Words by Bailey Agbai
Finished Certified Lover Boy and Donda? Check out these other rap tracks and albums out this week.
Yes, we know, you’re still getting through the other big releases this week (apparently Drake and Kanye have some new albums out?). But in any case, it doesn’t hurt to discover some new songs, some gems to keep you going. Plus, when your friends start asking who or what that song is, you’ll have this list to thank.
Here are the hottest rap songs and albums to check out this week:
1. “No Time For Sleep” – Bobby Shmurda
Now moving on from his well-documented and greatly criticised prison stint, Bobby Shmurda has got straight back to work, releasing his first single in 7 years.
2. “Blue Notes 2” – Meek Mill feat. Lil Uzi Vert
Featuring Lil Uzi Vert, “Blue Notes 2” acts a sequel to the original “Blue Notes” on Meek’s 2014 mixtape, DC4. This is the third collaboration between Meek and Lil Uzi Vert, following on from “Froze” (alongside Nicki Minaj too) and “Fuck That Check Up.
3. Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings: The Album
Accompanying the hit Marvel movie, this soundtrack features the likes of Jhené Aiko, Saweetie, Anderson.Paak, Rick Ross, and Audrey Nuna, as well as Shang-Chi actor himself, Simu Liu.
4. “Here to Dance” – DijahSB feat. Mick Jenkins
A single from DijahSB’s upcoming album, Tasty Raps Vol 1, “Here to Dance” sees the rapper collaborating with fellow lyricist Mick Jenkins on a dance track built upon an easygoing synthesiser beat.
5. “Roof” & “Remarkably” – Wiki
These two tracks act as a prelude to Wiki’s upcoming album, Half God. The album is a collaborative one, entirely produced by Navy Blue and, if these two songs are anything to go by, will centre around soul-searching lyrics.
6. N.O.A.H. – Quentin Ahman Dagod
A project born from Quentin Ahmad Dagod, member of rap collective Brusier Brigade, N.O.A.H features other members of the collective such as Fat Ray, J.U.S., Danny Brown and Brusier Wolf, and features production by Black Noi$e and Skywlkr. N.O.A.H.’s sound is a nostalgic one, experiencing with 90s boom bap and doing so with great results.
7. “Winners” – Smoko Ono
This single is full of star power: Smoko Ono, Chance the Rapper, Joey Purp, Yxng Bane. A track starring some of Chicago’s greatest talent, “Winners” takes influence from Afrobeats and is an excellent precursor to Smoko Ono’s debut album out next year.
8. “Feeling Myself” – The Late Ones
Conscious rap group The Late Ones have made a name for themselves using their music to highlight oppression. Their new track, “Feeling Myself”, is an upbeat summer track set to appear on their debut album The Fourth Quarter, out October 8.
9. “One Minute” – Tony Seltzer feat. Lucki
Clocking in at only 95 seconds, Tony Seltzer’s “One Minute” is an intense experience combining 90s boom pap with trap. Tony’s new mixtape, Hey Tony, drops on September 10 and boasts features like Wiki and Jam City.
10. “Lessons of Legends” – Young Noble
Veteran rapper Young Noble reminds us all of his wisdom, teaming up with Conway the Machine to deliver a tribute to late hip hop legends on this DJ Premier produced track.
11. “Trust!” – JPEGMAFIA
JPEGMAFIA produced, mixed, mastered the entirety of “Trust!” as well as obviously performing on it. The track boasts a Chicago drill beat and is the new single from his upcoming untitled fourth album.
12. “Superman That” – Injury Reserve
The alternative hip hop group have dropped the new experimental rap single from their upcoming album, By the Time I Get to Phoenix. Their new album will feature the final work of late group member, Stepa J. Groggs.
13. “No Witness” – Saigon feat. Benny the Butcher
Two lyrical giants connect on a track full of humour and punchlines whilst staying true to the East-Coast rap style that the two New York rappers grew up around.
14. “Alchemy” – Gift of Gab
A bittersweet moment, “Alchemy” is the new single from Gift of Gab’s posthumous album, Finding Inspiration Somehow. The track is haunting as Gift of Gab contemplates his health issues.
15. “Don’t Pull” – Guilty Simpson & Gensu Dean
Gensu Dean has produced the entirety of Guilty Simpson’s upcoming album, EGO, and “Don’t Pull” acts as a showcase of the strong material yet to be released.
Speaking of music, here’s why we think Drake played it too safe with Certified Lover Boy