This week’s new music includes a swan song by Fat Joe, a compilation by Mary J. Blige, a final posthumous release by XXXTENTACION, and a rare Jay Electronica sighting.
Fat Joe and Dre – Family Ties
If we’re to take Fat Joe at his word, the Bronx lyricist is handing in his microphone, with Family Ties as his final album after an illustrious 26-year career that includes hit songs, and collaborations alongside some of the greatest rappers ever. After doing a joint album with his Terror Squad sis Remy Ma two years ago, he’s going out with a project where he teams up with longtime collaborator Dre (of the production duo Cool & Dre). The voice behind hits like “Lean Back” and “All The Way Up” is going out strong. Check “Drive” featuring Ty Dolla $ign and Jeremih, “Lord Above” featuring Mary J. Blige and Eminem, and “Big Splash” featuring Remy Ma. Apple Music | TIDAL
Mary J. Blige – HERstory Vol. 1
In time for the holidays, Mary J. Blige has released a box set called HERstory Vol. 1 that serves as a collection of her greatest hits and rareties, including remixes of some of her most successful songs. Apple Music | TIDAL
French Montana – MONTANA
French Montana is a rap chameleon, always bringing out the biggest names in the industry to collaborate and finding a way for the songs to make sense. MONTANA already had the pre-released singles “No Stylist” with Drake, “Slide” with Blueface and Lil Tjay, “Suicide Doors” with Gunna, “Wiggle It” with the City Girls, “Writing On The Wall” with Cardi B, Post Malone and Rvssian, and “Twisted” with Juicy J, Logic and A$AP Rocky. Features for the rest of the album: Chris Brown, Kodak Black, Swae Lee, PartyNextDoor, and more. Apple Music | TIDAL
Max B – House Money
As his Coke Wave brother French Montana releases his third album since 2013, Max B has dropped his first album since going to prison in 2009. House Money includes fellow New York vets like Cam’ron, French and Jadakiss as guests, while also enlisting young guns like A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie and Dave East. The wave is back, and his fans will likely be excited to get more from him. Apple Music | TIDAL
Roddy Ricch – Please Excuse Me For Being Antisocial
Compton rapper Roddy Ricch has used his Feed The Streets mixtape series and the 2018 EP Be 4 Tha Fame to build a buzz as one of the most promising young new rappers, and he hopes to deliver on that anticipation with his debut album, Please Excuse Me For Being Antisocial. Gunna, Meek Mill, A Boogie and Ty Dolla all serve as guest appearances, but most of the 16 tracks appear to be all him – exactly how an introductory album should be. Apple Music | TIDAL
XXXTENTACTION – Bad Vibes Forever
Bad Vibes Forever is XXXTENTACION’s second posthumous album since his murder in June 2019. Most of the project’s 25 tracks clocking in around two minutes, the star-studded guest list includes Rick Ross, Lil Wayne, Trippie Redd, Joey Bada$$, and many more. Apple Music | TIDAL
Camila Cabello – Romance
This week marks the release of Cuban-American singer Camila Cabello’s sophomore album, Romance. With lead singles like “Liar,” “Shameless,” “Cry For Me,” “Easy” and Living Proof,” the album also features guest appearances by Shawn Mendez and DaBaby. Apple Music | TIDAL
Dave East, Jay Electronica, 070 Phi – “No Hoodie (Nothin’ To Lose)”
It’s always news when Jay Electronica surfaces, and this new song with Dave East and 070 Phi is an attempt to raise awareness about homelessness in NYC. Apple Music | TIDAL
Theophilus London – “Cuba”
“Cuba” is the creative, addictive new single by Theophilus London, set to appear on his upcoming album Bebey. Apple Music | TIDAL
El-P – I’ll Sleep When You’re Dead
Before El-P became part of the raucous, Grammy-nominated rap group Run The Jewels, he was already respected as one of the best producer/rappers of all time: he was part of a critically-acclaimed group called Company Flow, founded a critical darling record label called Definitive Jux, and launched a solo career with some of the most interesting rap you’ll find. This year will see an extensive reissue campaign of his solo catalog, beginning today with the digital release of his 2007 album I’ll Sleep When You’re Dead, available on streaming services for the first time. I’ll Sleep and the following releases, should give new RTJ fans plenty to learn El-P’s musical DNA, and longtime El-P fans a chance to relive their elusive favorites from the past. Apple Music | TIDAL