1. Albee Al – Follow The Leader
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Albee Al is setting the tempo early in the year for New Jersey with his latest single “Follow The Leader” through EMPIRE. In his newest song, Albee talks his “boss talk” rapping about holding down a chick that was with him when he was down bad, being around beasts, and becoming the wolf to lead the pack rather than follow what everyone else is doing.
The song is filled with witty lines about overcoming troubles, how lavish Albee treats his woman and metaphors about leadership.
So far in 2023, Albee dropped a single “Gotti Flow” and was featured in “Risktakers” with Millyz and Leaf Ward. It’s shaping up to be another productive and busy year for the Jersey City Gladiator.
2. Adekunle Gold ft. Zinoleesky – Party No Day Stop
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Adekunle Gold, the Nigerian born and bred singer-songwriter and international Afropop sensation whose fourth studio album Catch Me If You Can has garnered over a half-billion global streams since its release one year ago, makes his official debut via Def Jam Recordings with the release of “Party No Dey Stop” featuring Zinoleesky, the new single + visualizer available at all platforms today. The new song is a future club hit about the resilience and rise of Adekunle and Zinoleesky in the music industry. The vibrant and fast paced song matches the energy of the culturally rich and buzzing Agege neighborhood in Lagos where AG and Zinoleesky grew up. The two artists are celebrating their wins as said best in the tune – “When we pop, Yeah we up, Plenty spending, Like it’s nothing.”
The release of “Party No Dey Stop” marks the beginning of a year-long campaign for Adekunle, whose hotly anticipated fifth studio album is due for release this summer. After hitting the summer festivals here and abroad, his four-month world tour will kick off in North America in September, and carry on across the UK, Europe, Africa, Australia, New Zealand, South America, and the Caribbean through 2024.
In support of Catch Me If You Can, Adekunle played over 45 advance sold-out shows in 2022 – with 19 dates in the U.S. and Canada including New York, Los Angeles, and Toronto – plus London, Paris, Adelaide, Amsterdam, Stockholm, and more. Along the way, he stunned NPR Music listeners with his Tiny Desk Performance, as he offered breathtaking live versions of some of his best loved hit records.
Catch Me If You Can (released through Afro Urban Records via Platoon) spun off feature collaborations with top-tier talent including Ty Dolla $ign, Stefflon Don, Fatoumata Diawara and Fousheé; and hit singles starting with the summer anthem “5 Star,” “It Is What It Is”, “Sinner” featuring Lucky Daye, “High” featuring Davido, and “Mercy.”
3. Jim Jones & Hitmaka ft. Goldiie – Status Update
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Fresh from his newest EP release Back In My Prime with HitMaka, Jim Jones is giving a status update to his fans about his personal life. “Status Update” is a three-minute walk-through of Jim’s personal life and feelings about certain situations. He reflects on his time with friends who are deceased and locked up.
Some notable lyrics are about his Dipset partners and give introspection into their relationship at the time the song was written. He raps, “I be in the streets, they be asking where Juelz at? I want to know the real reason he fell back… and it’s hard for me and Cam to see eye to eye, I love him I still hug him but when I see him, it’s “hi and bye”. It’s kind of crazy, I thought it was ride or die… next subject…”
The visual, directed by Shula the Don and Jones himself, has Jim out in the Bahamas clearing his head with beautiful views and interacting with people throughout the city. He can be seen having fun swimming with sharks in the ocean and enjoying himself at a music event.
Goldiie closes out “Status Update” with powerful vocals singing “Look how far we came now. Pray to God and find a way out, so used to all the pain now. It’s when you shine, that’s when it rains down…”. Jim and Goldiie express how there is plenty to be grateful for even in harsh times.
4. Blxst ft. Mustard & Terrace Martin
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Off the back of his anticipated Just For Clarity 2 EP release, hip-hop juggernaut Blxst returned today with the official music video for his star-studded track, “Ghetto Cinderella,” featuring Mustard and Terrace Martin. Taking the classic Cinderella story and flipping it on its head, Blxst is effortlessly slick in playing his own version of prince charming. In a callback to his No Love Lost visuals, the opening scene sees Blxst getting his hair braided in a salon, falling for one of the shop girls who becomes his Ghetto Cinderella. Together they hatch a plan to steal the crown jewel from a gala they attend that week, where they make a successful break with all but Ghetto Cinderella’s bedazzled sneaker left behind. Helmed by Evgle’s Creative Director Mayowa and recurring Director, Blu, the duo maintain elements that feel authentic to Blxst’s roots, while bridging the novelty of a Bonnie and Clyde ending.
