Now that we're firmly in May, it looks like the Great Rap War of 2024 finally has a winner. If TDE founder Anthony “Top Dawg” Tiffith's X post it is something that must pass, the battle is indeed over — even though Drake's “The Heart Part 6” effectively shifted public opinion Kendrick Lamaside of r.
Aside from that beef — which is still unfolding outside of music — the R&B and hip-hop worlds had a lot to think about last week. On Monday (May 13), Childish Gambino released a refined 2020 version 3.15.20 titled Atavistic and Shaquille O'Neal and King Combs released diss tracks — against Shannon Sharpe and 50 cents, respectively — further cementing 2024 as the Year of the Hater and the Year of the Beef. Thanks again, Katt Williams!
With fresh options, Advertising sign aims to showcase some of the best and most interesting new sounds in R&B and hip-hop — from Rosehardt's dirty mid-tempo to RaealRichIzzo's latest addition to the modern Midwest rap lexicon. Be sure to check out this week's fresh picks in the Spotify playlist below.
Rosehardt, “Headass”
One of the classics of male R&B is dirty macking — and Rosehardt kicks off “Headass” with plenty of it. “What's he got? What's he doing?/ He's got to be mean, he's got to be cool/ I'm just the past, it's something new/ But I bet he don't love you, like me,” croons his distorted vocals on the intro. . Between in the production, sultry but understated bass and a vocal performance that balances tender honesty (“I'm just a man who trusted in love”) with an ominous undertone of trying to convince a love interest who has already seen his flaws as a partner.Taken from his new The world is getting smaller every day it seems to be shrinking The LP, “Headass” finds Rosehardt (aka Drama League Award-nominated actor Caleb Eberhardt) fully immersing himself in the role of the imperfect bachelor without necessarily relishing that position.
Snow tha Product, “So What”
With this dynamic, fractured ode to the comforts of ambivalence, Snow tha Product embraces the unknown. Although he sings using the classic “so what?” question to keep her “emotions at bay,” she's actually running through the myriad emotions of a tumultuous relationship in which she's always one step away from leaving. “So what / If you tell me it's over/ Guess Imma gotta chill with your back,” he sings-raps with a smug wink and smile. He's in control here, crafting an intricate mind game that finds a sly, understated soundtrack to the dynamic beat.
Chief Keef feat. Tierra Whack, “Banded Up”
Sosa finally delivered his long-awaited Almighty So 2 project on Friday (May 10). One of the first standouts from the drill pioneer's LP came courtesy of Tierra Whack's explosive assist on “Banded Up,” giving the Philly MC an instant guest verse of the year. Whack posted voicemails from Chief Keef in disbelief asking her, “Why would you do that to me on my song?” T-Whack kills Sosa's impressive production with a mini-uzi flow that sounds like it was recorded at 5x speed. “These rappers are food and that's why I cook/ You can't pull the strings and I keep it pushin'/ BIG, but I ain't born in Brooklyn,” she growls. The 28-year-old turned Sosa's playground into Whack World.
4Fargo & Honey Bxby, “Ex for a Reason”
4Fargo and his tender croon are looking to make their mark on today's R&B landscape. The Georgian singer has released his major debut project Express&B last week via Republic Records. Heartbreak has long been the engine behind the genre, and 4Fargo is no different in turning its pain and anguish into cathartic art. The infectious “Ex for a Reason” is self-explanatory enough with the father of two stating why a toxic love has moved into his mirror. Misery loves company and Honey Bxby joins the party while showing off her vocal range. “Leaving you sounds like a lullaby/ Blocking all your numbers, don't ask why/ All this shit, you know it's a lie/ I'll show you why you're mine,” he sings loudly. Follow the charismatic 4Fargo on Instagram to see his lovable personality, you won't regret it.
RealRichIzzo, “Free Key”
Beginning with an iPhone FaceTime call that immediately places “Free Key” in media res, “Free Key” is one of the strongest storytelling moments of its new Welcome to Inkster album. In his ode to his men, RealRichIzzo offers a glimpse into the high-octane life that takes him from place to place with a simple notice. “Yeah drop the lo'/ Ain't no spots inside the rent, we'll hide 'em on the floor/
B—h, the aggressor on the way, masquerade, we're gonna go eventually/ Lil' bro just called back, put the light out, it's for sure,” he croons on the magnetic chorus, which simultaneously reads like a play-by. -The game of his boys hitting a lick and acting as an irresistible hook. With Inkster, Michigan on his back, RealRichIzzo is asserting himself at the forefront of the current Midwestern rap explosion.
Andra Day, “Under the Bottle”
In this bluesy reflection on the swirling depths of memory approached only by surrendering to the maelstrom of booze, famously buzzy Andra Day focuses on the restraints above the room-shaking bands that shot her to fame. “I only see you when it's last call/ I only see you when the house lights come on/ And it's not just you, no/ Dazed and consumed by the wild flames/ Though we know it's flammable,” he muses. lush piano and steady percussion courtesy of an all-star production team including Nando Raio, Shay Godwin, Dave Wood, Charles Jones, Caleb Morris and Spencer Guerra. With a lovely nasal drawl in the vein of Amy Winehouse, Day delivers an introspective mid-tempo that allows her to show how effortlessly she moves freely between the different parts of her voice.
from our partners at https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/best-new-rb-hip-hop-songs-chief-keef-andra-day-rosehardt-1235681593/
