Summary: Kendrick Lamar is the truth. This song is so smooth, so hard, so fire.

About Artist: Kendrick Lamar has been the reigning king of the west coast for over a decade. I’ve been a fan since I saw him perform in Los Angeles just after the release of his debut album Section.80 in the summer 2011.  With 50 Grammy nominations, 29 BET awards, and a Pulitzer Prize, Kendrick has is one of the most highly regarded rappers alive today. In February 2025 Kendrick hill headline the Super Bowl  halftime show.

About Song: This untitled track dropped on Instagram on September 11th. It is the first song Kendrick has released since the his beef with Drake earlier in the year. This track was produced by Sounwave, Jack Antonoff, Pasqué & Anca Trio Plus One.

Favorite Part: The jazzy melodic instrumental track in the background is amazing, so smooth and juxtaposes so nicely with Kendrick’s assertive lyrics.

“Why reason with these (…) if they can’t see the future first?
Why argue with these clowns if the circus is well at work?
Just walk that man down, that’ll do everyone a solid
It’s love, but tough love sometimes gotta result in violence” -0:36

“Influencers talk down ’cause I’m not with the basic shit
But they don’t hate me, they hate the man that I represent
The type of man that never dickride ’cause I want a favor
The man that resides in patience, so where the soldiers at?
The one’s that lost it all and learnt to learn from that
A thirst for life, head inside a book ’cause he concerned with that
Information that’ll change his life because he yearns for that
Dedication, findin’ out what’s right ’cause he can earn from that” -1:00

“The flashy (…) with nasty decisions usin’ money as a backbone
I want his head cracked before he’s back home
The radio personality pushin’ propaganda for salary
Let me know when they turn up as a casualty, I want agony
Assault, and battery, I see a new Earth
Filled with beautiful people makin’ humanity work” -2:37

“My (…) Jay Estrada said I gotta burn it down to build it up
That confirmation real as fuck, it ain’t too many real as us” -4:28

Other:

The Day The Party Died (Lyrics)

Kendrick Lamer (Wikipedia)

Summary: How long you want it? Uh, foreverrrr duh.

About Artist: Big Sean is one of my favorites of my generation. He is from Detroit and has been featured on this blog many times. Originally signed with Kanye West’s G.O.O.D. music Big Sean has long since parted ways with Ye. I’m happy that Big Sean is still doing his thing.

About Song: This song is a bonus track off of Big Sean’s sixth album “Better Me Than You”.

Favorite Part: I love the soulful track. This song fills me with nostalgia for a time long past, but I time that will on forever.

Other:

Better Me Than You (Wikipedia)

Summary: Mick is so smooth

About Artist: Mick Jenkins is a Chicago rapper who’s been featured on this blog several times since 2015. JID is an Atlanta rapper who gained prominence after his sophomore album Dicaprio 2 (2018)

About Song: This song is the first single off of Mick Jenkins upcoming fourth album “The Patience” which drops at the end of August.

Favorite Part: As always I like Mick Jenkin’s jazzy beats and smooth delivery. Both Mick Jenkins and JID’s verses really bring the vibes.

Other:

Smoke Break-Dance Lyrics
Mick Jenkins Wikipedia
JID Wikipedia

Summary: I love Norteño, Ranchera, Banda, Corridos… ¡Viva México!

About Artist: Eslabón Armando is a group from Patterson California. They’ve released five projects since their debut in 2020 and have already won several awards for their “Regional Mexican Music”. Peso Pluma is from Jalisco and has entered the spotlight in 2022 with collaborations with Becky G, Natanael Cano, and others.

About Song: This song has become a huge hit after going viral on Tik Tok.

Favorite Part: I love everything about this song. The horns, the guitar, the corrido lyrics

Other:

Peso Pluma Wikipedia
Eslabón Armado Wikipedia
Ella Baila Sola Lyrics

Summary: Timbaland forever!

About Artist: BIA gained popularity in 2014 from the TV show Sisterhood of Hip Hop. She then signed a record deal through Pharrell before her first big track, a remix of A Whole Lotta Money (ft. Nicki Minaj) in 2022. This track is produced by SkipDaBeat who I don’t know a lot about but who has worked with Drake, Kodak Black and others.

