This week we bump some long-awaited Lil Kim, get freaky with Moneybagg Yo and Megan the Stallion, and celebrate the City Girls reunion with JT’s “First Day Out”. Keep scrolling to see our top ten favorite tracks this week!
Diana Gordon – Becoming
Diana Gordon knows exactly who she is and celebrates it in her song “Becoming.” This singer, songwriter, producer, and overall multifaceted artist from New York City is bringing her unmatched folk voice to the foreground. The accompanying visual for this track embodies friendship, and she sings about its importance as well as becoming her best self.
Favorite Line: “I don’t miss every time that I shoot/ N***as get served like they in the drive-thru”
Moses Sumney – Plastic
Singer-songwriter Moses Sumney takes us on a vocal journey on his track titled “Plastic.” He floats back and forth between falsetto and baritone and decorates the song with sustained notes and intricate runs. Making the soundtrack to Issa Rae’s Insecure, this track from his debut album, Aromanticism, is about love and lovelessness.
Favorite Line: “I know what it’s like to behold and not to be held”
J.T. – First Day Out
The other half of the Miami duo, City Girls, is now released from prison. And it wouldn’t be hip hop if we did not get this track entitled “First Day Out.” The song builds from a slow piano and strings to drum-heavy head bopping to an acapella end. JT addresses all of the rumors since she’s been inside and timelines the City Girls’ journey from “In My Feelings” up until now. A lot of ups and downs for the group, but they can only get better from here.
Favorite Line: “Left prison with a pimple, not a scratch”
Miguel – Cadillac
The Get Down may never come back, but we can always revisit the series and the amazing soundtrack that accompanied it. In this song, Miguel serenades us with not only his voice, but promises of love and joyrides in his Cadillac car.
Favorite Line: “Heaven’s in the backseat of my Cadillac (let me take you there)”
Moneybagg Yo with Megan Thee Stallion – All Dat
On this track, Megan and Moneybagg show they have more in common than an extra letter in their names. They go bar for bar to see who is the freakiest. The beat reminds you of the Bay area, with the heavy repeated kick drum bassline. Also, we are still not tired of seeing Megan put all of our knees to shame.
Favorite Line: “I be runnin’ ’round his mansion with no panties like I’m Winnie”
Free Nationals & Chronixx – Eternal Light
On this track, Free Nationals and Chronixx team up to promote good vibrations through music, love, and being thankful. The Free Nationals are pros at blending genres, and this track is no exception. They bring the funky bassline and mix it with Chronixx’s smooth reggae croon. “Eternal Light” is the fourth single from the Free Nationals. With all four being so well received, we can’t wait for the album.
Favorite Line: “Thank the Lord my cup is full and running over”
Lil Kim – Auto Blanco
After a fourteen-year wait, Lil Kim has released her fifth studio album, 9. On this track, the icon assumes her Kimmy Blanco persona to remake a Lil Durk classic, “No Auto Durk”. The track was released back in April, and we are just happy it made it to the album.
Favorite Line: “Why these b****es think it’s safe ’cause I’m not out?/ You know any given time Kimmy could pop out.”
SAINt JHN – Wedding Day
Setting the tone of SAINt JHN‘s Ghetto Lenny’s Love Songs, “Wedding Day” is the introduction to the album, displaying his melodic rap, background vocalizing, and harmonies. SAINt JHN sings of his past life and applying street rules to everything – even love. He outlines his success, from trapping to paying his mother’s house off.
Favorite Line: “You tryna see who I am tonight, but I vary/ Sh*t that I learned, you can’t learn in no library”
Tierra Whack – Sore Loser
Tierra Whack delivers a minute of nothing but bars on “Sore Loser” from her album Whack World. Even though she broke his heart, the Philly native rhymes of looking for love after a break up with a boy that was sub-par.
Favorite Line: “I’mma need boo when the summer done/Need a fine brother like my mother son”
Common ft. Samora Pinderhughes – Good Morning Love
“Good Morning Love” off of Common’s latest released album Let Love, is about faith, healing, and self-care. Known for his conscious rap, the Chicago rapper is in his element on this record. He touches on the perception of therapy in black communities, misconceptions of incarcerated people, and fears the safety of minorities in the chorus. Although some of the topics can get a bit heavy, Samora Pinderhughes’s voice soothes the listener on this track, making it feel like a guided meditation.
Favorite Line: “Many many times from mistakes, I ran /But I’m just a cake, let me bake, goddamn”
By Lindi Bobb
