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The Best New Hip-Hop This Week

Getty Image / Uproxx Studios Uproxx’s new column includes albums, videos, and songs from Megan Thee Stallion, Jeezy, Chief Keef, and more. …

Welcome to The Best New Hip-Hop This Week! You may have noticed that my usual column, The Best Hip-Hop Albums Coming Out This Week… did not come out this week. You also may have noticed that Uproxx’s other faithful hip-hop column, All The Best New Rap Music To Have On Your Radar, is also kaput, as its author Andre Gee has moved on from Uproxx. We wish him well and we’re all very proud of him.

His departure has left a void, however — a void that must be filled, due to both the laws of nature and the hunger hip-hop fans have for new writing about the latest and the greatest content the culture has to offer. To that end, this new column will sort of combine both the old columns into a “best of both worlds” situation, only without the creepy R. Kelly connection. Basically, I’ll be a one-man Watch The Throne — or Super Slimey, if you’re a little younger/more Southern — delivering commentary on all the best releases in hip-hop each week, from albums to songs to videos and even the occasional Verzuz battle. It’s a work in progress, so bear with us as we get this thing off the ground.

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Here is the best of hip-hop this week ending November 20, 2020.

Albums

Courtney Bell — Poverty Stricken

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Detroit newcomer Courtney Bell brings streetwise raps and progressive thinking to his debut tape, which features a verse from TDE’s Reason. Riding the line between backpacker’s density and mainstream accessibility, Bell counts Nipsey Hussle as one of his primary influences.

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Jeezy — The Recession 2

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Smartly pairing the release of his latest album to the hotly anticipated Verzuz battle between himself and former rival Gucci Mane, Jeezy gave a preview of what to expect from the sequel to his fan-favorite 2008 album with the single “Therapy To My Soul.”

LVRN — Home For The Holidays

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Hip-hop could always use more Christmas albums. 6lack, Boogie, Summer Walker, and the gang are more than happy to oblige.

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Megan Thee Stallion — Good News

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Overshadowing just about any other release this year, Houston hottie Megan Thee Stallion finally delivers her long-awaited major-label debut album. Boasting appearances from Big Sean, City Girls, DaBaby, Lil Durk, Popcaan, SZA, and Young Thug, it’s certainly a star-studded affair. However, ahead of its release, fans’ attention remained sharply focused on the opening track “Shots Fired,” on which Megan was expected to finally address her alleged shooting by Tory Lanez on record. The song didn’t disappoint, using Biggie’s “Who Shot Ya?” to refute Tory’s smear campaign.

Rexx Life Raj — California Poppy 2

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Over the course of the last few years, Berkeley’s Rexx Life Raj has carved himself a lane as a provider of mellow, thoughtful tunes that weave breezily between soothing R&B singing and tongue-twisting, eyebrow-raising rap. The sequel to his popular 2018 EP delivers more of the same, from the motivational “Tesla In A Pandemic” to the boastful “Look At This.”

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Russ — Chomp

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Refocusing fans’ attention on his raps instead of his antics, Russ hangs right in there with rap luminaries like Black Thought and Busta Rhymes, even though he ultimately becomes an afterthought on most of his own EP.

YSN Flow — Long Story Short

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Ohio rapper YSN Flow has been building his buzz over the past year and a half, paying off their patience with this mixtape produced by Iceberg Beatz.

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Events

Verzuz: Gucci Mane Vs. Jeezy

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In what could very well have been the best Verzuz matchup yet, two of Atlanta trap rap’s founding fathers met up for the first time in fifteen years to dispel all the bad blood between them — of which there is plenty. Of course, it wasn’t all water under the bridge; Gucci Mane brought some serious aggression to Atlanta’s fabled Magic City, where the battle took place, dredging up quarrelsome mixtape classics like the taunting “Truth.” In the end, as always, the real winner was the culture, as the two united to perform their only collaboration (and the song that kicked off their feud in the first place), “So Icy.” The battle ended with the sense the pair would never be friends but would at least keep the violence to a minimum — for the kids.

Singles

Boldy James feat. Stove God Cooks — “Thousand Pills”

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Old-fashioned boom-bap drug rap at its finest.

Kembe X feat. Ab-Soul & IceColdBishop — “Back At It”

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Ab-Soul goes bonkers on this one, Kembe X does his thing, and newcomer IceColdBishop brings uncommon energy.

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YFN Lucci — “September 7th”

A heartbroken anthem of betrayal and survival, Lucci is at his caterwauling best.