About Song: This song is a single off of BIA’s upcoming album “Circles”. This song is actually a remix of sorts of Missy Elliot’s “She’s a Bitch” off of her 1999 album “Da Real World”. Like many Missy songs the beat was made by Timbaland, and his original production work really come through on this new BIA song.

Favorite Part: I mostly like the updated Timbaland beat, and the way the song still stays true to the original.

Other:

I’m that Bitch lyrics

Summary: “Red Moon in Venus” on repeat!

About Artist: Kali Uchis is a Colombian-American singer who hit is big with her debit album “Isolation” (2018).  Her genre blending latin ne0-soul sound is hers alone and has gained her a loyal following.

About Song: This song “Not Too Late” is off of Kali’s third album “Red Moon in Venus” (2023). This album is sooooo good and deserves a full listen. I chose to put this song up but other tracks like “Endlessly”, “Moonlight”, and “Blue” are equally good.

Favorite Part: This song is just an interlude so it’s more about the vibes. I really like the little harmonies in the vocals and of course the little verse in spanish.

Other:

Kali Uchis Wikipedia
Not Too Late (Interlude) Lyrics

Summary: Just doin life

About Artist: Aminé is an American Ethiopian Eritrean rapper from Portland Oregon. Aminé was a member of XXL Freshman Class 2017 and had a lot of success with his first album “Good for You” (2017) specifically the single “Caroline”.

About Song: This song is the first track off of Aminé’s second album “Limbo” (2020). I like to boom bap feel with the laid back bars. Make me feel like a cruisin with the top down on a Sunday afternoon.

Favorite Part: “And to top it off, my best friend had a baby
We twenty-five, I told that nigga, “Boy, you fuckin’ crazy”
Maybe I’m the one who really need the Lord to save me
The last time I went to church was in the fckin’ 80s” (2:02)

Other:

Aminé Wikipedia
Burden Lyrics

Summary: Good times with B.o.B.

About Artist: B.o.B has been one of my favorites since 2008. Despite the fact that he is a well documented “free thinking” conspiracy theorist he is a great songwriter, musician, rapper and he definitely has blazed his own trail.

About Song: This song is off of B.o.B’s 7th album “Better than Drugs” (2022). I got to see him at a small venue in Tucson in late 2022 and got a shout out from B.o.B when he saw my “B.o.b. vs Bobby Ray” t-shirt.

Favorite Part: “It’s a thousand of the same faces I can’t differentiate, apеs, I disintegrate. You be playing bеstie with her, I do chest to chest-ie with her” (0:28)

“My whole clique, outside of the norm.
Ain’t no uniform, we do not conform” (0:43)

“Gotta be able to gas yourself, it’s called self esteem.
Don’t let these n****s sell your ass a dream” (1:29)

Other:

Vimana Lyrics

Summary: Thank G*d for the journey.

About Artist: Koffee is a 23 year old reggae pop artist from Jamaica. She is the youngest, and only female, artist to win the grammy for best reggae album. Koffee has a ton of really great songs including Ragamuffin, and Cyanide (remix).

About Song: This song is the first single off of Koffee’s 2019 EP “Rapture”.I love the chorus. Even though the song is pretty basic, there is something about the riddim and the joyous praise god feel that I really feel

Favorite Part: “Blessings all upon me life and, me thank god for the journey the earnings are just for the plus, gratitude is a must”

Other:

Koffee (Wikipedia)

Summary: All y’all thinkin bout is kissin and huggin
About Artist: Samm Henshaw is a London born singer songwriter who is really gives the John Legend vibes vocally. Tobe Nwigwe is a Texas rapper known, in part, for his role in the TV show Mo.

About Song: This song is off of Samm Henshaw’s debut album Untidy Soul (2022) which I loove. The tracks Grow, Still Broke, and 8.16 are all great songs themselves and the whole album feels like a throwback to Get Lifted (2004).

