for the love of music
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Vince Staples has a unique ability to inject the listener with energy from the moment he touches the mic. 2015’s Summertime ‘06 was his coming out party with standouts like “Norf Norf”. That being said “Jump off the roof” is the kind of energetic darkness that represents Vince. It’s darker message and undertones over a beat that smacks you in the face is the perfect combination. He’s so charismatic on this song he almost makes you want to join him. -Miles Hagan
Though Snoop Dogg’s 2015 record BUSH was far from critically acclaimed at the time of its release, the Pharrell-produced record was actually home to some of both Snoop and Pharrell’s biggest sleeper hits. “I’m Ya Dogg” features none other than Rick Ross and Kendrick Lamar - who I personally believe delivered his career-defining performance - over Pharrell’s signature taught and bouncy production with a dash of ambiance thrown in for good measure. Though it may be a while until the culture starts to appreciate “I’m Ya Dogg” for the banger that it is, you can catch me yelling “Head in the Maybach boomin’ / thank God for leg room!” every time it comes on shuffle. -Carter Fife
Although to simply say that AT.LONG.LAST.A$AP is Rocky’s best project to date is a freezing cold take, I like to spice things up by attribute the album’s potency to the energy Rocky opens the project with on the tape’s intro, “Holy Ghost.” The song opens with long dramatic guitar bends that instantly cue listeners that what they’re about to hear is no rap song, but rather a sermon of epic proportion featuring pastor Flako at the peak of his powers. Rocky raps two of the best verses of his career cementing this as one of his best songs and one of the most criminally underrated tracks of 2015. -Spencer Lobdell
There will never be enough R.I.P.s to fill the void Mac Miller left in the music community. GO:OD AM was Mac Miller seemingly coming out of a very dark place in his life. With an Ab-Soul feature that almost steals the show and a hook that makes anyone wanna sing, “Two Matches” is a standout from this project. Mac reminisces on the dreams he had as a kid and the realities that came along with realizing those dreams. -Miles Hagan
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Welcome to “Songs of the Week” a weekly segment where I highlight three of the best new songs released the week prior along with one throwback song of the week. To stay up to date on all new music, follow my Spotify playlist “What I’m Feeling” which is updated weekly to always include the freshest new music. Always 30 songs, hottest always at the top. Stream it here:
A playlist updated weekly with whatever new songs I'm feeling at the time. Always 30 songs and in order with what I'm feeling the most at the top.
Zulu Screams (feat. Maleek Berry & Bibi Bourelly), a song by GoldLink, Maleek Berry, Bibi Bourelly on Spotify
Last Tuesday DMV rapper GoldLink blessed us with one of the most infectious cuts released this year. “Zulu Screams” is packed with energy and the pulsing P2J instrumental makes it impossible to not get up and move from the first four-count. While I’m unsure of the status of GoldLink’s next album, it seems safe to assume that “Zulu Screams” will make the cut meaning we will hopefully get the tape sooner rather than later. Maleek Berry gives the smooth joint a latino feel with a beautifully sung hook that gives us a break from GoldLinks unorthodox flow that is so captivating. Bibi Bourelly comes in on the bridge for an intense, dance-hall inspired deviation from the cut that really ties the song together and sets it apart as one of the most interesting releases this year.
“Feelin’ like a brand new me
And the entourage where the latest be
And the sun don’t shine where the gangstas be
And we Russian roulette to a game of three”
I THINK, a song by Tyler, The Creator on Spotify
While many songs off of Tyler’s newest album IGOR could’ve been selected in this spot, “I THINK” was chosen because of Tyler’s extremely relatable writing, the awe-inspiring production that graces the entire album, and Solange’s beautiful vocal layering and background melodies on the hook. On “I THINK” Tyler wonders if he should continue to be vulnerable with a partner who has hurt him. While he knows it would be in his best interest to separate from this person, he is overly curious and hooked like many of us have been before. Two minutes into the track the songs dives into an instrumental bridge that is carried by one of Tyler’s favorite synth sounds as it dances across a scale and beautifully builds us up back into the hook. “I THINK” is one of my favorite moments off of IGOR.
“Mess with T on-off
Fuckin’ up my ambiance, pause
You drive me cuckoo and I cough
’Cause I want you like Leon Ware ”
Higher (feat. Nipsey Hussle & John Legend), a song by DJ Khaled, Nipsey Hussle, John Legend on Spotify
Where it was difficult to pick which Tyler track to feature this week, it was a no brainer (no pun intended) when it came to DJ Khaled’s new album Father of Asahd. The late king of LA and Crenshaw rapper Nipsey Hussle delivers two excellent verses in his first release since his passing. His first verse is uplifting and motivating as he raps about his grandparents and how he came to be in America. For the second verse, Khaled switches the beat to something less grand and more mischievous. Nipsey matches this instrumental perfectly and reflects on the harder parts of his life living in South Central. This verse is harder to listen to now that we know Nipsey’s tragic fate. Lines like, “Emptied out the clip, it was broad day/Fuck niggas always gotta learn the hard way” hit different when you’ve seen videos of the late rapper getting shot in the middle of the day. R.I.P to a true king, the marathon continues, long live Nipsey Hussle.
“South Central state of mind, high crime rate
Homicide, hate, gang banging’ll get you all day
And look at my fate”
65 Hunnid, a song by Vince Staples on Spotify
“65 Hunnid” is the second track off of Vince’s Staples’ Def Jam debut mixtape Hell Can Wait and one of the hardest songs in his discography. The greatness of this song begins with the eerie instrumental by Infamous. The horns at the beginning of this song are so fitting and beautifully segway us into the first hook. The drums used on this track are unusual but yet feel right at home under Vince’s Long Beach drawl. Lyrically, Vince is extremely sharp which should surprise no one. Throughout the song he continues to switch up his flow and use different rhyme patterns I’ve never heard before. “65 Hunnid” is an absolutely essential track from one of the most talented emcees making music right now.
“Feel the 4, when I’m feelin’ low, time to stretch a nigga
Ridin through ya section, shit, I hope you got protection with ya”
Check back in next week for three new hot songs and one new throwback! Follow us on Twitter and Instagram to get updated when we post:
