“Touch the Ground” Showcases Star Bandz’s Range

Star Bandz has been making serious noise in Chicago, quickly emerging as one of the city’s most exciting young voices. The 17-year-old brings a raw, distinctive sound and delivery that recalls the energy of the early Chief Keef era while still feeling fresh and original. That buzz has now caught the attention of Chance the Rapper, who links up with Star Bandz on a winter-themed track titled “Touch the Ground.” On the single, Star Bandz shows impressive range, confidently handling the hook as Chance steps in to add the finishing touches. It’s a strong collaboration and a standout release—definitely keep an eye on Star Bandz moving forward.

Listen to more from Chance The Rapper:
Vic Mensa Feat. Chance The Rapper & G-Eazy – Swish [Video]
Chance the Rapper – Writing Exercise #2

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Polo G Releases “Chances” from Hood Poet Deluxe

Polo G returned last month with the release of his single “High Tolerance,” signaling a steady comeback as the year winds down. He keeps that momentum going with a new track titled “Chances,” featured on the deluxe edition of Hood Poet. The song leans into Polo G’s signature melodic delivery and introspective lyricism, making it a fitting release to close out the year. You can listen to “Chances” below, along with links to the Hood Poet deluxe edition.

Stream Hood Poet deluxe below:

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Nas and DJ Premier Reflect on Light Years and Their Legacy

Nas and DJ Premier are coming off the release of their joint project Light Years. If you’ve followed either artist over the years, you know they rarely take part in interviews or extended media rollouts, which makes this moment different. More than 30 years after linking up on the classic Illmatic, the two legends reconnect for what feels like a truly iconic chapter in hip-hop history.

What makes it even more surprising is seeing Nas and Preemo sit down with Joe Budden, now one of the hottest podcasters in the game. The nearly 90-minute interview dives deep into the making of Light Years, from the meaning behind the title to the featured artists on the project. They also reflect on their early days and touch on their recent run of releases with Mass Appeal. Check out the full interview above, and find the streaming links below.

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French Montana and Max B Deliver Dark New “MAWA” Video

Max B officially came home in November and wasted no time getting active again, both online and in the streets. He quickly reconnected with French Montana and dropped the single “No More Tricks,” which was originally announced as the lead track from his upcoming album Public Domain 7: The First Purge (Patient Zero), scheduled to arrive on November 18. Unfortunately, the release date came and went without the album dropping.

Still, Max’s return clearly sparked new energy. He and French Montana link up again for a new single and video titled “MAWA (Make America Wavy Again),” a politically inspired track that continues their long-standing chemistry. Directed by Kid Art, the video leans into a dark, cinematic aesthetic with a gritty, almost Batman-like feel.

The record is a solid showing and it’s refreshing to hear French Montana sounding inspired again. Max B’s presence was clearly missed, and his signature wave sound remains as distinct as ever. It’s great to see him back in the mix again.

“MAWA (Make America Wavy Again)” is expected to appear on French Montana’s upcoming project Coke Wave 3.5, currently slated for release on January 9, 2026. Check out the video above, and you can find the streaming links below.

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After a smooth rollout highlighted by the standout single “Diamonds” featuring Roc Marciano, Conway The Machine officially releases his highly anticipated album You Can’t Kill God With Bullets. Conway delivers gritty bars over high-level production, staying true to his raw Buffalo sound while expanding his reach. The project features a strong lineup of collaborators, including Roc Marciano, DJ Whoo Kid, Tony Yayo, G Herbo, KNDRX, Lady London, and Heather Victoria. With several tracks built for repeat spins, this album offers plenty of standout moments—stream it now using the links below.

