Joe Rogan have gone viral. The rapper talked about shooting crackheads while also discussing the demise of R. Kelly’s career, but when he’s not sharing his stories on podcasts, the rapper is grinding out new music in the studio. On Friday (February 26), Gibbs’s addition to the Black History Always – Music For The Movement Vol. 2 EP was released and it came in the form of a cover of famed poet and performer Gil Scott-Heron’s “Winter in America.”

The second volume of the EP follows the first installment, I Can’t Breathe, that featured artists like Rapsody, Terrace Martin, and Robert Glasper. The most latest release includes looks from many performers such as Tinashe, Tobe Nwigwe, and Gibbs, who honors Scott-Heron’s work effortlessly. Stream “Winter in America” and let us know what you think.

Quotable Lyrics

Just like the cities staggered on the coastline
In a nation that can’t take much more (Yeah)
Like the forest buried underneath the highway
Highway
Nеver had a chance to grow
I nevеr had a chance to grow

A year ago, we received Unlocked, a collaborative project featuring Denzel Curry and Kenny Beats. The pair came together to execute an impressive project and they’ve reunited to deliver a remix of the record titled Unlocked 1.5. It’s reported that the updated version will feature all of the original tracks but as remixed versions featuring artists like Arlo Parks, Jay Versace, Charlie Heat, Benny The Butcher, and more.

It was just last week when Curry and Kenny gave us the remix to “So.Incredible.Pkg” with looks from Robert Glasper and Smino. On Friday (February 26), they returned to drop off a reimagined version of “Cosmic.m4a,” this time with additions from The Alchemist and Joey Bada$$. The collaboration is deserving of much praise, so stream the remix to “Cosmic.m4a” and share your thoughts.

Quotable Lyrics

Gun cocked, make a n*gga lung stop
Got my middle finger to the ceilin’, screaming, “F*ck cops”
Trigger finger start itchin’ when the fun stop
Fiends at the bus stop, eyes lookin’ bloodshot
Uh, stop your blood clot cryin’
They killed my dawg, now everybody’s dyin’

Next week, we’ll finally see what producers have to offer with Coming 2 America. Decades after the classic film hit the silver screen the world is receiving a sequel, and the star-studded film finds many of our favorite actors revisiting their hit roles. Eddie Murphy and Arsenio Hall returned to star in the film, and it’s been one of the most anticipated productions for the better part of a year.

On March 5, Coming 2 America will premiere on Amazon Prime Video, and that same day, the movie’s soundtrack will reportedly hit streaming services, as well. The first offering from the soundtrack arrived on Friday (February 26) from YG & Big Sean as they collaborated on “Go Big.” You’ll find that both artists are taking a few risks and sharing a slighting different cadences throughout, so stream “Go Big” and let us know what you think.

Quotable Lyrics

Go big, know me, eight figures, go get
I like views of ocean, free time don’t make no sense
Buyin’ the foreign with Pesos, I’m too real can’t play roles
Just payrolls, Jeff Bezos, and my b*tch CO-CEO

To the delight of fans, Pop Smoke’s team continues to bless the Rap and Hip Hop world with new music. Days ago, we remembered the fallen rapper on the one-year anniversary of his death. It was in February 2020 when the rising 20-year-old star was gunned down during a home invasion in Los Angeles, and as authorities attempt to find justice for Pop Smoke, his legacy lives on.

On March 5, Eddie Huang’s film Boogie will premiere and it marks Pop Smoke’s acting debut as a basketball player named “Monk. It’s a movie that has been anticipated following the death of the promising artist, and fans are excited to see how it all came together. Additionally, on Friday (February 26) we received the Pop’s inclusion on the Boogie Soundtrack with a song titled “AP.” 

We’re sure there is much more to come from Pop Smoke’s camp, but in the meantime, stream “AP” and share your thoughts.

Quotable Lyrics

I’m with bae eatin’ steak dinner
Just know he got a K with him
And my little mama got it in her purse
All I gotta say is, “Bae get ’em”
If I run down, it’s a drum round (Brrt)
All you gonna hear is gun sounds

Following a recent hospitalization scare, D12’s Bizarre has bounced back without missing a beat. With his new album Dumpster Juice in the works, the disgusting Detroit emcee has come through with a new single from the sure-to-be vile project, enlisting Giggs for the assist. The result is “Bad Man,” a violent slow-burner that finds both rappers embracing their villainous personas over a spooky piano loop. Those familiar with Bizzy’s modus operandi shouldn’t be surprised to see him keeping the same energy here, and fans out his outlandish bars will no doubt revel in the depravity.

Following Bizzy’s opening verse, Giggs slides through to close things out, his cadence well-suited for the ominous instrumental. Making an art form out of blunt simplicity, Giggs’ amusing vernacular and mischievous turn of phrase makes him an engaging contrast to Bizzy. “Big-dick diploma, give chicks the boner,” he raps, deadpan. “Knee highs, bitch looking cute, good looking glutes, puss in boots.” While “Bad Man” might not be for everyone, those with a darker sense of humor and ear for the macabre will find much to appreciate on this one. Keep an eye out for more new music from Bizarre.

QUOTABLE LYRICS

Big-dick diploma, give chicks the boner
Knee-highs, bitch looking cute
Good looking glutes, puss in boots