From Lola Brooke‘s “Just Relax” to Coi Leray‘s “BOPS,” this week’s list (April 28) of best new songs will separate you from the crowd (and is truly carried by the hip-hop girlies). Curated by Natalee Gilbert and Tallie Spencer, these selected hits will make your musical pallet stand out.
Read our selections for this week below:
Lola Brooke – “Just Relax“
Interpolating Black Sheep‘s “The Choice Is Yours,” Lola Brooke’s highly anticipated single, “Just Relax,” is about being true to yourself. In her signature gravelly cadence, the Brooklyn-bred MC detail why she and the average chick are not one of the same. Lola Brooke also iterates that the wannabes will never be on her level, saying “Bitches wan’ be this, ’cause I was always that/Niggas say they rich? Let’s keep it a stack/I ain’t with the tic, I be movin’ tac/Bitches think they it, all that shit is cap.” Big Gator first teased the record back in January.
Rico Nasty – “Turn It Up“
Rico Nasty’s brash rhyme schemes meet their match with 100 gec‘s triple-bass heavy hip-hop production in “Turn It Up.” In the single, Rico Nasty puts the people who didn’t show her support from the get-go on blast. Additionally, the Las Ruinas femcee highlights how success is ultimately the best revenge, saying “I know that they gon’ ride my wave/I keep the boat rockin’.” The almost three-minute record also finds Rico Nasty showcasing her and these individuals’ many differences . “She see this fit cost more than her whole closet,” Rico Nasty boasts.
Coi Leray – “BOPS“
The undeniable trendsetter’s “BOPS” iterates the prowess behind her pen game. Over the cowbell-led hip-hop beat with laser sound effects, Coi Leray highlights her luxurious lifestyle, silences the smack talkers, and encourages women worldwide to get a little rambunctious. For those who once doubted her artistry, Coi Leray reminds them that she has hits across the board. She dedicates her wins to “them hatin’ ass bitches in the back.” One user on YouTube confirmed Leray’s effortless ability to make straight bangers. “It’s uh motherfucking BOP! BOPPITY BOP BOP, BOP! PERIODT,” they wrote. “BOPS” comes after her feature on RAYE‘s “Flip A Switch.”
Machine Gun Kelly and Cordae – “Doja Freestyle“
Machine Gun Kelly and Cordae traded a series of witty bars in his first episode of The Cypher. As they kicked back at MGK’s friend’s backyard, the rappers freestyled over Central Cee‘s “Doja,” tying in every entendre perfectly. MGK hopped back in his hip-hop bag after channeling into a pop-rock sound for some time. Cordae, on the other hand, dropped a few clever rhymes of his own. The themes in “Doja Freestyle” examine their authenticity, upbringing, unmatched pen game, and how they deal with wangstas. One of my favorite lines is from Machine Gun Kelly. He spits, “I shook his hand but I didn’t like his vibe so I used anti-bacterial/I’m too sick no venereal/But I must be a disease ’cause the way that my competition keeps on trying but dying I’m tellin’ you this is a burial.”
IShowSpeed & Kai Cenat – “Dogs“
The two popular Twitch streamers sample Baha Men‘s “Who Let The Dogs Out” in their latest single. On “Dogs,” IShowSpeed and Kai step away from their computer screens to drop some bars on the mic. The lyrics at hand reflect their expertise in shutting it down, getting to the bag, and “going the fast route.” The individuals who attempt to slow them down only inspire them to go full speed in everything they do. IShowSpeed even spits, “I’m a dog, man, I’ma bark (Arf)/No steppin’ out when I spark (Hah).”
Jackson Wang and Ciara – “Slow”
Jackson Wang and Ciara tell a lover they’d like to take it slow in their single of the same name. Without giving them room to make assumptions, the two singers explain why they should savor every moment. Ciara assures her better half that no one else has caught their attention, while Jackson Wang gives his sweetheart a chance to go at their own pace. Gliding over the light, playful R&B beat, both artists encourage that special someone to take their time with giving affection. “Slow the pace, ain’t a race, woah/I’m here all night for love, that’s right,” Ciara and Jackson Wang sings. “When you please me, pump the breaks/You can take your sweet time/Ease your mind and remember.”
Pacman Da Gunman – “Since You Left”
Pacman Da Gunman has a lot to say since you left. The “you” in this instance is all his fallen friends. He wrote a four page letter and turned it in song to let them know what has transpired since their departures from this earth. This sentimental song features Don Bonelli and speaks on the deaths of Malcolm X, Martin Luther King Jr., and his late friend/mentor Nipsey Hussle. Pacman sings “I’ve been trying to catch a vibe ever since you left, analyze how I slide ever since you left” on the hook, bringing you inside his current mental state.
Allstar JR – “Recent”
Detroit’s Allstar JR has six new tracks to round out the deluxe version of his triumphant LP, Organized Crime 2. Allstar JR is using his deluxe as a victory lap, celebrating that he made it through some of the biggest obstacles of his life. Detroit is known as one of the most historical music hubs in the world.
Tony Shhnow – “If It Wasn’t For Me”
Independent Atlanta rapper Tony Shhnow released his new project today called ‘Love Streak,’ along with the music video for “If It Wasn’t For Me.” “I know if I ain’t come back around, you would be in love right now,” Shhnow raps on the track. Breaking away from his traditional “plugg” sound, Tony’s new project, Love Streak finds the Atlanta MC rapping with a sharp and well-researched East Coast flair over new-age boom-bap production as he fills the rhythmic space with lover-boy raps, his dizzying technical ability, and an impressive guest list to match.
Channel Seven – “What You Know”
Chicago’s up-and-coming R&B duo is quickly gaining traction for their distinct sound and vibe. Their latest single “What You Know” follows up their debut release “Steam” and brings listeners a raw yet smooth look into the realities of life in the hood. From tough topics such as drug use, violence, and poverty, Chicago’s dynamic duo sing their way through the darkness, shining a light on struggles faced daily in certain areas. They express the sentiments felt by many.
