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Today is Friday, which means there are a ton of new releases to look forward to from some of your favorite Hip-Hop artists. To help you unwind and enjoy the weekend, check out VIBE’s picks of songs and albums you should hear and add to your soundtrack of weekend festivities.
Hit-Boy and The Alchemist – Theodore & Andre
Hit-Boy and The Alchemist join the ranks on Theodore & Andre, a short EP that finds the dual threats leaning on their production prowess while showcasing their skills as emcees. Consisting of three tracks, the project begins with The Alchemist-scored cut “Morrisey,” where the veteran beatsmith does much of the lyrical heavy lifting before his fellow Californian swoops in and ends with a few couplets.
Hit-Boy also contributes board work to “The Main Event” featuring percussionist Johnathan Hulett, and “Don’t Be Gone,” Theodore & Andre‘s closing salvo. Clocking in at under ten minutes, Theodore & Andre furthers Hit-Boy and The Alchemist’s ongoing reign of dominance and is likely to be more than a mere one-off, but also the beginning of a creative alliance between two of Hip-Hop’s best. – Preezy Brown
TiaCorine – Almost There
TiaCorine capitalized on a big 2023 campaign with her latest release Almost There. The eight-song effort features Key Glock, Luh Tyler, and Zelooperz and shows off her full range of rapping prowess over diverse production. The opening track “Yung Joc,” featuring Luh Tyler, blends tommy gun flow and mid-tempo, bass-heavy production. The subsequent record, “Blick” featuring Key Glock, opts for a faster BPM and slower flows but goes over just as well.
Corine utilizes a higher vocal register, which may be chaotic if any other artist did it, but she sounds right at home. She sprinkles in more melodic vocals on the latter records “Shamone,” “Burnt,” and “Nah He Tweakin.” The “Freaky T” artist has as much fun making music as she does making quips on social media, and it’s clear in the listening experience of Almost There. A solid effort. – Armon Sadler
Don Toliver – “Bandit”
Don Toliver’s “Bandit” is aggressive in all of the best ways. The production is arena-friendly, his vocals are passionate, and the message is strong. He denounces those who aren’t fly, asserts that he’s got plenty of women that he can pass off to his brothers, and many more confident boasts. In the end, his refrain “I do damage and he can’t stand it” is as clear as it is honest. If he’s gearing fans up for another album, less than a year after the popular Love Sick, it’s more than welcome. – AS
Lil Yachty – “A Cold Sunday”
Lil Yachty dives deeper into his lyrical bag on “A Cold Sunday.” The track mirrors “The Secret Recipe” with J. Cole in terms of fusing a soul sample, his intentional offbeat delivery, and metaphors galore. Lil Boat has simultaneously gained more respect as a wordsmith for tracks like these and growing disdain for his comments on the genre as a whole, but his output and mission to “show and prove” cannot be denied. He has been comfortable in his melodic bag for years, and while taking “risks” like these may not go well for all listeners, it is impressive that he is willing to do it. – AS
Icewear Vezzo – Live From The 6
After spending last year unleashing singles like “Back On The Road,” “Snowman,” “Raw ASL,” “Motion,” and more, Icewear Vezzo keeps the kettle hot with Live From The 6, the Detroit mainstay’s latest full-length effort. Since signing to Quality Control Music and dropping his 2022 Paint the City mixtape with DJ Drama, Vezzo has been on a tear, which he refuses to relent throughout the duration of Live From The 6.
The rhymer muses of riding clean while flexing off jewelry gleams on “Class of 2024,” then compares and contrasts the Hip-Hop industry with the drug trade on “Rap Game,” two of the tape’s standouts. Expressing his hunger for more, Vezzo vows to vault himself into the nine-figure bracket on “Ain’t Enough,” a heartfelt number on which he lists his family and inner-circle as the source of his ambition and motivations.
