This week has been busy in the hip-hop world. Highly anticipated albums from Gucci Mane, Kash Doll, and G Eazy hit streaming services. There’s also new music from Jadakiss, newcomer 24 Hours, rap veterans Black Moon, Yo Gotti featuring Megan Thee Stallion and Lil Uzi Vert, BlueFace, and many others.
Gucci Mane – Woptober II
The hustle does not stop for Gucci Mane. The A-Town-bred delivered his 15th studio album today titled, Woptober. The 13-song effort features collaborations with DaBaby and YoungBoy Never Broke Again on “Richer Than Errybody,” the Megan Thee Stallion-assisted “Big Booty,” as well as a verse from Lil Baby on “Tootsies. Guwop also received assists from Kevin Gates, Takeoff and others. Along with Woptober 2, the Trap House rapper appeared in a ad campaign for Gucci’s Cruise20 Collection. – Darryl Robertson
Apple Music | TIDAL
Kash Doll – Stacked
Kash Doll continues to make a lane for her voice in hip-hop. Since delivering her 2014 mixtape Keisha vs. Kash Doll, the Detroit native has been consistent with dropping off new music, and has garnered the respect of heavyweights such Pusha T, Meek Mill, and Big Sean, who appears on Stacked. The 17-song effort features the likes of Lil Wayne, Trey Songz, Summer Walker, Teyana Taylor, and newcomer LouGotCash. – D.R.
Apple Music | TIDAL
Nicole Bus – Kairos
Roc Nation’s Nicole Bus released her debut album Kairos today. Ghostface Killah and Rick Ross both appear on individual remixes of “You,” Bus’ breakout record that climbed to No. 1 on Billboard’s ‘Adult R&B Songs’ chart. Overall, the 14-track effort Kairos is packed with potent writing, and mature subject matter. – D.R.
Apple Music | TIDAL
Gang Starr – “Bad Name”
DJ Premier released the first new Gang Starr song in years several weeks ago, with the J. Cole-featured “Family and Loyalty.” This week he’s announced that a new Gang Starr album with the posthumous Guru is on the way, and “Bad Name” is the second taste. Over another classic Premier beat, Guru pays homage to 2Pac and Biggie while lamenting the direction that the rap game has gone in. Gang Starr’s album One Of The Best Yet is set for a January 11, 2019 release. – William E. Ketchum III
Apple Music | TIDAL
Smoke DZA, Benny The Butcher and Pete Rock – Statute of Limitations
Benny the Butcher, Smoke DZA and Pete Rock have all had busy years on their own with projects like The Plugs I Met, Not For Sale and Retropolitan, respectively. This week, the three of them form like Voltron for Statute of Limitations, a six-song EP with guest appearances by Conway, Styles P and Westside Gunn. – W.K.
Apple Music | TIDAL
Black Moon – Rise Of Da Moon
Black Moon recently celebrated the 25th anniversary of their classic debut Enta Da Stage, and now they’re looking forward with the reunion LP Rise of Da Moon. The album sees them with their Duck Down Records label home, production by Da Beatminerz, and guest appearances by Smif N Wessun, Rock (of Heltah Skeltah) and Method Man. – W.K.
Apple Music | TIDAL
Pharaohe Monch – Internal Affairs Twenty years ago, esteemed Queens lyricist Pharaohe Monch released his debut album Internal Affairs with Rawkus Records, fueled by the hit single “Simon Says” – but the album was pulled from shelves because of sample clearances. This week, several albums into his career, Monch has rereleased the album on his own terms, and it still holds up. The album’s ominous production and Monch’s meticulous bars alongside the likes of MOP, Canibus, Busta Rhymes, Talib Kweli and Common still sounds just as sharp. – W.K.
Apple Music | TIDAL
Melii – Motions
Melii surprised fans with the release of her Motions EP. Earlier this year, the East Harlem native dropped off her introduction to the world with the release phAses. The rapper/singer first made waves with her cover of Cardi B’s “Bodak Yellow,” followed by her verse on Meek Mill’s “Wit the Shits.” The budding artist continues to stand on her own. Here, on Motion, a 7-song EP lasting spanning 18 minutes, Melii flexes her seasoned songwriting skills to muse over boyfriends-turned-fuck boys. – D.R.
Jadakiss – “ME”
Jadakiss has taken a break from releasing music since his 2017 album with Fabolous, Friday On Elm Street. This week he returns with “Me,” a Bryan Michael Cox-produced record that sees ‘Kiss using the sample in his verses while revisiting accomplishments and reputation from his illustrious career. The release of the song coincides with a short film directed by Kid Art, which you can watch below. – W.K.
Spotify | Apple Music | TIDAL
Yo Gotti (Featuring Megan Thee Stallion, Lil Uzi Vert) – “Pose (Remix)”
G-Eazy – Scary Nights
Apple Music | TIDAL
24Hrs – World On Fire
Apple Music | TIDAL
Ye Ali – Jodi
Apple Music | TIDAL
Anna Wise – As If It Were Forever
Apple Music | TIDAL
Blueface Ft. Gunna – “First Class”