Wiz Khalifa, Megan Thee Stallion, Maiya The Don And More New Music Friday Releases For Your Playlist
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.
Wiz Khalifa – Khali Sober
Fresh off the road after trekking the country as part of The High School Reunion Tour, Wiz Khalifa gets back to what he does best, which is giving listeners languid grooves to vibe to. On his new mixtape Khali Sober, the Pittsburgh rep flexes his melodicism as much as his rap prowess, as he croons atop a succession of hazy backdrops produced by Big Jerm. “There’s no smoking in my Ferrari, sorry,” Khalifa notes on “Uptown Bound,” an introductory salvo that sets the stage for the rest of the proceedings. Hosted by DJ Whoo Kid, Khali Sober offers standouts such as “Would Be Muggers,” “Chance To Get Out,” “Sexy Bath,” and “Fighters.” – Preezy Brown
Megan Thee Stallion – “Out Alpha The Alpha”
Megan Thee Stallion gets into her movie soundtrack bag on “Out Alpha The Alpha.” This is a unique departure from her normal sound, as she raps at a calculated pace over a very instrument-heavy beat. Per the title of the song, she is asserting her independence and fighting narratives often thrown at women. “They call me shrill, they’ve called me sl*t, they call me ice queen,” she says in a dismissive tone. This is refreshing to hear from Meg, and perhaps a sound she ought to explore more in her own music. She is clearly capable, albeit this track being intended for a musical. It’s a sign of growth that could be welcomed. – Armon Sadler
Maiya Da Don – Hot Commodity
Brooklyn rapper Maiya The Don is latest woman to emerge from the borough that’s thorough, as she’s taken the local airwaves by storm while simultaneously raising her profile nationally. The buzzworthy upstart unveils her debut album Hot Commodity, a long player that positions her for sustained notoriety and success moving forward. Far from lovelorn, Maiya is focused on her chips while maneuvering around the hate, as she attests on the introductory cut “Hella Scary.” Self love and empowerment is the wave on “Into Myself” and “Always Expensive.” Hot Commodity truly hits its stride midway through, as the viral star brings throwback vibes on “Telfy” and “Luv U Better,” with additional highlights like “In Your Hands” featuring Ty Dolla Sign and the soul-bearing outro “Hello My Name Is” closing the album on a high note. – PB
Fivio Foreign – “Why Would I?”
“Why Would I?” is your standard Fivio Foreign chaotic drill record. He raps well, but it honestly leaves much to desire because this is something that’s been heard pretty much all throughout his career thus far. It’s fun, it will probably go off outside, but there isn’t much else to say. It’s the quintessential Fivio Foreign track. – AS
Earl Sweatshirt & The Alchemist – Voir Dire
Earl Sweatshirt and The Alchemist keep things simple on the duo’s new release Voir Dire, as they put the focus on heady lyrical whims and head-bob inducing soundscapes. Continuing to make his case for being the hardest working boardsman in the game, The Alchemist laces Sweatshirt with a range of canvases to verbally paint over, with the emcee going freehand with his streams of consciousness. The rapper does most of the heavy-lifting on Voir Dire himself, but connects with MIKE and Vince Staples along the way, the latter of whom contributes masterful performances on “Mancala” and “The Caliphate.” – PB
Tee Grizzley Feat. Finesse2Tymes – “Grizzley 2 Tymes”
“Grizzley 2Tymes” finds Tee Grizzley in his most talented pocket: rapping with fervor over a high-energy beat. Hitmaka delivers him the ideal canvas to ascend for a minute and a half with clever wordplay and impressive flow switches before Finesse2Tymes joins the fray. His darker, brooding voice is slower-paced than Grizzley’s but matches the bass-heavy, synth-laced production’s cadence seamlessly. This is one of the best lyrical performances by both rappers and a true star-making performance for Tee Grizzley. If this is a sign of what’s to come on his next project, people ought to wake up. – AS
ElCamino & Black Soprano Family – They Spit On Jesus
Buffalo, N.Y. has become a breeding ground for stout wordsmiths in recent years, as numerous emcees from the city have crash-landed on the rap scene with projects that give rap traditionalists the chills. Among those artists is ElCamino, who has quietly had a breakout year. Matching skill with productivity, the rapper presents They Spit On Jesus, his fourth album of the year and one that captures him doling out streetwise testimonials and heartfelt recollections.
“They spit on Christ, why would they give a f**k for me,” Camino asks on the opening selection, which includes a blistering guest spot by Fuego Base. Wu-Tang Clan member Inspectah Deck appears on “Victory,” a soulful tune that sees the New Yorker harkening back to periods of adversity and uncertainty, while Benny The Butcher provides reinforcement on “New Bills” and “80 Bills.” Armani Caesar, Zion deLion, Loveboat Luciano, King Ralph, and Havoc also pop up throughout the album, with superb solo outings like “Neva Change,” “Cry With Me” and “The Best of Me” bolstering the replay value of this strong collection from the BSF member. – PB
Speed Walton – PEARLS
Midwest rhymer Speed Walton balks at gangsta rap ethos on the veteran’s new album PEARLS. A body of work that’s compelling, incisive, and entertaining, PEARLS finds the Cincinatti, Oh. native rapping of a “Beautiful nightmare turned to lucid dreaming” on the project’s first track, only to bring more svelte moods on the sultry, Cheakaity-assisted number “Pink Mofango!” Walton pairs up with T.Nava for “Yea Buddy!” a pulsating ditty that prompts a charged up performance from the rapper, while more immersive thoughts are spewed on “Road Warrior” and “Based on a lie (The American dream),” Poetic musings and intricate flows abound on PEARLS, which casts Speed Walton as a voice worthy of your ear and time. – PB
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