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 for the songs and albums you should check out and add to your soundtrack of weekend festivities.
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Unc & Phew - 'Only Built For Infinity Links'
Quavo and Takeoff, now named Unc & Phew, fully push the duo agenda on Only Built For Infinity Links. With nods to Raekwon’s Only Built 4 Cuban Linx, Outkast’s Stankonia, and Jay-Z and Kanye West’s Watch The Throne, the Atlanta rappers give their best effort to show that they can deliver the same heat without their longtime third member, Offset.
DJ Durel, Mustard, Murda Beatz, and more of their usual suspects on the production side provide a canvas for the staccato spitters to paint pictures of loyalty, luxury, and drip. Standout records include “Bars Into Captions” which samples Outkast’s “So Fresh, So Clean,” the Youngboy Never Broke Again-assisted “To The Bone” which recalls Migos’ 2020 record “Need It,” and the Young Thug and Gunna-featuring “Chocolate.” In the end, it’s safe to assume everyone would prefer hearing the trio altogether, but Quavo and Takeoff make up for their estranged third member’s absence to some extent with their vintage catchy hooks, clever punchlines, and funny ad libs. — Armon Sadler
Stream Only Built For Infinity Links here.
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YoungBoy Never Broke Again - '3800 Degrees'
YoungBoy Never Broke Again continues to keep the streets fed, adding to his healthy heap of material with his latest project, 3800 Degrees. Titled in homage to Juvenile’s classic 1998 album, 3800 Degrees is YoungBoy’s fifth full-length release of the year and includes an ample amount of firepower. Kicking the mixtape off with the fiery intro “Back On My Feet,” the 22-year-old brings the heat with standouts like “It Could Go,” “No Alarm” and “More Wheezy.” Bolstered by superb collaborative efforts alongside Mouse On Tha Track (“Amped Up”), Shy Glizzy (“Hard”), E-40 (“Thug Ni**a Story”), 3800 Degrees finds YoungBoy Never Broke Again taking inspiration from the past and channeling it into a long player that’s sure to retain its staying power beyond the near future. — Preezy Brown
Stream 3800 Degrees here.
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G Herbo - 'Survivor's Remorse: A Side'
Listeners are afforded insight into the inner workings of G Herbo‘s mind on Survivor’s Remorse, the Chicagoan’s two-pronged fifth studio album. For the LP’s A-side, Herbo lets the vibes commence with assistance from his son Yosohn on “FWM,” where the rapper unleashes an aggressive rhyme spill assessing his vantage point in the music industry and the streets. In addition to the solo outings “Shaderoom,” “4 Minutes of Hell, Pt. 6,” “After That,” and “Outside Looking In,” the album’s first disc offers an array of features. With Future, Offset, Benny The Butcher, Jeremih, Essex, and Gunna all popping up throughout its 12 tracks, Survivor’s Remorse: A Side marks another collection of street testimonials from one of rap’s Giants of the Midway. — Preezy Brown
Stream Survivor’s Remorse: A Side here.
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Benny Butcher And Elcamino - “80 Bills”
Elcamino takes Benny The Butcher out of his usual downtempo pace on “80 Bills,” but the Buffalo rapper doesn’t lose any of his lyrical excellence over the trap beat. Despite their rapid flows, both rappers sound as cool as ever. “You know I put that sh*t on, you know these bi**hes preferring me,” Camino says with confidence. In a weekend loading with several car anthems, Elcamino and Benny The Butcher throw their names in the ring for your bass-boosting pleasure. — Armon Sadler
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Cormega - 'The Realness II'
Veteran lyricist Cormega unleashes his sixth studio album, The Realness II, the sequel to the New Yorker’s touted 2001 effort. Putting listeners on notice with the introductory number “Once And For All,” Mega then revisits The Realness cut “American Beauty” with “Her Name,” which picks up where the original left off. Known for his poetic flow, Cormega shines throughout, delivering stanzas on “The Saga Continues” and “Essential” that exude stoicism and transparency. Headlined by the Nas collaboration “Glorious,” with additional appearances by Havoc (“Paradise”) and Lloyd Banks (“Grand Scheme”), The Realness II is more than a mere retreat, but a body of work that builds upon Cormega’s as one of the nicest out of the five boroughs. — Preezy Brown
Stream The Realness II here.
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Kay Flock - “Geeked Up” Feat. Gucci Mane
Kay Flock invites Gucci Mane into the world of drill on “Geeked Up.” The high-energy record features the Bronx rapper’s frantic, brooding delivery and Steph Curry punchlines. The Atlanta trap legend brings his cool, calm and collected delivery and flow switches, which mesh well with the chaotic drill production. It is a fun collaboration across generations and further proof that La Flare is tapped in to who is moving amongst the youth. — Armon Sadler
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Rich Homie Quan - 'Family & Mula'
Having spent the past few years regrouping, Rich Homie Quan returns with his new EP, Family & Mula, an eight-song project that finds the Georgian getting back into the swing of things. “This the Homie they been waiting on, Quan,” the rapper declares on the EP’s first selection, “Kno No More,” a somber selection that finds him in a contemplative mode. Producer Dundeal contributes a rollicking backdrop on the piano and 808-driven salvo “Risk Takers,” while Quan switches up the tempo with the upbeat heater “Another One.” With NoCap accounting for the lone guest spot with his appearance on the twangy jam “Bigger Jeans,” Family & Mula, which was released through Quan’s own indie label Rich Homie Entertainment, is a triumphant effort for the former Rich Gang member that doubles as a showcase and reminder of his refined musical ability. — PB
Stream Family & Mua here.
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Tyga - “Booty Dancer”
Tyga’s knack for party anthems and twerk music is on full display on “Booty Dancer.” The West Coast rapper takes time to flex for himself (“I was cute but the money made me handsome”) but the focus here is getting the ladies dancing. Swish, Mike Crook, and Alex Ghenea do an excellent job providing the 32-year-old with the exact beat he needs to set a party off. — AS
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Open Mike Eagle - 'Component System With The Auto Reverse'
Nearly two years after his previous effort, Anime, Trauma and Divorce, continued his streak of critically-acclaimed offerings, Open Mike Eagle swoops through with Component System with the Auto Reverse, a project that finds the indie maven delving deep into his bag of tricks. Opening with the introductory highlight “The Song with the Secret Name,” Component System with the Auto Reverse presents various numbers in Open Mike Eagle’s tried-and-true streams of consciousness. Showing love to both his hometown of Chicago (“79th and Stony Island”) and his current habitat of Los Angeles (“Crenshaw and Homeland”), the veteran wordsmith mixes in those solo outings with the standout collaborative efforts “Circuit City,” featuring Video Dave and STILL RIFT, and “CD Only Bonus Track” with Diamond D and Aesop Rock. Boasting additional guest spots from RAP FERRERIA, Serengeti, and Armond Hammer, Component System with the Auto Reverse is another impressive long-player from Open Mike Eagle, with 14 selections that run the gamut from reminiscent to zany. — PB
Stream Component System with the Auto Reverse here.
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A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie - "B.R.O. (Better Ride Out)" Feat. Roddy Ricch
A Boogie’s “B.R.O” featuring Roddy Ricch opens similarly to many of the Bronx artist’s records: somber piano keys before thumping drums take over. The message here is simply about figuring out who rides for the young crooner and keeping the disloyal people away. The Compton artist employs his melodic flow to speak on his and Boogie’s relationship, his own crew, and his riches. The duo does a fun, melodic back-and-forth before Boogie comes back in with the hook. It is a solid outing for the two stars. — Armon Sadler