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Busta Rhymes Shares Kendrick Lamar Collab Origin Story
It’s always welcome to see two hip-hop greats unite on a singular duet, and today marked the arrival of Busta Rhymes and Kendrick Lamar’s incredible “Look Over Your Shoulder.” Though some managed to snag a leaked version a while back, the official version — which comes complete with a fully-cleared Michael Jackson sample — feels like a victory lap ahead of Busta’s upcoming ELE2 album. And given how emotional Busta was upon its completion, expect this one to be a major showing from the Flipmode legend.
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Today, Bus-a-Bus hit up Zane Lowe to open up about his new single with Kendrick Lamar, revealing a bit about the circumstances that led to its creation. “The incredible coming together of this record was a true magical experience,” explains Busta. “It started off one time with me being stuck in the studio, in Quad Studio, in Manhattan in New York. I had gotten a batch of beats from Nottz, who produced this track, and he’s been significant in a lot of the production for all of my solo albums. But he had given me this batch of beats probably five, six months before I actually even listened to it because I get so many beats from Nottz that sometimes I don’t get around to listening to all of his shit.”
“Finally, we are in a snow storm in New York and they declared it a national emergency and gave everyone a curfew,” he continues. “I refused to accept the curfew so I stayed in the studio. So I stayed in the studio, they shut the Manhattan and the Brooklyn Bridge down, they shut the Midtown Tunnel down, so I couldn’t leave the city anyway once it passed 11 o’clock. So I was like, “Fine. I’m going to stay in the studio tonight.” I stumbled on the beat. When I looked at the date of when I got the beat from Nottz, I couldn’t believe that I had this shit so long the whole time. So I ended up putting a verse on it. I sent it to Kendrick. Kendrick bodied the verse, sent it back.”
“And I got to big-up Kendrick, I got a big-up Top Dog, the whole TDE family,” says Busta, showing some love to Kenny’s label. “I got to thank all of the people that was involved with clearing this sh-t for me and giving me their blessing on being able to use this. And it just was unbelievable, and incredible, and just profound for me to be blessed with this gift.”
Be sure to catch “Look Over Your Shoulder” right here, and check back at midnight for the release of Busta Rhymes’ Extinction Level Event 2: The Wrath Of God. Are you excited to catch this upcoming project, which happens to boast an incredibly stacked tracklist?
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Kieran James Honors Memory with “Part of the Grind”
Singer-songwriter Kieran James delivers a devastating new single with “Part of the Grind,” a track to tackle the tangled emotions behind loss and memory. A love letter penned to a close friend who faced severe cognitive decline, the song’s emotional heft feels universal yet heartbreakingly personal.
Set to delicate instrumentation and achingly sung vocals, “Part of the Grind” is both a lament and an honoring, a means of remembering while addressing the unavoidable cost of time and illness. His voice floats, leaving room for silence and the long pauses that so often come with grief. But in that silence, there is warmth as well, a refusal to let memory be totally extinguished.
Resilience is also implied in the song’s title, a reminder that even in heartbreak, life goes on and holding the memory of someone stays with the rhythm of everyday living. it’s an anthem for anyone who has ever looked on witnessing decline, mixed sorrow with love.
In Kieran James’s “Part of the Grind,” we hear music as well as go behind it. He gives us room feel, to mourn, and to honor. In the process, he turns private pain into something achingly universal, a song for everyone who has either loved or lost.
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Esthy glows up with joy on new anthem “light it up”
In her latest song, “light it up,” singer-songwriter and producer Esthy from LA brings a vibrant and uplifting vibe that feels like sunshine in musical form. By mixing elements of playful country with polished pop sounds, she creates a track that’s all about having fun and enjoying life.
Esthy’s singing truly shines, showcasing a lively and confident style. There’s a playful tone in her voice that makes the lyrics feel friendly and inviting, encouraging you to set aside your worries and immerse yourself in the moment.
“light it up” radiates energy and is lively and bright, featuring catchy guitar riffs and upbeat rhythms that draw you in right away. If you enjoy artists like Anne-Marie or OneRepublic, you’ll love this song, and Esthy adds her unique flair, making it special and memorable.
Esthy has a talent for creating catchy melodies, and with this one, you’ll find yourself humming throughout your day. Esthy is here to spread joy, inspire energy, and make music that connects with you instantly. This track is designed to remind you of your true unstoppable nature, and Esthy lights it up.
CLICK HERE TO STREAM Esthy’s “lights it up” on Spotify.
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