Hip-hop is moving as fast as ever. Luckily, we’re doing the work to compile the best singles of the past week and highlight them in one space for you. It’s been a pretty steady week of releases. From genre-bending favorites Swae Lee and Post Malone collaborating on “Sunflower” and Future and Juice WRLD dropped “Fine China.” Vic Mensa responding to his detractors with “Empathy,” and Asian Doll dropped her debut album with So Icy Princess. Here are some of our favorite releases.
Future, Juice WRLD, “Fine China”
Juice WRLD is steadily ascending up the hip-hop ladder. His “Wasted” track hit the top of the Billboard charts, and there’s increasing demand for his every move. Standing next to a trap icon with a rabid fanbase isn’t a bad idea. He’s doing just that with Future, who he just dropped the Wrld On Drugs collaboration mixtape with. Before then, the two dropped off “Fine China,” an uptempo single that found Juice and Future weaving tales of modern romance. Juice helms most of the track, then Future makes his presence felt where he vies to take his girl throughout the solar system — but not the moonmoon.
Tory Lanez Feat. Meek Mill, “Drip Drip Dip”
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Meek Mill and Tory Lanez are batting about .1000 on their collaborations. The two talented artists have a special chemistry that makes for churning, energetic collaborations. They delivered another one on “Drip Drip Drip,” a single from Lanez’ upcoming Love Me Now album and their latest banger where the two lend their emphatic, melodic deliveries over a lush canvas of 808s and plucky synths. It’s as if the two got Gunna and Lil Baby’s declaration to Drip Harder and obliged them.
Usher Feat. Gunna, “Gift Shop“
Two talented Atlanta artists met in the middle on “Gift Shop,” a genre-bending cut from Usher’s collaboration album with Zaytoven. They take turns harmonizing over a sultry canvas about all the things they’re willing to get and do for their girl, tongue-twisting and falsetto all over the tender soundscape.
Busta Rhymes, “Flip Mode Squad Meets The Conglomerate”
Busta Rhymes has been in the game so long that he’s literally known for having two crews. The 20+ year veteran is planning to drop his upcoming tenth solo album, which made 9th Wonder simply say, “good God almighty” after listening. Before then, he decided to show both of his crews love, updating his “Flip Mode Squad Meets The Def Squad” premise with “Flip Mode Squad Meets The Conglomerate.” Nearly a dozen of his partners-in-rhyme, new and old come together on this one, showing off over a minimalist canvas.
Lil Peep, “Cry Alone”
When Lil Peep unexpectedly died last November, his team said they were going to unveil some of his unreleased work to the world. They’ve gradually done that, first pairing him with the recently-deceased XXXTentacion, then iLoveMakkonen. Now they’ve released the solo single from his upcoming, the melancholy “Cry Alone.” The track perfectly highlights his musical potential, starting off with a revved-up guitar riff — but then dropping a snappy 808 snare instead of ruckus punk rock drums. The dissonant video shows off clips of Peep, making viewers ponder what could have been if not for his tragic death.
Papoose Feat. Remy Ma, “The Golden Child”
Papoose and Remy are by far one of hip-hop’s favorite couples. Papoose’s devotion to Remy during her incarceration — and the bond they’ve shown since her release has been something for us all to admire. They’re clearly in love — but they try to bar each other to death whenever compelled. Their latest collaboration is a heartfelt tribute to another collaboration they consummated: the birth of their first child together. “I won’t let you cry unless the tears you cryin’ are tears of joy,” Papoose rhymes on the track that has no doubt spurred a few tears of glee from listeners.
Jacquees Feat. Wale, “Against Me”
Jacquees was recently involved in a bit of controversy over remixing Ella Mai’s “Trip,” but luckily his remix of H.E.R.’s “Against Me” from his Quemix 3 project isn’t agitating anyone — only enthralling them. He brought along previous collaborator, Wale, to drop some bars over the production, waxing on their shared lovelorn lifestyle and noting, “ego kill chemistry” and “vanity kills pure love.”
Shy Glizzy, “Gimme A Hit”
DC native Shy Glizzy decided to pay homage to a classic in the video for “Gimme A Hit.” He paired the captivating single from his just-released Fully Loaded album with visuals commemorating the cinematic brilliance of Belly. “Damn look at me, I blowed up, I done had a f*ckin’ son / he’s a trust fund baby, he don’t gotta hold a gun,” he pridefully rhymes over a shrill, warm sample. With more work like “Gimme A Hit,” good fortune will continue to manifest for Glizzy.
Asian Doll Feat. Dreezy, “Facts”
A pair of hip-hop upstarts meet on “Facts,” a headrush of a banger where the two ladies spit in double time about their supremacy in the studio and outside of it. The track is a single from Asian Doll’s So Icy Princess album, which was recently released on Gucci Mane’s 1017 Record label.
Falcons And B. Lewis Feat. Goldlink and Jazz Cartier, “Waterworld”
Falcons And B. Lewis are set to release their Daydrift EP on October 26, and decided to drop another preview with “Waterworld,” featuring Goldlink and Jazz Cartier. The jazzy, percussion-heavy track shows off the duo’s genre-weaving prowess, as electronic, R&B and hip-hop elements converge in amazing fashion.
Powers Pleasant Feat. Denzel Curry, IDK, Zombie Juice & ZillaKami, “Please Forgive”
New York producer Powers Pleasant got up with four of the underground’s most intriguing artists on “Please Forgive,” a thumping track where the guys get brash over a zany, chaotic synth-driven canvas loop. The Pro Era producer shows off his maestro capabilities — if not his network — on the three-minute track.
IDK, “IWASVERYBAD (Season 1)”
Speaking of IDK, he dropped the first part of his visual companion to last year’s IWASVERYBAD album. The 15-minute short scores a day in the life of the PG County, Maryland native. From rapping self-portraits during police raids to pizza store robberies, the imaginative visual highlights IDK’s artistic ingenuity and has us looking out for the next part.
