This week’s (March 31) New Music Friday includes new releases from Chloë Bailey, Larry June & The Alchemist, DJ Drama and Juicy J as well as singles from Coi Leray, Khalid, Nardo Wick, and Jhene Aiko.
Chloë Bailey
Chloë Bailey‘s solo debut album, In Pieces has finally arrived. After releasing a slew of singles (“Treat Me”, “Surprise”, “Have Mercy”), Bailey is showcasing her creative prowess as a songwriter and producer on her latest project. The 14-track album, featuring Chris Brown, Future and Missy Elliot, displays the tribulations with bad relationships. Sonically, In Pieces ranges from slow ballads (“In Pieces”) to up-beat and bubbly (“Body Do”) tracks. Weeks prior to it’s release, Bailey teased fans with the cover art, release date and track-list for the project. The entire project is a masterclass display of vocal range.
Larry June & The Alchemist
San Fransisco’s very own, Larry June, has released his sixth collaborative album, The Great Escape with production vet, The Alchemist. The project features prior June collaborators, Curren$y (Barragán Lighting) and Jay Worthy (Exitó). There are also appearances from Joey Bada$$, Wiz Khalifa, Slum Village, Big Sean and Action Bronson. The album perfectly blends June’s laid back- health conscious-optimistic style of rap over The Alchemist’s mosaics of sound.
DJ Drama
After releasing trailers for his forthcoming project, DJ Drama‘s I’m Really Like That is finally here. The trailers are a recreation from the record store scene in the 1991 film, Juice. Drama recruited Jim Jones to play 2Pac’s role as Bishop and Queen Latifah to reprise her role as Ruffhouse M.C. I’m Really Like That, Drama’s first solo album since Quality Street Music 2, features a star-studded line-up. Roddy Rich, Gucci Mane, Tyler, The Creator, T.I, Rick Ross and Wiz Khalifa are only a few that make appearances throughout the 14-track album.
Juicy J
Juicy J’s new mixtape, Mental Trillness is all about mental health. He opens the project with a PSA from former first lady, Michelle Obama, “today nearly 1 and 5 Americans are living with a mental health condition.” The mixtape touches on drug abuse, relationship problems, depression and confusion. He pays homage to the late Gangsta Boo by using a sample of her hit “Where Dem Dollas At” on “Work Out”. He features her again on the mixtape’s closing track “Follow Home Robbers.”
Singles