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Yung Baby Tate — “Rainbow Cadillac”

Bringing the same sort of raucous, estrogen-powered energy as Flo Milli did earlier this year, the Atlanta rapper introduces her next phase.

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Videos

Chief Keef & Mike Will Made-It — “Status”

One part horror movie score, one part classic drill revenge fantasy, “Status” reunites the two collaborators seven years after Keef’s debut album.

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Lil Tjay — “Move On”

Mellow guitars and heavy 808s backdrop Lil Tjay’s wistful anti-love letter.

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Saweetie feat. Jhene Aiko — “Back To The Streets”

The long-awaited video references everything from the beauty shop to Steven Spielberg.

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Some artists covered here are Warner Music artists. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.

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Artist Spotlight

“NGMB” by Leonie Sherif unveils a soulful anthem of heartbreak roaring with resilience

Leonie Sherif

Leonie Sherif, an emerging artist from East London/Essex, introduces her latest RnB single, “NGMB,” an acronym for ‘Never Get Me Back.’ This track, produced and penned within Sherif’s home studio, encapsulates the profound emotions associated with personal growth following heartbreak. Sherif skillfully fuses electro RnB with alternative beats, drawing inspiration from influential ’90s artists such as Mariah Carey and Toni Braxton while also incorporating the innovative styles of contemporary producers like Timbaland and The Neptunes, resulting in a sound that is distinctly her artistic identity.

NGMB” is a cathartic release that explores her most intimate experiences. It features a haunting melody enriched by her vocals, which express a compelling blend of strength and vulnerability, inviting listeners into her emotional landscape. The lyrics are imbued with themes of betrayal and resilience, capturing the bittersweet essence of severing connections with individuals who no longer belong in one’s life. This masterful craftwork mirrors the expedition of discovering the fortitude necessary to progress, even when closure appears unattainable.

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Notably, “NGMB” distinguishes itself through its authenticity. Sherif confronts her pain directly, fostering a deeper connection with her audience. Her decision to self-produce this track underscores her commitment to her artistic craft and personal healing. Ultimately, “NGMB” conveys a powerful message regarding loss, serving as a testament to empowerment and transforming pain into strength through every note. It emerges as an uplifting anthem for those who have had to walk away from complicated relationships, leaving them feeling stronger and wiser. Leonie Sherif demonstrates her capacity as an artist, sharing necessary narratives that leave listeners anticipating her future endeavors.

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CLICK HERE TO STREAM Leonie Sherif’s NGMB on Spotify.
CONNECT WITH Leonie Sherif | Instagram | Twitter | Facebook |

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Artist Spotlight

Vanda stirs an electrifying vibe through the waves of grief with her recent single “I Don’t Swim”

Vanda

Emerging from the profound loss experience, Vanda presents a compelling exploration of sonic and emotional landscapes in her latest single, “I Don’t Swim.” This dynamic anthem embodies a spirit of resilience, offering a rich and introspective blend of dance-infused alternative pop. Vanda’s distinctive vocal delivery skillfully captures the duality of grief with the buoyancy of personal growth, creating a transformative auditory experience for listeners.

Following the passing of her best friend, Vanda’s artistic direction undergoes a notable shift. “I Don’t Swim” replaces the introspective alt-pop elements characteristic of her debut album, ‘Sober In Another Life,’ with an energetic, dance-oriented sound that acknowledges underlying pain rather than concealing it. This composition serves as a paradoxical celebration: it possesses the capacity to elicit tears while simultaneously encouraging listeners to immerse themselves in its infectious rhythm on the dance floor.

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The electrifying instrumentation and rhythmic beats provide a lush tapestry of shimmering synthesizers, dynamic percussive elements, and cascading melodies, resulting in a soundscape that feels uplifting and intimately personal. Vanda’s fearless lyricism remains strikingly audacious, featuring vivid imagery and profound vulnerability as she navigates the challenging terrain of grief.

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The true artistry lies in Vanda’s vocal performance, where each note represents a delicate equilibrium of strength and fragility. It imparts a captivating emotional energy that resonates beyond the song’s conclusion, reaching those in the healing process. With “I Don’t Swim,” Vanda exemplifies her evolution as both an artist and an individual, adeptly maneuvering through life’s complexities with authenticity and elegance. This track functions as a musical lifeline for those seeking solace amidst adversity. Vanda’s journey articulates a resounding message: while grief may surge like relentless waves, resilience has the potential to inspire joyful celebration.

 

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For more information about Vanda, please visit [website]. 
CLICK HERE TO STREAM Vanda’s I Don’t Swim on Spotify.
CONNECT WITH Vanda | Instagram

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