1. Best Songs of the Week Playlist
2. Skepta - "SHUTDOWN"
It's happening. Recent co-signs from Kanye West (the BRITs, that epic surprise KOKO performance) and Drake come on the back of the genuine foundation that Skepta has built in New York rap crews like Ratking and A$AP Mob. People on both sides of the Atlantic seem conflicted. Will it be positive or negative if America embraces grime? Does the sound even have a chance of catching on over here anyway?
When Skepta's making bangers like this, let's have less talk and more skanking, please. Co-produced by Ragz Orignale, the beat has a cheeky, catchy melody to go along with the kind of hook that is just made to be screamed at live shows. Skepta's new album #KONNICHIWA is getting more anticipated by the day.—Constant Gardner
4. Action Bronson ft. Chance The Rapper - "Baby Blue"
How will this new Action Bronson album differ from the free mixtapes he's been delivering for years now? His music is always consistent, but he's not the type of rapper to go pop or start singing hooks—wait a minute, is that Action Bronson singing a hook? Well, shit.
"Baby Blue" is still Action being Action, but it shows that he's willing to expand on what he's been doing. The song has Mark Ronson production a little more full than we're used to, and the chorus, co-written by Zane Lowe, is proof that the New York rapper has more than just bars. Mr. Wonderful comes out March 24.—Confusion
5. Reece - "Ghost"
Right now, Reece is an 18-year-old with a few blurry-faced pictures, a handful of songs on SoundCloud, and a voice. But that voice. "Ghost" is haunting and beautiful, and has us looking forward to hearing a lot more from Reece in the future. About the song, he told us, "I wrote 'Ghost' at a time where I was immensely uncertain about my future. I was getting ready to graduate and take a year off from school to pursue music while trying to cope with the fact that everyone I grew up with and became close to were going to leave. I took the fear that was in me and wrote 'Ghost' in a way that would hopefully make it relatable."—Confusion
