There was a nice variety of vibes this week. From the exhilaration of Future’s “Os,” Flatbush Zombies’ “New World Order” and Blocboy JB’s “Don’t Say That” collaboration with Lil Uzi Vert to the lyrical leanings of Jadakiss and Styles P and Fetti, rap covered a lot of bases. There was also a lot of pensitivity, from another Lil Peep posthumous track to Lil Xan’s tribute to the late Mac Miller, who had a tribute concert on Halloween night. Check it out below.
Future, “Os”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aRJ-Ko4F9IQ
On the heels of his Wrld On Drugs collaboration with Juice WRLD, Future dropped off “Os,” a single many Future fans are saying is further stirring their anticipation for a new solo project. A snippet of “Os” has been out there for a while, but the entire song, featuring him turning up over a hypnotizing loop, is just what we need for the rotation.
Swizz Beatz Feat. Kendrick Lamar, Jadakiss & Styles P, “Something Dirty/Pic Got Us”
There’s not a lot of top rappers that Swizzy can say he hasn’t worked with, but Kendrick Lamar was one of them before this song. Even Swizzy’s son got a placement on Untitled. Kendrick appeared on “Something Dirty/Pic Got Us” from Swizz’ Poison project, but Duckworth could have offered more venom. Jada and Styles destroyed the regal beat like they always do, which is why it would have been icing on the cake to hear Kendrick trade wits with the Yonkers legends.
Vince Staples Feat. Jay Rock, “Don’t Get Chipped”
Vince Staples’ FM! album is here today. One of the standouts from “Crippy Teigen’s” latest project is an LA thing. He got with Jay Rock for “Don’t Get Chipped,” a party-starting trap burner where both artists take turns showing off over frantic 808s.
Lil Peep, “Runaway”
Lil Peep’s camp offers the latest posthumous track from the artist’s upcoming Come Over When You’re Sober Pt. II album. “Runaway” is another offering in which he morosely harmonizes over a soundscape fusing 808 drum programming with moody, alternative rock-inspired guitar playing. The fusion is an ideal canvas for morose lyrics like, “Why the f*ck do everybody act like they care? / I was dying and nobody was there / Please don’t cry, baby, life ain’t fair” that offer insight on what may have played a part in his premature demise. If only he always knew how many people had love for him.
Jay Rock, “Win” Remixes
Jay Rock’s name is on a lot of good work dropping this week. Not only was he on Vince Staples’ album, he dropped two remixes of his coronation of a single “Win” from Redemption. One of the remixes features Snoop Dogg dropping bars over the royal horn melody, while the other is even more creative. The week before Election Day, Jay Rock decided to throw some support behind Georgia Gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams — whose core base of Black voters have been victims of disenfranchisement. Even as an LA native, he had to make his voice heard on the issue with bars like, “go ‘head hit up all them polls, yeah / Stacey, you either with her or against her, though / Just vote for Stacey, not that other bro.” If she wins, this has to be one of the first songs playing.
Currensy & Freddie Gibbs, Fetti
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Currensy and Freddie Gibbs’ “Scottie Pippens” is a classic record that had fans clamoring for the DIY stalwarts to get together on a full-length project — preferably over Alchemist production. October 31 was Halloween, but it may as well have been Christmas for those fans, as their joint Fetti project dropped. Produced in full by Alchemist, the project consists of warm minimalist beats ripe for Currensy and Freddie Gibbs to charge through with lines like “Trump sweating bullets on Diet Coke sniffing powder up / And if he build the wall we gone bring that dope underground with us” on “Location Remote.”
Flatbush Zombies, “New World Order”
Here’s why it’s important to support your favorite artists and go to their shows when you can. The Flatbush Zombies have been performing the caustic “New World Order” all year, but only now are the rest of us getting a full studio version of the track. The track is framed by an eerie, post-apocalyptic synth melody that’s ripe for the crew to drop battle rhymes calling out everyone in their way.
Blocboy JB Feat. Lil Uzi Vert, “Don’t Say That”
There was a time in hip-hop history where there wasn’t as much room for a Memphis-Philadelphia rap collaboration due to the stylistic differences, but the internet has brought everyone together and on the same page for songs like “Don’t Say That,” a charging collaboration between Blocboy and Lil Uzi Vert. The two take turns on the two-minute track which is one of many that the busy Blocboy has released this year.
Lil Xan, “Worst Day Ever”
On Wednesday night, dozens of artists came together for the Mac Miller tribute concert in LA. Some of his most well-known friends were there such as Schoolboy Q and Vince Staples. Lil Xan is another artist who had a relationship with Mac which was closer than many may know. He was so distraught after Mac’s death he wanted to retire, and he reportedly canceled an upcoming tour to work on an entire tribute project to Mac, and offered “Worst Day Ever” as an example of what he’s been putting together. The title is a reference to Mac Miller’s Best Day Ever mixtape.
Clams Casino, “Healing”
Gifted producer Clams Casino is back with his first full project since 2011’s Rainforest EP. The track synesthizes the healing process, from sullen contemplation to rabid synth play that parallels the flurry of emotions that overcomes one dealing with trauma, to a tranquil sea once you reach acceptance. In a world full of tragedy every single day, this track can be a much-needed part of anyone’s self-care toolkit.