5. Madlib, Meyhem Lauren & DJ Muggs – Wild Salmon
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Born and raised in Queens, NY, Meyhem Lauren has long been one of the culture’s most reliable brands; built from quality, consistency, and flavor. The multi-media artist and personality takes pride in expressing himself artistically from a raw and unfettered perspective.
In addition to his musical contributions, Meyhem has also gained international notoriety as a charismatic cast member on the smash TV series Fu*c That’s Delicious; alongside long-time friends and frequent collaborators Action Bronson, Big Body Bes, and The Alchemist. When not composing masterpieces, Meyhem Lauren also does voice work, which has been heard in memorable commercials and campaigns for FIFA World Cup and the NFL Super Bowl.
Meyhem has an extensive collaborative musical history, which includes previous projects with DJ Muggs, Harry Fraud, Buckwild, Madlib, and most recently Black Vladimir with Daringer.
For his next entrée, Meyhem restores his chemistry with two iconic and legendary producers Madlib and DJ Muggs, as the trio announces their forthcoming collaborative album Champagne For Breakfast. Produced in its entirety by Madlib and DJ Muggs, Champagne For Breakfast will be released on April 7.
Meyhem Lauren x Madlib and DJ Muggs have now liberated two sparkling singles from Champagne For Breakfast with “Wild Salmon,” and “Fresh Out The Water,” (which also includes a new video). Both singles are now available!
Meyhem Lauren x Madlib & DJ Muggs Champagne For Breakfast will be released on April 7 via Soul Assassin Records.
6. Deante’ Hitchcock – Drunk AF
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Following the release of his single “U Were Right I Was Wrong,” today Grammy-nominated rapper Deante’ Hitchcock returns with “Drunk AF,” out now via ByStorm Entertainment/RCA Records. An ode to late-night phone calls, “Drunk AF” is backed by hypnotic, pulsating production, with Deante’ flexing melodic vocals throughout the chorus and his signature playful lyricism throughout each verse.
Last year, Deante’ closed out 2022 with the release of his two-pack project Callin’ All My Children, which showcased a unique blend of Deante’s southern rap roots and retro production influences, with features from Mississippi rapper and producer Big K.R.I.T. and Compton’s Westside Boogie. He also lent his songwriting skills to the hit show P-Valley, serving as a co-writer on the single “Seven Pounds of Pressure” featured in season two. The soundtrack was nominated for an NAACP Image Award this year. Deante’ also recently appeared on Dende’s latest EP, Before We Crash, lending his vocals on the single “Georgia.”
7. 6LACK – Fatal Attraction
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6LACK unveils his captivating new song “Fatal Attraction” from his highly anticipated new album, Since I Have A Lover, set to release on March 24. The track captures the remarkable depth and versatility that lines the forthcoming project and which will house a collection of profound songs speaking on mental health, recovery, self-improvement, love, and reveal much about 6LACK’s personal journey navigating life’s highs and lows. A truly compelling offering from the beloved artist, it’s 6LACK like we’ve never seen or heard him before.
8. Kool Keith & Real Bad Man – The Great Marlowe
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After teaming up with Boldy James to release Real Bad Boldy (2021) and Killing Nothing (2022) and linking up with rising star Pink Siifu for Real Bad Flights (2022), Real Bad Man returns to announce his first collaborative project of the year with Serpent.
Serpent brings Real Bad Man together with the inimitable Kool Keith and after announcing their forthcoming collaborative project with “Fire & Ice,” which also featured Slug from Atmosphere and Ice-T, the duo is now back with Serpent’s second focus track “The Great Marlowe.” “The Great Marlowe” is now available.
Kool Keith x Real Bad Man’s Serpent will be released on March 24.
9. Qing Madi – Why
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Reared on a steady diet of hip hop and R&B luminaries Columbia recording artist Qing Madi’s music is a testament to her maturity, eschewing despair for lyrics replete with hope, escapism, and a profound sense of interconnectedness. One listen to her latest single “Why” will confirm why the Nigerian star has been deemed the “next up” out…