Favorite Part: I love the cool, relaxed swagger of the vocals on top of that tight playful groove. The song is laid back, fun, and sexy. Walking baseline is fiiire.

Other:

Same Henshaw (Wikipedia)
Untidy Soul (Stream)
Tobe Nwigwe (Wikipedia)

Summary: I miss you always Dad. This one is for Jim Epstein, my loving dad.

About Artist: Buddy Fo was born in Honolulu in 1932 and was percussionist and vocalist for many years.

About Song: This sone is the title track from Buddy’s 1976 LP “When It’s Time to Go”. I first heard this song in 2021 just before my dad Jim Epstein fell ill. I listened a lot of Buddy Fo throughout 2021 and 2022 when I visited Oahu for the first time as an adult.

Favorite Part: I love the composition. The melancholy Hawaiian marimbas, the surf guitar, and the mournful vocals. I especially like the staccato guitar on beat 2, and the offbeat of 3 and . I love at 0:15 when that guitar pulls a little curveball.

Other: Buddy Fo

Summary: I don’t even flex like that on the regular.

About Artist: Mick Jenkins’ new album “The Elephant in the Room” is coming in a few weeks.

About Song: This track is off of Mick’s 2020 EP “The CIrcus”

Favorite Part: The whole thing.

Other:

Summary: The truth is only what you get away with.

About Artist: Kanye West is an egomaniac who has done some horrible things. Having said that I still listen to Ye’s music.

Roddy Rich and Shensheaa are of a more recent generation, both in their mid 20s.

About Song: Pure Souls, Hurricane, Praise God, Jail, Jesus Lord, New Again, are just some of my favorite tracks from DONDA.

Favorite Part: I love the celebratory vibe.

Other:

DONDA (Wikipedia)
Roddy Rich (Wikipedia)
Shensheaa (Wikipedia)

Summary: Pure Nas with a fire verse from Ms. Hill

About Artist: Nas and Lauryn Hill are two of the greatest to ever do it.

About Song: Nas’s 14th album Kings Disease II dropped last week and this song “Nobody” is just one of many smooth classics on the album. Lauryn Hill has a great verse and it’s got those illmatic vibes.

Favorite Part:
“My awareness like Keanu in The Matrix
I’m savin’ souls and y’all complainin’ ’bout my lateness
Now it’s illegal for someone to walk in greatness” (3:15)

“I’m in the secret place, I keep a sacred space
They keep showin’ their hands, but keep hidin’ their face
If I’m a messenger, you block me then you block the message
So aggressive, the world you made is what you’re left with
Pride and ego over love and truth is fucking reckless
Y’all … got a death wish, the stupid leaves me breathless”  (3:50)

Other:

King’s Disease II (Wikipedia)
Nobody Lyrics

Summary: Ryan Beatty is Everything!

About Artist: Back in 2018 a student asked me if I’d heard of Ryan Beatty and told me they thought I would like them. It was true. His 2018 album Boy in Jeans was an album I fell deeply in love with. Ryan Beatty is an extremely talented vocalist and musician. His albums are cohesive and beautifully stitched together.

About Song: This track is just one of my favorites from his debut album Boy in Jeans. The album tells the story of his experiences of being gay in high school. I have so many favorite songs from this album, you really have to listen to the album all the way through to understand his genius. Ryan’s more recent sophomore album Dreaming of David is even more of a masterpiece and something I will surely post about soon.

Favorite Part: You have to listen to the full album!

Other: Ryan Beatty Wikipedia

Summary: Português x Español x English

About Artist: There are ton of artists on this song including Tropkillaz (São Paulo Brazil), J Balvin (Colombia), Anitta (Rio de Janeiro Brazil) and MC Zaac (Diadema Brazil).

About Song: This song came out in spring 2019  and was one of my summer anthems for that summer. It is followup to the smash hit Vai Malandra.

Favorite Part: I love the funk carioca vibe. Tenho saudades do Brasil.

Other: Bola Rebola Wikipedia,  J Balvin Wikipedia, Anitta Wikipedia, MC Zaac Wikipedia

Summary: Sometime it’s hard to tell if you are in heaven or in hell.