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Nas and DJ Premier Close Out the Legend Has It Campaign

This concludes Mass Appeal’s Legend Has It campaign, as promised, delivering seven albums for fans. The grand finale is Light-Years with Nas and DJ Premier. The two legends link up for 15-tracks and features from Steve Miller Band and AZ. DJ Premier handles the entire production and Nas delivers the bars throughout the entire album. Outside of the album rollout, Nas has also been making headlines, recently sitting down with Complex News to discuss Marvel, music, and more. was a great idea from the start and all 7 albums delivered high quality nostalgic music for loyal fans. This one is solid and the Nas bars and DJ Premier scratches will take you back to the golden years. You can find the streaming links below.

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Redman takes to the streets of Japan for a quick freestyle titled “Don’t Give AF,” part of J@q Boi Be@tz’s ongoing series. Jumping on Eminem’s classic “I Just Don’t Give a F*” beat, Redman unleashes his trademark witty bars while keeping the raw energy fans expect. Only Redman could pull this off, and even bump into his longtime friend Contra along the way. Watch the full freestyle above.

More From Redman:

• New Album: Redman – Muddy Waters Too
• New Music: Redman – “Jersey”

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ESPN hasn’t felt the same since the passing of Stuart Scott in early 2015. His energy, charisma, and signature style helped define a generation of SportsCenter. Tomorrow, ESPN debuts a special tribute film, Boo-Yah: A Portrait of Stuart Scott, offering an intimate look at his life, influence, and legacy. To honor him, Common and 9th Wonder have crafted a new anthem titled “Vision,” featuring PJ and Bilal. Common’s heartfelt verses glide over 9th Wonder’s soulful production, supported by powerful vocals from PJ and Bilal. The single arrives alongside emotional footage from Stuart Scott’s time at ESPN, including never-before-seen moments from his battle with cancer. It’s a moving tribute to a legend who shaped sports media forever.

Stuart Scott was one of a kind, he is missed. RIP

Boo-Yah: A Portrait of Stuart Scott premiers December 10 at 9 p.m. ET on the ESPN App and ESPN. You can stream “Vision” below and watch the trailer.

Common has always excelled at delivering meaningful, soulful records. For more from him, check out:
DJ Premier Feat. Common – In Moe (Speculation) [Video]
Common Feat. Black Thought & Seun Kuti – When We Move [Video]

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The Legendary Erick Sermon Returns With New Project

It’s been a long time since Erick Sermon dropped a full-length project, but the legendary producer is officially back. He returns to the spotlight with a brand-new album titled Dynamic Duos Vol. 1, a collaborative concept project that pairs notable hip-hop duos across the tracklist.

The album features an impressive lineup including Salt-N-Pepa, 38 Spesh, Public Enemy, Conway The Machine, M.O.P., EPMD, Snoop Dogg, and more, highlighting Sermon’s ability to bring eras and styles together effortlessly.

Sermon’s last solo body of work, Vernia, dropped in 2019, and fans have been waiting patiently for another full offering. As one of hip-hop’s most respected producers, whose catalog includes countless classics, expectations are naturally high. Based on the names involved, this project is poised to deliver some undeniable bangers.

This release also continues a strong run of legendary artists and producers coming back with new projects in 2025. You can find the streaming links below.

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The Game Returns With New Gangsta Grillz Project After 3-Year Hiatus

The Game’s days at the top of the rap game are long behind him. His last full-length album, Drillmatic: Heart vs. Mind, dropped back in 2022. To his defense, the music landscape has changed drastically, staying relevant today is tougher than ever. After a three-year hiatus, he’s back with a new project titled Gangsta Grillz: Every Movie Needs a Trailer, hosted by the legendary DJ Drama.

For years, fans anticipated a full project produced entirely by Kanye West, but that never materialized. Instead, The Game says this DJ Drama collaboration is a warm-up for his long-awaited The Documentary II. The mixtape features Jeremih, Mozzy, O.T. Genasis, Eric Bellinger, and more, with high-level production throughout. The Game sticks to the name-dropping and storytelling formula that made him famous, and honestly, it still hits. We gave it a spin, and it’s worth adding to your playlist. Stream the project below

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