DJ Premier Continues His Streak, Gordo Links With Drake, Young Nudy And Metro Boomin Go Western, And More New Hip-Hop Releases

Preezy Brown

July 30, 2024 at 12:32 AM·6 min read

Today is Monday, which means there were a ton of new releases from some of your favorite Hip-Hop artists. To help you unwind and enjoy the week ahead, check out VIBE’s picks of songs and albums you need to hear and add to the soundtrack of your life.

DJ Premier Feat. Lil Wayne, Rick Ross, Big Sean – “Ya Don’t Stop”

DJ Premiere Feat. Lil Wayne, Rick Ross, Big Sean - "Ya Don't Stop" Cover Art

DJ Premier is once again showcasing his legendary status with “Ya Don’t Stop,” featuring Lil Wayne, Rick Ross, and Big Sean. As Rick Ross puts it, “It’s the biggest in the game,” and this new track certainly lives up to that hype.

Rozay kicks it off with his trademark, opulent style—creating a lush ambiance amid the gritty boom-bap. Wayne’s presence is then immediately felt, as he weaves through the strings with his signature swagger and wordplay, while Big Sean anchors the track in dynamic fashion. Premo touched on his ongoing resurgence, which has included multiple musical releases and collbas over the past year.

“I’ve been on a run, and releasing singles more consistently,” the renowned boardsman said of his current streak. “I had an idea and wanted to initially get Wayne and Ross on the same track. I reached out to Rozay first and he sent me back vocals the same day. I sent two tracks to Wayne to choose from and he sent both back the same night and told me to keep them both. Big Sean called me to do a scratch hook for him. In return, he hopped on as well. Cypher complete!” – Preezy Brown

Young Nudy Feat. Metro Boomin – “John Wayne”

Young Nudy and Metro Boomin’s latest track, “John Wayne,” is a captivating foray into the Old West. Accompanied by a music video directed by INIGHTLYFE and co-directed by Nudy himself, the track seamlessly blends Nudy’s distinctive vocal style with Metro Boomin’s signature production, creating a unique soundscape that feels both fresh and nostalgic. – PB

Gordo Feat. Drake – “Sideways/Healing”

Drake is back again, but this time he is in his house bag. The first track, “Sideways,” is his signature acknowledgment of the fleeting nature of love. He sings about how he knows that a girl wasn’t his, but rather it was just his turn with her. Still, he knows that she would love to claim that she is associated with him and enjoy the splendor of his life, but she can’t have her cake and eat it too. “Healing,” on the other hand, is a rare admission of his fatigue. Drizzy lives the standard rapper lifestyle of little sleep and lots of partying but he knows he needs to be inside sometimes and recover. Given all he has endured lately, it is very fitting. Throw all of this content on an elite house beat produced by Gordo and you’ve got two winners. – Armon Sadler

Central Cee – “Gen Z Luv”

Central Cee gets into his earnest bag on “Gen Z Luv.” The London rapper admits he’s been through a lot of women and knows it will be difficult to convince the one he truly wants of his commitment, but he starts by getting down on one knee. The beat is his usual drill tempo, but there is an airiness that creates an aura of romance and even yearning. He tells the object of his affection that she hasn’t give him the ick yet nor does he see any red flags. And even if they apprea, nobody is perfect and he can’t wait to tell their children how they met on social media. Another great effort, and a nice variation, from Cench. – AS

Smino Featuring Cousin Stizz – “NOKIA”

Smino and Cousin Stizz have teamed up for their latest single, “Nokia,” delivering a track that’s both smooth and captivating. From the moment the beat drops, it’s clear that this collaboration is a standout in their respective catalogs. Featuring a laid-back, melodic production that highlights Smino’s signature eclectic style and Cousin Stizz’s effortless flow, the track’s instrumental is a blend of mellow, jazzy undertones and modern, rhythmic elements, creating a sound that’s both nostalgic and fresh. – PB

Cordae Feat. Lil Wayne – “Saturday Mornings”

Cordae’s “Saturday Mornings” is one of his best releases in quite some time. The production is a cheat code, blending a downtempo drum pattern with a choral vocal sample and multiple instruments. His delivery and wordplay shine brighter in this arena as opposed to the fast beats he uses occasionally. And then Lil Wayne enters the chat and puts a bow on the track with wordplay that plays in the area where funny and clever overlap. This is a great intergenerational collaboration, primed for the morning smoke before getting into the day’s errands. If Cordae finds ways to do more of this, with some variation, his next project could be his best yet. – AS

Jae Skeese Feat. Dave East, Jay Worthy, Lloyd – “Sara Lee”

Jae Skeese’s track “Sara Lee,” featuring Dave East, Jay Worthy, and Lloyd brings together a diverse range of voices and styles, making for one of the Buffalo rep’s finer collabs to date. Skeese opens the track with a svelte verse, while Dave East follows up with slick musings of his own, and Jay Worthy brings his distinctive West Coast flair to the proceedings. “Sara Lee continues Jae Skeese’s charge towards the release of his forthcoming album Ground Level, which is set to arrive in August and includes contributions from Big K.R.I.T., Dave East, Sauce Walka, Jay Worthy, Project Pat, Smoke DZA, Statik Selektah, Che Noir, Lloyd, and Ski Beatz. – PB

Youngboy NBA – “Tears Of War”

YoungBoy Never Broke Again “Tears Of War” cover art

YoungBoy Never Broke Again’s signature crooning has produced a variety of gems in his catalog, but “Tears Of War” feels like his most earnest and somber track yet. An oozing, palpable sense of PTSD comes from the record and the piano-laced beat makes it feel as if it could be a eulogy. That’s not a stretch assessment as he has lost a lot in his life, though it cannot be ignored that he has been the cause of some of the strife he endured. Nonetheless, this record is a hauntingly beautiful recognition of his pain and how he moves on from it. – AS