About Artist: Vic Mensa is from Chicago and is someone I started listening to around 2014 when he was feated on Chance the Rapper’s Cocoa Butter Kisses. Ty Dolla $ign helps sing the hook.

About Song: This song is the outro track to Vic Mensa’s debut album “The Autobiography” (2017)

Favorite Part: The chorus is really powerful. I love how this song touches on topics of sorrow, blessings, brutality, and desperation.

Other: Vic Mensa Wikipedia

Summary: Watch me dance around them puddles.

About Artist: Daniela Andrade is a Honduran Canadian who has gained a following online by posting her covers of popular songs on Soundcloud and YouTube.

About Song: This song is a track off of Daniela’s 2020 EP “Nothing Much Has Changed, I Don’t Feel The Same”

Favorite Part: This song had me at the drop (0:23)

Other: Daniela Andrade Wikipedia

Summary: This is dedicated to that ooh la.

About Artist: John Legend has a voice of gold and face that makes butter melt. I’ve been in love with him since 2003 when I first heard live album “Live at the Knitting Factory”. He has a come along away but he still cranks out the hits.

About Song: This song is the intro track to his recent 2020 album “Bigger Love”. I had ticket to see him in the fall of 2020 but we all know how that ended : (

Favorite Part: I like the old-timey doowap track with the deep bass drop at 0:09. I like the prechorus build and the way the chorus blossoms (0:37). And of course I just love John’s sexy sexy voice.
“You know I’m romantic,
I’d cross the Atlantic for that, Ooh-laa
I’ll wear my best tuxedo,
And you can undress me and we go, Ooh-laa” (1:08)

Other:



Summary: One year later and we still in quarantine

About Artist: Todrick Hall is one of the most talented people in the biz. I’ve gone to many of his shows and he is one hell of a performer. I can’t say enough about his creativity, versatility and just his raw talent. He is a queer icon and all around entertainment threat.

About Song: This song is a remix of his earlier hit “Nails, Hair, Hips, Heels”. This song is by no means my favorite Todrick Hall song but on the one year anniversary of my quarantine I thought it’d be appropriate.

Favorite Part: Love the concept and love that he’s spoofing his own song

Other:Todrick Hall Wikipedia

Summary: Haunting, so haunting.

About Artist: Jensen McRae is a young folk singer songwriter from a biracial black and jewish background. Her career is still young with her first single having dropped in 2019. Her songs all have deep personal messages.

About Song: I like Jensen’s other work but this song is just so haunting. After I first hear it, her voice followed me in my head for days. This genre normally isn’t really my thing but wow, this song is something specials.

Favorite Part: I love how the verses flow into the chorus (1:00). Obviously her voice is a major part of what makes this song work.

Other Links: Jensen McRae

Summary: Trying to be grateful for what I have.

About Artist: Kanye West, what is there to say… musical visionary, egotistical sociopath, beloved hit maker, asshole. Kanye West should probably be cancelled but I just can’t let go. This song also features Ty Dolla Sign and longtime collaborator Ant Clemons.

About Song: This song is off of Kanye’s 2019 album “Jesus is King” which won a Grammy award last night. I really did like this album with tracks like “Selah”, “Follow God”, “Water” and “God Is” being a few of my favorites. I also thought the Jesus is King IMAX short film was really powerful.

Favorite Part: I really love the chorus and the feel of the track. I like the message since I always struggle to recognize the blessings in my own life.

Other: Jesus is King Wikipedia

Summary: Chika’s new EP drops today!

About Artist: Chika is part of the XXL 2020 freshman class and looks to have a very promosing future. Her new EP “Once Upon a Time” drops today and I can’t wait to listen.

About Song: This song is off of her 2020 EP “Industry Games”

Favorite Part:  I love the vocal harmonies on chorus and synth soul vibe of the song. As far as the bars, the third verse is the best.

Other: Chika Wikipedia

Summary: Usha Usha

About Artist: Usher has been an R&B pop sensation for several decades while Ella Mai hit the scene big with her self-titled debut album in 2018.

