October is off to a promising start. Lil Wayne’s blessed us with an unreleased song from the archives, “Ya Dig.” Don Toliver is back with his sophomore album, Life of a Don, featuring the seductive record “Swangin on Westheimer.” And Nas and Hit-Boy joined forces for the reflective single, “Big Nas.” This week’s list also includes new songs from Cordae, Conway the Machine, James Blake, and more.
Check out the best new music this week. And follow our playlist on Spotify here.
Lil Wayne, “Ya Dig”
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“Ya Dig” is a slick record that finds Lil Wayne feeling braggadocious as he flexes his status over a distorted, soulful sample. “Weezy, newborn baby, and it’s my party/ And I’m kicking like a horse on the stick-shift Ferrari/ Like new cocaine, bright yellow dope/ Bright red flag like a red velvet rope/ I’m open for criticism/ But really, is it any room for criticism,” Wayne raps. Word has it “Ya Dig” is a song from the vault that dates back to his Tha Carter III days. It will be featured on the forthcoming “Tha Carter Singles Collection” 7” vinyl box set.
Don Toliver, “Swangin On Westheimer”
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“Swangin On Westheimer” is a smooth, late-night record from Houston’s rising star Don Toliver (Westheimer is a reference to an east-road in Houston). It’s a seductive record that finds Don Toliver singing over a sample of Justin Timberlake’s 2006 hit, “Until The End of Time.” “We’re going til five in the morning/ I caught you yawning, ah yeah/ I guess it can’t get no easy,” he sings over sensual production, courtesy of Metro Boomin. “Swangin on Westheimer” appears on Don Toliver’s sophomore album, Life of a Don.
Nas & Hit-Boy, “Big Nas”
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Nas and Hit-Boy join forces for “Big Nas,” a soulful and reflective record that finds the Queens legend rapper pondering his legacy through music and his family. On the track, Nas shouts out his children, rapping, “My daughter’s a businesswoman, I’m so proud of her/ My son, he’s almost twelve and he’s so knowledgeable.” He also gets a little boastful on the chorus, challenging any rapper to outshine him. “Imagine another rapper makin’ me perspire/ I got more styles and more flows, plus I’m flyer,” he brags. The song was released as part of the announcement that Nas will be teaching a MasterClass on hip-hop storytelling. Read our interview with him about it here.
Nardo Wick f/ Lil Durk, 21 Savage, & G Herbo
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“Who Want Smoke??” is a menacing track from Nardo Wick that unites Jacksonville rapper with a crew of heavy-hitters. Nardo sets the tone with devilish bars, spitting, “Who want smoke with me? I’m tryna fuck a nigga lungs up.” Lil Durk is equally intense, showing his rap skills as he raps about his thirst for blood. 21 Savage talks about his arsenal of weapons, while G Herbo finishes the track off, viciously rapping, “Hop out middle of the street, hit him (Hit him)/ Soon as he fell off his feet kill him.” “Who Want Smoke??” serves as a new version to the original, which dropped in January.
Cordae, “Super”
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On “Super,” Cordae is super cocky as he boasts about his wealth, Super Bowl placement, and celebrity co-signs from Dr. Dre and Twitter’s Jack Dorsey. “Last year, I made seven million/ Didn’t have to do a single fuckin’ show,” he raps. In addition to listing his money moves, Cordae also addresses the controversy over his stage name, spitting, “Niggas askin’ why I dropped the YBN/ I had no other choices, we ain’t own this shit.” “Super” is expected to be the lead single from Cordae’s album From a Bird’s Eye View.
Conway the Machine, “Piano Love”
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A track anchored in piano keys, “Piano Love,” finds Griselda’s Conway the Machine rapping about his designer possessions, while also looking back on his hood chronicles. “In the end, I’m gon’ be on top as usual (I’ma be on top, nigga)/ I been keepin’ it rockin’ since niggas was rockin’ FUBU/ I don’t care what city you from, you solid, I’ll salute you,” he raps over production from the Alchemist. “Piano Love” is the first single from Conway’s highly-anticipated album God Don’t Make Mistakes, which marks his debut on Shady Records.
James Blake, “Foot Forward”
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Co-produced by Metro Boomin, “Foot Forward” is a midtempo track in which James Blake sings about moving on from a failed relationship. “And it’s okay, I know I’ll be replaced/ A bitter aftertaste, but it’s not that bad/ It’s okay, there’s nothing to explain/ Only yesterday, you weren’t so sad,” he sings. Though things ended poorly, he’s willing to put his “best foot forward.” The song appears on James Blake’s new album Friends That Break Your Heart.
Strick f/ Swae Lee, “Play Stupid”
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YSL’s Strick teamed up with Swae Lee for their latest collaboration, “Play Stupid” which is an ambient record where Swae Lee lends his high-pitched vocals to the chorus as he sings about juggling different relationships. “Still tryna play Cupid/ I don’t play mind games, I don’t play stupid,” he sings over Wheezy production. Strick floats on the first verse, rapping, “I gave my heart away, I’m thumbin through the money count.” “Play Stupid” arrives after the success of YSL’s compilation project, Slime Language 2.
Tyla Yaweh f/ Morray “Hands Up”
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“Hands Up” is a sentimental record where Tyla Yaweh croons over solemn production. He sings about getting to the money by any means necessary: “Now I’m just tryna get away/ Put the money in the bag/ ‘Cause I’ma get it anyway.” Complex favorite Morray also appears on the record, delivering a vicious rap verse about life in the trenches and lethal tendencies. “I got no problem but killing the beef/ Or killing the beef by using the beats,” Morray spits. “Hands Up” appears on Tyla Yaweh’s debut album, RAGER BOY.
Kelis, “Midnight Snacks”
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Kelis is back with “Midnight Snacks,” a delicious record that compares late-night sweets with booty-calls. “Surprise me, not gonna fight/ I like it, my lips, you bite/ You grab my hips, I gotta get,” Kelis sings with sultry and raspy vocals. “Midnight Snacks” is a sexy record that marks the singer’s first solo release in seven years.
Sleepy Hallow, “Hitman”
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“Hitman” is a mellow and melodic record that finds Sleepy Hallow rapping about trapping, getting money, and carrying out acts of violence. “I’ma go in for the kill like a hitman (Huh)/ I been leaning like a kickstand/ Count cash all we ever knew is get bands (Huh)/ Said she love me I don’t understand,” he spits over Great John production. “Hitman” appears on the deluxe edition of Sleepy Hallow’s project Still Sleep?
