This week's New Music Friday, a weekly DX list that compiles the top new singles in hip-hop and R&B, appears to have been influenced by the heat.
Even though we say it often, this roundup is among the best of the summer.
Although September's first day has passed, heat waves are still sweeping the nation. The final stretch of summer has been hot, whether you're on the West Coast, the East Coast, or somewhere in the middle.
The energetic "DOA" by Kay Flock gets things started, and then Freddie Gibbs and Moneybagg Yo's "Too Much," the lead single from the rapper from Gary, Indiana's upcoming album, follows. In addition, Kali Uchis offered "NO HAY LAY," and Babyface Ray chose Digga D for "Goofies."
Yeat's "Talk," DJ Drama and Jeezy's "I Ain't Gon Hold Ya," Memphis' NLE Choppa's "Little Miss," and a lot more are also included this week. For a list of everything that was released during the week ending Friday, September 2, continue reading.
Kay Flock f. Set Da Trend – “DOA”
Starting off this week, hailing from the Bronx, is drill rapper Kay Flock with “DOA.” Flock has been at the center of a heated and controversial homicide case since his arrest in December of 2021. The legal issues he has faced coincide with a smattering of arrests across hip hop: from Young Thug and his YSL record label to Sheff G and Casanova.
The controversies have loomed large over Flock since the news broke, obfuscating the fact that he is one of the most promising rappers to hail from New York in the past few years. Attempting to focus the narrative around his music, the MC just dropped “DOA.”
Yeat – “Talk”
Many saw Portland rapper Yeat as a flash in the pan trend; he was expected to burn out as quickly as he came into the spotlight. But take one look at his CV and the power he still holds over Gen-Z and you’ll see why that opinion couldn’t be further from the truth.
After the releases of Up 2 M from 2021 and the following year’s 2 Aliv, Yeat continued to capture the attention of the rap world with the absurd but captivating “Rich Minions” from Minions: The Rise of Gru and now with “Talk.”
Freddie Gibbs f. Moneybagg Yo – “Too Much”
Freddie Gibbs has been the center of conversation on Twitter for the last few weeks as he continues his beef with Griselda member Benny The Butcher. While the two once worked together on songs such as “One Way Flight” from Benny’s Burden of Proof and “Frank Lucas” from Gibbs’ masterful 2020 project Alfredo, their relationship now seems irredeemable.
The two veteran rappers have continued to take jabs, some more personal than others, which seems a shame given their chemistry when they share the mic. Nevertheless, Gibbs is capitalizing on the attention by releasing “Too Much” with Memphis spitter Moneybagg Yo, the first single from his upcoming SSS album.
Kali Uchis – “NO HAY LEY”
Babyface Ray f. Digga D – “Goofies”
In all of hip hop, there may be no state more overshadowed and under-appreciated than Michigan. For years, artists such as Icewear Vezzo, Sada Baby, Veeze, and Babyface Ray have been dropping notable music, but only recently has the world woken up to the fact that Michigan has more to offer than just Eminem, Big Sean, and Royce da 5’9".
Babyface Ray has been one of the most exciting MCs to arise from Michigan of late. His recent output, 2021’s Unfuckwitable and this year’s FACE, has been exceptional. The hot streak now continues with “Goofies,” a song which finds him trading bars with the U.K.’s Digga D over an alien beat.
DJ Drama & Jeezy – “I Ain’t Gon Hold Ya”
The resurgence and revival of DJ Drama and his Gangsta Grillz tapes has been one of rap’s most fun storylines. For decades, DJ Drama’s ad-libs and curation have served as the backdrop for artists ranging from Gucci Mane and Three 6 Mafia to Fabolous and Lil Wayne. But it was his work on Tyler, The Creator’s "Call Me If You Get Lost" that propelled him back into stardom.
Luckily for fans of the DJ, the Gangsta Grillz craze has stayed present, as he worked with Dreamville on D-Day: A Gangsta Grillz Mixtape and is now back with longtime collaborator Jeezy on “I Ain’t Gon Hold Ya.”
NLE Choppa – “Little Miss”
Van Buren Records – “FOUL”
In 2021, a massive hip-hop collective named Van Buren Records began to simmer in rap’s underground landscape. Their debut, Bad for Press, which contained songs such as “Medic” and “Braindead,” took root, highlighting the strength and uniqueness of the group. A few months later, they dropped a follow-up EP titled "BLACK WALL STREET," which established them as one of the most promising acts to hail from Massachusetts.
Van Buren Records’ latest single “FOUL” is proof of the cohesion of the group and the staying power of their music as rappers Luke Bar$, Meech Bold, Jiles, and FELIX take turns lacing dimes across the song’s smooth production.
Quando Rondo f. YoungBoy Never Broke Again – “Give Me A Sign”
This week’s Honorable Mentions include Tyga’s “Fantastic” and “Painful” by 38 Spesh, featuring Che Noir and Freeway.
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