About Song: This song came out in 2019 but is actually a single from Usher’s upcoming album “Confessions 2” (not to be confused with his song that I cried to in high school “Confession Part II”).

Favorite Part: I have a hard time not liking Usher, and Ella Mai just makes this duet too good to resist. I really like Ella Mai’s verse at 1:20.

Other: Ella Mai Wikipedia, Usher Wikipedia

Summary: Go watch Judas and the Black Messiah

About Artist: Masego is best known for his 2017 collab “Tadow“. JID is up and coming signed with Dreamville, and Rapsody is a long established independent veteran.

About Song: This song was put together for a companion album to the movie “Judas and the Black Messiah” which tells a story of Fred Hampton and the Black Panthers. Go watch it.

Favorite Part: Masego’s vocals really bring the vibe and this verse from JID…
“‘Cause we can never murder hate but can murder a hater
What’s a more American way to try to give ’em a taste of they own medicine?
Prevalent ethnic rebel, the revolution of melanin
Bust a move to the ghetto, we must improve the development
Brought some food for the fellowship, got a noose on my brethren
Call the goons and the government, come correct the corruption
Break the racial construction buildin’ up
In the spirit of liberation, give me life or I’ma take it
That’s my human right, universally, you and I, we could be unified
But when you speakin’ truth beyond your youth, they want you euthanized
Creepin’ through the night, hear something movin’, right?
Intruders, intruders” (0:56)

Other: JID Wikipedia, Rapsody Wikipedia,  Masego Wikipedia, Judas and the Black Messiah Wikipedia

Summary: Happy Monday

About Artist: Jidenna is member of Janelle Monae’s Wonderland Records. I love his heavily east African influenced style and this song is a great example of that.

About Song: This song is off of an EP Jidenna released in 2017.

Favorite Part: I like the laid back feel of the song. I also really like the bridge at 2:30.

Other: Jidenna Wikipedia

Summary: Throwback to a sunnier summertime.

About Artist: J. Cole is one of the reigning kings of lyrical hip hop.

About Song: This song is off of an EP called “Truly Yours 2” which came out in 2013 just before his second album “Born Sinner”. This song, like many of his, is also produced by J Cole himself.

Favorite Part: I really like the sample and the vibe J. Cole created in the production booth.
“B*****s saying: “You a rapper n****, ain’t you s’posed to tip more?”
I don’t see no pussy, baby, ain’t you s’posed to strip more?
Confessions of a cheap-ass n****
But I finally put my Momma in that E class, n****
And I told her quit her job, but hold your horses
If my next album flops it’s back to the post office, both of us, shit
They’re saying that’s a real possibility
The thought alone is killing me” (1:03)

Other: Truly Yours 2 (EP)

Summary: This is how babies are made.

About Artist: Silk Sonic is the newly formed supergroup duo of Anderson .Paak and Bruno Mars. They are a match made in heaven and are two artists that I’ve loved for a long time. I got on team Bruno Mars when “Nothing on You” came out in 2009 and have been an Anderson .Paak fan since “Venice” in 2014.

About Song: This song came out yesterday and is the lead single off of their upcoming album “An Evening with Silk and Sonic”.

Favorite Part: Love the vocals, love the drum fills, love the vibe, I love it all.

Other: An Evening with Silk Sonic, Leave the Door Open (YouTube Video), Bruno Mars Wikipedia, Anderson .Paak Wikipedia

DOWNLOAD MP3 RemiWolf-DiscoMan.mp3
Summary: Just a fun song with a groove.
About Artist: I don’t know really know anything about Remi Wolf but I heard of her when the Free Nationals did a remix of her song Photo ID
About Song: This song is off of her second EP “I’m Allergic To Dogs” which came out in June 2020.
Favorite Part: I just really love the groove
Other:
Remi Wolf

