Brand New Hip-Hop To Start 2022
2022 has started off strong with fresh new music from many of our favorite artists. Everyone from Lil Wayne to Earl Sweatshirt to Kanye West dropped something new this week!
Let’s dive into the new music of the week:
Wale, Murda Beatz, and Blxst – One Shot
Blxst hasn’t missed since he burst on the scene in 2019 and Wale is the most reliable MC in hip-hop, of course this song is a bop. Blxst became a viral hit in 2021 when his track Chosen became unavoidable on the app, now he’s shaping up to be the next Ty Dolla $ign.
JID, 21 Savage, Baby Tate – Surround Sound
JID samples the legendary hook from Aretha Franklin’s One Step Ahead – which hip-hop fans will recognize from Mos Def’s Ms. Fat Booty. JID and 21 Savage go together like peanut butter and jelly, then Baby Tate closes out the song. It’s hard to build off of two iconic songs, but JID successfully blended Aretha Franklin into a 2022 fast-paced rap song.
Lil Wayne – Sorry 4 The Wait
More than ten years after it’s original release Lil Wayne’s highly coveted mixtape Sorry 4 The Wait is finally available on streaming services like Spotify and Apple Music. Unfortunately a number of the biggest tracks from Sorry 4 The Wait are absent from streaming services, but to make up for it – Weezy added four new songs.
Earl Sweatshirt – SICK!
Somehow a veteran in the rap game at 27, and highly respected as one of the best lyricists in hip-hop, Earl Sweatshirt has released his fourth studio album – SICK! Earl has a signature sound that has inspired many in the indie/alt-rap scene.
Although this album won’t achieve radio play, it’s already logging millions in streams. Earl has a fanbase that is reliable and wants to hear whatever he puts out.
Kanye West – Heaven & Hell (Music Video)
To start 2022, Ye dropped the music video for one of the lesser Donda songs Heaven & Hell. The music video is so beautiful and cinematic, it almost tricked me into liking the song.
The video is worth a watch, it looks like a trailer for a Christopher Nolan film. Similarly Ye was also featured on a new song with The Game titled Eazy in which he goes full divorce mode and disses Pete Davidson.
Cordae – From a Birds Eye View
On January 14th – Cordae dropped his highly anticipated album From a Birds Eye View. To promote the album, Cordae went to a series of HBCU’s and held listening parties. This album features Gunna, Lil Wayne, Lil Durk, H.E.R, Eminem, Roddy Ricch, Ant Clemons, Freddie Gibbs, and Stevie Wonder.
Kota the Friend – Lyrics to GO, Vol. 3
Independent Brooklyn-artist Kota the Friend released a 10-song project titled Lyrics to Go, Vol. 3. Kota makes tantalizingly chill music, his delivery and beats are infectiously smooth. If you’re looking for well-written lyrics and beats that’ll make your head knock – check out New York’s Kota the Friend.