Featuring guest appearances by DaBaby, Babyface Ray, YTB Fatt, and Chuckie CEO, with highlights like “I Ain’t Mad At Ya” and “I’m The One,” Live From The 6 is a respectable offering from Vezzo that finds him sticking to his formula. And for all intents, it’s continually proved to be an effective one thus far. – PB
That Mexican OT Feat. DaBaby – “Point Em Out”
One artist that enjoyed their breakout year in 2023 was That Mexican OT, the Texan won fans over with his pure skill, captivating visuals, and gregarious personality. Those three traits remain on “Point Em Out,” the Texan’s first single of the new year. Directed by DGreen Filmz, the Pulp Fiction-inspired clip finds OT and costar DaBaby putting a cheeky spin on the theme of the original, as they ride around handling business and settling vendettas. Produced by Bankroll Got It, the song itself is a rollicking thumper powered by 808s, and perfectly complimented by OT and DaBaby’s rhyme spills. – PB
NBA Youngboy – “BNYX Da Reaper”
NBA Youngboy tapped one of the hottest producers in the game for a record made in his honor, “BNYX Da Reaper.” This is a different outing for the Baton Rouge rapper, vocally and production-wise. The beat blends triumphant synths, menacing drums, and leans more downtempo as he belts similar to how a heavy metal artist would. It is new and refreshing in comparison to Youngboy’s latest records and immediately makes one wonder what a full project produced by BNYX would sound like. Content-wise, it isn’t too different from his previous records, but that is okay because the same ink can feel different when added to a newer canvas. “BNYX Da Reaper” can go into the win column for YB. – AS
Tha God Fahim and Cookin Soul –Supreme Dump Legend: Soul Cook Saga
As the focus on lyrically imposing artists has risen in recent years, a handful of rappers have emerged, wielding a sound that resonates with Hip-Hop traditionalists. One artist who’s style harkens back to that of the genre’s golden eras is Tha God Fahim, a creative who’s sheer productivity rivals the strength of his lyrical acumen. After releasing five solo projects in 2023, the Mach-Hommy associate resumes that streak with Supreme Dump Legend: Soul Cook Saga, a collaborative album with Grammy Award-winning producer Cookin Soul and his first of the New Year.
On “Blood Sport,” Fahim plays gladiator games, rhyming “the execution of tasks is essential/ An underdog, they don’t know my true potential” over a hazy soundscape. The pace gets ratcheted up a few level on “Get Ur Weight Up” before the indie maven gives competitors the “Guillotine” amid Raekwon vocal samples. Putting points on the board, Fahim excels on “Pedal to the Floor,” while The Musalini (“Economics”), Dano (“Shark Biting Vampires”), Raz Fresco (“Heavy”) provide added reinforcement with their respective contributions. – PB
Kenny Muney – “Breezy”
Paper Route Empire artist Kenny Muney keeps it chill with his new single “Breezy,” which he accompanies with a video capturing him lounging in hot tubs in the thick of winter. “My life been going good, I been getting money, I ain’t missed a dinner,” the Memphis native drawls over brooding keys and dancing 808s, attesting to the comforts of his lap of luxury. The lead single from his upcoming album Blue Winter, “Breezy” captures the seasonal vibe effectively while simultaneously heating up anticipation for the follow-up to his 2023 effort Blue Muney. – PB
Cash Cobain – “Dunk Contest”
Cash Cobain kicks off the road to NBA All-Star Weekend with “Dunk Contest.” While he may not be on the court throwing down tomahawks and self-alley oops, he turns his pursuit of multiple women into his own competition. The sexy drill innovator loops soothing synths with his signature drum pattern as he croons about every woman he wants and what he wants to do with them. The climax of the record comes when he raps about a woman named Marni who he repeatedly says he doesn’t want to talk about, only to then give up and rave about her even though she frustrates all of his other women. The Bronx, N.Y. artist blends humor, an active sex drive, and cool flows seamlessly yet again. If judges were ranking it, it wouldn’t be a surprise if all of their placards showed 10s. – AS
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