DOWNLOAD MP3 ToastyDigital-SacraficeYaLife.mp3
Summary: Mash it up!
About Artist: This mix is courtesy of someone named Toasty Digital whom I know nothing about. I do know that they’ve made several awesome Kanye remix projects.
About Song: This is just one track off of a mashup album called “Good Kid Twisted Fantasy”. The project is a mashup of Kendrick Lamar’s “Good Kid, M.A.A.D City” and Kanye West’s “My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy”. This particular track takes part of Kanye’s Monster and mashes it with Kendrick’s Sherane. Another great track off of this album is a mashup of Power and Money Trees.
Favorite Part: You really gotta listen to the whole project (see the link below)
Other:
Good Kid Twisted Fantasy Full Mixtape (YouTube)
2049 Project (YouTube)

DOWNLOAD MP3 Prof-SquadGoals.mp3
Summary: Just a funny song I got stuck in my head
About Artist: Prof has been at it a longtime as part of the famous Rhymesayers label. I’m not an especially big fan but I love this song.
About Song: This song is off of Prof’s seventh album Powderhorn Suites (2020)
Favorite Part: I love the background vocals singing “feels good”
Other:
Prof Wikipedia

DOWNLOAD MP3 JazmineSullivan-PutItDown.mp3
Summary: Sometimes you just can’t help it.
About Artist: Jazmine Sullivan has been one of my favs since she rocketed to fame in 2008 with Bust Your Windows. Jazmine Sullivan is so talented and has a great discography. This song also happens to be produced by another favorite of mine, KeY Wane.
About Song: This song is off her Jazmine’s recent EP “Heaux Tales” (2021). It is her first release in almost six years and even if you don’t love this track, the album is definitely worth checking out. Heaux Tales has a tone of features from people like Ari Lennox, H.E.R., Anderson .Paak and more. The EP is strong on message and discusses female sexuality, body shaming and other issues that have kept Jasmine Sullivan from releasing more music in the past several years.
Favorite Part: Love the beat and love the honest message.
Other Links:
Jazmine Sullivan
Heaux Tales
KeY Wane

DOWNLOAD MP3 Reason-FlickItUpftAbSoul.mp3
Summary: …and we’re back.
About Artist: Reason and Ab-Soul are both part of Top Dawg Entertainment (TDE) headed by Kendrick Lamar. The whole TDE crew is West Coast royalty and this track shows it.
About Song: This is the first single off of Reason’s debut album “New Beginnings” which dropped in the October of 2020.
Favorite Part:
“Pick up the pacemaker
Your heart ain’t strong enough, brain ain’t smart enough
Gang ain’t hard enough, dollars ain’t long enough
Promise I’m droppin’ a gem, you should” (2:11)
Links:
Reason Wikipedia
Ab-Soul Wikipedia
New Beginnings Wikipedia
Top Dawg Entertainment Wikipedia

Download
Summary: Rest in Power George Floyd.

About Artist: Over 15 artists featured.

About Song: 24 minutes long. Goes from melancholy, to anger, to sadness, to hope.

Other: So much pain, so much rage, so much injustice.

Download
Summary: The CD runs 77 minutes in 50 tracks featuring over 60 artists. I hope you find your new favorite song. I know we can all use a little more music in our lives rights now.

About: I wanted to create a mixtape that had a little something for everybody. The tracks are edited to be short but offer a glimpses into pop hits and odd audial obscurities and alike. A project of the quarantine.

Other: Enjoy some easy listening or get out Shazam and find your new favorite song!

DOWNLOAD MP3 Bas-JustMadeBailftJCole.mp3
Summary: Free your mind and everything will follow.
About Artist: Bas is signed to J Cole’s Dreamville records. They are both great rappers with great messages.
About Song: It looks like Bas and J Cole both got a lot of exciting stuff cooking up at the moment but this one is back from 2014 from Bas’s debut album Last Winter.
Favorite Part: I love the bossa nova guitar sample, and J Cole’s verses are always fire.
“If we the new slaves
I am Frederick Douglass of rhetoric ahead the the others
You motherfuckas better get free
This for that insecure girl, your name I won’t mention
On Instagram straight flickin’
Bitch you a nipple slip away from strippin'” (2:38)
Other:
Bas Wikipedia
J Cole Wikipedia

