Nicki sizzles like a pepperoni pizza, Juicy J says trippy, and newcomer LEIKEL47 schools us in how to throw a party
YOUNG THUG, FREDDIE GIBBS & A$AP FERG – "OLD ENGLISH"
There’s a world of difference between a party and the molly-fuelled event that Freddie Gibbs, Young Thug, and A$AP Ferg are discussing. The Salva and Nick Hook production is the first release on Nas’ Mass Appeal label and is set to appear on the Mass Appeal Vol. 1 compilation, due out September 2 – and it sounds like the kind of party where you're wondering if you'll make it out alive.
LEIKEL47 – "FUCK THE SUMMER UP"
Brooklyn rapper Leikeli47’s gunfire rhymes are a call to action that she’s trying to lock down (and fuck up) the summer. In the femme fatale's Cali-shot video for the bass-stutter of "Fuck The Summer Up", it's hot as hell but ski masks are still a necessity. Consider it an eduactional guide to throwing a proper bender – grab your water pistols.
FUTURE – "ROCKSTAR" (FEAT NICKI MINAJ)
You’ll be hard to pressed to find another song that can make you feel as ambitious in the summer months as this leaked offcut from Future’s Honest. You wanna sit there on a beach sipping something woozy, right? Own your rock star status, find a sexy crew and get yourself all over Instagram to make fools jealous. Nicki taught us well.
SZA – "JULIA"
Let’s get whimsical and romantic for a sec. TDE’s first female, non-rapper, signee SZA gets all 80s with the breezy love song “Julia”. The track’s been around since last year, but now it’s brought to life by a lovelorn and beautiful video as wistful as one of Chris Isaak’s old school visuals. It makes you want to frolic on a beach and be chased by someone you love for the night.
T.I. - "NO MEDIOCRE" (FEAT IGGY AZALEA)
Once the DJ Mustard beat drops on T.I.’s collab with Iggy, all bets are off. If the "Murda Bizness" duo had a gospel it might read like: don’t leave the house looking a wreck, don’t settle for some sloppy random at a club, aim high – you're worth it.
JUICY J – "SCHOLARSHIP" (FEAT A$AP ROCKY)
It’s the summer, but Uni is right around the corner and you’re going to need some funds to pay for proper schooling. Former Three 6 Mafia member Juicy J knows this, so it was an ideal time for him to make “Scholarship” with pretty flacko himself A$AP Rocky. This Stay Trippy gem makes you want to dust off those twerking moves that went out of style months ago. Throwback Thursday?
THE WEEKND – "KING OF THE FALL"
Oh Abel, you’re the only one who can make us want to have copious amounts of sex in the middle of a drugged-out stupor. As his alter-ego The Weeknd he's about to head out on a tour– also called "King of the Fall" – with Schoolboy Q and Jhené Aiko, but no word as to why Sky Ferreira features on the artwork. Bump this track for a private party and have a wonderful time. Just turn up responsibly.
JUICY J – "SHELL SHOCKED" (FEAT WIZ KHALIFA & TY DOLLA $IGN)
Who had any clue that a song for the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles soundtrack could be such a tune? Well, if anyone can do it, Juicy J can. Flanked by the ultimate pot promoter Wiz Khalifa and Taylor Gang signee Ty Dolla $ign, we get a track hot and delivered, ready to have the biggest house party in history. Order pizza though, in TMNT’s honour.
LIL BIBBY – "WE ARE STRONG" (FEAT KEVIN GATES)
Pat Benatar visited Chi Town? Well that’s what we get when you bring a “Love Is A Battlefield” sample to Chicago rapper Lil Bibby’s new track with Lil Wayne-endorsed Kevin Gates. The dark intimidating beat paired with Bibby and Gates’ threatening vocals give a warning shot that the block is hot – and that's nothing to do with the weather.
PUSHA T, NICKI MINAJ, JUICY J & BUSTA RHYMES – "NO FLEX ZONE" (VERSEABLE REMIX)
Rae Sremmurd’s track went viral, everyone and their mama remixed it, and then Verseable sewed together the best remix verses for one tight track. Pusha T, Nicki Minaj, Juicy J and Busta Rhymes ? That’s like attending a festival for one artist and all these other guys show up. Come to think of it, festival season is here. Let’s get this collab live on stage, please.