Rich Homie Quan Lives On, Rome Streetz And Daringer Pull A Heist, Lil Durk Unloads, And Other Hip-Hop Releases

Preezy Brown and Armon Sadler

Fri, October 4, 2024 at 6:53 PM UTC

9 min read

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Today is Friday, which means there are a ton of new releases to look forward to from some of your favorite Hip-Hop artists. To help you unwind and enjoy the weekend, check out VIBE’s picks of songs and albums you should hear and add to your soundtrack of weekend festivities.

Rich Homie Quan – Forever Goin In

Rich Homie Quan 'Forever Going In' Album Cover

The death of rap star Rich Homie Quan was one of the more somber moments of 2024. The late Atlanta trailblazer’s passing leaves a void that can never be fully filled, however, the legacy and music he’s left behind present opportunties to celebrate him while keeping his name alive. Nearly one month to the date of his transition, Rich Homie Quan’s team unveil Forever Goin On, the rapper’s first posthumous project.

On the intro, Rich Homie Quan dwells in his sorrows, expressing the solitude felt and the vices that helped him cope. “Feel like I been on my own my whole life/ Been going through some sh*t, I might go down the whole pint,” he raps, spilling his thoughts atop a piano-laden soundscape crafted by Issabandoned, June the Genius, Doc Jones, and Grannum.

Given the circumstances surrounding his death, “Another Morning” plays as a confessional to the demons the hitmaker was battling prior to his passing, making it a visceral offering that borders on prophetic. “Washing my sins away, keeping them pills away/ I been losing too many brothers and wiping these tears away/ I cannot not feel a way, I been numb, can’t feel a thing/ I been on these drugs, I’m so high, I can’t feel my face,” he admits, later adding that his “only concern is an overdose,”

Presenting a robust tracklist featuring 35 songs, Forever Going On is largely comprised of solo outings, with Quan shining on the highlights “Even Score,” “Skr Skr,” “My Story,” “All of Em,” “Next Life,” “God Ain’t Forget Me.” In addition, costars 2 Chainz (“Ah’chi”), Lil Tjay (“No Tears”), Skilla Baby (“Swerved Off”), Sukihana (“Freaky”), Plies (“Get It Ova Wit”), VNSNCE (“Dashboard”), Quicktrip (“Wyb Quan”), and DUUO (“Came a Long Way”) prove worthy collaborators and provide timely changes in pace.

All in all, Forever Goin In is a swan song that speaks to the heart and soul of a cultural legend, but also a reminder that life can be fragile and fleeting. – Preezy Brown

Rome Streetz and Daringer – Hatton Garden Holdup

Hatton Garden Holdup marks a thrilling collaboration between Rome Streetz and Daringer, delivering a gritty exploration of street life through a lens of bravado and raw authenticity.

Led by the singles “Starbvxkz” and the ScHoolboy Q-assisted “Sage,” Hatton Garden Holdup doesn’t falter under the expectations set by those well-received offerings, as Streetz and Daringer match that intensity throughout the album. Standout tracks like “Ace of Base,” “Jimi’s Headband,” and “Reap What You Sow” highlight Rome’s lyrical dexterity, each verse dripping with confidence and vivid imagery.

“Cadillac Smoke” with Meyhem Lauren is a highlight, where Rome’s lines—“If I’m rapping on your track, you in a morgue, frozen on a board / Jordan shoulder shrug with your blood on my sword”—establish his dominance in the rap game. Similarly, “Pro Tro” featuring Conway the Machine elevates the intensity, while “Weight Of The World” with Cormega are two meetings of the minds that places the emphasis on street saavy lyricism.

Daringer’s production is equally compelling, laying down haunting beats that perfectly complement Rome’s storytelling. With its gritty narratives and braggadocious flair, Hatton Garden Holdup cements Rome Streetz’s place as a force in contemporary rap, leaving listeners both captivated and craving more. – PB

Lil Durk – “Monitoring Me”

Lil Durk raps pretty well on “Monitoring Me.” He opted for a no-hook, free-verse structure and it worked. It was nice to hear his normal rap voice instead of the autotune he sometimes opts for. The production is strong, conveying a sense of franticness and danger that Durk matched in his aggressive delivery. One of the funniest lines was him saying that his associates go to Six Flags and don’t get on rides.

Ultimately, this is a solid track but currently it is hard to envision it really taking off. That isn’t unique to Durk, a lot of rap songs aren’t sticking, but it doesn’t have the catchy element many of his past hits to. – Armon Sadler

Ian – “End Up Gone”

Ian’s “End Up Gone” sounds like a boneless Gucci Mane record. The production elements are all there and if this was Guwop, he would have soared. Ian, however, drones on with a boring autotune flow that doesn’t change much. There is a way to keep things simple yet still be interesting and he failed at that.