DOWNLOAD MP3 Rosalia-YoTiTuMiftOzuna.mp3
Summary: Yo por ti, tú por mí, hmm-hmm, hmm-hmm
About Artist: Rosalía is a Spanish artist who has been around for a long time but has just recently been blowing up in the US with collabs with J Balvin and others. Ozuna is from Puerto Rico and has also been on an upward trajectory lately with a feature on Taki Taki with Cardi B and Selena Gomez
About Song: This song is a single off of Rosalía’s upcoming third album
Favorite Part: Love the chorus. hmm hmm hmm, hmm hmm hmm.
Other:
Rosalía Wikipedia
Ozuna Wikipedia

DOWNLOAD MP3 Nas-EverytingftTheDream.mp3
Summary: If I had everything…
About Artist: What is there to say about NaS, theking of New York. Obviously one of our aging hip hop royals. Time hasn’t been great to NaS but I like this song.
About Song: This track is off of “NASIR” which was one of the super short albums that Kanye West produced in the summer of 2018. The album wasn’t great but this song stuck with me.
Favorite Part: “If I had everything, I could change anything”
“Some people have everything they probably ever wanted in life. And never have enough” (2:56)
Other:
Nasir Wikipedia

DOWNLOAD MP3 YBNCordae-FamilyMattersftArinRay.mp3
Summary: A little soul from the next generation.
About Artist: I don’t know much about YBN Cordae but I really loved his debut album “Lost Boy” this year. YBN Cordae was listed on the XXL Freshmen list of 2019 and I’m excited to see where he goes. Definitely worth checking out.
About Song: This song samples Kendrick Lamar’s “Faith”.
Favorite Part: I really love the sample and the soulfulness.
Other:
YBN Cordae Wikipedia

DOWNLOAD MP3 VanJess-CoolOfftheRaiftAriLennox.mp3
Summary: A lil R&B to warm up the winter.
About Artist: VanJess is a Nigerian-American R&B duo, but I found this song because of the Ari Lennox feature.
About Song: This song is off of a remix album called Silk Canvas (The Remixes)
Favorite Part: Just love the vibe
Other:
VanJess Wikipedia
Ari Lennox Wikipedia

DOWNLOAD MP3 Sade-FloweroftheUniverseNoIDRemix.mp3
Summary: Sade is baaack.
About Artist: Sade is member of R&B and Soul royalty. After a many many year hiatus she is back with a few new songs for the new Wrinkle in Time movie. . No I.D. is a prolific producer who has worked a lot with Kanye West and Jay-Z
About Song: This song is so beautiful and intense. It was made to be on the soundtrack for A Wrinkle in Time. This version of the song is a No I.D. remix.
Favorite Part: I love the way the song builds. All of the ooohs in the background.
“When you smile the stars align” -1:13
Other:
Sade Wikipedia
No I.D. Wikipedia

DOWNLOAD MP3 JanelleMonae-DjangoJane.mp3
Summary: Janelle Monae is back! #neverleft
About Artist: Janelle Monae is everything.
About Song: This is one of two songs that dropped today with the announcement of Janelle Monae’s next album “Dirty Computer” due out April 27th.
Favorite Part: Video is amazing
“Let the vagina have a monologue” -2:30
Other:
Janelle Monae Wikipedia
Django Jane Video YouTube
Django Jane Lyrics via RapGenius

DOWNLOAD MP3 TPain-MayIftMrTalkbox.mp3
Summary: Just head it. It’s my new favorite song. Listen all the way through.
About Artist: T-Pain’s “I’m Sprung” went platinum in 2005 and T-Pain never looked back.
About Song: This song is from T-Pain’s fifth album “Oblivion” which just dropped November 17th 2017. While this song is pretty light and jazzy there are some real bangers on the album like “Goal Line (feat. Blac Youngsta)”
Favorite Part: It’s a long song but it switches up at 3:40 which I love.
Other:
T-Pain Wikipedia

