Soundcheck: Hot New Hip-Hop

posted in: Urban

As we eagerly await the last batch of big albums to drop before year’s end, a steady stream of singles have been coming out of the woodwork.  With some unexpected mash-ups, album teasers and repeat offenders like Rick Ross, Drake, Wale and Mary J. Blige, the fall music season is heating up as temperatures cool down.  Here, a few tracks worth paying attention to.  

Common, Sweet: Fresh off his upcoming album, The Dreamer, The Believer, Common is back with a vengeance on the No. I.D. produced track. Remniscent of his early days on the mic, Common reminds fans that despite the glitz and glamor, he’s still the Chicago-bred beast who is not to be messed with. The G.O.O.D. music alum says he plans to make an appearance on the recently announced compilation album, even though the label isn’t backing his release. We had talked

about it before, but it was actually some new news to me that it was going forward. But I’m definitely looking forward to it and I obviously want to be a part of it. I’m G.O.O.D. Music family forever. Even though my album is not coming out on G.O.O.D. Music, I’m still a G.O.O.D. Music affiliate and artist. That’s my family forever.

Trey Songz ft. Fabolous, What I Be On: Trey is at it again with last week’s release of his double mixtape.  He dropped the Fab-featured single complete with a play on Drake‘s Marvin’s Room in his verse.  Was that a diss?

Lupe Fiasco ft. Elle Goulding & Bassnectar, Lightwork: The electro beat and airy vocals of Ellie Goulding are mashed up with Lupe’s lightning-like lyricism.  The hard-hitting smashing sounds are the perfect backdrop against the characteristically conscious message in his verses.

Slaughterhouse, The Illest: The super-group consisting of members, Crooked I, Joe Budden, Royce da 5’9, Joell Ortiz are teasing fans with their ferocious verses on this single from their upcoming effort.  No word yet on whether the project will be a full-length studio release under Shady Records, or another magnificent mix tape.

T.I. ft. Pharell, Here Ye Here Ye: A catchy tune from recently-released-from-prison, T.I. who is headed back to the top of his game.  It seems like the hip-hop community has welcomed Tip back with open arms, with heavyweights Jay-Z and Kanye West letting him spit on their Nigg*s In Paris (Remix) as well.

Fat Joe ft. Jadakiss, Dopeman: With a sampling of The Beatles’ Yesterday, Fat Joe goes hard on this release from his album, The Dark Side II. After quite a hiatus, we’re just glad to see Jadakiss back on the mic where he belongs.

Drake ft. Tyga & Lil Wayne, The Motto Remix: Missing the melodic signature that we’ve come to expect and faster than his usual flow, Drake is joined by Cali-kid Tyga and Young Money leader Weezy for this fun take on the original.

Drake collaborated with Weezy again for the track The Real Her which is sure to please the lady listeners, but doesn’t stand out as a super hit yet. Gearing up for next week’s release of his sophomore album, Take Care, Drizzy and Nicki Minaj paired up for another chart-topper with their single, Proud of You.

Mary J. Blige ft. Drake, Mr. Wrong: Mary is back with another straight to the gut style song that showcases her uncanny ability to convey the thoughts of women everywhere.  In this Drizzy-featured track, she laments the age-old problem of loving the wrong guy.

Mary J. Blige ft. Rick Ross, Why: Another offering off her My Life II album, this track is more soulful than her recent singles with an old-school beat accompanying the romantic lyrics.

Rick Ross, I Love My Bitches: Produced by Just Blaze and is another up-and-coming hit from MMG.  His feature on Nas’ It’s A Tower Heist left me underwhelmed, but is still worth a listen for curiosity’s sake.

Wale ft. Big Sean, Slight Work: The Diplo-produced beat compliments Wale’s infectious flow on this up-tempo track from his upcoming Ambition album.  In it, Big Sean goes harder than I’ve heard him on any of his own singles thus far.

Wale ft. Rick Ross, Tats On My Arm: The MMG duo pair up again for this hard-hitting single. Wale’s flow is dynamic enough to push multiple Ross-tinged singles at once.  Ross, on the other hand, may want to watch his back before his protégé, who is expected to sell almost 200,000 his first week, steals his thunder.

Wale ft. Rick Ross & Meek Mill, Ambition: The long-awaited single from Wale‘s Ambition album does not disappoint. With powerful verses from all three MMG members, the song sets a high bar for the full-length sophomore album that hit stores last week on November 1.