This is much less interesting than his “Hate Me” record with Lil Yachty, where he actually showed some lyrical mettle and range as a spitter. The beat was cool but that’s about it. It would be a shock to see this record have a shelf-life beyond the next week. – AS

FERG Featuring Future and Mike Will Made It – “Allure”

A$AP Ferg ft. Future & Mike Will Made-It “Allure” cover art

A$AP Ferg’s “Allure” is right in his wheelhouse. The steady tempo, drums and hi-hats are set to the BPM where he can use his signature, fluid flow and deliver a pretty good hook. His verses are fine, nothing to necessarily go crazy over.

Future pulls up with the energy on his verse, calling out disloyal friends and those who aren’t built like him. His shots a Gunna are a bit cringe and highlight what has been one of his most aggressive years in terms of going at his enemies or people he doesn’t like; your mileage varies on whether you like it or not. Otherwise, he is cool, calm and collected and without a doubt the best part of this song. – AS

Money Man and Key Glock – “Demons In The Dark”

Money Man & Key Glock “Demons In The Dark” cover art

Money Man & Key Glock went berzerk on “Demons In The Dark.” First, they begin with a cheat code in having children’s voices sing the chorus and then Money Man uses a dark, brooding voice in his verse. The conflicting dichotomy works to perfection.

What makes it even better is Key Glock, who is usually very animated, matching his energy. The backing of a chorus singing “oooooh” behind his verse makes this track sound even more like a church confessional type track. This is such a well-structured song; they could have kept it simple, but each addition and segment was intricately placed. A victory for both men. – AS

Skilla Baby and 4batz – “So Bad”

Skilla Baby and 4batz surprised listeners a bit with “So Bad.” Initially, it was easy to predict this would’ve been a slower, more emotional record but they decided to create a twerk anthem for the ladies. They don’t have the strongest chemistry through the first about 75% of the song; Skilla delivers haymaker bars while 4batz croons at a faster pace than he normally would.

However, they silence that critique at the end of the song when 4batz delivers ad libs during Skilla’s “My lil bi**h so bad” refrain. 4batz’s feature run post-project has been very diverse and it’s working for him. It is nice to see a new act so active. – AS

Powers Pleasant – Life Sucks

Power Pleasant’s Life Sucks is an electrifying exploration of the ups and downs of modern existence, showcasing his signature blend of hard-hitting beats while joined by his dearest collaborators.

The album kicks off with “Entro,” featuring Denzel Curry and Hannah Mundine, setting a high-energy tone. Joey Bada$$ makes a powerful impact on “Rumble” and “Ball Alone” featuring Chicago rhymer Saba, two standout tracks where he brings his lyrical prowess to the forefront, the latter creating a poignant reflection on solitude and ambition.

Other highlights include “Pamper Pamper,” featuring Dro Kenji and Mike Dimes, which blends melodicism with rambunctious vibes, and “Baby Boy Is Drunk,” showcasing the eclectic styles of AG Club and AUDREY NUNA. The collaboration “Wassup” with Jasiah and Tkay Maidza adds an infectious flair, while the Beast Coast posse cut “SMH” unites the crew for a proper send-off to the album.

Led by the Ferg and Armani-assisted single “Shmoke,” Life Sucks is a must-listen for fans of Power Pleasant’s varied musical stylings, as he delivers a project that is as relatable as it is sonically enticing. – PB

Benny the Butcher and 38 Spesh featuring Busta Rhymes – “Jesus Arms”

Benny the Butcher and 38 Spesh announce their fortcoming collaborative sequel, Stabbed & Shot 2, which picks up where the pair left off on their 2018 project. The first single from the project, “Jesus Arms,” features a guest appearance from rap vet Busta Rhymes, who steps up to the plate with an effective guestspot alongside Benny, atop 38 Spesh’s grisly production.

Stabbed & Shot 2 is set to cap off what has been an eventful year for both artists, as each have garnered critical acclaim while continuing to expand their respective fanbases. Riding high off a trifecta of releases in Everybody Can’t Go, Summertime Butch and Buffalo Butch, Vol. 1, The Butcher has been on a tear as of late, whereas 38 Spesh earned complimentary reviews, ours including, for his spectacular conceptual album, Mother & Gun.

Stabbed & Shot 2 is slated to feature guest appearances and production from Busta Rhymes, Dave East, Ransom, Harry Fraud, Daringer, ElCamino, OT The Real, Bink, V Don, Klass Murda and StreetRunner, with a release date of Oct. 11. – PB

Lecrae featuring BEAM -“Lift Me Up”

Lecrae’s new single “Lift Me Up,” featuring BEAM, is an uplifting anthem that shines a light on faith and perseverance during moments of doubt and uncertainty. With heartfelt lyrics and a powerful melody, the song encourages listeners to rise above their struggles and find strength in their beliefs. This release follows Lecrae’s introspective track “Die For The Party,” a response to Kendrick Lamar’s recent surprise song, showcasing his ability to blend personal reflection with broader themes.

As he prepares for ‘The Deep End Podcast Tour,’ presented by the B-side app, Lecrae’s message of resilience resonates even more. Kicking off on November 7th in Houston, the tour will hit major cities like Austin, Dallas, Atlanta, and Washington, wrapping up in New York on November 17th. “Lift Me Up” perfectly encapsulates the spirit of this journey, reminding us all to lean on our faith when times get tough. – PB