DOWNLOAD MP3 DJPremiere-2LovinUftMiguel.mp3
Summary: I was so obsessed with this song last winter and it is long overdue to be posted on the blog.
About Artist: DJ Premiere is hip hop royalty and is one half of Gang Starr. Miguel is one of my favorite singers.
About Song: This song is track that didn’t make the cut of Miguel’s album Wildheart (2015).
Favorite Part: I love Miguel in general but this upbeat track was in rotation for the better part of this entire year.
Other:
DJ Premiere
Miguel WIkipedia

DOWNLOAD MP3 WyclefJean-HoldingOnTheEdgeftWalkTheMoon.mp3
Summary: I’m holdin on the edge.
About Artist: Wyclef Jean is hip hop royalty as he is one third of the immortal group the Fugees.
About Song: This song was in the queue right before the blog went dark past February. In early 2017 I had several songs of off Wyclef’s “J’ouvert” in rotation.
Favorite Part: “Invincible emotion,
look alive look alive.
Surrender to the ocean,
you could dive you could dive,
but you waitin for the, just waiting for the,
one moment you could,
fall but you might fly so holdin on the edge,
for dear life.
Take a dive take a dive.

Other:
Holding On The Edge Lyrics

DOWNLOAD MP3 HER-2.mp3
Summary: A lil revenge story.
About Artist: H.E.R. is an artist who’s identity remains anonymous. She has release two EP’s HER Vol 1 and HER Vol 2.
About Song: This song is off of a Vol 2 B-Sides release that dropped last week. I’ve missed posting on gregshiphop so much. Feels goods to be back.
Favorite Part: I love slow sexy slyness of this revenge tale. Cheaters get what’s comin to them.
Other: H.E.R. – Wikipedia

DOWNLOAD MP3 DJKhaled-ShiningftBeyonceJayZ.mp3
THIS SONG HAS BEEN REMOVED DUE TO A COMPLAINT BY THE RIAA.
Summary: All of this winning.
About Artist: DJ Khaled is the hype man turned successful social media entrepreneur who is now hosting the royal couple on their new track. Beyonce is everything, and Jay-Z still raps… 21 grammys he’s a savage, 12 solo albums all platinum.
About Song: This song dropped the day after the Grammys where Beyonce was nominated for album of the year for Lemonade, and gave an amazing performance.
Favorite Part: I love…

“All of this winning, I’ve been losing my mind”

“21 Grammys, I’m a savage n*gga
21 Grammys, I’m a savage n*gga
…12 solo albums, all Platinum, n*gga”
Other:
Shining Lyrics

DOWNLOAD MP3 Jidenna-Bambi.mp3
Summary: The Chief drops tomorrow!
About Artist: Jidenna is a member of Wondaland Records which is Janelle Monae’s crew.
About Song: This song is a track of off Jidenna’s long awaited, and many times postponed, debut album “The Chief” which is out tomorrow February 17th 2017. I’m giving it a first listen right now I and I gotta say it’s freshhhh.
Favorite Part: I love the mellow vibes. This song really typifies Jidenna’s style, though he goes in hard on some other beats. I also really love the lyrics of this one.
Other:
Jidenna Wikipedia
Wondaland Wikipedia

DOWNLOAD MP3 AndersonPaakTheDreamerftTalibKweli.mp3
Summary: Don’t stop now, keep dreaming!
About Artist: Anderson .Paak is a California artist who stays at the cutting edge and had a great 2016 releasing his third album “Malibu” in January 2016.
About Song: This song is the outro track of the album.
Favorite Part: I love the music, the funky baseline, the choir, the whole concept of the song (and of the Malibu album for that matter).
“I’m on my fifth brew and my rent’s due
Sixth and west roof
I can see it all
Hold on to my hand, that’s my little dude
Look at Kenzo, swagging like his paw
One for the occasion and get ya good suit
Fuck your reservation
Bitch, I brought ’em all
Look at where you came from, Californication
Since a little baby skating in boogie boards
And raiding your cookie jar, my radio analog
I wanted them Nike’s
Mama got me Lugz” (0:38)
Love the hook, I’m a product of the tube and the free lunch.
Other:
Anderson .Paak Wikipedia
The Dreamer Lyrics (via RapGenius)