Albums You Should Listen To
Photo Credit: Credit: Gastón McGary
This week is stacked with new albums you should listen to, from the likes of Kid Cudi, Boldy James, James Blake, Kamiyah, Pete Rock, BIA, and more.
There is an overwhelming amount of music that drops on New Music Fridays. Unless you have hours of free time, it’s almost impossible to wade through all the new hip-hop albums out there to get to the good stuff.
That’s where Okayplayer comes in. On Friday morning, we are out here listening to as much new music as humanly possible. This week is stacked, with the biggest release coming from Kid CudiWe also got new releases from Boldy James, Kamiyah, Pete Rock, BIA, and more.
Check out the full slate of new albums below.
Kid Cudi — Man on the Moon III: The Chosen
Photo Credit: Republic Records
Kid Cudi has completed his trilogy. The veteran rapper has released Man on the Moon III, the album that finishes out one of the most memorable rap album series ever. He talked to Zane Lowe the other day about why he decided to add another album to his series.
"It was conversations I would have with my friends, like Dodd and Dennis. And then me being in the right place creatively. I was already in a really good place working on Intergalactic, going crazy on the Scotts sh-t, had that in the chamber. But then I was making something else that didn't fit those two projects. And I think after two or three songs, I was like, "Whoa, this sh-t really feels like a Man On the Moon. Like this is what the universe is telling me to make here. So I think after two or three songs, I was like, "This is it." I made "Tequila Shots," "Another Day," and She Knows This," I believe.So I made those songs first. And that's why you hear "Tequila Shots" and it sounds like such an introduction. It sounds like you pick right back up where we left off 10 years ago."
Boldy James & Real Bad Man — Real Bad Boldy
Photo Credit: Real Bad Man Records
Boldy James doesn't stop. The Detroit rapper has released his fourth album of 2020, Real Bad Boldy. This album was produced entirely by producer Real Bad Man. Back in April, we talked to Boldy about his style of rapping. He told us:
"I don’t make music that you dance to. I make music that you thug to. I make music that’s suitable for hustling, and thinking in split-second decisions and shit. I make that, 'Save a nigga from himself' type of music."
Jack Harlow — That's What They All Say
Photo Credit: Atlantic Records
"WHAT'S POPPIN" is one of the biggest songs of the year. But does Jack Harlow have 15 WHAT'S POPPIN" in him? He has just released his debut album, That's What They All Say. Speaking about his journey with Zane Lowe, Harlow said:
"It's funny. Every level up just normalizes everything. You see a place you want to be, and you're like, if I could just be there, I would feel on top of the world. And then you get there and you're like, what's up there though? So you just keep looking up the hill, and that's a blessing and a curse. It can be unhealthy. But I feel like that's what's gotten me this far is I want so much more than this right here."
Mulatto — Queen of da Souf (Extended Version)
Photo Credit: RCA
Mulatto isn't letting the controversy around her name slow her down. She has just released an extended version of Queen of da Souf. Mulatto is one of the leaders of a new generation of talented female rappers.She spoke to us in September about this movement.
"Girls have so many female artists, female rappers to look up to. We’re all from different areas, have different backgrounds, wear our hair different, different skin tones. It’s so beautiful because it’s breaking down all the barriers and just stigmas of the industry right now."
Kamaiyah — No Explanations
Photo Credit: EMPIRE
Kamiyah drops off No Explanations, her third project of 2020. She is independent, and back in July shetalked with Audiomack about the recent success she has had. She said:
“People like the material I create. I create music because it’s something I was born to do. I hear melodies, I been like that since I was a child. For people to embrace something I was gonna do anyways, if I never made a dollar from it, that’s the dope part about it.I’m just trying to keep grinding. I notice most artists, in order to become household names, it’s five or six projects. I’m only on my third! So, I’m just trying to have fun, until I get to that point.”
Channel Tres — I can't go outside
Photo Credit: Art For Their Good
Earlier this year, house magician Channel Tres was supposed to perform at Coachella. Then COVID-19 happened. So he got to work. He recorded I can't go outside, a short EP featuring guest appearances from Tyler, the Creator and Tinashe.
Pete Rock — PeteStrumentals 3
Photo Credit: Tru Soul Records
On Pete Rock's latest album, PeteStrumentals 3, the legendary producer leaves the samples alone. Instead, he made a band. He spoke to us about abandoning samples:
"I just felt like I’m at a point now in my career where I could just do basically whatever. I wanted to do this because I believed in this band. I believed that we had something strong going on. And so I just basically grabbed like 25 of my beats, passed it around to the guys, and said, 'What do you think, and how close can you come to this, to what you hear?'"
BIA — FOR CERTAIN
Photo Credit: Epic Records
After dropping a number of loosies and singles, BIA has released her official debut on Epic Records. The EP is called FOR CERTAIN. On IG she talked about the title:
"Without getting too preachy this is the first time in my life I’m certain about everything. I move with surety & that’s because everything I’m doing is authentic. There’s a power that comes from not seeking validation from anyone other than YOU. "
Chance the Rapper & Jeremih — Merry Christmas Lil Mama: The Gift That Keeps on Giving
Photo Credit: Chance the Rapper
Chance the Rapper and Jeremih took a bunch of cuts from their Merry Christmas Lil Mama album and the Re-Wrapped version to make Merry Christmas Lil Mama: The Gift That Keeps on Giving. The album also includes two new songs, “Who’s To Say” and “The Return.” The project comes just days after Jeremih recovered from a fight with COVID-19.
Terrace Martin — Village Days
Photo Credit: Sounds of Crenshaw
Terrace Martin drops off a quick holiday EP, featuring favs like Nick Grant and Kent Jamz. Earlier this year, we spoke with Martin about his creative process. He told us:
"Everyday. I live in the studio at my house. I’ve been in the studio every day consistently for over 30 years. Every week, consistently in my life, since I was a toddler. It hasn’t been a week other than me being out of town on tour, where I wasn’t in the studio."
Gang Starr — One of the Best Yet (Instrumental)
Photo Credit: Gang Starr
The instrumental version of One of the Best Yet includes an awesome new Gang Starr song called "Glowing Mic."
JPEGMAFIA — EP!
Photo Credit: EQT Recording
JPEGMAFIA has released his first project of 2020. EP! features Denzel Curry and Tommy Genesis. Speaking to Zane Love, JPEGMAFIA talked about the feeling of putting out a new project.
"It's hard to describe. When I put it out, and I know other people are hearing it, it almost takes on a new life or something. I've described this before, but it's like letting your kids out after they're 18, and you're like, "Look at them. They're all out on their own. Everybody has an opinion about them now. They're not in my house anymore." It feels like that. And depending on how good of a parent you are, that's how good it felt. You never know. So yeah, that's how I think about it."
Heem — Long Story Short
Photo Credit: Black Soprano Family
Heem is part of Benny The Butcher's Black Soprano Family, alongside Rick Hyde, LoveBoat Luciano, Jonesy, and more. He has just released his debut album Long Story Short, which is hosted by Green Lantern and executive produced by Benny. Earlier in the year, we spoke with Benny about how he linked with Heem. He told us:
"Heem was from the hood. I didn’t even know he was rapping and shit. He paid me for a feature and then the shit was fire. And I was like, “You need to come fuck with me on some business shit, leave the streets alone, we’re going to do this and I’m going to make sure you good.” He trusted me, believed in me, and he rode with me. And I rewarded him with a top position with the gang."
LNDN DRGS — Burnout 4
Photo Credit: GDF Records
When Jay Worthy and producer Sean House link they are LNDN DRUGS. The two have released their fourth and final album in the Burnout series. They also dropped a new video, for the Larry June featured “Always." Speaking about the video in a press release, Worthy said:
"This video is special to me cause it was shot in the south Bronx the Mecca of this rap shit where it all started brought me back to the days of wild style and style wars . Being from the west coast this shit seemed so foreign like one day we gonna go to New York but now we here and fully tapped in street legend shit.”
Yhung T.O. — Jupiter
Photo Credit: Legendary RBE
SOBxRBE's Yhung T.O. finishes the year strong with a new album.
Young Scooter & Zaytoven — Zaystreet
Photo Credit: Zaytoven Global
Two Atlanta veterans link for a new album. oYung Scooter dropped a tape with Zaytoven. There's some great appearances from 2 Chainz, Chief Keef, Rick Ross, Young Dolph, and more.
Wajeed — Acts of Love Mixtape: Act Two
Photo Credit: DIRT TECH RECK
Detroit DJ Wajeed dropped a five song tape called Acts of Love Mixtape: Act Two. If you cop the album on Bandcamp all proceeds will go to a Detroit-based community music hub called Underground Music Academy.
Nicolay — A New World
Photo Credit: The Foreign Exchange Music
Nicolay, one half of Foreign Exchange, released his last project of 2020, A New World EP. It's the third project in his Analog Dreams series, following the Never Stand Still EP and Lights in the Sky.
ANKHLEJOHN — As Above So Below
Photo Credit: Shaap Records
The prolific ANKHLEJOHN has put his latest album, As Above So Below, on all DSPs. This album was produced by Navy Blue and features Wiki, Pink Sifu, Da$h, and more.
FXXXXY — Do You Trust Me?
Photo Credit: Rule #1
Back in September, FXXXXY (pronounced foxy) died after complications from a routine medical procedure. He was only 25 years old. FXXXXY was signed to Future's FreeBandz label. He was working on his own album at the time of his death and the family has decided to release that work.
In a statementreleased on Instagram, the FXXXXY family wrote:
“FXXXXY was looking forward to building his fanbase with his unique sound, straight from his heart and soul. When you hear this project, you will hear his passion for creating music that began at six years old. When you hear his lyrics and vocals, you will feel his presence. We are still in great pain over losing FXXXXY, and we also acknowledge the pain of many others he touched, whether through music or friendship. He is absolutely missed, but his contributions to the music industry will live forever. Please enjoy his debut project; your support is very much appreciated! Long Live FXXXXY!”
James Blake — Covers
Photo Credit: Josh Stadlen
During the height of quarantine, James Blake was on Live, performing covers that fans were requesting. After officially releasing his rendition of Frank Ocean's "Godspeed," James Blake has dropped a whole EP of covers.
